NTCA Seeks Volunteer Members for TOT Advisory Committee
The North Tahoe Community Alliance is seeking two more candidates for the newly formed TOT Advisory Committee. The committee merges the responsibilities of the former TOT and CAP committees and streamlines efforts to direct the roughly $10M of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues generated by overnight stays in local hotels and short-term rentals in North Lake Tahoe.
The NTCA is currently seeking applicants for:
One additional member who represents workforce housing with knowledge or background in housing planning, construction, and/or financing, with experience or knowledge navigating regulatory frameworks and developing community consensus around housing projects.
One additional representative who could represent the Donner Summit area of Placer County.
Applications are now closed.
Applications will be accepted from June 10 – July 10, 2024. The NTCA Board of Directors will seat the two additional committee members at their August 7, 2024 meeting.
The TOT Advisory committee is comprised of 13-15 regional business and community representatives who will recommend TOT funding for projects and programs aligning with community priorities of the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work Program. Committee members will provide valuable input and help guide the work of the NTCA. Committee positions require a two-year commitment, with typical committee meetings taking place once per month and lasting 1-3 hours per meeting.
Learn more about the committee and the application process here. For questions on the application process, or to request a paper application, please email tara@northtahoecommunityalliance.com.
How TBID Dollars Support Marketing Initiatives in North Lake Tahoe
In a recent 101.5 Tahoe Truckee Radio Community Spotlight, NTCA Marketing Director, Kirstin Guinn, shared three key initiatives funded by TBID dollars that fall into the marketing world to promote environmental stewardship to residents and visitors alike.
The TBID, or Tourism Business Improvement District, is how North Lake Tahoe generates revenue from tourism and shopping locally. The business community agreed on a self-assessment of the revenue that tourism generates in restaurants, retail shops, and activity providers like rental shops. Those tourism dollars then get funneled back into the community through the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work program.
Clean, Drain and Dry with the Tahoe Water Trail
NTCA is investing TBID dollars into a partnership with the Lake Tahoe Water Trail. The water trail has been around for years – it’s 72 miles of liquid fun – and this partnership expands education around stopping the spread of invasive species in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding lakes. This campaign focuses on the role that “Clean, Drained, and Dry” plays when it comes to inflatable paddleboards. New Zealand Mud Snails can be transported in just a few drops of water – think about the water that collects in the folds of a paddleboard or the paddle. NTCA is enabling the Lake Tahoe Water Trail to expand its outreach to rental shops in North Lake Tahoe’s drive-up markets and educate paddleboarders about the importance of “Clean, Drain, and Dry” before they launch.
Expanding Bike Valets with the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition
NTCA is working with the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition to create more bike valets around the North Shore this summer. Last summer, the Bicycle Coalition, a group of passionate and entirely volunteer locals, wanted to offer more bike valets around North Lake Tahoe but needed resource support to execute the vision. This summer, TBID dollars will enable the organization to purchase additional valet set-ups and hire a part-time coordinator to increase bike valets in the region, reducing cars on the road.
For the second consecutive summer, NTCA is investing in the Sierra Nevada Alliance Ambassador program. In partnership with the Sierra Nevada Alliance and Truckee Trails, the program hires local youth to hang out on popular beaches and trailheads and talk to people about responsible stewardship, model good behavior, and hand out dog poop bags. This is an impactful way for young people to interact with the public. They also provide data for the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, and in some cases, they even find smoldering illegal campfires and put them out. NTCA plans to continue to grow this program with our partners and make it the most coveted summer job in Tahoe!
These partnerships are an invaluable piece of the puzzle when it comes to human impact mitigation around North Lake Tahoe. They are a great investment of TOT-TBID Dollars At Work.
Ditde’huya lada’êsip hulew – “All of Our Land Make It Right With Our Hands Together”
The North Lake Tahoe community is invited to attend a Washoe cultural event, hosted by the Gatekeeper’s Museum on Saturday, May 18. Members of the Washoe community, independent artists and conservation groups are holding a community-centered conversation about the Rights of Nature and the future of Da’aw’ ‘Tahoe through decolonizing the design of a stewarding process that holds Indigenous Knowledges at the Center.
Artists, scientists and Washoe basketmakers, singers and Knowledge Keepers are creating the Future Gardens together, a process of land stewarding that prioritizes indigenous leadership and the material, cultural and spiritual plants of importance to the Wà:šiw.
This event will include Washoe-led song, dance, stories, demonstrations and discussions as well as museum and garden tours.
Plant seeds and imagine together!
Hosted on the patio by the Gatekeeper’s Museum Saturday, May 18 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 130 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA
Tourism is Benefitting Our Community More Than Ever
Recently, NTCA president and CEO Tony Karwowski penned the op-ed you’ll find below. This op-ed was published in the Sierra Sun.
Tourism is Benefitting Our Community More Than Ever By Tony Karwowski, NTCA president and CEO
Although the debate continues to be ongoing with regard to whether tourism benefits our region, the fact is our local economy relies on it. Tourism is what keeps many local businesses open, provides career and other job opportunities to many of our region’s residents, and generates TOT and TBID funding that our community is able to reinvest into programs, services, and infrastructure improvements we need.
The NTCA’s focus since early 2022 has been to establish the framework and processes that allow for the reinvestment of the funds tourism generates, with local oversight. Ultimately, TOT and TBID-generated funds are what allow our community to make progress on workforce housing initiatives, transportation and infrastructure projects, mitigate some of the tourism-related impacts felt by those who live and work here, and enhance quality of life for us all.
I’m pleased to report that with significant community involvement and the ongoing participation of dedicated volunteer committees, processes to reinvest tourism dollars have been enacted and are ensuring tourism is giving back in ways that matter. In fact, because of the relatively recent formation of the North Lake Tahoe Tourism Business Improvement District (NLT-TBID), our region has more tourism-generated funding to allocate to community priorities than ever before.
In April, at the recommendation of the volunteer committees it convenes, comprised of local business and community members, the NTCA Board of Directors voted to invest a total of $4.3 million in tourism-generated funding. Through the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work program’s Annual Grant Cycle, 13 projects that benefit the North Lake Tahoe community were recommended for grants. This investment provides access to matching funds of over $6.3 million, bringing the total investment—in specific workforce housing projects, trails and recreation improvements, litter clean-up, accessibility, and business incubator efforts—to over $10 million.
The projects that received funding through the Annual Grant Cycle are in addition to the 17 projects that were selected in Fall 2023 to receive up to $20 million in funding support over three years through the Sponsorship & Multi-Year Investment Program. The impact of the projects that received sponsorship funding will be felt through workforce housing, trail transit corridor, transportation and tourism impact-related efforts, and have the potential to unlock matching funds up to $35.3 million that can be leveraged over the next three years.
There’s no doubt the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work program is doing exactly what it was designed to do. It has provided our community with a structured way to reinvest TBID and TOT dollars generated in North Lake Tahoe in support of initiatives that contribute to our community’s vitality, economic health and environmental stewardship. These funds are actively being used to address priorities surfaced through community forums, workshops, and surveys, including workforce housing, economic development, transportation, sustainability, tourism mitigation, and trails.
This is just the beginning. The first Annual Grant cycle is now complete, and we are already looking ahead to the next one that will launch in early Fall 2024. Tourism dollars are being spent to improve what matters most to North Lake Tahoe residents, businesses, and visitors.
Learn more about the projects and initiatives that have been funded by tourism here.
Reflecting on Environmental Stewardship Ahead of Stewardship Week
The National Association of Conservation Districts’ Stewardship Week, an annual program since 1955, stands as one of the nation’s largest initiatives dedicated to promoting the conservation of natural resources. Between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, this week-long event reminds us of our responsibilities to safeguard our precious natural resources. With today’s environmental challenges, resilient forests are indispensable in fostering a sustainable world. This year’s theme, “May the Forest Be with You, Always”, signifies our commitment to responsible forest stewardship, emphasizing their enduring strength and adaptability.
During NTCA’s April edition of the First Tuesday Breakfast Club, Kerri Timmer, Regional Forest Health Coordinator, Agriculture, Parks and Natural Resources Placer County, shared information about the county’s forest health program, focusing on wildfire risk reduction and the use of the Land Tender tool for prioritizing work. Discussion followed her presentation about the challenges of working with federal agencies, the importance of continuity in projects, and the potential of the county’s forest coverage for better attention.
Environmental Stewardship is a key element of NTCA’s mission. As an active partner in the collaborative development of the Basin-wide Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan, the NTCA is activating the plan’s vision and actions in its efforts to better manage outdoor recreation and tourism. The robust plan’s goals also include ensuring the sustainability and preservation of an iconic natural treasure and our local community.
Learn more about NTCA’s role in the Destination Stewardship plan, as well as how TOT-TBID Dollars at work go towards projects and programs that cultivate environmental stewardship and tourism impact mitigation in the North Lake Tahoe Region.
To learn more about Earth Day festivals in North Lake Tahoe, visit gotahoenorth.com. Plus, locals and visitors alike can take the Traveler Responsibility Pledge to share a commitment to preserving the natural wonders of the Lake Tahoe region.
$5 Million Invested in North Lake Tahoe through the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work Program
Save the Date
North Tahoe Chamber Mixer: A Celebration of TOT-TBID Dollars At Work 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Boatworks at Lake Tahoe
Join the NTCA and North Tahoe Chamber on May 16, 2024 as we celebrate the more than $5 million invested in North Lake Tahoe through the Annual Grant and Event Funding cycles of the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work program.
Please note that road construction is occurring in front of Boatworks Mall at Jackpine Street this week. NTCA recommends parking at Commons Beach or Lighthouse Center and using the lakeside trail for walking access to Boatworks Mall on May 16.
NTCA Board Votes to Invest $4.3M in TOT-TBID Dollars At Work Funding Into 13 Projects
At the recommendation of the committees it convenes, the North Tahoe Community Alliance Board of Directors voted to invest a total of $4.3 million in TOT-TBID Dollars At Work funding through the 2024 Annual Grant Cycle into 13 projects that benefit the North Lake Tahoe community. Four of the projects, recommended for TOT funding specifically, will now go before the Placer County Board of Supervisors for approval.
Committees convened by the NTCA are comprised of local business owners and their representatives, workforce housing and transportation experts and advocates, special districts, business associations, nonprofits, and other community members.
“Through the 2024 Annual Grant Cycle, we have recommended the investment of $4.3 million in TOT-TBID Dollars At Work funding that will unlock matching funds of over $6.3 million, bringing the total investment in North Lake Tahoe to over $10 million,” said Tony Karwowski, NTCA president and CEO. “The projects that were both recommended to the Placer County Board of Supervisors for TOT funding and approved by the NTCA Board to receive direct investment of TBID funding include specific workforce housing projects, trails and recreation improvements, litter clean-up, accessibility, and business incubator efforts.”
TBID funding, generated through local hotel and short-term rental stays, purchases at activity providers, restaurants, and retail/rental outlets, was awarded to nine projects totaling $1,638,669. The projects, recommended to and approved by the NTCA Board of Directors by the TBID Advisory and TBID Zone 1 Committees for direct TBID investment include:
Deep Dive Pilot Cleanup Project and Litter Education Awareness Program (Clean Up The Lake)
Tahoe Cross Country Lodge Project – Construction (Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association)
Revitalize the Watson Cabin (North Lake Tahoe Historical Society)
Don’t Drop the Top (Shane McConkey Foundation)
Accessory Dwelling Unit Accelerator Pilot Program (Tahoe Housing Hub)
Accessibility for All at North Tahoe Beach (California Tahoe Conservancy)
Tahoe Backyard Micro Business Incubator (Tahoe Backyard)
The Mural Project (Arts for the Schools)
SNOW Sports Museum Expansion and Refurbishment (Sierra Nevada and Olympic Winter (SNOW) Sports Museum Foundation)
In total, four projects totaling $2,680,000 in TOT funds generated by overnight stays in local hotels or short-term rentals were recommended to the NTCA Board of Directors by the Capital Projects Advisory Committee (CAP) and the TOT Committee. The NTCA Board voted to recommend the TOT funding expenditures to the Placer County Board of Supervisors for approval. Projects include:
Martis Valley Trail (Northstar Community Services District)
Tahoe Cross Country Lodge Project – Construction (Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association)
North Tahoe Recreation Access Plan Project – USFS 06/Thelin (Placer County Department of Public Works – Tahoe Engineering Division)
North Tahoe Mountain Biking Trails / FS 73 Bypass (Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association)
To date, the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work program has reinvested over $21.3 million in North Lake Tahoe and leveraged an additional match of over $29 million for a total investment of over $50 million in the Multi-Year Sponsorship and Annual Grant funding cycles to support projects and programs in the North Lake Tahoe Community.
The next Annual Grant Cycle will launch in early Fall 2024. Learn more about the projects that have been funded and how the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work program supports a vibrant, year-round economy in North Lake Tahoe here, and read the press release here.
The North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA) is seeking candidates for two volunteer committees that provide valuable input and help guide the work of the NTCA: the TBID Advisory Committee and the TBID Zone 1 Committee.
The TBID Advisory Committee is responsible for advising the NTCA board of directors in the implementation of the Management District Pan (MDP) as it relates to the total TBID budget and how it is allocated and spent within areas of focus that include: sustainability and mitigation of tourism impacts; economic development, transportation and other opportunities; Zone 1 specific services; business advocacy and support; visitor services and visitor centers; and marketing of responsible travel and stewardship initiatives, promotions and special events.
The TBID Zone 1 Committee makes recommendations on the use and implementation of funds specifically allocated to Eastern Placer County lakeside communities generated primarily by assessed lakeside lodging businesses.
Committee positions require a two-year commitment, with typical committee meetings taking place once per month and lasting 1-3 hours per meeting. In total, five seats are currently available:
NLT-TBID Advisory Committee:
Assessed business – must own or represent an assessed business in the tourism business improvement district
Assessed business – must own or represent an assessed business in the tourism business improvement district
TBID Zone 1 Committee:
Assessed Zone 1 lodging business – must own or represent an assessed Zone 1 lodging business
At-large
At-large
Interested community members are invited to express their interest in committee participation by completing this form by 5 p.m. Monday, April 8 to be considered for either committee. Applicants will be notified before May 1 if they have been recommended to the committee for NTCA Board of Directors approval at their May 1 meeting. For questions on the application process, email anna@northtahoecommunityalliance.com.
Honoring Influential Women in North Lake Tahoe this Women’s History Month
In honor of Women’s History Month, NTCA is highlighting influential women and their contributions to North Lake Tahoe. Learn more about these incredible women here on our blog or follow along with the series on Instagram.
Dat-So-La-Lee, Champion of Washoe Basketry
Dat-So-La-Lee (1829–1925), American name Louisa Keyser, was more than a basket weaver; she was a cultural icon and trailblazer for the Washoe people, leaving her mark not only on her homeland but also on the serene beauty of Lake Tahoe. Born as Dabuda near Sheridan in Carson Valley, Dat-So-La-Lee’s intricate baskets, known as degikup, captured the essence of Washoe heritage.
Despite facing numerous challenges and personal losses, Dat-So-La-Lee’s dedication to her craft never wavered. Her baskets, sought after for their exquisite craftsmanship and storytelling symbolism, found their way to museums across the nation, including the Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City.
From her classical weaving phase to her innovative designs, Dat-So-La-Lee’s legacy continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the rich cultural tapestry woven into the fabric of Lake Tahoe’s history. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s honor the pioneering spirit of Dat-So-La-Lee and recognize her invaluable contributions to Washoe culture and heritage.
Photo: Gatekeeper’s Museum
Anne Brigman, Trailblazer of the Sierra Nevada
Anne Brigman (1869–1950) was not just a photographer; she was a fearless pioneer who shattered gender norms in the male-dominated field of photography. Against societal expectations, she boldly ventured into the rugged landscapes of the Sierra Nevada, armed with her camera and a vision. Through her lens, Brigman captured the raw beauty of nature and the human form, challenging the conventional portrayal of women in art. Her daring self-portraits, often set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sierra, celebrated the strength and resilience of womanhood. Brigman’s trailblazing spirit continues to inspire generations of women to fearlessly pursue their passions and carve their own paths.
Photo: Gatekeeper’s Museum
Myrtle Huddleston’s Aquatic Triumphs
In 1931, Mrs. Myrtle Huddleston made waves as the world’s champion endurance swimmer among women, showcasing unparalleled determination and resilience. Despite taking her first swimming lesson just five years prior, Mrs. Huddleston achieved remarkable feats, including swimming 36 miles across Catalina Channel in 20 hours and 42 minutes and winning the ocean championship at Del Ray Beach, Fla., with a swim lasting 31 hours and 18 minutes.
Venturing to Lake Tahoe, Mrs. Huddleston faced the challenges of high altitude and icy mountain spring waters, yet remained undeterred. Clad in an unassuming one-piece bathing suit and coated in grease, she embarked on a 16-mile swim from Glenbrook, Nev., to Tahoe Tavern, Calif. Despite encountering misdirection, strong winds, and physical discomfort, Mrs. Huddleston’s unwavering resolve propelled her forward.
After 23 grueling hours in the water, Mrs. Huddleston emerged triumphant at Tahoe Tavern, her son Everett cheering her on from a rowboat. Though fatigued and tested, she deemed her Lake Tahoe swim as the pinnacle of her aquatic achievements, a testament to her indomitable spirit and unparalleled tenacity.
Photo: openwaterswimming.com
Tahoe City Women’s Club
This Women’s History Month, we are reminded of the great work done by the Women’s Club of Tahoe City established in 1927. Among the causes taken up by the group were the purchase of fire fighting equipment (years ahead of an organized fire department), the founding of a local lending library and aid to those in need within their community.
Funds for their projects were raised chiefly by the raffling of handmade quilts and holding community dances. These women banded together in the name of charity and certainly left their mark on the history of North Lake Tahoe.
North Lake Tahoe is Making Progress on Traffic Solutions
In early March, NTCA president and CEO Tony Karwowski penned the op-ed you’ll find below. This op-ed was recently published in the Sierra Sun.
North Lake Tahoe is making progress on traffic solutions (Opinion) By Tony Karwowski
Traffic congestion has been a challenge in North Lake Tahoe for decades, but this season in particular, we have seen some remarkable improvements thanks to the collaboration of public and private partners throughout the region. The progress we’ve seen is also a direct result of the willingness of residents and visitors to actively participate in these transportation and parking management solutions.
While there’s widespread agreement that there is still more work to be done, it’s important to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the progress that has been made, embrace the concept of “progress over perfection,” and take note of the positive impacts on our environment, economy, and quality of life.
New Initiatives Are Helping to Reduce Congestion and Change Behaviors
One of the most significant changes this season has been the introduction of resort parking reservations on weekends and holidays at both Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California. These systems have ensured that no cars with the requisite reservations have been turned away, and no standstill gridlock has occurred on the roads leading to the resorts. It has also encouraged residents and visitors to plan ahead, carpool, or use alternative modes of transportation, such as the Park & Ride program, which thanks to resort-led incentives and community participation, has seen an increase in usage from 35 riders per season in previous years, to nearly 500 riders per weekend this season.
By spreading out the traffic flow by giving reservation holders confidence they’ll have a place to park when they arrive, the system has helped to ease the pressure on our major roadways throughout the region.
Palisades Tahoe has reportedly experienced a 57% increase in headcount per car during reservation periods, meaning that more people were sharing rides and leaving their vehicles at home or at the Park & Ride locations. Mountaineer has also seen increased usage in Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows this season, which Mountaineer Transit Company attributes to Palisades Tahoe’s parking reservation program. At Northstar California, there has been a 39% reduction in cars parked per skier visit, thanks to carpooling and use of the resort’s neighborhood microtransit system.
In addition to the efforts of area resorts, the North Tahoe Community Alliance and Placer County have invested significant TOT-TBID Dollars At Work funds in programs designed to change behaviors and expand shared transportation options. One of the most successful examples of this is TART Connect. The microtransit service, which started in North Lake Tahoe and now operates throughout the Tahoe region, has provided over 1.2 million rides since it started in 2018 with Mountaineer in Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows.
TOT-TBID Dollars At Work have also been used to: expand the Park & Ride program from two to 26 days of service through mid-March, pay for snow removal at 64 Acres in Tahoe City to open 70 more parking spaces, expand TART Connect service hours, and support a new workforce vanpool program in Eastern Placer County, among other things.
What’s Being Done to Keep the Momentum Going
As we look ahead, we should not lose sight of the achievements of this season and the lessons that have been learned. It’s important that we all continue to support and participate in the initiatives that have helped our region make progress on the traffic congestion problem, and also be open to new ideas and opportunities that may arise.
North Lake Tahoe is a beautiful and special place that we all love and want to protect. By working together and continuing to take decisive action, we can make a difference and ensure that our region remains a desirable and enjoyable destination to live, work and visit both now and in the future.
The TOT-TBID Dollars At Work program is powered by the North Tahoe business community. Thank you to the business owners who created the Tourism Business Improvement District. In partnership with Placer County.
