The grass field post-SnowGlobe. Photo/LTN

By Kathryn Reed

A settlement agreement with the producer of SnowGlobe regarding the damaged field is on the Feb. 6 South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda.

It is on the consent agenda. This is where slam dunk items that are not discussed get placed. However, it is possible for anyone – even a member of the public – to pull a consent agenda off so there can be dialogue.

The agreement states that Chad Donnelly, who owns the three-day music festival, will pay the city $250,000 until it is determined how much it will actually cost to repair the field.

The original contract stated that SnowGlobe must return the field to the condition it was in prior to vendors setting up. The city took pictures of what the site looked like before the concerts so there would be proof.

The performance bond secured from SnowGlobe was for $250,000, which is how that figure in the settlement came to be.

“The settlement agreement allows the city to manage and oversee the restoration of the field to ensure the field is restored to the city’s expectations and more easily access the $250,000 deposit,” City Manager Nancy Kerry told Lake Tahoe News.

The Dec. 29-31 festival was on grass fields. By the time it was over the fields were dirt, with little evidence any sod ever existed.

While some protective covering was used, it did not cover the entire area. More than 10,000 people were walking and dancing on the cover/grass/dirt for three straight nights. And there was no snow to act as another layer of protection.

Tuesday’s staff report written by interim City Attorney Nira Doherty states, “In 2017, the fields were finalized with installation of the turf, including soil preparation. The cost for soil preparation and turf installation was approximately $270,000. Initial damage to the field as a result of the festival indicate approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of the turf may need to be replaced, other portions of the field may need leveling utilizing top dressing and importation of other materials for restoration.”

The settlement agreement calls for the city to determine by June 30 the exact cost of repairing the field. If the bill is less than $250,000, the city will have 30 days to return to SnowGlobe the difference between that quarter million dollars and the exact cost.

The settlement further states if the cost to repair the field were to exceed $250,000, SnowGlobe would not be liable for it.

The City Council at some date will have to decide if the controversial festival that just concluded its seventh year has a future at that location or anywhere in the city limits.

Staff is expected to present the council with a more comprehensive report on SnowGlobe at the Feb. 20 or March 6 meeting.