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Supervisors to discuss health and human services agency formation study
LAKEPORT, Calif. – After months of study, county administrative staff still take to the Board of Supervisors this week a discussion on the feasibility of combining the county's health, social services and behavioral health departments into a single health and human services agency when the county's financial situation improves.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 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 and online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
In an untimed item, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson will go to the board to update the supervisors on staff's findings regarding forming a health and human services agency.
Huchingson said the health and human services agency model is used by many counties throughout California. Just a few of the benefits listed in her report include improved operating procedures, more focused direction of count programs, cost sharing between branches, uniform case management practices and reduction of redundant staffing.
While she outlined the benefits, Huchingson's conclusion is that the county can't afford to move forward on the proposal in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
“Staff recommends we reconsider the feasibility of implementing the HHSA model upon the start of each new Recommended Budget cycle, until we are financially able to do it,” Huchingson wrote in her report.
In another untimed item on Tuesday, the board will get an update on the abatement action taken by the county regarding Hoberg's Resort on Cobb. Much of the resort was burned in the Valley fire.
Also on Tuesday, at 9:35 a.m. the board will hold the first reading of a proposed ordinance imposing a cannabis cultivation tax in the unincorporated areas of Lake County.
The board has discussed the matter in previous weeks, making changes to the proposal, which must pass its first reading on Tuesday and its second and final reading on Aug. 9 in order to make the November ballot.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: Adopt resolution expressing support for the Lower Lake High School Homecoming Parade.
7.2: Approve first amendment to the exclusive negotiating rights agreement with Veterans Housing Development Corp. (Continued from July 19, 2016).
7.3: Approve mutual aid agreement between the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the County of Lake by and through the Lake County Animal Care and Control for disaster mutual aid services, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.4: Approve minutes from the Board of Supervisors meeting held on June 21, 2016.
7.5: Authorize the Registrar of Voters to (a) render all services necessary to conduct the city of Lakeport’s General Municipal Election on Nov. 8, 2016, for the purpose of submitting to the voters, sales tax Measure Z to be voted on at said election; and (b) request to consolidate this election with the Statewide General Election pursuant to the City’s Resolution No. 2586 (2016).
7.6: Approve resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Lucerne Elementary School District ordering a school bond election, and authorizing necessary actions in connection therewith, pursuant to the district's Resolution No. 14.
7.7: Approve resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Yuba Community College District ordering an election to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds, establishing specifications of the election order, and requesting consolidation with other elections occurring on Nov. 8, 2016, pursuant to the district's Resolution No. 16-16.
7.8: Adopt proclamation designating the month of August 2016 as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Lake County, Calif.
7.9: Adopt a resolution declaring intent to vacate an easement for public use, in Glenhaven, county of Lake, state of California.
7.10: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District, Board of Directors, approve award of bid for the 2016 Clover Creek Sediment Removal Project, Lake County CA, Bid No. WR 16-02 to Wylatti Resource Management Inc. in the amount of $78,696; and authorize the Water Resources director to sign the contract and notice of award.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of August 2016 as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Lake County.
8.3, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of resolution approving Agreement No. 16-0052 with the state of California, Department of Food and Agriculture and authorizing execution of the contract and contractor certification clause and signatures for insect trapping activities for fiscal year 2016-17.
8.4, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of update and request for direction regarding medical marijuana land use ordinance amendments.
8.5, 9:35 a.m.: Continued from July 26, consideration of proposed ordinance imposing a cannabis cultivation tax in the unincorporated areas of Lake County (first reading).
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.2: Staff report and update regarding Hoberg's Resort abatement action.
9.3: Consideration of staff recommendation regarding health and human services agency formation.
9.4: Second reading, consideration of an ordinance amending Subdivision (c) of Section 27-6 of Article 1 of Chapter 27 of the Lake County Code to revise fire mitigation fees for cases of locally declared emergencies.
9.5: Second reading, consideration of an ordinance amending Subsection 4.4 of Section 4-4 of Article I of Chapter 4 of the Lake County Code relating to fees for dog and cat licensing, redemptions, and other services provided by Lake County Animal Care and Control.
9.6: Consideration of (a) approval to purchase six Utility Police Interceptors from Downtown Ford in the amount of $174,058 from the Sheriff/Pursuit Replacement budget 2217/62.79; and (b) to waive the normal sealed bid process.
9.7: Consideration of (a) resolution amending approved recommended budget for FY16/17 establishing fund 256, budget unit 8356 for Anderson Springs (b) approve and authorize Special Districts administrator to accept donations from Lake County Rising and Anderson Springs Alliance for the Anderson Springs Sewer Project and (c) approve the capital project and resulting expenditures commence prior to the adoption of the final FY 16/17 budget.
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City of Clearlake reports on State Controller’s Office audit
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – City of Clearlake officials said they're pleased with the results of a state audit that looked at the city's handling of specific funds over the course of more than a decade.
During the month of May and June, the State Controller’s Office spent several weeks with city of Clearlake staff performing an audit of Special Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund, Traffic Congestion Relief Fund Allocations, and Proposition 1B Fund Allocations for the period of July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2015, a 13-year span, according to City Manager Greg Folsom.
The last time the State Controller’s Office audited these funds was in 2003, according to City Manager Greg Folsom.
According to the audit report, “Our audit found that the city accounted for and expended its Special Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund, Traffic Congestion Relief Fund allocations, and Proposition 1B Fund allocations in compliance with requirements, except that the city understated the fund balance in the Special Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund by $10,208 as of June 30, 2015, because it incurred ineligible expenses. The city agreed with the finding and reimbursed the Special Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund accordingly.”
“We were very pleased with the results of the audit report. The audit looked at 13 years of funding and millions of dollars of expenditures by our Public Works Department,” said Folsom.
“The only issue identified by the auditor was an annual cost for water that we have rectified,” Folsom said. “Public Works Director Doug Herren and his staff have done a tremendous job of spending the public’s money appropriately under the strict guidelines and limitations of the programs.”
“This is very encouraging,” said Mayor Russ Perdock. “The city received over $5 million in state road funds over this period and this report speaks volumes about the good management that staff has exercised in using these funds for road repair. Unfortunately, these funds can only be used for major arterials and collectors. Our bigger challenge is finding money to improve residential roads where the real need is in our city.”
Clearlake City Council approves signage updates, chamber rental agreement
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – In a brief Thursday night meeting, the Clearlake City Council approved minor updates to the city's signage rules, gave the OK to a rental agreement with the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, and appointed the delegate and alternate for this fall's League of California Cities annual meeting.
Mayor Russ Perdock called the meeting to order and asked for a moment of silence and prayers for the country to heal from its divisiveness.
City Attorney Ryan Jones said there was no reportable action from the closed session the council held immediately before the meeting on Thursday for the purpose of conducting a performance evaluation of City Manager Greg Folsom.
Introducing the amendments to the sign ordinance, Folsom called the proposed changes “essentially minor” and applying only to the elections and sign portions of the city municipal codes.
Folsom said city staff will be conducting a comprehensive and “very significant” zoning code update in the near future. What was before the council on Thursday was to make sure the city is in compliance with the law when it comes to election signs.
Jones said that in June 2015 the United States Supreme Court decided the case Reed vs. The Town of Gilbert, involving an Arizona town.
The court ruled that content-based restrictions on signage violate the First Amendment. In particular, Gilbert had certain regulations for political signs, and different ones for commercial and noncommercial signs, Jones said.
“The Supreme Court said that was illegal,” said Jones, adding that he was concerned because some of Clearlake's rules had mirrored those used in Gilbert.
The amendments before the council removed those content-based requirements so that all signs are generally treated the same. Jones said there are only specific regulations for temporary commercial use, permanent and noncommercial. “Otherwise, a sign is a sign.”
Folsom said the Clearlake Planning Commission reviewed the amendments at its July 5 meeting and recommended the council approve the updated ordinance.
In addition, the commission wanted to change flashing, rotating and moving signs from being expressly prohibited to being permitted with a conditional use permit, Folsom said.
The council held a brief public hearing with no public input and followed up by approving the ordinance 4-0. Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson was absent from the meeting.
Also on Thursday, the council the council approved a rental agreement with the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce for office space at the city's community center building at 3245 Bowers Ave., which also hosts the senior center.
Folsom said the city has a contract with the chamber to occupy the visitor center at 14095 Lakeshore Drive for $1 per year.
However, the opening of the visitor center has been delayed and the chamber has been occupying a small office in the community center. Folsom said the chamber needs a lease to legally occupy the building.
Folsom said the proposed terms include the chamber paying the city $1 a month from Aug. 1 through Dec. 21, with the chamber to occupy the center's office No. 1 and also have monthly meeting space.
He said the city is going to be working hard to get the visitor center opened by year's end. So far, the effort has relied heavily on volunteer help.
Chamber President Jo Bennett said the chamber board met Wednesday night and accepted the proposed contract.
“It's a real benefit for us,” said Bennett, who added the organization likely would be homeless otherwise.
Councilwoman Joyce Overton moved to approve the contract, with Councilman Nick Bennett seconding and the council approving the contract 4-0.
In other business, the council selected its voting delegate and alternate for the League of California Cities conference Oct. 5 to 7 in Long Beach.
Folsom said the organization is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities.
He said the conference is extremely valuable due to the educational and networking opportunities, as well as the chance to vote on resolutions establishing league policy.
However, in order to vote, the city needed to designate a voting delegate and up to two alternate delegates, Folsom said.
Overton moved to appoint Perdock as the voting delegate, with Councilman Bruno Sabatier as the alternate. The council approved the motion unanimously.
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Supervisors continue Staheli Drive cell tower project discussion; matter held over to August
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors continued its hearing of an appeal of a Lake County Planning Commission vote to deny a proposed Kelseyville cell tower project, deciding at the end of the discussion to hold the matter over another month to further explore additional locations.
Representatives acting on behalf of Verizon Wireless agreed to the further continuance, with the matter to come back to the board at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23.
Epic Wireless of Granite Bay, a consultant representing Verizon Wireless, appealed the commission's decision to deny the major use permit for a cell tower on a portion of a 17-acre property at 5660 Staheli Drive.
The board had first heard the appeal in June but held it over since Board Chair Rob Brown – in whose district the tower would be located – was not present for the meeting. He has since reviewed the recordings and documents in order to join the discussion.
In the meantime, Verizon Wireless and its consultants analyzed additional sites. County Principal Planner Audrey Knight said an updated report analyzed a total of 14 locations.
Paul Albritton, outside counsel for Verizon Wireless, spoke to the board about the project. Along with Albritton, on hand to answer questions were Verizon radio frequency engineer Ben Santa Maria, Andrew Lesa of Eric Wireless and Rajat Mathur, an engineer with the consulting firm Hammett and Edison Inc. of Sonoma County.
“We listened very carefully to what you had to say in June and so we revised our alternatives analysis,” said Albritton, explaining that they looked at sites suggested by members of the public and the Kelseyville Business Association.
“We've been working for four years to try and figure out how to fill this 19-square-mile area of coverage,” which Albritton said includes 3,700 residents and a three-mile stretch of Highway 29 which has 22,000 vehicle trips per day.
He said the company's preferred site on Staheli Drive covered all of that area.
“It's the significant gap that we're looking to cover here,” said Lesa, noting that the area covers the entire town of Kelseyville and the highway, and stretching up into the foothills.
Lesa said the alternative sites don't work well to cover that gap.
Albritton said the Staheli Drive location was selected due to its topography, sitting up on a slight rise.
He said that, based on federal law, the board needed to have substantial evidence to make the findings to deny the appeal. In addition, “You can't make determinations based on the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions.”
Verizon sent out emails to customers in the Kelseyville area to gauge support on the project. Albritton said 337 Verizon customers in the area responded to the text, and said they wanted better service and a tower at that site.
“We think there is a large public constituency for this service,” he said, explaining that the data demands are doubling every year and Verizon is working to meet those needs.
The company also is transitioning from 3G to 4G service. Albritton said that upgraded service will require towers to be closer, between a mile and a half to two miles, rather that four or five miles apart.
Supervisor Jim Steele, who had faulted the company's analysis at the June meeting, said he was appreciative of the “amazing” level of effort that went into the followup study, adding they had plugged the information holes.
Businessman Mark Borghesani, who is part owner of an undeveloped six-lot, seven-acre subdivision near the proposed project site, faulted the project for being too close to residential areas. He was concerned that it would harm his family's investment in the subdivision.
“We're not against cell towers, we're not against growth. We know it's something important,” he said of the Kelseyville community.
Nina Marino, who lives across the street from the proposed location, said her only phone is a cell phone, and so she also relies on strong signals. However, she agreed with Borghesani.
“It's still an industrial, commercial project, and we're a rural residential area with single family homes and vineyards and open space,” said Marino, adding that the tower would be an “eyesore.”
Brown said he has gotten a lot of calls from people about the project, with many of them supporting it. He said he's concerned about communications during emergencies, and he's spoken to the fire chief and the California Highway Patrol, which support the project. “That's the primary focus for me.”
However, he said he wanted to try other alternative sites.
Supervisor Jim Comstock also emphasized the need for coverage during emergencies. He said there had been a massive coverage gap between Middletown and Anderson Springs several years ago that had been filled by a tower. That tower provided coverage that he said was absolutely essential during the Valley fire.
Mike Powers, a resident of Staheli Drive and a board member for the Kelseyville Cemetery District, suggested the cemetery's property as an alternative location. The 22-acre property has about 10 to 12 acres not currently being utilized, he said.
Knight noted that the cemetery property and the proposed location on Staheli Drive are only about 1,000 to 1,500 feet apart. Brown said he didn't think there is much of an elevation difference between them.
Brown added that, in addition to the cemetery, he didn't want to rule out possible alternative sites on a county corporation yard and a water tank on Sand Hill south of town.
Albritton said there was a state law passed in 2007 that prevents local jurisdictions from directing wireless companies to county or city owned property.
Brown said it wasn't a direction but a proposed alternative, and Albritton replied that Verizon likes to do business with cities and counties.
There also was the “shot clock” to consider, which Albritton said is the requirement under federal law that a governing body needs to make a decision within a certain amount of time on such projects.
He said that time limit had been extended for Tuesday's meeting, and would need to do so again.
While the company was willing to do further study, Albritton noted, “Our obligation is to show that there is no less intrusive site. We don't have to evaluate every site.”
Albritton agreed to Brown's proposal to come back on Aug. 23, adding that if there is potential for the alternative sites new designs would need to be undertaken.
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