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Representing the people of the historic Donner Summit community for the preservation of the area’s rugged mountain character and natural resources by providing active coordination for community development issues.
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Events, Meetings No comments yet

DSAA and DSMAC meet Tuesday, Feb. 1

By on January 31st, 2011

The DSAA Board of Directors will meet earlier than usual on Tuesday, February 1st to accomodate attendance at the first Donner Summit MAC (DSMAC) meeting.  Both meetings will take place at the Coldstream Room in Sugar Bowl’s Mt. Judah Lodge.

In addition to its regular business, the Board of Directors will hear a presentation from Amgen Tour organizers at 5:00 p.m.  People interested in the Amgen bike tour that will cross Donner Summit on May 16th, 2011 are encouraged to attend.

DSAA Board Meeting, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

DSMAC Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Judah Lodge, Sugar Bowl

 

DSAA Agenda 2 1 11

Info on the DSMAC

Government, Local Info, News No comments yet

Placer County Begins Redistricting of Supervisorial Districts

By on January 27th, 2011

Read Placer County News

Under the direction of the Placer County Board of Supervisors, Placer County staff will begin redistricting work on the five supervisorial districts in the County. Redistricting is based upon U.S. Census data that is collected every 10 years. The Census was last done in 2010.

 The U.S. Constitution requires that everyone residing in the United States be counted every decade. California law also requires the population count. Information from the Census is used to determine where to locate schools, daycare centers, roads, public transportation, hospitals and other facilities. Data is also used for geographically defining state legislative districts. This process begins the year following the Census.

 The Board provided direction to staff representing the County Clerk-Recorder Registrar of Voters, Community Development Resource Agency/Planning, County Counsel, and the County Executive Office to develop alternative district scenarios. This group will evaluate existing boundaries and develop options for adjustments to reflect population growth that has occurred.

 “This redistricting is done so that each supervisorial district has equal population,” said County Executive Officer Thomas M. Miller. “This ensures that each area of our very diverse county is equally represented.”

 The Board approved a redistricting process that was similar to what was done in 2001, after the 2000 Census. Under direction from the Board, this year’s redistricting efforts will follow a timeline and will have distinct steps:

  • March:  Census Data made available
  • April: Analysis of Census data/population by district;
  • May: Develop alternatives;
  • May/June: Board of Supervisors workshop, consideration of initial alternatives;
  • June/July: Community input/Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) review;
  • August: Board of Supervisors workshop; and
  • August/ September: Board of Supervisors public hearing/adoption of revised boundaries.

The public will have an opportunity to comment on any proposed changes when they are discussed by the 14 MACs. In addition, there will be opportunities for comment at the Board workshops and at the Board meeting for public hearing/adoption.

 The community outreach regarding redistricting will be above and beyond the Municipal Advisory Councils and include Placer County cities, school districts, and other special districts.

Government, News No comments yet

Placer County Supervisors Remove Montgomery from TRPA

By on January 26th, 2011

Read the Auburn Journal Story

Placer County Supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of removing Supervisor Montgomery from the governing board of TRPA yesterday.  Several supporters attended the meeting, where Ms. Montgomery was the lone vote against her removal.  She will be replaced by her alternate, Larry Sevison.

(from the Auburn Journal)  Fast facts: What is the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency?

- Approved by Congress in 1969 as a Nevada-California governing board for environmental and development issues at Lake Tahoe

- The first bi-state regional environmental planning agency in the nation

- The board is given the authority of developing environmental quality standards and enforcing ordinances to retain what are called “thresholds” to retain lake clarity and the area’s quality of life

- The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is charged with protecting Lake Tahoe for the benefit of current and future generations

- The county has one representative on a 15-member governing board

- The board comprises seven California members, seven Nevada members and one presidential appointee

Development, Events, Local Info, Meetings, News, Utilities No comments yet

PUD Holds Rate Workshop

By on January 24th, 2011

On January 20th,  the Donner Summit PUD held a special Board Meeting and discussion of financing options for the proposed upgrade and expansion of the wastewater treatment facility.  In addition to its monthly Board meetings which are open to the public, the PUD has hosted several public outreach meetings to help ratepayers understand the need and the costs for the proposed project.  The project is in the engineering pre-design phase and the Directors have been contemplating different financing options to pay for it.  The financing option chosen by the Directors will ultimately be put to a vote and will dictate how the costs are passed on, namely through a rate increase or through property taxes. 
 
After a discussion among the Board, Staff, consultants and the public, the Board of Directors voted to pursue a Community Facilities District (CFD) financing structure with 100% of the financing to come from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for a term of 30 years at an approximate 2.7% interest rate.  The exact parameters of this structure will be decided over the next two months.  If approved by vote, this financing structure will result in a cost of between $15,000 and $16,000 to customers (based on current cost estimates), collected through property taxes over 30 years.
 
The public and the Board of Directors continues to show concern about the equitable distribution of the costs and a voting method that gives resorts, homeowners, and residents all a meaningful vote.  Everyone is encouraged to review documents on the DSPUD website, attend public meetings, and ask questions.  DSPUD General Manager, Tom Skjelstad can be reached by email through DSPUD’s website.  The Board of Directors can be reached by mail @ P. O. Box 610, Soda Springs, CA 95728.  If contacted, the Board and staff will ensure that everyone’s questions are answered.

Government, News No comments yet

Placer Co. Board of Supervisors Recommends Removing Supervisor Montgomery from TRPA

By on January 23rd, 2011

Local citizens are expressing concerns over the Board of Supervisors’ recommendation that District 5 Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery be removed from the BOS’ seat on the TRPA governing board. 

Read the entire Sierra Sun article

Kirk Uhler, Placer County Supervisor representing District 4, said Thursday he recommended Montgomery’s removal because she did not adequately represent the position of the county board at a December TRPA governing board meeting.  Uhler’s item of importance, he said, relates to TRPA’s policy regarding Tourist Accommodation Units — a term that encompasses hotel, motel and vacation rental rooms — as formulated in the bistate agency’s Regional Plan Update, a critical planning document that dictates the course of development and environmental policy for the entire Lake Tahoe Basin.

Placer County staff’s recommendations supported a policy that:

• Establishes guidelines for the transfer of TAUs, based on analysis and consistent data set, but allows flexibility based on market trends and CEQA/TRPA environmental review,

• Maintains existing practice of allowing inter-jurisdictional transfers; and

• Maintains existing number of TAUs.

The Placer County board of supervisors voted unanimously that day to accept the recommendations for submittal to TRPA.

However, according to TRPA’s Dec. 15 regular meeting minutes, “Ms. Montgomery said she disagreed with Placer County’s position on staying with the status quo,” regarding TAUs.

 In a Thursday interview, Montgomery said she was up front about her disagreement with portions of the recommendations presented by county staff.

Audio recordings of the Oct. 19 meeting reveal Montgomery, at approximately the 30-minute mark, stated the following: “I am going to support this (submission of recommendations to the TRPA), but I am not necessarily in agreement with everything Placer County is asking for in this document. But, one of the things we directed all stakeholders to do in this process was to bring us back all concerns that were not addressed in the Regional Plan Update, whether it’s Placer County or the League to Save Lake Tahoe.”

Montgomery said she is disappointed over her proposed removal from the TRPA board, and that she prefers not to serve it if she is not given “the latitude to make decisions for the community.”

Montgomery’s removal, and the subsequent announcement of her proposed replacement — Larry Sevison, Placer County’s current alternate to the TRPA governing board and a Lake Tahoe Basin resident — is voted on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at the board of supervisors meeting in Auburn.

Development, Events, Local Info, Meetings, News, Utilities No comments yet

DSPUD Public Meeting will Focus on Rates

By on January 19th, 2011

DSPUD will hold a Special Board Meeting on January 20, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Mt. Judah Lodge to review the benefits of a Community Facilities District (CFD). Please attend to learn how a CFD works and about the potential impacts on rates. DSPUD board members, staff and consultants will be available to answer questions about the CFD, the proposed improvement plan, financing options and rate increases.

Download the agenda

Download the presentation

Development, Events, Government, Local Info, Meetings, News, Utilities No comments yet

DSAA hosts Community Coffee to discuss sewer upgrade

By on January 11th, 2011

UPDATE:  About 20 members of the Donner Summit community met on January 7th to discuss the wastewater upgrade and expansion that is being designed for the DSPUD.  Tom Skjelstad, General Manager of DSPUD, gave an overview of the project and the history behind it. Sierra Lakes County Water District  (SLCWD) Board member Ulrich Luscher, was on hand to add insight from the Serene Lakes side of the Summit, as was former SLCWD Board member, Gene Bowles.  DSAA was proud to host DSMAC members, local business owners, and other concerned citizens for a straightforward conversation about the mandates driving the project and an equitable distribution of costs.  

Meetings of the DSPUD and SLCWD are public.  Each public meeting is an opportunity to learn more about this complex project and how it will affect you and your community.

Directors of SLCWD meet Friday, January 14th at 5:00 p.m. at their offices on Short Street, Serene Lakes

DSPUD will combine the public Rate Workshop with a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, January 20th, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Sugar Bowl’s Judah Lodge.  Ratepayers should attend to learn how their rate increases will be calculated.

 ——————————————————————————————————————————————

1/3/11:  Enjoy refreshments and a casual discussion among neighbors interested in the $21.5 million sewer upgrade. 

DSAA is committed to bringing the issues to the community, but does not promote any particular action.

 

COMMUNITY COFFEE

Friday, January 7, 2011

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Soda Springs Ski Area lodge

Events, Jobs No comments yet

Lecture Series Targets Tech Community

By on January 11th, 2011

Join Sierra Commons for a 6-part “Tech Talk” lecture and networking series to share new ideas, ongoing projects, and interesting work that Nevada County residents are doing in the fields of science, engineering, and technology. Designed to inspire Nevada County’s technology community and act as a catalyst for collaboration, Tech Talks will take place at Sierra Commons (107 Sacramento Street on the third floor of the Stone House building) in Nevada City on the second Thursday of each month from 6:00-8:00pm, starting on January 13.

The first Tech Talk on Thursday, January 13, at 6:00 pm will feature Ken Krugler, speaking about big data: “What is Big Data, and why should you care?”  Join Ken’s Tech Talk at 7:00 pm following informal networking from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (a limited supply of beer will be available as an incentive for early arrivals). Tech Talks are free to all techie types who are residents of Nevada County, but a $5 donation to cover costs would be appreciated. Scheduled topics include: big data, smart grid technology, electric mobility, and data modeling for wildlife populations.

Robert Trent, director of Sierra Commons, sees a clear need for this type of event: “Nevada County has so many folks working (often telecommuting) in the fields of science and technology. We want to provide a place for the tech community to come together and exchange ideas.”

Please RSVP for this and future Tech Talks at techtalk@sierracommons.org or by calling (530) 265-8443.

Local Info, News, Uncategorized No comments yet

Sierra Sun Reports Record Snowfall

By on January 7th, 2011

from SierraSun.com

According to the Sierra Sun, Tahoe resorts are sitting on the deepest early season snowpack in history. All the region’s major ski areas were established after World War II (with the exception of Sugar Bowl near Donner Summit which opened in 1939), so the exceptional snowfall is the best in at least half a century. Yes, we’ve had more snow and deeper snow later in past seasons, but what makes this year different is the abundant high elevation snowfall that has fallen so early in the water year. A quick round up of the resorts indicates impressive totals on the slopes. Squaw Valley has picked up nearly 24 feet since October, and the base depth there is close to 12-feet deep. Skiers and boarders at Alpine Meadows are ripping powder shots with a base more than 14-feet deep under foot to protect from rocks and trees. Kirkwood Mountain Resort is the Tahoe champ with about 28 feet of snow measured so far this year.

 -Read the  full_article

Development, Events, Local Info, Meetings, News, Utilities No comments yet

Keeping up with the DSPUD upgrade & expansion

By on January 3rd, 2011

Jan. 5, 2011:   The DSPUD held a special Board meeting on Tuesday, January 4th to discuss the methods by which ratepayers will pay for the upgrade and expansion project.  The method chosen will dictate the next steps in the project.  The Board has invited their consultants to several meetings to ensure a clear understanding of each option.  Once the Directors make a choice, they will continue working with consultants to craft a resolution that will be presented to the public later in the year. 

Ratepayers are encouraged to attend upcoming events.  DSAA will host an informal Community Coffee to encourage public participation and understanding of the project.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

DSAA Community Coffee:  

Friday, January 7th,  5:00 p.m.

Soda Springs Ski Area lodge

DSPUD will hold a Special Board Meeting on January 20, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Mt. Judah Lodge to review the benefits of a Community Facilities District (CFD). Please attend to learn how a CFD works and about the potential impacts on rates. DSPUD board members, staff and consultants will be available to answer questions about the CFD, the proposed improvement plan, financing options and rate increases.

DSPUD Special Board Meeting and Rate Workshop for DSPUD Ratepayers:

January 20th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Judah Lodge, Sugar Bowl