Douglas County Newsletter August 2013

D OUGLAS C OUNTY , N EVADA

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A UGUST , 2013

I MPROVING T AHOE E NVIRONMENT

B Y S TEVE M OKROHISKY , D OUGLAS C OUNTY M ANAGER

The future of Lake Tahoe’s natural and built environment, as well as how best to protect its pristine waters has been debated at length. The conclusion of thousands of residents, visitors, businesses, environmentalists, scientists and local governments who participated in the Tahoe Regional Plan Update is that the status quo is unacceptable and the need to improve the environment, economy and community through redevelopment is imperative.

On September 25th, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board will consider approval of Douglas County’s local area plan for the south shore of Lake Tahoe. The new area plan was created through years of extensive public engagement and encourages environmental redevelopment of existing buildings.

Leading the way as the first entity to propose a new local area plan, Douglas County has appropriately been held to the highest standard of environmental review and has welcomed the opportunity to answer questions and engage in thoughtful dialogue about how to ensure the best local plan for the future of Lake Tahoe.

Most future projects at Lake Tahoe will be redevelopment of existing infrastructure, not new development. Pictured here is a photo overlooking the South Shore and the beautiful blue Lake Tahoe.

has been invested in environmental improvements at Lake Tahoe since 1997, including over 31 water quality projects in Douglas County. Eighteen percent of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline resides in Douglas Despite broad public support and clear data detailing the environmental benefits County, but only three percent of the fine of the new plan, a representative from the sediment material that degrades the clarity of the Lake originates in Douglas CounSierra Club stated recently that “local governments can’t be trusted to hold the ty – the least amount of runoff of any jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin. line on development.” Unfortunately, inflammatory statements like this ignore Douglas County businesses and residents the facts and offer no solutions to improve have some of the highest Best Managethe environment. In the interest of ment Practice compliance rates in the thoughtful public debate, let us consider Tahoe Basin. Beyond Lake Tahoe, Dougthe facts. las County has protected over 15,000 Douglas County, its businesses and resi- acres in the Carson Valley and seeks to protect an additional 15,000 acres as part dents have a strong record of environmental stewardship. Nearly $1.7 billion of its federal lands bill. There is no bistate regulatory agency requiring us to

protect the environment in the Carson Valley, but rather our local residents and local government choose environmental stewardship as the right thing to do for future generations.

Most future projects at Lake Tahoe will be redevelopment of existing infrastructure, not new development. There is very little available private land to build on at Lake Tahoe, as only 16 percent of the land is in private ownership, only eight residential building allocations are allowed this year and only 36,250 square feet is available for new commercial projects in Douglas County. Lodging industry experts often remind us that we don’t (Continued Pg. 2)

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need more hotel rooms in the south shore, as we already have thousands of tourist units with an average rate of less than $100 and an annual occupancy of 28 percent.

Many of these units should be relocated, redeployed or retired, thereby reducing the quantity and improving the quality.

Too much of the built environment is blighted and has outlived its useful life, resulting in harm to the health of the natural environment. Private investment in redevelopment will allow property owners to increase energy efficiency and reduce storm water runoff.

The Edgewood Lodge project is a great example of private investment that will improve the environment by prevent-

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ing 500,000 pounds of sediment per year from entering Lake Tahoe, restore numerous acres of wetlands and improve recreational opportunities, while increasing economic vitality in the area. The environmentally beneficial redevelopment projects under the old Regional Plan have been exhausted. We need the new Regional Plan and local area plans that encourage environmental gain through redevelopment.

There is no question that thousands of people are unified in the strong desire to improve the environment through redevelopment at Lake Tahoe.

There is also no question that open and thoughtful public debate supported by facts is at the cornerstone of our democracy. So, the next time you hear someone claim that the

new Regional Plan and local area plans will result in harm to the environment, ask them for facts to support their claim, as well as solutions to improve the environment, economy and community.

Those of us who live, work and play in Douglas County are committed to keeping Lake Tahoe blue by turning our community green.

Recorder Forms Now Online

A note about the author: Steve Mokrohisky is County Manager of Douglas County, Nevada and served as Nevada’s local government representative on the bi-state consultation group that facilitated solutions to the final draft of the new Regional Plan Update.

Digital images of recorded documents are now available from 1982 to the present. This time period includes a decade (1997 to 2006) with more real property recordings than any other decade in the history of the County.

Lake Tahoe Summit 2013 Hundreds gathered to listen to environmentalists, elected officials and former Vice President Al Gore speak about the current issues facing Lake Tahoe. Douglas County Commissioners and staff attended in support of the event .

We have exciting news to share for those who need certain forms for their real estate transactions typically recorded at the Recorder's office. Now available on the Recorder's website are interactive forms for the Declaration of Homestead, Abandonment of Homestead, Cover Page, Declaration of Value, and last but not least a Model Affidavit for Exemption 1.

If you have any questions on how to locate your recorded documents or Douglas County marriage license, please give us a call at 775-782-9025 or visit http:// www.douglascountynv.gov/ index.aspx?

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A DAY IN THE LIFE AT THE 911 DISPATCH CENTER 911, What is the address of your emergency?

get hurt or worse.

There have been studies that compared dispatching to air traffic control.”

For Douglas County 911 dispatchers, these are the words they may say over 100 times a day in an effort to help those in need.

According to Sagen the statistics really sway Employees who work at the 911 Center depending on the time for Douglas and Alpine County can tell of year. you it isn’t a job for everyone. The demand requires the ability to make quick “We can have more than and accurate decisions because people are a hundred emergency depending on them for their safety. calls a day during the summertime and more There are 19 employees who work five 8 during the winter -hour shifts that rotate anywhere from months while the ski two and up to five people are on the slopes are open. There floor depending on the time and day. is no longer a true busiThey answer calls for about 52,000 peoest time, however, any- Dispatch Employee Devin Moffat patiently awaits ple and 8 agencies in Douglas County, time you involve a holi- the next emergency call.

Nevada and Alpine County, California. day where people are One of the things that makes the job dif- outdoors being active, ficult is all the information a dispatcher and in most cases, increased consumption sponders) need all the information they has to know on hand. of alcohol, it’s going to be busier,” he can to help the person as quickly as they said. can.”

“As a dispatcher you have to be able to remember or recall many things such as different agencies policies and procedures and jurisdictional lines and businesses,” said Ron Sagen Douglas County 911 Emergency Services, Manager. “There is a massive amount of knowledge we have to have cataloged away.”

With the job, there will be days where they are taking call after call and then there are some days where they are getting no calls for an hour or so, and have to be “at the ready.”

“One of the most important things that we want people to realize is that even though it might seem like we are asking a Another thing that makes the job stress- lot of questions, it’s necessary,” Sagen ful is a dispatcher cannot make a mistake. said. “Callers need to understand that another person is going to be coming to “At other jobs if a person makes a mistake, it might get caught and get fixed,” help. The dispatcher is not going to be the one that is getting into the ambulance Sagen said. “With the critical nature of our job, if we make mistakes, people can or patrol car. They (the emergency re-

Knowing that it is an emergency situation, the 911 staff is trained to understand that everyone handles stress differently and they are taught calming techniques such as using a calm voice to help the person on the other end of the line.

Dispatching is one of the many important positions and departments provided by Douglas County. Calling 911 is something many of us hope never to have to do. We are fortunate to have the outstanding men and women working in this profession and we thank them for the amazing work they do.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE DEPARTMENTS MOVE On August 26th and 27th the majority of the Community Development Department moved from the third floor to the second floor of the Minden Inn, and the Finance Division moved from the second floor to the third.

Douglas County Strategic Plan Vision A community to match the scenery!

Mission Working together with integrity and accountability, the Douglas County team is dedicated to providing essential and cost-effective public services fostering a safe, healthy, scenic, and vibrant community for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors.

Values Integrity - Accountability - Customer Service - Leadership - Communication - Teamwork Priorities Financial Stability

DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA

Safe Community

WWW.DOUGLASCOUNTYNV.GOV

Economic Vitality

County Manager’s Office 1594 Esmeralda Ave. PO Box 218 Minden, NV 89423 Phone; 775-782-9821

Infrastructure Natural Environment, Resources and Cultural Heritage Manage Growth and Change

F REQUENTLY A SKED Q UESTIONS : D OUGLAS C OUNTY M ANAGER S TEVE M OKROHISKY Q:What is the status of the Waterloo Lane improvements between 88 and Centerville? It was closed for a day a couple of weeks ago. Is the intent to keep the same width and alignment?

Q:In the recent property tax bill there is a new entry called road maintenance with a tax rate of .0425 percent. Where did that come from and does it mean our taxes are higher?

A:The board approved a contract to pursue engineering and design for the reconstruction of Waterloo Lane. The consultant has been doing geotechnical work to verify the condition of the current road materials. The future reconstruction of the road does not contemplate significant changes in the width or alignment of the road, as there are private property right of way constraints that exist currently .

A:As part of the current fiscal year 201314 budget, the Board of Commissioners approved reducing the medical indigent property tax rate and shifted the equivalent amount to road maintenance. As a result, less of your property tax dollar is going to medical indigent services and more is going to road maintenance. This shift is a reflection of our priority based budgeting efforts and consistent with the board’s desire to invest in the highest priorities. This action did not result in a net property tax increase to taxpayers.

Q:There are several projects ongoing in the Valley including the C.O.D. Garage casino and the senior living apartments in Gardnerville. Do you get the feeling that perhaps we are seeing signs of an improvement in the county’s economy?

A:We have seen an increase in building permits, particularly residential construction and remodeling/additions to existing homes. Also, new and existing businesses continue to make investments in their operations locally. Housing prices and sales are positive. Unemployment is steady and trending down.

Taxable sales, occupancy rates and room tax collections are all showing positive trends. This is a slow recovery, but a recovery none the less .