Local Government Affairs Committee (LGAC) Meeting Date and Speaker
Monday, May 18 at 4:00 pm
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Peter Kraatz P.E., Assistant Director of the Placer County Department of Public Works Topic: ONE TAHOE regional transportation funding initiative |
The next CATT North Shore Local Government Affairs Committee meeting is Monday, May 18, at 4:00 PM. This is a virtual meeting on a Zoom platform, thanks to Truckee Tahoe BNI (Business Network International). You will be able to listen and watch, or fully participate if you have a microphone and camera. No password is needed but the host (LGAC Chair Craig Weaver) has enabled the “waiting room” feature so Craig will admit you into the meeting. Please mute your microphone until you are ready to say something.
Here are the instructions to join the Zoom Meeting:
Go to: https://bnionline.zoom.us/j/4090764284
Meeting ID: 409 076 4284
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,4090764284#
Our May 18 guest speaker is Peter Kraatz, P.E., Assistant Director of the Placer County Department of Public Works. Peter has been with the County’s Public Works Department since 2002. Peter’s duties include direct oversight of the Engineering, Transportation Planning, and Road Maintenance operations and 100 staff. Position responsibilities include department budget development, management and capital project implementation for various stormwater and multimodal transportation improvements throughout Placer County. Responsibilities also focus on improving efficiency of project delivery and enhancing employee engagement and performance.
Peter will give general background on the ONE TAHOE regional transportation funding initiative. The ONE TAHOE initiative is focused on filling the $1.53 billion shortfall in funding needed in the Lake Tahoe Basin over the next 23 years to fully implement the Regional Transportation Plan and sustain the transportation system beyond. Since its launch in January 2019, the ONE TAHOE process commenced stakeholder outreach and public meetings to solicit input on potential funding solutions. 27 ideas related to funding mechanisms have been evaluated. Of the 27 ideas, five have made it through the first two tiers of a three-tier screening process: cordon pricing – basin entry fee, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee, tolling, zoned transportation user fee, and vacancy tax.
For more information about the ONE TAHOE initiative, visit the website: https://www.onetahoe.org/ or read the recent article published in the Reno Gazette-Journal here .
Other agenda items for Monday’s meeting include: Truckee General Plan and climate actions, Placer County Traffic Mitigation Fees, Truckee Planning issues, and Truckee Housing programs.
Please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison at 530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com for more information about LGAC activities or issues of concern to CATT.
CATT MEMBERS CONTINUE WORK ON TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
CATT’s GPU Land Use and Climate subcommittees have been busy reading and meeting to discuss various topics related to the 2040 General Plan. The full CATT GPU committee is chaired by Chip Huck (CST Holdings, LLC). Kurt Reinkens (MWA, Inc.) chairs the CATT GPU Climate subcommittee. Members of the Climate subcommittee are examining the Town climate goals adopted in 2017. Those goals include some ambitious target dates for community-wide transition to 100% renewable electricity (i.e. wind, solar, and emerging new forms like renewable natural gas) and a community-wide 80% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990 levels. In both cases, the adopted Town goals are more aggressive than the State of CA goals. No cost vs benefit analysis was done in 2017 nor were any alternative dates or targets proposed. The Town did indicate back then “there will be a robust community engagement process to establish policies and actions that seek to achieve the goals… policies and actions needed to achieve them [the goals] are discussed openly and that all possible input is considered and addressed.” Why do these climate goals matter? Because when the goals are incorporated into the 2040 General Plan, they will have the force of law rather than simply serving as aspirational or desired ideals.
Jake Hudson (NV 5) chairs the CATT GPU Land Use subcommittee. Members of the Land Use subcommittee are looking at the current 2025 General Plan’s buildout projections for housing units and full time population as compared to what the actual number of units and people could be at buildout. The 2025 GP said Truckee would have 19,901 housing units and a full time population of 28,263 at buildout. Estimates of actual numbers that could exist at buildout if remaining vacant parcels are developed as allowed by the 2025 GP show a shortfall of more than 500 housing units at the lowest end and more than 1500 housing units at the highest end, depending on which Town source is used for the comparison.
And the evaluation of land uses at a very specific level is ramping up. The Town is holding a “virtual” workshop on the Downtown Area, with a deadline of May 31 for public comment. The CATT GPU Land Use subcommittee is just starting to look at the questions and possibilities for that area in preparation for submitting formal comments by the deadline. Here is the link to the Town “virtual” workshop on the Downtown Area: https://www.truckee2040.com/news/news_feed/downtown-specific-plan-virtual-workshop
For more information about the work being done by CATT’s GPU Climate or Land Use subcommittees, or questions about any other part of the Town’s GPU process, please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison at 530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com
CATT MEMBERS NEEDED TO EXAMINE TRUCKEE PLANNING PROCESS
Development projects going through the Town’s approval process usually have numerous planning hoops to go through. Many CATT members are intimately involved in the planning process – not because they are developers but because they create the necessary architectural plans plus drainage/snow storage/trails/landscape/site plans required for approval. Other CATT members prepare the legal documents (agreements and conditions) or provide insurance for the companies or projects seeking the green light. Still other CATT members are involved in the actual construction once a project gets approved. The simple fact is that no construction occurs until a project is approved. Numerous CATT members are involved from the earliest stages of a development project to its conclusion when the final touch is added to that new home or office or store. CATT members are collecting information about the Town’s planning process to determine if there are ways to improve what can be a multi-year effort with little predictability. If you can help with the CATT examination of the Town planning process, please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison at 530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com
From Placer County –
PLACER COUNTY LAUNCHES NEW REMOTE VIDEO INSPECTION PROGRAM
Contractors and homeowners can now connect with County building inspectors virtually and receive same-day approval on projects using remote video inspections, a new program that is offered by the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency.
“We are excited to expand our eServices program and add value to our customers’ experience,” said Placer County Chief Building Official Tim Wegner. “This new service makes inspections efficient and will save customers’ time and save taxpayer money.”
Building inspections via the internet will be allowed for small projects such as
• Electrical Service
• Electrical Service Change
• Electrical Trenching
• HVAC system change-outs
• New spa circuits (self-contained)
• Reroof final inspections
• Rooftop solar
• Sewer lateral repairs
• Storage Sheds (under 500 square feet)
• Water Heaters (electric only)
• Water Service Line repairs
For those inspections deemed too complex to perform virtually, the County will continue field services. Field inspectors may indicate when video inspection is available for reinspection items to expedite the recheck.
The process will facilitate the permitting process by drastically reducing the time it takes to conduct inspections, improves the timing of the inspection with the work to keep projects moving, reduces inspector trips to the site for indicated reinspection items, and for those emergency service connections, no more waiting to connect with real-time inspections.
The new program requires customers to have a smartphone, tablet or laptop computer equipped with a camera and 4G wireless service or Wi-Fi. A Skype account is also required for video inspections which can be scheduled online.
The remote video inspections program is the latest offering through the county Community Development Resource Agency’s award-winning eServices website.
The eServices website allows citizens to submit permit applications online for commercial and residential development. Permit review and approval is conducted electronically, and inspectors complete the process by inspecting new construction virtually or in person.
In addition to submitting applications for residential and commercial development projects online, the eServices digital suite allows customers to look up zoning requirements, ask related questions via the Ask Placer chatbot, apply for permits and more from the comfort of their home or business.
Learn more about all the available eServices at http://placer.ca.gov/eservices
PLACER COUNTY NAMES CRYSTAL JACOBSEN AS CDRA DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR TAHOE
In mid-April, longtime planner with Placer County, Crystal Jacobsen, was named as the Deputy Director of CDRA – Tahoe. CDRA is an acronym for the Community Development Resource Agency. Crystal has roots in the construction industry and is very aware of the issues and entities on the east side of the County. Crystal was the main County planner presenting the draft Tahoe Basin Area Plan and then overseeing the final revisions to address public comment. CATT was closely involved with the TBAP to change the prohibitions against ADUs in hopes of increasing the supply of locals housing.
The Deputy Director job description, circulated last September, states that the selected candidate “will provide onsite management of the CDRA Tahoe office in close coordination with the CDRA Director and the Deputy Directors of Planning, Engineering & Surveying, and Building Services/Code Compliance. The position will be responsible for oversight of day-to-day operations of the Tahoe office, continuous process improvements, coordination with CDRA managers and staff, the County Executive Office, and other County staff. The position will also represent the County before the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and regional stakeholder groups.
The position will also participate in organizing and/or facilitation of Tahoe-specific projects and programs, including:
• Eastern Placer affordable housing programs and projects;
• Economic development projects;
• Infrastructure, transit, and other projects and programs that implement the Tahoe Basin Area Plan (in conjunction with partner agencies and stakeholders);
• Creating or engaging financing mechanisms for above programs and projects.”
According to the County, technical interpretations on building code will continue to be handled by Building Department staff. Crystal will step in when there is a need for a coordinated response between departments, or to help solve problems.
In May, 2017, Crystal was given the “Public Servant of the Year” award at the 63rd North Lake Tahoe Chamber Awards Dinner for her work on the Tahoe Basin Area Plan.
Welcome Crystal! Members can contact Crystal by email CJacobse@placer.ca.gov
NEXT ROUND OF CALIFORNIA BUILDING & ENERGY CODE AMENDMENTS
Thanks to Vicki Burlingham with CATT member company CRDS (Capital Rating & Documentation Services, Inc.) for giving us a reminder that building and energy codes are everchanging! California’s code cycle is three years. Way before the effective date, meetings and hearings are conducted to evaluate proposed changes. Vicki sent a meeting notice for HVAC and Envelope standards affecting multi-family dwellings. Here is a graphic showing the timeline for those changes:
And there is also an amendment process underway to change certain sections of the recently enacted 2019 codes!!! Here is the timeline for those changes:
Contact Vicki for more information about the energy code changes: capitalratingvicki@gmail.com or 916.515.6391 .
CATT PRIORITIES FOR 2020
Priorities for Pat and the Local Government Affairs Committee were approved by LGAC at their regular meeting December 16, 2019:
2020 PRIORITY ISSUES TO BE HANDLED BY CATT GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER PAT DAVISON
Mitigation Fees – coordinate with LGAC as a whole
a. Alpine Springs County Water District Fire Mitigation Fees – annual update
b. Squaw Valley Public Service District Fire Mitigation Fees – annual update
c. Northstar Community Service District Fire Mitigation Fees & Martis Valley West Annexation – expect new fee study
d. North Tahoe Fire Protection District Mitigation Fees – annual update
e. Truckee Fire Protection District Mitigation Fees – annual update
f. Truckee Traffic/Facilities Mitigation Fees – annual update
g. Placer County Traffic Mitigation Fees – expect new fee study
h. Placer County Traffic Mitigation Fees Conversion to SF basis – may be part of new fee study
i. Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Mitigation Fees – biannual update
j. Truckee Donner Recreation & Park District Mitigation Fees – expect new fee study
Truckee General Plan Update – coordinate with LGAC GPU Committee
a. continual work all year
Housing – coordinate with LGAC Housing Committee
a. Achievable/locals housing incentives (large and small projects) – all jurisdictions
b. ADU programs – Town and two counties
c. Placer affordable housing requirement - request small project exemption
OTHER – Attend and provide monthly reports for the CATT Board, write articles for the CATT newsletter and CATT Weekly, prepare agendas and invite speakers for LGAC and committees, create LGAC email reminders and alerts, conduct leadership training and identify committee recruits, assist with fundraising for the Issues Action Fund, attend CATT member orientations and budget meetings, prepare content for WOW flyer, prepare Annual Report, read files for scanning, and perform other administrative duties as needed. Continue to emphasize the importance of CATT members being involved in issues to affect the outcome.
2020 PRIORITY ISSUES TO BE HANDLED BY LGAC COMMITTEE (OR POINT PERSON):
a. Placer Plan Check – Committee Chairman Pat Souza
b. North Tahoe Hydrant Flow Needs Assessment – Committee Chairman Pat Souza
c. Multi-Jurisdictional Building Working Group/Code Implementation – Committee Chairman Ryan Marsden
d. Affordable/Workforce Housing Solutions – Committee Chairwoman Kristi Thompson
e. NTFPD Schedule 80 piping requirement – Jamie Brimer
f. Truckee Tax Oversight – Craig Weaver
g. CA Bldg/Energy Code solar panel exemption – Committee Chairman Mitch Clarin
h. Truckee Planning – Committee Chairman TBD
USE COMPLAINT FORM FOR PLAN CHECK & INSPECTION PROBLEMS
CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison created a complaint form that can be used to document a problem with plan check or building inspection. This form allows CATT to track the complaint and also gives the managing entity specific detail for remedy. The complaint outline is simple:
• Project address
• Building permit #
• Date problem occurred
• Brief description of what happened
• Your opinion – what should have happened instead
• Your name and contact info
Click here to download the form. A fillable form is also posted on the CATT webpage at http://www.ca-tt.com/lgac-issues
For more information about the complaint form and CATT involvement once the form is filed, please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison at 530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com
DONATE TO CATT "ISSUES ACTION FUND"
The Construction Industry is heavily regulated, with codes, fees, and policies changing on a regular basis at all levels of government. Many times, CATT dialogue with agency staff or elected officials can remove impediments or resolve problems.
But sometimes, CATT needs to take action to protect your industry in a different way. That's why you will hear the refrain: The World Is Run By Those Who Show Up with a call to action - comment now or attend a meeting. That's also why you will hear about CATT hiring experts or consultants to provide supporting information as a way to change the outcome of some code, fee, or policy proposal.
Consultants and experts give CATT an added boost, reinforcing a point from an outside perspective. That could make the difference between a questionable proposal getting adopted as is and one getting modified to be more reasonable.
CATT's Issues Action Fund is a dedicated fund set up to channel donations to those special issues where an expert or consultant can make a positive difference. LGAC oversees the Issues Action Fund. Please consider making a donation to the IAF today as a way to protect your tomorrow. Download the donation form here.
For more information about the CATT Issues Action Fund, please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison (530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com)
WHAT IS LGAC?
CATT's Local Government Affairs Committee is a permanent committee composed of members who are interested in Fees - Codes - Regulation - Policy. This is the committee that analyzes issues affecting the building industry and determines CATT position and strategy. This committee works very closely with CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison.
Bring your problems or concerns to LGAC. You may think you are alone when in reality others may be experiencing the same problems. LGAC could be the place to help you find a remedy. Experience the power of numbers with CATT as your ally.
Come to the LGAC meeting and learn what is happening with TRPA, the Town of Truckee, Special Districts, and the three Counties. Find out what CATT is doing to improve conditions for you and the building industry.
WHO IS LGAC?
CATT’s Local Government Affairs Committee (LGAC) has 17 members. LGAC Chair is Craig Weaver (MOBO Law, LLP), Vice Chair is Cody Heller (Heller Construction, Inc.). Committee members are: Steve Cooper (Aegis Insurance Markets), Jamie Brimer (Brimer Construction & Plumbing), Chip Huck (CST Holdings, LLC), Heather Rankow (Developer’s Connection), Michael Forshee (Forshee Construction), Pat Souza (Heslin Construction), John Pruyn (High West Landscape Architects), John Wood (Loverde Builders, Inc.), Robbie Jamison (Mark Tanner Construction, Inc.), Ryan Marsden (Marsden Architects), Brian McEneaney (McEneaney Construction), Mitch Clarin (Mitchell T. Clarin), Kristi Thompson (MWA, Inc.), Justin Bertoli (NSM Corporation), and Christian Edwards (Timberline Construction).
If fees, regulations, codes, and policy interest you, contact LGAC Chair Craig Weaver at 530.214.8700 or weaver@mobolaw.com