City accepts $500,000 CTC grant for Reagan Beach design and allocates funds for El Dorado Beach revetment

The City Council accepted a $500,000 grant from the California Tahoe Conservancy (SB 630 Lake Tahoe Science & Lake Improvement Grants) to advance the Reagan Beach rehabilitation plan toward 60% design, permitting and environmental review. Parks Director John Stark said the grant required matching funds; staff asked the council to approve a $450,000 local match using existing funds plus a request for a $100,000 transfer from the general fund undesignated reserves. Council approved acceptance of the grant and the proposed budget transfers.

Separately, staff described an urgent shoreline issue at El Dorado Beach where emergency sand-filled plastic supersacks placed in 2018 have become exposed. Lahontan staff warned that exposed supersacks risk breaking down and introducing contaminants to the lake. Staff requested $75,000 from general reserves to hire a consultant to design and permit a temporary repair, purchase sand to bury the exposed supersacks, and prepare a long‑term plan to remove the supersacks and stabilize the shoreline. Council approved the allocation.

Council members questioned why plastic supersacks had been selected in the earlier emergency response and whether the 2018 permitting record documented alternatives; staff said the earlier emergency permit was issued with TRPA and Lahontan collaboration and that the permit has since expired, requiring updated permitting and consultant work now. The city said it has begun a facilities condition assessment and will present additional prioritized capital needs in future briefings.

Councilmembers said they welcome outside grant funding to advance beach and shoreline projects and urged staff to pursue long‑term, sustainable shoreline solutions consistent with permitting requirements.