City Council votes to give $50K to local food sources; Works on business assistance plans

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council voted Tuesday to give $50,000 to local charities who supply food to locals in need to help them meet the growing demand for food during the pandemic.

Bread & Broth, Bread & Broth 4 Kids, Christmas Cheer, Phoenix Food Pantry, and the Family Resource Center will all be getting a check for $10,000 each from the City to help fill their shelves to meet the need.

"The City is facing a loss of its own but we know there are so many people hurting in our community,” said Councilmember Brooke Laine. “This City cares about our residents and our small businesses and wanted to do something to give back.”

“We will not let people go hungry right now,” added Mayor Jason Collin. “We are committed to providing the help these charities need to make sure that happens

The short-term economic recovery task force led by Mayor Pro Tem Tami Wallance and Councilmember Brooke Laine presented a plan during Tuesday's meeting to help the community face the challenges of the pandemic. Other members of the task force are Amanda Adams, Ted McDowell, Jerry Bindel, Mansoor "Elie" Alyeshmerni, Debbie Brown, Victor Mora, Carol Chaplin, Jamie Orr, Tom Fortune, Joelle Shearin, Marissa Fox, Christy Wilson, and Ted Kennedy.

They presented a three-pronged idea that would not only provide food for families but also cash assistance for them, a business resilience fund for business grants and loans, along with the City of South Lake Tahoe Open for Business plan. The projected cost of all of those ideas is $6,151,850.

Councilmembers Cody Bass and Devin Middlebrook also presented an idea to give residents vouchers instead of food to use at local businesses to help stimulate the economy.

City staff and the task force will continue to work on the plans and bring back refined plans that will work within the City's budget at their next meeting.

The task force's proposed "Open for Business" plan asked for over $350,000 to support businesses as they reopen including a micro-transit solution.

Wallace said they are looking at similar jurisdictions who have created loan programs that leverage private contributions with city funds to create robust funding to assist businesses.

“We all have to do our part right now and the City is chipping in like so many others,” said interim City Manager Brad Kilger. “We cannot wait for this community to come back to life but right now we all realize we are stronger together and safer apart.”

Council did make the decision to delay City business license payments for 60 days as a way to give support to business owners.

There will be a special council meeting on Wednesday, May 6 to discuss the reopening plans and what El Dorado County is working on to phase in reopening. The next regular meeting May 12.