Title
Planning and Building Department, Tahoe Planning, Stormwater, and Vacation Home Rental (VHR) Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperation Agreement 24C00012 between the Department and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to allow the County to provide project management services for Phase 1 of the development of a Meyers Aquatic Invasive Species Station in Meyers, with TRPA as the project proponent and funder, with a not-to-exceed amount of $389,400, and a termination date of December 31, 2025;
2) Authorize the Planning and Building Department Director to execute any further documents determined necessary related to Cooperation Agreement 24C00012, including amendments which do not increase the not-to-exceed amount or term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
3) Approve and Authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget increasing revenue and increasing professional services by $88,500 in the Tahoe Planning, Stormwater, and VHR Division budget (4/5 vote required).
FUNDING: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (100%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Lake Tahoe faces a constant and serious threat from the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). AIS degrades water quality, degrades natural fish habitat, and can affect the recreation opportunities that drive Lake Tahoe’s economy. Since 2008, the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program (Program) has proven extremely effective in preventing new AIS from entering the lake. This Program calls for the inspection of all motorized watercraft to ensure new AIS are not introduced. The use of temporary AIS stations, such as the one established across State Route 89, has been effective, but development of permanent stations will allow for more efficient operation and inclusion of other Regional priorities such as a transit stop and affordable employee housing.
To further protect Lake Tahoe from AIS, the Department and TRPA desire to enter into Cooperation Agreement No. 24C00012 for Phase 1 of the development of a Meyers Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Station in Meyers, with the Department providing project management services and TRPA serving as the project proponent and project funder.
The proposed AIS Station will consist of a boat inspection and decontamination area, associated mechanical and storage sheds, an open space/public access area with signage, a public restroom, a public service bicycle station, a workforce housing building, and required vehicle queuing and parking areas. Development of the proposed AIS Station is phased and will occupy four (4) undeveloped parcels (034-300-025, 034-300-026, 034-300-027, 034-300-028) on the southwest corner of State Route 89 and U.S. Route 50, which are owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC). These parcels are identified as Asset Lands by the CTC and therefore are higher capability land and can support a recreation type of land use. The parcels are zoned Recreation in the County’s Meyers Area Plan (MAP). The proposed AIS Station would replace TRPA’s current, temporary AIS Station established across State Route 89.
Under Cooperation Agreement No. 24C00012, the Department will work with TRPA to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified entities to assist with completion of deliverables of Phase 1 of development of the AIS Station. The Department will serve as the project manager, overseeing consultant(s) and ensuring completion of deliverables, to include a thirty percent (30%) project design, an environmental document phase including a TRPA Initial Environmental Checklist (IEC), a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI), and a public engagement process.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve Cooperation Agreement No. 24C00012, which would prevent the Department from collaborating with TRPA for development of a permanent AIS Station in Meyers.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Risk Management, TRPA
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County cost associated with this Cooperation Agreement. TRPA will reimburse the Department for consultant services and Department staff time. The proposed Budget Transfer will amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget increasing revenue and increasing professional services by $88,500 in the Tahoe Planning, Stormwater, and VHR Division. The remaining portion of the contract is included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget request in the amount of $300,900, all reimbursed by TRPA.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on one (1) copy of the Agreement; and
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward the executed Agreement to the Planning and Building Department, Tahoe Planning, Stormwater, and VHR Division, attention Brendan Ferry, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Brendan Ferry, Deputy Director of Tahoe Planning, Stormwater, and VHR
Planning and Building Department