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Registrar of Voters Office reports on local seats going on November ballot
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office has announced that a number of school board, fire district, resource conservation district and health care district seats will be up for election this fall.
Community members interested in becoming candidates for the posts are urged to sign up soon, as Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley said the filing period ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8.
The district seats to go before voters as part of the general district election on Nov. 4 include the following, according to Fridley's office:
- Konocti Unified School District: Three vacancies, four-year terms.
- Middletown Unified School District: Three vacancies, four-year terms.
- Northshore Fire Protection District: Lucerne zones, four-year term; Nice zones, four-year term; Upper Lake zones, two-year unexpired term; at-large, four-year term.
- Redbud Health Care District: Zone 2, one vacancy, four-year term; Zone 4, one vacancy, four-year term.
- East Lake Resource Conservation District: Three vacancies, four-year terms; one vacancy, two-year unexpired term (directors are appointed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors).
- West Lake Resource Conservation District: Two vacancies, four-year terms.
Fridley said the seats all become vacant on the first Friday in December or until a successor is elected and qualifies for office.
Voters desiring information regarding filing for any of the elective offices enumerated above may contact the Lake County Registrar of Voters office by telephone at 707-263-2372, or stop by the office, which is located in the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Room 209, in Lakeport during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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Supervisors direct staff to work on new lake sales tax measure
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday directed staff to work on preparing for the November ballot another proposed sales tax measure to fund water quality projects related to Clear Lake.
However, county staff – particularly County Counsel Anita Grant – said the timeframe is extremely narrow in which to complete the work to place the measure before voters this fall.
“This is truly the 11th hour,” said Grant.
Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley said if the measure isn't ready by the start of August, another statewide election wouldn't take place until 2016, which Board Chair Denise Rushing considered too long of a wait.
In June, Measure L – the latest attempt to pass a half-cent specific tax that would dedicate sales tax revenue to the lake – received a “yes” vote of 65.2 percent, 1.5 percent – or about 225 votes – short of the supermajority it needed, according to Scott Knickmeyer, chair of the Save the Lake Committee.
The group reviewed Measure L, the election results and an exit poll survey to find ways to create a new measure.
While Measure L lost, Knickmeyer said it was apparent that Lake County residents value Clear Lake and are concerned about the environment.
“With a little more education the measure will pass,” he said.
Knickmeyer, on behalf of the committee, offered the board a proposal for an updated ordinance.
The two main changes the committee proposed included an aquatic invasive species prevention program with a wider range of inspection stations, rather than just mechanical gates, which Knickmeyer said had been a concern for voters.
The new proposed language said the program seeks “to develop a lake access control program to determine and implement the specific projects based on a use/threat analysis. The goal of the program is to fund projects designed to control public access ramps around the County. The specific types of controls/projects will include options for manual inspection points at public ramps; mechanical controls at public ramps; inspection stations on highways entering Lake County; other controls as may be identified; or a combination of controls.”
That program is expected to cost $1 million, which was the past cost estimate.
Previously, that part of the measure had focused on “the development of mechanical ramp controls at approximately one-half of the public access ramps around the county in the first year with the remaining ramps to be modified in the second year.”
After the first two years, funds no longer needed for ramp control operation and maintenance would have been directed to new projects or programs.
The other proposed change relates to the oversight committee, originally to have had no more than 11 members who were to have reviewed the expenditure revenues annually and then reported to the Board of Supervisors.
The original language specifically proposed considering nominations from the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport, and groups such as the now-defunct Clear Lake Advisory Committee, and the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee, Lake County Invasive Species Council, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Board of Realtors, Lake County Farm Bureau, Lake County Tribes and Sierra Club.
The new language does not mention those groups, restricts membership to Lake County residents, requires quarterly meetings, is limited to 15 members and has a staggered system to have ongoing membership, with members serving no more than two terms.
Knickmeyer told the board that the term limitation was meant to address concerns about “stacking the deck” with members of certain groups, and to constantly have bright minds looking at the expenditures.
Supervisor Jeff Smith was concerned that there wouldn't be enough people to keep the committee filled, which has been his experience with other count committees.
Knickmeyer also said during the discussion that the committee believes it's best to stick with the half-cent sales tax measure, rather than trying to reduce it to a quarter-cent, which Rushing pointed out wouldn't cover the Middle Creek Restoration Project.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said his review of the exit poll results also indicated that voters were not concerned about a sunset clause and didn't seem troubled by making the measure permanent.
The exit poll showed a large number of people who are against any taxes, but Farrington said he believed voters distrustful of government – another segment of the electorate that was delineated in the poll – could be reached.
One proposal that he believed might address government distrust is placing the oversight of the measure through a nonprofit, resource conservation district or University of California Cooperative Extension, but he wasn't sure the county had the needed time to establish that alternative.
Grant said each option has limits, and she hoped to be able to review those in detail with the board in the near future.
Community member Mike Dunlap questioned why the county couldn't emulate Lake Tahoe's successful invasive mussel prevention program, which he said relies on inspecting every vessel. He said that approach resulted in an inspector recently coming across a boat that had been cleaned, drained and dry – but which had a mud-encrusted anchor with mussels in it.
Dunlap also said he believed the Middle Creek Restoration Project would not be completed as proposed. Board members pointed out that it wouldn't be finished if there was no funding.
Public Works Director Scott De Leon told the board during the meeting that Lake Tahoe's program costs millions of dollars. He said millions of dollars would be needed for the county's match on the Middle Creek Restoration Project.
Sarah Ryan, environmental director for Big Valley Rancheria and a Save the Lake Committee member, said the group was confident they can pass a measure this time around.
One of their approaches is to address misinformation that is circulating in the community, such as one claim that the county already was receiving millions of dollars for the lake, Ryan said.
Clearlake Oaks resident Jim Steele said he believed getting support for the measure was less an issue of people distrusting government and more a matter of them not understanding the program.
He said the community has a high risk of losing the lake to invasives. “That message doesn't seem to get out there,” he said. “There is a big educational issue here.”
Anita McKee, a member of both the Save the Lake Committee and the Lake County Association of Realtors, said she felt strongly that the new measure should be on the November ballot, adding that she believes it will pass.
She told the board that a measure to support a rail project in Sonoma County took three times to get the necessary voter support.
Rushing thanked the committee for the suggested changes, noting they were minor but important from a perception standpoint. She came close to describing the changes as “genius.”
“We're so close and it’s something that we desperately need” for Lake County, said Smith.
Farrington questioned if there was value in allocating the measure's funds to the watershed protection district.
Grant said that district's powers are very limited compared to the county government's. She also raised other concerns, including state law that makes Clear Lake navigable waters and limits on what agencies can accept such funds.
The board reached consensus to have staff move forward, with Rushing noting that the ball is in Grant's court.
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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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