Lukins Water Co. takes issue with SLT-STPUD agreement
To the community,
Lukins Brothers Water Company has been working with the city of South Lake Tahoe to secure funding for their system upgrades. Unbeknownst to them, the city was working with South Tahoe Public Utility District to take the system.
Since July 2009, the city on behalf of Lukins has been applying for grants. Lukins has also been researching various ways to fund this project.
Meanwhile, on Aug. 4, 2010, the city of South Lake Tahoe and South Tahoe Public Utility District entered into an agreement stating that any improvements done to Lukins system with public redevelopment dollars would be owned by South Tahoe Public Utility District, not by Lukins.
Also stated in this agreement is that the opinion of the city and South Tahoe PUD is, that it is in the best interest of current Lukins customers to have water provided to them by South Tahoe PUD.
This agreement was made without the knowledge or support of Lukins. An agreement like this is counterproductive to the collaborative partnership between the city, the California Public Utility Commission and Lukins that was established as part of the joint Stipulation from last year.
The joint Stipulation between Lukins Brothers Water Company, the city of South Lake Tahoe and the California Public Utilities Commission, gives the commission authority over the city of South Lake Tahoe in matters regarding Lukins Brothers Water Company.
For more information, visit www.lukinswater.com or contact the office at (530)541.2606.
Jennifer Lukins, operations manager for Lukins Brothers Water Company
Why wasn’t Lukins applying for grants on their own? Since when does the city decide what is in the best interests of Lukins customers without asking the customers? Also, where would the city find the money to buy Lukins? They don’t have the money to pave neighborhood streets let alone buy a water company.
So now if i am a home owner in the new redevelopment area and accet grant money to deal with lead paint on my house does the city then own my house?? As a Lukins customer I see the city driving our cost of water up substantially to meet thier redevelopment needs for water supply. This way they dont have pay for the upgrades when they let someone build a huge Marriot style complex at the Y. Yes indeed Lukins needs to upgrade thier system. Look around the city and see what else the city needs to upgrade. The behind closed door deals are what is making this city go down the drain. For the last 40 years in this town i am never suprised by what the city does. Just when i think i have seen it all something like this comes up. Thanks Lukins Water and the Lukins family for all they have done over the years in this community and i am glad to see upgrade process starting. City stay away you will just make things worse.
Any reason an assessment district can not be created to address funding issues for water infrastructure improvements for Lukins?
The city of SLT just can’t take a back seat to a water system that could cause our whole town to go up in smoke. Lukins has squandered their profits instead of reinvesting into their public system. We have an eyesore at the Y because water pressure is not enough for those to get insurance at the old Mikasa outlet. When are residents going to stop being selfish and put the needs of the many ahead of the few. Lukins Water Co should be condemned. Period.