SLT City Council candidate Brooke Laine

All candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were given the same questions. With just one day to go to the elections, we will be featuring their answers and a video of their interview with Tahoe Regional Young Professionals through the day.

Brooke Laine, 52, Branch Manager, US Bank, Born and raised in SLT

Discuss your interest in serving on City Council. What is your prior experience in working with civic, community or governmental organizations?

I am and have always been passionate about our community. I want to help bring professional and respectful discourse back to the public process so that WE can work together and focus on moving our community forward.

I have six (6) years experience as a council member. I fully understand the responsibilities and the time commitment. I will listen to all sides of an issue. While I may believe strongly in a position I am willing to compromise when necessary for the good of residents and city.

I currently serve as Chair of the Citizen’s Oversight Committee for the Lake Tahoe Community College, Parliamentarian for Soroptimist Int’l of South Lake Tahoe, and Treasurer of the South Tahoe High School Alumni Association.

I have served on many boards including the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, California Tahoe Conservancy, Waste Management JPA, Clean Tahoe Program, Tahoe Transportation District, Local Area Formation Committee, and the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce.

I was a volunteer for the South Tahoe National Little League, American Youth Soccer Organization, and South Tahoe Babe Ruth.

Concerning the proposed Hwy 50 Revitalization Project, what is your stance and why?

If this project moves forward, the real value of the project is that new affordable housing would replace old and tired housing in the stateline corridor where many of our residents reside and work. If the Loop Road project proceeds, it is mandatory that workforce housing must be in place prior to the start of the project. Approximately eighty percent (80%) of all traffic funneling through the Stateline corridor is simply passing through the congested area. Our ability to route traffic that wants to simply pass through stateline on an alternate route to bypass the area will create the opportunity to make a more friendly experience for those wishing to enjoy all of the shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities that this area has to offer.

Do you believe there is a low income and affordable housing issue in SLT, and why? If you believe there is, what do you see your role as a council member to address it?

Hands down, the most urgent issue facing the city is housing. There are a number of contributing factors. 1. The cost of building in Tahoe is so expensive that maximizing the size of a single family residence is the only way that a project can be profitable. 2. The annual median income for a family of 4 is $36,000 making purchasing these oversized homes unrealistic. 3. 78% of our housing stock is currently owned by 2nd homeowners and the majority of these homes are not used as long-term rentals but rather vacation home rentals or they just sit vacant. 4. Airbnb has provided a new method for homeowners and lease holders to offset mortgage payments and monthly rental fees and thereby reducing the need for roommates.

I will strongly support any and all opportunities to make it easier to build workforce housing and will support public & private partnerships to accomplish this. Regarding the proliferation of Vacation Home Rentals in our residential neighborhoods, I would propose a full time staff of enforcement officers that would work around the clock. This would do away with the current complaint driven process and would ensure that garbage is being properly managed in addition to all other issues including parking, noise etc.

Do you believe the Council should work as a team and collaborate to come to a solution as to what is best for the community? Explain your answer.

I want to help bring professional and respectful discourse back to the public process so that WE can work together and focus on moving our community forward.

A hot topic in the town are Vacation Home Rentals. The current Council and staff held public meetings on the subject and have come up with a new set of codes trying to address concerns. Do you think VHRs are a vital need to tourism in the community? What do you propose the next step should be since both sides of the issue are still concerned about the current direction?

PRO’s: VHRs help maintain if not increase our property values. VHRs help offset costs (think South Tahoe Refuse) as they are required to pay the same quarterly fees as residents but don’t always use the service. VHRs may attract a tourist who might not otherwise come to Tahoe.

CON’s: VHRs have impacted our neighborhoods; they are often noisy. The visitors tend to “over park” and garbage is a constant problem.

Next Steps: What I would like to see is VHRs that want to do business in our neighborhoods and therefore will be held to strict enforcement. They should be required to buy bear boxes. They should collect the same level of TOT as we do in our Tourist Core Area. 100% of the increase should be dedicated to funding a team of enforcement officers.

What 3 achievable goals would you champion in the next 4 years?

1. Bus shelters at every bus stop.
2. Prioritization and funding for complete repair of our streets.
3. Creation of a Tahoe County.

What areas of South Lake Tahoe do you think present an opportunity for revitalization? What do you view as your role?

The Tahoe Valley Area Plan outlines how this area of town can be transformed to better serve our residents and provide opportunities to shop, dine, and enjoy additional recreation amenities. Better alternative modes of transportation, specifically, walkable and bikeable, will allow for residents to move through this congested area more safely.

The Hwy 50 Revitalization Plan provides us the opportunity to build new affordable and workplace housing projects in an area where our residents choose to live and work. Replacing old and tired housing stock is desperately needed. The opportunity of attracting millions of dollars of federal aid will provide a boost to our economy and an investment in a sustainable future.

In 300 words or less, why should voters vote for you?

My name is Brooke Laine. I am and have always been passionate about our community. I want to help bring professional and respectful discourse back to the public process so that WE can work together and focus on moving our community forward.

I have six (6) years experience as a council member. I fully understand the responsibilities and the time commitment. I will listen to all sides of an issue. While I may believe strongly in a position I am willing to compromise when necessary for the good of residents and city.

I respectfully ask for your vote on November 8th.