Title
Supervisor Laine recommending the Board:
1) Find that a public benefit is derived from supporting the Lake Tahoe Historical Society efforts to preserve the only historic cemetery in the Lake Tahoe area; and
2) Approve and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to sign a funding Agreement, consistent with the County’s standard form and upon the approval of County Counsel, with the Lake Tahoe Historical Society authorizing payment of the $5,000 community funding contribution in support of these efforts.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Al Tahoe Pioneer Cemetery located on Alameda Ave., South Lake Tahoe, is the only historic cemetery in the Lake Tahoe area and is the final resting place for some of Tahoe’s earliest settlers. In 1965, a local realtor deeded the cemetery property to the City of South Lake Tahoe. To help preserve and restore the Cemetery, there needs to be grave marker restoration work completed, which includes but is not limited to repairing the Richard Peter grave marker and fencing.
Mr. Peter was born in Virginia in 1804, married Elizabeth Elvira, founded the Peters Station Hotel in Kingsbury Grade, and died in 1868. The Peter marker is the focal point in the Cemetery because of its size, it being the largest marker at the Cemetery.
This past year, the marker collapsed, with large pieces of the marker laying on the ground. Before the collapse, the marker was suffering from serious decline. It was tilted at an angle, probably due to the collapse of Mr. Peter’s coffin. In addition, the severe 2022-2023 winter caused the iron fencing surrounding the grave to be damaged by a large pine tree branch which broke off a pine tree by the grave during a storm.
The cost for time and materials is $3,600. Repairs will include the following: Monument: Disassemble and clean all parts. Set existing base in new cement foundation. Drill and dowel pin all parts together and mortar all joints with white modified type S mortar with anti-hydro and mortar dye color to match. Fill all cracks and missing parts. Apply natural looking penetrating sealer.
Iron fence and gate: Re-set four corner posts in cement. Repair damaged gate. Re-assemble all parts. Re-paint with DTM metal paint in exterior black. The remaining $1,400 will be used to help with various restoration projects in the Cemetery.
A funding agreement is required for the County to process the payment to Lake Tahoe Historical Society. Approval by the Board provides the finding that a public benefit is derived from supporting this endeavor, which seeks to preserve the only historic cemetery in the Lake Tahoe area.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the funding request, and no funding would be provided in support of these efforts.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Lake Tahoe Historical Society.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Board of Supervisors allocated $75,000 in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget in General Fund - Other Operations (Department 15) to be available for community funding requests supported by the Board. Approval of this item would allocate $5,000 from this amount. There is no additional impact to the General Fund due to the approval of this agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
None
CONTACT
District V Supervisor, Brooke Laine