City of South Lake Tahoe allocates funds to help with propane, food, and to go containers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During the city council meeting on Tuesday, funds were approved to further assist the community during the pandemic.

Previously the South Lake Tahoe City Council has approved $25,000 to local food banks on two different occasions to help with the increased demand for supplies as jobs were eliminated or hours cut back. Five thousand dollars has gone out each time each Bread & Broth, Bread & Broth 4 Kids, Phoenix Food Pantry, Christmas Cheer and the Family Resource Center. Funds have been given in the past few months for personal protective equipment (PPE), business loans and grants. There are both short-term and long-term recovery committees spearheaded by the City to look at ways of assisting both citizens and the business community.

On December 15 the Council approved to use up to $100,000 for reimbursements to local restaurants for fifty percent of their single use to-go container costs. The reimbursement will be used for items that fit the City's ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam. The City will get a list of items that South Tahoe Refuse suggests for use that would help reduce waste. The $100,000 will come from the undesignated, unreserved fund balance.

They also approved $10,000 in undesignated, unreserved fund balance to support the
implementation of a City run propane refilling station. A 2,000 gallon propane tank has been unused for years at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center. It was put there when Alpine Meadows experienced long absences of power after their 1982 avalanche. The center is used as an emergency evacuation center but the propane tank has not been in use for quite some time. The funds would go to rehabilitate the tank so the City could fill it and offer local business owners refills at a much lower cost than they are currently able to. The popular outside propane heaters have been used with outdoor dining during the pandemic (though currently not allowed). The tank can also take care of the adjacent campground user propane needs. To get the reduced cost propane the City has to be part of an official campground group, something they are applying for.

A unanimous vote was also given to appropriate $10,000 in undesignated, unreserved fund balance to support the Family Resource Center’s involvement in the “Pay it Forward” Initiative; a locally organized effort to support restaurants with food tabs being paid for families in need.