How to resolve AdBlock issue? Clearlake City Council to discuss policy for prayer at meetings
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – After deciding last month to establish a policy allowing invocations – or prayers – at the start of meetings, the Clearlake City Council this week will discuss a resolution establishing policy for the practice.
The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, to discuss employee discipline, dismissal and release before convening in open session in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At its Aug. 28 meeting the council unanimously agreed to proceed with putting in place a mechanism to allow for opening its meetings with prayer, as Lake County News has reported.
The proposed resolution notes that no one will be required to participate, the chance to lead the prayers will be offered voluntarily by an eligible member of the clergy or city religious leaders on a rotating basis, there is no compensation, and no prior review or involvement in preparing the prayer.
In other business, the council will consider adopting a resolution opposing Proposition 47, which would reduce the classification of most nonserious and nonviolent property and drug crime from felonies to misdemeanors, and make up to 10,000 felons eligible for early release.
The council also will discuss reestablishing the Clearlake Parks and Recreation Commission and will ratify the mayor's appointment to fill Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson's remaining term on the Lake County/City Area Planning Council.
Items on the consent agenda – considered to be noncontroversial and accepted as a slate with one vote – include warrant registers, consideration of accepting for filing the 2014 local agency biennial notice regarding amendments to the conflict of interest code and minutes of the Aug. 13 Lake County Vector Control District meeting.
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Supervisors to consider plan to address library budget shortfall
LAKEPORT, Calif. – With the Lake County Library facing a major funding shortfall, the Board of Supervisors this week will consider a plan to help the library take on new services in an effort to avoid service and staff cuts.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. TV8 will broadcast the meeting live, with the video available online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm .
In an untimed item, the board will consider options to address the shortfall in the library's operating budget, the primary proposal being to have the library to provide visitor information services.
Earlier this year the Board of Supervisors voted to close the Visitor Information Center in Lucerne, as Lake County News has reported.
County Administrative Officer Matt Perry's report to the board for Tuesday's meeting explains that in this month's budget hearings, the board directed County Librarian Christopher Veach to develop alternatives to canceling reserves to address the shortfall of approximately $50,000 in the library operating fund.
While Veach has completed a report proposing cost-saving alternatives, Perry is proposing the board instead consider a possibility put forward at the budget hearings – having the library provide visitor information services.
Primary services that the Visitor Information Center provided included assisting visitors already in the county, answering calls to the toll-free telephone number, responding to emails sent to the
While the first responsibility – assisting visitors to the county – will continue to be provided by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at the Visitor Information Center at Vista Point and by kiosks and trained employees at businesses hosting the kiosks, Perry added, “The remaining services could easily be provided by the Library.”
He continued, “Library staff is already trained in serving the public and providing information. Travelers and tourists already stop at the Library to access free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and information such as maps. Library staff has assisted many travelers by printing out directions, looking up information about community events, and providing other tourist information. Providing helpful, courteous service is a core value and skill of the entire staff at the Library.”
He added that the Lake County Library has a special collection of materials about Lake County and is planning a lecture series about Lake County titled, "Know Lake County," to start next year.
He said the proposal to have the library take over those services “is a cost effective way to provide these visitor services with the limited resources available.”
Perry is recommending that the county funds that had once been used to staff the Visitor Information Center “could be leveraged to augment the Library's budget and preserve service levels without depleting the Library's reserves and still provide visitor information services in those three areas discussed.”
He said library staff will be on hand in case the board should wish to consider other options to reduce the library's budget services; however, staff is recommending the board adopt the plan to allow library staff to take on the additional duties.
If approved, the library could begin providing these services on Oct. 7 to allow time for training and also to provide some overlap of services prior to the closing of the Visitor Information Center later in October, Perry said.
Staff also is recommending that $53,000 of general fund money be transferred to the library's budget to avoid canceling library fund reserves and provide some increase in the library's postage budget. Perry said the specific budget adjustments can be incorporated into the mid-year budget adjustments later this winter.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: Adopt Resolution authorizing the deputy county administrative officer to sign a notice of completion for work performed under agreement for the Lucerne Hotel Elevator Project.
7.2: Approve Lakeport Fire Protection District's Resolution (1415-03) ratifying conflict of interest code, pursuant to district's approval on Aug. 12, 2014.
7.3: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Marta Fuller, for FY 2014-15 dental health education and prevention services, in the amount of $15,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.4: Approve the purchase of four compactor wheels, in the amount of $60,500 including shipping, and authorize the Public Services director to issue a purchase order to MACPACTOR Inc. for Said Wheels.
7.5: Adopt resolution by governing body of County Service Area #22, Mt. Hannah Water System authorizing Lake County Special Districts to enter into a funding agreement and designating authority to sign a funding agreement and related documents for funding under the Public Water System Drought Emergency Response Program.
7.6: Sitting as the Kelseyville County Waterworks District No. 3 Board of Directors, award bid for one new backhoe to All American Rentals and authorize Special Districts administrator to issue a purchase order, in the amount of $103,510.00, for said equipment.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:30 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $5,699.64, for 12514 Foothill Blvd., Clearlake Oaks, CA (APN 035-141-36 - Hector Cardenas and Aiko Katzumiayala).
8.4, 10 a.m.: Sitting as Lake County Sanitation Board of Directors, (a) consideration of proposed agreement with Absolute Aeration LLC to install sludge removal equipment at Southeast Regional Water Treatment Plant; (b) consideration of budget transfer to transfer $400,000 from account 23.79 - Professional Services Projects-Outside to account 61.60 Buildings and Improvements in BU 8354 - LACOSAN – Southeast.
8.5, 1 p.m.: Sitting as the Lake County Local Board of Equalization, assessment appeal hearing – Marva Brandt – Application No(s). 43-2012, 6750 Wilson Road, Kelseyville, CA (APN 007-014-090); 44-2012, 6504 Plunkett Lane, Kelseyville, CA (APN 007-012-060); 45-2012, 1810 Eastlake Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 044-164-100).
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.2: Consideration of options to address shortfall in library fund operating budget and assigning library to provide visitor information services.
9.4: Consideration of county employee health plans - EIA health, dental, vision, and life renewal for 2015.
9.5: (a) Consideration of naming landlord as additional insured; and (b) approval of lease agreement between Lake County Social Services and Penna Realty Property Management.
9.6: Consideration of resolution authorizing approval of memorandum of understanding between California Department of Social Services and Lake County Department of Social Services/Child Welfare Services and Lake County Probation to Participate in the California Title IV-E Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration Project.
CLOSED SESSION
10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9 (d)(4) .
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Clearlake city manager offers 'state of the city' update
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake is positioning itself favorably for a progressive future, according to City Manager Joan Phillipe.
Continuous progress in the updating of city planning and growth documents and in the dissolution of the former redevelopment agency as well as the hiring of a permanent finance director, Phillipe said, are accomplishments significant to improving the city's solvency.
“The city has situated itself to be on the cusp of really moving forward,” she said.
Updating the city's general plan, which describes the city's future growth, has been a multiyear process.
It has included numerous opportunities for public input, in a variety of forms; and the completion of an environmental impact report (EIR).
“The level of participation from the public throughout the process to update the general plan is a very positive statement that the community is looking for the city to move forward,” she said. “Updating the general plan is the city's the foundation to do that.”
Updating the document and completing an EIR is typically quite costly and can range from $600,000 to more than $1 million, she said.
Phillipe said the city saved a substantial amount of money by utilizing the services of a team of grad students from Cal Poly, who worked under the direction of Professor Cornelius Nuworsoo. Ultimately, Phillipe said, the city's cost was about $100,000 to $120,000.
Goals of the general plan include concentrating growth in focus areas and intensifying land use; redeveloping and reusing built-up areas by way of general land use; improving quality of housing stock and reducing the vacancy rate in residential use and diversifying economic base; and targeting land uses and jobs that provide living wages in commercial use.
The plan incorporates findings of the Clearlake Vision Task Force and the Lakeshore Drive Corridor Plan.
The EIR addresses and mitigates potential impacts (in 16 areas) of the general plan. The comment period on the draft EIR, which was presented in May, closed at the end of August. The process now enters review and response of those comments.
Phillipe said additional opportunities for public input will be available when the documents are brought before the Clearlake Planning Commission and then again when they are considered by the city council.
In relation to updating the general plan, the council recently amended portions of the housing element within the city's zoning ordinance to bring them into compliance with state regulations that were mandated in June.
Phillipe said, overall, the zoning ordinance is outdated and inconsistent with the general plan. She said after the new general plan is adopted, work will begin on updating the zoning ordinance.
Phillipe said the zoning ordinance will be updated in conjunction with design guidelines of the Vision Task Force and Lakeshore Corridor Downtown Plan. She said there will be “tremendous” opportunities for public comment throughout the process.
The dissolution of the redevelopment agency has also been a lengthy process that Phillipe said is winding down. It has included the formation of a successor agency and an oversight committee to oversee the dispersal of interests in properties acquired through the redevelopment agency and compliance with state mandates.
Phillipe said the long range property management plan, which describes properties that will be retained by the city and for what purpose, was recently approved at the state level.
“It is at a point now to take it forward to the oversight committee to transfer those properties to the city. Then we can release the request for proposals for the Highlands Park project,” she said, adding she expects such actions to take place within the next 30 days.
Additionally, in relation to the Highlands Park project – which envisions a visitor center for both the chamber of commerce and the county – Phillipe said the city anticipates the assistance of a Community Development Block Grant for planning and technical design. She said award announcements are expected sometime this month.
With the approval of the long range property management plan, “we are now situated for meaningful negotiations for commercial development. In conjunction with that, we are already conducting outreach to potential business in our community,” Phillipe said.
Additionally, she said, volunteers are developing a comprehensive inventory of vacant storefronts and properties for possible development.
The dissolution process also involves the sale of other properties that will not be retained by the city, she said.
Phillipe said that plan and list of properties is will go before the state, followed by the successor agency and oversight committee, then back to the state for financial approval to ensure fair market value.
Additionally, Phillipe said the hiring of a permanent finance director is a tremendous asset for the city.
“It's just an integral part of the structure of the city,” she said. “Having someone there is going to allow us to continue to develop the budget format so it's more user-friendly. Like I've always said, the budget tells the city's stories – where we are going and what we are doing.”
In addition to hiring Finance Director Chris Becnel, who came on in July, the city became current in its auditing process in June.
“We are on top of where our finances are,” Phillipe said. “We've made significant progress in identifying the health of the city's finances. We've been able to bring the audits up-to-date and combined with the establishment of financial management policies, along with economic development goals, the city is situating itself to become financially stable.”
In her capacity, Phillipe is responsible for executing the policies established by the city council and for providing support and advice to the council.
She's tasked with providing leadership and advice as well as support to the city's department heads and fosters interagency cooperation and collaboration, and also provides guidance and recommendations on policy and finance to the city council.
Phillipe also is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the city's program and services and is the essential connection between the policy planning process and the execution of such policies.
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Scully, Rushing among 'Women of the Year' honorees in Third Congressional District
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two Lake County women have been named to a distinguished group that Congressman John Garamendi will honor this month as part of the Third Congressional District's “Women of the Year” celebration.
Supervisor Denise Rushing and Marymount California University Lakeside Campus Executive Director Michelle Scully will receive the honors along with 12 other women at a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
The ceremony will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth St. in Marysville.
Prior to the ceremony, Garamendi will host a roundtable conversation on women in the workplace.
Garamendi honored the group of honorees in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives this week.
“Through their work and volunteerism, these women have all vastly improved the quality of life in their communities,” Garamendi said.
The 14 Women of the Year honorees, he said, are “exemplary examples of sacrifice and devotion.”
For nearly eight years, Rushing has served as the District 3 representative in the Lake County Board of Supervisors.
A Stanford-educated engineer with a background in energy and technology, Rushing – in addition to her work as a county supervisor – is an economic strategist who also farms organic walnuts in Upper Lake with her partner, Loretta McCarthy. Rushing has a grown son and daughter.
She said she is both honored and humbled by the recognition.
“Any accomplishments attributed to me were obviously not done alone, and most would not be possible without the support of the board and many volunteers who care,” she said. “I extend my gratitude to those who nominated me and to Congressman Garamendi who has always been supportive.”
Scully is an educator, economic development advocate and an agriculturalist. Her family owns Scully Packing, and she and her husband, Pat, have two sons. They live near Lakeport.
She has been instrumental in opening Marymount California University's Lakeside Campus, acting as its executive director. Marymount is the first four-year university to open a campus in Lake County.
“I was so surprised to learn I was being recognized by Congressman John Garamendi as one of his Women of the Year for the Third district. Over the years I've watched and learned from so many passionate, involved, caring women (and men) in our community,” said Scully.
She added, “I've worked alongside so many people who work tirelessly for our community – out of love and the belief that this is an amazing place and with dedication towards making it even more amazing with their efforts and commitment to so many of the important issues we face. It's an honor to have been recognized and something I hope to continue to work towards and live up to. This community won my heart when we first moved here, and it continues to do so every day since.”
In addition to Rushing and Scully, the following women will be honored at the Sept. 24 ceremony:
– Colusa County: Pat Ash, city council member and preservationist, Williams; Gloria Estrada, veteran advocate and peace activist, Williams; Mary Grimmer, school and community volunteer, Arbuckle.
– Glenn County: Lee Ann Grigsby-Puente, flood protection advocate, Hamilton City.
– Solano County: Marci Coglianese, municipal law attorney, former city official and land use advocate, Rio Vista; Samina Masood, advocate to end poverty, homelessness and domestic abuse, Fairfield; Dr. Frances Nelson, librarian, educator and literacy advocate, Fairfield;
– Yolo County: Deborah Eernisse, fitness instructor, mentor and volunteer, Davis; Gloria Partida, advocate for restorative justice and anti-bullying activist, Davis.
– Yuba County: Linda Plummer, health care advocate, arts supporter and community volunteer, Marysville.
– Sutter County: Lonetta Riley, educator and school district trustee, Yuba City.
– Sutter and Sacramento counties: Nicole Montna Van Vleck, rice grower and industry leader.
In his comments on the floor of the House this week, Garamendi noted, “The success that these women have had in their lives translates directly to the success of their communities. The correlation is undeniable. When women succeed, our communities succeed, our states succeed. When women succeed, America succeeds.”
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Supervisors approve sixth extension to emergency drought declaration
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday once again extended a local emergency declaration resulting from the drought conditions.
The board first passed the state of emergency resolution March 4.
As required by law, the board has reviewed the emergency declaration every 30 days. Tuesday's extension was the sixth that the board has unanimously approved.
Lake County Office of Emergency Services Manager Marisa Chilafoe, who also chairs the county Drought Task Force that was formed this summer, took the emergency declaration extension request to the board.
With summer ending, Chilafoe said the county has had the chance to evaluate conditions from the drought standpoint.
“We're starting to see the effects, of course, of what we predicted,” she said.
“We anticipate some agriculture loss,” as well as more stress on water systems, said Chilafoe.
With Clear Lake now below zero Rumsey – the special measure used just for Clear Lake – some of the county's water districts are struggling because of where their intakes are in relation to the current water level, according to Chilafoe.
“We're also seeing an increase in water theft,” said Chilafoe.
Chilafoe's written report to the board explained that the Lake County Office of Emergency Services formed the ad hoc Drought Task Force “to closely monitor the situation and coordinate the County's response efforts, engaging other water companies, State, Tribal, and local officials in identifying solutions and promoting conservation outreach ...”
The report also said that the county is seeking state and federal assistance, “and weather forecasts are beginning to predict the drought to continue despite winter rains.”
For those reasons, “continuing the declaration of an emergency and maintaining a proactive approach to drought response is critical for maintaining the health and safety of Lake County residents and tourists, and protecting our local economy,” she wrote, adding that continuing the emergency declaration also allows the county to seek funding specifically designated for drought relief purposes, as well as other forms of assistance.
In addition to asking that the emergency declaration be continued, Chilafoe said county staff recommended that the board direct the Disaster Council to review and propose additional plans for increasing the county's response to drought-related issues.
Supervisor Jim Comstock moved to continue the proclamation, with Supervisor Jeff Smith seconding and the board voting 5-0 to approve the motion.
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