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Lakeport Planning Commission elects new chair, vice chair
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission held a brief regular meeting on Wednesday evening to elect its officers for fiscal year 2014-15.
Planning Service Manager Andrew Britton, who is serving as the commission's secretary, explained that the commission is required to elect a new chair and vice chair each year.
Accordingly, the commission unanimously elected Tom Gayner – who has served this past year as vice chair – as the chair for the new year, with Commissioner Suzanne Russell to be the new vice chair.
In the discussion leading up to the vote, Britton pointed out that the terms of three of the commissioners are about to expire.
Russell's term expires in August – she was first appointed by the Lakeport City Council in August 2010 – with Ross Kauper's and Harold Taylor's terms expiring in October.
On Wednesday, Taylor – first appointed in January 2003 – indicated he intended to apply to the city council for reappointment.
Kauper, the commission's longest serving member who was first appointed in October 2002, said he is “on the fence” about seeking another term.
Gayner's second term is up in June 2016, a month after outgoing Chair Ken Wicks Jr.'s term ends. Wicks was first appointed to complete a partial term in July 2011.
Britton said the city is expected to follow past practice and invite applications from the public at large – as well as the sitting commissioners – for the seats when the terms expire.
Wicks thanked everyone for their support and for having made him chair for two years in a row. Taylor then made the motion appointing Gayner chair and Russell vice chair, with the commission voting 5-0.
The commission recently finished major projects including work on the updated housing element and the city's general plan update. The housing element update is to go to the Lakeport City Council in August, Britton said.
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Supervisors to get update on water conservation efforts, discuss wetlands and November 'Right to Grow' initiative
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will discuss the latest on the efforts to deal with the county's drought conditions and a local organization's wetland project, and consider placing on the November ballot another initiative put forward by marijuana proponents.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
At 8:25 a.m., the board will discuss continuing a proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency and get a drought task force update.
The supervisors also will review county conservation efforts, hear from the Lake County Office of Emergency Services about its program and get an update on water systems under urgency ordinance for emergency water conservation restrictions in County Service Areas No. 16, Paradise Valley Water; No. 18, Starview Water; No. 7, Bonanza Springs Water; and No. 22, Mt Hannah.
At 10 a.m., the board will consider a resolution supporting the Big Valley Wetlands Project being undertaken by the Lake County Land Trust.
The organization is raising money to purchase a 31-acre lakeside parcel on the Big Valley shoreline near Kelseyville, as Lake County News has reported.
In an untimed item, the board will consider Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley's certificate on “An Initiative Measure to Restore the Natural Human Right to Grow and Use Plants for the Basic Necessities of Life.”
Ron and Conrad Kiczenski of Lucerne gathered enough signatures to place the act on the November ballot. It was circulated as “The Freedom to Garden Human Rights Restoration Act of 2014.”
Although it does not specifically mention marijuana, in the four-page initiative the Kiczenskis – known marijuana activists who sued the county over its interim marijuana cultivation ordinance – are attempting to exempt “an individual's home gardening efforts or abilities” from being limited by any county permits or ordinances.
The initiative would allow for unlimited numbers of any kinds of plant to be grown with no recourse for complaints outside of mediation unless complaints are “related to a specific medically verifiable toxic health risk.”
The measure is expected to appear on the November ballot along with the Medical Marijuana Control Act, put forward by the Emerald Unity Coalition.
Coalition representatives have said the Kiczenskis' initiative directly conflicts with the Medical Marijuana Control Act.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: Approve Minutes from the Board of Supervisors meeting held June 17, 2014.
7.2: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2013-95 to amend the adopted budget for FY 2013-14 to transfer money to Budget Unit 2711 - Spay-Neuter Programs to operate the animal control clinic and authorize the chair to sign.
7.3: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2013-95 to amend the adopted budget for FY 2013-14 to appropriate unanticipated revenue to Budget Unit 2601, Agricultural Commissioner, to fund weed control programs.
7.4: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No.14-0156-SF with the State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the Pierce's Disease Contract Program and authorizing chair to sign.
7.5: Approve out-of-state travel for Animal Care and Control Officer Bailey Nolan to attend the Equine Investigators Academy Level I on a half scholarship, Aug. 25-30, 2014.
7.6: Approve amendment to the standard agreement between the county of Lake and the Department of Health Care Services for performance agreement for fiscal year 2013-14 and authorize the Behavioral Health director to sign.
7.7: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) for investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant Program for period between April 24, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2014, and authorize the Behavioral Health director to sign grant agreement.
7.8: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Hilltop Recovery Services for Lake County residents for fiscal year 2014-15, not to exceed $40,000, and authorize chair to sign.
7.9: Approve amendment to the standard agreement between the county of Lake and Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the period of July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2014, an increase of $37,310, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.10: Approve advance step hiring of Substance Abuse Counselor II, Step 5, for Dr. Paul Hofacker due to extraordinary qualifications.
7.11: Approve out-of-state travel for Business Software Analyst Kelly Larson to attend Advanced WYSIWYG Training, July 31-Aug. 1, 2014.
7.12: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Rebekah Children's Services for FY14-15 specialty mental health services, in the amount of $75,000 annually, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.13: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Breezy Bill Pay & Errands for janitorial services in Child Support offices, amount not to exceed $12,000 annually, and authorize chair to sign.
7.14: Adopt resolution authorizing grant project - Victim-Witness Assistance Program, in the amount of $123,371, and authorize the chair to sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance.
7.15: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Calserve Inc. for FY 14-15 process services, amount not to exceed $25,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.16: Adopt revised agreement/deed restriction for Habitat Conservation Fund Grant for Mt. Konocti Park improvement and authorize the chair to sign.
7.17: Approve plans and specifications for HR3 Sign Replacement & Striping Project, Bid No. 13-35 and authorize Public Works director to advertise for bids.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:15 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of resolution authorizing the sale of certain county owned properties located on Mt. Konocti.
8.3, 9:25 a.m.: Continuation of proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency, b) drought task force update, c) review of county conservation efforts, d) update on water systems under urgency ordinance for emergency water conservation restrictions: CSA #16 Paradise Valley Water, CSA#18 Starview Water, CSA #7 Bonanza Springs Water and CSA #22 Mt Hannah, and e) OES Program update.
8.4, 9:45 a.m.: Presentation by Pam Harpster of MPIC/Workforce Lake.
8.5, 10 a.m.: Consideration of resolution supporting the Big Valley Wetlands Project being undertaken by the Lake County Land Trust.
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.2: Consideration of appointment to the Spring Valley CSA #2 Advisory Board.
9.3: Consideration of approval to replace the existing county criteria for naming county parks and facilities with a revised park, recreational facility, county-owned building, and street naming policy.
9.4: Consideration of approval to implement the “Our System” Workers' Compensation Cost Control and Injury Management Program.
9.5: Consideration of elections official’s certificate, an initiative measure to restore the natural human right to grow and use plants for the basic necessities of life.
CLOSED SESSION
10.1. Conference with Labor Negotiator: (a) county negotiators: A. Grant, L. Guintivano, 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.
10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Fowler and Ford v. County of Lake.
10.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Lakeside Heights HOA, et al. v. County of Lake.
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City of Lakeport to host second annual National Night Out event
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport will host its second annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
The festivities will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Natural High School property, located at 800 N. Main St. in Lakeport.
Special events will include a youth game area and a raffle for two bikes with helmets.
In order to eligible for the bike raffle, children will need to check in at the Lakeport Police Drug Education Booth.
This will be a great opportunity for the community to meet and greet city council members, city staff and local public safety personnel.
Other visitors will include McGruff the Crime Dog and Chipper from the California Highway Patrol.
Major sponsors for this event include Grocery Outlet, who will be providing hot dogs, buns and condiments, and Lake County News, who will be providing bottled water and event advertising.
The city of Lakeport will provide watermelon. The Lakeport Kiwanis Club will be grilling. Please note that hot dogs will be available to the first 200 people to attend the event.
In 1984, the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of various crime prevention programs, introduced National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime.”
This began an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie, and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
The traditional “lights on” campaign and symbolic front porch vigils turned into a celebration across America with various events and activities including, but not limited to, block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars, in effort to heighten awareness and enhance community relations.
The city also is encouraging neighborhoods to get involved in putting on their own National Night Out event that evening by holding a block party.
City staff will be happy to assist with the necessary street closures to facilitate such an event on that night.
If your neighborhood would like to participate in a National Night Out block party, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 707-263-5615, Extension 12, to obtain an application.
Applications will be received until 5 p.m. Thursday, July 24.
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Council honors Wells, Dills on retirements; National Night Out plans approved
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday evening the Lakeport City Council presented proclamations to the city's retiring fire chief and longtime police records supervisor in honor of their service to the city and community at large.
Ken Wells, who is retiring after serving as fire chief since 2007, and records supervisor Ellen Dills were given the public show of thanks by Lakeport Mayor Kenny Parlet.
Wells, who grew up in Lake County, has spent 44 years in the fire service.
He's been a volunteer firefighter, became a paramedic in 1980, worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection – now Cal Fire – as well as fire districts in Clearlake Oaks and Lucerne, was an EMT instructor for Mendocino College, and was a Kelseyville Fire Protection District captain and field training officer before taking over as Lakeport Fire's chief on Jan. 8, 2007.
The council's proclamation honored Wells for his numerous contributions to the Lakeport Fire
Protection District during his years as chief.
He's been president of the Fire Chief’s Association, vice president of the successor agency board, changed ambulance billing companies which generated more revenue for the district, and pursued grants and additional funding sources for the district.
Wells, wearing not his old uniform but the new one for retirement – a Hawaiian shirt – received a standing ovation.
While he said he's not much of a speech giver, Wells, paused to note the many local changes he's seen during his career, thanked the city, and said it has been wonderful working with city staff.
“I'm going to miss you guys,” Wells said.
Parlet next presented a proclamation in honor of Dills, who began her career with the Lakeport Police Department on June 1, 1980, as a parking enforcement officer. On Jan. 1, 1985, she was promoted to records supervisor, a job she has held ever since.
During her tenure, Dills has worked with four police chiefs, seen numerous policy changes and received many commendations for her performance, which in one case resulted in her preventing a suicide when a man called in who wanted to kill himself.
“Due to her calm demeanor, gift for speaking and compassion, she stalled the subject until law enforcement could arrive,” the proclamation read.
Dills’ job has included some of the police department's most critical functions, including dealing with the integrity and security of police records, handling all records and audits of the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, or CLETS, and Criminal Offender Record Information, or CORI, through the California Department of Justice.
She also has been responsible for reviewing, approving and submitting reports for filing to the District Attorney's Office; has properly handled the agency's Public Records Act requests in order to protect the city against liability; and overseen the parking enforcement and warrants division.
Over the years Dills has been commended by the Department of Justice regarding her outstanding CLETS and CORI audits and has a records supervisor certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
When she was named 2003's employee of the year, then-Police Chief Tom Engstrom said in a report to the council, “Her years of experience with the police department are invaluable; we would be lost without her. I can’t begin to count how many crimes have been solved because Ellen has the ability to read a report and think that sounds like something so and so would do.”
The proclamation also noted, “Ellen never failed to do an outstanding job in any of the duties she performed.”
She was praised for being a friend and mentor to current and former Lakeport Police employees, and for her kindness, as she's often known to bake a pie or a cake for every member of the department on his or her birthday.
Dills has even filled in as a last-minute babysitter when staff couldn't find child care, welcoming in the children with the stash of coloring books and crayons she kept on hand just for that purpose.
Police Chief Brad Rasmussen joined with Parlet in thanking Dills for her work and wishing her a happy retirement.
In other news on Tuesday, Rasmussen took to the council plans for the city's second annual National Night Out event, to be held on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
The council approved staff's proposal to host the event at the Natural High School property on N. Main Street.
Parlet thanked staff for a thorough report, noting that each of the proposed locations had been carefully considered, mapped and presented.
The council on Tuesday also opted to gather more information regarding a five-year contract with Mediacom for dedicated Internet access and a fiber agreement, at a cost of $1,034 per month before making a decision; and accepted a budget amendment of $34,500 for contract services to prep Parallel Drive for chip sealing.
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