








Dear Tahoe Keys Residents,
Following the recent demolition of the indoor pool deck, it was discovered that the existing drainage system is severely corroded and beyond repair. As a result, a full replacement of the system is necessary, which now requires involvement from a mechanical engineer and the acquisition of city permits.
This added scope of work will unfortunately extend the pool/spas closure beyond the previously anticipated Memorial Day reopening. We understand this is disappointing news and appreciate your patience as we navigate these unforeseen challenges. Once we have the mechanical engineer plans and city permits, we will have a timeframe for reopening and will notify residents via email.
Our staff is actively coordinating with the pool contractor to expedite the process and ensure that the upgraded facility is completed as efficiently as possible. We look forward to welcoming you back to an improved indoor pool experience soon.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
2024–2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Keys Breeze is the official monthly publication of the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA), which is located at 356 Ala Wai Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Each membership parcel receives one subscription to Keys Breeze mailed to a domestic address. Cost to produce and distribute this publication is offset by advertising revenues and budgeted funds. The inclusion of advertising in this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association or its Board of Directors of the projects, services or views contained therein.
356 Ala Wai Boulevard South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (530) 542-6444 p (530) 541-2521 f tkpoa.com
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HOURS 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mon–Fri 10:00 am to 2: 00 pm, Sat & Sun
TAHOE KEYS PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Hallie Kirkingburg General Manager, ext. 224
Heather Blumenthal Operations Manager, Ext. 228
Linda Callahan
Architectural Control Dept. Manager, Ext. 239
John Cefalu
Facilities Director, Ext. 226
Security (530) 545-0847
Water Company (530) 318-4268
Kristine Lebo
Water Quality Manager, Ext. 241
Front Desk Attendant Ext. 221
Water Quality Ext. 275
Dave Peterson, PRESIDENT
Peter Grant, VICE PRESIDENT
Bryan Welsh, TREASURER
Sabine Litten, SECRETARY
Joby Cefalu, DIRECTOR
Bonnie Halleran, DIRECTOR
Mark Acri, DIRECTOR
Power outages can occur at any time of year and for many reasons. It is important to be prepared for potential power outages, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). A PSPS is a last-resort safety procedure utilized by electric utilities to proactively turn off power when and where conditions present an increased wildfire risk. Staying informed is an important part of being prepared. Liberty will attempt to provide customers who may be impacted with information about the potential or active outage, using the contact information on file. If a customer’s account has incorrect or missing contact information, the customer may not receive outage information directly. Liberty encourages customers to confirm and update their contact information by calling customer service at 1-800-782-2506 or through My Account:
Liberty has additional communication safeguards for customers who may be more vulnerable, including Access and Functional Needs (AFN) customers and Medical Baseline (MBL) customers. AFN customers include individuals who are or have physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities; chronic conditions or injuries; limited English proficiency; older adults; children; people living in institutionalized settings; low-income, homeless, or transportation-disadvantaged including, but not limited to, those who are dependent on public transit; or pregnant.
If a customer or someone in their household falls into any of these categories, they are encouraged to self-identify at https://libertyutilities.com/afn/english/. When customers self-identify as AFN, Liberty will attempt to provide early and more frequent notifications about potential PSPS events as well as provide information about assistance programs.
MBL customers include those who have special energy needs due to qualifying medical conditions. Certified MBL customers receive an increased baseline allowance that is charged at the lowest possible rate. In addition, MBL customers may receive early and more frequent notifications about potential PSPS events and prolonged outages. Customers must certify or recertify as MBL to receive or continue receiving these benefits. For more information on the application and certification processes, please visit https://libertyutilities.com/mbl/.
Liberty encourages customers to update their contact information to receive important outage information. Liberty works hard to support its customers and encourages those who may qualify as a MBL or an AFN customer to please visit https://libertyutilities.com/ psps/ to learn more and register or call 1-800-782-2506 for more information.
Schedule your annual health care visit with your primary care provider to help find problems early or prevent health problems before they occur.
Recommended Health Screenings:
• Wellness visits, starting at 18 years old, screen for heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes, liver disease and other diseases.
• Colonoscopies provide early detection of colon cancer and help to remove pre-cancerous polyps.
• Wellness Lab Panels help monitor cholesterol levels, detecting risk for heart attacks, heart disease and strokes.
Discuss bothersome urinary symptoms and male reproductive health concerns with your primary care provider or seek an evaluation from a Urologist.
bartonhealth.org
A hernia occurs when the stomach, intestine, or other organ in your abdomen pokes through a tear or weak spot in the muscle. It might feel like a lump in your groin or lower belly. The bulge may hurt when you cough, lift something heavy, or strain when using the bathroom.
Some people are born with hernias. Other risk factors include age, lifting heavy objects, obesity, frequent diarrhea or constipation, and chronic coughing or sneezing. Sometimes an organ may push through a previous incision if you’ve had surgery in your abdomen. Or if you participate in an activity involving fast twists and turns, such as snow shoveling or ice hockey, the motion can tear soft tissues in your groin area.
Different types of hernias occur in different areas of the body:
• Groin or inguinal hernias are the most common type and usually occur in men.
• Babies can have umbilical hernias if the muscles around the belly button don’t join properly.
• Hiatal hernias can cause heartburn or acid reflux disease. They develop when the stomach bulges upward through a wall of muscle into the chest.
Talk with your care provider if you think you have a hernia. Some hernias, including groin hernias in men, can delay being treated until they cause pain.
Surgery can relieve symptoms. It also prevents a strangulated hernia, a rare but serious complication when the misplaced organ loses its blood supply and dies.
A minimally invasive surgery can move the organs back to the right spot with less scarring and pain than traditional surgery. Most hernia operations are successful — and you should notice significant improvement after one to two weeks.
Dr. Stephen Osterberg, a board-eligible general surgeon, provides surgical care for patients of all ages. He specializes in minimally invasive procedures and is certified in the da Vinci Xi® surgical unit, the most recent, state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgery method. Learn more about general surgery services at BartonHealth.org or by calling 530.543.5691.
We are thrilled to announce that Jill Douglas has won the 2025 Keys Life Tahoe White Photo Contest! Her striking image of a coyote near the entrance to the Tahoe Keys beautifully captured the quiet drama of winter wildlife in our neighborhood.
Jill Douglas is originally from Lafayette, California. She and her husband have been part of the Tahoe Keys community for over 30 years. Her family previously owned a home elsewhere in the neighborhood, where they created countless treasured memories.
Professionally, Jill was a healthcare lobbyist before changing careers about 25 years ago. She now works as a personal assistant to a philanthropist. Her love of photography comes from her father, a passionate hobbyist who passed down both his camera and his artistic eye. Jill has moved from film to DSLR to now using her iPhone to capture meaningful moments.
The winning photo was taken March 30, 2024, as she and her husband approached the stop sign at Tahoe Keys Blvd and Vencie Drive. Jill spotted the coyote, asked her husband to stop the car, rolled down the window, and snapped about 10 quick shots. One of them now hangs on canvas in their Tahoe Keys home.
Thank you Jill for sharing your talent – and to all who submitted entries. Stay tuned for details on our upcoming Tahoe Color photo contest for Spring!
6th
7th
By Heather Blumenthal, Operations Manager
BOARD ACTIONS
• Convened the meeting to the Inspector of Elections to tabulate ballots for the Islanders 1 and Lighthouse Shores Subdivision Special Assessment votes.
BOARD ACTIONS
• Reviewed 0 Personnel Matters
• Reviewed 2 Legal Matters
• Reviewed 0 Member Disputes and Disciplinary Matters
• Reviewed 0 Contracts
BOARD ACTIONS
• Reviewed 0 Personnel Matter
• Reviewed 10 Legal Matters
• Reviewed 1 Member Disputes and Disciplinary Matters
• Reviewed 1 Contracts
• Authorized initiation foreclosure of lien for APN 022-281-002000, 022-301-011-000, 022-061-029-000, and 022-421-068000
• Authorized initiation of non-judicial foreclosure for APN 022321-037-000 and 022-061-048-000.
BOARD ACTIONS
• Approved the resolution to record the lien for account #0879-01, 0914-01, 1014-02, 1093-01, 1127-01, and 1394-01.
• Approved GVD Renovations Inc. for the Islanders 1 Exterior Remodel Project for a cost not to exceed $525,000 to be funded through the Islanders 1 Reserve Special Assessment.
• Approved Garden Art Landscape and Design for the Lighthouse Shores (LHS) Front Entrance Landscaping Project
for a cost not to exceed $20,000 to be funded through the LHS Reserve Special Assessment.
• Approved Tony Dumalag Constructors for the Cove 2A Balcony Project Phase 3 for a cost not to exceed $109,960 to be funded by Cove 2A Reserve account 19840.
• Approved G-Pro Construction for the Cove 3A Single Story Fence Replacement Project for a cost not to exceed $12,500 to be funded by Cove 3A Reserve account 19827.
• Approved G-Pro Construction for the Cove 3B Single Story Fence Replacement Project for a cost not to exceed $12,500 to be funded by Cove 3B Reserve account 19827.
• Approved G-Pro Construction for the Cove 5 Balcony Replacement Project for the 14 yellow tagged balconies, for a cost not to exceed $381,593 to be funded by Cove 5 Reserve account 19974.
• Appointed Daniel Moore, Paul Gianoli, Joe Giacalone, Bruce Richards, Greg Gunsky, and Kara Potter to the St. Moritz Bulkhead Committee.
• Created a Bavarian Isle Bulkhead Committee, to appoint Mel Meyers as the Chairperson, and to appoint Dave Peterson as the Board liaison.
• Appointed Karin Lovett to the Keys Lifestyle and Activities Committee.
• Directed Staff to obtain a second opinion on the cost to redo the Venice Tennis Court with the information from the geotechnical report and to look at other use options for the area, at possibly relocating the courts to a different location, and to obtain a bid for demolition.
• Approved Aquatic Harvesting Inc. for the 2025 weed harvesting season for a cost not to exceed $204,000 to be funded from Water Quality operating account 18431.
• Approved the Delegation of Authority Resolution to authorize the General Manager and any two officers of the association to review and execute documents, or instruct vendors to address unforeseen or unexpected or unbudgeted maintenance work involving danger to persons, property, or interruption of important services or access, in the common area or common facilities, or in areas of the townhome subdivisions without the Board’s consent for an amount not to exceed $25,000 per single event.
• Adopted proposed changes to the Tennis and Pickleball Rules and approved additional changes for the pickleball court closing time and prohibition of music speakers for a 28-Day membership review period.
ACC Meetings are held on Tuesdays
January 14
April 8
July 1, 15, 29
October 7
February 11
May 6, 20
August 12, 26
November 4
March 11
June 3, 17
September 9, 23
December 2
All meetings are held at the Pavilion and begin at 9:00 am unless otherwise posted. ACC application submittals are due by Wednesday prior to the meeting date. For more information, please contact Linda Callahan, ACD Manager, at (530) 542-6444, ext. 239, or lcallahan@tahoekeyspoa.org.
This is a friendly reminder that the second quarter assessment was due April 1st, 2025! Please be sure to check your account statement and disclosure documents for the 2025 Budget and Quarterly Assessment amount. The information needed to set up assessment payments can be found below and is listed on your quarterly statement.
1. ClickPay – FirstService Residential’s online payment service provider. You can access ClickPay by visiting https://login.clickpay.com/firstservice. Please note that ClickPay charges a service fee depending on form of payment.
2. Bill Pay – Your bank’s bill pay service. If using this service, please enter the following: name, address, and include your 8-digit Account Number on your bank’s website when using its bill pay service:
Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association c/o FirstService Residential PO Box 30354, Tampa, FL 33630
Please note that your account number with FirstService is different from your previous TKPOA account number. Your FirstService account number is the same as the Customer ID number listed on your quarterly statements.
3. Paper Check – Mail a Check to the address above. Include your FirstService remit slip from your monthly statement and your 8-digit FirstService/TKPOA account number.
By default, the assessment statements are sent as a hard copy; if you would like to sign up to receive your future assessment statements electronically, please navigate to: https://estatements.welcomelink.com/ fscalifornia to sign up.
Q: How are assessment charges applied to my account? A: Regular quarterly assessments are due based on the following schedule each year:
• First Quarter due January 1st, considered delinquent if received after January 30th.
• Second Quarter due April 1st, considered delinquent if received after April 30th.
• Third Quarter due July 1st, considered delinquent if received after July 30th.
• Fourth Quarter due October 1st, considered delinquent if received after October 30th.
Assessment charges, for regular or special assessments, are not applied to owner accounts until the respective due dates. Using the regular quarterly assessment as an example, the first quarter assessment will not be charged to an owner’s account until the January 1st due date.
Q: When do late fees and interest charges apply?
A: Late fees and interest charges begin accruing 30 days after the assessment due date. Collection charges begin accruing after 45 days. Please reference the regular quarterly assessment schedule.
Q: What happens if I pay my assessments early?
A: Early payment of assessments is not required, however, for those owners who choose to pay their assessments prior to the due date, a credit will temporarily show on your account until the assessment due date.
Q: How should I make my check out for my assessment payments?
A: Checks and online bank bill pay payments should be made out to the: Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association or TKPOA.
Note: To ensure your payment is applied correctly to your account, include your Tahoe Keys account number in the check memo section for check and online bill-pay payments submitted.
Q: There are multiple charges on my account. What are they all for?
A: Reference the Statement Outline below:
• Townhome Assessment – for townhome owners only, this is the Operating and Reserve portion
of the quarterly assessment specific to the Townhome Cove Subdivision.
• Quarterly Assessment – this is the Common Operating and Reserve portion of the total Common quarterly assessment.
• Water Quality Assessment - this is the Water Quality Operating and Reserve portion of the total Common quarterly assessment.
• Water Company Assessment – this is the Water Company Operating and Reserve portion of the total Common quarterly assessment.
• Channels and Lagoons – this is the Reserve portion of the total Common assessment for the Channels and Lagoons account. These are funds that go towards dredging and bulkhead projects for the East and West Channels.
Q: Who do I contact for questions on my account?
A: For account questions, members should contact the 24/7 Customer Care Center at (800) 428-5588. On-site staff is also available at info@tahoekeyspoa.org or (530) 542-6444.
Q: I am having issues with my ClickPay account, who do I contact for assistance?
A: For assistance with ClickPay, members should contact ClickPay customer support directly at (888) 354-0135.
By Dave Peterson Lianne
and I are about to head down to the Pavillion for the Keys Lifestyle Memorial Day potluck BBQ, so this will be just a brief update.
Indoor Pool. The drainage system is taking longer than we thought, so the indoor pool reopening will be delayed further. Hopefully we will be back up and running by Independence Day. The outdoor pool is open, though it is a bit nippy.
Venice Tennis Courts. The bid for re-decking the Venice tennis court came in at nearly $900k due to the unsuitable subgrade conditions, so the board asked staff to seek a second opinion and consider a full range of options. The board felt that other spending priorities take precedence right now, and hit the pause button on the project.
Waterways. As of this writing, we have not yet closed balloting for the re-vote of the waterways special assessment, but my understanding is that the ballot count is getting closer to quorum. Our plan is to open ballots May 29th if we have a quorum.
Board Election. Speaking of elections, the annual board election is coming up, and you should have received a solicitation for candidates. We have 3 seats open this year. If you would like to throw your hat in the ring, I believe self-nominations are due soon. I am confident that we will get some good candidates, as this neighborhood has many smart and motivated people. And I look forward to working with whomever prevails in September!
Drinking Water. The finance committee presented the board with options for funding our needed water system improvements, and the board has given them direction to proceed to seek a loan to fund phase 1. Phase 1 includes a new well (well #4) near the tennis courts on Ala Wai, plus new enlarged pipelines on Ala Way and Venice; total cost $10-12M. Finance is in discussions with lenders, and will come back to the board for a vote to put the question of the loan out for member vote. Loans require a member vote with a majority of a quorum of 1/3 of the membership. This will all happen this summer, because our engineer (Verdantas out of Folsom) has secured permits for construction of the down-hole portion of the well, and we need to get the work done by mid-October this year. The remainder of Phase 1 would be done in 2026, with maybe some spillover into 2027.
Phase 2 will include a new storage tank and pump station, plus residential water meters mandated by the state. This is a little further out in time, so the board recommendation is for staff to pursue a State Revolving Fund loan for the work. SRF funding takes a long time to secure (like 2+ years), but the loan terms are worth it. If the SRF path gets legs, that loan would go out for a separate member vote, probably in 2027 or later. We are in discussions with the marina about putting the tank and pump station on their property, but we have a fallback location if those discussions fail.
Suntex Plans. Suntex held a public meeting May 13th to roll out plans for the marina re-development. Lianne and I attended, and I recognized several TKPOA Members in the audience. It looks like it is going to be a beautiful project once it is complete.
Suntex asked us to send out an announcement in advance, and unfortunately it did not meet our communications policy. Our e-blasts and physical communications are reserved for TKPOA business and things that affect all members. There are many exciting (or at least interesting) things going on with businesses around town, and we don’t send out e-blasts about them (examples: the Motel 6 redevelopment, Sunray Motel teardown, Barton Hospital move, Heavenly parking, Harveys Casino rebranding, and Keys Marina redevelopment). If we sent eblasts about business happenings that one or more of us find interesting, you would be buried, and then you would be more likely to miss the important things we send. So we stick to our policy, and I for one appreciate it.
St. Moritz and Bavarian Isle Bulkheads. The board appointed 6 Members to the St. Moritz Bulkhead Committee at the May board meeting. We still need volunteers for the Bavarian Isle committee though. The committees are charged with investigating alternatives and bringing a recommended plan to the board and members of their respective isles.
Coves 2B, 4, and 5 Bulkheads. No updates.
Nextdoor. Nextdoor is a discussion forum used by some members, and many expect TKPOA to weigh in. TKPOA policy is that we don’t use Nextdoor for communications. We use our website, eblasts, Keys Breeze, and physical
mailings. Occasionally a board member, such as yours truly, will chime in on a discussion thread on Nextdoor. But that engagement is as an individual, and at the individual’s discretion. It is not sanctioned by TKPOA.
I do have a plea, however. When posting on Nextdoor, you can select which neighborhoods can see the discussion thread. Unfortunately, too many posters choose the “all neighborhoods” option, which means that people from Meyers to Carson City can (and will) chime in on Keys issues and debates. For those joining in the discussion, please look at the top of the thread to see if the discussion is limited to the Keys neighborhood, so that you are aware of who will be reading your responses.
Second plea: be nice please.
Keys Life. The Keys Life committee is putting together several lists for group activities, and I would encourage you to join one or more (examples: hiking, walking, golf, potlucks, skiers and snowboarders, yoga, etc.). Signing up just gets you on the list, so you can join in when it works for your schedule. Lianne and I are on several lists, and we look forward to seeing you! Thank You!
By Heather Blumenthal, Operations Manager
As the warmer weather moves in, we would like to remind all TKPOA Property Owners of the rules associated with the use of the pedestrian gate at Lighthouse Shores (LHS) Lot C and Lot A. Through recent Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) patrols and reviewed security camera footage, there have been violations of the Superior Court Case SV-92-0066 Judgement by TKPOA Property Owners and their guests in violation of the following:
• Bringing dogs into LHS on or off leash.
• Not securing bicycles on the bike rack near the pedestrian gate entrance
• Allowing Guests or Vacation Renters to use their TKPOA Member Amenity Access card for access to LHS Lot C without the immediate presence of the TKPOA Member
• Trespassing on the adjacent LHS Properties
The rules are straightforward. TKPOA Members should observe the following provisions pursuant to Superior Court Case SV-920066:
• TKPOA Members with a valid TKPOA Member Amenity Access card and guests in the immediate presence of their sponsoring member will be permitted access. Access is only permitted to TKPOA property owners using their photo Member Access card issued by TKPOA. This card is not transferrable; it is not to be loaned or used by anyone other than the property owner to whom it is issued. If you have lost your card or wish to have another one issued, please visit the Pavilion office.
• There are no dogs or bicycles allowed, no exceptions. This is clearly posted on the gate and there are bike racks inside the gate.
• Access through this gate is allowed from 7:00AM9:00PM except during the summer, during which time the hours will be extend to 10:00PM
No Dogs or other pets allowed in LHS. Please remember dogs must be on leashes throughout the TKPOA per El Dorado County Ordinance Title 6 – Animals, Chapter 6.04. General Provisions, Section 9.46.600. For the safety of your dog, TKPOA members and their guests please keep your dog on a leash. Dogs are welcome on their leash at the Pavilion Beach area.
When entering through the LHS pedestrian gate, you are on Lot C which is a narrow lot with Pope Marsh on the left and private residences on the right. TKPOA does not own the properties to the right of Lot C. This is private property and the No Trespassing law per California Penal Code 602PC applies. The City of South Lake Tahoe Police Department will be called for trespassing on these properties. The TKPOA has clearly marked the property lines on the right of the lot. The left side of the lot has a chain link fence all the way down to the beach on the Pope Marsh side.
Lot C can be used to access Pope Marsh on the left, however access to the beach on the right is prohibited as this is private property and to do so is considered trespassing (CA 602PC). Access to the right is also a dead end at the West Channel Bulkhead. During Lake Tahoe high water events there is typically no Public Trust beach access. To access Lot A at the end of the LHS roadway at the West Channel Bulkhead, you should walk down the LHS paved roadway.
Pursuant to the Superior Court Case SV-92-0066 Judgement the TKPOA is responsible for the maintenance and security obligations in enforcing this judgement, and at this time the enforcement of these violations including trespassing violations on the adjacent LHS property will be pursued. Based on TKPOA Enforcement Patrols and pedestrian gate Member Card reader identification system, the TKPOA has issued warning notices and in some cases, fines, to those members in violation of the LHS Gate Access as specified in the Superior Court Case Judgement. The TKPOA Board of Directors will continue to utilize the Member Discipline process in accordance with Civil Code Section 5855 and TKPOA Bylaws Article VI, Membership Rights Section 5, Article IX, Duties and Powers of the Board Section 1(r), and TKPOA Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) Article XII, Breach or Default, Section 6 (a-f), to enforce this Superior Court Case SV-92-0066 Judgement, related governing documents, and rules.
The LHS pedestrian and vehicle gates are under continuous surveillance and all TKPOA Amenity Access Cards are recorded for gate use tracking. Once the violations are identified with the responsible Property Owners through the Member Discipline Hearing process, TKPOA Property Owners could face their individual and property Amenity Access card access privileges suspended, and/or potential fines.
The TKPOA is requesting that all property owners please respect these rules so that we can all continue to enjoy this privilege of accessing Lot C and Lot A. Continued violations and flagrant abuse of these rules could result in legal claims against the TKPOA and potential gate closures.
For additional questions please contact the TKPOA Front Desk at 530-542-6444, Monday through Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM, Saturday through Sunday 10:00AM2:00PM. Additional information is also available on the TKPOA Website www. tkpoa.com, or contract TKPOA Enforcement Patrol at 530-545-0847.
In preparation for the 2025 season, TKPOA, with contributions and support from the League to Save Lake Tahoe, has developed a comprehensive containment plan aimed at limiting the spread of AIS within the Keys waterways and into Lake Tahoe. Containment will be the highest priority for TKPOA and our partners as we move through this interim period. The containment approach is multifaceted and dynamic as there will be several concurrent projects that will be implemented throughout the season:
• Boat Back-Up Station (BUS) – The boat back up station has proven to be very effective in reducing the number of fragments that leave the Tahoe Keys. In an effort to push for 100% compliance, the area has been enhanced with new signage and monitoring cameras. Staff will be around the area to encourage usage and inform boaters about the procedure. This simple 45-second procedure of reversing the boat propeller before exiting the channel plays a significant role in the containment efforts for Lake Tahoe—at virtually no cost to homeowners. We encourage you to share this practice with your neighbors and friends to help protect the lake as they enjoy boating throughout the season.
• Bubble Curtain (BC) – The Bubble Curtain is our only physical barrier to prevent fragments from crossing the channel. The bubble curtain continues to be monitored with a strong effort to determine the efficacy of success in this technology. Staff will be collecting fragments throughout the year to compile results for our ongoing study and making an evaluation of different configurations to find the best fragment deflection as possible.
• Ultraviolet Light Treatment (UVC) – Thanks to the support of TRPA, UVC light treatments will continue this year, with a focused effort in a hightraffic area of the lagoons—specifically at the narrow section between Wedeln Court and Aloha Drive. This area also contains a high concentration of Curlyleaf pondweed, making it an ideal focal point for optimizing the use of our limited resources and available technology. The UV boat is best used down the center of the lagoons to avoid maneuvering around dock spaces. This will allow the boat to cover more ground and treat a bigger area for the season.
• Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) – DASH will be used to supplement the nearshore areas
where UVC treatment is occurring down the channel. The intention is to completely remove the Curlyleaf pondweed population at the hotspots identified to make best efforts in preventing repopulation of some of the UVC treated areas. DASH will also be used in some difficult to harvest areas nearest to the channel entrances.
• Lagoon-Wide Harvesting and Skimming –Harvesting and skimming will continue as the main method of weed control. A skimming team will be stationed at the channel entrance to collect fragments around the bubble curtain and boat backup station zones five days per week. This dedicated position will increase our ability to prevent fragments from being carried out into Lake Tahoe.
• Fragment Control on 15th Street – Installation of two screening systems on the weir and culvert in Lake Tallac will capture fragments and prevent infestation to the Pope Marsh area. Water will freely flow but these systems ensure no fragments will leave Lake Tallac. In conjunction, TRPA is working on the removal of weeds in the 15th St. lagoon side to further prevent the risk of fragment spread into the marsh.
• Homeowner Bottom Barrier Program – Bottom Barriers are a way to prevent fragment formation that occurs with normal raking around the docks. Any homeowner that implements this program will be contributing to the overall effort of reduced fragment generation limiting the risk of repopulation by the fragments that remain uncollected.
• Marina/ East Channel – The League to Save Lake Tahoe (the League) and Suntex Marina have been working together to find containment solutions on the East Channel side. The bubble curtain is now under ownership of the Marina and will be in operation and under efficacy monitoring similarly to the West Channel. The Marina is planning a large dredging project later in the year which has permit stipulations enforcing complete removal and continued eradication of AIP in years following dredging. The League will be sponsoring two technologies in fragment collection – The Collec’Thor and PixieDrone. The Collec’Thor will be paired with the bubble curtain to collect the fragments that get caught in the curtains. The hopper can hold about 220lbs of weeds and trash before being emptied. The PixieDrone is a battery-powered, autonomous and programmable, motorized skimmer that glides
across the water’s surface, gathering debris in its open mouth. It will patrol the Tahoe Keys Marina, collecting floating fragments that are then removed from the water. The Marina also now has a CD3 (clean, drain, dry, dispose) machine that is free to use to decontaminate non-motorized vessels before they enter the lagoon. The TKPOA will continue to harvest as normal throughout the East Lagoon. DASH will also be done in difficult to harvest areas near the channel entrance.
For the 2025 season, the TKPOA Waterways Department is placing a strong emphasis on the containment and mitigation of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) fragments and is fully committed to the successful implementation of related projects within the Tahoe Keys. Several of the methods outlined above are supported through special assessments, while others are funded through regular operations and strategic partnerships. Our goal is to maximize all available resources to advance these interim containment efforts for the long-term health of our waterways and the greater Lake Tahoe ecosystem.
For more information on current activities, important dates, fact sheets, reports, and everything related to your waterways, you can visit keysweedsmanagement.org. Be sure to sign up for our e-blasts to receive reminders about this year’s harvesting schedule. For any questions, please call the Waterways Department at (530) 543-9551 or email at waterquality@tahoekeyspoa.org.
Group Street/Streets/Location
Group 1 (red)
Group 2 (teal)
Group 3 (green)
Group 4 (purple)
Group 5 (brown)
Group 6 (blue)
Group 7 (yellow)
Group 8 (pink)
Venice Drive, Tuolumne Drive, Lassen Drive, Shasta Court, Dana Court, Dover Drive and 15th Street
Alpine Drive, Cascade Court, Cathedral Court, Genevieve Court, Tahoe Keys Blvd, Danube Drive, Morro Drive, Monterey Drive and Lucerne Way
Texas Avenue, Whitney Drive, Aloha Drive, Daggett Court, and Carson Court
Capri Drive, Inverness Drive, Catalina Drive, Kokanee Way, Crystal Court, and Lido Drive
Beach Drive, Beach Lane, Beach Court, White Sands Drive, Balboa Drive, Marconi Way, and Garmish Court
Lighthouse Shores Drive, Emerald Drive, Christie Drive, Traverse Court, Slalom Court, Wedeln Court, and Weir Way
TKPOA Townhomes: Cove 1, Cove 2, Cove 2A, Cove 3A, Cove 3B, Cove 3C, Cove 4, Cove 5, Tahoe Marina Shores (TMS), Islanders 1, Islanders 2, and Islanders 3
TKPOA-Owned Common Areas, Mt. Tallac Village 3 (South Tahoe Public Utility District Service)
Irrigation Days Time Period for Irrigation
Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday 1:00AM-3:00AM
Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday 5:00AM-7:00AM
Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday 11:00PM-1:00AM
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 1:00AM-3:00AM
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 3:00AM-5:00AM
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 5:00AM-7:00AM
Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday 3:00aM-5:00AM
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 10:00PM-1:00AM
Missing emails about what’s going on in the Association? Missing important updates from staff? Great news! TKPOA staff uses “Connect” to send e-mail blasts. If you haven’t opted in to receive emails, you’re missing out!
It's simple to sign up:
• Visit https://tkpoa.connectresident.com/. and sign in
• Click on the three bars in top left corner – select “My Account”
• Under "My Communications Preferences," update your email and click on all applicable boxes (note: this does NOT opt you into the Association’s Membership list which can be shared with other owners)
It is highly recommended that Communications@mc.fsresidential.com be added to your approved senders list so that emails sent from the Association go to your inbox instead of your spam/junk folder.
This change helps us save costs, keeps you informed, and ensures we have your most up-to-date email on file. Explore additional features on the portal, such as architectural control applications and account information.
Your TKPOA account number can be found on your quarterly billing statements under Customer ID. All Account/Customer IDs begin with TAKEY, followed by 4 numbers assigned to your property address. TKPOA Staff can also provide members with their account numbers, please contact info@tahoekeyspoa.org for assistance.
If you need assistance with the FirstService Resident Connect Portal, please contact the 24/7 Customer Care Center at (800) 428-5588.
We are always looking for ways to enhance our community and make the Keys Lifestyle even more vibrant. If you would like to see a specific social event or activity added to our calendar, we encourage you to volunteer your time .
Whether it's helping to set up or clean up a social gathering, hosting an event, leading a group activity, or joining our committee, your involvement can truly make a difference. We are open to all ideas that help foster connections, bring neighbors together, and help us organize socials and activities for everyone to enjoy.
Please note that the Keys Life Committee will utilize contact information provided in the small group online questionnaire or event signups only. The TKPOA staff will continue to email all Members our Keys Life flyers and newsletters.
If you wish to be added to a Keys Life small group, please use the QR code below or email Kristine at KeysLife@myyahoo.com; or contact Heather Blumenthal at heather.blumenthal@fsresidential.com to be added to the TKPOA email list.
Feel free to reach out to our Activity Leaders directly.
f Book Club - Karin Lovett, kkllovett@comcast.net, 530-306-2214
f Hiking - Svetlana Raleigh, Svetlana.Raleigh@gmail.com
f Men’s Golf - Jim Crecelius, JCrecelius8@hotmail.com, 209-607-6806
f Mountain Biking – Lisa Moranville, hermosabeach147@gmail.com f Pickleball - Jeff Williams, JeffW8948@gmail.com
Sunday, May 25, 2025 2pm to 5pm Memorial Potluck & Games
Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 2pm Book Club Introduction Social
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 10am Walkers & Talkers
Friday, June 20, 2025 at 6pm Game Night & Potluck
Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 10am Walkers & Talkers
Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 4pm Wine Tasting & Potluck
Hiking - Tahoe Keys Trekkers Wednesdays beginning in June
Men’s Golf - Keys Strokeaholics Tuesday Mornings June to October
Walking - Tahoe Keys Walkers & Talkers See above
Mountain Biking & Pickleball details coming soon
Become a TKPOA VIP!
Share your business name, your collaboration ideas, & how we can work together to create value for all Members.
By: Heather Blumenthal, Operations Manager
For the 2025-2027 Board of Directors Election, there are three board positions up for election. Members may submit their self-nomination forms by 4:30PM on June 13th, 2025, to be included on the election ballot.
The Voting and Election Rules that were adopted by the Board of Directors of Tahoe Keys Property Owners’ Association on May 22nd, 2015, comply with the requirements of the Davis Stirling Civil Code section 5105(a). Section 2. Qualifications for Candidacy and Election to the Board: Candidates for the Board must be Members in Good Standing and must meet any other qualification or restrictions set forth in the Bylaws. “Member” means a person who holds legal title to the property (i.e., is named in the deed for the property).
Voting Ballots will be mailed out in July. You can view each candidates’ self-nomination form “Statement of Candidacy” on the TKPOA website at www.tkpoa. com, and they will also be included in the Ballot package. TKPOA will also hold a “Meet the Candidates Forum” as a scheduled Town Hall Forum, date to be determined. All Candidates will be invited to attend and answer a variety of write in questions from members in attendance and formatted questions specific to the Association and how they plan on serving the Tahoe Keys. Date and Zoom information can be found on the TKPOA website, www.tkpoa.com, under the Events Calendar.
The Board of Directors two-year terms that are ending this year are Bryan Welsh - Treasurer, Sabine Litten –Secretary, and Joby Cefalu – Director, and their terms end on September 17th, 2025. These Board members are eligible to rerun for the Board for another term.
Board Members who still have one year left of their two-year term are President Dave Peterson, Vice President Peter Grant, Director Mark Acri, and Director Bonnie Halleran and their terms end in 2026.
The 62nd Annual Membership Meeting and Annual Board Election will be held Wednesday September 17th, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the TKPOA Pavilion located at 356 Ala Wai Blvd, South Lake Tahoe CA 96150. The Election Ballots will be opened and counted at this board meeting by the Inspector of Elections and designated volunteers. The Director Election Results will be announced and during this Board meeting, the 2025-2027 Board of Directors will be seated.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the TKPOA Pavilion Office at info@tahoekeyspoa.org or (530) 542-6444. For any additional questions on the 62nd Annual Membership Meeting or Director Election, contact Heather Blumenthal, Operations Manager, at 530-542-6444 Extension 228 or heather.blumenthal@ fsresidential.com.
The Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) has completed the three-year Control Methods Test (CMT) – the most comprehensive aquatic invasive plant (AIP) field study ever conducted in Lake Tahoe. Between 2022 and 2024, the CMT evaluated a suite of methods for controlling invasive weeds in the Tahoe Keys lagoons and assessed their environmental effects.
1. Determine whether AIP biomass could be reduced by 75% and sustained at that level.
2. Increase the occurrence and proportion of native aquatic plants.
3. Achieve and maintain a minimum 3-foot vessel hull clearance in treated areas.
4. Contain herbicides within the designated test areas and prevent movement into Lake Tahoe.
5. Improve water quality in accordance with Lahontan Water Board standards.
The Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA), along with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the League to Save Lake Tahoe, have developed a plan to process CMT data, engage the community, address questions, and most importantly, formalize plans for the future of the Keys waterways.
This series of events is designed to ensure transparency, community involvement, and informed decision-making as TKPOA plans the next steps for long-term treatment of the Keys waterways.
The timeline below details the events taking place in 2025:
Throughout the CMT, there were approximately 260,000 data points collected and over 7,000 rake samples of aquatic plants taken each year to measure AIP responses to CMT methods.
From these samples we learned that there are two distinctive habitats that support AIP growth in the Keys
lagoons: shallow near-shore zones between the dock ends and water’s edge and deeper mid-channel areas. The seasonal and year-to-year changes in Lake Tahoe’s water levels affect the size and volumes of AIP habitats for these two lagoon environments. The utility of the test methods depended on their applicability in these habitats, and the scale (size of treatment area) of their use.
It is also important to note that nutrients are the food source that allows AIP to thrive. TKPOA’s parallel effort alongside the CMT has been to gain an understanding of where nutrients are concentrated in the system and sources contributing to the lagoons. Data from this effort will be paired with CMT data to influence the overarching largescale plan being developed. The bottom substrate habitat holds nearly all the nutrients. The AIP cycles these nutrients from the roots to their shoots during spring and summer, and eventually back to the ground sediments in fall. The water column itself holds almost none of the nutrients by comparison. Harvesting, as it has been done, cannot remove enough biomass to cause significant nutrient reduction. Groundwater inflow and transfer from the atmosphere are the two main contributors of nutrients to the system. Although these AIP need low levels of nutrients to sprout, addressing the organic sediment nutrient bank will be critical in reducing AIP regrowth to maintain control after initial knockback.
The CMT Project highlighted insights from various treatments: herbicides, UVC, DASH, Bottom Barriers and LFA.
Herbicides (Endothall and Triclopyr) were the most successful treatments, achieving and maintaining a 75% reduction in AIP biomass across near-shore and midchannel areas when used at less than half of the permitted concentrations. The herbicides never entered Lake Tahoe, and they reached full degradation at varying rates without causing harm to any macroinvertebrates as demonstrated by the various sampling efforts.
Ultraviolet C Light (UVC) proved effective in mid-channel zones, especially during Years 2 and 3, following refinements in deployment. Near-shore application was constrained by docks, boats, and shallow depths. UVC efficacy is maximized with deployment two to three times per year.
Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) was most successful in the near-shore zones with a repeat of two treatments per year. The biggest advantage of DASH was the fact that it removed the reproductive structures, like turions, which are produced in spring by Curlyleaf pondweed. Turbid waters and operational pace based on density of AIP are the biggest challenges with this method.
Bottom Barriers provided excellent control while in place (100% reduction in AIP abundance). However, once removed, AIP was observed to resprout quickly, even in the fall.
The Laminar Flow Aeration (LFA) did not reduce AIP during all three years of the CMT. To date, there appears to be no effect of the LFA on the percent of organic matter, and no consistent effect on nutrients in the bottom soils.
The most significant change in AIP during the CMT was the expansion of Curlyleaf pondweed in both near-shore zone and deeper mid-channel areas. Even though the frequency of occurrence of Curlyleaf pondweed was reduced in herbicide sites, it expanded in some locations. The expansion of Curlyleaf was attributed to turions from the previous year's banks that sprouted, dispersal from the current year's growth, and more suitable habitat conditions in 2024— including deeper water, reduced competition from other AIP, and greater water volume.
Data from samples shows that 10 to 15 million Curlyleaf pondweed turions are formed annually within the West Lagoon growing the seed bank substantially. The high reproductivity and spreading capacity of Curlyleaf pondweed suggests that its control needs to be the highest priority in the immediate future.
Throughout the three years of the CMT, the total costs for implementation and completion of the project were approximately $11.5 million, excluding regulatory agency personnel costs and post-project reporting. This estimate also excludes costs of environmental analysis, collaborative stakeholder process, and public engagement. The monitoring consistently represented a major cost component, with the highest in Year 1 at over $3.6 million. The treatment method cost per acre were as follows:
• Herbicide implementation and monitoring $2.2M
• UVC per acre $120K - $200K (large variable due to method changes)
• DASH per acre $135K-$145K
• Bottom barriers per acre $120K-$150K
Cost will be a critical factor in assessing the viability of each method when scaled to the size of our lagoon system. These figures will be discussed in detail at the upcoming symposium and will play a significant role in determining the next steps for large-scale implementation.
For more details on the above, please refer to the full reports available on keysweedsmanagement.org. We encourage all homeowners to take part in the upcoming webinars and discussions with the science council.
Information on current activities, important dates, fact sheets, reports, and everything related to your waterways can be found on keysweedsmanagement.org. Be sure to sign up for our e-blasts to receive reminders about this year’s upcoming events. For any questions, please call the Waterways Department at (530) 543-9551 or email at waterquality@tahoekeyspoa.org.
You are probably aware that our Firewise certification has been renewed for our second year. Maintaining this status does require some effort on the part of the folks that live here. Some things that you can do to help us to remain Firewise:
a. Maintain the “no/minimal vegetation” space within 5 feet of your home.
b. Reduce ladder fuels by pruning the lower limbs on your trees.
c. Separate shrubs so that they are noncontinuous on your property.
d. Remove limbs that are overhanging your roof.
e. Remove limbs that are close to your chimney.
f. For more information on defensible space from the City of South Lake Tahoe go to: https:// www.cityofslt.us/DocumentCenter/View/16598/ Defensible-Space-Requirements?bidId=
a. If you have a wooden fence attached to your home please replace the five feet closest to the house with a noncombustible fence or gate.
b. If you have soffit or foundation vents assure that the vents have wildfire defense mesh installed on the inside or outside to keep embers from entering your home. (Houses burn from the inside out. This was very obvious if you have seen videos of homes burning during the LA fire.) A great product is Wildfire Defense Mesh and they offer discounts for Firewise Communities. (https:// www.wildfiredefensemesh.com) You can also use 1/8 inch regular mesh which is available at local DIY stores.
a. Download the Waze App onto your phone. This will give you status of roads near your location to
aid in evacuation routes. Another good website for road conditions is: roads.dot.ca.gov
b. Download the Genasys Protect App on your phone. This will give you the status of all of your properties and show active fires in your area and beyond.
c. Sign up for El Dorado County Emergency Alerts at https://ready.edso.org/ This is a collaboration between the EDC Office of Emergency Services and the California OES. You can be notified by land line, cell phone, text email and/or social media.
d. Read the City Evacuation plan: https://www. cityofslt.us/DocumentCenter/View/16119/ Community-Evacuation-Plan---2021-with-maprev1?bidId=
e. Have a plan for your family in place.
f. Have a go bag ready to go to include (medications, important documents, etc.
g. Make sure that the address of your property is recognizable from the street (the number should be at least 3 inches tall and a different color from the material it is posted on.
a. Be aware of your neighbors and help those that may need assistance.
b. Read the Tahoe Basin Community Wildfire Protection Plan: https://www.tahoercd.org/tahoebasin-community-wildfire-protection-plan
c. Read the City of South Lake Tahoe Emergency Preparedness Page: https://www.cityofslt.us/171/ Emergency-Preparedness
d. Learn more about being a Firewise Community https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/ wildfire/firewise-usa
e. Tahoe Alert: Register with Tahoe Alerts to receive notifications of alerts for your address https:// www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index. html?appid=675c253a29f84aa8888422baf1ea7c89
f. Watch Duty will provide you with real-time wildfire maps and alerts, prescribed burns, firefighting aircraft paths, wildfire perimeters, air quality, wind direction red flag warnings, evacuation orders and shelters. https://www.watchduty.org or download the App.
What is needed for our renewal at the end of the year: (Please help by providing us with some information at the end of the summer)
1. We need a record of money spent and debris removed to maintain our Firewise status. If you spend any money on home hardening or debris removal (garden materials, trees, etc.) Please keep a record of the volume of material that you remove. You will receive a form at the end of the summer to complete to report money spent and volume removed.
2. If you have done any home hardening (fireproof screens, replacing wooden fences, etc.) please keep a record. You will receive a form at the end of the summer to complete.
to
Many insurance companies are giving reductions to homeowners that are in Firewise Communities. Let your agent know that you live in a Firewise community and show them the Firewise Certificate. You also might want to schedule a defensible space inspection for your property. If so: to schedule a defensible space inspection, please go to: https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace For additional information or questions, you may reach out to Dan Brown, Fire Safety Inspector: dbrown@cityofslt. us; (530) 542-6019.
Susan Chandler FirewiseUSA Neighborhood Leader
BY: HEATHER BLUMENTHAL, OPERATIONS MANAGER
At the April 29th, 2025, Special Board of Directors meeting, the ballots for the proposed Islanders 1 and Lighthouse Shores (LHS) Subdivision Special Assessments were tallied by Janet Baumann, the appointed Inspector of Elections for both ballot measures.
In March 2025, the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) Board of Directors authorized a Special Assessment Ballot for the Islanders 1 Subdivision to replenish their Reserve Account in anticipation of future capital expenditures, specifically their Re-Siding Project. The proposed special assessment is $58,520 per Islanders 1 Property Owner to be billed on June 1st, 2025.
The results of the Islanders 1 ballot are as follows:
and pedestrian gate installation. The proposed special assessment is $9,534 per Lighthouse Shores Property Owner
be billed on June 1st, 2025.
In
the TKPOA
also authorized a
for the Lighthouse Shores Subdivision
replenish their Reserve Account for adequate funding for
the current
Both ballot measures passed and will be billed as approved by the voting members of the Islanders 1 and Lighthouse Shores subdivisions.
Thank you to the Inspector of Elections and the Islanders 1 and Lighthouse Shores owners who participated. The official affidavit certifying the ballot election results on the TKPOA website at www.tkpoa. com under Documents>>Association Voting Ballots and Elections>2025.
For any questions, please contact the Association Office at (530) 542-6444 or info@tahoekeyspoa.org.
“We highly recommend Peter for any real estate needs. Peters takes a no-nonsense approach when working with sellers. He helped us navigate the complex niche market in Tahoe Keys. From start to finish our transaction went smoothly without any surprises. Peter helped us reach out goals in terms of sales price and length of escrow. Without hesitation, we would work with him again.”
KEVIN & MARY JO