STPUD not done fighting South Tahoe’s redevelopment plan
By Kathryn Reed
Officials from South Tahoe Public Utility District and South Lake Tahoe are expected to get together early this month to hash out lingering redevelopment issues.
Even though the city approved another redevelopment area last month, STPUD and El Dorado County are not walking away from the issue.
“We could talk about our plan of attack for the next couple of months in closed session,” Richard Solbrig, STPUD general manager told the board at its last meeting.
The district has 90 days from May 18, when the city passed the plan, to file a lawsuit to stop it from going forward. (The county has the same deadline.) The board has not decided if that is the course it will take. First, staff from both sides will meet.
The water-sewer district is concerned it will lose a substantial sum of money as property tax dollars go to the city’s Redevelopment Agency instead of to STPUD.
“I hate to use pubic funds to sue another public entity unless it’s for the public’s gain,” said Dale Rise, STPUD board president.
Solbrig, Rise and board member Chris Cefalu were at the meeting when the council on a split vote went forward with the plan that encompasses 3,100 acres from the airport to the Y to Herbert Street. Solbrig voiced his concerns at the meeting.
Go ahead, STPUD. Sue. The redevelopment plan is NOT planned. It’s really about taking care of Lukins in the long run. Sorry, Mr. Lukins but I believe your district should be condemned and taken over by some entity who puts their money back in to the system which you have not done. Now STPUD or some other entity must pay for your unbusinesslike behaviour. Sue.
Hope STPUD and El Dorado County stand firm in their position. Based on its disastrous record, the City has very little credibility, trust, or prudent judgement to proceed with yet another fantasy redevelopment scheme. The poor judgement the City used with the Hole in the Ground, parking garage, owners of viable businesses run out of town, and their smoke and mirror financing that raided the general fund should simply not be allowed to reoccur.
Keep the city AWAY from private industry. They’ve shown repeatedly that they know nothing about business. That’s why they’re in politics!
Hello:
On May 26, 2010 I communicated with the STPUD Genral Manager in response to their proposed RDA Mitigation proposals made recently to the City Council. I agreed with some suggestions and had questions regarding others. I am waiting to hear back from STPUD and asked to meet with their staff.
City officials want to have a constructive conversation with District officials. Communication back from the District is now needed, and I look forward to our meeting and conversation.
David Jinkens
City Manager
If I understood it correctly, the City Council passed the Project 2 Redevelopment Area after removing the geographic area that Lukins Brothers Water Co services, so they won’t be able to apply for a low interest loan or submit projects to the City. For those who were really concerned about that, I believe they’re no longer included in the redevelopment area.