LTCC not sure it wants SnowGlobe to return

By Kathryn Reed

Lake Tahoe Community College is so frustrated with how long it took SnowGlobe vendors to clean up their mess that a future contract is in jeopardy.

“For me, the board and staff we take pride in the fact that is our front door. We had to drive in by it every day,” LTCC President Jeff DeFranco told Lake Tahoe News. “We would give tours to perspective students and have to explain what that was all about. We can’t have that again.”

DeFranco was referring to the mangled chain link fencing, portable structures and other debris left for months after the three-day music festival had long ended. The crap left on college and city property made the area look like a junkyard.

The contract said everything was supposed to be removed by Jan. 3. The reality is things remained on site into April. It took the city sending a threatening letter for the promoter to finally do something. (The city’s contract say things must be removed as soon as possible, weather contingent.)

While South Lake Tahoe has a multi-year contract with promoter Chad Donnelly, which ends this year, the college has always been on a year-to-year contract. LTCC’s facilities are instrumental to a successful event. The parking lot is huge. The physical education building and food services are other key components.

Damaged chain link fences remained for months after SnowGlobe. Photo/LTN

The college board of trustees this week heard a presentation about how the 2016 event went. Normally the annual recap comes in February, but that was impossible with evidence of the event still visible.

While DeFranco said it was too early to know exactly what language might be in a future contract – if there is a contract – he said wording to ensure everything is removed before winter quarter starts would be a biggie.

“Our facility was ready to go, but access and parking wasn’t because of SnowGlobe remnants,” DeFranco said. “Another big issue is any blight from SnowGlobe and how it reflects on the campus and community.”

Much of the discussion on April 25 centered on the lack of demobilization. January snowstorms prevented the timely removal of the perimeter fencing and other items. Apparently, though, there was no contingency for this. It’s not like snow in Tahoe in winter should surprise anyone, especially in January.

Donnelly is expected to be at a future LTCC board meeting to plead his case. This could be as soon as May.

While DeFranco said the college wants to be a community partner and help with tourist related events that drive the local economy, he said those pursuits will always be secondary to the college’s main mission of being an institution of higher learning.

Ultimately it will be up to the five elected to decide if LTCC enters a contract of any kind with SnowGlobe. Things they are considering include:

·      A larger damage deposit;

·      Enhanced video surveillance;

·      Limiting how the parking lot is used;

·      Having the community play consortium have a contract for the use of the field;

·      Establishing a wristband entrance fee for the consortium to offset the cost of maintaining the field. (The college and city are members of the consortium.)