Town Council Meeting March 12, 2024 Page 1 of 6
Town Council Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2024, 5:00 PM
Town Hall – Administrative Center | 10183 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee, CA
1. Call to Order: Vice Mayor Zabriskie called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
2. Roll Call: Council Members: Romack, Henderson, and Vice Mayor Zabriskie.
Absent: Council Member Klovstad and Mayor Polivy
Staff Present: Dan Wilkins, Public Works Director/Town Engineer; Nicole Casey, Administrative Services Director; Kelly Carpenter, Town Clerk; Danny Renfrow, Chief of Police; Andy Morris, Town Attorney; Hilary Hobbs, Assistant to the Town Manager; Jen Callaway, Town Manag er; Jenna Gatto, Town Planner; Chris Hardy, Chief Information Security and Technology Officer; Yumie Dahn, Principal Planner; Laura Dabe, Associate Planner; Becky Bucar, Assistant Public Works Director; Brittany Johanson, Police Support Services Manager; Erin Brewster, Sustainability Program Manager; Sarah Ring, Deputy Town Clerk; Jen Hunt, Administrative Technician; Scott Mathot, Senior Engineer; Jeanine Kelly, Police Records Technician; James Blattler, Emergency Services Coordinator; Robert Womack, Emergency Services Manager; Chelsea Crager, Senior Planner; Adam Petersen, Senior Planner.
3. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited in unison.
4. Public Comment:
Verbal comment received from: Robert Ferwerda
5. Presentations
5.1 Vice Mayor Zabriskie presented the Proclamation for Red Cross Month.
The Proclamation was received by Red Cross volunteers Esther Bousquet, Larry Bousquet, Dave DePuy and Judy DePuy.
5.2 Jenna Gatto, Town Planner introduced new employees Chelsea Crager, Senior Planner, and Adam Petersen, Senior Planner, and announced the promotion of Yumie Dahn to Principal Planner.
Danny Renfrow, Police Chief, introduced new employees James Blatter, Emergency Services Coordinator, and Jeanine Kelly, Police Records Technician.
Kelly Carpenter, Town Clerk, announced the promotion of Sarah Ring to Deputy Town Clerk, and introduced new employee, Jen Hunt, Administrative Technician.
5.3 Jen Callaway, Town Manager, announced she had nothing to report for the Town Manager Report..
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Vice Mayor Zabriskie opened the presentation items to public comment.
Seeing none, Vice Mayor Zabriskie closed public comment.
6. Consent Calendar
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, and seconded by Council Member Romack, to approve the Consent Calendar Items 6.1 through 6.4 as follows:
6.1 Approved the minutes of February 27, 2024, Regular Meeting.
6.2 Approved a budget amendment to add $17,000 from the Sustainability Designation to the FY 2023/2024 budget for CIP 2309 to fund single-use bottle reduction initiatives and approved a budget amendment transferring $55,000 from the Solid Waste FY 2023/2024 operating budget to the FY 2023/2024 budget for CIP 2309 Single-Use Foodware Reduction.
6.3 Authorized $15,000 in funding towards Donner Lake monitoring for the 2024 State of Donner Lake report administered by the Truckee River Watershed Council.
6.4 (1) Adopted Resolution 2024-13 certifying the results of the June 7, 2022 election; (2) Adopted Ordinance 2024-03 imposing a transaction and use tax to be administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA); (3) Adopted Resolution 2024-14 authorizing the Town Manager to execute the Preparatory Agreement and the Administrative Agreement with CDTFA to authorize CDTFA to collect the voter-approved tax pursuant Measure U by October 1, 2024; and (4) Adopted Resolution 2024-15, authorizing Town staff and representatives to examine confidential tax records maintained by CDTFA.
The Consent Calendar carried with the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Henderson, Council Member Romack, and Vice Mayor Zabriskie
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Klovstad and Mayor Polivy
Abstained: None
The motion passed 3-0.
7. Discussion Items
7.1 Village at Gray’s Crossing Car Wash Appeal (Planning Application 2024-00000011/APL).
Recommended Action: That Council adopt Resolution 2024-12 to: (1) Determine the project to be exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3 and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan or Zoning); (2) Uphold the decision of the Planning Commission approving the Village at Gray’s Crossing Car Wash Development Permit Project Amendment application (Planning Application 2022- 00000034/DP-AMD); (3) Deny the appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to approve the Village at Gray’s Crossing Car Wash; and (4) Approve the Village at Gray’s Crossing Car Wash Development Permit Amendment, based on the findings and subject to the conditions of approval.
Yumie Dahn, Principal Planner, presented from the staff report (presentation on file with Town Clerk).
Brandon Kline of Best, Best & Krieger was present to respond to questions.
Michelle Black of Carstens, Black & Minteer, LLP, provided the appellant’s presentation.
Jim Wiley of Taylor & Wiley, and Martin Wood of SCO Planning & Engineering, Inc., provided the applicant’s presentation.
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Council Discussion:
The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) included review of the Gray’s Crossing Specific Plan which included a car wash as an allowed specific use. o The CEQA exemption application applicable to this project is not a categorical exemption.
Noises from stereos or other outside noises are not considered project noises and would not be included in the review of noise impact on the environment. Average decibel noise level for a gas station/convenience store is 44 decibels. The car wash decibel level is 52.
o A high-quality acoustic engineer was used to conduct a noise study onsite in 2017. Since the adoption of the Specific Plan in 2004, a car wash has been an allowable use.
Other allowable uses include banks, bars, restaurants, churches, childcare facilities, and hotels.
Forty-four percent of the non-residential maximum allowable capacity has been built out. This project is consistent with adopted 2040 General Plan. Enforcement of the operating hours would be based on complaints. The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board will analyze the water for quality. Analysis of Vehicle Miles Traveled was not included as part of this project because it was not subject to the analysis under CEQA.
There are no CEQA concerns about this project. Nothing about this project would make it susceptible to CEQA.
The applicant’s community involvement with the neighborhood included emails and reaching out to different individuals.
o Applicant never refused to talk to any members of the public about the project. The car wash is anticipated to have a maximum of three employees onsite at one time.
There will always be a responsible employee onsite at all times. No signage has been proposed as part of this project to be in compliance with the Town’s Development Code.
The appeal is based on the project not conforming to the Specific Plan. Appellants request additional environmental review before Council makes a final determination. Non-hazardous cleaning materials will be used in the car wash, which will be selected from a list of state-approved chemicals.
To trigger a traffic impact study, there would need to be approximately 214 vehicular trips during peak hours, which is more than double the conservative estimate of the car wash. In order to conduct a new EIR, there would need to be new information that was not available at the time of the original report, such as discovery of an endangered species. o Sufficient baseline conditions have not changed in this project such that would require a new EIR.
o Conducting an EIR when one is not required is prohibited.
Vice Mayor Zabriskie opened the item for public comment.
Written comment received from:
Adam Green Laura Kindelt Robin Hensley
Andrew Brown Liza Killen Rolf Godon
Angela Gascho Lori Tucker Ronald Davidowski
Ben Chevlen Louise Wholey Ross Edwards
Catharine Allor Matt Hanson Shirley Kraus
Dan Dickerman Micah Myers Taylor, Wiley & Keasling
Daniel Wing Michael Berman Teresa Toller
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David Laberge Michael Nash Trisha Eggleston
Jessica Marr Michelle Black (2)
Jim Wholey Mike and Carol Rodgers
Josh Lehrer Mike Brown
Joshua Eggleston Pamela Dickerman
Karen Davidowski Peter Salvati
Kelly Conley Rana Brown
Verbal comment received from:
Teresa Toller Mark Lowensternen David Laberge Mike Brown Mike Rodgers David Gray Josh Eggleston Trisha Eggleston Vice Mayor Zabriskie closed public comment.
Vice Mayor Zabriskie adjourned for a brief recess at 7:39 p.m.
Vice Mayor Zabriskie reconvened at 7:48 p.m.
Michelle Black of Carstens, Black & Minteer, LLP provided the appellant’s reply.
Council Direction:
Closing hours should be earlier than sunset. The Conditions of Approval should reflect closing hours of 7:00 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier.
The staff recommendation, including Council’s direction above, was moved by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Romack, and adopted with the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Henderson, Council Member Romack, and Vice Mayor Zabriskie
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Klovstad and Mayor Polivy
Abstained: None.
The motion passed 3-0.
7.2 Dark Skies Spring Awareness Campaign and Lighting Rebate Program.
Recommended Action: That Council: (1) Approve the Dark Skies Lighting Rebate Program Outline; (2) Authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract amendment with Sierra Business Council to fund Phase II Dark Sky Rebate Pilot Program Implementation, including program software, for an amount not to exceed $91,720; (3) Authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract amendment with East River PR to fund the Spring Dark Sky Awareness Campaign in the amount of $25,000; and (4) Authorize a budget adjustment of $91,720 from the Sustainability Designation to CIP 2414 Dark Skies and a budget adjustment of $25,000 from general fund surplus to CIP 2414 Dark Skies for a total adjustment of $116,720.
Jen Callaway, Town Manager, presented from the staff report (presentation on file with Town Clerk).
Sherry Hao of Sierra Business Council spoke on behalf of the program.
Council Discussion:
For multi-family residential units, it is recommended that they qualify for the commercial rebates.
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Research was conducted based on existing programs that supported the four-fixture limitation per home. The idea behind the limitation is to spread the rebate money around to more homes.
Not sure what the average number of external lights on a single family residence. Sierra Business Council intends to create a list that includes energy-efficient products as well as energy star products to help applicants buy eligible products. The Town will work to facilitate conversations with local businesses to help identify eligible products within their stores.
The price of fixtures can be a wide range.
Vice Mayor Zabriskie opened the item for public comment.
Seeing none, Vice Mayor Zabriskie closed public comment.
Council Direction:
For single-family residential/multi-family of four units or less, increase the maximum number of fixtures to eight.
Multi-family of six units would qualify for the commercial rebate of $50 per fixture. Create a post-event survey to gather feedback on what would have incentivized more participation in the changeover/conversation.
As the program progresses, prepare a list of approved products that qualify for the rebate.
The staff recommendation, including Council direction above, was moved by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Romack, and adopted with the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Henderson, Council Member Romack, and Vice Mayor Zabriskie
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Klovstad and Mayor Polivy
Abstained: None.
The motion passed 3-0.
7.3 Public Hearing to Consider 2024 Development Code Update; Ordinance 2024-04 (Zoning District Regulations, Trailhead Parking, Retaining Walls, Downtown Parking, Home Occupations, Detached Living Areas, Food Trucks, Demolition Review and Clean-Up Amendments)
Recommended Action: That Council: (1) Conduct a Public Hearing and introduce Ordinance 2024-04 to amend the Truckee Municipal Code, Title 18, Development Code for Zoning District Regulations (Section 18.06.040), Trailhead Parking (Section 18.16.030, Table 2-10, and Chapter
18.220), Retaining Walls (Sections 18.30.070.C.3, 18.30.120.F.6 and 18.140.020), Downtown Parking, (Section 18.48.110), Home Occupations (Section 18.58.120), Detached Living Areas (Section 18.58.220.F), Food Trucks (Section 18.62.030), Demolition Review (Chapter 18.83) and Clean-Up Amendments; and (2) Determine the amendments to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Laura Dabe, Associate Planner, presented from the staff report (presentation on file with the Town Clerk).
Vice Mayor Zabriskie announced this item has been continued to the next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting of March 26, 2024.
Council Direction:
Council continued the item to the March 26, 2024, Town Council meeting.
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7.4 Acceptance of the Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2023.
Recommended Action: That Council accepts the quarterly financial report for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
Nicole Casey, Administrative Services Director, presented from the staff report (presentation on file with Town Clerk).
Vice Mayor Zabriskie announced this item has been continued to the next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting of March 26, 2024.
Council Direction:
Council continued the item to the March 26, 2024, Town Council meeting.
8. Council Reports:
Continued to the March 26, 2024, Town Council meeting.
9. Adjournment: 8:43 p.m.
To the regular meeting of the Truckee Town Council, March 26, 2024, 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee, CA.
Respectfully submitted by: Approved:
Kelly Carpenter, Town Clerk Jan Zabriskie, Vice Mayor
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