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Lakeport City Council approves disc golf course concept for Westside Park
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Lakeport City Council gave its support to a concept that would place an 18-hole disc golf course at the city's Westside Community Park.
Public Works Superintendent Doug Grider took the proposal – put forward by the Lake County Disc Golf Club – to the council. His presentation begins at the 28:30 minute mark in the video above.
The concept proposes an 18-hole disc golf course, with the possibility of 27 holes, in the third phase of Westside Park.
Volunteers from the disc golf club would do the installation and be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the holes, and would work closely with the Westside Community Park Committee, according to Grider's written report, which – along with the proposal from the group – can be seen in the staff report below, pages 86 to 99.
“The installation would include the construction of tees and the installation of signs and baskets. With exception of a few low-growing tree limbs near the tees and baskets, no foliage would need to be planted or removed,” the report explained.
Grider said there would be no cost to the city, with the course to be funded by the Lake County Disc Golf Club and donations from local businesses.
The club also would provide upkeep such as emptying trash cans, would cover the cost of a portable restroom and provide liability insurance upon entering into a lease agreement with the city, Grider reported.
Grider said overall maintenance is expected to be minimal – it would mostly involve mowing the course once a year.
The group, Grider told the council Tuesday evening, also has an agreement with the county of Lake for the disc golf course facility at Highland Springs.
He pointed out that the sport has been in the Lake County area for many years. Grider said he went out and played it with his children. “It was great fun.”
That experience caused him to become interested in offering a course in Lakeport. “It's something that anyone can play – any age group,” plus it's good exercise, he said.
The disc golf course would open up opportunities for the general community, said Grider.
Grider said the disc golf club gave the Lakeport Parks And Recreation Commission a presentation on the proposed course on April 2. The commission voted at that same meeting to unanimously recommend that the city council pursue the disc golf course plan.
He was hoping for a vote from council so they can move forward on the plans.
With there being no cost to the city, and no fees for the public to play, “I think that's a win-win for everybody,” Grider said.
Councilman Kenny Parlet said he's also played and enjoyed the sport, and like Grider pointed out that the average person can play it.
His main concerns revolved around course design. Parlet said he's played bad courses, but pointed to the Highland Springs course as being a great one. The proposed Lakeport course's close proximity to restaurants and shopping also could benefit local businesses.
“It's a great sport for all ages,” Parlet said.
Councilman Marc Spillman pointed out that the Westside Community Park Committee has other plans for the area where the course would be located.
Grider said the course would have to shrink as the master plan develops, explaining that staff had told the disc golf club about those other plans in the future. “They fully understand that.”
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina asked when it could be ready. Members of the club who were on hand said they have tournaments coming up but believed that the course could be installed by the fall.
“This is a very important place for disc golf,” Jim Goetz, president of the Basket Cases, a local disc golf club, told the council.
He explained that Ed Headrick – known as the father of disc golf as well as the designer of the modern Frisbee – lived in Lakeport at one time and put in the Highland Springs course.
Goetz said another course has been put in at the Black Rock Golf Course – formerly known as Rob Roy on Cobb Mountain and now owned by the Moore family – with the disc course baskets also to be installed in an area at Buckingham Golf Course.
The course proposed at Westside Park will be designed for all skill levels, Goetz said. “We really want it to be a community course.”
He said they hold a lot of tournaments locally. “It just brings in a lot of people from out of town.”
Goetz claimed disc golf is the fastest growing sport in the country.
Mayor Martin Scheel said it was a great idea, and pointed out that the Lakeport Unified School District also has a small course set up for students.
Scheel suggested that with some creativity a limited course could remain at the park even after the future improvements in phase three take place.
“I definitely think we should work to keep it there,” Scheel said.
Parlet moved to approve the concept and directed staff to work on a contract with the Lake County Disc Golf Club. Spillman seconded and the council voted 5-0.
In other business on Tuesday night, the council held a brief public hearing after which it unanimously approved a negative declaration and zone change based on an initial study and environmental review plus a rezone from major retail to public and civic uses for the new Lakeport Police headquarters at 2025 S. Main St.
In order to participate in its third annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 5 – which will be held at the new police headquarters – the council agreed to cancel its meeting that night.
City Manager Margaret Silveira said the previous two National Night Out events in Lakeport have been very successful.
The council received a presentation on making the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region and approved a resolution supporting making the region a national monument, and gave unanimous consent to the adoption of a proposed resolution opting to affirm an exemption from the requirements of AB 1826, which requires mandatory commercial organics recycling.
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Valley Oaks project reintroduced to planning commission; decision expected June 11
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Six years after its draft environmental impact report was approved, the Valley Oaks development – proposed for construction near Middletown – was back before the Lake County Planning Commission on Thursday.
After sidelining the project temporarily while the economy recovered, Santa Rosa-based Kimco Development – led by Ken Porter – has put the project back on track, and was before commissioners for an introductory hearing at the Thursday morning meeting.
Porter is proposing to build a senior development – 55 years and up – consisting of 380 homes in six phases, a senior housing/assisted living facility, 29 acres of public open space, trails and park facilities, and a 31-acre commercial area fronting Highway 29 on 150 acres at 18196 and 18426 South State Highway 29, Middletown.
The project also includes a realignment of Coyote Creek to what is believed to be its original path, which is meant to address erosion and flooding concerns.
Community Development Director Rick Coel told the commission that it was publicly noticed and agendized for action, but considering that four of the commissioners are new since the project was last heard, “We felt that we had to give you more time.”
He said he wanted to give them more of an opportunity to look through the materials – including the 4-inch-thick draft environmental impact report approved in 2009 – along with the updated final EIR before coming back to make a decision at the commission's next meeting, scheduled for June 11.
Coel said Valley Oaks' application was first submitted to the county about nine years ago. It went through revisions and then further changes as part of the process associated with the county completed the Middletown Area Plan.
“It's kind of been honed over the years through these different processes,” he said.
Planner Keith Gronendyke said the commission approved the draft EIR in February 2009, recommending approval to the Board of Supervisors along with further work. He said the final EIR was completed in 2014.
The final EIR finds several significant impacts, including aesthetics, light and glare, air quality, noise, and utilities and service system, with the document recommending mitigation measures. He said county staffer have found the project to be consistent with the Lake County General Plan and the Middletown Area plan.
The Thursday meeting gave Kimco representatives a chance to make a presentation on the updated project.
Jean Kapolchok, Kimco Development's land use planning consultant, said the project – which since its inception has been changed from single-family residences to a senior development – will now have only single-story homes, rather than some two-story homes as was previously envisioned. She called that a “significant change” from the previous proposal.
With the amenities offered and the impacts reviewed, “This project comes to you as a planned development,” she said.
Kapolchok said the project would strengthen the overall economic base of the planning area, reduce vehicle miles to get basic services and be consistent with design guidelines set forth in the area plan.
There will be green construction, an option for alternative modes of transportation and an overall reduction in commuter miles, even below what's estimated in the EIR, she said.
Dave Colombo, the project architect, emphasized the effort to make the project fit seamlessly into its natural environment.
When he first walked the project area with Porter nearly a decade ago, he said the heritage class oaks that dot the property impressed him. He said the area's farmers and ranchers had redirected Coyote Creek into a channel trough that bypassed the trees.
One of the visions for the project, he said, was how to save the trees. Part of the design concept included developing a series of parks and pathways through the development while trying to save as many of the trees as possible.
Another change to the project for its original vision is that Caltrans is proposing to install a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 29 and Hartmann Road, which Colombo said changes the entry into the commercial center. Previously, there had been plans for a signal light at Arabian Lane.
Colombo said the senior adult living facility would be at the back side of the project. Amenities would include tennis and bocce ball courts, a community center with a pool, walking paths and a dog park. The retail center would include restaurants and retail space.
He returned to the topic of the trees – the namesake of the development – and said they are going to do what they can to save the majority of them. “They're an important resource that needs to be looked at and maintained.”
A number of concerns had been brought forward by Hidden Valley Lake residents that the Kimco team has worked to address, including maintaining the area's dark night sky, Colombo said. They also plan to put as many solar panels as they can on commercial buildings – which will top out at two stories – and include charging stations around the property.
Commissioner Don Deuchar asked about lot sizes. Colombo said lots would range between 6,000 and 11,000 square feet, with Porter adding that home sizes would be a minimum of 1,200 square feet.
Public offers comments on project
During the public hearing, Hidden Valley Lake resident Cheryl Trammel-George told the commission that she was not convinced that the project could not be developed without an environmental impact, noting there would be a definite impact on the area's aesthetics. She also didn't think the nearly 29 acres of open space was significant for the overall property size.
“We're looking at a massive build out where you're going to have tremendous noise, tremendous air pollution and tremendous light and glare,” she said, adding it will impact Hidden Valley Lake residents.
Victoria Brandon of the Sierra Club Lake Group said the organization submitted its first letter about the project in 2006.
“We had some serious concerns about this project when it was first proposed,” she said, noting that, as originally proposed, it was not consistent with the general and area plans.
“I'm really glad to be able to say that just about all of those concerns have been met,” said Brandon, noting she was pleased to see Kimco had taken some of the group's suggestions.
As an active senior community, Valley Oaks will provide something Lake County doesn't have, and should be an attraction, Brandon said.
The green building plans, solar options, landscaping, walking trails, open space and moving the creek turns the project into an actual community asset, according to Brandon.
Hidden Valley Lake resident Larry Chandler questioned the project's water source, with plans to tie it into the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District. He pointed out that the district currently is under a building moratorium.
“We do have a drought going on and I think the timing of this development may not be wise,” he said.
Monica Rosenthal, a former planning commissioner for the Middletown area, agreed with a lot of what Brandon had to say on Valley Oaks.
Rosenthal was delighted to see that Valley Oaks had been changed to a senior project, which she said is greatly needed in the area.
Another former Middletown-area planning commission, Frieda Camotta, also gave her support to the plans, noting Porter has always been willing to modify the project to suit the community.
A Hidden Valley Lake resident who has experienced flooding, Camotta noted, “This project and the realignment of the creek will help Hidden Valley Lake alleviate the flooding there as well.”
Camotta added, “There's a lot to like about this project” in terms of bringing in commercial options to help stop the financial leakage to other areas.
“I would encourage you to go forward with this project,” she said.
Fletcher Thornton, chairman of the Middletown Area Town Hall, proposed approving the project, although he said the group had some concerns about the architecture which it would address at some point in the future.
Middletown Rancheria Tribal Chair Jose Simon III also offered his support. “From Middletown Rancheria's standpoint, we do like the project also.”
Simon said the area where the project is slated to be built is an important one to the tribe. He said there are 15 to 18 village sites in the Hidden Valley Lake and Callayomi area. “There are a lot of historical artifacts for us.”
As such, Simon asked to work with Porter to establish an agreement for a native monitor to be on site during major excavation in order to protect any historical artifacts that might be disturbed.
Commissioner Bob Malley asked about the development's water tie-in with Hidden Valley Lake. Coel said he has had considerable conversations with both Porter and Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District General Manager Roland Sanford about the matter.
“The issue there is not that there is a lack of water,” said Coel, explaining that the December storm brought the Hidden Valley Lake aquifer back to normal. Rather, it's a matter of legal water rights, with the regional water board issuing a number of curtailment notices to more than 20 systems because of the drought.
“We do strongly believe this property has its own riparian water rights,” he said, adding it can be part of the long-term solution for helping Hidden Valley Lake's water systems.
He added, “It's a complicated issue.” The only way that the water system improvements can move forward is by moving forward through the Local Area Formation Commission process, which would include processes related to sphere of influence and annexation.
Porter showed them slides of the lots, explaining that Coyote Creek brings with it additional water rights to the property. He said he can take the riparian rights the Valley Oaks property is entitled to and turn them over to Hidden Valley Lake's district, which will give them an additional source of water.
“It's not quite finalized but it's been addressed,” Porter said.
During the discussion with the commission, Chair Joe Sullivan raised concerns about potential impacts on the community, particularly in the commercial aspects.
Porter said he envisioned the tenants in his commercial development being more for everyday uses while Middletown is heading toward more tourist-related businesses. “I think we're going to have different types of commercial,” although there may be overlap.
At one point a theater had signed a letter of intent, but he said it isn't involved in the updated project, although it may be back.
The commission will continue its consideration of the project at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 11.
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City of Lakeport opens Westshore Pool; seasonal swimming lessons begin June 8
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport's Westshore Pool opened for the summer season on Monday, and with the pool's opening comes the opportunity for children to learn to be safe in the water.
The city of Lakeport, which runs the pool in the summer, is planning to begin swimming lessons on June 8, according to Public Works Superintendent Doug Grider.
The lessons will be offered throughout the summer pool season, which ends Aug. 1, Grider said.
Last year, the pool was not open for the public swim due to soils testing to ensure the facility's ground stability, as Lake County News has reported.
Over the past several years the city has hosted the swimming lessons, which Grider said have been very popular.
However, this year the signups have been slower than usual. “In past years we've been completely filled and booked by now,” said Grider, who noted that many classes still have hardly any enrollees.
The swimming lessons offered at the pool have been cited by city officials and council members alike as a service they feel is critical to a community like Lake County, which has the state's largest natural freshwater lake.
Grider said the swimming lessons are held in two-week courses, and run four days per week.
In the beginners class, which over the years has been the most popular, sessions run a half-hour each, while in the advanced beginner class, sessions are an hour long, Grider said. Class size is limited to eight children.
The cost is $60 per child, with the city requiring that participating children be 3 years or older and toilet trained.
Lessons are held rain or shine, and the city does not offer discounts for multiple children.
Grider said the fees charged for the lessons don't come close to covering the pool expenses. Rather, the goal is to offer affordable lessons as a community service to make sure children have the skills they need in the water.
The city has its lifeguards and swimming instructors ready to go, although Grider said they are always looking for certified lifeguards, and anyone with the necessary certifications who is interested can come in and be considered for addition to the lifeguard roster.
To register your child for swimming lessons, pick up the forms at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.; go to www.cityoflakeport.com and complete the appropriate application, and mail your payment and application to City of Lakeport, 591 Martin St., Lakeport, CA 95453; email your request to Reana Hoaglen at
The summer swimming lesson schedule is below.
Session one: June 8-18
Advanced beginner: 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Beginner: 10:30-11 a.m.
Beginner: 11:15-11:45 a.m.
Session two: June 22-July 2
Advanced beginner: 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Beginner: 10:30-11 a.m.
Beginner: 11:15-11:45 a.m.
Session three: July 6-16
Advanced beginner: 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Beginner: 10:30-11 a.m.
Beginner: 11:15-11:45 a.m.
Session four: July 20-30
Advanced beginner: 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Beginner: 10:30-11 a.m.
Beginner: 11:15-11:45 a.m.
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Supervisors to hold hearing on fire plans, get report on Lucerne visitor center use
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Board of Supervisors will consider updates to county fire plans and hear about plans for a new use for the county's former visitor information center.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 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.
At 9:15 a.m. the board will hold a public hearing to consider a resolution approving resolutions and capital fire facility and equipment plans submitted by Lake County's fire agencies.
The supervisors also will consider updating the Lake County Capital Fire Facility and Equipment Plan.
In an untimed item, the board will get a report on plans for opening of Department of Social Services satellite office at the former visitor information center in Lucerne.
The center closed last fall due to a reallocation of the county's marketing plan funds.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: Approve budget transfer to transfer appropriation from BU 1121- Auditor, to BU 1120 - Non Departmental Revenue in the amount of $5,000
7.2: Adopt resolution approving the application of the Lake County Arts Council for the California Arts Council Grant for fiscal year 2015-16 and authorize the executive director of the Lake County Arts Council to execute the grant contract .
7.3: Approve fifth amendment to the agreement between county of Lake and Willow Glen Care Center for fiscal year 14-15 adult residential support services, a decrease of $40,000 for a new contract maximum of $95,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.4: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Aurora Santa Rosa Hospital for acute professional psychiatric inpatient services for fiscal year 2014-15, for a contract maximum of $19,550 and authorize the chair to sign.
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 second amendment to the agreement between the county of Lake and Modesto Residential Living Center LLC for fiscal year 2014-15 adult residential support services, an increase of $19,093 for a new contract maximum of $84,093, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.7: Approve advance step hire for extra help District Attorney Investigator II Louis Riccardi at Step 5 due to extraordinary qualifications.
7.8: Adopt resolution to appropriate unanticipated revenue in fund 170, Budget Unit 4011 Public Health for the county of Lake Health Services Department in the amount of $66,318 in support of readiness and response capability to respond to Ebola virus disease and approve the board chair to sign the nonsupplantation certification form, and authorize the Health Services director to sign the letter of acceptance.
7.9: (a) Approve grant award for Susteen Mobile Forensic Field Command Grant for the purchase of a Secure View Next Generation Mobile Forensics tool in the amount of $13,381.20 ($7,391 of which are grant funds); (b) approve budget transfer in the amount of $5,991; (c) Waive the normal bidding process; and (d) authorize the sheriff to issue a purchase order.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:15 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of resolution approving resolutions and capital fire facility and equipment plans submitted by Lake County Fire agencies and updating the Lake County Capital Fire Facility and Equipment Plan.
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.2: Consideration of resolution approving the Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and expenditure plan for fiscal year 2014-15 through fiscal year 2016-17.
9.3: Carried over from May 19, consideration of amendment No. 1 to agreement between the county of Lake and T-Mobile for facility space license agreement on Buckingham Peak, to allow T-Mobile to place additional equipment and pay the county $100,000 towards the power upgrade project, and authorize the chair to sign.
9.4: Consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and Quincy Engineering for engineering services for replacement of St. Helena Creek Bridge at Wardlaw Street (14C-0035) and rehabilitation of Cooper Creek Bridge at Witter Springs Road (14C-0102), in the amount of $884,330, and authorize the chair to sign.
9.5: Report on plans for opening of Department of Social Services Satellite Office at the former Visitor Information Center in Lucerne.
CLOSED SESSION
10.2: Public employee evaluation: Social Services Director Carol Huchingson.
Email Elizabeth Larson at [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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