HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-04-14TOWN OF TRUCKEE
TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
— I `ed`09, April 14, 2020, 4:30 p.m.
ghed'ge3 `'9 -�� °`p�r� Town Hall - Administrative Center
10183 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee, CA
1. CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Polivy called the meeting to order at 4:37 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: Council Members: Tirman, Commendatore, Vice Mayor Klovstad, and
Mayor Polivy.
Absent: Council Member Abrams.
Staff Present: Erica Mertens, Administrative Analyst II; Hilary Hobbs, Management
Analyst; Deverie Acuff, Support Services Manager; Seana Doherty, Housing Program
Manager; Rob Leftwich, Chief of Police; Kim Szczurek, Administrative Services Director;
Dan Wilkins, Public Works Director/Town Engineer; Jeff Loux, Town Manager; Andy
Morris, Town Attorney; and Judy Price, Communications Director, Town Clerk.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — deferred.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT — none.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Mayor Polivy presented Earth Day Proclamation.
• Erin Ronald, Civic Spark Fellow, accepted the proclamation.
• Erica Mertens, Recycling Coordinator, provided an update of Recycling efforts.
Mayor Polivy opened the presentation items to public comment.
Seeing none, Mayor Polivy closed public comment.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Vice Mayor Klovstad, and seconded by Council Member
Commendatore, to approve the Consent Calendar Items as follows:
6.1 Approve the Minutes of February 25, March 10, Regular and Special Meetings, and
March 25, 2020.
6.2 Adopt Resolution 2020-17 approving the projects proposed in the Nevada County
Transportation Commission's Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Overall Work Program.
The Consent Calendar carried with the following vote:
Ayes: Vice Mayor Klovstad, Council Member Commendatore, Council
Member Tirman, and Mayor Polivy.
Town of Truckee
April 14, 2020, Town Council Regular
Page 1
Noes: none.
Absent: Council Member Abrams.
Abstained: none.
The motion passed 4-0.
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
7.1 STAFF REPORT — COVID-19 Response Update and Personnel Rules Ratification.
Recommended Action: 1) Receive and provide a COVID Response Status Update from
Emergency Operation Center, Town Staff, and Council Members; 2) Receive a Budget
Impact Update; and 3) Ratify the Town of Truckee Coronavirus Response Act Leave
Policy,
Rob Leftwich, Chief of Police, and Jeff Loux, Town Manager, provided the update.
• Statistics at this point in time.
• Emergency Operations Center.
Mayor Polivy moved to item 7.2, returning to item 7.1 at its conclusion.
Jeff Loux, Town Manager:
• Referenced his letter dated April 9, 2020.
• Communications strategy regarding visitors as the weather improves.
• Collaborative effort to open the Veterans hall to the homeless.
Kim Szczurek, Administrative Services Director, provided a Budget Impact Update and
ratification of the Coronavirus Response Act Leave Policy.
• Transient Occupancy Tax and sales tax were immediately impacted by the COVID
shutdown.
• Recommending adoption of a temporary budget, and postponed the budget
process until September.
• Town is recommending a three-month budget to evaluate the impacts of COVID it
will:
o Complete projects under construction.
o Don't let contracts for future projects that impact the General Fund.
• The State has postponed the collection of Sales tax.
o The impact will be up to a year delay in the receipts of the tax.
o That is up to a $750,000 revenue postponement to help local business in
our community.
• The budget for cash on hand is higher than originally budgeted.
• Short Term Rental (STR) enforcement.
o There were 35 property's reported:
■ Only 1 was not complying.
o Another 27 other properties were identified by Host Compliance.
■ Contact with property owners has been made.
o Folks are sheltering here because they cannot go home.
o Ski leases — are not monitored.
Council Discussion/Updates:
• Currently .5 percent of California population has been tested.
• Continue to make the request that we need rapid testing in Truckee.
Town of Truckee
April 14, 2020, Town Council Regular
Page 2
Community Shutdown is not possible — It affects individuals Constitutional Right
Protection.
o There are rumors on Social Media of other communities' actions that are
not accurate.
o The Truckee Police do not have the legal authority to stop or restrict travel.
o Caltrans signage "please restrict travel".
o Measures we are taking are appearing to work. The most important part is
to stay the course.
• Signs are being placed on the Legacy Trail — to recommend social distancing.
There is currently no signage regarding masks on the trails.
• The proposed three-month budget does have opportunity for adjustment.
o Staff is looking for Council to avoid adjustments in the three-month initial
budget so staff resources can focus on the complete September budget.
o Solid waste will require rate setting for the entire year.
• The State tax deferral is a benefit to small businesses.
o Other communities are doing a variety of assistance programs.
o Town supported food, and is discussing rental assistance.
o It is a balancing act to have enough resources to perform services in the
future while finding ways to support the community in the process.
o Town has taken a reasonable approach with businesses. In general, Town
is being very understanding of businesses that continue to operate.
o Construction — what is or is not essential — Placer County eliminated
construction.
■ Construction has been considered an essential business.
• Present ideas to help business in the community to stimulate the local economy.
• Additional information regarding sales tax will come after a meeting with HDL
scheduled for the April 20. The Town will have collection data on TOT after May 1.
Property tax will take a period of time. Hopefully by the summer Town will have
an idea. If the California Consumer Price Index (CPI) is less than two percent
additional revenues will be reduced. Property tax information is the furthest out
and hardest to predict.
• Undesignated fund balance increase by two -million dollars based on:
o The Town started the year better than budgeted;
o There is a one and a half million -dollar solar project that was not
constructed;
o Snow removal costs are down; and
o Vacancies in the Police Department.
• The Towns average monthly operating expenses are roughly two -million dollars.
• Emails questioning supporting the community. Questions regarding Town staff and
public employees. The Town is doing its part to keep as many people employed
as possible.
o Nevada County reporting website reported no new cases of Coronaviurs in
Nevada County.
o One way to continue to support our community is doing public works
projects with proper personal protection equipment and social distancing.
• There is a lot of work happening at the Town of Truckee.
In the Community:
o There has to be some public understanding.
o Staying calm — don't vilify others — take personal responsibility.
■ Contractors are part of our business community.
Town of Truckee
April 14, 2020, Town Council Regular
Page 3
o We are doing the right things to move us forward.
o Times like this test us as individuals, businesses and government.
o There is some inspiring cooperation taking place.
o There is great information on the video's posted to the Town's website.
Mayor Polivy opened the item for public comment.
Written comment was received from:
Carrie Haines Lorna Tirman
Jeff Loux, Town Manager, paraphrased the comments received
Mayor Polivy closed public comment.
The staff recommendation, regarding the amended COVID Leave Policy, was moved
by Vice Mayor Klovstad, seconded by Council Member Commendatore, and
adopted with the following vote:
Ayes: Vice Mayor Klovstad, Council Member Commendatore, Council
Member Tirman, and Mayor Polivy.
Noes: none.
Absent: Council Member Abrams.
Abstained: none.
The motion passed 4-0.
The Mayor moved to Item 7.2 at 5:20 p.m.
7.2 STAFF REPORT - Contract amendment with TBWBH for Revenue Measure for
Housing and Housing Program Communications Plan.
Recommended Action: 1) Authorize the Town Manager to sign a contract amendment in
the amount $24,950 with Terris Barnes Walters Boigon Heath, Inc. (TBWBH) to perform
additional polling to inform a Transient Occupancy Tax ballot measure; and 2) Council to
accept Housing Program Communications Plan and provide direction as appropriate.
Hilary Hobbs, Management Analyst, presented from the staff report (presentation on file
with the Town Clerk). Ms. Hobbs introduced Charles Heath, Principal, TBWBH.
Charles Heath, stated:
• Most polling efforts have been placed on hold during the COVID situation.
• With Governor's comments today — Month of May could be normalizing and
provide valuable data.
o Adjust the content of the polling to include public safety, or stimulus.
o A Questions regarding the Town's response to COVID could be polled.
o Currently, participation in the polls is higher than normal.
o Most current polls are related to general sales tax measures.
Council Discussion:
The original polling was assuming a general tax formula.
Affordable housing was one of several items polled.
New polling is to ensure support for a narrow affordable housing -only tax.
Town of Truckee
April 14, 2020, Town Council Regular
Page 4
" Q u e s t i o n n a i r e c o u l d a d d r e s s a d d i t i o n a l p o t e n t i a l u s e s f o r a s p e c i a l t a x .
" A d d i t i o n a l i n t e r e s t i n o t h e r o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r f u n d i n g .
" G e n e r a l t a x v e r s u s a s p e c i a l t a x .
o H o w l i k e l y i s i t t o a c h i e v e t h e s u p p o r t ?
o H o w m u c h f l e x i b i l i t y f o r t h e u s e o f t h e f u n d s ?
" T h e r e i s a s u b s t a n t i a l i m p a c t o n u n e m p l o y m e n t o n o u r c o m m u n i t y .
o A F l a s h V o t e s u r v e y f o u n d o u t o f 1 , 2 0 0 r e s p o n s e s 1 9 . 7 % h a d r e d u c e d
h o u r s o r h a d b e e n l a i d o f f .
" H i s t o r i c a l l y w h e n p o l l i n g i s c o n d u c t e d i n a t i m e o f c r i s i s .
o T h i s i s a v e r y d i f f e r e n t t i m e o n l y c o m p a r i n g t o 9 - 1 1 .
o S t r o n g s u p p o r t o f l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t a f t e r 9 - 1 1 .
o W o r k i n g w i t h e x p e r t s t o d e t e r m i n e t h e a c c u r a c y l e v e l o f t h e p o l l i n g n o w .
o M a y m a k e s e n s e f o r p o l l i n g . B u t i t i s a d a y - b y - d a y a s s e s s m e n t .
" D i r e c t i o n i n M a r c h , s p e c i f i c t o t e s t t h e s p e c i a l t a x . H o w i m p o r t a n t w o u l d a c h a n g e
o f d i r e c t i o n b e .
o L o o k a t b o t h o p t i o n s i n t h e p o l l b u t t h e d i r e c t i o n s h o u l d b e a s s p e c i f i c a s
p o s s i b l e .
o S u r v e y o p t i o n s t h e m o r e v a r i a b l e s t h e m o r e m i x e d m e s s a g e s c a n c o m e
b a c k .
M a y o r P o l i v y o p e n e d t h e i t e m f o r p u b l i c c o m m e n t .
W r i t t e n C o m m e n t r e c e i v e d f r o m :
H e a t h e r R a n k o w E r i c S u t t o n
M a y o r P o l i v y c l o s e d p u b l i c c o m m e n t .
C o u n c i l D i s c u s s i o n :
" T r a n s i e n t O c c u p a n c y T a x ( T O T ) .
" T h e t a x w i l l b e a p p r o v e d b y T r u c k e e r e s i d e n t s b u t w o u l d b e p a i d b y l o d g i n g
c u s t o m e r s .
" C o u l d b e a b l e t o p a s s a g e n e r a l t a x t h a t h a s s t r o n g a f f o r d a b l e h o u s i n g s u p p o r t ?
" H a v i n g t h e f l e x i b i l i t y i n a r e v e n u e s o u r c e s i s v a l u a b l e .
" R e g a r d i n g p o l l i n g , y o u c a n g e t t h e a n s w e r s y o u w a n t i f y o u s e t i t u p c o r r e c t l y .
o P o l l i n g m a y n o t b e a c c u r a t e .
" G o t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s n o w t o s e t u s u p f o r f u t u r e p o l l i n g .
" I t i s u n w i s e t o m a k e b i g d e c i s i o n s d u r i n g a c r i s i s .
" T h i s w a s b r o u g h t t o a c o m m i t t e e a n d t h e c o m m i t t e e p r o v i d e d a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n .
o H o n o r o u r c o m m i t t e e s a n d t h e i r r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s .
" G e n e r a l i d e a o f a t a x i n t o t h e f u t u r e . T o u r i s m s i d e o f o u r e c o n o m y t o c o m e b a c k
a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e . I t m i g h t b e t o o m u c h t o a s k .
" C o m m i t t e e w a s v e r y c l e a r t o s u p p o r t a s p e c i a l t a x .
o W e h a v e 1 0 % T O T a n d p r o p e r t y t a x t h a t a r e f o r g e n e r a l u s e .
" U n d e r n o r m a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s m o v i n g f o r w a r d w i t h p o l l i n g m a k e s s e n s e .
o M a r c h 1 0 t h e w o r l d l o o k e d d i f f e r e n t .
o C o n c e r n r e g a r d i n g p o l l i n g d u r i n g a c r i s i s t h e r e s u l t s c o u l d b e s k e w e d .
o T h e e c o n o m i c i m p a c t w i l l b e l o n g l a s t i n g .
" T h e h a r d e s t h i t i n d u s t r y i n o u r e c o n o m y i s o u r l o d g i n g f a c i l i t i e s . T h e i r r e v e n u e h a s
c o m e t o a h a l t . T h e r e w i l l b e a r i p p l e e f f e c t t h r o u g h t h e c o m m u n i t y .
T o w n o f T r u c k e e
A p r i l 1 4 , 2 0 2 0 , T o w n C o u n c i l R e g u l a r
P a g e 5
" T h e r e i s a c o n n e c t i o n i f w e c a n ' t d o t h e p o l l i n g o n a s p e c i a l t a x l e v y i n g
a d d i t i o n a l t a x o n t h e h a r d e s t h i t s e g m e n t o f t h e c o m m u n i t y .
" W e s h o u l d c o n c e n t r a t e o n w h a t ' s i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t p i p e l i n e h a l f a d o z e n
p r o j e c t s t h a t a r e a l l a b o u t h o u s i n g , a b o u t 2 0 0 . F o c u s o n w h a t w e a l r e a d y h a v e i n
t h e q u e u e .
" S u p p o r t i v e o f t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s p l a n f o r h o u s i n g .
" W a i t u n t i l J u n e t o s e e w h e r e w e a r e a t .
" C a n h o l d t h e t a x u n t i l t h e e c o n o m i c i n d i c a t o r s s h o w a r e c o v e r y .
" H a v e t h e a u t h o r i t y t o c h a r g e a t a n y t i m e . C o u n c i l c o u l d d e l a y i m p l e m e n t a t i o n u n t i l
t h e e c o n o m y h a s r e c o v e r e d .
" T r u c k e e T o u r i s m B a s e d I m p r o v e m e n t D i s t r i c t ( T T B I D ) i s c u r r e n t l y w o r k i n g o n a
p r o g r a m t h a t d i s t r i b u t e s s o m e o f t h e i r r e s e r v e s t o h e l p t h e p a y e r s . A n a d d i t i o n a l
t a x i s a l i n e i t e m o n t h e c u s t o m e r ' s b i l l . I t d o e s n ' t e n c u m b e r l o d g i n g b u s i n e s s e s .
" T a l k o f s h o r t - t e r m r e n t a l s i m p a c t s o f t o u r i s m , t h i s t y p e o f b a l l o t m e a s u r e i s a n o -
b r a i n e r t o m o v e f o r w a r d .
" I t w i l l b e h o o v e u s t o h a v e t h e f u n d i n g s o u r c e s .
" N o a d d i t i o n a l p o l l i n g w i l l m a k e t h e J u n e d e c i s i o n m o r e c h a l l e n g i n g .
" N o t t h e r i g h t t i m e t o d o p o l l i n g o r a n a d d e d t a x .
" I n J u n e t h e i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l s t i l l b e s o m e w h a t a c c u r a t e .
" T h i s i s n o t j u s t a t a x o n o t h e r s . L o d g i n g i s a s m a l l g r o u p t h a t w i l l i m p a c t t h e
r e m a i n d e r o f t h e c o m m u n i t y t h a t i s d e p e n d e n t o n t h e t o u r i s m f u n d i n g .
C o u n c i l D i r e c t i o n :
" C o n t i n u e d t h e p o l l i n g d i s c u s s i o n t o a f u t u r e C o u n c i l m e e t i n g .
C o u n c i l d i r e c t i o n c o n t i n u e d t h e p o l l i n g d i s c u s s i o n t o a f u t u r e C o u n c i l m e e t i n g w a s
m o v e d b y V i c e M a y o r K l o v s t a d , s e c o n d e d b y C o u n c i l M e m b e r C o m m e n d a t o r e , a n d
a d o p t e d w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v o t e :
A y e s : V i c e M a y o r K l o v s t a d , C o u n c i l M e m b e r C o m m e n d a t o r e , C o u n c i l
M e m b e r T i r m a n , a n d M a y o r P o l i v y .
N o e s : n o n e .
A b s e n t : C o u n c i l M e m b e r A b r a m s .
A b s t a i n e d : n o n e .
T h e m o t i o n p a s s e d 4 - 0 .
C o u n c i l D i r e c t i o n :
" A c c e p t e d t h e H o u s i n g C o m m u n i c a t i o n s P l a n .
T h e s t a f f r e c o m m e n d a t i o n t o a c c e p t t h e H o u s i n g C o m m u n i c a t i o n s P l a n , w a s m o v e d
b y V i c e M a y o r K l o v s t a d , s e c o n d e d b y C o u n c i l M e m b e r T i r m a n , a n d a d o p t e d w i t h
t h e f o l l o w i n g v o t e :
A y e s : V i c e M a y o r K l o v s t a d , C o u n c i l M e m b e r T i r m a n , C o u n c i l M e m b e r
C o m m e n d a t o r e , a n d M a y o r P o l i v y .
N o e s : n o n e .
A b s e n t : C o u n c i l M e m b e r A b r a m s .
A b s t a i n e d : n o n e .
T h e m o t i o n p a s s e d 4 - 0 .
T o w n o f T r u c k e e
A p r i l 1 4 , 2 0 2 0 , T o w n C o u n c i l R e g u l a r
P a g e 6
Mayor Polivy adjourned for a brief recess at 6:27 p.m.
Mayor Polivy reconvened at 6:32 p.m.
Mayor Polivy returned to Item 7.1.
After Item 7.1, based on technical challenges, Mayor Polivy took Item 7.4 out of
order.
7.4 STAFF REPORT - Mountain Housing Council 2.0 Funding Request.
Recommended Action: Approve requested funding of $165,000 from the Tahoe Truckee
Community Foundation to support the Mountain Housing Council of Tahoe Truckee (MHC)
for three years pending final Scope of Services, and include in the Town's budget
assumptions for Fiscal Years 2020/2021 through 2022/2023 to be funded by the Town's
General Fund Housing Designation.
Mayor Polivy adjourned for a brief recess at 7:25 p.m.
Mayor Polivy reconvened at 7:31 p.m.
Seana Doherty, Housing Program Manager, presented from the staff report (presentation
on file with the Town Clerk).
Council Discussion:
• The funding partners have been identified, but others can be added by Mountain
Housing Council.
Mayor Polivy opened the item for public comment.
Written comment received from:
Heather Rankow Stacy Caldwell
Mayor Polivy closed public comment.
The staff recommendation was moved by Council Member Tirman, seconded by
Council Member Commendatore, and adopted with the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Tirman, Council Member Commendatore, Vice Mayor
Klovstad, and Mayor Polivy.
Noes: none.
Absent: Council Member Abrams.
Abstained: none.
The motion passed 4-0.
Mayor Polivy returned to item 7.3.
7.3 STAFF REPORT - Aquatic Invasive Species Program Update.
Recommended Action: 1) Provide information to Town Council on the proposed program
changes of the mandatory watercraft inspection program for the 2020 season; and 2)
Direct staff to amend the ordinance to reflect a new aquatic invasive species self -
inspection program.
Town of Truckee
April 14, 2020, Town Council Regular
Page 7
Deverie Acuff, Support Services Manager; presented from the staff report (presentation
on file with the Town Clerk).
Council Discussion:
• Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TBPA) and Tahoe Resource Conservation
District (TRCD) want a closed waterway for reciprocity with Lake Tahoe.
• Testing of Donner Lake.
• Tahoe stickers insure a high quality inspection was complete.
• Currently when staff is not on duty at the lake, not all boaters are permitted.
• There is nothing stopping others from taking over this program.
o It would be great to find a community partner to take on this program.
o The Watershed Council is not comfortable taking the program over.
• There has been extensive outreach regarding this program over the past year.
Mayor Polivy opened the item for public comment.
Written Comment was received from:
Beth Christman James Herzman
Leland Tarnay Catherine Schnurrenberger
Carolyn Hollis (received after Public Comment was closed).
Mayor Polivy closed public comment.
Council Direction:
• Donner Lake is critical to our community.
• Climate change affecting the temperature and erosion in the lake.
• With over 15 agencies involved we should be able to fund this program long term.
• We should do it until someone else is found to operate this program.
• It is vital to preserve what we have and keep it clean.
• The current program is a Quagga & Zebra Mussels program, currently there are
other AIS present in Donner Lake.
• Increasing the price to Lake Tahoe levels has met with significant opposition in the
past. Tahoe sticker rates are exorbitant compared to Donner.
• Donner Lake is an environmental treasure. It needs to be protected.
• Large imbalance between cost and revenue.
o Could the revenues be ramped up over time?
• In the past the discussion was; should Truckee taxpayers be subsidizing boater on
Donner.
• The Town has not budgeted or set aside the $160,000 plus in funding required for
Option one. If Council wishes to fund this program, they will have to decide what
Town will defund.
The staff recommendation for Option three was moved by Council Member
Commendatore, seconded by Council Member Tirman, and adopted with the
following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Commendatore, Council Member Tirman, and Mayor
Polivy.
Noes: Vice Mayor Klovstad.
Town of Truckee
April 14, 2020, Town Council Regular
Page 8
8.
9
Absent: Council Member Abrams.
Abstained: none.
The motion passed 3-1.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Tirman
• Participated in radio interviews.
• Virtually attended bi-weekly COVID update meetings.
• Reached out to local ski areas Northstar and JMA Homewood.
• Participated in a library call regarding conceptual plans for Truckee's library.
• Virtually attended Mountain Housing Council meeting.
Council Member Commendatore
• Participated in radio interviews.
• Communicated with constituents focused on calming fears.
• Advocated for Small Business Administration (SBA) funding.
Vice Member Klovstad
• Participated in radio interviews.
• Virtually attended bi-weekly COVID update meetings.
• Communicated with constituents focused on calming fears.
• Participated in a conference call with Megan Dahle.
• Watched a training from the Sierra Business Council regarding Small Business
Administration loans.
• Virtually attended a Nevada County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCo)
meeting.
• Virtually attended a Truckee Springs Committee meeting.
Mayor Polivy
• Participated in radio interviews.
• Provided interviews to the press.
• Virtually attended Truckee Tourism Based Improvement District (TTBID) meetings.
• Virtually met with Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD).
• Participated in a Truckee Talks show with Moonshine Ink.
• Participated in a conference call with Megan Dahle.
ADJOURNMENT — 9:05 P.M.
To the regular meeting of the Truckee Town Council April 28, 2020, 6:00 p.m. at Town
Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee, CA.
Respectfully submitted
Judy PAice, MMP), Town Clerk
Approved:
y
David Polivy, Mayor
Town of Truckee
April 14, 2020, Town Council Regular
Page 9