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State budget bill passes, includes Clear Lake appropriation; still needs governor's signature
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Hopes remain alive that a $1 million appropriation for Clear Lake restoration projects could become a reality.
On Monday the state Legislature passed the $117 billion budget bill for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which includes the lake appropriation that Assemblyman Bill Dodd and Sen. Mike McGuire have shepherded through the budget process, as Lake County News has reported.
The appropriation – which would come from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund Budget – is to be used for water quality and wetlands restoration projects, and protecting the lake against invasive species.
Ezrah Chaaban, Dodd's chief of staff, said Gov. Jerry Brown should receive the bill shortly and now has 12 days to sign or veto the bill.
However, Clear Lake's appropriation still has hurdles to clear.
For one, the budget bill likely is to undergo more changes before it's truly finished.
State Treasurer John Chiang reported Monday that more work on the bill is needed “to resolve interparty, as well as intraparty disagreements.”
While the California Constitution requires lawmakers to pass the budget bill by June 15, Chiang said the real budget deadline is June 30 – the point by which the governor must sign or veto the bill.
Chiang urged lawmakers to create a spending plan that “remains fiscally-disciplined in paying down the massive budgetary debt, makes sound investments, and prepares for the next economic upheaval,” in order to help California rise “out of the basement level of creditworthiness.”
Another challenge is that Brown could strike the appropriation out of the budget himself.
Even when a final bill is given to the governor, he can line item veto – or “blue pencil” – out specific items, Chaaban said.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will consider sending Gov. Brown a letter in support of the appropriation.
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to write Brown. The chamber has emailed a copy of a letter businesses can use as a template that raises concerns about the lake's loss of wetlands, the threat of invasive species, deteriorating water quality, and asserts that Clear Lake – the largest freshwater lake in California – is a valuable local and state resource.
“It is our understanding that the Fish and Game Preservation Fund Budget projects a $25 million surplus for next year, and that the pending appropriation of funding for Clear Lake is a one-time action. Therefore, we believe this request is well within the Fund’s capability to accommodate,” the letter states.
Community members and businesses who want to support the appropriation can contact the governor by calling him at 916-445-2841 or sending a message through his Web site, https://govnews.ca.gov/gov39mail/mail.php .
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Supervisors to consider recommended $199 million budget for upcoming fiscal year
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will hold its initial consideration of the recommended budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year and hold a second reading on an ordinance to implement a community choice aggregation program for power purchases.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 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 item timed for 11:30 a.m., the board will consider the fiscal year 2015-16 recommended budget created by the County Administrative Office, and also consider a proposed resolution establishing fiscal year 2015-16 position allocations to conform to the recommended budget and requests for authorization to purchase capital assets and fill positions prior to final adoption of the budget.
County Administrative Officer Matt Perry's memo to the board explains that the total recommended appropriations for all funds in the recommended budget is approximately $199,228,807, up from last year's $184,767,585.
At 9:15 a.m., the board will hold the second reading of an ordinance that would authorize the county's implementation of a community choice aggregation program.
That program would allow residents and businesses in the unincorporated county to get lower rates on electrical power, at the same time as increasing the county's portfolio of renewable energy.
In an untimed item, the board will consider sending a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown in support of a proposed $1 million appropriation in the 2015-16 state budget to support water quality improvement projects for Clear Lake.
Lake County's representatives in the state Legislature, Assemblyman Bill Dodd and Sen. Mike McGuire, have worked to get the allocation approved this year.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: (a) Approve work and financial plan between Lake County and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS-WS) for July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016, in the amount of $97,421 and authorize the chair to sign; and (b) adopt resolution approving a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture to provide an animal damage control program for the county of Lake.
7.2: Approve out-of-state travel for Selena Craine to attend the Equine Investigators Academy in Durango, Colo., Aug. 24 to 29, 2015.
7.3: (a) Approve attached budget transfer in budget unit 1123 - Assessor, transferring $22,000 from account 01-11 to account 62-71, and (b) waive the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2-38.5 of the County Code to purchase MEGABYTE, personal property tax module.
7.4: Adopt resolution establishing 2015-2016 appropriations limit – county and Special Districts.
7.5: Approve first amendment to the agreement between county of Lake and Manzanita House for adult residential support services for fiscal year 2014-15, an increase of $17,425 for a new contract maximum of $117,425, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.6: Approve agreement between county of Lake and Westview Healthcare Center for FY 2014-15 specialty mental health services and adult residential support services in the amount of $30,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.7: Approve second amendment to the agreement between county of Lake and Edgewood Center for Children and Families for FY 2014-15 specialty mental health services, an increase of $15,000 for a new contract maximum of $20,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.8: Approve first amendment to the agreement between county of Lake and San Sousee for FY 2014-15 adult residential support, an increase of $33,482 for a new contract maximum of $133,482, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.9: Approve first amendment to agreement between county of Lake and Remi Vista, Inc. for FY 2014-15 specialty mental health services, a decrease of $53,000 for a new contract maximum of $22,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.10: Approve third amendment to the agreement between county of Lake and North Valley Behavioral Health LLC for FY 2014-15 inpatient psychiatric emergency services, an increase of $40,000 for a new contract maximum of $348,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.11: Approve second amendment to the agreement between county of Lake and California Psychiatric Transitions for FY 2014-15 mental health services, an increase of $43, 984 for a new contract maximum of $193,984, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.12: Approve out-of-state travel for Child Support Director Gail Woodworth to attend the Western Interstate Child Support Enforcement Council annual training conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 13 to 17, 2015.
7.13: Waive 900-hour limitation for Extra Help District Attorney Investigator Aide Robert McPherson.
7.14: Approve advanced step hiring of Erika Nosera, at fifth step for Public Health Nurse III.
7.15: Adopt resolution to appropriate unanticipated revenue for the county of Lake Health Services Department in the amount of $900.00 in support of the county's Certified Unified Program Agency and authorize the director of Health Services to sign the grant agreement.
7.16: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Virginia Cerenio for FY 2015-16 general education teaching services for incarcerated individuals at the Lake County Jail with payment made from the Inmate Welfare Trust Fund 2215, in the amount of $12,000 per year and authorize the chair to sign.
7.17: Approve agreement between county of Lake and SunRidge Systems Inc., for FY 2014-15 support services of law enforcement software suite, in the amount of $28,866, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.18: Approve contract between Lake County Department of Social Services and Glenn County Health and Human Services Agency for FY 2015-16 Child Welfare Services/Case Management System, in the amount of $15,824, and authorize Social Services director to sign.
7.19: Approve request for late travel claim in the amount of $75.82 for Celeste Feldman, Social Worker III in Adult Services.
7.20: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, approve agreement by and between the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake and the Lake County Sanitation District for the acquisition through negotiations and/or eminent domain proceedings of real property which is necessary to the construction of a sewage collection system, in the amount of $10,000, and authorize the Special Districts administrator to sign on behalf of the Lake County Sanitation District.
7.21: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, adopt resolution declaring intent to adopt a resolution of public use and necessity (Habematolel Pomo Sewer Force Main Project) and authorize the chair to sign.
7.22: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, approve easement deed for Habematolel Sewer Mainline Extension Project, APN 004-003-260 and authorize the chair to sign.
7.23: (a) Approve agreement between county of Lake and Ruzicka Associates for engineering services for South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Water System, in the amount of $5,142, and authorize the chair to sign; and (b) approve agreement between county of Lake and Archeological Services Inc. for archaeological services for South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Water System, in the amount of $13,117.61, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.24: Authorize distribution of excess proceeds in the amount of $102,649.12 from tax defaulted land sale No. 153 held Feb. 22, 2013.
7.25: Addendum, award bid for Ackley Road at Manning Creek Bridge Replacement Project near Lakeport, CA Bid No. 15-01, to Granite Construction Co., in the amount of $727,365, and authorize the chair to sign agreement and notice of award.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:15 a.m.: Second reading, consideration of an ordinance authorizing the implementation of a community choice aggregation program for electrical power purchase, including renewable energy, for residents and businesses in the unincorporated area of Lake County.
8.3, 9:30 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $4,854.08, for 5900 East State Highway 20, Lucerne, CA (APN 034-422-20 - Paul E. Lodge and Glenda A. Lodge).
8.4, 9:35 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $10,279.08, for 3354 Sunset Terrace, Lucerne, CA (APN 034-341-22 - Donald Bradshaw & Mercedes Bradshaw).
8.5, 9:40 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $10,439.19, for 10337 Pinewood Way, Whispering Pines, CA (APN 050-261-16 - Joan Fontaine).
8.6, 9:45 a.m.: Consideration of (a ) pest master services appeal of recommended contract award to Clean Lakes Inc.; and (b) contract for 2015 aquatic vegetation management program between the county of lake and Clean Lakes Inc., in the amount of $209,116.67 and authorize the Water Resources director to sign.
8.7, 10 a.m.: Consideration of resolution affirming the need for and requesting additional assistance for the county of Lake to prevent real estate and mortgage fraud.
8.8, 11 a.m.: Matt Cate, executive director of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), update on CSAC activities to your board.
8.9, 11:30 a.m.: (a) Consideration of fiscal year 2015-16 recommended budget; (b) consideration of proposed resolution establishing FY 2015-16 position allocations to conform to the recommended budget; and (c) consideration of requests for authorization to purchase capital assets and fill positions prior to final adoption of the budget.
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.2: Consideration of letter to Gov. Brown encouraging support of an appropriation of $1 million in the state budget to support water quality improvement projects for Clear Lake.
9.3: Consideration of the following appointments: Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee Kelseyville Cemetery District Board of Trustees Lake County IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee.
9.4: Consideration of letter of support for Hydrilla Eradication Program.
9.5: Consideration of approval of revisions to county personnel rules 1503 sick leave.
9.6: Consideration of resolution amending Resolution No. 2015-21 establishing salaries and benefits for management employees for July 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2016.
9.7: Consideration of resolution amending resolution No. 2015-50 establishing salaries and benefits for employees assigned to the confidential unit, Section B, for July 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2016.
9.8: Consideration of resolution amending Resolution No. 2015-19 establishing salaries and benefits for employees assigned to the confidential unit, Section A for July 1, 2014, to Dec.r 31, 2016.
9.9: Addendum, consideration of out-of-state travel for Water Resources Director Scott DeLeon to Washington, D.C. June 24-26, 2015, to accept an award at the second annual Congressional Reception and Awards Program, in cooperation with the co-chairs of the Congressional Invasive Species Caucus.
CLOSED SESSION
10.2: Public employee evaluations, County Librarian Christopher Veach.
10.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Bond v. Martin, et al.
10.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Lakeside Heights HOA v. County of Lake.
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Lakeport City Council to discuss adopting budget, extending water emergency
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council will consider approving its fiscal year 2015-16 budget and discuss additional water conservation measures as required by the state due to the drought.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The agenda packet for the meeting can be downloaded at http://cityoflakeport.com/departments/home.aspx?deptid=88 .
Finance Director Dan Buffalo, who led the council through two budget workshops earlier this month, will present to the council the 2015-16 recommended budget and its component units, including the appropriations limit of $10,872,913.
This year's budget, according to Buffalo, has revenues of $18.19 million and expenditures of $20.9 million, with one-time costs for major projects like revitalizing downtown Main Street accounting for the higher expenditures number.
Also on Tuesday, the council will consider adopting a proposed resolution continuing the declaration of a stage one water emergency and implementing further water conservation measures as mandated by the State Water Resources Control Board.
Under the latest rules, the city must approve a resolution setting forth which days of the week people can do outdoor watering, according to City Manager Margaret Silveira's report to the council.
Silveira said staff is recommending requiring that those homes and businesses with addresses ending in an even number irrigate outdoor ornamental landscapes or turf on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and those with addresses ending in an odd number irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays.
In other business on Tuesday, the council will consider the appeal of Nancy Ruzicka, on behalf of the Ruzicka Family Trust, regarding the Lakeport Planning Commission’s approval of a 72-foot high “monopine” cell phone tower at 1875 N. High St.
Public Works Superintendent Doug Grider will take to the council a proposal to purchase a card lock system from Petro Tech in the amount of $30,875.
Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will present a resolution authorizing the submittal of an application to the California State Department of Housing and Community Development for funding under the HOME Investment Partnership Program.
Public Works Director Mark Brannigan will ask the council for approval for the city to execute a contract with Pavement Engineering Inc., to provide engineering services for design of the Bevins Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; warrant registers from June 8; minutes of the regular council meeting on June 2; and applications for the Main Street Association's Taste of Lakeport event on Friday, Aug. 28, and Trick or Treat Main Street on Friday, Oct. 30, and the Lakeport Yacht Club's application for the Cardboard and Duct Tape Regatta on July 4.
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061615 Lakeport City Council - Recommended budget and water conservation resolution
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City of Clearlake reports on annual Clean Up Day
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The 11th annual Clearlake Clean Up Day once again led to the removal of a considerable amount of trash from the city limits.
The event, which took place last Saturday, was based on Austin Park.
“We accomplished a great deal over the four hour time period, and our city is better for it,” said Public Works Director Doug Herren. “It was good to see teams of all ages working together for the betterment of our city.”
More than 70 community volunteers picked up 100 yards of trash, debris and recyclables from neighborhoods, parks and waterways, according to Deputy City Clerk Adeline Brown, who oversaw volunteer signups.
In addition, the tire amnesty portion of the event took in more than 250 tires, Brown said.
Volunteers walked streets and trails, and kayakers and boats collected debris from the shoreline of Cache Creek from Shaw Shady Acres to the dam, the city reported.
Councilman Russ Perdock reported on the cleanup to his colleagues at Thursday night's council meeting and thanked the community members who took part.
“It was an amazing crowd,” he said.
In addition to the work along waterways, Perdock acknowledged the teams that were sent out to the Avenues and the park area, noting that there was an “impressive” amount of trash collected.
He said there were a number of shopping carts collected from Cache Creek, and other waterways and drainages.
Perdock thanked local stores that are making changes to make sure their shopping carts are contained to their properties. However, he said he still thought the city needed move forward with an ordinance regarding shopping carts.
The city acknowledged the following individuals, organizations and local businesses that contributed and offered assistance with the event: city staff, the Clearlake City Council, Volunteers in Policing, Beth-Katherine Kaiman of PEG Channel TV8, Supervisor Jeff Smith, Bruce McCracken and staff from Clearlake C&S Waste Solutions, Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake, Lake County Fire Protection District, Walt Hill and the Mormon Helping Hands with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Clearlake, Crossroads Church, Shaw Shady Acres, A&B Collision, H&R Block, Walmart, Grocery Outlet and IGA Foods Etc.
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