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Lakeport Police logs: Saturday, Jan. 10
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
00:00 EXTRA PATROL 2601100001
Occurred at Lake County Law Library on 3D....
Clearlake City Council accepts new speed zone study; some speed limits increase due to new state rules
CLEARLAKE, Calif.–The Clearlake City Council last Thursday accepted the latest city speed zone study.
The study was completed by traffic engineer Phil Dow of the Lake County Area Planning Council (APC).
Performance of the study is required every five years in accordance with California Vehicle Code. The city's last study was completed in 2008.
Dow said the study is mandatory to support the proper traffic enforcement of speed limits within the city.
The study specifically includes consideration of prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements; accident records; and highway, traffic and roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver.
Prevailing speed is considered to be that speed at and below which 85-percent of sampled vehicles travel. Dow said this is typically the speed limit that is selected unless records indicate that the speed limit should be adjusted downward or unless there are roadway conditions that indicate otherwise.
Concern for the possible use of "speed traps" to generate city revenues led to a statewide committee review that resulted in the implementation of new guidelines in 2009.
Dow said the effect of the guidelines' adjustment is a reduction in latitude afforded professional judgment.
He said in some instances the implementation of the new guidelines can result in a 10 mile per hour increase in the recommended speed limit given the same data under the old rules.
There is now more reliance on the 85th percentile speed and the recommended speed cannot be less than 5 miles per hour of the monitored 85th percentile speed, he said.
"The issue I have with the new policy is that it is too restrictive," Dow said.
Dow said the guidance is likely to be applicable within a system of engineered highways that are built to modern standards.
However, he added, it is not applicable to rural areas that have roads with limited right-of-way, are narrow, lack shoulders, have numerous obstacles, lack pedestrian features and have sight distance limitations due to horizontal and vertical curvature.
"Regardless," Dow said, "California is urban-dominated and we sometimes have to live with policies developed in an urban-dominated viewpoint."
Dow said because of the five-year cycle, the 2013 Speed Zone Study is the first one completed after issuance of the new guidelines.
As a result, he said, several city streets are recommended for speed increases.
Those proposed increases included raising the speed from 30 to 35 miles per hour for 40th Avenue from Highway 53 to Wilkinson, Austin Road from Redwood to Old Highway 53, Burns Valley Road from Rumsey to Arrowhead, and Moss Avenue from 40th to Davis; from 35 to 40 miles per hour for Dam Road from Dam Road Extension to Lake; and from 25 to 30 miles per hour for Lakeshore Drive from Olympic to Old Highway 53.
While all members of the council expressed reluctance in increasing any speed limits within the city, the study, including recommendations was accepted unanimously.
"We have to accept these (recommendations) or our speed limits are not enforceable," Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson said.
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Supervisors to consider emergency water restrictions, groundwater issues
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Water will be among the main topics at this week's Board of Supervisors meeting, as the county considers implementing emergency water restrictions in several county-operated water districts and looks at issues of groundwater supply.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. TV8 will broadcast the meeting live.
Special Districts Administrator Mark Dellinger will go to the board to ask for passage of pass proposed urgency ordinances adopting emergency water conservation restrictions in the county-operated Paradise Valley, Starview and Bonanza Springs water systems.
Public hearings are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. for Paradise Valley, County Service Area No. 16; 11:40 a.m. for Starview, County Service Area No. 18; and 11:50 a.m. for Bonanza Springs, County Service Area No. 7.
Dellinger's reports to the board note that critically low water tables are threatening the wells in the three water districts, where customers currently are on the first of four steps in a drought management plan.
The first step calls for voluntary conservation, the second for initiating mandatory conservation measures, with step three involving mandatory conservation measures and revised water rates implemented through urgency ordinances. Step four requires the implementation of an urgency ordinance with stringent consumption limits and penalties.
Dellinger is requesting that the board approve urgency ordinances that would move all three districts from step one to step three in the plan.
The urgency ordinance for Paradise Valley is structured to encourage all customers to keep usage under 500 cubic feet, or 3,740 gallons, per month, with usage over that amount being charged at a higher rate.
For Starview and Bonanza Springs, customers would be urged to keep water usage under 900 cubic feet, or 6,732 gallons on a monthly basis, or face higher costs, according to the urgency ordinances.
Dellinger said his department will continue to monitor all of the systems closely and provide the board with regular updates.
At 1:30 p.m., Special Districts, Community Development and Water Resources will give a presentation to the board on countywide groundwater use issues.
As part of that discussion, the board will consider options to address drought conditions in Lake County and consider a request from staff for direction regarding updates to Chapter 28 of the Lake County Code pertaining to the exportation of groundwater.
In other business on Tuesday, at 9:10 a.m., the board will honor Lake County Record-Bee Sports Editor Brian Sumpter for his 30 years on the job covering high school and other local sports.
At 10:45 a.m. the board will continue a discussion held over from Feb. 4 in which it will consider proposed interim interfacility transfer operating procedures for Lake County ground ambulance providers.
In an untimed item, the board will consider a proposed resolution in support of “Measure N,” the county ordinance regulating the cultivation of medical marijuana set to go on the June 3 ballot due to a referendum effort.
The full agenda follows.
TIMED ITEMS
9 a.m., A-1 to A-4: Approval of consent agenda, which includes items that are expected to be routine and noncontroversial, and will be acted upon by the board at one time without discussion; presentation of animals available for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control; consideration of items not appearing on the posted agenda, and contract change orders for current construction projects.
9:05 a.m.: Citizen's input. Any person may speak for three minutes about any subject of concern, provided that it is within the jurisdiction of the Board of Supervisors and is not already on the agenda. Prior to this time, speakers must fill out a slip giving name, address and subject (available in the clerk of the board’s office, first floor, courthouse).
9:10 a.m., A-5: (a) Presentation of proclamation designating the month of March 2014 as March for Meals Month; and (b) presentation of commendation to Brian Sumpter for his career as the Record-Bee sports editor.
9:15 a.m., A-6: Continued from Jan. 28, hearing on nuisance abatement of 10546 East Road, Witter Springs, CA (APN 003-015-10 - Norman Valdez).
9:45 a.m., A-7: Continued from Jan. 28, (a) consideration of compliance review pursuant to minor use permit (MUP 06-63); and (b) consideration of staff request for board direction regarding land use conflicts and amendments to MUP 06-63.
10:45 a.m., A-8: Continued from Feb. 4, consideration of proposed interim interfacility transfer operating procedures for Lake County ground ambulance providers.
11 a.m., A-9: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $8,721.09, for 2983 Lakeview Drive, Nice (APN 031-113-440 - William Rapp).
11:10 a.m., A-10: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $5,299.89, for 3180 Reed St., Nice (APN 030-194-16 - Evie A. Soute).
11:20 a.m., A-11: Public hearing, consideration of non-substantive changes requested by the Board of Equalization to the ordinance adding Article VI to Chapter 18 of the Lake County Code imposing a transaction and use tax pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7285.5 of one-half of one percent for the Lake County Water Quality, Aquatic Invasive Species, and Nuisance Aquatic Weed and Algae Programs and establishing an expenditure plan for the revenues generated.
11:30 a.m., A-12: Public hearing, consideration of proposed urgency ordinance adopting emergency water conservation restrictions for County Service Area No. 16, Paradise Valley Water System.
11:40 a.m., A-13: Public hearing, consideration of proposed urgency ordinance adopting emergency water conservation restrictions for County Service Area No. 18, Starview Water System.
11:50 a.m., A-14: Public hearing, consideration of proposed urgency ordinance adopting emergency water conservation restrictions for County Service Area No. 7, Bonanza Springs Water System.
1:30 p.m., A-15: (a) Presentation of countywide groundwater use issues; and (b) consideration of options to address drought conditions in Lake County; and (c) consideration of request for board direction regarding updates to Chapter 28 of the Lake County Code pertaining to the exportation of groundwater.
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-16: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-17: Consideration of reappointment of Agriculture Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures Steve Hajik to four-year term.
A-18: Consideration of proposed resolution in support of “Measure N,” the county ordinance regulating the cultivation of medical marijuana
A-19: (a) Consideration of proposed memoranda of understanding between the county of Lake and the Lake County Employee’s Association (LCEA) for Units 3, 4 and 5; (b) consideration of proposed amendment to Resolution No. 2013-62 establishing Salaries and Fringe Benefits for Confidential Unit, Section A, for Fiscal Year 2013-14; (c) consideration of proposed amendment to Resolution No. 2013-63 establishing Salaries and Fringe Benefits for Management Employees for Fiscal Year 2013-14; and (d) consideration of proposed amendment to Resolution No. 2013-64 establishing Salaries and Fringe Benefits for Confidential Unit, Section B, for Fiscal Year 2013-14.
A-20: Consideration of recommendations to bolster code enforcement activities.
A-21: Consideration of request to award bid SD 13-30 for one new AquaTech Vacuum Truck.
CLOSED SESSION
A-22: 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, Lake County Employees Association and Lake County Safety Employees Association.
A-22: 2. Public employee evaluations: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Hajik and Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley.
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings held on Feb. 11 and 18, 2014.
C-2: (a) Adopt proclamation designating the month of March 2014 as March for Meals Month; and (b) adopt commendation to Brian Sumpter for his career as the Record-Bee sports editor.
C-3: 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.
C-4: Authorize destruction of 2007-08 Deposit Permits, 2007-08 Receipts Duplicates Records, 2007-08 Department Time Cards/Time Off Requests, 2007-08 Time Reports & Hours Proof, 2007-08 Vacation & Sick Accruals (Year End), 1997-98 Warrant Registers, 2000-01 Tax Rolls - Secured, 2007-08 Tax Rolls - Unsecured and 2000-01 Tax Rolls - Delinquent Secured per Auditor-Controller/County Clerk memorandum dated February 12, 2014.
C-5: (a) Waive normal bidding process, determining no economic benefit; and (b) approve agreement between the county of Lake and SouthTech Systems for Form 700 processing system, total amount $16,890, with annual cost of $2,638, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-6: Adopt resolution approving Lake County Health Services Department to submit acceptance paperwork from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Tuberculosis Control Branch (TBCB) for real-time allotment funding for tuberculosis (TB) cases in Lake County in the amount of $10,070 and authorizing the Director of Health Services to sign said paperwork.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Lakeport City Council to hold goal-setting workshop, discuss software and consulting
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council will meet to discuss goals for the city, and consider authorizing purchases and payments for software and consulting services.
The council will meet for a goal-setting working at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St., to be followed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m.
At the start of the meeting, Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will introduce new police volunteer Larry Howerton and report on volunteer activities.
Under council business, the council will discuss authorizing City Manager Margaret Silveira to execute an amendment with Tyler Technologies in an amount not to exceed $21,321 for the purchase, data conversion and implementation of the building and permitting, code enforcement modules and the IG Workforce extensions as part of the Incode financial software.
Public Works Director Mark Brannigan will seek the council's approval to also authorize Silveira to pay the invoice for training and implementation on a work and asset management software application.
The application is to cost $9,880 and Brannigan proposes to split the costs for it equally between roads, water and sewer funds at the cost of $3,293.33 for each fund.
Finance Director Dan Buffalo will take to the council a purchase order for P2 Capital Advisors, not to exceed $5,000, for the provision of continuing disclosure consulting services to assist staff in meeting continuing disclosure requirements of various bond issues under city management.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances, minutes of the regular Feb. 18 meeting, the Feb. 19 warrant register, and authorization for the city manager to enter into an agreement for labor relations and personnel management consulting services with Nickolaus and Haeg.
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County's assessor-recorder won't seek reelection
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The man who has served Lake County for more than a decade as assessor-recorder said he will not run for reelection.
“After considerable thought I have decided I will not seek another term as Lake County assessor-recorder,” Doug Wacker said in a statement released to Lake County News.
“However, I plan to finish my term, which ends December 2014,” Wacker added.
Wacker, 60, said it's been his honor to serve the people of Lake County as assessor-recorder these past 13 years, and he's appreciated the support of his staff, other county departments and the Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors appointed Wacker assessor-recorder in April 2001, succeeding Dan Irwin.
After defeating then-Assistant Assessor-Recorder Michael Wochna in the March 2002 primary election, Wacker went on to run unopposed in 2006 and 2010.
The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office told Lake County News that Wacker had until March 7 to decide if he would seek reelection.
By the end of his term, Wacker said he will have reached 37 years in the property assessment field.
With Wacker's seat now open, a field is forming to succeed him.
Richard Ford, the county's assistant auditor-controller, and Lakeport businessman Logan Weiper, were the initial candidates in the assessor-recorder race, as Lake County News has reported.
Now, Ford and Weiper have been joined by a third candidate, Sorhna Li Jordan, according to the Registrar of Voters Office.
Jordan, of Hidden Valley Lake, holds a juris doctorate from the University of San Francisco and has served on the Lake County Grand Jury.
Last year, Jordan applied to the county to fill the remaining term of Treasurer-Tax Collector Sandra Shaul.
The Board of Supervisors later in 2013 would appoint Deputy Treasurer-Tax Collector Barbara Ringen to the treasurer-tax collector job. Ringen will run in her first election this year.
Email Elizabeth Larson at