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South Lake Tahoe adopts EV charging rate structure and advances EV parking ordinance to second reading
Summary
Council adopted a per‑kWh cost‑recovery rate indexed to electricity prices and a 15‑minute grace period followed by $0.50/minute parking overage for city Level 2 public chargers, and held first reading of an EV parking ordinance that would allow citations for noncharging vehicles in designated EV spaces.
The South Lake Tahoe City Council voted unanimously to adopt a cost‑recovery rate structure for city‑owned Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers and to proceed with the first reading of an EV parking ordinance that would allow enforcement against vehicles occupying EV charging spaces when not charging.
Staff proposed a per‑kilowatt hour rate based on the city's actual electricity cost plus estimates for operations, maintenance and equipment amortization, indexed to Liberty Utilities' posted rates so staff can adjust prices administratively. Staff said Blink, the city's contracted network provider, will receive 8% of proceeds and a standard per‑session fee of $0.49. The recommended structure also includes a 15‑minute grace period after charging completes; after that, the city would charge $0.50 per minute as a parking overstay fee to encourage turnover.
Councilmembers debated balancing turnover incentives and reasonable use for destination charging. One councilmember suggested monitoring usage before changing the grace period; staff noted the initial approach is targeted at cost recovery and turnover given limited charger availability (14 ports in the Bellamy garage and six at the Rec Center planned).
On the parking ordinance, staff presented a first reading of an ordinance that designates identified EV charging spaces and empowers the South Lake Tahoe Police Department and parking ambassadors to cite vehicles in designated charging spaces that are not actively charging. The ordinance proposes a $75 citation (city code 4.25.35) for misuse and establishes charger light‑status cues for enforcement.
What happens next: The council adopted the rate structure and staff will implement indexing; staff will return the parking ordinance for a second reading and final adoption at a future meeting.
