How to resolve AdBlock issue? Clearlake City Council to discuss Walmart EIR agreement, new fiscal year budget
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council is set to discuss an agreement to prepare an environmental impact report for the proposed expansion of the city's Walmart store and the 2014-15 budget.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
During presentations, Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen will give two commendations to police officers, and introduce a new officer and a new animal control officer.
The council also will recognize Youth Center summer campers for their proactive approach with Public Works.
Two public hearings are scheduled for Thursday.
The first is for the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 170-2014, which would place another half-cent sales tax measure, this one for citywide cleanup and improvement, on the November ballot. The second public hearing is to consider a zoning ordinance amendment.
Under business, the council will consider approving an agreement with Raney Planning and Management Inc. of Sacramento for an environmental impact report for the proposed Walmart expansion.
Walmart is proposing to expand its Dam Road store, which is 110,000 square feet, by another 40,000 square feet, according to city documents.
In other business, the council will consider adopting its 2014-15 budget as well as the appropriations limit for fiscal year 2014-15 and designating the formula to be used to calculate the limit.
The council also will consider adopting goals and objectives for fiscal year 2014-15 and reaffirming the city's financial management and investment policies, and consider designating voting delegates and alternates for the League of California Cities annual conference in September.
Items on the consent agenda – considered to be noncontroversial and accepted as a slate with one vote – include warrant registers, minutes of the June 11 Lake County Vector Control District meeting, receipt of the 2013-14 Lake County Civil Grand Jury final report response and consideration of a denial of a claim for damages from Juvenal Rivera Cruz, who filed the claim over the search of his vehicle.
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Urgency water conservation ordinance, marijuana dispensaries, lake sales tax on supervisors' agenda
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Urgency conservation ordinances for county water systems, a marijuana dispensaries ordinance and a discussion about another possible sales tax measure to support the lake will go to the Board of Supervisors this week.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 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 archived video to be available online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm .
The Board of Supervisors will hold three back-to-back public hearings – at 9:15 a.m., 9:20 a.m. and 9:25 a.m. – to consider urgency ordinance for water conservation in Finley Water-CSA No. 6, Spring Valley-CSA No. 2 and County Waterworks No. 3, respectively.
Lake County Special Districts staff had indicated earlier this month their intentions to return with the proposed urgency ordinances due to dropping well levels in the County Service Areas.
At 9:30 a.m., the board will continue a public hearing that began at its July 1 meeting regarding a proposed new ordinance to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries.
At 9:45 a.m., the board will consider requests from the “Save the Lake Committee” regarding options for funding lake programs through taxation and possible placement of another measure on the November ballot.
The group's last effort, Measure L, received a 65.2-percent vote in the June primary, narrowly missing the 66.7-percent supermajority vote needed to go into law as a specific tax.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: Adopt resolution pertaining to tax revenue exchange between the county of Lake and Calloyomi County Water District (Minnie Cannon Annexation) providing for no change in the allocation of property taxes.
7.2: Authorize the Registrar of Voters to render all services necessary to conduct the city of Clearlake's General Municipal Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, for the purpose of electing two members of the city council, city clerk and city treasurer.
7.3: (a) Adopt resolution approving a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide an animal damage control program for the county of Lake; and (b) authorize the chair to sign the annual work and financial plan and letter of intent.
7.4: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Remi Vista Inc. for FY1 14-15 Specialty Mental Health Services, in the amount of $75,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.5: Approve agreement between Manzanita House and county of Lake for FY 14-15 Adult Residential Support Services, in the amount of $100,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.6: Approve agreement between Clover Valley Guest Home and county of Lake for FY 14-15 Adult Residential Support Services, in the amount of $25,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.7: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Women's Recovery Services for FY 14-15, in the amount of $34,760, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.8: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Hilltop Recovery Services for FY 14-15 for Lake County residents recovery services in the amount of $30,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.9: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Archaeological Services, Inc for Archaeological Services for Hendricks Road Bridge (No. 14C-0047) Replacement at Hendricks Creek, amount not to exceed $12,621.84, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.10: (a) Waive the county consultant selection process; and (b) approve the contracts between county of Lake and Lake Family Resource Center and the county of Lake and Lake County Office of Education, in the amount of $70,000 each ($140,000 total), and authorize the chair to sign.
7.11: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and O'Connor Environmental Inc. for hydrological report services for South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Water System, in the amount of $20,500, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.12: ADDENDUM – (a) Approve budget transfer in Budget Unit 2301- Jail for $10,000 from maintenance account to capital asset account; and (b) amend the list of capital assets authorized to be acquired prior to the adoption of the final recommended budget to include the HVAC unit for the Lake County Jail.
7.13: ADDENDUM – Adopt resolution of support of the Cobb Mountain Concert Series at Hobergs Resort and Spa, located at 14205 State Highway 175, Cobb, on Aug. 16 and 17, 2014.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:15 a.m.: PUBLIC HEARING – Consideration of urgency ordinance for water conservation at Finley Water, CSA #6.
8.3, 9:20 a.m.: PUBLIC HEARING – Consideration of Urgency Ordinance for Spring Valley CSA#2 for water conservation.
8.4, 9:25 a.m.: PUBLIC HEARING (Sitting as the Board of Directors of Kelseyville County Waterworks District #3) – Consideration of Urgency Ordinance for water conservation for Kelseyville County Waterworks #3.
8.5, 9:30 a.m.: PUBLIC HEARING (Continued from July 1) – Consideration of proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 11 of the Ordinance Code of the County of Lake adding Article III: Regulations for the dispensing of medical marijuana.
8.6, 9:45 a.m.: Consideration of requests from "Save the Lake Committee" regarding options for funding lake programs through taxation and possible placement of measure on November 2014 ballot.
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.2: Consideration of options for the Lucerne Castle swimming pool.
9.3: Consideration of letter to Sen. Noreen Evans expressing opposition to AB 2126 which would require mandatory mediation and expand application of the factfinding process for employer-employee relations.
9.4: Consideration of resolution approving submission of application for Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) for FY 2014 to include projects in the following categories: Interoperable communications, information technology, emergency management, fire & rescue, and vulnerable populations.
9.5: Drought Task Force update.
9.6: (Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District) – Consideration of (a) staff’s recommendation to purchase caretaker residence at Highland Springs; and (b) resolution amending the approved recommended budget for FY14-15 to transfer money from BU1918 - Geothermal Royalties to BU 8109 - Watershed Protection District.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Labor Negotiator: (a) County Negotiators: A. Grant, S. Harry, M. Perry, A. Flora and C. Shaver; and (b) employee organizations, Deputy District Attorney's Association, Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Lake County Correctional Officers Association and Lake County Safety Employees Association.
2. Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(4): two potential cases.
3. ADDENDUM – Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Rickel v. Lake County Board of Supervisors, et al.
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Council hears citizen's concern about Clearlake intersection
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council discussed traffic concerns at Moss and Davis streets during its regular meeting July 10 at Clearlake City Hall.
The discussion was requested by citizen Jim Poco, who owns a residence located southeast of the intersection.
No action was taken and no direction to staff was provided as a result of the discussion.
Poco presented concerns ranging from speed, accidents and vehicles damaging his fence when failing to execute the turn at the intersection.
According to Poco, seven accidents – including one in which a pedestrian was nearly hit – have occurred at the location in the past 15 months. He said damages to his property have cost several thousand dollars.
“After numerous discussions with (City Engineer) Bob Galusha, he has done a traffic/intersection evaluation and has added an arrow and reflector to better direct traffic at the sharp left turn of that intersection,” Poco stated. “I contend that those changes will not markedly, if at all, correct the real problem, which is speed.”
He said the signs were hit soon after they were installed.
Poco said while he understands placement of a stop sign or signal lights would be “costly and require much study,” he has other suggestions for improvements, which included installation of rumble strips or speed bumps.
He also suggested placement of a guard rail or boulders to shield his property.
City Manager Joan Phillipe said rumble strips are noisy and would likely result in complaints and speed bumps are not recommended.
Galusha said a lack of striping on the roadway contributes to significantly to the conditions existent at the intersection.
Furthermore, the city is currently engaged in a Highway Safety Grant Project, or HSIP, that includes placement of thermo plastic striping, both double yellow center line and pavement reflectors as well as fog lines on each side of Davis Street.
Galusha said this will improve visibility of the curve and road conditions.
The HSIP currently is in the bidding process. The award of the bid is expected at the July 24 regular meeting of the council.
Members of the public offered several suggestions during the discussion, including installating a flashing light curve speed sign, a curve warning and suggested speed signs, and a different type of pavement that causes noise when driven over.
Speed bumps and stop signs also were mentioned again.
Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson said there is criteria that must be met in implementing certain traffic conditions involving extensive studies and regulations.
“Some of the things that have been suggested are more dangerous than the speeding,” she said, adding she liked the suggested curve speed sign if it could be done at minimal cost.
Galusha said placement of such a sign is allowable without study at the discretion of the city engineer as it is a warning sign.
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Community celebrates grand opening, dedication of Live Oak Senior Center
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Clearlake Oaks community on Friday celebrated the official ribbon cutting of the Live Oak Senior Center.
While the center opened its doors to seniors in April after six months of construction, Friday was the day for officials and town residents to gather to share in the process of dedicating the spacious new building.
On hand were District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith and District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing; county administrative staffers, among them County Administrative Officer Matt Perry and Eric Seely, deputy county administrative officer for special projects, who worked on the new center; retired County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox; and Pastor John Pavoni of the Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Community Church, located next door.
The $1.5-million, 4,000-square-foot building sits on the Clearlake Oaks Plaza, a revitalized area that features public park space.
Initial design was done by Thompson and Hendricks Inc., with Ruzicka and Associates doing the design update and Chico-based Randy Hill Construction Inc. building the center.
Rushing said the process to build the new facility was many years in the making.
She credited Cox and Perry for their efforts to make the project a reality.
“This has been a tremendous effort on all parts,” said Rushing.
She also acknowledged the efforts of the Methodist Church next door as well as the energy and support of center Executive Director Pat Grabham, who postponed her retirement in order to see the project through.
“This community put its heart into creating a new plaza and a new place to gather,” Rushing said.
Grabham told the group, “It's been a community effort.”
She said that the center's new large screen television and sound system were donated by the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association. That group, said Grabham, has been a continuous supporter of the center, as has Cox.
After the group gathered in front of the center doors and Grabham cut the ceremonial red ribbon, she showed off the center's kitchen and offices.
She told Lake County News that the center has a computer club that meets there, and also will serve as a cooling center during the hot summer months.
The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., said Grabham, who noted that many seniors like to come in the morning for coffee and to visit, and then stay for lunch and more socializing, which she said is important for seniors.
“It's such a beautiful center,” said Grabham. “I think the seniors really enjoy coming.”
The center offers a shuttle for seniors to come in to have lunch on weekdays. Grabham said they are serving approximately 90 people a day, five days a week, at the center, in addition to offering more than 30 additional daily meals through Meals on Wheels.
“None of this could happen without my volunteers,” said Grabham, noting that her dedicated group of volunteers numbers 35.
“We just have a great crew,” she added.
With the center now completed, Grabham – who has been the executive director for 17 years – said she's not going to put off her retirement much longer.
She said she's planning to leave her job at the center in the near future, but she added that she hasn't set a date for her retirement yet.
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Friday dedication and ceremonial ribbon cutting planned for new Live Oak Senior Center
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The official opening of Clearlake Oaks' new senior center will be celebrated on Friday afternoon.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors invites the public to the dedication and ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new Live Oak Senior Center at 3 p.m.
The center is located at 12502 Foothill Blvd. in Clearlake Oaks.
Light refreshments will be served after a brief dedication ceremony.
“When a community works together toward a common goal, miracles can happen,” said District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing, referring to the completion of the new center.
The newly built senior center replaces a 70-year old building that had previously served as the Moose Lodge and a social club before becoming the Live Oak Senior Center in 1984.
The new building is 1,600 square feet larger, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and has a bigger kitchen.
Pat Grabham, longtime executive director of the center, is excited because the new building also has level floors, something the old building did not have.
In 2007, the county recognized the need to improve the existing center and directed staff to start developing the project.
When it became apparent with the building limitations that repairs were not economically feasible, Thomson & Hendricks, an architect firm out of Chico, was hired to design a new facility.
“In these lean times, it took years of fundraising and saving to open the doors to this new center,” said Rushing. “The community of Clearlake Oaks made it happen with their determination and can-do approach.”
Eric Seely, deputy county administrative officer, special projects, has been with this project since day one.
He praised the support of the Lake County Board of Supervisors. “They should be credited for their long-term vision of setting aside funds for the last several years.”
Ground was broken for the new center in September 2013 on a vacant lot next door to the original Live Oak Center.
Once the new building was completed, the seniors moved in.
Demolition of the old building began in May and an ADA-compliant parking lot was built in its stead.
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