Seasonal farmers market on South Shore

By Kathryn Reed

Cherries, peaches and a slew of greens are being harvested on West Slope farms and elsewhere in California for the annual farmers’ market that opened June 2.
With the American Legion not replacing its building this season, it means the fresh fruits and veggies are being sold from the usual spot on Highway50 from 8am to 1pm each Tuesday until Oct. 13.
Even though many farms south of Stockton are fretting over the amount of water being allocated, most of the growers who come to South Lake are not in that bind. Many of the local providers get their water from El Dorado Irrigation District.
“I was a little surprised they are not cutting us back. They watch the water and tell us when to irrigate,” explained Jim Coalwell, who runs the market and owns the Red Shack in Placerville with his wife, Lois.
For years EID has used a gauge about 3-feet deep on farms to measure the water content of the soil. Regulators then dole out water and tell farmers when to irrigate.
Just like last year, an April frost hit the Placerville area crops. Last year pears were hit hard. This year cherries and peaches were affected by the spring freeze.
“It was more severe that we first thought,” Coalwell said in May.
Cherries will still be available, but not in the abundance that was planned. Fewer El Dorado County peaches may make it to market as well. Some pears are expected to have some visible damage from the cold temps.
“They have frost rings, which are rust looking. A lot of them won’t be as good looking, but it won’t have anything to do with flavor,” Coalwell said of the pear crop.
With how frosts settle in, often it’s the trees at the lower elevations on a farm that get hit harder than the ones on top of the hill.
Vegetables were not affected by the spring weather. Farmers who lost tomatoes have replanted, so it means a couple weeks delay before the produce is ready to sell.
As is true each season, what comes to market is based on the growing season. Tomatoes are likely to show up mid-month. Corn will be after that.
Overall, Coalwell said last summer’s market was good despite a slow down. He blames the economy and layoffs for fewer sales. He has high hopes for this season.
“Generally speaking if people look around at these markets, there are good deals,” Coalwell said.
Plus, the product is far superior to any grocery store.
“At least you know where it’s coming from,” Coalwell said. “The main thing is you need to know your grower. If you don’t trust them, you shouldn’t buy from them.”
Most people shopping in a grocery store don’t realize how far produce is shipped in from. Most countries don’t have the stringent rules about chemicals that California has.
Pete Weed, a local chef, is serving barbecue pork and chicken this year. The crepe people have a new vending vehicle which should be better for them and their clients. Coalwell said other additions may be incorporated, but for the most part the same growers are setting up their tables.

Improvements at Explore Tahoe

6/09 tahoe mt. news unedited

By Kathryn Reed

Where’s the tallest mountain in the basin? Where’s that mountain with the cross of snow? Where are the tributaries of Lake Tahoe?
With a push of a button the answer will light up.
Before the throngs of visitors start arriving on the South Shore, Explore Tahoe expects to have a three-dimensional map of Lake Tahoe installed on the floor. It will be about 6 feet by 12 feet.
“We decided when we opened to not spend all the money,” explained Gary Moore, director of South Lake Tahoe Parks and Recreation. “We need more touch feely stuff for adults and we need more for children.”
Explore Tahoe opened in July 2007 as an urban trailhead in a city owned building that was originally designed to solely be a transit center. It’s a partnership the U.S. Forest Service and Heavenly.
For A few years the Heavenly Village property sat empty. Still, the city was paying about $160,000 a year to cover Park Avenue Development Management Agency costs and utilities. The cost of heated sidewalks adds up.
Some contend the building is not really a transit center. Those who are involved in running and funding the site say just the opposite.
“It is definitely used as a transit center,” said Nick Haven, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency transportation guru. “From my viewpoint it is a transit center and a very effective transit center. It gets locals to work and provides visitors interpretive information and points them to transit to explore Tahoe.”
California Tahoe Conservancy came up with the initial $1.4 million grant to get Explore Tahoe off the ground. The new displays, outside signs and flagpoles are costing the agency about $141,000.
South Lake Tahoe officials met with California officials before construction began to ensure state transportation dollars could be used in this manner.
“We think it’s a better use of the structure because it wasn’t trying to be a single function,” said Ray Lacey, CTC deputy director.
BlueGo buses are a regular fixture in the transit area. Tickets for the local bus system are available at Explore Tahoe. Amtrak buses pick up and drop off riders there. Ski shuttles and Nifty 50 Trolley are seasonal transit options.
Forest Service permits are sold there. Information is provided to people about how to access trails, beaches and other destinations via public transit.
It costs $128,000 to run the facility that is open 364 days a year. This covers one full-time employee, two part-timers, utilities, maintenance, outreach to schools, ranger and interpretive programs, special events, wireless services, supplies and other items.
Explore Tahoe generates about $91,000 a year in revenues from renting the upstairs to Heavenly Mountain Resort, leasing seven parking spots to Cecil’s Market, selling products and donations
At the May 5 City Council meeting, the partnership with Tahoe Heritage Foundation was canceled. Now Parks and Rec is completely responsible for all merchandise sold at Explore Tahoe, which could mean more revenues.
For more information about Explore Tahoe, go to http://www.recreationintahoe.com/explore_tahoe.

Do It Center disturbing status quo

6/09 tahoe mt. news

By Kathryn Reed

On June 16 the City Council is expected to resolve the Do It Center dilemma.
The Planning Commission said go ahead, move into the building that housed South Shore Motors. Robert Cosmi and Peggy Cocores, who own neighboring Scotty’s Hardware, have appealed that decision.
Competition is not a reason to deny the special use permit, according to city officials. Scotty’s and Ace Hardware already operate on Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Meek’s has a store in South Lake and Meyers. Other hardware stores exist within a short drive.
Councilman Bill Crawford finds a bit of discrepancy between Do It Center and Broc’s Puppies when it comes to emotion and practicality being part of decision-making.
“The Planning Commission approved the ordinance to close the pet shop. This is a matter of conscious and everyone says so,” Crawford said. “Broc’s and company had all the business licenses. They conform.
“Something is wrong with the procedure that on one hand you can’t exercise judgment if we have too many hardware stores, and then on the other you exercise moral judgment about puppy stores.”
The Planning Commission heard the Do It Center issue because it requires a special use permit. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is the keeper of the rules. This parcel’s allowable uses are at http://www.trpa.org/documents/docdwnlds/PAS/110.pdf.
Councilman Bruce Grego questions whether traffic will be an issue for the proposed chain hardware store.
Special use documents say a car dealership and hardware store attract similar numbers of customers. If that were true, the car dealership might still be in business.
“I think everyone votes their conscious,” Grego said. He said if Do It Center were so cut and dry, then staff could approve it. “I think we are going to have an interesting discussion if we have land use discussion on both sides telling us the law and what we can and cannot do.”
At the Planning Commission, Lew Feldman of Feldman Shaw in Zephyr Cove represented the out of town Do It Center owners. Michael Johnson of the South Lake firm Rollston, Henderson, Crabb & Johnson filed the appeal on behalf of Scotty’s.

DCSD has a full plate

6/09 tahoe mt. news

By Kathryn Reed

Seventeen Nevada K-12 superintendents are expected this month to decide the fate of athletics throughout the state, as well as the entire South Shore.
With South Tahoe High being part of the NIAA (Nevada Interscholastic Athletics Association), its fate and Whittell High’s are tied together.
California schools in the NIAA are not represented in the superintendents’ roundtable discussions.
After the May superintendents’ meeting, Douglas County School District’s Carol Lark said she wanted to consult with her principals and athletic directors about the potential realignment of athletic divisions before voting on consolidation.
Donny Borges, STHS athletic director, advised the LTUSD school board last month the reduction of divisions could bode well for the Vikings. However, particulars about how it might affect junior varsity sports have not been forthcoming.
The NIAA, like all educational entities, is trying to save a few bucks. Reduction of referees at games, fewer games and varying travel distances are all being discussed. The elimination of sports, so far, has not come to light. However, with the California budget crisis, that is a potential reality for many schools.

Whittell High

No matter what the superintendents and NIAA board decide, Whittell will be without a vice principal in the fall. Dan Wold’s job has been eliminated. He is likely to be working in the valley.
“What we did is we changed that position from a vice principal to athletic director,” Lark explained. “It’s related to the budget.”
As of press time, the district was interviewing for the AD job. The AD can discipline students, but cannot supervise staff.
It’s unlikely the high school will go to a four-day school week in the fall. The issue was pulled by Lark from the May 20 school board agenda. She said this was because the proposal had two calendars; one similar to what was presented to the board earlier in the spring and a hybrid “that was more complex.” Lark said it’s possible a no-Friday school week could be implemented in spring 2010.
“We still need to survey the entire community. It would affect families at Zephyr Cove as well,” Lark said.
Random drug testing of all DCSD high school students involved in sports and activities outside the classroom like band and speech will start in the fall. Parents of students who would not be tested can request their child be tested. The urine tests will not be done on the two lower grades at Whittell.
Lark said with 34 expulsions in the 2008-09, administrators decided something had to be done to deter drug use since the bulk of expulsions were drug related.
“One that keeps coming up is ecstasy, but an increasing number of kids are abusing the medicine cabinet and over the counter (drugs). Kids are drinking NyQuil and Robitussin,” Lark said.
The tests can also reveal if alcohol and nicotine are being used.
“The whole idea is not to be punitive. It is designed to provide our student with a deterrent,” Lark said. “They need to know we care enough to monitor.
It costs about $27 per test, with donations from athletic organizations funding the bulk of the program. Tests will be done at least every other week.
With some of the November bond money being spent this summer to replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Whittell, fingers are crossed it will eliminate the persistent radon issue at the school. Problem rooms will be retested after the HVAC system is in place.

County messing with CPS

6/09 tahoe mt. news unedited

By Kathryn Reed

A flurry of meetings has resulted in Child Protective Services caseworkers not being relocated to Placerville.
A May 21 letter dictated most South Lake Tahoe-based CPS employees work out of Placerville as of June 20. That letter created an outcry the West Slope clearly heard.
“I have notified people from welfare, union stewards and CPS we are rescinding the letter (on June 8), but it is not off the table,” El Dorado County Supervisor Norma Santiago said. This gives the county an out in case the financial situation deteriorates.
Santiago met privately with about a couple dozen Department of Health Services employees the night of June 3 . Acting director of DHS, Jan Walker-Conroy, has also been meeting with staff to clarify the situation. Walker-Conroy did not return calls.
Workers are staying for now, but that doesn’t mean everyone is happy with the work they do. Tahoe Victims of CPS has a permit to protest in front of CPS offices on Silver Dollar Avenue on June 12 at 1pm. Permits are being sought for a July 1 8am-noon protest outside family court at the Tahoe branch of the El Dorado County Courthouse.
“We have numerous individuals come to us about abuse of children and who have been recklessly endangered,” said Kim Cotter, a concerned activist.
Ernie Claudio, another activist and former Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteer, said the necessary papers have been filed for the grand jury to investigate CPS.
Claudio told the Board of Supervisors on June 2 about CPS issues.
“My plan is to go to every Board of Supervisors’ meeting and bring people who have horror stories,” Claudio said.

Employee issues

Santiago said the consolidation of county offices at the Lake is necessary to save money. That’s why CPS workers were told to work from Placerville. The county rents or leases a number of offices in South Lake. Now the county will look to have departments share space in Tahoe instead of moving to Placerville.
However, Mark Contois, acting assistant director of DHS, said the reason the seven people -- four social workers, a supervisor, office assistant and case aide – were being transferred was to better distribute the caseload and that money had no role. He did not provide the number of CPS cases for either side of the county.
Although it’s not an employer’s issue where people live, one person who was going to have to commute to Placerville lives in Dayton and another is in Gardnerville. Caseworkers even offered to give up their Tahoe differential of about $250/month to remain headquartered in the basin. To them it is about the people they serve.
Contois’ statement about money not being part of the equation also contradicts the El Dorado County Child Welfare System Improvement Plan that went into effect the day after the May 21 letter was sent.
That document, which is required by the state and has been in the works since last fall, says, “The current global economic decline and state budget cuts have impacted the county and created uncertainties relative to future funding availability. The concurrent increased need for services exceeds available resources.”
Another money issue exists -- more staff is needed. About six social workers were let go in the 2008-09 fiscal year because of cuts from the state.
An employee, who didn’t want to be identified, said, “The way the economy is we are overwhelmed in the welfare department.” This person said it is impacting children and the services provided.
“We understand and appreciate the need for these services. The one thing we do not want is to cut any additional social workers,” Santiago said.
With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposing to slash CalWorks – the welfare to work program – that could be devastating to the county. Forty-five people work in that program just in El Dorado County. Santiago questions the governor’s motives with that proposal, saying, “… you are going to keep people on welfare.”
The supervisor admits the county’s decision to relocate CPS workers to Placerville was not well thought out and called it poor communication.
Department of Human Services employees were upset with management before the CPS relocation came to light. Concerns are related to the decisions management is making – promotions for Placerville workers, but not Tahoe; the Board of Supervisors not being informed; personnel issues in Tahoe not being addressed.
Another county worker confirmed the information supervisors receives from staff contradicts what management says.
A person of authority outside the county who works with children said of DHS, “The leadership over there is ridiculous.”
Some speculate Walker-Conroy and Contois may soon be out, especially as key positions are filled. This month a human resources director comes on board.

Local reaction

Child advocates on the South Shore could not find any good reasons to ship caseworkers to Placerville and were most distraught about what this would mean to children and families in South Lake Tahoe.
Leanne Wagoner with the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center, Alissa Nourse of Tahoe Youth & Family Services, and Wendy David of Court Appointed Special Advocates are the local representatives to the county’s Child Abuse Prevention Council. They were a united front in condemning the decision to uproot the social workers.
Wagoner in a letter to Walker-Conroy dated May 27 asks, “How is this decision ensuring a best possible outcome for children living in South Lake Tahoe?”
She went on to remind the DHS acting director what the goals are for CPS as well as quoting back to her details from the improvement plan that outline how difficult it is for the county to retain social workers and that an increase in neglect and abuse is predicted as the economy goes south.
Nourse said the contradictory information coming from the county compounds the issue. She said information from Santiago’s office is different from DHS.
“Part of the other issue is we are not in those conversations. We serve those families too. Nobody ever came to us and asked ‘How will this affect your families?’,” Nourse said.

Convention center stalled indefinitely

6/09 unedited tahoe mt. news


By Kathryn Reed

Randy Lane is not running to bankruptcy court. In fact, he’s not sure he’ll ever end up there.
As the face of Lake Tahoe Development Company – the firm which owns the property known locally as the hole in the ground at the state line – Lane remains optimistic.
On June 4 the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously agreed to deny the sale of Mello-Roos bonds that were designed to partially pay off LTDC’s debt.
Four notices of default have been filed against the developer by investors. The first was filed April 1 for nearly $1.6 million, the next was May 8 for almost $2.5 million, two on May 29, one for about $1.2 million and the other for approximately $7.5 million.
The legal notices give the developer three months from the date filed to satisfy those debts before foreclosure proceedings would begin.
“We definitely will continue to move the project forward. We have several good things in the hopper. We are not throwing in the towel,” Lane told the Tahoe Mountain News the day after the council said no to the early sale of Mello-Roos bonds. “We own the property. They may have debt against it, but we own it.”
At the June 2 public hearing, where the first three rows of council chambers were filled with consultants for the city and developer, much talk was how the bonds would save LTDC. Ultimately the council decided the risk to the city was too great of a gamble.
“I voted no on the Mello-Roos bonds because I felt that there was no plan from LTDC for continued construction and that eventually there would be a default on the bonds,” Mayor Jerry Birdwell said. “And the default would leave a black mark on the city of South Lake Tahoe’s rating in the market place. I feel badly for the people who may lose money as a result of him going into bankruptcy, but I must look to what I think is best for the overall community.”
Mello-Roos bonds have always been part of the process, but they were to be sold once the project was complete. The early sale would have bought Lane two years.
Lane said, “It was not a rescue plan for Lake Tahoe Development Company. If it was, we could have filed for bankruptcy several months ago.”
Prior to this month’s meetings, Lane spoke at length with the Mountain News.
“… we are talking to others who would cure the default, the existing debt. We have some opportunities,” the Zephyr Cove developer said. “This is legitimate, valid. It’s not smoke and mirrors. We are talking a partner or sale. It’s no people you would recognize in the hospitality industry because most of those people are upside down. These are people who know the business. They normally own the asset and do the same thing we do.”
One thing in Lane’s favor is the 29 parcels were just appraised at $100 million. He owes about $55 million. LTDC has about $90 million of the $144 million spent to date invested in the $410 million project – the largest development in South Lake Tahoe’s history.
“It’s not like it’s 11 acres of raw dirt. It has gone far beyond that. That creates some challenges,” Lane said. “Everyone will get paid in my opinion.”
The $20 million raised in condo sales a couple years ago was returned to buyers when it became evident the project was indefinitely stalled. It’s unknown if these people would be interested in owning at the Lake in the future.
Even though Lane said he will do everything he can to stay out of bankruptcy, he doesn’t speak of it as the death nil to his project.
“Everyone thinks that (bankruptcy) is a four letter word. It’s not,” Lane said. “At this moment nor ever has it been our preferred alternative. But if we had to use it to preserve our equity or to fend off someone, we would use that tool. But we don’t think we need to.”

City’s stance

Ta-hole. That’s how Gene Palazzo, South Lake Tahoe’s redevelopment manager, described the non-existent convention center during the May general plan meeting.
It’s a concrete slab with rebar sticking out of it and a wood fence around the perimeter.
Questions have been raised about the structural integrity while it sits exposed to the elements year after year. City staff and the developer assured the council all necessary tests will be done to ensure the materials in place are intact for when the next phase of construction begins.
Councilman Hal Cole, who helped negotiate the contract between the city and developer, said he was surprised LTDC was allowed to proceed without all the financing in place.
“He must have shown the council he had the money. I wasn’t there,” Cole said. (After serving on the council for 12 years, he was off for two years before being re-elected last November.)
Palazzo said the council at the time OK’d construction to begin with just a letter of credit from a San Francisco bank. However, letters of credit in this town have a history of being useless. Such was the case when American Ski Company, which used to own Heavenly Mountain Resort, secured such a letter to build the gondola. That letter, too, never produced cash and ASC sold the ski resort and filed for bankruptcy.
Lane said he was confident enough with the letter to start work in 2007, less than a year after the owner participation agreement was signed in July 2006.
“We went forward with the work because we didn’t think there was any issue with the loan,” Lane said. That September the bank rescinded the promissory note. “We had spent more than $25 million and we owed $22 million. We had to pay the contractors.”
The money to do so was secured at a higher rate of interest than what the San Francisco bank had offered.
Another issue is that the final map for the property has never been recorded. It was approved by the City Council on Oct. 31, 2007.
Palazzo said the final map, which would consolidate the properties into five parcels, can’t be filed until the lien holders give their OK or are paid off and therefore not involved.
The city’s redevelopment manager further said it is “not typical” to begin construction without recording a final map.
For the time being, the city has little recourse but to be mocked by residents for allowing another hole in the ground to fester. Most officials believe the hole is better than the rundown hotels that were there.
Plus, the property is valued higher now than when it had buildings on it. Even though Lane is not paying his property tax bill, the city is receiving it’s share through the state Teeter law.
The hotel tax collections are also up in this area since the demolition of the old hotels, while sales tax is down throughout the city. So this points to the city making the correct decision financially – at least as of today – to go forward with the convention center, hotel-condo, retail development.
But the big question remains – When will it no longer be a hole?