tourist

You hear of the "great recession" causing issues in many areas from jobs and income to housing, but another victim is quality child care in South Lake Tahoe.

Prior to 2009 there were over 45 licensed day care providers on the South Shore, a majority of them licensed for 12 children and open evenings and weekends. Now, there are just 20, 12 of which are licensed for 12, the other eight are small licenses, for six children or less.

The City of South Lake Tahoe is still trying to work out a deal with the Halferty Development Company, a $4 million sale of the developable portions of the lots known as the "Knights Inn Properties."

During Tuesday's City Council meeting a purchase agreement was scheduled to be voted on, but SLT City Manager Nancy Kerry had to pull it off the agenda.

"We are still working on it," Kerry told South Tahoe Now. "We are still negotiating and have some issues to work out."

Former South Lake Tahoe City Manager David Jinkens is headed south to the city of Avalon to take on the same position for that city on Santa Catalina Island, one that he held in the 1980s.

Jinkens was the SLT City Manager from August 2002 until August 2010 when he retired after 35 year of service as a City CEO. Now, he's headed back to where he and wife Terri lived and worked when they were first married.

Massage parlors are formally known for giving massages as well as allowing an opportunity for relaxation, however, local massage parlors have recently been accused of giving “happy endings” at the end of their sessions, which is considered prostitution. Without question, this activity is giving our beautiful town a bad reputation, creating the possibility of an economic downturn, and an increase in local crime.

There’s talk of expansion in South Lake Tahoe, but this town must be mindful of its beloved nature. However, it has the capability of evolving into a prosperous city through tactful ways of expanding and changing. The awareness of the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the city's plans for airport reconstruction, and the growing tourism industry in California show that expansion for South Lake Tahoe is beneficial, or at least manageable, for everyone.

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Most people don't like taxes, or having any new ones, but South Lake Tahoe voters will have the choice in November to vote on two ballot measure that would bring about two tax rate hikes, one that only tourists will pay, and another that will be paid for by both locals and tourists.

If passed, the ballot measures will accomplish two things: replace the recreation complex and repair the City's roads and/or replace the aging fleet.

Just as it is when the topic of vacation rentals is on the South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda, a large, and at times, angry, crowd gathered.

The task at hand Tuesday was to review changes to the current Vacation Home Rental (VHR) Ordinance which included 11 changes which will take effect 30 days after the June 7 Council meeting if approved.

There was once a time when having a beautiful lake, spectacular scenery and non-stop action and gambling was enough for the tourist to visit South Lake Tahoe and the South Shore.

This is no longer the case and the community needs to become future ready.

Carl Ribaudo, owner of Strategic Marketing Group, spoke at the Future Ready Tourism Forum at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel on April 26, 2016.

While change is always tough Ribaudo said, South Lake Tahoe needs to be prepared as the tourist shifts from making a transaction when coming to Tahoe to wanting an experience.

The Knights Inn could be purchased by the City of South Lake Tahoe for $6 million should a grant be awarded them by the California Tahoe Conservancy. If that happens, the City would purchase, and then demolish, the motel located on Highway 50 near Ski Run Boulevard to make way for a new environmental and retail project.

There is grant money available through the CTC which the City will apply for. The funds come from the state's Proposition 1 Water Bond which was approved by voters in 2014 to authorize $7.545 billion in general obligation bonds for water projects.

The public once again had the opportunity to participate in the planning of the US50/South Shore Revitalization plan (also known as the Loop Road) during a meeting held at South Tahoe Middle School Wednesday evening. About 100 people took advantage of having the opportunity.

A panel made up of three representatives from the project, Tahoe Transportation District's Carl Hasty and Russell Nygaard, and the Project Manager Mark Rayback from Woods Rodgers.

The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on Wednesday.

The legislation, created alongside senators Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Harry Reid, D-Nevada and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., provides federal, state, and local partners important tools to reduce wildfire threats, improve water clarity, jumpstart innovative infrastructure projects, and combat invasive species.

The public has been on a long journey with the Tahoe Transportation District over the US50/South Shore Community Revitalization project, one that has followed twisted roads and endured roadblocks and detours.

Now it appears the project, also known as the Loop Road, is on the back straightaway, approaching the final turn and homestretch.

Another key part of the continuing revitalization of South Lake Tahoe was unveiled to the local community Tuesday evening during an open house presented by the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD). What was once known as the "Loop Road" project has evolved into what is being called the "Community Revitalization Plan."

This past summer was Lake Tahoe’s busiest tourist season in recent memory. With the economy rebounding and major population growth projected for nearby metropolitan areas, this summer is also a harbinger of change. We must be prepared to meet the challenges of increased visitation in the future.

Tuesday's agenda for the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting appears to be a fairly short one.

Council members will start off with a recognition of the recent graduates of the South Tahoe Action Team (STAT) program.

A ground breaking ceremony at Edgewood Tahoe brought out community and political leaders, all wanting the celebrate their new project, the Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe.

Rain brought the ceremony indoors, but spirits weren't dampened as people speaking at the ceremony highlighted the major impacts the new project on the state line will make on South Shore's economic and community revitalization, as well as important environmental and recreational enhancements in the area.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has entered into a new partnership with the City of South Lake Tahoe to streamline the permit process in city limits.

When the Tahoe Valley Area and Tourist Core Plans were approved, it opened the door for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) so city staff can carry out TRPA's environmental review.

"The TRPA wants the community to thrive," said John Hitchcock, Planning Manager for the City. "They are comfortable with us taking the lead on projects."

The new MOU went into affect on Monday, September 14, 2015.

What once took hours of City of South Lake Tahoe staff time as well as weeks for applicants to get answers may soon be a one hour process.

Since it was organized in 2014, the City Attorney has been working with departments to update each section of the City Code. For portions that pertains to zoning, land use, development standards and building standards, City staff looked at ways to streamline the process and remove permit process portions of the code where possible.

July 25, 2015 will always be known as the day Jacob "Jake" Callanan saved a life.

The 24-year-old South Lake Tahoe man was working at Ski Run Marina as a boat deck hand when he responded to a woman screaming from the lake. He waded out, found a submerged woman and carried her to shore.

5 p.m. Update:

A new vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance will take effect in South Lake Tahoe on October 1, 2015.

The new ordinance will require all homeowners who want to rent out their homes to get it inspected by the Zoning Administrator prior to being issued a license. Since the real estate community told City Council that not having a permit prior to escrow may cause homeowners to lose sales, the current homeowner may now get it inspected prior to the sale in order to take as much uncertainty away from sales as possible. This inspection will be valid for one year.

Three new message signs were unveiled in South Lake Tahoe this week, just in time for the holiday weekend. Since the fourth of July is a big tourist draw, it is the perfect time to test out all the message signs can provide to those on the road.

Who wouldn't want to enjoy the lake a little bit longer, hike or bike a little bit longer, or linger over a big meal instead of sitting in traffic over Echo Summit on Highway 50?

Soon, memories of "The Hole" will be replaced with the vision of new retail, restaurants and condominiums as the next phase of construction begins in South Lake Tahoe.

The Chateau at the Village will continue its growth to the corner of Friday Avenue and Highway 50.

South Lake Tahoe can create a sustainable economy if we focus on "active tourism." This was the message relayed by the panel of speakers at Wednesday's Tahoe Talk series at Lake Tahoe Community College.

If the 15 page spread about Lake Tahoe in the May edition of Bike magazine is any indication, people know about the activity/recreation based tourism awaiting them in Tahoe, and they're about to come.

Are we ready?,

Just about.