Brooke Laine and Jason Collin end terms on South Lake Tahoe City Council

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Former mayors Brooke Laine and Jason Collin said their good-byes Monday at their final City of South Lake Tahoe council meeting. Collin decided to not run after his four-year term as did Laine who finished ten years on the council.

Outgoing Mayor Jason Collin will now be concentrating on his new physical therapy business, PT Revolution and Brooke will continue caring for her mother who was also a two-time mayor for the community. She is also the committee chair for the new Soroptimist of South Lake Tahoe softball field. Laine said she is looking at a possible run for the open El Dorado County supervisor seat in 2022.

During their last four years, the outgoing councilmembers oversaw several key projects in South Lake Tahoe, some which started before their terms. Some of those that were finalized during their term:

The hiring of City Manager Joe Irvin and City Attorney Heather Stroud
Ski Run Boulevard business district improvements including sidewalks, streetscapes and lighting
Sierra Boulevard complete street
Bike trail from Lakeview Commons to Alta Mira
Guidelines and an ordinance for cannabis businesses
A mobile vending ordinance
Renaming of Airport Road to Lisa Maloff Road in appreciation of her numerous contributions to the community
Police station improvements
Affordable housing framework for upcoming projects
Reopening of Fire Station #2, the SAFER grant and a new fire truck
Renaming of the second Monday in October to Indigenous Peoples Day
Forward movement with El Dorado County on the 56-acre project and a new recreation center
A Climate Action Plan
Body cameras for police officers

"We are lucky when a project culminates during our term as a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes by staff for years," said Collin. He said among his favorite projects over the past four years was the Bijou Park Creek Watershed Restoration Project. Not only was the project an environmental restoration of the area, but it was also an esthetical and economic improvement with the Whole Foods center.

"We have the right people in the right places in city leadership now," said Colling. "We are in a good place to move forward."

"It's been my privilege to work with them," said Irvin of Collin and Laine.

"Don't be afraid to be different and always focus on what you can agree on and don't focus on what you don't agree on," said Laine added her words to the next council. She said the last four years was an example of a council that worked cohesively.

"At the end of the day, do what's right for the community," added Laine.