SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The next meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council will be held on Tuesday, November 3. They will meet at 8:30 a.m. for a closed-session special meeting with the agenda item “Public Employment Appointment – Government Code section 54957(b) Title: City Attorney.”

The regular meeting starts at 9 a.m.

Items include:

An amendment to an ordinance to create ‘Walk Your Wheels’ in designated pedestrian zones, including Heavenly Village and the east side sidewalk of Lake Tahoe Blvd. from Heavenly Village to Stateline Ave. This change would expand the current limitations on what may be ridden in public and private areas when posted, to create a safer pedestrian area.

City Council has discussed the safety issue since shared mobility devices were added to the landscape. The updated ordinance, if approved, would read “unlawful for any person to ride, operate or utilize any unicycle, one wheel device, e-unicycle, Segway style device, bicycle, tri-cycle, three wheeled recreational device, side by side, self-propelled wagon, scooter, in-line skates, roller skates, skateboard or any other
similar device in or upon any shopping mall, shopping center, parking lot, or other public or private property area open to the public, where signs are posted prohibiting such activities.”

Previous discussion on raising the compensation for City Council members led to no vote being taken due to a calculation error on the raise, and it has been moved to Tuesday. One item on the agenda is a raise in their compensation from $1,394.49 to $1,537.43 that would be effective January 23, 2027. Council members work about 20 hours per week on City business, including meetings and their participation on numerous outside boards and committees. Before 2015, Prior to January 2015, council compensation was $452 per month. In January 2015, pay for the council was raised to 946.09 from the previous $452 per month in order to attract more candidates who could face financial issues without being paid. At that time, the council felt only retired or well-to-do people could participate, and they wanted to expand the candidate pool and give more people the opportunity to run.

Government code and city ordinance allow the council to set monthly compensation that is eligible for an annual increase of up to five percent. Since 2015, the council has voted every other fall, before new members are added to the council. They had thought it would be easier to vote before they were sworn in, lessening any unease they may have in giving themselves a raise before starting.

In 2025, SB 969 was passed that allows cities to create designated public “entertainment zones,” where individuals, aged 21 and over, may legally possess and consume open containers of alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way that were purchased from licensed participating businesses. The goal of this legislation was to stimulate local economies, enhance cultural and social activities, and promote downtown vibrancy through well-regulated public spaces.

Heavenly Village representatives assert that providing this entertainment zone will allow guests to move freely outside of ABC licensees and participate in activities in Heavenly Village such as the New Years Eve events, concerts, Christmas Tree lighting, ‘sip and shop’; promoting a more fluid and comprehensive ‘entertainment’ experience.

Alcohol consumption would be permitted from 10 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 365 days a year, allowing for safe daytime and early evening enjoyment while minimizing late-night disturbances. Alcohol consumed must be from an ABC licensed business inside the perimeter and outside delivery would be prohibited.

Heavenly Village Entertainment Zone representatives will confer with and submit a security plan to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. They told the City that they would hire additional security to prohibit underage drinking, and provide a safe environment.

As of early 2026, at least 17 California cities have formally adopted entertainment zone ordinances, designating more than 51 distinct entertainment zones across the state. Another seven jurisdictions are in active planning or research phases. SLTPD reached out to the City of Redding to see how their entertainment zone was working, and their police department said there have been no issues. San Francisco has 30 entertainment zones within the city, and Sacramento has five and are working on adding six more.

They haven’t been free of issues though, with some cities citing problems. Suburban-urban areas like Placer County and Loomis report late-night noise, traffic, and rowdiness, while open containers have increased street litter and municipal maintenance demands. CVL Economics said entertainment zones show promising early results across California, and implementation success depends on infrastructure and center Arts and Culture as core features of success.  

Council will also consider the potential termination of Ice Arena Concessionaire Agreement with Tahoe Sports & Entertainment (TSE). TSE has operated the ice arena since 2012, taking over from the City who had operated it the previous 12 years. An investigation into the current operations has led city officials to be concerned about their agreement: unpaid water bills totaling over $46,000 that the city paid for, and failure to submit required quarterly gross revenue statements since March 2022. Staff has concerns with TSE meeting the terms of the agreement and providing for the Ice Arena to be a public space to be enjoyed and utilized by the community.

City staff also has this list of concerns:

  • TSE Management not in area full time and not responsive to staff or patron requests
  • Lack of appropriate staffing levels for arena operations with only one staff member available to operate the desk, operate the Zamboni, attend to patrons, and answer phone
  • Concerns with ice and glass maintenance standards
  • Lack of programming available to the public
  • Lack of communication for public to know how to participate in existing programs
  • Concession not open
  • No alcohol license
  • Vending machine left empty
  • Locker rooms and facility cleanlineissues
  • An abandoni Zamboni left behind the area
  • Broken glass panels not being repaired

Since 2022, the City has spent $681,507 on Ice Arena maintenance projects.

For the complete agenda and instructions on participation, visit https://cityofslt.gov/84/Watch-City-CouncilCommission-Meetings.