plastic bag ban

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since the adoption of a ban in January 2014, South Lake Tahoe has not allowed single-use plastic bags in grocery stores and at food vendors. The ban was to apply to all other retail outlets after one year, but that ban was delayed by the City Council at that time and then later amended to remove that portion.

The City of South Lake Tahoe imposed a single use, plastic bag ban for grocery stores in the city limits in October of 2013, and now the rest of the state will do the same.

During Tuesday's election, Californians voted to keep a state ban on single use plastic bags, but decided against a measure requiring paper bag fees to go toward environmental causes.

As we welcome in 2016, the City of South Lake Tahoe would like to reflect on the accomplishments of 2015. The following is a summary of accomplishments during 2015.

Strategic Priority: Fiscal Sustainability
The most important issue facing cities and local agencies is continued steadfast attention to the budget, both short term and long term fiscal impacts.
· FY 15/16 budget adopted on time and without use of alternative revenues (3rd consecutive year).
· Adopted 5-year Financial Forecast and 5-Year Capital Investment Plan.

Hal Cole's term as mayor during the City of South Lake Tahoe's 50th anniversary is coming to a close. During the next City Council meeting on Monday, December 7, the next mayor and mayor pro-tem will be elected. All current council members are eligible though first term Councilwoman Wendy David is the current mayor pro-tem.

Normally held on Tuesdays, the Council meeting was moved to Monday so Tom Davis could attend his daughter-in-law's graduation from nursing school in Tennessee. The meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the airport.

The second phase of the South Lake Tahoe ban on plastic, single use carryout bags started Thursday, this time affecting the city's retail stores.

Grocery stores phased out plastic bags in the stores almost two years ago, with the official ban starting on January 15, 2014 after being voted on by City Council in October of the previous year.

California may soon be the first state to have a ban on single use plastic bags.

A ban on single use plastic bags is already in place in South Lake Tahoe and 90 other cities and counties in the state of California, but that may soon change. If Governor Brown signs the bill that was sent to him on Friday, the whole state will have a ban on plastic bags for grocery stores and large pharmacies in 2015 and convenience stores in 2016.

The City of South Lake Tahoe imposed a single use, plastic bag ban for grocery stores in the city limits in October of 2013. The original ordinance was for grocery stores to implement the new policy on January 15, 2014 and for all other retail outlets to begin on October 15. During the June 17th City Council meeting, three Council members decided that the ban on all other retail outlets should be postponed and the final vote on that will be during this week's Council meeting.

A ban on single use plastic bags goes into effect in the city limits of South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, January 15, 2014.

Local grocery stores have been preparing for the new ordinance which was voted on by the City Council on October 15, 2013.

There was a ban imposed on single use plastic bags in the South Lake Tahoe city limits at the City Council's October 13th meeting. Since there are many questions on who is affected, how businesses will comply and other topics, the City of South Lake Tahoe will hold an informational meeting on November 13 in the council chambers. The 5:30 pm meeting is for business owners and will explain the ordinance, answer questions and get feedback.

Creating street improvements in the Harrison Avenue area sits atop the list of the City of South Lake Tahoe's Capital Improvement Project priorities. Better stormwater treatment, a bike path, lighting, safer pedestrian walkways and ADA improvements are coming to Harrison Avenue in 2014 and the city will vote Tuesday to ratify agreements between TRPA, the state and the city to move the project forward. The project is funded through several federal and local transportation fund sources.

Disposable plastic bags could be harder to come by in South Lake Tahoe as soon as this summer if the City Council passes a long-discussed ordinance next week.The council will discuss a proposed "Br...

South Lake Tahoe may become the latest California jurisdiction to try and rein in the use of the ubiquitous plastic bag. The city's sustainability commission is working on an ordinance that would prohibit retailers from providing single-use plastic bags to customers at checkout.