Tahoe Donner News February 2021

45-DAY NOTICE OVERVIEW

09

TAHOE DONNER N

E

W

S

THE HISTORY OF

EUER VALLEY

10

SAFE + EXCITING SKI ADVENTURES 06 E-BIKES:

FEBRUARY 2021

ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION 22

TOGETHER, WE GOT THIS! PARTNERING WITH YOU TO KEEP TAHOE DONNER MOVING

65 TRACTORS 52 OPERATORS OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE 530.582.0300 www.elementsmtn.co

INSIDE

26

THE REPORT:

Architectural Standards Construction: 2020 Year in Review

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

02

Message from the General Manager

09

45-Day Notice: Proposed Election + Voting Rules

06

14

Downhill Ski Lodge Project Survey Update

SAFE + EXCITING SKI ADVENTURES

20

Combining physical distancing and private lessons means fun for the whole family

Giving Fund: Cold Weather + Warm Hearts

22

FEATURES

Ongoing Community Conversation on Electric Bicycles

10

24

Covenants Complaints + Enforcement: 2020 Year in Review

THE HISTORY OF EUER VALLEY

A look back at the treasure in Tahoe Donner’s backyard

28

Changes to Truckee’s Short-Term Rental Program

30

Briefs

32

Board Meeting Recaps

THE BUZZ:

EVENTS, DINING + UPDATES

16

Amenity Updates

17

Club Updates

19

Dining Hours + Specials

08

RUN FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Make an impact in Tahoe Donner

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

1

VOLUME 22 | NO. 02

FEBRUARY 2021 EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION TEAM Lindsay Hogan Joe Reeder Derek Moore

Drew Deurlington Ali Dickson

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

David Mickaelian | General Manager dmickaelian@tahoedonner.com Annie Rosenfeld | Director of Risk Management + Real Property arosenfeld@tahoedonner.com Miguel Sloane | Director of Operations msloane@tahoedonner.com Todd Martyn-Jones | Director of Finance, Accounting + Business Support tmartynjones@tahoedonner.com Miah Cottrell | Director of Information Technology mcottrell@tahoedonner.com Lindsay Hogan | Director of Communications + Member Relations lhogan@tahoedonner.com Jon Mitchell | Director of Capital Projects jmitchell@tahoedonner.com Steve Turner | Director of Food + Beverage sturner@tahoedonner.com Erika Stohl | Director of Human Resources estohl@tahoedonner.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President | Don Koenes dkoenes@tahoedonner.com Vice President | Jim Roth jroth@tahoedonner.com Treasurer | Steve Mahoney smahoney@tahoedonner.com Secretary | Courtney Murrell cmurrell@tahoedonner.com Director | Charles C. Wu cwu@tahoedonner.com

MESSAGE FROM THE

GENERAL MANAGER Dear Tahoe Donner members, We hope you are enjoying a great ski season! A huge thank you goes out to members and staff, who adapted to winter amenity changes caused by the global pandemic. We are proud to be running our snowy operations to provide you, your family, guests and public a crucial outlet for exercise and adventure. If you haven’t visited our amenities this winter, you can learn more about their offerings and safety measures on page 16.

STRATEGIC PLAN We appreciated all members who provided their important input in our strategic plan forums, workshops, survey and more the past few months. With the information you gave us, we have adopted a five-year strategic plan. You can see this plan and additional resources on our website at

tahoedonner.com/strategic-plan. The next steps are to set organizational goals, which are the details and measurables required to meet the overall strategic plan.

E-BIKES ON TD TRAILS Like many landowners, Tahoe Donner has reached the point where there is a need for increased conversation on the topic of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, on our trails. Before we reach any opinion on the matter, staff and board are excited to discover the membership's opinion on e-bikes. Extensive outreach is underway, including forums, a member survey and benchmarking. Learn more on page 22 or at tahoedonner.com/e-bike-rule.

ELECTION REFORM The Tahoe Donner election season will be here before we know it. In addition to this

POSTMASTER: Periodical postage paid at

Truckee, California and additional mailing offices.

Send address changes to Tahoe Donner News, 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161; (530) 587-9400, Fax (530) 579-3224

EMAIL: comdep@tahoedonner.com ADVERTISING SALES: CC Media + Publishing is the exclusive advertising representative: (775) 327-4200 | laura@cc.media

PUBLISHING INFORMATION TAHOE DONNER ASSOCIATION HOLDS THE EXCLUSIVE SERVICE MARK RIGHT TO “TAHOE DONNER.” ANY UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SUCH WILL BE REGARDED AS AN INFRINGEMENT OF THAT SERVICE MARK RIGHT AND IS PROHIBITED. THE INCLUSION OF ADVERTISING IN THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT OR RECOMMENDATION BY TAHOE DONNER ASSOCIATION OR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PRODUCTS, SERVICES OR VIEWS CONTAINED THEREIN. TAHOE DONNER NEWS (ISSN 1550-6061) IS THE OFFICIAL MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF TAHOE DONNER ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS LOCATED AT 11509 NORTHWOODS BLVD., TRUCKEE, CA 96161.

EACH MEMBERSHIP PARCEL RECEIVES ONE SUBSCRIPTION TO A DOMESTIC ADDRESS. COST TO PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE THIS PUBLICATION IS OFFSET BY ADVERTISING REVENUES. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT TRUCKEE, CA, AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. MEMBER LETTERS TO TAHOE DONNER ARE PUBLISHED IN THE MEMBERS SECTION OF TAHOEDONNER.COM, WHERE PUBLISHING GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE.

OPT OUT OF EMAIL SHARING On January 1, 2020, California Senate Bill 323 went into

effect, which allows any Tahoe Donner member to request the official Tahoe Donner membership list, including

email addresses. If you would like to opt out of sharing your contact information with members, please visit tahoedonner.com/optout.

THOSE OPTING OUT WILL STILL RECEIVE CONTACT FROM TAHOE DONNER. Senate Bill No. 323 CHAPTER 848

(Continued on page 4)

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TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

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(Continued from page 2)

year’s open seat – eligible to Tahoe Donner members – the board and the Elections Committee are embarking on a potential elections rules change. A 45-day notice on this topic was sent to your mailbox in January, and we encourage you to speak your opinion.

Multiple components, including the California Davis-Stirling Act, Senate Bill (SB) 323 and more dictate what can legally be enforced and what constitutes as election guidelines. To learn more, visit tahoedonner.com/election-rules-notice.

SKI LODGE UPDATE Guided by input from member focus groups, a member survey on the ski lodge was recently completed in January. Staff received over 2,600 survey responses, which will help us confidently take the next steps in schematic design and business plan development. To see a high-level summary report, visit page 14 or see the complete report at tahoedonner.com/downhill-skiresort-lodge-replacement-project.

TRUCKEE STR RULES + MANDATORY REGISTRATION Beginning this year through the Town of Truckee, all short-term rentals (STRs) are required to receive an annual shortterm rental registration certificate. The registration program went live in December 2020, and all Truckee short-term rental operators will have until March 31, 2021, to receive their certificate.

Visit townoftruckee.com/str to learn more about this program, find the resources you need and utilize the STR hotline.

As we rejoice in the snowy adventures, warm fires and frosted beauty that our Sierra winters offer us, we encourage you to stay safe, continue following COVID-19 safety protocols and maintain the infectious kindness that makes our welcome mountain community unlike any other.

Be well, DAVID MICKAELIAN | GENERAL MANAGER

STAY IN THE KNOW. SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY EMAILS:

TAHOEDONNER.COM/SUBSCRIBE

TAHOE DONNER CONTACTS Area Code (530)

MEMBER SERVICES

587-9400 | info@tahoedonner.com | Live chat on website

AMENITIES Beach Club Marina 587-9460 marina@tahoedonner.com Bikeworks 582-9694 bikeworks@tahoedonner.com Campground 587-9462 campground@tahoedonner.com Cross Country Ski 587-9484 xc@tahoedonner.com Downhill Ski Resort 587-9444 ski@tahoedonner.com Equestrian Center 587-9470 equestrian@tahoedonner.com Forestry 587-9432 forestry@tahoedonner.com Golf Course 587-9443 golf@tahoedonner.com The Lodge 587-9455 lodge@tahoedonner.com Recreation Hut 587-9413 recreation@tahoedonner.com Snowplay 582-9437 snowplay@tahoedonner.com Tennis Center 587-9474 tennis@tahoedonner.com Trails 582-9672 trails@tahoedonner.com Trout Creek Rec Ctr 582-9437 troutcreek@tahoedonner.com

ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE CHAIRS Architectural Standards Rod Whitten aso@tahoedonner.com Covenants Don Ermak covenantscommittee@ tahoedonner.com Elections Bette Rohrback electionscommittee@ tahoedonner.com

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General Plan Rob McCray robmccray@sbcglobal.net Giving Fund Suzanne Sullivan tdgf@tahoedonner.com

ASSOCIATION CHARTERED CLUB PRESIDENTS 9-Holers Women's Golf Judi Roberts judi@greenroberts.com

Mountain Bike Dustin Young dustinyoung75@gmail.com

Bridge Lynn Cordner lynn.cordner@gmail.com

Quilt Marilyn Dundas md11792@outlook.com

Equestrian Susan Terrell terrellsf@earthlink.net

Rowing Dot Mace dotmace@me.com

Friends of TD Trails B.R. Levine tdtrails@gmail.com

Senior Alpine Ski John Makin jmakin@sbcglobal.net

Hiking Robin Reese rbtahoe@sbcglobal.net

TD 4-Wheelers Bill Ratcliff club@td4wheelers.org

Junior Golf Jean Lai jslai@comcast.net

TD Ladies Play 9 Golf Shellie Poplin shelliepoplin@gmail.com

Limited Abilities Persons’ Golf Mike Srago msrago@comcast.net

Tennis Michele Forsberg minkeysf@sbcglobal.net

Men’s Golf Tim Pellegrini tncpellegrini@sbcglobal.net

Women’s Golf Denise Rebar denise_rebar@merithr.com

MEMBER FEEDBACK CA Lic 960719

Todd Wolfe CCA License #775729

Finance John Dundas financecommittee@ tahoedonner.com

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5

FEATURE

PHYSICAL DISTANCING + PRIVATE LESSONS =

SAFE AND EXCITING SKI ADVENTURES

By ALI DICKSON | Photos by RYAN SALM

Skiing has been deemed an essential activity for our physical and mental health by the State of California.

On the slopes or the tracks, it allows for physical distancing, provides necessary outdoor recreation and creates family adventures all in one snowy day!

Tahoe Donner is excited to offer private lessons in cross country and downhill skiing this winter for all ages and skill levels. By implementing COVID-19 protocols and professional instruction, you and your family can have a safe and exciting time learning or improving your favorite snow sports.

DOWNHILL SKI RESORT LESSONS Known as the “best place to begin” in Tahoe, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort is the place for family fun and affordable learning. Here, you’ll find friendly terrain for those looking to boost their confidence on the slopes. With wide-open bowls, you’ll have room to dance all over the mountain! And did we mention there are no crowds?

No need to worry about long lift lines or bustling skiers – this ski resort is a Tahoe hidden gem.

ALL AGES WELCOME

Our professional and certified instructors have the skills and the experience to teach ambitious skiers of all ages. Kids as young as 3 years old can take a private lesson and learn the ropes to experience a lifetime of winter fun!

The ski school offers one- or three-hour private lessons with certified and professional instructors to provide the best possible experience, pace and activity for you and your family during these unique times.

With private lessons beginning at just $144 for members, a lifetime of memories awaits when you learn to ski together.

PLEASE NOTE: All tickets, day passes, rental gear and lessons must be

purchased online in advance of your visit. A lift ticket, day pass or season pass is required and is not included with a private lesson. Purchase online at shop.tahoedonner.com.

FOR ANY SKILL LEVEL

Especially this winter, it is important to get out of the house and exercise. Even if it’s been a couple years (or more) since you’ve been on skis, our instructors are excited to give you a refresher course to get you confidently up the lifts and down the slopes.

When it comes to improving, David Walker, Tahoe Donner Ski and Snowboard School Director, shares, “Private lessons provide the best learning experience possible for you and your family.

Our professional instructors will tailor the lesson specifically to you by assessing your abilities and then developing a lesson plan to move you toward a mutual goal in your skiing or snowboarding.”

A FAMILY HOBBY

Skiing can be even more exciting when you do it together as a family. If you are looking for a way to get the kids skilled on the slopes this season, take advantage of a private lesson.

Up to two students are welcome in a one-hour lesson, and up to four students are welcome in a three-hour lesson. If parents are coming along just to ride lifts with the kids, they don’t count as part of that maximum.

CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER LESSONS MORE DOWNHILL SKI RESORT INFORMATION • All students in lessons are required to have a valid lift ticket or season pass.

• Learn more about Tahoe Donner COVID-19 safety rules at tahoedonner.com/covid19.

• All lesson participants must wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth.

• It is required that all children in lessons wear appropriate attire: helmets, waterproof pants, gloves and goggles or sunglasses.

• A parent or responsible guardian is required to remain at the downhill facility during their child’s lesson(s).

• A parent/guardian with a lift ticket and ski/snowboard equipment must accompany children ages 6 and under during their private lesson.

• Instructors will not be riding the chairlift with children in lessons. A parent/guardian with a lift ticket and ski/ snowboard equipment may accompany them during their lesson if desired.

To learn more about private lessons at Downhill Ski Resort, visit tahoedonner.com/downhill.

The crisp clean air, the soaring conifers and the undulating meadows are just a few of the reasons folks love exploring Tahoe Donner trails in the winter.

Whether you are just learning or have years of habits under your belt, consider taking a lesson to smooth out your style, become more efficient on the trails and have even more fun on the snow.

CLASSIC + SKATE SKI STYLES

The traditional “classic” style of cross country skiing tends to be easier to learn and allows beginners to explore the snowy trails quicker than what is typical when learning to skate ski.

Skate skiing demands more finesse and balance and is a fast, fun experience once you get the hang of it.

No matter what mode you prefer or what your level of experience may be, let our instructors teach you the ropes to explore our beautiful snowy trail system and get a great workout without getting tired or frustrated. “We see over and over again that folks appreciate how much more fun they can have out there with some technique improvement tips,” says Andrea Brideau, Cross Country Ski School Director.

LEARN TOGETHER

Make skiing a family affair.

Lessons are available daily for those 7 years and older and must be purchased online at shop.tahoedonner.com.

A lesson for members costs just $85 and includes up to two people in your immediate household in the lesson. For an extra $20 per person, you can add up to three more members from your household. All students in a lesson are required to purchase a cross country day pass unless they have a season pass.

CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS

All of our cross country ski instructors are coached by Professional Ski Instructors of America trainers, and many have also trained with US Ski Team accredited coaches. Our instructors love to share their passion for this sport. Whether you want a classic, skate or refresher course, the ski school is excited to offer private lessons this season.

Sally Jones, Cross Country Ski Area Manager, shares, “From my years of coaching top athletes, it’s clear that none of us are ‘too good’ to not benefit from an expert instructor's eye and tips to become faster and more efficient on our skinny skis.”

MORE CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER INFORMATION

• All students in lessons are required to have a valid cross country day or season pass.

• Masks covering your nose and mouth will be required at all times indoors, around the trailhead, in lines and anywhere physical distancing cannot be maintained.

• Indoor seating will not be available at Alder Creek Adventure Center; the ski industry is encouraging guests to think of their cars as a lodge this year due to indoor restrictions. Alder Creek Cafe is offering delicious to-go options.

• There will be minimal access to the Adventure Center, so be prepared to use an outdoor restroom.

• You will not be able to use indoor facilities to change; this means putting your boots and gear on at your vehicle.

• Read more about ongoing COVID-19 safety efforts at tahoedonner.com/covid19.

To learn more about private lessons at the Cross Country Ski Center, visit tahoedonner.com/xc.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

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THE REPORT

RUN FOR THE 2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY

If you want to make an impact on your association and help guide the direction and success of our mountain community, the Tahoe Donner Board of Directors needs you! One board vacancy will be filled this June. Full- and part-time resident members are eligible to stand for election and are encouraged to apply by April 23 at 10AM.

WHAT IS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS? The board of directors is a five-member team of unpaid volunteers elected to govern the financial management and general operation of Tahoe Donner Association while acting in the best interests of our nearly 25,000 members. Managing a budget in excess of $27 million, the board oversees the physical management of the association’s common areas, operation of the resort amenities and enforcement of the land-use restrictions and architectural standards that create the unique character of Tahoe Donner.

WHAT SORTS OF ISSUES COME BEFORE THE BOARD?

• Determining Annual Assessment dues • Deciding which major projects should be pursued • Governing operations of the association in conjunction with the GM • Deciding on appeals from members who disagree with rule enforcement • Balancing the wants of the membership with the needs of the association

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF BOARD MEMBERS? Board members are elected to a three-year term during which they are expected to attend regular monthly board meetings that usually last an entire day. Significant time is often required to review and research information to prepare for meetings.

Additionally, there are occasional special meetings, and each board member serves as a liaison to one or more of the committees serving the association, all of which meet regularly. Teleconferencing is available for some commitments. Currently, most meetings are being conducted online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

WHO CAN JOIN THE BOARD? Candidates must own at least 25% of a residential property within Tahoe Donner and be in good standing with the association. Full- and part-time residents are encouraged to run. Association employees, those who co-own property with current board members and those who’ve already served two consecutive elected terms of office are not eligible.

THE BOTTOM LINE Being a board member is a valuable and rewarding experience that should be undertaken by those who see it as an opportunity and have the time to serve their fellow neighbors while protecting and enhancing the assets of the community. It is serious business but also a responsibility worth doing well in order to safeguard the investments of every owner.

HOW TO RUN FOR THE BOARD

1 Beginning March 24, download an application packet online at tahoedonner.com/boardelections.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY APRIL 23 AT 10AM TO ELECTIONSCOMMITTEE@ TAHOEDONNER.COM After committee certification of eligibility to serve on the board, candidates are invited to: 2 Submit electronically to the Elections Committee by May 3 at 4PM: • A candidate statement outlining their campaign platform and goals that will be included in the election packet sent to property owners • An introductory video and official campaign photo that will be posted on individual candidate webpages hosted by Tahoe Donner 3 Participate in the Elections Committee-sponsored Candidate Engagement Events*: • Saturday, May 29, 2021 Candidate’s Night Virtual Forum • Saturday, June 5, 2021 Candidate’s Virtual Meet + Greet

For more information, visit tahoedonner.com/boardelections or email electionscommittee@ tahoedonner.com. *All Candidate Engagement Events subject to approval

ENSURE YOU RECEIVE YOUR 2021 BALLOT UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFO AT TAHOEDONNER.COM/CONTACT-UPDATE BY MAY 1.

BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED TO ALL MEMBERS OF RECORD ON MAY 26.

CA Civil Code 4041 requires updated contact info annually.

45-DAY NOTICE JANUARY 19-MARCH 5

PROPOSED ELECTION + VOTING RULES By now, most members should have received by USPS mail a 45-day notice regarding proposed updated Tahoe Donner election and voting rules.

WHY ARE CHANGES NEEDED TO WHAT WE HAVE NOW? Tahoe Donner elections are currently guided by: (i) Election and Voting Rules, (ii) Fair Campaign Guidelines and (iii) the Elections Committee Charter and related timelines and procedures produced by the Elections Committee The current Election and Voting Rules need to be updated to comply with the DavisStirling Act (DSA), which mandates that the Association adopt very specific operating rules to guide elections. These requirements were significantly amended with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 323, a bill that

became effective as of January 1, 2020. SB 323 added additional protections intended to prevent incumbent Boards of Directors from following discretionary election rules that could result in unfair elections. While the required process was followed by Tahoe Donner in the 2020 Election, the standalone Election and Voting Rules were not updated. The current documents that guide elections also do not clearly distinguish between what is a required and enforceable operating rule and what is a guideline or best practice as it relates to an election.

During the 2020 election cycle, which saw a record 49.5% voter turnout, claims were made that, under the existing election rules and fair campaign guidelines, the Board and/or the Elections Committee had a duty to investigate and take action relating to campaign advocacy that occurred outside of Association channels, such as on social media platforms or via electronic mail sent by candidates or members. As such action would conflict with the free speech rights

DAVIS-STIRLING ACT (DSA)

of interested members and candidates and erode the required neutrality of the Association in the administration of the election, it became clear that revisions to all three documents were needed to clarify what the Association’s role is, and is not, in the election process.

DETAILS + PROVIDE FEEDBACK The Elections Committee, with input from members, legal counsel and the Board of Directors, have drafted proposed updates to the election and voting rules, and a 45-day notice was mailed to members in January 2021. You can also view the proposed election and voting rules as well as provide feedback at tahoedonner.com/election-rules-notice.

To ensure the Board of Directors has time to review all member comments, written comments must be submitted by 12PM on March 5, 2021.

TDA GOVERNING DOCS

CIVIL CODE 5100, ET SEQ.

DECLARATION (C&Rs), BYLAWS, ARTICLES

ELECTION RULES

• Required by the DSA and must include mandatory provisions intended to ensure fair elections are administered by the Association • Proposed Draft meets the minimum statutory requirements and must be followed by TDA • Once adopted, are enforceable operating rules

FAIR CAMPAIGN GUIDELINES IN PROGRESS

• Intended to set forth best practices and expectations regarding advocacy and campaigning, as well as clarify that it is not the Association’s role to investigate and determine what is proper decorum or what is true or untrue in campaign advocacy.

• Not enforceable as operating rules, but useful if widely accepted and adopted or endorsed by candidates and their supporters.

• Includes guidelines as to email advocacy, disclaimers for any persons holding positions with TDA, civility, use of social media and other best practices.

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE (EC) CHARTER

COMPLETE

• The Bylaws provide that the Elections Committee’s role is to “… monitor the election process to help assure its fairness and impartiality.”

• This mandate properly relates to the election process administered

by TDA and not the content of campaign advocacy.

• Proposed revised Charter outlines what the Elections Committee does and does not do.

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE ANNUAL TIMELINE + PROCESS

IN PROGRESS

• Developed annually by the Elections Committee and approved by the board.

• Sets annual timeline for the election process and procedures.

• Provides for candidate forums and other outreach opportunities for candidates.

• Board may determine whether EC should or should not be subject to strict open meeting act notice and reporting requirements.

• Outlines timeline for EC to set expectations for an election.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

9

ANNIVERSARY FEATURE

The History of

EUER VALLEY

By ALI DICKSON

The land we know as Euer Valley is celebrated for its

unmatched outdoor recreational opportunities in the sun

and the snow. This ground, though, is more than just a trail destination – the history of this valley is rich with culture, fortune and abundance dating back millions of years.

Photo by Jody Sergison

GEOLOGY Fifty million years ago, the Sierra was a jungle in the tropics of Nevada. Donner Summit was underwater, and the ocean met land in eastern California. As tectonic plates moved, its force and motion created volcanoes. Many artifacts found around Euer Valley were created out of basalt rock, which forms from rapidly cooling lava, and granite rock, which forms when magma and metals oxidize under the ground.

As the tectonic plates around Euer Valley pushed volcanoes into mountains, the new geologic structures generated new, precipitous weather patterns. Rain that gathered soon became snow in high elevations, and that snow compressed into glaciers. As the glaciers grew, their weight caused them to break off the sheer mountain face, forming valleys such as this one.

As the glaciers moved, the mountainous granite was often forcibly chipped away, landing around the edges of glaciers. At the end of Euer Valley, you can find examples of these beautiful and erratic granite boulders, signifying the edge of what was once a powerful glacial formation.

As the glaciers retreated and the combination of rain and erosion created rivers, lakes and tributaries, lichen and moss slowly began breaking down the rocky landscape into soil. This created the basis for the Sierra we know and love with its towering pines, singing songbirds, fleeting deer and rich human culture – such as the Washoe people.

The WASHOE TRIBE and ITS PEOPLE What we know today as Tahoe Donner is part of the ancestral territory of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Washoe, or Washo, known as Wa She Shu and Wašiw, can be translated directly as “the people from here.” Their people spent summers in the Truckee-Tahoe basins and higher Sierra landscapes and winters in the Truckee Meadows area. The center of the Washoe world, both geographically and spiritually, is Da.aw, which we know as Lake Tahoe.

The Washoe spent their time in this valley hunting large game, trapping animals and fishing in waters such as what we know as Donner Lake, Prosser Creek and Truckee River. Plants were gathered to be used for food, medicine and utilitarian purposes. Pine nuts were gathered from pinion pines, and acorns were gathered from oak trees. With these resources, they fed and healed their people throughout the seasons.

With a deep connection to their family and land, they traveled together in the summers to Lake Tahoe and all parts of their territory. In the winters, they remained in the lowland valleys, where the colder weather was the least harsh. As the snow melted, their cycle of life began again.

The Washoe territory was occupied by four different bands that made up the whole of the tribe. This means, while the Washoe people are known as one band, each group had their own area, culture and language qualities.

The 1848 California Gold Rush and subsequent silver rush brought miners and immigrants in a flood, disrupting the balance the Washoe people cultivated for generations. The logging industry thrashed forests, and the destruction of the pines that supplied pine nuts as a critical local food source is just one example of how deforestation hurt more than just the trees. White settlers throughout the 1850s forcibly moved the Washoe people from their lands to small government settlements, such as the arid landscape surrounding Pyramid Lake, Nevada.

Though fewer than 10 people fluently speak the native language of the Washoe people today, they are working diligently to reclaim their language, culture and home once again. Work has been done to re-establish a presence within the Tahoe Sierra, including the harvest and care of traditional plant resources and the protection of traditional properties within this beautiful and cultural landscape.

To learn more about the Washoe people, visit washoetribe.us.

Aerial of Euer Valley | Photo by Tom Lippert TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

11

LOGGING

DAIRY COWS

Following the gold rush and Comstock Lode silver rush of 1859, the area’s metallic treasures were quickly depleted. In 1867, the Central Pacific Railroad, the first transcontinental railroad, was set to head over Donner Summit, and a new “gold” was found in Truckee’s forests. Logging became a trade in Euer Valley, and miners soon became loggers. Truckee’s forests were heavily logged for the railroad to provide fuel, lumber and ties for the roadbed.

Shifting away from logging beginning in the 1860s through the 1930s, dairy farming became a lucrative dynamic in the Truckee area. The Euer family was heavily involved with this practice, starting with Sophary Euer, an immigrant from Switzerland. In 1868, he and his wife, Clara Marie Antonet Lamblet of Wisconsin, began acquiring property in what we see today as Euer Valley.

Truckee loggers haul wood on a wagon in Hobart Mills, a short distance northeast of Euer Valley | Photo courtesy of the Truckee-Donner Historical Society

Once the railroad was completed, the sawmill industry grew exponentially around Truckee, now known as a major lumber center.

The Trout Creek Mill cut 40,000 feet of board daily. To move all this lumber, railroads were created through Carpenter Valley and the North Fork of Prosser Creek. A narrow-gauge railroad was created to accommodate loggers on the southside of Euer Valley and mills such as the Euer Sawmill.

Their generational farm was a B-grade dairy farm that made butters and cheeses. Known as “pan dairies,” the cows’ milk went into circular pans that sat out overnight before being skimmed the next day. These butters were not only created to eat but also to grease the skids of flumes to slide logs into mills when logging was so widespread.

At first, the butters and cheeses were made by hand, but the turn of the century brought more modern equipment that lessened the need for constant manual labor. These technological advances also allowed for land like Euer Valley to once again be viewed in a new scope, such as the lucrative venture of cattle ranching.

Elle Ellen’s Trout Creek Mill in Truckee shows early milling in the area | Photo by H. K. Gage, courtesy of the Truckee-Donner Historical Society

It is believed that the Euer family leased their land for logging as well as owned a sawmill as late as 1908. However, they were also known to be a ranch-dairying family, and as timber harvesting fell out of popular practice due to deforestation, more and more loggers turned to using the land instead as a tool for raising dairy cows.

Newspaper clippings provided by Ellie Huggins

CATTLE and HORSE CAMPS As time passed, many second-generation farmers turned to ranching.

Their use of the land was for beef cattle grazing. Because of the harsh winters, ranching was and tends to be today a seasonal operation. However, moving animals higher in elevation in warmer months and lower in colder months allowed for a more prosperous business.

One major example of this is the Euer family driving cattle over Donner Summit and into Euer Valley. To accommodate these unnatural grazers in alpine environments, sidehill springs were developed and pipelines were installed across the meadow area to provide water both for the grazers and the ranchers as they camped.

TAHOE DONNER OPEN SPACE, PRESERVATION and RECREATION In 2003, a net sale of 200 acres of land was finalized between the Euer family and Tahoe Donner. In 2011, Tahoe Donner acquired an additional 482 acres of land owned by the Euer family, though John and Robert Euer continue to own 40 acres that include family residences and cabins.

What was first a wilderness area, then a source of life for the Washoe people, then a logging site, then dairy farmland and then a cattle landscape now resides as a recreation opportunity for members and guests alike at Tahoe Donner.

In order to address environmental degradations caused by compounded land uses, Tahoe Donner has partnered with the Truckee River Watershed Council to create the Euer Valley Restoration Project. Known to many as Coyote Crossing, the Euer Valley Restoration Project aims to protect sensitive wetland areas, repair Prosser Creek’s streambank erosion and provide sustainable passage for both summer and winter trail users.

A Euer Valley trailride

The Euer Brothers operation soon established recreational horse camps and cabin rentals as part of their business. An advertisement from the 1930s proclaimed, “No poison oak, no rattle snakes and rates of $3 per day for Board and Room.” An extra $3 earned you a trip on horseback through the beautiful, rugged and remote sites of all the valley has to offer.

John and Robert Euer, continuing as Euer Brothers, inherited the valley property from their father in 1973 and continued ranching until the early 2000s.

Coyote Crossing in October 2018 | Photo by Court Leve

As you hike, bike, ski, snowshoe or simply sit among the whispering pines in Euer Valley, you are among more than just nature – you are enveloped in thousands of years of motion, culture, perseverance, medicine, resource and intrinsic beauty that captured the hearts of countless generations.

Cattle graze in Euer Valley in 2013 | Photo by Alyson Stetz

Take a deep breath and feel the ancient wisdom Euer Valley holds.

Let us work together to ensure this land is used, enjoyed and protected for generations to come.

We would like to thank the Truckee-Donner Historical Society for their help in creating this story. To learn more about the history of the Truckee area or volunteer with the society to protect, preserve and share Truckee’s rich history, visit truckeehistory.org.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

13

THE REPORT

DOWNHILL SKI LODGE

PROJECT SURVEY UPDATE Tahoe Donner recently wrapped up an online member survey about the future of the Downhill Ski Lodge. The survey was managed by PROS Consulting, a third-party independent company brought in to assist with the Downhill Ski Lodge Replacement Project. With a loyal following by families and residents as a valued amenity, members gave important insight, including how overcrowding is an issue, food and beverage should be improved and multi-use spaces should be implemented.

In November 2020, Tahoe Donner staff conducted 14 virtual focus groups with 90 members of various backgrounds about the Downhill Ski Lodge. With the ideas and themes that emerged from the focus groups, the member survey was drafted.

KEY FINDINGS • Members feel that public skiers should pay a small fee in addition to the lift ticket price to help pay for the new Ski Lodge

• From respondents who had been to Tahoe Donner Ski Area in the past five years, areas of the Downhill Ski Lodge that should be considered for expansion include the grill and food service area, indoor eating area, bar area, restrooms and outside eating deck

• The most important aspect of the Ski Lodge design decisionmaking process is member enjoyment and satisfaction with well-maintained facilities, followed closely by cost and impact on Annual Assessment

• 81% of respondents say that Tahoe Donner amenities are extremely important or very important

Which aspects of the Downhill Ski Lodge decision making process are important to you as a member? [Select all that apply.]

Member enjoyment and satisfaction with well-maintained amenities

38%

Overall cost and its impact on my assessment

46%

Build a Lodge that can accommodate potential four-season use and year-round activities/ gathering places for the membership

30%

25%

Build a Lodge that accommodates our current ski operations and don't expand services to attract more users 0%

Extremely Important

19%

10%

20%

Very Important

30%

23%

50%

Somewhat Important

60%

70%

Not Very Important

2%

9%

10%

26%

24%

40%

5%

8%

20%

32%

20%

3% 3%

21%

26%

33%

Updating facilities to allow for future growth of the membership as homes are used more regularly

16%

41%

7%

14%

80%

90%

100%

Not At All Important

In what ways do you believe the Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area brings value to our community? [Select all that apply.]

It adds value to my property and to Tahoe Donner

62%

I personally use it for me and/or my family

53%

It is an attraction for our renters/guests

36%

I don't believe it adds value to our community

13% 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

To see additional survey findings from the ski lodge survey, visit tahoedonner.com/downhill-ski-resort-lodge-replacement-project.

Some focus group participants noted that they would be more interested in the project if it had more year-round uses. Listed below are services that Tahoe Donner Members recommended in the 14 focus groups that could be included in the new Downhill Ski Lodge to provide year-round experiences for skiers and non-skiers. Would you or your family/guests use this service?

Note: Services that scored higher will be vetted with business plans by PROS Consulting to explore if it could drive revenue/be financially feasible, add to member enjoyment or work within our existing services prior to any decisions being made.

Walking/biking trails/additional trailhead access Live entertainment area

32%

Sports bar or pub space open year-round

30%

Dining/expanded food service

Picnic areas

21%

Beginner mountain bike park on the ski hill Kids summer camp/youth programs Splash pad + play area for kids

11%

Disc golf course

11%

Meetings/conference area, birthday party area

7%

Dedicated indoor hospitality space

7%

Childcare space

5% 0%

Definitely Would

10%

24%

Probably Would

21%

25%

24% 44%

30%

28% 20%

24%

20%

16%

12%

27%

21%

29%

13%

30%

19%

21%

29%

19%

22%

18%

25%

16%

40%

11% 15%

16%

23%

19%

8%

Adult education series

14%

28%

18%

12%

14%

19%

23%

11%

17%

24%

23%

13%

11%

13%

21%

27%

21%

Top-of-mountain landscaped event area

12%

12%

23%

31%

24%

13%

12%

17%

23%

30%

9%

10%

21%

31%

22%

Year-round member-only swimming pool

19%

28% 32%

25%

Landscaped area for summer outdoor play + events

19%

27%

5% 9%

9%

22%

33%

27%

Mountain adventure park

10%

19%

31%

31%

5%

14%

33%

43%

Year-round outdoor deck/firepit seating area

50%

Might or Might Not

60%

25% 70%

Probably Would Not

80%

90%

100%

Definitely Would Not

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10800 Pioneer Trail, Unit 3, Truckee

served the Truckee-Lake Tahoe area

53 0 5 82.742 8

since 1979. We carry high-quality hardwood flooring and carpet ideal

bassettflooring.com

for your mountain home. Visit us and explore our amazing selection at the Pioneer Commerce Center in Truckee.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

15

THE

BUZZ

XC SKI CENTER HOURS OF OPERATION Trails: 8:30AM-5PM Ticket Counter: 8:30AM-5PM Rentals + Repairs: 8:30AM-5PM

Passes + rentals must be pre-purchased online at shop.tahoedonner.com See daily updates and grooming report at tahoedonner.com/xc

EVENTS. DINING. UPDATES.

The State of California has encouraged skiing and snowboarding as a way to maintain your physical and mental health this winter. A COVID-19 operation and exposure plan is in place for all operations, which includes minimizing the risk of exposure through obtaining adequate physical distancing and changing the capacity of users at all of Tahoe Donner's facilities.

To keep you safe, masks covering your nose and mouth will be required at all times indoors, in the parking lot, around trailheads, in lift lines and anywhere physical distancing cannot be maintained. Day passes, rental gear and lessons must be purchased online. Indoor access will not be available this season. Physical distancing will be enforced at all times.

If we work together to follow all protocols, we can stay open for a safe and fun season. For more information on COVID-19 safety, visit tahoedonner.com/covid19.

SNOWPLAY

TROUT CREEK REC CENTER

HOURS OF OPERATION

HOURS OF OPERATION

Friday: 12:15-4:30PM Saturday + Sunday: 9AM-4:30PM February 15-19 Extended Holiday Hours: 9AM-4:30PM Reservations are required for 75-minute time slots Face masks required in parking lot and at all times when at the amenity Nothing creates family winter memories as fast as whizzing downhill on a sled or tube. It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or a kid at heart – Tahoe Donner Snowplay offers fun for everyone.

Lap Pool: 6AM-7:30PM Recreation Pool: 2-5:30PM Gym: Closed at the time of press

This winter, swim at the Lap Pool or enjoy the Recreation Pool for 90-minute sessions. Gym access is not allowed at this time, but check the web for updates, as state and county guidelines may change quickly. Online reservations are required for all services at the Rec Center at shop.tahoedonner.com. tahoedonner.com/troutcreek

• Must be pre-purchased online at shop.tahoedonner.com

• Pick up at outdoor ticket windows at the front of the building and display on your clothing or ski pole for our ticket checkers to see • Please remember you will need a trail pass to access our snow

LESSONS THIS SEASON

Whether you want a classic, skate or refresher course, the ski school is excited to offer private lessons or tours by the hour. Let our certified and professional instructors help you and your family grow in their ski abilities this season. The pace and activities will be tailored to your needs. Starting at $85 for members. A trail pass is required to participate in a lesson.

RENTALS + REPAIRS

• Rent quality skis, snowshoes and ski demo gear from top brands starting at $20 for kids and $33 for adults • Our repair shop offers waxing and minor repairs to keep your skis sliding at their best • Rental orders must be pre-purchased online

tahoedonner.com/snowplay

DAPHNE HOUGARD

TRAIL PASSES

EQUESTRIAN CENTER BOARDING RESERVATIONS

• Physical distancing will be enforced • Visit tahoedonner.com/xc to learn more

Equestrian boarding reservation applications for 2021 are currently available.

Visit the web for more information or contact kmecham@tahoedonner.com.

RETAIL SHOP

tahoedonner.com/equestrian

tahoedonner.com/xc

Check in with cafe or ticket window staff for access to the retail shop.

Credit/debit card only – no cash.

Operation plans subject to change due to State COVID-19 restrictions. All prices, dates, times and locations are subject to change.

Please visit tahoedonner.com for the latest information.

THE

BUZZ:

DOWNHILL SKI RESORT HOURS OF OPERATION Ticket Office: 8AM-4PM Rentals + Repairs: 8AM-4:30PM Parking Shuttles: 8AM-4:45PM Chairlifts: 9AM-4PM

CLUBS

Tickets + rentals must be pre-purchased online at shop.tahoedonner.com

4 WHEELERS CLUB

LESSONS THIS SEASON

The ski school is excited to offer one- or three-hour private lessons, which allow our certified and professional instructors to provide the best possible experience for you and your family during these unique times. The pace and activities will be tailored to your needs. Starting at $144 for members.

RENTALS + REPAIRS

Take advantage of the demo ski sale starting February 22. Purchase barely used demo skis from Völkl and Rossignol priced well below retail value with bindings included. Völkl styles include Mantra, Kenja, Katana and Yumi. Rossignol includes the Black Ops line and Experience 84. Call ahead to arrange an in-person time to purchase; for fleet availability and more info, call (530) 587-9444.

• Quality rental and demo gear from top brands start at $37 for kids and $52 for adults; discounts apply for multi-day rentals

• Our full-service repair shop offers wax, base repair, grinds and more

RETAIL SHOP

Starting February 1, all retail is 40% off, including gear from Roxy, Quiksilver, BlackStrap, Smith and Anon. Outerwear, base layers, helmets, goggles and gloves.

TD logo t-shirts and sweatshirts as well.

• Rental orders must be pre-purchased online – learn more at tahoedonner.com/downhill

• Masks covering your nose and mouth are required, and physical distancing is enforced at rental and repair shops tahoedonner.com/downhill

BEACH CLUB MARINA VESSEL STORAGE

Kayak/SUP storage will be online April 1-14. You may purchase one of the following products: • 1 kayak spot

• 2 kayak spots

• 1 SUP (stand-up paddleboard) spot • 2 SUP spots

Only one product per property. Multiple-property owners are not permitted to purchase more than one product.

The cost per spot is $225. If our supply exceeds demand, we will run a lottery and return any purchased spots to those members who do not receive a spot in the lottery. Any cancellations will be

charged a $40 fee. Please call or email Ali Kovach at (530) 587-9424 or akovach@tahoedonner.com. tahoedonner.com/marina

Four Jeeps ventured out for some snow wheeling before Christmas, exploring Dog Valley Road and then over Henness Pass Road to Stampede Lake and on to Highway 89. Snow wheeling can make even normally easy roads challenging, as traction is greatly reduced, especially going down hills and on side slopes.

Four-wheel low settings with front and rear lockers on as well as decreased tire pressure helps (studded tires help too). We were well prepared for the adventure with recovery gear, warm clothes and other safety precautions.

Still, it was exciting to watch one of the Jeeps descending the hill from the Crystal Mine with none of their wheels turning. Thankfully it was a slow descent with no turns, so it ended safely.

Staying in snow tire ruts and keeping off the brakes can help keep your vehicle on the road. Forest Service roads are subject to seasonal closures, so check out www.fs.fed.us/ivm/index.html before venturing out. Be mindful of not rutting up the dirt road, so don’t go out when the road surface is soaked and thawed – tread lightly.

We did not need to use our recovery equipment on our snow wheeling trip, but I did get to use it in our neighborhood when a BMW SUV discovered that AWD doesn’t help you turn on an icy intersection, ending up fully engulfed in a snowbank. A shovel and springy tow rope made quick work of getting them out without damage.

Check out TD4Wheelers.org for information on the TD4WD Club.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

17

THE BUZZ: CLUBS CONTINUED

SENIOR ALPINE SKI CLUB

Many of our members rang in New Year’s Day skiing excellent chalky wintery snow at our various local resorts. More storms in January opened more terrain, and we were able to enjoy twice-a-week club ski days at Alpine, Squaw, Northstar and Sugar Bowl. It’s been so wonderful to be able to dive into our winter sports in the Tahoe region and stay active and healthy. We will continue our twice-a-week club ski days through February and March, and we’re all looking forward to some more storms and bluebird powder days.

TD 9-HOLERS CLUB

MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB

This winter, many of us are enjoying Tahoe Donner’s cold-weather recreation opportunities. Our members are grateful to have access to local Nordic and alpine skiing areas as well as snowshoeing trails and our beautiful backcountry.

Hi, everyone! My name is Dustin Young, and I am excited to be starting the Tahoe Donner Mountain Bike Club (TD MTB). As a member of the Trails and Open Spaces Subcommittee in Tahoe Donner, I got to see that an MTB club was high in the polling. With a large population of people who ride bikes on trails in the TD community and based on the polling data that came back from the surveys many of you have taken, the club felt like it was time to get going! As an avid mountain biker and volunteer trail builder, I love the sport! My amazing wife will also be helping as a part of the club.

At the same time, some of our members become “snowbirds” and continue playing golf in warmer climates. We hear, for example, that the golfing is great in Indio, Austin, and the San Diego area. Our members also report that nearby Reno is offering great golfing opportunities on warm days during our “off-season” here.

With a newly formed club, we will need a board and members who can help with getting the web and other parts ready for people to sign up.

The first meeting is tentatively the first week of February, and if you want to attend, please email so I can add you to the list. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out via email at mtbclub@tdmtb.com.

Bill Wang, our club president, presented a three-day club ski excursion to Heavenly Valley at the end of January, and a good time was had by all.

DAPHNE HOUGARD

We all had an incredible experience with the Far West Council last January to Big Sky, Montana, and this year Carlene Tonini-Boutacoff with our Far West Sierra Council is coordinating a fantastic trip to Sun Valley, Idaho January 30-February 6, 2021.

Please visit our website at tdski.com for club information and details for upcoming events throughout the year.

New membership signup is available on our website for the 2020-2021 season. Contact one of the board members or click on the tab to sign up if you would like to join. We are always welcoming enthusiastic new members who enjoy skiing and boarding and the outdoor adventures our region has to offer.

2021 promises to be a better year – enjoy, exercise and let it SNOW!

TD MTB will be a club about community, stewardship, education, clinics and of course some dang fun events! Potentially, a youth group to support the young up-and-coming riders will happen as well. The club will participate in trail events and volunteerism and will hopefully become a cornerstone for the membership to come together, ride bikes, have fun and grow an already amazing Tahoe Donner community.

We’re already planning for next year.

If you have questions about our club or would like more information, contact Club President Judi Roberts at judi@greenroberts.com.

WOMEN’S GOLF CLUB Calling all women golfers … It is a new year, the days are getting longer and we are three months (or so) away from golfing on our newly renovated golf course. Plan to join the TD Women’s Golf Club and enjoy a weekly Tuesday morning play day with a fun group of women. For more information, email tdwgc@gmail.com.

FORM A CLUB! Trail running? Birding?

Photography? We want to support you with developing and promoting your club.

Learn more and get an application at tahoedonner.com/clubs

THE

BUZZ:

meal with take-and-bake chicken nachos for $20 when you pre-order by February 6. Pickup available before the game, starting at 2:45PM.

DINING

Masks covering your nose and mouth must be worn at all times in or around any building at Tahoe Donner. COVID-19 mandates are changing regularly; visit tahoedonner.com/covid19 to confirm operations and hours and get the most up-to-date information.

DOWNHILL SKI GRILL + BAR FEBRUARY HOURS

Take-Out Menu | 11AM-3:30PM Daily

The Lodge Restaurant & Pub offers a hand-picked wine selection, a craft cocktail menu and take-out orders to help you end your day in style. Order dinner, drinks and desserts the whole family is sure to enjoy. For menus, specials and more, visit tahoedonner.com/thelodge.

FEBRUARY HOURS Take-Out | 5-8PM Daily

Hours and availability subject to change – see tahoedonner.com/thelodge for the latest information

$40 FAMILY DINNER NIGHT

Each Thursday in February enjoy a different and exciting take-out dinner for a family of 4 for $40. View the exciting weekly menu online.

This February 14 create an unforgettable date night right at home with a romantic prepared evening for two to pick up at The Lodge. Enjoy three courses including filet mignon, chocolate strawberries and Prosecco. Menu is available online, and pickup times can be catered to your holiday plans. Quantity is limited, so place your order by February 11 online or at (530) 587-9455.

TAKE-OUT BEER, WINE + LIQUOR SALE

BEER: $3 draught beer, including Revision IPA, Fresh Squeezed IPA, Firestone Walker Lager and Nitro Obsidian Stout WINE: 25% off all bottles of wine, including $15 and $20 selections + $12 half-bottles LIQUOR: Full liquor bottles at retail prices with takeout orders and $5- or $10-cocktail specials

Grab the food you need to fuel your time on the slopes while at Downhill Ski Resort! Food may be ordered in person or pre-ordered online.

TAKE-AND-BAKE NACHOS FOR THE BIG GAME

TAHOEDONNER.COM/GRILL-BAR

12850 NORTHWOODS BLVD | (530) 587-9455 | TAHOEDONNER.COM/THELODGE

Let The Lodge prepare a touchdown

FEBRUARY HOURS

AHI TUNA POKE BOWL: Asian Marinated Ahi Poke, Sticky Rice, Cucumber Sunomono, Seaweed Salad, Green Onions, Sriracha Aioli

To order ahead of time for later pickup, secure Edi-Bōls and snag specials, order online via ChowNow at tahoedonner.com/aldercreekcafe.

THAI COCONUT RED CURRY BOWL (Gluten-Free): Organic Tofu (Vegan Option) or Mary’s Natural Chicken, Napa Cabbage, Shiitake Mushrooms, Rice Noodles, Aromatic Herbs

Take-Out Breakfast | 9-11AM Daily Take-Out Lunch | 11AM-4PM Daily Grab-and-Go | 9AM-4PM Daily

Hours and availability subject to change – see tahoedonner.com/aldercreekcafe for the latest info

Located at Alder Creek Adventure Center, Alder Creek Cafe and Trailside Bar offer take-out and grab-and-go orders to fuel your time on the cross country trails, on the slopes or simply at home by the fire. Housemade soups, sandwiches and salads are available daily in addition to beer and wine options.

To learn more about deals at The Lodge and how to order take-out specials, visit tahoedonner.com/thelodge.

EDI-BŌL IS BACK FOR LUNCH Alder Creek Cafe is serving up a bowl of happiness daily for lunch with our winter Edi-Bōl series! Take traditional dishes to the next level with familiar favorites transformed using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Available daily 11AM-4PM while supplies last.

BIG GAME WINGS SPECIAL

Dive into one pound of jumbo chicken wings for the big game on February 7.

Regular wings and housemade honey chipotle barbecue sauce or buffalo-style hot wings and ranch dressing. Celery and carrot sticks included. $12 and packaged to go. Available February 7 starting at 11AM while supplies last. Pre-order online.

15275 ALDER CREEK RD | (530) 582-9686 | TAHOEDONNER.COM/ALDERCREEKCAFE

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

19

All offers listed are valid during non-holiday periods and are not valid with any other promotions or coupons. Offers subject to change.

Nothing complements a cold day better than a hot breakfast, lunch or dinner from Tahoe Donner! Your safety remains our number one priority. A COVID-19 operation and exposure plan is in place for all operations. Part of the COVID-19 operating plan includes minimizing the risk of exposure through obtaining adequate physical distancing, which changes the capacity of users at all of Tahoe Donner's facilities.

VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER FOR TWO

THE REPORT

STORIES TO WARM YOUR HEART + WALLET

COLD WEATHER – WARM HEARTS Sincere thanks go to all the generous members who have donated to this year's Tahoe Donner Giving Fund Annual Appeal, Giving is Living. Your gifts directly benefit those in our community who are struggling with unfortunate circumstances and need some support.

If you have not yet donated, it is not too late to join your fellow Tahoe Donner neighbors in helping the Truckee community. The Tahoe Donner Giving Fund helps to support many wonderful causes. For inspiration, consider the following:

TRUCKEE EMERGENCY WARMING CENTER

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

As we enjoy our families and our cozy, warm homes this winter, some of our Truckee neighbors have no such comforts. Triggered by severe weather forecasts such as temperatures that drop below 15 degrees, the Truckee Emergency Warming Center offers shelter to those in need of a place to take refuge on those bitter, cold nights. 2020 was the third year the Giving Fund awarded grant funds to the EWC to, in your name and from your donations, help care for people who need this life-saving safety net.

You probably know Alondra from her video on the Giving Fund webpage. Through your donations, the Giving Fund has awarded Alondra a modest scholarship each year since her Sierra High graduation in 2016. In December 2020, Alondra graduated from the University of Nevada-Reno. Alondra accomplished her degree in psychology while also being a full-time mother and full-time employee at Sierra Community House. What an accomplishment!

She will begin a master’s program in the near future. There are many capable, ambitious students like Alondra in Truckee who also need our support to meet their career goals.

To view videos about the Emergency Warming Center and student scholarships like Alondra’s, visit tahoedonner.com/giving-fund.

Again, to our GIVING IS LIVING year-end appeal donors, we are so very grateful. If you have the means, please consider joining them in giving this year at givingfund.tahoedonner.com/AA2020.

The Tahoe Donner Giving Fund is chartered by the TD Board of Directors. All contributions are voluntary taxdeductible gifts from TD members and friends. The Giving Fund is administered through the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. For more information on the Giving Fund or to make a contribution, visit our webpage at tahoedonner.com/giving-fund. Contact tdgf@tahoedonner.com with questions or to volunteer for the committee. Thank you to our founding partner, Elements Mountain Company, for their continued support.

FOUNDING PARTNER

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TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

21

THE REPORT

ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON ELECTRIC BICYCLES

By ANNIE ROSENFELD, Director of Risk Management and Real Property

Within the context of the evolution of bicycle technology and the recent outdoor recreation boom, Tahoe Donner is reevaluating a decades-old rule that prohibits “motor-powered bicycles” on association areas. Management intends to develop a widely accepted, sensible and sustainable rule change/clarification recommendation through a transparent process.

• Provide members with a platform through community forums to voice their e-bike hopes, questions and concerns on a full spectrum of rule outcomes, including keeping the existing rule as written, adding language to specify more clearly that motor-powered bikes include e-bikes and including e-bikes on all Tahoe Donner trails

CURRENT STANDING

STAGE 2: USING INFORMATION GATHERED FROM COMMUNITY FORUMS, CONDUCT A SURVEY OF THE WIDER MEMBERSHIP

Because an electric bicycle, or e-bike, is equipped with a small electric motor that assists the rider with speed, uphill travel or a combination of both, it is considered banned under the current rule: Covenants Rules Association Owned Property, section 2.2 Off-Road Vehicles: Snowmobiles, motor-powered bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s), off-road motorcycles and off-road use of any motorized vehicle is prohibited on Common Areas, and other Associationowned properties, except that the Association may use such vehicles in the furtherance of its operations.

OUTREACH CAMPAIGN Member engagement and input are critical to the reevaluation of the current Covenants Rule. Beginning in January, management introduced a member outreach campaign on e-bike usage in two stages:

STAGE 1: EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY FORUMS • Educate members about the e-bike issue through webpages, emails, Tahoe Donner News articles and more

MEMBER FORUMS From January 14-23, six online forums were held based on designated e-bike stances (pro, con and undecided). This allowed for a tailored approach for each stance. The purpose of the forums was to: • Provide members with a platform to express their e-bike hopes, questions, and concerns • Probe to understand the foundation of members’ opinions • Explore members’ thoughts and ideas on ways forward on the spectrum of outcomes of e-bikes on TD trails • Provide opportunity for members to listen to others’ opinions to their own thinking, should they choose, to provide insight and understanding Facilitation held member topics, including e-bike knowledge, foundations of opinion, advantages, disadvantages and tolerance levels, concerning potential rule changes. The information gathered from the forums will be one of many tools used in formulating a summary of findings and recommendations made to the board.

COMMON FORUM QUESTIONS WHY ARE WE RE-EVALUATING THE RULE CHANGE?

Tahoe Donner, as a major landowner within the Tahoe basin, must continually reevaluate policies and management of trail use regulations as advances in technology and recreational demands evolve. The effects of e-bikes on trail systems are not fully known, and because of the rapidly improving technology and increased usage that has occurred in recent years, the existing motor vehicle rule poses a dilemma for management. Clarification of this rule/rule change will allow clearer regulations through better signage and consistent messaging.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON MEMBER E-BIKE USAGE CONCERNS AND BENEFITS? CONCERNS: • Too fast and motorized • Damaging to trails and people • Permitting may allow further motorization of trails + backcountry • Exacerbate damage to public land resources + wildlife • Allow more people on trails, causing overcrowding • Riders can access further areas, minimizing remote experiences • Is a “cheated” and not “real” mountain biking experience BENEFITS:

CON GROUP

• I’m a mountain biker, and I love it. I’m worried about damage to the trails, about excessive numbers of users that will damage trails even more and about safety.

• E-bikes infringe on your ability to have quiet enjoyment, because with e-bikes, they might be coming at you fast from both downhill and uphill.

• Everyone bought into this community knowing motorized vehicles are not allowed. Tahoe Donner has “sort of a contract with its members” regarding non-motorized trail use.

PRO GROUP

• E-bikes help people with mobility issues, health issues, etc. get out on the trails and enjoy the outdoors, get further and have experiences that they would not otherwise be able to experience.

• E-bikes give people the ability to see and experience what they would otherwise not be able to see and experience.

• TD is family-oriented and multi-generational. E-bikes are a natural fit with this character because they help different generations – kids and adults – enjoy the trails together.

COMMONALITIES AT FORUMS • Trail etiquette + improved education

• Environmental and social impact concerns • Increased trail use

• Can be used by older people • Provide accessibility to those that could not otherwise ride a standard bicycle • Bridge multi-generational and ability gaps for individuals and families

NEXT STEPS TIMELINE A timeline of next possible steps include:

• Allow people to ride more often, encouraging better health

• Send survey to membership via email to create summary report in time for board meeting

• Alternative to driving to a trailhead, reducing emissions and fuel consumption

• Deliver research findings and summary reports to the board of directors and membership

• Can create faster access to emergency services

• Board of directors will direct staff based on report

• Can encourage trail stewardship

As progress continues, new information will be communicated through emails, Tahoe Donner News articles, webpages and more. To find the most up-to-date resources and news regarding e-bike usage on Tahoe Donner trails, visit tahoedonner.com/e-bike-rule.

STORIES FROM MEMBER FORUMS UNDECIDED GROUP

• I’m getting older and I want a little extra push up the hill, but I’m undecided because I really only favor Class 1. How do we prevent Class 2 and 3 from showing up?

• As a runner with dogs, those other classes can be dangerous.

• This is not really about e-bikes versus regular bikes. If people want to ride in an unrestricted way, then we need some designated-use trails for bikes only.

WEBPAGE Leading up to the member forums and survey, an e-bike webpage was developed to provide a single source point for members to find a timeline, outreach components, communication participation, resources and more.

As this e-bike process continues, up-to-date information on survey reports, board decisions and more will continue to be added to tahoedonner.com/e-bike-rule.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

23

THE REPORT

COVENANTS COMPLAINTS + ENFORCEMENT 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW

By SHERYL WALKER, Architectural Standards Office Manager Ensuring the peaceful single-family residential nature of Tahoe Donner continued to be the top priority to the Tahoe Donner Board of Directors, Covenants Committee and staff this last year. During the pandemic, staff worked hard to consistently communicate behavior expectations of members and their guests through available digital communication channels, on the phone and in person during the summer at the exterior ASO window while following COVID-19 protocols.

Staff continued to place emphasis on reaching informal resolution, voluntary compliance and education for members and guests on how complaints and violations can be prevented. Staff received a lot of COVID-19related questions, especially regarding state and local travel and visitor restrictions.

NOTABLES DURING THE PANDEMIC • Covenants enforcement continued with seven-day coverage.

• Mike Carr joined the Tahoe Donner team as the Community Relations Inspector in mid-November. The Compliance Inspector position was retitled to Community Relations Inspector to more accurately detail role and responsibilities.

• The after-hours call service phone line maintained coverage during staff furloughs in the spring and assisted on Sundays from mid-August during the Community Relations Inspector vacancy, which was filled mid-November. The Covenants Complaint phone number is (530) 414-8166.

2020 RULES CHANGES

• Seasonal Outdoor Fire Ban Rule was updated to omit the specific Truckee Fire District Ordinance number.

• New and amended Fire Safety and Prevention Rules were updated with regards to stump height and 10-foot branch clearance between roofs.

For more information on the Covenants Rules and Fine Schedule, visit tahoedonner.com/covenants.

A four-year complaints detail summary can be seen below. The top two complaints last year were garbage spills and exterior light pollution that continued from 2019 and into 2020. Garbage spills continue to be the top violation and are increasing over 2019 and previous years with the introduction of rolling carts. The “Community Relations Concern” complaint category continues to inform staff on where to focus education; it is important to know what constitutes a Tahoe Donner Covenants Violation versus a community concern and how to assist members with community resources to resolve these concerns.

COMPLAINT CATEGORY 2017 2018 2019 2020 Garbage Spill

57

66

102

144

Lighting – Exterior Light Pollution

20

63

80

141

Noise

0 5 32 137

Community Relations Concern

36

Parking

15 50 29 72

Noxious Activity

32 63 42 54

Storage

42 70 26 39

Fire Safety

0

20

12

38

STR – Rules

N/A

N/A

4

34

Animal Control

1

21

18

23

Trespassing

0 0 0 16

Forestry

20 5 2 11

Business Activities

3

Trash Dumping

0 0 2 9

Camping

0 1 0 3

Common Area

2

Inoperable Vehicle

1 0 1 2

Drone

54

9

0

35

12

4

N/A N/A 2

135

10

2 2

Dilapidated Vehicle

3 1 2 1

Garbage Misc.

2 1 0 1

Private Property Machinery

2

0

0

1

Storage Misc.

12

0

0

0

Vehicle/Commercial

0 6 2 0

Firearm (BB Gun)

0

Hunting

0 1 0 0

1

0

0

GRAND TOTAL COMPLAINTS 248 437 407 875 GRAND TOTAL ACTUAL VIOLATIONS 141

266

301

512

COVENANTS HEARINGS FINE FEBRUARY Common Area (Off-Road Vehicle) $300

AUGUST Noxious Activity STR

$500

Fire Safety (Campfire Ban)

$1,000

SEPTEMBER

The Covenants Committee met every month last year apart from March at the start of the pandemic closures. The committee sat and presided over a total of 25 hearings in 2020, which is on par with the 23 hearings in 2019. This is a marked decrease over the 55 hearings held in 2018. These meetings are for properties with complaints brought forth that spanned from illegal tree removal, garbage and fire safety concerns during the seasonal fire ban to noxious activities and noise. A summary of heard violations and levied fines can be seen to the left.

No Covenants Hearings Fines were issued in January, March, April, May, June or July.

Forestry Vegetation Removal (Tree Removal), Fire Safety (Debris) $8,000

During the pandemic, we saw a shift in complaint filing with OneStop and telephone use being utilized over the prior year.

Fire Safety (Charcoal BBQ Ban)

$2,000

Fire Safety (Charcoal BBQ Ban)

$1,000

COMPLAINT SOURCE

Garbage Spill 2

$400

Noxious Activity, Noise, Occupancy, Parking STR

$800

Fire Safety (Dumping of Ashen Material) Noxious Activity, Noise STR $1,800 Fire Safety (Defensible Space)

$2,000

OCTOBER Fire Safety (Fireworks), Noxious Activity STR

$2,400

Fire Safety (Dumping of Ashen Material), Noxious Activity STR $3,000 Noxious Activity, Noise STR

$1,400

Noxious Activity, Noise STR

$400

NOVEMBER

Staff

105 70 94 158

OneStop

82 111 83 221

Email

39 152 121 338

In Person at ASO

11

Telephone

11 81 80 129

Forestry

3 3 1 15

28

14

MONTHLY COVENANTS COMPLAINTS

170

2017

160

2018

150

2019 2020

140 130 120 110

$800

100

Noxious Activity, Noise

$400

90 80

Noxious Activity, Exterior Light Pollution STR

$400

70

Noxious Activity, Noise STR

$-

60

Garbage Spill 2 and 3 STR

$400

Garbage Spill 2

$400

DECEMBER

50 40 30 20

$400

10 0

Fire Safety (Gas Firepit without Screen)

$1,000

Fire Safety (Defensible Space)

$1,000

Fire Safety (Defensible Space)

$1,000

Fire Safety (Defensible Space)

$1,000

GRAND TOTAL

20

GRAND TOTAL COMPLAINTS 251 437 407 875

Noxious Activity, 45-Minute Response Time STR

Noxious Activity STR

2017 2018 2019 2020

$31,800

Jan

Feb

March

April

May

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS

We saw three long-standing members of the committee step down, including Fred Zapponi (acting chair), JoAnn McDermott and Lou Ashcraft. We wish to thank them for their many years serving on the committee and their dedication to Tahoe Donner.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

25

THE REPORT

ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS CONSTRUCTION 2020 YEAR-END PERMIT STATS AT A GLANCE

By SHERYL WALKER, Architectural Standards Office Manager Home improvement projects for 2020 showed a significant increase in relation to the prior year due to factors relating to the pandemic.

With more people calling Tahoe Donner home over the summer and an increase of new members, staff saw a marked uptick in all types of maintenance, home updates and renovation projects throughout the summer—from outdoor kitchen projects and deck extensions to 40 new houses being proposed for 2020, compared to only 22 in 2019. This activity level achieved record status over the last 13 years in Tahoe Donner and exceeds the pre-recession level back in 2007 when we began this type of recordkeeping. The Architectural Standards Office (ASO) staff members saw 411 projects submitted in 2020, an increase of 96 over the prior year.

2020 ASO HOUSE PROJECTS

HIGHLIGHTS • 411 total permit applications in 2020 compared to 315 in 2019 (+130%) • 318 total permits issued in 2020 compared to 296 in 2019 (+107%) • Total projects per permit category: • Major: 35 57 submitted in 2020, up from 26 in 2019 (+219%) • Minor with Neighbor Notification: 28 35 submitted in 2020, up from 29 in 2019 (+121%) • Minor without Neighbor Notification: 113 144 submitted in 2020, up from 110 in 2019 (+131%) • Maintenance: 142 167 submitted in 2020, up from 143 in 2019 (+117%)

40

• 40 new homes submitted, averaging 2,788 square feet

35

NOTABLES

30

• Houses: 40

• Roofs: 30

• Additions: 15 • Garages: 4

• ARGCE (Animal-Resistant Garbage Can Enclosures): 28

• Garages with Addition: 4

• Driveway Projects: 19

• Deck Projects: 53

• Siding: 13

• Paint/Stain: 36

• Patios: 10

25 20

38

35

15

29

30

34

31

22

10

15

5 0

40

13

9

2020 ASO PROJECTS CREATED

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

450 400

2020 PERMITS ISSUED

350 45%

300 250

11%

200 150

9%

100

411

395

276

256

323

308

327

327

315

192

50

35%

0

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

PERMIT CATEGORIES COMPARISON 2019 2020

9% 11%

MAJOR PROJECTS

10% 9%

34%

47%

35%

MINOR PROJECTS WITH NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION

45%

MINOR PROJECTS WITHOUT NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION

MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

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TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

27

THE REPORT

CHANGES TO TRUCKEE’S SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM

By THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE

The new year brings several important changes to Truckee’s shortterm rental program, including the implementation of Truckee’s new Short-Term Rental Ordinance, a new annual registration process for all short-term rental (STR) properties and a change in tax rates. If you are an STR manager, Town staff would like to ensure you have the information you need to be ready for these important changes.

Occupancy Taxes. Operators have until March 31, 2021, to register for their Annual Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate.

ORDINANCE, ANNUAL REGISTRATION + ENFORCEMENT

• NOISE: Quiet hours are required between 10PM and 7AM.

On October 13, 2020, Truckee Town Council unanimously voted to adopt a new Short-Term Rental and Noise Ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to create rules to address nuisance issues associated with STRs. It also creates the framework to register STR operators and enforce the new regulations. The full ordinance is available at townoftruckee.com/str.

The Town began the process of creating the new ordinance and registration program in early August in response to heightened community interest and concern regarding the impact of shortterm rentals on Truckee’s residential neighborhoods. The Town received and considered over 400 public comments during the ordinance development process, representing one of the highest levels of participation the Town has ever received on a single project.

WHAT DOES THE NEW ORDINANCE MEAN FOR STR OPERATORS?

Beginning in January, all short-term rentals are required to apply and obtain a new Annual Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate, pay a $400 non-transferable annual fee, adhere to new STR requirements and continue to collect and remit quarterly Transient

Short-term rental requirements apply to a registered property at all times regardless of whether the property is being used as a short-term rental on a given day. Some key requirements of the new ordinance are listed below: • TRASH COLLECTION: Each rental is required to have a weekly two-bin garbage service, and a bear bin will be required at each rental after October 31, 2021. Accumulation of trash outside a rental is prohibited.

• OCCUPANCY LIMITS: No more than two people per bedroom plus two additional people are permitted, excluding children under the age of 13.

• PARKING: On-site paved parking is required, and no parking is permitted on the street or in an unpaved area.

• FIRE SAFETY: Working fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, visible address numbers and defensible space will be required at each rental. Truckee Fire Protection District may conduct an inspection once every three years to ensure compliance with these requirements.

• BARBECUES AND FIRE PITS: Charcoal grills, wood-burning pits, bonfires and campfires are prohibited. Natural gas and propane grills and fire pits are permitted if set back 10 feet from any structure or combustible material.

• SPECIAL EVENTS: Weddings, corporate events, commercial functions and similar events are prohibited unless such events comply with all STR requirements, including occupancy limits, parking and noise.

TOWN OF TRUCKEE STR HELPLINE – (530) 450-2430

REPORT STR VIOLATIONS INCLUDING NOISE, TRASH, PARKING AND MORE

The Town of Truckee’s short-term rental ordinance is intended to strike a balance between welcoming visitors to Truckee while reducing nuisance issues associated with short-term rental properties. Please utilize the Helpline if you wish to report a property that is in violation of the short-term rental ordinance.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR STR ENFORCEMENT?

• 24/7 HELPLINE: A 24/7 Short-Term Rental Helpline is available to report STR compliance issues at (530) 450-2430 or townoftruckee.com/strhelp.

• DESIGNATED CONTACT PERSON: To ensure that complaints are promptly resolved, each short-term rental operator is required to designate a contact person who will be available by telephone to respond to complaints regarding the property. If a violation is reported, the helpline or Town staff will call the property’s designated contact person. The designated contact person must respond to the helpline by phone within 30 minutes and cause the violation to be resolved within 60 minutes.

Following a citation, violation or fine for a period of one year, the operator will be required to designate a local contact person who is available to respond to the property in-person within 60 minutes. During this period, following contact, the local contact person will be required to be physically present at the rental within 60 minutes to resolve the violation.

• PENALTIES: Both guests and property owners may be cited and fined for non-compliance with citations up to $500 per day for the first violation and up to $1,000 per day for subsequent violations. After three strikes, a rental’s registration certificate will be revoked and no new certificate will be issued for 12 months.

NEW TAX RATES WENT INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1

On November 3, 2020, an overwhelming 84.5% of Truckee voters cast ballots in favor of Measure K, the local ballot measure that increased the Transient Occupancy Tax rate from 10% to 12% on January 1, 2021. The TTBID (Tourism Fee) decreased from 2% to 1.25%, bringing the total guest levy to 13.25%. Please note that any rental night after December 31, 2020, must be assessed at the new total rate of 13.25% regardless of when the reservation was made.

The Transient Occupancy Tax that the host collects on the Town’s behalf is essential to providing the amenities and services that support the Town. Measure K will provide locally controlled funding to support and enhance general Town services such as implementing programs and incentives to meet community housing needs, preparing for wildfires and other natural disasters and working with partners to acquire and permanently preserve natural open space lands. Learn more about Measure K and the use of Transient Occupancy Tax funds at townoftruckee.com/measurek.

Should you have any questions concerning the STR Ordinance or Transient Occupancy Tax, please visit townoftruckee.com/str or contact Town of Truckee Transient Occupancy Program staff at (530) 582-5280 or tot@townoftruckee.com.

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TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

29

THE REPORT

BRIEFS NEW DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, ACCOUNTING + BUSINESS SUPPORT

and Beverage (F+B). Turner brings nearly 30 years of executive culinary experience and will oversee Tahoe Donner’s restaurant offerings.

CURRENT CALIFORNIA STATE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS At the time of press, the Town of Truckee has met the criteria to exit the Regional Stay Home Order and is now open for travel and lodging in the PURPLE tier. To find the most up-to-date coronavirus information at Tahoe Donner, visit tahoedonner.com/covid19.

We are excited to announce the hiring of Todd Martyn-Jones as Tahoe Donner’s new Director of Finance, Accounting and Business Support.

As always, masks are required anywhere physical distancing cannot be maintained within the association. If we all work together and do our part to uphold necessary regulations, we can have a year full of safe and unforgettable family memories this 2021!

With 25 years of related experience, Todd recently comes from ASM Global, overseeing financial operations for the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno Events Center, National Bowling Stadium and Reno-Sparks Livestock and Events Center. Since moving from Sydney, Australia to the U.S. in 2005, Todd held multiple controller and finance director positions within the ski industry, including Homewood Mountain Resort, Sugar Bowl Academy and Mount Bachelor, and within the product distribution sector.

While in Australia, Todd juggled a career with Philips Electronics while sailing competitively.

Todd is a passionate skier who also enjoys seeing live music and playing golf. He is married to his wife Michelle and is the proud father of Oliver and Sophia.

NEW DIRECTOR OF FOOD + BEVERAGE Tahoe Donner is pleased to announce Steve Turner as the new Director of Food

Graduating from San Diego State University, Turner entered the restaurant business with his father as co-owner and operator of three restaurants in Southern California—The Saddle Back Inn Bar & Grill, The Lighthouse Cafe and Skinny Haven. In 1993, Turner began a long career as director of F+B at several ski resorts including Sierra-at-Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain and Vail Resorts at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Recently, Turner served as senior director of F+B operations for Lake Tahoe’s Caesars Entertainment where he successfully opened Lake Tahoe’s first celebrity restaurant, Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen.

Turner and his wife Lorraine are longtime Tahoe locals. During the shoulder seasons, they love to travel to Napa and Sonoma for wine tasting and dining experiences.

STAY OFF THE GOLF COURSE Recreating on the golf course is not allowed at any time in the off-season. To enjoy your time on the snow this season, find your adventure at the Cross Country Ski Center, Downhill Ski Resort or Snowplay sledding/ tubing hill.

A FEW REMINDERS THIS WINTER • Only park in designated parking areas in the winter. The Truckee Police Department enforces a winter parking ban effective from November 1 through April 30.

Violators may be towed or ticketed.

• The golf course is closed to all access in the winter months.

• A pass is required to access the trails and terrain within our ski area boundaries, and access to the ski area terrain outside of operational hours is prohibited.

• Dogs are not allowed at the ski areas except for on designated trails at the Cross Country Ski Center with a dog season pass when dog trails are open.

• If you are looking for somewhere to walk or take the dog, there are many alternative areas that do not require an access fee. Check out our Bermgarten Trailhead, Truckee River Legacy Trail, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land or Donner Memorial State Park.

• It is recommended that backcountry users receive education about the dangers of backcountry travel and avalanche safety. Learn more about Tahoe Donner backcountry access at tahoedonner.com/backcountry-skiing.

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TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

31

THE REPORT

BOARD MEETING RECAPS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING December 18, 2020

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

Friday, February 26, 2021 – Regular Board Meeting Friday, March 26, 2021 – Regular Board Meeting Friday, April 23, 2021 – Regular Board Meeting Friday, May 28, 2021 – Regular Board Meeting

ACTION: Consent Calendar – Board approval, 5 – 0 Committee/Task Force – No action ACTION: Resolution to Recognize Bill Houdyschell, 5 – 0 • The Board of Directors recognized Bill Houdyschell by ratifying a resolution and naming the Forestry Facility after Bill.

Board meeting dates subject to change. Visit tahoedonner.com for dates.

UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS

DISCUSSION: Tahoe Donner Giving Fund Committee • Suzanne Sullivan updated the Board with the grants that have been awarded to non-profits.

Monday, February 1, 2021 – General Plan Meeting Monday, February 8, 2021 – Downhill Ski Lodge Meeting Monday, February 8, 2021 – Giving Fund Meeting Thursday, February 11, 2021 – Finance Meeting Thursday, February 11, 2021 – Covenants Meeting Wednesday, February 17, 2021 – Architectural Standards Meeting

DISCUSSION: General Manager Update • General Manager, along with staff, provided an update on the summer programs, Lodge at Downhill Ski, Capital Projects, Strategic Plan, COVID-19 and TSSA-1.

To get meeting details, including Zoom meeting registration information and time, please send an email to rbennett@tahoedonner.com.

DISCUSSION: Financial Update – No action ACTION: Investment Policy 2015-5, 5 – 0 ACTION: Committee Appointments/Reappointments • Architectural Standards Committee, 5 – 0; reappointments approved and the appointment of Graham Reid.

• Covenants Committee, 5 – 0; reappointments approved and moved Michael Paparian to a regular member from an alternate.

• Elections Committee, 5 – 0; reappointments approved and the appointment of Charlene Simmons.

• Giving Fund, 5 – 0; an extension was approved by the Board to January for the reappointments of the committee members and new appointments.

Go to tahoedonner.com/boardmeetingdocs to see presentations or complete video recordings of past meetings. To provide feedback to help improve the overall association, please submit your comments and concerns to tahoedonner.com/feedback.

HOMES ON THE RISE

The Architectural Standards Committee reviewed the following plans in December 2020.

UNIT/LOT ADDRESS

SQ. FT.

PROJECT

DISCUSSION: 1997-5 Resolution Procedures for Member Appeals from Covenants and Architectural Standards Committee Decisions • Board consensus for staff to submit an updated version of the resolution for Board approval at the January meeting.

01/34+35 11137 Bolzano Drive

4,160

House/Garage

05/237

13921 Copenhagen Drive

3,414

House/Garage

06/374

14485 Wolfgang Road

3,308

House/Garage

10/265

13177 Muhlebach Way

1,921

House/Garage

DISCUSSION: 2021 Elections Fair Campaign Guidelines • Board consensus to provide three documents at the January 8 special meeting. Election Rules, Fair Campaign Guidelines and the Elections Committee Charter.

11/278

11516 Sun Valley Road

2,645

House/Garage

COVENANTS VIOLATIONS HEARINGS

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING January 8, 2021 DISCUSSION/ACTION: Elections • Election Rules, 5 – 0; the Board of Directors approved the Election Rules to go out for 45-day notice to the membership for comments.

• Elections Committee Charter, 5 – 0; the Board of Directors approved the amended charter.

The Covenants Committee heard the following violations in December 2020.

STREET

VIOLATION

FINE

Viking Way

Noxious Activity – Noise (STR)

$400

Oslo Drive

Fire Safety – Gas Fire Pit w/o Screen (STR) $1,000

Northwoods Blvd.

Fire Safety – Forestry Defensible Space

$1,000

Northwoods Blvd.

Fire Safety – Forestry Defensible Space

$1,000

Innsbruck Avenue

Fire Safety – Forestry Defensible Space

$1,000

PENDING – 5 DAYS ON MARKET!

14181T YROLROAD.COM | 3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,106 SF | LISTED FOR $1,015,000 Here’s a wonderful retreat offering all the accoutrements you would expect from mountain living! Located in a prestigious area and immaculately maintained, enjoy a fabulous floor plan with a large great room filled with windows, chef’s kitchen, spacious dining and easy living plus luxurious master suite with remodeled bath and powder room on the main living floor. Add a cozy loft plus office area too! Downstairs offers two bedrooms, full bath and laundry. Sunny front and rear decks plus large spa, BIG garage, flat lot, plenty of storage. Welcome to your new Tahoe Donner lifestyle!

Selling? Alison and Elder Group Deliver Results.

TAHOE DONNER AGENTS

TAHOE DONNER UNITS SOLD

Januar y 1, 2 013 - December 31, 2 02 0

Januar y 1, 2 02 0 - December 31, 2 02 0

70

67

$52,570,486

65 60

Realtor #5 107 Units $66,800,000

55 51.5

50

Alison Elder 456.5 Units $305,360,000

Realtor #4 130 Units $79,710,000

Realtor #3 161.5 Units $98,390,000

45 40 35 30

30

28

27

Agent 3

Agent 4

Agent 5

25 20 15 Realtor #2 218.5 Units $139,340,000

10 5 0

Information gathered from TSMLS 1/1/2013-12/31/2020. Volume has been rounded up to the nearest $10,000 for ease of reader review.

Alison Elder

Agent 2

Information gathered from TSMLS 1/1/2020 - 12 /31/2020.

Alison Elder

ELDER GROUP TAHOE REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Advisor, Partner 530.582.8103 Tahoe@AlisonElder.com ElderGroupTahoeRealEstate.com ©2021 Corcoran Global Living. All rights reserved. Each office is independently owned and operated. Corcoran Global Living fully supports the principals of the Fair Housing Act. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing. CA DRE License #01399851

TAHOE DONNER ASSOCIATION 11509 NORTHWOODS BLVD. TRUCKEE, CA 96161

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