South Tahoe responds to county’s redevelopment letter

Publisher’s note: This July 9, 2010, letter from South Lake Tahoe City Manager Dave Jinkens to Michael Applegarth, in El Dorado County’s administrative office, is reprinted with permission. It relates this story.

Michael:

As you requested, I am forwarding a copy of the attached letter from the Board of Supervisors to the City Council today.

I had the opportunity to discuss the letter this morning with the City Attorney/Agency Counsel, Mr. Enright and with the Director of Redevelopment and Housing, Mr. Palazzo. We will be carefully reviewing the County of Los Angeles v. Glendora Redevelopment Project decision. As you know, however, the City of South Lake Tahoe is in the California Court of Appeal, 3rd Appellate District, a different District than in the Glendora Case. Of course, the Glendora opinion is still important and significant, and it must be carefully evaluated. I know you know as well that South Lake Tahoe and Glendora are two very different cities in very differing environmental, social, and economic settings, and I suspect that the factual situation regarding their redevelopment proposal is different as well from the case in South Lake Tahoe.

The City Attorney needs some time to review the Glendora Case, and he will do so within the next few days along with your letter. We will then bring the matter to the City Council for review and direction. A few questions arise regarding your letter that would help us in our review and in any City response.

1. What specific parcels is the County proposing to be removed from the RDA Plan?

2. How does the County see the exemption of it from the Teeter Plan working in relationship to RDA Project No. 2? How broad are you looking at the hold harmless agreement?

I should also mention that on June 7, 2010 (referenced below) I directed a letter to the County Administrative Officer requesting further meetings. I received no response to my request and had we done so we could have been well on the way toward addressing outstanding issues. I note as well that on May 18, 2010 I directed an electronic mail communication to Supervisor Santiago in part requesting dialogue with her. Finally, on March 24, 2010 I directed to your Special Counsel Ms. Miller recounting our previous discussion at the Airport in our RDA Conference Room and suggesting more discussion on projects of mutual benefit we discussed such as a Green Business park at the Airport and Lakeview Commons Project. I received no reply to these communications as well.

Thank you for contacting me in regard to this important matter. I assure you that we will be responding within a reasonable period of time. I always appreciate hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Dave Jinkens, city manager and executive director South Tahoe Redevelopment Agency