TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Truckee City Council met Tuesday, August 27, to discuss the evacuation drill incident report and improvement plan.
The 2024 Functional Evacuation Exercise included 72 participants from 27 different agencies. This collaborative, multi-agency planning effort resulted in a highly successful exercise that simulated a rapidly spreading wildfire scenario. The exercise provided valuable lessons to improve future responses and fostered stronger interagency relationships. The debriefing report provides a detailed review of the exercise, highlighting successes and areas for improvement.
One of the notable successes was the strengthening of relationships between the agencies involved. The improvement plan outlines a framework to address the identified challenges and sets clear timelines and priorities. In total, 16 improvement actions were identified.
Key focus areas of the improvement plan:
1. Mass Care Services: Due to Truckee’s geographic isolation and the prevailing wildfire danger, there is a need to establish additional regional evacuation centers. The decline in Red Cross volunteer numbers during COVID-19 has also impacted evacuation support.
2. Public Information and Alert: The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) effectively communicated updates using Genesis, evacuation zones, and Code Red. However, issues with Spanish translation services highlighted the need for in-house translators and pre-tested Spanish templates to ensure accurate and timely information.
3. Operational coordination: The lack of staff in the EOC was identified as a key problem that needs to be addressed.
4. EOC Capabilities: Improvements are needed to improve the overall capabilities of the EOC.
5. Critical Transportation: A PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency) plan has been developed to meet the transportation needs of community members with mobility issues.
The next steps will focus on integrating the improvement elements into a master tracker, working with partner agencies to achieve the goals and providing additional training.
Similarly, the council listened to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The recent Pass Fire highlighted the need for preparation, including carrying an emergency bag and knowing the evacuation zone. September, National Preparedness Month, is also a time of high wildfire risk. The CWPP, first introduced in 2016, now includes updated strategies tailored to Truckee, focusing on reducing wildfire danger through fuel reduction, improving structural defenses, and improving public education and firefighting.
This updated plan benefits from local funding through Measure T and insights from top consultants such as SWCA Environmental Consultants, Vibrant Planet, Land Tender Software and Ladris. It includes a risk assessment map and emphasizes community fuels treatment. An information center and dashboard of accomplishments will be established at http://www.truckeefire.org/wildfireprevention. in winter 2024/2025.
Next steps include securing funding, exploring grant opportunities, ensuring environmental compliance and implementing fuel treatments. Council approved the signing of the plan by Mayor Dave Polivy.
Council reviewed the 2023 Annual Community Development Report. The report is designed to meet the requirements of the Office of Planning and Research and provide a comprehensive update on the community’s progress. It also serves to keep residents informed of developments in Truckee. Over the past two years, Truckee’s population has declined, by approximately 73 and 260 people, respectively. The estimated population for 2023 is 16,702. Both Nevada County and the state have experienced similar demographic declines.
Despite this population decline, housing construction in Truckee has continued to grow, reaching a total of 13,713 housing units in 2023 – an increase of 77 units from the previous year. The vacancy rate was 50.6% in 2023, with an average of 2.45 people per household. The city also saw a decline in residential building permits issued during the year.
Since the City Council adopted the housing element in 2019, several programs have been implemented, including the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program, the Lease to Locals initiative, the 5B2 residential rezoning process, Pacific Crest Commons, the Truckee Home Access Program (THAP), and the First-Time Home Buyer Down Payment. In 2023, there were 41 applications for building permits for ADUs. The Lease to Locals program converted 158 homes to long-term rental housing, providing space for 368 Truckee residents through December 2023. In addition, the Tahoe Housing Accessibility Program (THAP) helped house 35 people and issued a tenure restriction on 13 homes.
The 2040 General Plan update included a focus on conservation, which includes a sustainability committee, green building initiatives, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, waste prevention and waste reduction measures. EV chargers at City Hall and the rail yard have helped avoid over 65 tons of greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. In 2023, the city began working on an ordinance to reduce single-use plastic water bottles and began developing a grant program for bottle filling stations.
The city continues to value land use and diversify travel options by promoting bicycle culture. Partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce and new business programs available on the city’s website support local economic growth. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues to actively assist with city-related emergencies and efforts are underway to improve ingress and egress.
The Council ultimately adopted the report, stressed its importance to the community and thanked staff for their work in preparing the report.
The City Council received an update on the City of Truckee’s draft Short Range Transit Development Plan (TDP). The update highlighted the neighborhoods with the highest need for public transportation, including Lower Sierra Meadows, Southern Downtown Truckee, and Central Glenshire. Currently, 62% of Truckee residents commute outside of the city for work, while 62% of jobs in Truckee are filled by individuals who live elsewhere. Nevada County’s population is expected to decline slightly by less than one percent from 2020 to 2030, while Truckee is expected to grow by 7 percent. Currently, Nevada County has a population of 97,775, with Truckee having a population of just over 17,000.
Recent changes to the transit plan emphasize making the mobility hub the primary transfer point. A detailed summary of these updates can be found at https://www.sierrasun.com/news/tahoe-transportation-district-hosts-public-workshop-on-short-range-transit-plan/. The council discussed the potential benefits of improved technology for more accurate tracking of pickups and considered prioritizing transit improvements. Ultimately, the council accepted the update.
The specific plan for the Village at Palisades Tahoe is currently under review by Placer County. The revised final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been released and the Planning Commission is scheduled to review it at 9 a.m. Thursday, September 5 at the Tahoe Event Center. The draft plan includes 1,500 bedrooms and 850 housing units, including a mix of hotel rooms, apartment hotels, fractional ownership and timeshare units, and 50 units designated as employee housing. However, the plan has significant and unavoidable impacts on traffic and transit routes, and housing needs will increase due to the larger workforce. The Council has decided to continue to support the plan.
Points 6.10 and 6.11 were removed from the consensus calendar for further discussion.
6.10 Recommended Action: Award a contract for $89,593.65 to Evolution Industries to renew the wash system at the Stevens Lane Corp Yard. This item was withdrawn because additional work was identified, increasing the cost to $94,854.72.
6.11 Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with TranSystems for up to $345,000 to conduct a feasibility study for a new pedestrian crossing at the downtown railroad. This item was withdrawn by a community member who emphasized the need for better pedestrian crossings on Donner Lake Road. The resident raised her concerns after she was recently nearly hit three times and lost her daughter in a traffic accident on Donner Lake Road.
Please note that City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 2nd for Labor Day.
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 10, at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Road.
Zoe Meyer is a reporter for the Sierra Sun, a sister publication of the Tahoe Daily Tribune. Reach her at [email protected].
