NOBODY KNOWS NOBODY KNOWS BETTER BETTERNorth Northstar star
With over 20 years of experience, you can trust our local team to take the helm. Our expert, detail-oriented management and personalized, hands-on approach helps you maximize your investment through ski leases or vacation rentals.
Personalized owner support with a dedicated owner liaison
Maximized rental income using dynamic pricing strategies
Effective multi-platform marketing for maximum exposure
Transparent rental splits with no hidden fees
Consistent property inspections, including arrival and departure inspections
Accurate and detailed financial reporting
Regular maintenance and prompt repairs ensure your property stays well-cared-for 24-hour emergency hotline
Clear and timely communication about property status
Experienced housekeeping & maintenance
Experienced, professional sales team for Purchase and Sales
Active community involvement supporting local initiatives
Board Members
Jim O’Gara, President jogara@npoa.info
Chris Somers, Vice President csomers@npoa.info
Gene Roeder, Secretary/Treasurer groeder@npoa.info
Dan Cox, Board Member dcox@npoa.info
Doug Kohen, Board Member dkohen@npoa.info
Jim Kooler, Board Member jkooler@npoa.info
Al Roth, Board Member aroth@npoa.info
NPOA Staff
Tim Fulton General Manager tim@npoa.info
Nancy Barna Administrative Manager nancy@npoa.info
Sean Cutunilli Operations Manager sean@npoa.info
John Forni Maintenance Manager john@npoa.info
Alex Case Design Review & Community Compliance Manager alex@npoa.info
Contact NPOA/Northstar Living 2200 North Village Drive Truckee, CA 96161
P| 530.562.0322 website www.npoa.info
Office Hours (Subject to change) 8am – 4pm, Monday – Saturday
Fall Recreation Center Hours (subject to change)
8am – 9pm Daily
For up to date information please visit the NPOA website www.npoa.info
Advertising Sales
CCMedia Publishing - Peggy McElfish 775.548.6562 | www.cc.media peggy@ccmpublishing.com
Cover Photo
Olof Carmel of Carmel Gallery "Little Truckee River in Autumn"
inside this issue
meeting dates 2025
Meeting details will be sent via Eblast prior to meeting dates. If you are not signed up for electronic communications please contact the NPOA Office for a form: npoa@npoa.info or 530.562.0322.
October 18 @ 9am NPOA Board of Directors
October 28 @ 9am
Design Review Committee
November 11 @ 8am NPOA Board of Directors (if necessary)
November 25 @ 9am Design Review Committee
December 13 @ 9am NPOA Board of Directors
December 30 @ 9am Design Review Committee
community comments policy
Northstar Living welcomes your comments that are pertinent to the Northstar community and will publish those comments on a space-available basis. Articles should be addressed to Northstar Living; signed by the author, unless sent electronically; and should include the writer’s name, his or her Northstar address and the telephone number at which the writer can be reached most easily.
Comments not meeting these requirements or containing solicitations, inaccuracies, libelous or incorrect statements, lacking clarity or having no pertinence to the Northstar community or the Association will not be published. Comments must be received by February 1, for spring issue; May 1 for summer, August 1 for fall or November 1 for winter. Comments are accepted in person at the NPOA office, by mail to NPOA, Attn: Community Comments, 2200 North Village Drive, Truckee, CA 96161; by email to sean@npoa.info.
Disclaimer
Readers are advised that the opinions expressed are those of the individual,
president’s perspective
To all those who attended the Annual NPOA meeting, on-site or virtually, I want to thank you for your interest in this community and the organization. Always keep in mind, we represent you!
Announced at the meeting, we saw the departure of both Jackie Apple (Board President) and Collette Findley. Both Board members have served our community for four years, and we truly thank them for their hard work and dedication throughout.
The election this summer saw the return of two board members: Al Roth and Chris Somers. We also added 2 new team members: Doug Kohen and Jim Kooler. Both are long-term property owners and will bring true value to this year’s board.
The seven-member Board is rounded out with Gene Roeder, Dan Cox, and
myself. Gene, Dan, and I have been on the board since last year and are all full-time residents.
As is the custom, the new Board met on September 2nd for an organizational board meeting following the Board election to elect new officers. Both Gene and Chris were reelected to their positions of Treasurer and VP, respectively, and I was confirmed as the new President of the Board. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve NPOA in this capacity and excited to know that both Gene and Chris returned to their positions to help me guide this year’s NPOA agenda.
Northstar is one of the truly great locations in the Tahoe valley, and NPOA is a treasured part of this mountain community. For those new to Northstar, you recognize the beauty and the amazing facilities we operate while playing host to our
family, friends, and guests. To those who have been owners for some time, you’ve watched the evolution of our property and recognize what a gem it is.
I also want to recognize the NPOA staff headed up by Tim Fulton. As General Manager for the past seven years, Tim has done an amazing job taking care of all the day-to-day responsibilities, but also is also critical to supporting the NPOA strategic initiates directed by the Board.
Besides dozens of small operational activities, this year the NPOA team will be focused on three main goals: (1) Securing cost-effective bids and targeted dates for the renovation of the women’s locker room, (2) the repair and extension of the deck to the right of the game room, and (3) the reconditioning of the NPOA parking lot.
The lady’s locker room has been the biggest challenge from a price standpoint due to the regulatory requirements of commercial facility work, but also the dramatically increasing costs of materials and construction.
The deck repair and the extension of the deck next to the Game room have been viewed as an opportunity to slightly extend the area for the main pool use.
Finally, the NPOA parking lot is one that has been slated for reconditioning for several years, but now is the time since we’ve maximized patching for as long as we can.
The Board operates over 12 different committees spanning Strategic Planning and Design Review, all the way to Community Development and Special Events (e.g., Holiday Party). Each
committee has Board representation and is chartered to drive its respective committee to execution of their charter and measured results of the same.
We also run 6 bi-monthly Board Meetings with shorter, offsetting bi-monthly meetings added if required for timesensitive items. These open Board meetings are in conjunction with the Annual Meeting, where again all are encouraged to attend. If you have an issue and/or petition, join in. We also have regular participation and updates from NCSD, Vail Resorts, and the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council (NTRAC) at each of these meetings. We run the meetings in the Lounge with room for all members, in person or virtually. You are also welcome to just sit and observe. You can also reach each board member by email or phone, and we welcome the interaction.
As we start this new
I sincerely ask you to get involved to the extent you can. We are refreshing the NPOA website (NPOA.info) with the new Board pictures and bios. We are also updating the responsible board members for each committee.
You have elected a great Board this year, and I’m confident that we will have a great season.
O’Gara, Board President
Jim
general manager's report
As our summer season comes to a close, I would like to time a moment to share some recognition and provide you all with some key updates as we move into our fall and winter operations at the NPOA Recreation Center.
Staffing & Vendors
I hope you all join me in recognizing our amazing staff. These individuals have worked tirelessly behind the scenes this summer (even through some crazy July hailstorms) to maintain the facilities and provide a wonderful experience for all homeowners and guests that visit the Rec Center. Our management, maintenance and front desk staff members, along with our seasonal lifeguards and bear hut teams did an amazing job in keeping things running smoothly.
I’d also like to briefly thank the various vendors and independent contractors we had this summer for their many great contributions in services and offerings provided at the facilities. Our full summer operations and programs are made possible with their assistance.
Annual Membership Meeting & Homeowner BBQ
We had another amazing turnout for our 50th Annual Membership Meeting and Homeowner BBQ this year, with about 250 members in total attending. Thank you to
all of whom that were able to attend either in-person or virtually to help celebrate our milestone year in style! This event is always a tremendous opportunity to meet and mingle with your NPOA Board members and staff, as well as fellow neighbors or other community organizations and stakeholders, so you won’t want to miss future annual meetings/BBQs.
For those who were not able to attend this year, we tried something a little different. Rather than have the BBQ on the already busy pool deck, we experimented with keeping both the meeting tent and the BBQ in the same location on the lower pickleball courts. This location allowed much more room to improve the flow from the meeting to the BBQ, in creating multiple lines for drinks and food service, and all of the seating outside and under the tent. In addition to being better organized, this location provided a more private atmosphere for our members. With the additional pickleball courts added to the upper tennis courts this spring and normal deli operations in place, this also minimized any disruptions to ongoing Labor Day weekend operations for all of our guests. We were pleased with the results and received a lot of very positive feedback. As a result, we anticipate using this setup for future annual meetings and BBQs.
Fall Recreation Center Operations
The conclusion of Labor Day weekend also initiates the beginning of fall operations at the NPOA Recreation Center. This results in updated hours of operation moving to 8 AM to 9 PM and the closures of the Kiddie Pool and Pro Shop. The Playground and Tennis, Pickleball, Basketball, and Bocce Ball Courts will remain open as weather permits. The Lounge, Game Room, Fitness Center, and Spas will remain open yearround through the winter. Additionally, the Main Pool typically also closes for the season, but will remain open through approximately November 14th while the Lap Pool and Covered Spa are closed for new plaster, tiles, and railings. Once the Lap Pool and Covered Spa are able to be reopened, the Main Pool will close for the winter season.
Completed Reserve Projects
This summer has also been quite an active one in finishing many various replacement reserve projects throughout the NPOA Rec Center facilities. Highlights of these finished projects include updated patio furniture on the pool deck near the deli area, refurbished office kitchen, reconfigured concrete steps and railings to the pickleball courts, replaced the concrete steps to the fitness center from the deli area, resurfaced tennis courts #6-8
including converting court 8 to pickleball and purchased 4 more pickleball net systems, repaired lower pickleball courts, fitness center trellis repair, exterior painting of all buildings, replaced the bottle filling station in the fitness center and main pool plus added a station in the game room, peloton bike installed in the fitness center, updated facility security system and various pool & spa components as needed. If you have already, please take a look at some of these improvements during your next visit to the Rec Center.
Fall Clean Week
Fall Clean Week is scheduled for October 27th – 31st. This clean week provides staff the opportunity to deep clean the facilities before launching into the winter season and tackle larger scale projects without significant traffic entering into the facilities. An email notification will go out to membership and an update will
be provided on the Website and Resident Portal to inform members of the scheduled closure.
Parking Lot Policy
Northstar-California plans to begin winter operations at Northstar on Friday, November 21st (weather permitting). Our staff would like to remind all of our Members of the Recreation Center Parking Lot Policy. This policy gets emailed or mailed out to every NPOA Member each year as part of the annual disclosure packet. As the parking policy states, and as the signage within the parking lot indicates, this parking lot exists to provide access to the Recreation Center. Last winter alone, there was over 200 violations observed from homeowners and guests misusing the lot for skiing and long-term village parking, so please help us maintain an accessible parking area for the Recreation Center.
election results
2025 NPOA Annual Board Of Directors Election Results Directors: Steve Klei – 289
Doug Kohen – 341
Jim Kooler – 291
Al Roth – 359
Chris Somers – 368 Quorum only – 27
Jodee Brydges (1), Colette Findley (1), Rona Gundrum (1) and Julie Hulin (1) also received write-in votes.
NPOA Standing Special Resolution: For – 352 Against – 13
Congratulations to Doug Kohen, Jim Kooler, Al Roth and Chris Somers for their election to the NPOA Board for a two-year term. We also thank Steve Klei for his commitment in running for the NPOA Board.
Tim Fulton, General Manager
▪ Contractors ▪ House Cleaners
Forest Restoration in the Truckee River Watershed
Resilient forests are an integral part of a resilient watershed. That’s why we partnered with the National Forest Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, and the U.S. Forest Service – Tahoe National Forest to form the Middle Truckee River Watershed Forest Partnership (MTRWFP). Together, we are increasing the pace and scale of critical forest health projects and working towards treating 60,000 acres of forest in the Middle Truckee River Watershed in the next decade. Through this partnership we were awarded $3.8 million in state funding
While beautiful, this photo shows a closed-canopy forest with a significant amount of snow in the treetops. When the sun melts this snow, much of the water will be lost to the atmosphere through transpiration, instead of melting and soaking into the ground to nourish the soil and support vegetation.
from the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the National Forest Foundation, and Sierra Nevada Conservancy to take the lead on these 3 restoration projects, now in process at various phases of assessment, permitting and design:
Sayles Forest and Meadow Restoration – 3,000 acres: is just north of Stampede Reservoir. Large meadow complexes are found here, providing the opportunity to significantly enhance highquality habitat conditions, while also reducing potential wildfire severity.
Boca Forest and Meadow Restoration – 2,000 acres is just west of Boca Reservoir and north of Interstate 80. Overall tree health in the watershed has declined due to high stand density, recent drought, insects, and disease. Road networks have bisected existing meadows and disrupted the natural flow of surface and ground waters.
Hobart Forest and Meadow Restoration – 2,541 acres is north and west of Prosser Reservoir. The area has experienced a long history of human-use impacts from logging, railroad building, and an obsolete dam. Also, forest health conditions were further impacted by the 1960 Donner Ridge Fire, leaving homogeneous stand conditions.
Join a River Talk in the Northstar Village!
The Truckee River watershed is a place full of beautiful meadows, streams, and forests that we love. Join us for a 45-minute presentation about past impacts to the Truckee River watershed, ongoing threats, what we are doing to protect and restore it, and how you can help. Hear about restoration projects and connect with fellow nature-enthusiasts. Appetizers and drinks provided.
When: Saturday, December 6th, 5-6pm
Where: Tahoe Mountain Realty office, 3001 Northstar Drive. First building on left in the Village at skier drop-off
Sign up: info@truckeeriverwc.org truckeeriverwc.org | 530.550.8760 x5
design review & compliance
Fall in Northstar is a great time to look around, button up those to-dos, and ensure your homes presentation supports our shared standards before winter arrives.
Firewood Storage: Covered, Compliant, and Safe
One detail worth highlighting this season is firewood storage, which carries both aesthetic and safety implications.
Improperly stored firewood is a common issue in the community: piles are often left uncovered or under damaged tarps, and some are stored directly on porches—which is not permitted. These choices not only detract from neighborhood appearance but also create serious fire risks during the summer months.
To meet community standards and defensible space requirements (NPOA, Northstar Fire), firewood stored outdoors within 30 feet of a structure must be neatly stacked and fully wrapped with a fire-resistant, weatherproof tarp. Piles should also be placed at least 10 feet from brush and trees, with a 10-foot buffer of clear ground free of needles, cones, or other debris.
For those who no longer want firewood on-site, removal can be arranged through local hauling services or by coordinating a pickup with someone who can give it a second life. This is a great time to schedule cleanup and hauling before winter conditions complicate service.
Beyond First Impressions
Curb appeal at Northstar isn’t just about looks—it’s also about safety and being a good neighbor. Consistent with the CC&Rs, homes should present a neat, orderly appearance year-round, which means keeping visible clutter to a minimum. Items like bins, tools, tarps, ladders, building materials, furniture piles, or seasonal gear should be stowed away. Items tucked into side or back yards are subject to these same rules; if they are visible to neighbors or create hazards, they should be stored indoors, in an
enclosed area, or screened appropriately.
Signs of a Well-Kept Listing
That same expectation applies when a home is listed for sale. Curbside presentation includes signage that meets Northstar’s standards.
When listing your home, NPOA Design Review Guidelines (DRGs), found on our website www.npoa.info, permit one professionally made real estate sign per property. Attachments like rider boards or brochure boxes are not permitted. Signs must not be nailed to trees or placed in common areas, and must be removed promptly once the listing ends. The sign must be placed entirely within your lot, and adhere to the size limits specified within the DRG. This ensures marketing efforts remain functional yet harmonious with the visual standards in Northstar.
Review Once, Measure Twice
Whether it’s a small refresh like re-staining siding or replacing windows, or a larger undertaking such as an addition, all exterior projects for Single Family Homes at Northstar must go through the NPOA Design Review process before any work begins. This requirement applies to every project, regardless of size, location, or visibility.
By following the established workflow, owners help ensure their improvements align with community standards, respect neighboring properties, and preserve the quality and character that define Northstar. Our office is here to provide clear guidance at each stage, keep projects organized, compliant, and moving forward smoothly.
As always, thank you for helping keep Northstar beautiful and safe.
Alexander Case, Design Review & Community Standards Manager
CARSON CITY | CAUGHLIN RANCH | DAMONTE RANCH | DOWNTOWN RENO | GARDNERVILLE
employee spotlight
Hello NPOA home owners and guests, my name is Trevor Payne. I’m very excited to be a part of the team, making trips to the rec center fun and easy.
Born and raised in Clovis, CA, neighboring to Fresno. I grew up in the Sierras camping, enjoying the lakes, snowboarding every
Chicago Style Bridge At NPOA Recreation Center
In Northstar, we have a group of players who meet every Wednesday from 1:30pm – 5pm in the Member’s Lounge at the NPOA Recreation Center. The entry fee is $2, and we offer light snacks, and cash prizes are paid out to the winners. If you may be interested in playing or joining our club, please call 530.913.4020 or email Astrid Cousins at astridwc@aol.com if you have questions.
Another Spectacular Golf Season for the Northstar Women’s Golf Club is Nearing the End
By Marian Hansen
We would like to thank all of the employees of the golf course from the cart people, to the grounds people to the staff that works in the pro shop and on the course, and a special thank you to Aubriana Dunn who drives the beverage cart, she always stops to say hello and offer words of encouragement. You have all made our Tuesday play days ideal.
The course opened late this year, with our first Tuesday play date on June 10. Some of us took advantage of the Thursday discount days at the Ponderosa while we waited for Northstar to open. Many felt the delay helped the course recover from the interesting winter with the warm and then freezing conditions. We are looking forward to the final gorgeous autumn days before the course closes in October.
The NWGC held its Championship Tournament on August 19. This year, the low gross winner was Carol Pawlak, and low net winner was Astrid Cousins. Carol not only won the Championship, she had closest to the pin on 6 & 15 and longest drive on #18. Marian
Northstar California Golf Course
As we approach the end of the golf season with the October 19 closing date, the course is in great shape. Volume is slowing down as schools are back in session as fall approaches. We appreciate everyone who came out this season and there is still time to enjoy the course. Fall rates will kick in on September 26.
Foot traffic and non-golfers are prohibited from walking/riding on the golf course. With maintenance staff working and golfers out there it’s very unsafe. Come November, we will post winter signs
Hansen had the longest drive on #7. An enjoyable time was had by all especially with the “buy a mulligan” format that has continued for the last four years, with the funds going towards lunch following the tournament. The mulligan fund covered the bar bill.
While we are a small group, we have big fun and hope to see more women join us next season. We understand that there are many options of courses to play in our area, but none are closer or as reasonably priced as Northstar. Not to mention it is a challenging, beautiful course to play. You do not have to live at Northstar to join NWGC, so if you have friends or family in the area who are looking for a group to play with, pass this along.
To everyone who joined us this year, thank you for your support, and we look forward to playing with you next year. If you would like information on joining the group for the year, or just for a day, contact Marian at sidebcorp@aol.com or Carol at pawlakcarol@ gmail.com. We play every Tuesday with tee times starting around 9:00 am. Membership in the Northstar Women’s Golf Club (NWGC) automatically enrolls you in the Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN), a service offered by the USGA to golf associations worldwide, which tracks scores and ranks handicaps. Soon it will be time to wax up those skis or pack up for better weather and more golf.
around the golf course as pedestrian traffic must stay on the cart paths.
It was a short season this year due to ice damage on the greens, so we are hoping for a better winter and more snow coverage. Thanks again for the great season and support and as always NPOA discounts will be offered on season passes only next season.
Jarrett Bower, Director of Golf Jarrett.k.bower@vailresorts.com
Front Row: Sandy Campion & Kerri Utsumi Back Row: Ruta Rudisill, Carol Pawlak, Cindy Denham, Marian Hansen, Astrid Cousins, Jen Polishook)
NWGC enjoying lunch at Rubicon following the Championship)
The Truckee Regional Library: A Hub for Learning, Connection, and Emergency Preparedness
By April Cole Executive Director, Friends of the Truckee Library
For nearly fifty years, Truckee’s library has served us as best it could. Built in 1975 for a town of just 2,000 people, it was never designed to meet the needs of the 20,000 residents who now call our region home— or the thousands of visitors who come here throughout the seasons and rely on our shared resources. With a maximum occupancy of 54, a children’s area that regularly overflows, and a teen “space” made up of a single table and four chairs, the building simply cannot keep pace with the community we have become.
That’s why the Friends of the Truckee Library, in partnership with the Town of Truckee, Nevada County, and Placer County, are leading the effort to create the Truckee Regional Library—a 20,000-squarefoot, modern facility that will serve the entire region, from Donner Summit to Martis Valley, from Truckee to Northstar. It will be a space for residents and visitors alike, open and accessible year-round, and designed to reflect both the character and the needs of this community.
And let me be clear: we don’t just want this building—we need it. Today, too many households lack reliable internet for
school, study, or work. When storms knock out the power, there is no public place with heat, filtered air, and connectivity where people can safely gather. And our students don’t have equitable study spaces where kids from all backgrounds can come together to collaborate and learn. The new library will fill these gaps—and serve as our Community Emergency Resource Center, equipped with backup power, HVAC, and full accessibility. As the Truckee Office of Emergency Services has noted, no existing facility within town limits currently provides all of these essential community resource functions in one place.
The new library will provide expanded spaces for children and teens, flexible workspaces, private study rooms, outdoor learning areas, and a 300-person multipurpose room for performances, community gatherings, and cultural events. Families and visitors will have access to reliable technology and internet, while the entire community can rely on the library as a place to come together in everyday life and in emergencies.
We have already taken meaningful steps toward making this vision a reality. Designs for the building are complete, shaped by the input of nearly 4,000 residents across our region. Early supporters have contributed millions in private gifts, including a $1 million anchor gift, reflecting strong community belief in
the project. Town and county leaders are fully engaged, providing guidance and partnership as we move forward. While work remains to secure full funding, these steps show that the library is a tangible, achievable project with real momentum.
This is, at its core, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the social infrastructure our region deserves. A place where seniors can meet friends to play board games, alongside a second grader discovering the joy of reading. A place where visitors can access resources just as easily as full-time residents. A place where families can shelter during storms and where neighbors can come together in celebration.
The Truckee Regional Library is not a luxury. It is a necessity. It is about equity for families, opportunity for youth, resources in emergencies, and connection for us all. Together, we can create a space that will serve our community—and everyone who is part of it—through every season, for generations to come. To learn more, get involved, or contribute to this legacy project, visit www.truckeefol.org.
About the New
Truckee
Regional Library Project
The Truckee Regional Library Project aims to create a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a hub for literacy, learning, and community engagement. With an emphasis on inclusive design, the project incorporates community input to reflect the unique character of Truckee while addressing the needs of its diverse and growing population.
About the Friends of the Truckee Library
The Friends of the Truckee Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the cultural, social, and educational well-being of the community. Through advocacy and fundraising, FOTL is spearheading efforts to build a larger, modern library that meets the needs of the Truckee community. For more information, visit www.truckeefol.org.
Dear Northstar Property Owner, We, the members of the Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee (MUOC), completed our annual meeting with the Northstar Fire Department (NFD) and Northstar Community Services District on May 19, 2025. The following letter is intended to provide the public with an overview of the MUOC’s findings, while also including insight into Measure U’s path moving forward.
As a reminder, Measure U is a 10-year tax measure that collects $240 per parcel and provides up to $496,000 annually in local funding for wildfire prevention efforts. For land that falls within 300 feet of private property lines with habitable structures, a funds program was developed to offer 50% matching costs for forest fuels reduction work. Areas beyond 300 feet, which are fully funded by the tax measure, have also been prioritized and treatments have begun. These two prioritizations for forest fuels reduction are intended to tie multiple fuel breaks together to strengthen Northstar’s buffer from a potentially threatening wildfire. NFD’s scope of work has primarily focused on removing highly combustible ground vegetation and improving tree density inside the Wildfire Prevention Zone (WPZ).
In year one (FY 2023: July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023), 80 total acres were treated and funded by Measure U. The Green Waste Curbside Pickup Program collected and disposed of 708 cubic yards of material from private properties.
In year two (FY 2024: July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024), 83 total acres were treated and funded by Measure U. The Green Waste Curbside Pickup Program collected and disposed of 702 cubic yards of material.
In year three (FY 2025: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025), 77 acres have been treated and funded by Measure U. An additional 87 acres were treated along the WPZ’s western boundary by other funding sources. In total, 164 acres have been treated. There are 18 treatment acres remaining and will be completed by June 30, 2025. Through three pickups, the Green Waste Curbside Pickup Program has collected and disposed of 283 cubic yards of material.
In year four now (FY 2026: July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026), Measure U is treating and funding up to 68 acres. An additional 134 acres are scheduled to be treated using other funding sources. The Green Waste Curbside Pickup and any unforeseen overages will be covered by other funding sources. The FY 2026 Measure U Work Plan that was created and presented by NFD to the Oversight Committee is available by scanning the QR code at the end of this letter.
The MUOC is committed to overseeing Measure U’s budget while providing thoughtful recommendations into prioritized projects along the way. The MUOC has produced two annual reports for Measure U activities during FY 2023 and FY 2024, intended to provide a narrative overview and analysis of the operational and financial aspects of Measure U, including the District’s utilization of Measure U funding. They are available at the hyperlink at the bottom of the page. We have concluded that NFD is using Measure’s U’s funds efficiently, responsibly, and consistent with Measure U’s requirements.
Thank you to members of the community and the major stakeholders at Northstar for their continued diligence in creating a safer and more resilient tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Members of the Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee
Serving the Tahoe-Truckee area since 1979, carrying high-quality hardwood flooring and carpet ideal for your mountain home. Visit us and explore our amazing selection at the Pioneer Commerce Center in Truckee.
At Liberty, the customers and communities we serve are our top priority. That’s why we prudently invest in the electric system to reduce the risk of wildfire in the Tahoe/ Sierra region and provide safe, reliable service to our customers.
It’s also the reason why we strive to keep rates affordable while still maintaining the safety and reliability of the service we provide. Liberty’s rates are the second lowest in California, compared to other investor-owned electric utilities.
Here’s how we do it:
Wildfire mitigation investments
We proactively invest in the electric system to reduce the risk of an electricalinfrastructure ignited wildfire, to withstand wildfire that may impact the electric system, and to protect our customers and communities before, during, and after wildfire. This includes:
• Top tier vegetation management around our electrical infrastructure.
• The replacement and installation of
new, more advanced hardware and equipment.
• The installation and implementation of advanced technology to better monitor and detect adverse conditions.
Affordable rates
Reliability, sustainability, and safety of our electric system requires investment, but Liberty is working hard to minimize the impacts on rates by:
• Proactively working with legislatures to gain access to the California Wildfire Fund.
• Proactively seeking and utilizing federal and state grants.
• Presenting and negotiating with underwriters all over the world to obtain optimal insurance premiums and coverage.
Financial assistance options
Liberty understands that rate increases can be challenging. We offer a variety of financial assistance programs for incomeeligible customers, as well as flexible payment plans. Visit our website or contact our Customer Care team at 800.782.2506 to learn more.
Scan this QR code to learn more.
Investing in the Electric System = Investing in Your Community
MEET YOUR NORTHSTAR EXPERT
415 Lodgepole is set along the Northstar Golf Course — what makes this new build a standout addition to the community?
This home represents a rare chance to own new construction on the golf course. Designed by Josh Horne and built by Alpen Homes, the residence showcases their craftsmanship through clean, modern lines, expansive windows, and thoughtful details that frame the Tahoe setting while delivering a refined, livable retreat.
How do you see new builds like this shaping the future of Northstar real estate?
New construction on Northstar’s golf course is rare, and Alpen Homes has set a new standard with this project. While much of the recent building has centered near the Village and Mountainside, this home signals fresh energy for the golf course community. It’s drawing buyers toward the more expansive side of Northstar, where space, views, and a quieter resort experience converge for the perfect family retreat.
What do you think continues to make Northstar a strong choice for second-homeownership compared to other Tahoe communities? Northstar offers a level of convenience that’s hard to match. Once you arrive, you can put the car away and rely on the shuttle, ski trails, and Village amenities to move seamlessly between recreation and relaxation. Families appreciate the independence it gives kids and the peace of mind it gives parents. Coupled with a true year-round lifestyle — world-class skiing in winter, golf and trail access in summer — Northstar continues to deliver the balance of ease and experience that secondhomeowners value most.
What is the current market like for Northstar properties?
Prices remain strong, and wellpriced homes continue to move quickly. Today’s buyers are especially drawn to new builds and refreshed designs that make recreation seamless — from skiin/ski-out access in winter to golf course living in summer.
Christopher Botto
Set for completion in 2026. This rendering is for illustrative purposes only. All details, including finishes and specifications, are subject to change. DRE 01995145
condominium updates
Aspen Grove
Our community of Aspen Grove has been busy as usual. In June, both the Silver Strike and Aspen Grove parking lots and entrances were completely reconstructed. Additional French drains were installed to mitigate water runoff and shoulder backing was applied in strategic locations. In August, the final seal was applied with striping painted near stairways and dumpster locations. Completion of both areas has aesthetically enhanced and brought a more pleasing and refreshed look and feel to our property.
In July, the Board of Directors approved a contract with a local vendor to focus
our community safe from the threat of wildfires. Pine needles and pine cones will be raked and removed 10ft from all buildings, as well as trimming, limbing, and pruning dead and overgrown shrubs. Additionally, we are working to have dead and hazardous trees removed from areas that are in conflicting locations throughout the property near existing buildings, which pose a threat to the safety of homeowners and their property.
Painting of building structures continues each year on a regular maintenance schedule. We are very fortunate to have an ongoing contract with a local vendor who concentrates on keeping buildings in good shape. Touch-up work on foundation walls, stairways, entry porches, deck balconies, and front doors is a priority each season, as well as repainting entire walls that have faded or become sun-bleached over the years. His quality of work and professionalism are truly an asset that can only increase the value of our property.
The Landscape & Aesthetic Committee continues to work hard to bring additional planting projects throughout Aspen Grove. In 2023, Phase I was completed when 34 Aspen trees were planted in an area defined by many as a desert. The trees
are thriving and growing taller each year, bringing a nice canopy-like feel to this area. Thank you to CAMCO for installing an above-ground irrigation system that has benefited and stimulated healthy growing Aspens. Phase II was presented to the Board of Directors at the Annual Board Meeting. The project included planting an additional 15+ or so Aspen trees along with some flowering small shrubs in an area that has been bare for many years. If the plan and budget are approved, planting could begin in the fall. This project would also include an above-ground irrigation system and the spreading of wood chips throughout the planting area.
In August, the Landscape Committee met on site to do some general cleanup and do a walkthrough around the property. Members were impressed by the cleanliness of the grounds surrounding the buildings. We continue to encourage more homeowners to become involved in community activities. With greater involvement, we notice that homeowners appreciate the work and effort being put towards keeping a clean and healthy environment, as well as upholding expectations that common space areas are properly maintained for the benefit of all to enjoy.
Indian Hills
Fall is one of the best times at Northstar and Indian Hills. The colors are beautiful, the area is less crowded. We are so lucky to live in a community filled with natural beauty and healthy lifestyle activities.
Congratulations to Steve Anderson, Jim Kooler, and Gary Neiman for being reelected to serve another two-year term on the Indian Hills Board of Directors. The officers for this year will be Bryan MillerPresident, Gary Neiman- Vice President, Steve Anderson Treasurer, Jodee BrydgesSecretary, and Jim Kooler- Member at Large.
With many visitors to Indian Hills and Northstar, trash and noise remain concerns. It is important to make sure the
doors to the dumpsters click shut and no trash is left outside the dumpsters, as it can attract bears. Some single-family homeowners who didn’t install bear boxes and the cleaners of those properties continue using the condo trash bins when they should be using the community dumpsters at the entrance to Northstar. If you are a single-family homeowner, please install a bear box and arrange for trash pickup, or use the community dump site. The dumpsters in the condo areas are there for the use of the condos only.
If you rent your condo or single-family home, you are required to have a valid Short-Term Rental permit from Placer County. Please note that the County has
instituted the Short-Term Rental policies with the intent to assist in managing the impact of rentals in residential areas. Rental properties must be identified by placing the round blue stickers in the front windows or on bear boxes. If there is a nuisance problem with a renter, or the rental property does not display the blue sticker, please notify the County using the Short-Term Rental Nuisance Line at (530) 448-8003. You can also submit a complaint at www.hostcomplianace.com/tips.
As we head toward another great ski season, you are likely preparing all your equipment. That may include many battery-operated devices, such as heated gloves, heated boot liners, helmet speakers, and extra battery banks to keep you going all day long on the slopes. The charging of these lithium-ion batteries
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Condominium updates
can cause a fire hazard from overheating. You can protect yourself and your neighbors by not charging these batteries unless you are home and charging them in a fireproof bags. Search Amazon for a lithiom-ion charging bag and you will see lots of options under $20 that could prevent a disaster!
Speaking of fires and disasters, if you look around Indian Hills and the Northstar community, you will notice that lots of defensible space work was done. Removing the manzanita is an ongoing effort to ensure the forest floor near our properties does not have fuel to spread. This defensible space is guided by the NS Fire Department and helps us maintain our good standing with our insurance company. We are doing all we can in Indian Hills to navigate the volatile insurance market. Because of our efforts, our insurance policy was renewed!
Keep your eyes open for the demonstration replacement front entryway! This improvement project of our front entryways will begin with a demonstration to help better estimate the engineering challenges and establish costs.
Indian Hills Owners, keep your eyes open for a survey from the Board of Directors to get your input to help guide decisions. While we are elected and empowered to make decisions on behalf of all owners, we do not have the opportunity to hear directly from you often enough. In addition to completing the survey, feel free to reach out to CAMCO or Board Members anytime you have a suggestion or concern.
Indian Hills would like to thank Jackie Apple and Colette Findley for their service on the NPOA Board as they finished their terms. This year, Chris Somers and Al Roth were re-elected to the NPOA Board, and they will be joined by Doug Kohen and Jim Kooler as new members. We look forward to the new NPOA Board being welcoming of homeowner input and being judicious with the use of our funds. We encourage Indian Hills owners to participate in our Board meetings and encourage all Northstar owners to participate in NPOA Board and Committee meetings.
Begin your snow dances early as we head through fall, and look forward to a wonderful ski season!
Ski Trails
With the passing of Labor Day, it’s clear that fall has fallen. The leaves are changing colors, the flows in the creeks have slowed to trickles, and the mountain biker slopes are less crowded.
But, of course, the biggest indicator of the fall season is that the Ski Trails Condominiums Homeowners Association had its annual meeting! That meeting took place on August 30 and was attended by about two dozen homeowners, plus another dozen virtually. Thanks to everyone who participated.
One change to the Board this year: John Levine has decided to step down. John’s creativity, experience, wisdom, and countless hours of service will be deeply missed. Among his many contributions, John was the driving force behind our recent parking enforcement efforts, managed our skitrailshoa. com website, and fostered community connection through our NextDoor page. We thank John for his years of collegial, thoughtful, and committed service to us all.
In his place, Beth Ham will be rejoining the Board. Beth is a local who owns a couple of Ski Trails units. She previously served on the Board for many years and will be able to hit the ground running. Welcome Beth!
Remember that the Ski Trails Board can be reached at board@ skitrailshoa.com. Please let them know if you have any concerns, questions, or ideas for improving Ski Trails.
There have been several important accomplishments in the last few quarters:
• The stairs from the parking lots to several of our buildings have been replaced or repaired with heavy metal treads covering each step to resist traffic from ski boots and winter freeze and thaw cycles.
• Maintenance to repair or resurface the epoxied pebbled entrance pathways is being planned with a contractor right now.
• Board member Mike Kim completed an additional round of negotiations with our internet and TV provider (Spectrum). As a result, internet speeds have increased to 600 Mbps, and local channels are now included in our new 5-year contract, while our monthly costs have decreased by 27 percent. The savings that began in January 2025 will be passed on to owners through a year-end credit that can be applied to this year’s dues.
• Negotiations are underway with Northstar Public Safety to extend the hours of coverage by the entrance guards for the coming winter season. New guest hanger tags and owner windshield stickers have been ordered and should be available for shipment to our owners in the October/September time frame.
• And to top it all off…thanks to the hard work and fiscal prudence of our Board and CAMCO, the Ski Trails monthly owner assessments, including fees and HOA dues, are projected to be nearly unchanged for fiscal year 2025-26! This is a huge win in a time when almost everything seems to cost more every month.
Enjoy the fall shoulder season, everyone!
