Integrating Community Forum Input Into Transporation Issues Workshop

Please not that the following report does not represent consensus input, but is simply a summary of input made at the transporation break-out sessions at each of the two Community Forums.

Facilitated meetings were held Wednesday, May 28, at the Hyatt Regency, Incline Village and Thursday, May 29, at Caesar’s Tahoe, Stateline. Residents, business owners and others in the lake Tahoe Basin were invited to discuss challenges associated with sustaining the environmental and economic health of the lake and its communities. The objective of these meetings was to ensure that local opinion leaders would be involved in the development of themes and issues for the President’s and Vice-President’s events on July 25 and 26. The following report is a summary of input made at the Transportation breakout sessions at each of the two Community Forums.

Input on issues fell into the following three categories:

Transit:

• the need for alternative modes of transporation
• the need to reduce traffic congestion; peak demand management
• the need for new funding sources, in particular for transit operations
• the need to convince people that there is a need for, and a need to support transit, and funding for transit

Parking Management:

• the need for parking management strategies and implementation

Road Network:

• lack of an adequate road network; poor condition of roads; need for improved snow removal

The above will fit into the workshop issues discussion as previously outlined - Transit, Parking Management; the road network issues may fit into the overall topic of Basin Access.

Input on "Successful Resolutions" fell into 13 categories:

Transit:

• multi-modal transit which is attractive, fun, affordable or free, supported by parking management strategies, with auto-use disincentives and transit incentives designed to stimulate a greater use of transit
• intermodal links for Tahoe's transit network
• fixed guideway (aerial, rail) and waterborne are suggested as additional transit modes (beyond rubber tire) {Note: specific suggestions for north-south waterborne transit and construction of a gondola in Tahoe City - presumably connecting ski areas}

Transportation To & From the Region:

• commercial air service (need to revisit essential air service criteria)
• continued FAA funding for Lake Tahoe Airport Tower and airport navigational aids
• passenger inter-regional rail service (provided through public and private support)

Parking Management:

• exit fees on parking lots/garages
• intercept parking linked to transit network

Transportation Demand Management:

• implementation of employer-generated incentives for the use of transit

Funding:

• increase in federal gas tax at Lake Tahoe in support of funding for transit and transportation systems
• implementation of Basin User Fee/toll booths at all seven Basin entrance locations
• toll road charges in specific areas, i.e. between Meeks Bay and Emerald Bay
• use of TOT and parking fee revenues in support of transit funding
• federal/local funding partnerships/use of bond sale and loan programs

Regulatory:

• regulatory policy flexibility in support of transportation goals and objectives
• reduction in mitigation and coverage requirements on public works projects related to transportation
• legislative changes to allow imposition of a Basin User Fee
• legislative changes to allow for free (no charge) transit services

Pedestrian Projects:

• pedestrian bridges at Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Crystal Bay
• more pedestrian walkways in specific areas

Bicycle Projects:

• connect bike trails in Tahoe's communities and around the Lake

Signage:

• uniform/international signage throughout the region

Air Quality:

• (postal) cluster boxes (as a VMT reduction/air quality strategy)
• use of alternative (non-polluting) fuels for transit/fleet vehicles (CNG specifically referenced)

Land Use:

• clustered land use (in support of transit, transportation and air quality goals and objectives)

Road Network:

• specific suggestion for a by-pass upland from the Crystal Bay Casino Core

Education:

• educational program in support of a common transportation goal

Partnerships were described by Forum Participants as:

• involving locals, private industry, and all levels of government
• the community, visitors, and those who govern need to have a clear understanding of all issues; all need to fund solutions
• casinos must be active and satisfied partners in solutions
• chambers of commerce need to get involved in partnerships
• visitors need to help fund solutions
• involving work between local jurisdictions to develop strategies to raise money
• a reallocation of fuel taxes
• involving federal and state highway systems
• involving federal flexibility in Basin land uses
• involving community and local developers to change the way things are done
• involving the "Airport Authority"
• forums should be held to explore options; Tahoe should seek out and learn from the experience of other areas
• TRPA should be a facilitator, not regulator
• a regional organization should bring all the players together