SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – City council had a special meeting on Tuesday to extend the pause on approving new tobacco retailers. They also approved an agreement for the Olympic torch relay for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Consent agenda
The council briefly heard public comment on a communications site license between Placer County and the city, which would place radio equipment at the tower at South Lake Tahoe Police’s department. This new equipment would help Placer County’s radio communications, especially for search and rescue teams, as it would help avoid the communications shadow from mountains on the west shore.
While councilmember David Jinkens raised concerns about the project’s exemption from CEQA guidelines, new city attorney Sergio Rudin clarified that the installation of communications equipment like this is typically exempt from CEQA, and the motion to approve the license passed.
Tobacco retailers
In June, council placed a temporary moratorium on the approval of new tobacco retailers, in response to a new retailer opening at 3045 Harrison Avenue, which is near schools. The proposed moratorium would last 10 months and 15 days.
The two newest businesses would not open under the current rules—one of the two operators also lacks a city business license at this time.
The business owner of the site on Harrison said that the business was only open to people 21 and up, and that children would not be allowed inside. This prompted Mayor Cody Bass and councilmember Scott Robbins to discuss the black market of nicotine products, which is sometimes how children are able to access things like flavored vapes.
Bass indicated that he was not in support of the moratorium, as it would impact business retailers and their equal opportunity in the city.
Councilmembers Heather Horgan and Robbins were in support, especially regarding the health of the community and the current clustering of businesses, which Robbins said could be removed “through attrition.”
Mayor Pro Tem Keith Roberts suggested that city staff, during the moratorium, could compare the density of tobacco retailers to other cities of comparable size.
The motion passed with a no vote from Bass, enacting a moratorium while staff studies potential regulatory frameworks.
Olympic torch relay
Mayor Pro Tem Roberts communicated with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Team (LA28) and expressed an interest in hosting the Olympic Torch Relay, where the Olympic Flame will travel across all fifty states before arriving in Los Angeles on July 14, 2028.
Roberts said that South Lake Tahoe was considered as one of the “final day” cities, where the city could also host a celebration and a lighting of the cauldron, in part owing to Tahoe’s history with the Olympics.
While LA28’s stipulations were strict, requesting event restrictions during the time and arranging a route, facilities and parking for those involved in the relay, there was excitement among much of city council. Horgan expressed concerns around the public safety aspects of the event, but eventually gave her support after police chief Jeff Roberson commented on the matter.
The council discussed potentially involving the Washoe tribe, Placer County and the Palisades site in the relay and celebrations. The motion to authorize the mayor to sign the LA28 Torch Relay agreement and designate Mayor Pro Tem Roberts and the city manager as points of contact passed unanimously.
Agenda planning calendar
Robbins introduced items for future agendas, including engagement with agencies around the Tahoe Basin to pay for a guiding and outfitting permit program through the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The payment for the program could help allow backcountry guides to operate, and would cost $150,000 a year.
Robbins also spoke about the prioritization of bike traffic at certain intersections, which would have to happen through a resolution. He also was interested in a resolution for preventing the use of plastics as part of beach revetment (as they were previously used at El Dorado Beach.) Lastly, Robbins asked for a discussion of the dissolution of the tourism district or to reappropriate their funds towards improving transit shuttles.
Horgan spoke and thanked the city staff, as well as the parks and recreation district for the 4th of July celebrations.
City council then went to a closed session. The next regular city council meeting will be August 11.
