How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Supervisors to discuss rate increases, hospital improvement district
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors this week will hold hearings on rate increases for water and sewer systems, consider a hospital improvement district, and discuss eminent domain regarding a lease agreement.The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 865 3354 4962, pass code 726865. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.
In three separate hearings timed for 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., the board will consider rate increases for the Northwest Regional Sewer System, the Kelseyville County Waterworks District No. 3 and County Service Area No. 2 – Spring Valley Lakes, respectively.
Protests to the rate increases, which will in some cases be substantial, must be submitted in writing before the end of the specific hearings.
At 2 p.m., the board will consider a resolution to form the Lake County Hospital Improvement District and set a date for a public hearing.
In an untimed item, the supervisors, sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, will consider not using any available power of eminent domain for the purpose of advancing the economic interests of private parties in connection with any property comprising the lease agreement between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and the Scotts Valley Energy Corp.
That lease pertains to district-owned property at 755 E. State Highway 20 in Upper Lake that the county is leasing to the Scotts Valley tribe’s company for the purpose of a biochar operation.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve training funding by Supervisor-elect Brad Rasmussen in an amount not to exceed $2,000 and direct administration staff to coordinate payments for the Nov. 18 and Dec. 9, 2024, training and orientation modules of the New Supervisors Institute.
5.2: Adopt a resolution approving an agreement with the California Department of Food and Agricultural Industrial Hemp Cultivation Program Agreement No. 24-0417-000-SA for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $9,327.50.
5.3: Adopt a resolution fixing tax rates for local agencies, general obligation bonds, and other voter-approved indebtedness for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
5.4: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between county of Lake and Crisis Support Services of Alameda County for after-hours crisis support services in the amount of $90,200 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.5: Approve Board of Supervisors meeting minutes for Aug. 13 and Aug. 20, 2024.
5.6: Approve the second reading of an ordinance to regulate smoking and commercial tobacco use in the unincorporated areas of Lake County.
5.7: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.4, Cooperative Purchases, and (b) Authorize the IT director to issue purchase orders to Dell Marketing L.P. for Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise licenses in the amount of $127,677.72.
5.8: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.4, Cooperative Purchases, and (b) Authorize the IT director to issue a purchase order to Dell Marketing L.P. for Microsoft 365 G3 ‘Step up’ licenses in the amount of $28,890.
5.9: Approve two rental agreements for hangar space at Lampson Field Airport with Mr. Kevin Soto and authorize the chair to execute the agreements.
5.10: Approve renewal of the lease agreement between the County of Lake and Skypark Properties, LLC for the Lampson Field Airport Pilots’ Lounge and authorize the public works director to sign the renewal letter.
5.11: Approve the retirement of Lake County Sheriff’s Office narcotic K-9 Raider to his handler Deputy Matthew McCabe for the cost of $1.00 per DSA section 2.6.5.
5.12: a) Waive the formal bidding process pursuant to County Ordinance 3109 Section 2-38 due to the unique nature of services; and, b) Approve the contract between county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc., for the Emergency Childcare Bridge Program, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.13: a) Waive the formal bidding process pursuant to County Ordinance 3110 Section 38.1 due to extension of annual agreements; and, b) approve the contract between county of Lake and the Regents of the University of California for training services, in the amount of $365,500 per fiscal year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.14: Approve the contract between county of Lake and Chabot-Las Positas Community College District for Title IV-E Training, in the amount of $1,000,000 from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.15: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, approve the award of Bid No. 25-0693 for the 2024 Levee Patrol Road Gravel Repair Project, Upper Lake, CA, between Lake County Watershed Protection District and Coleman Construction, LLC, in the amount of $163,812.64 and authorize the chair to sign the agreement.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the Week.
6.3, 9:15 a.m.: Public hearing, sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, consideration of an ordinance amending Sewer Use Ordinance (Appendix A) of the Lake County Ordinance Code increasing sewer use fees for the Northwest Regional Sewer System.
6.4, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, sitting as the Kelseyville County Waterworks District No. 3 Board of Directors, consideration of an ordinance increasing sewer use charges and amending Section 1.1 of Ordinance No. 2652 increasing the water charges and fees for Kelseyville County Waterworks District No. 3.
6.5, 10:45 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of an ordinance amending Section 1.1.A of Ordinance No. 2945 increasing the charges and fees for County Service Area No. 2 – Spring Valley Lakes.
6.6, 11:30 a.m.: Consideration of an informational presentation on the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum.
6.7, 1 p.m.: Presentation and consideration of a letter of support for the Elevate Youth California: Youth Substance Use Disorder Prevention Program - Cohort 6, Standard Track funding opportunity.
6.8, 1:30 p.m.: Consideration of an agreement between county of Lake and Smart Easy Pay, Inc. (dba Easy Smart Pay).
6.9, 2 p.m.: Consideration and discussion of a resolution of intention to form the Lake County Hospital Improvement District and setting a date for a public hearing.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of Amendment No. 3 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Vista Pacifica Enterprises Inc. for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services in the amount of $414,300 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
7.3: Consideration of the agreement between county of Lake and North Valley Behavioral Health for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the amount of $900,000 for FY 2024-25.
7.4: Consideration of Amendment Number One to the agreement between county of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. for the Lake County Wrap Program, Foster Care Program, and Intensive Services Foster Care Program for specialty mental health services in the amount of $5,700,000 for Fiscal Years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
7.5: Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and Konocti Senior Support Inc. for senior support counseling services in the amount of $360,249 for Fiscal Years 2023-2026.
7.6: Consideration of the following appointment to the Big Valley Advisory Council: Public member/tribal, Brandon Baeza.
7.7: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District, Board of Directors, consideration of the Watershed Protection District not using any available power of eminent domain (including the commencement of eminent domain proceedings) for the purpose of advancing the economic interests of private parties in connection with any property comprising the lease agreement between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and the Scotts Valley Energy Corp.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee meets Sept. 11
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee will meet this week to get updates on city projects and hear from the new police chief.The committee, or LEDAC, will meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The meeting is open to the public.
It will also be available via Zoom. The meeting ID is 842 2886 1335, pass code is 594383 or join by phone, 669 900 6833.
LEDAC Chair Wilda Shock said Dale Stoebe, Lakeport's new chief of police, will be the guest presenter and bring them news from the police department.
Shock said the group will discuss and determine dates for this year's Business Walk program, and plan for the outreach.
“We expect to conduct the walks before inclement weather, creating pleasant opportunities to meet/greet and learn from our business owners and operators,” she said in a meeting announcement.
Also on the agenda is an update from city staff on current capital improvement projects underway for the fall months.
Ben Rickelman, Lake County deputy county administrative officer for economic development, and Nicole Flora, executive director for Lake County Economic Development Corp., will provide economic development updates.
LEDAC’s next meeting will be Nov. 13.
LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.
Members are Chair Wilda Shock, Vice Chair Denise Combs and Secretary JoAnn Saccato, along with Bonnie Darling, Jeff Davis, Candy De Los Santos, Bill Eaton, Pam Harpster, Bob Santana and Tim Stephens. City staff who are members include City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Department representatives.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Boyles fire leads to evacuations across large portion of Clearlake
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A fast-moving wildland fire that began Sunday afternoon has prompted evacuations across a large swath of the city of Clearlake.
The Boyles fire began burning in the area of Boyles Avenue and Dam Road, and is quickly moving along the east side of the city.
Original size estimates put it close to three acres, burning near structures at a moderate rate of spread in heavy brush.
Law enforcement quickly called for mandatory evacuations, which the Clearlake Police Department said spanned the area of 18th to 32nd avenues east of Boyles Avenue. Police followed up a short time later with an order to evacuate everything east of Highway 53 between 32nd Avenue and Dam Road.
A large contingent of air resources — six tankers and three helicopters, along with air attack — are working the scene.
Engines and crews from around Lake County have been called in to work on the incident, with mutual aid also assisted from Colusa, Mendocino, Sacramento and Sonoma counties.
Radio reports indicated the fire is heavily impacting the area of Dam Road. The fire has pushed toward Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital, where firefighters are ready to evacuate about 30 patients if necessary.
Power lines have been reported down throughout the area. Numerous spot fires also have been reported.
Pacific Gas and Electric said approximately 9,075 customers were out of power across Clearlake and Lower Lake.
Shortly before 4 p.m. Cal Fire said the fire was at 30 acres, with 30 structures involved.
Minutes later, firefighters reported that 300 vehicles were backed up trying to evacuate off of Philips and 40th avenues, with law enforcement requested to hold the intersection of Highway 53 and 40th Avenue for evacuations only.
Just after 4 p.m., the fire was reported to be flaring up again near the hospital, with units requested to respond to the area.
Also shortly after 4 p.m., the fire was reported to have burned 76 acres.
Just before 4:10 p.m., units on scene reported a white male adult in the area of 31st and 32nd avenues attempting to start additional fires.
Law enforcement was requested to respond to the scene and minutes later it was reported that the subject was detained.
By 5:30 p.m., the fire was said to be 10% contained.
At that point, some tankers were being released while the helicopters were continuing to find targets.
An evacuation center has been established at Twin Pines Casino, located at 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.
For those needing assistance getting to the evacuation shelter, respond to the airport property outside of the Clearlake Animal Shelter, located at 6820 Old Highway 53, for help and transport getting to the shelter.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
40th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day set for Sept. 21
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Volunteers around Lake County and throughout California are preparing to clean up waterways once again during a special event this month.
The 40th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 21.
More than 1,000 sites and 45,000 volunteers throughout California are expected to participate this year, removing trash from beaches and inland shores as part of the state’s largest annual volunteer event, according to the California Coastal Commission.
The commission organizes the event as part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by the Ocean Conservancy.
In Lake County, seven locations are so far confirmed to be included in this year’s cleanup. They are:
• Clearlake: Redbud Park, 14800 Ball Park Ave.; Clear Lake Campground, 7805 Cache Creek Way.
• Lakeport: Library Park, 200 Park St.; and Highland Springs, 3600 E. Highland Springs Road.
• Lucerne: Lucerne Harbor Park, 6215 E. State Highway 20.
• Nice: Rodman Slough County Park, 1005 Nice-Lucerne Cut-off.
• Upper Lake: Habematolel Pomo EPA office, 9425 Main St.
To participate or for more information, email Lake County Public Services at
In previous years, Lake County’s volunteers have removed tons of trash and recyclables not just from the shores of Clear Lake but local creeks.
The Coastal Commission reported that in 2023, more than 45,762 volunteers removed 376,308 pounds of trash and recyclables from California’s waterways, beaches and lakes in the one-day cleanup event.
In partnership with the California Division of Boating and Waterways, 41 boating facilities and groups participated in the event with 1,799 volunteers collecting 17,641 pounds of trash and recyclables on land and from 203 kayaks, canoes and dinghies, the Coastal Commission reported.
Past cleanup data showed that 75% of the debris that was removed was composed of plastic, a material that never completely biodegrades and has numerous harmful consequences for the environment. The commission said plastic debris can kill wildlife, leach toxins into the environment, and introduce them into the food chain.
This year 45 California State Parks units also will be participating in the Coastal Cleanup Day.
To join this statewide effort, visit the California Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 webpage. Volunteers are encouraged to reuse items they may have at home.
Participants are encouraged to share their cleanup experience on social media using the hashtag #coastalcleanupday. Follow statewide efforts on Facebook, X and on Instagram.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
