By Kathryn Reed

Kathay Lovell took the gavel from Jerry Birdwell on Dec. 8 — as expected. The 3-2 vote to have her become mayor of South Lake Tahoe was also predictable.

Birdwell and Councilman Bill Crawford did not want her to take the helm again — a position she has had twice in seven years in office. Crawford has never been mayor and has served the same length of time, though not consecutive terms.

Kathay Lovell

The transaction was short and sweet, with no pontificating by any of the councilmembers.

Hal Cole is mayor pro tem. All but Crawford voted for that appointment.

The honorary positions are one-year terms.

In other action on Dec. 8:

• The council listened to a lengthy presentation by Harold Singer, executive director of Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. He talked about the need to reduce fine sediment from going into Lake Tahoe and how the city will have to come up with millions of dollars for its contribution to have lake clarity return to a depth of 100 feet.
• Extended the moratorium on medicinal marijuana dispensaries to Nov. 17, 2010, to make it a full year with keeping the number of such businesses at three. This gives the city time to craft an ordinance regulating the pot clubs.
• Gave staff direction to come up with a green building ordinance. This should be before the council in the spring. The council favors developers be allowed to build green on a voluntary basis.
• The city’s grievance policy will be discussed in late winter when outside officials are able to be in attendance.
• The next regular council meeting will be Jan. 12 at 9am.