SLT City Council candidate Jason Collin

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.

Jason Collin, 43, Administrative Director of Post-Acute Services & Owner/Race Director for Epic Tahoe Adventures, 8 years living in Tahoe.

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

I want to see Tahoe move forward and realize its full potential. To do that, I think we need council members that are positive and focused on what we CAN do rather than getting caught up in the weeds of petty issues. I've served on the City's Sustainability Commission, participated in the Tahoe Prosperity Plan, graduated from and then led Leadership Lake Tahoe, was a member and president of South Lake Tahoe Rotary Club and board member and past Chair of the Tahoe Chamber. The key to success in all of my roles has been collaboration and civility. I strongly believe that we need to be equally vigorous in encouraging others to share their points of view as we are in sharing our own points of view.

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

I am in favor of the proposed project. An $80-100 million dollar investment in our community will have a substantial, positive impact on our local economy. The project includes quality, affordable housing options and will improve environmental safeguards exponentially. Furthermore, having a truly pedestrian friendly tourist core promotes retail spending so it is great for businesses and sales tax. And, although the primary investment is on the east end of town, a project like this will be a catalyst for private investment throughout the community. Last, and certainly not least, I am especially impressed with the guiding principles of the TTD that the project would not start until ALL residents/businesses have been successfully relocated and ALL funding is in place PRIOR to beginning construction.

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?

There is definitely a housing issue in our community. Because of the commodities system in the basin, TRPA is really in control of what can be done. Fortunately, there is a workgroup that has been formed to begin looking at revamping the commodities system. Unfortunately, it has a three year time frame. I think we need to do something sooner. As a council member, I believe my role will be to keep the pressure on TRPA to expedite revising their statutes as well as working with the other public partners (e.g. STPUD) to lower barriers for responsible, environmental redevelopment options that create affordable housing.

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.

To move Tahoe forward we absolutely have to work as a team. Actively listening to each other and to the community while working toward mutually rewarding outcomes is vital for progress. We need to model the type of behavior, communication, and collaboration we want to see in the community.

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?

VHRs are definitely a vital need in our community. How many VHRs is healthy for the community is what we need to figure out. I am glad to see that the City is conducting a study to find out just that. Having data from which we can make decisions will be imperative to making th choices that are in the best interest of the community as a whole.

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

1. Implement an annualized paving program to keep our good roads good and strategically rehab the roads in disrepair.
2. Lower barriers of redevelopment for private, quality, affordable housing options.
3. Create jobs by implementing a "Locals First" preference program for public projects so that local businesses have priority on City projects.

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

Our entire City will benefit from investment and revitalization.We can see that in the areas where there has been public investment (e.g. Harrison Ave and Lakeview Commons), private investment follows. On the commercial front, we want to see projects spread throughout town - which is what we are seeing right now (e.g. The Crossing at the Y, Harrison Ave, Zalanta). On the residential front, improving our roads is a huge first step towards community revitalization. After that, we need to encourage, promote and partner on ways for residents to upgrade outdated and sometimes failing housing. Investing in our current housing stock has the benefit of increasing property values, improving environmental safeguards and strengthening community integrity.

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

I moved to Tahoe because, like most of you, I wanted to live, work and play in the most beautiful place on earth. We have that in our natural surroundings and I think we deserve that in our built environment as well. I will fight for responsible redevelopment that strengthens our communities and improves environmental safeguards for the Lake. I will work on attracting new business and giving preference to locals when competing for jobs. I also know that the best and most sustainable solutions come after hearing all sides to an issue and then working together to find common ground. I am excited about what the future of South Lake Tahoe holds and ask for your vote on Nov. 8th. We CAN do better in Tahoe and we DESERVE it.