City's new vision statement: We will reflect the national treasure in which we live

The City of South Lake Tahoe now has a new vision statement to guide all of their decisions: "We will reflect the national treasure in which we live."

During a two-day long retreat and strategic planning session, the City Council and staff leaders met to discuss their strategies over the next two years, something they do right after every Council election.

City leaders will now get other agencies on the South Shore to join them in this mission, as well as the community. The vision will be reflected on City materials, a new logo, and be the "guiding principle in decision making."

Discussed were the budget priorities for the next five year which will include a sales tax increase to cover replacement and maintenance of roads, public and private partnerships, buy up blighted hotels to create new housing opportunities, and increase enforcement of the City's sign ordinance.

Also on the City's list to accomplish:

Implement a road rehabilitation program;
Be ready to start the Recreation Center within one year and have it built in three;
Complete the Sierra Boulevard Street Project;
Extend sidewalks and lights;
Improve the exterior facade at the airport/City Hall.

The goals for the next year for the City Council and staff: Secure financing for roads, resolve the 56-acre property in the middle of town, fixing Highway 50, start the recreation center, improve local agency collaboration and work on housing through collaborative efforts.

Their five year goals: Secure an outdoor concert venue, complete 56-acre project, elimination of SRO (Single Room Occupancy) units and create new housing, and fiber networking in conjunction with streetwork.

Fixing 50

Discussion during the retreat not only covered financial and policy goals that will always stay in tune with the new vision statement, the group also discussed how they could make Highway 50 fit that vision.

With a highway running through the middle of the city, challenges arise on how to make it fit something warranting the distinction, National Treasure. Eyesore and aging motels owned by people who either don't want to sell, or want more than physical value for their property because of the current value of Tourist Accommodation Units (TAUs) are top on the list of "fixing 50." Their current value is $15,000 per unit. The City wants to reduce them by 25 percent and turn them over to workforce housing.

Another way to Fix 50 in their minds is to get $5M per year for road maintenance, commit to 100 percent renewable power and replace the current, aging fleet.

Vacationers in South Lake Tahoe are moving to vacation home rental instead of motel options in the community. The average tourist in the area does not want to rent in rundown motels, so many have converted to weekly and monthly rentals

Community Input

During a pre-strategic planning session meeting on February 14, the Council listened to several community members for their input on the direction the City should go, things they should accomplish, and on a vision.

Jude Wood, Chris McNamara, Duane Wallace, Bonnie Turnbull, Nick Exline, Devin Middlebrook, Brooke Hernandez, Cheyanne Lane, David Orr, Tyler Cannon, Brooke Laine, Dave Kurtzman, Jose Henriquez, Jason Drew and Bill Roby all gave presentations to the City Council. During the two-day retreat, Council and staff used what they learned from these community members to help plan their goals and narrow down their focus.

Next Steps

The Council and City staff will now take these goals and meet together with partners that can help them accomplishment them. They spoke that there is no time to wait to "Fix the Crumble."

Council and staff said they are now committed to become more involved with other agencies and groups to get all on board with "reflecting the national treasure in which we live." They want to work collaboratively to combine resources and develop more partnerships to accomplish their goals.

The facilitator for the retreat was Ted Gaebler, a former City Manager and author of national bestseller, Reinventing Government: How the Entrepreneurial Spirit is Transforming the Public Sector. He is one of a group of 18 former City Managers that make themselves available to cities across the state as a benefit from part of the "California League of Cities." Gaebler has spoken all around the world on how to run a city, and uses his 50 years of experience in the field to guide others to success.

More on the strategic planning retreat and future focus of the City will be presented to the public during the next City Council on Tuesday, March 7.