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1 DAVID JINKENS Po Box 8066 South Lake Tahoe, California September 16, 2013 The Honorable Tom Davis, Mayor and Council Members City of South Lake Ta hoe South Lake Tahoe, California COPY SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL Re: Limitation on Art and Craft Fairs - Proposed City Code Amendments Dear Mayor Davis and Council Members: I am writing to you regarding proposed amendments to the City Code regarding the conduct of art and craft fairs in the City limits. I respectfully suggest that the City Council delay action amending the Code to reduce the number of fairs allowed per year to 4 rather than the current limit of 12. I believe that more time is needed to alert impacted and interested parties on the matter and to allow them the opportunity to comment to you on the proposed change. I've reviewed the City staff report for your September 3, 2013 meeting, and I agree with your staff that making the changes they suggested and ones recommended by the Planning Commission would be consistent with the City's adopted Strategic Plan, namely," 'improving the built environment...public trust aod accountability... and economic development.'" However, the proposed limitation on art and craft fairs is arguably not consistent with these goals and objectives. Unlike corporate stores and centers, smaller businesses (that are needed in South Lake Tahoe) are many times grown from art and craft fairs and other ad-hoc advertising. In addition, art and craft fairs can and do become attractions for locals and tourists when they are conducted in a pleasant and inviting manner. Reasonable regulatory controls on art and craft fairs are certainly in order and proper. Finally, it is arguable that at a minimum the Ordinance reducing the number of art and craft fairs to a maximum of 4 is a substantial change to the current ordinance that was not previously advertised for your September 3rd meeting and thus a first reading of the ordinance with the proposed reduction would again need to be made. Thank you very much for your review and consideration of this request. I am asking that this ft letter be read into the record at the appropriate time on your agenda. > David M. Jinke s, Resident and.p.a. al Advocate c: South Tahoe Chamber President and Board Members City Manager Interested parties

2 DAVID JINKENS Po Box 8066 South Lak COPY SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL nia September 16, 2013 The Honorable Tom Davis, Mayor and Council Members City of South Lake Tahoe South Lake Tahoe, California Re: Limitation on Art and Craft Fairs - Proposed City Code Amendments Dear Mayor Davis and Council Members: I am writing to you regarding proposed amendments to the City Code regarding the conduct of art and craft fairs in the City limits. I respectfully suggest that the City Council delay action amending the Code to reduce the number of fairs allowed per year to 4 rather than the current limit of 12. I believe that more time is needed to alert impacted and interested parties on the matter and to allow them the opportunity to comment to you on the proposed change. I've reviewed the City staff report for your September 3, 2013 meeting, and I agree with your staff that making the changes they suggested and ones recommended by the Planning Commission would be consistent with the City's adopted Strategic Plan, namely," 'improving the built environment... public trust and accountability... and economic development.' " However, the proposed limitation on art and craft fairs is arguably not consistent with these goals and objectives. Unlike corporate stores and centers, smaller businesses (that are needed in South Lake Tahoe) are many times grown from art and craft fairs and other ad-hoc advertising. In addition, art and craft fairs can and do become attractions for locals and tourists when they are conducted in a pleasant and inviting manner. Reasonable regulatory controls on art and craft fairs are certainly in order and proper. Finally, it is arguable that at a minimum the Ordinance reducing the number of art and craft fairs to a maximum of 4 is a substantial change to the current ordinance that was not previously advertised for your September 3ro meeting and thus a first reading of the ordinance with the proposed reduction would again need to be made. Thank you very much for your review and consideration of this request. I am asking that this letter be read into the record at the appropriate time on your agenda. ft ""')~- David M. Jinke s, Resident and.p.a. I Advocate c: South Tahoe Chamber President and Board Members City Manager Interested parties

3 DAVID JINKENS PO Box 8066 South Lake Tahoe, California September 16, 2013 COPY SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL~-===---= ~ ~ -~- w- ~ I The Honorable Tom Davis, Mayor and Council Members City of South Lake Tahoe South Lake Tahoe, California CITY CLERK'S OFFIC~ --' CITY OF SOUT~-~/I~~ T~~ Re: Limitation on Art and Craft Fairs - South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Comments Dear Mayor Davis and Council Members: I am writing to you on behalf of the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce regarding proposed amendments to the City Code regarding the conduct of art and craft fairs in the City limits. The Chamber of Commerce leadership suggests that the City Council delay action amending the Code to reduce the number of fairs allowed per year to 4 rather than the current limit of 12. They believe that more time is needed to alert impacted and interested parties on the matter and to allow them the opportunity to comment to you on the proposed change. The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce supports leaving the current ordinance allowing 12 activities in place. The Chamber of Commerce supports art and craft fairs as a way to promote business and tourism in our community and to provide the opportunity for incubator businesses to grow and prosper. The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce supports reasonable and responsible regulations on these activities that allow them to be conducted safely and in good taste. On behalf of the Chamber President and members, I thank you for your review and consideration of this matter. c: South Tahoe Chamber President and Board Members City Manager Interested parties

4 Ellen Palazzo L-"'om: ~nt: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: 3 Susan Alessi Monday, September 16, :13 AM Angela Swanson; Hal Cole; JoAnn Conner; Laine, Brooke (blaine@cityofslt.us); Tom Davis Nancy Kerry; Thomas Watson; Hilary Roverud; Ellen Palazzo; 'Duane Wallace' FW: Craft Fairs Craft Fairs1.doc Please see the attached letter from Duane Wallace regarding Arts and Craft Fairs. Susan _Jlfessi, CJ1CJ1C City of South Lake Tahoe South Lake Tahoe, CA Ph: (530) FAX: (530) salessi@cityofslt.us From: Duane Wallace [mailto:duane wallace@hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, September 15, :53 PM To: Susan Alessi Subject: FW: Craft Fairs Please see attached. Duane Wallace 1

5 DUANE WALLACE PO BOX 7743 SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA (530) or (530) Dear City Council members, I am writing to you concerning the recent, sudden vote to reduce the craft fair events from 12 to 4. It is my belief that the act was taken in absence of a review of the history of the subject and in absence of all the facts and positive effects that the fairs have on our community. The vote was sudden in the sense that the Planning Commission, appointed by the Council to thoroughly review such issues, voted to keep the number of fairs at twelve. One planning Commission member who actually voted yes to keep the number of fairs at 12, attended the Council meeting to express their dissent. While most likely legal, speaking in opposition to the commission a person represents is not usually practiced. At best, it is confusing as to who is speaking, at worst it is a conflict of interest especially if the person has a financial interest of some kind where they or their family might benefit from the elimination of a perceived competitor. Our system of government works best when the vote is taken and respected especially when the person actually voted yes in the first place. The history of the craft fairs is one of multiple changes. I was able to study the issue and attended dozens of meetings over my 30 years involvement with the Chamber of Commerce. The issue has gone back and forth until a workable balance has been reached. That balance has worked because there have been mutual benefits. There have been arguments pro and con. There is no community outcry for elimination of the fairs. In fact I'm positive if put to a vote your constituents would be overwhelmingly in favor. The main arguments against craft fairs are as follows: 1. They compete with local businesses. Fact: They sell hand made products that are not made or sold locally. Locals who make items handmade are renting space there. The Council's preliminary vote will hurt those local businesses. 2. They don't pay taxes. Fact: The estimated 80 businesses pay business license fees. Fact: They pay Transient Occupancy taxes at our motels. Fact: They pay sales taxes when they purchase goods here in our restaurants, stores and gas stations. 3. They don't promote tourism. Fact: Given the attendance they most certainly make tourists happy. Just as tourists don't specifically make reservations to come to Tahoe to see our concerts at Lake View Commons, they most certainly add to the experience. However, the majority of the roughly 80 vendors do come here to spend money on lodging and restaurants for up to a week at a time. Given that they are here almost every weekend means significant TOT and sales tax spent just as sports tournaments provide.

6 4. Without the requirement in the contract it won't benefit local non-profits. Fact: First a City Council has the ability to direct their City Attorney to come up with positive solutions not road blocks to community benefits. Most important to this particular situation is that the event organizer has promised to voluntarily donate $5,000 to local service clubs. Should that not happen the organizations would be able to come back to the Council to ask for changes. Will the farmer's markets be the next target? Fact: Many of the non-profits depend on the funds they receive. Local businesses either can't donate in this way or in this amount or choose not to. Literally dozens of local students have earned thousands of dollars in scholarships that would not otherwise be available. Just through the Kiwanis pass through program alone the list of beneficiaries is long. Those benefitting have been: The Blue Ribbon Classical Choir, girls softball, girls soccer, boys soccer, boys baseball, the tennis team, the wrestling teams and clubs, the football teams, cheer leading, the track team, boys and girls basketball, Tahoe Turning Point, and many, many more. In summary, the Council by almost eliminating the craft fairs will be severely damaging the service clubs and scholarship programs in this community. It is the wrong thing to do at this time. Just as with other laws and restrictions passed in California, the fairs may just move into Nevada where they continue to benefit from overly restrictive regulations from their neighbors. My request is for more thought to be put into eliminating a relationship that is not broken. Respectfu I ly, Duane Wallace