Supervisors appoint new treasurer-tax collector

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Eight months after the county's elected treasurer-tax collector stepped down to take an out-of-county job, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed a longtime staffer to fulfill the remainder of the term.

Barbara Ringen, who has been with the county more than two decades and currently serves as chief deputy treasurer-tax collector, received the board's appointment during a brief Tuesday morning discussion.

The need for the appointment arose in March when Sandra Shaul left to take a job with the Marin County Department of Finance, as Lake County News has reported.

Shaul left effective March 10, with the board appointing Kay Lytton, the county's retired treasurer-tax collector, to fill in temporarily beginning March 11.

On May 21 the board considered candidates to serve the remainder of the term, which expires at the end of 2014. In addition to Ringen, they interviewed Sorhna Jordan, Lenord Swope and Allison Hill for the position, continuing the discussing at the June 4 meeting.

During June and July the matter was rescheduled several times and then put it off to a future date while Lytton continued to run the office.

Lytton told the board during its September budget hearing that the department was understaffed, with employees “stretched to the limit.” They were filling the gaps with extra help employees.

On Tuesday Lytton appeared before the board along with Ringen and County Clerk/Auditor-Controller Cathy Saderlund.

County Administrative Officer Matt Perry said Lytton's hours that she's allowed to work under the terms of her retirement are due to expire mid-December. She's reduced her weekly hours in order to extend the time she's available.

Perry said that since the board had last discussed the matter during the summer he had taken action at the board's direction, including speaking to Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office staff.

He said he had confidential discussions with those employees and, as a result, spoke to Ringen about her management practices. Perry said Ringen was anxious and willing to look at ways to improve her management skills.

“I might add that I think everyone has management areas that they can improve upon,” said Perry.

Ringen already has enrolled in an online course offered by the California State Association of Counties, according to Perry.

He said he's also talked to Saderlund to ask if she can offer management assistance and mentoring, and she has agreed.

Perry credited Saderlund – who was appointed by the board in October 2011 to fulfill the unexpired term of Pam Cochrane – with doing a tremendous job of improving her staff's professional skills.

Perry said of Saderlund, “I think she has some experience and some suggestions that could help Barbara in the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office.”

The board supported putting Ringen in the job.

“I think we know Barbara, we know she's been a valuable employee for many, many years and very loyal to us, and she's been doing the job, essentially,” said Supervisor Rob Brown.

He said she's committed to pursuing the classes, which Ringen confirmed she's already started.

Brown moved to appoint Ringen to fulfill the remainder of the term, receiving a second from Supervisor Jim Comstock.

The board approved the motion unanimously.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

Lake County Planning Commission to consider new medical marijuana cultivation ordinance

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Planning Commission this week will hold a public hearing on a draft ordinance that would institute permanent regulations on the growing of medical marijuana.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, in the Board of Supervisors chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

At 9:05 a.m. the commission will hold a public hearing on the Clearlake Oaks County Water District's proposal to install a ground mount photovoltaic array at their wastewater treatment facility at 13705 Jensen Road. before taking up the marijuana cultivation ordinance at 9:15 a.m.

The 26-page proposed ordinance, which can be seen below, would institute permanent medical marijuana cultivation regulations in the unincorporated areas of the county, replacing a temporary ordinance that the Board of Supervisors approved in August 2012 and which remains in effect until next summer.

The new document quotes local law enforcement officials as reporting that marijuana cultivation in the county “has been increasing significantly with each growing season and is increasingly occurring in residential areas, in close proximity to residences, and on vacant, unsupervised and unsecured properties. During the last two years, Lake County has experienced a dramatic increase in citizen complaints regarding the odor, threats to public safety and other nuisances that unregulated Cultivation sites can create.”

The proposed guidelines seek to put new limits on where marijuana can be grown based on concerns about an increase in crimes associated with the plan, and impacts on neighbors – due to increased risk of crimes including burglary, trespassing, robbery and armed robbery – and the environment.

“Law enforcement officials have reported an increase in calls from reported respiratory problems and allergic reactions to marijuana plants,” according to the document, which also points to the lack of regulations on pesticides and fungicides because state law doesn't consider marijuana an agricultural crop.

The current temporary regulations allow for a maximum of six plants to be grown outdoors on a half acre or less, 12 plants with a 75-foot setback on parcels of half an acre to one acre, 18 plants and a 150-foot setback on parcels one to five acres in size, 36 plants and a minimum 150 foot setback on five- to 40-acre parcels, and a maximum of 48 plants on parcels 40 acres and larger. It also expressly prohibits grows on vacant parcels.

The new guidelines would continue to prohibit grows on vacant parcels. It would go further, prohibiting outdoor cultivation altogether within community growth boundaries, including not allowing for the use of greenhouses.

To find the community growth boundaries, visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Community_Development/documents/2008FinGP.htm?PageMode=Print .

In addition, it would limit indoor cultivation to 100 square feet, with indoor lightning not to exceed 1,200 watts and to adhere to electrical codes.

Parcels larger than one acre located outside of community growth boundaries – whether cultivation is taking place outdoors or within greenhouses – cannot exceed six mature or 12 immature plants, “regardless of the number of qualified patients or primary caregivers residing at the premises or participating directly or indirectly in the cultivation.”

However, medical marijuana collectives comprised of members who are all Lake County residents can cultivate up to 48 mature or 72 immature plants on minimum 20-acre parcels in an agricultural zoning district. The land must include the primary residence of at least one of the people for whom the marijuana is being grown.

In those cases where outdoor cultivation is allowed, the grows must be completely screened from public view and the views of adjacent parcels with a fully enclosed solid fence between 6 and 8 feet in height, with locked gates. Outdoor cultivation can't occur within 75 feet of any property line or within 150 feet of any off-site residence.

If such an agricultural property is rented or leased, the tenants must have written approval from the property owner, including the owner's notarized signature, allowing the tenant or lessee to cultivate medical marijuana at the site. A copy of the written approval shall be maintained by the tenant or lessee and made available for review by enforcement officials upon request, and those written approvals shall be renewed annually.

Other rules included in the draft document prohibit outdoor cultivation within 1,000 feet of any public or private elementary, middle or high school, developed park containing playground equipment, drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility, child care facility or nursery school, church or youth-oriented facility.

The new rules would prevent outdoor cultivation within 50 feet of any spring, top of the bank of any creek or seasonal stream, edge of lake, delineated wetland or vernal pool.

The document states that the primary responsibility for enforcement of the ordinance will fall to the sheriff and sworn officers of the Lake County Sheriff's Office. “All other county officials with authority to enforce the County Code shall also have the authority to enforce this ordinance.”

Violators charged with misdemeanors face a fine of $1,000 or by up to six months in jail, or both. If charged as infractions, fines will not exceed $100 on the first violation, $200 on the second violation within the first year and $500 for each additional violation within one year.

Administrative penalties for failure to abate nuisance grows range up to $1,000 per day, and would be imposed under an administrative process included in the proposed regulations.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

111413 Lake County Planning Commission - Proposed ordinance regarding marijuana cultivation.pdf

Supervisors to discuss franchise hauler discussions, treasurer-tax collector appointment

LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Board of Supervisors will consider appointing two of its members to a team to negotiate with the county's franchise garbage haulers and once again take up a discussion of an appointment to the treasurer-tax collector's job.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. It will be broadcast live on TV8.

At 9:50 a.m., the board will consider a request from Public Services Director Caroline Chavez to enter negotiations with franchise haulers and appoint board members Jeff Smith and Denise Rushing to the negotiating team.

Also on Tuesday, in an untimed discussion continued from three meetings in June and one in July, the board will discuss the appointment of a new treasurer-tax collector following Sandra Kacharos' resignation earlier this year.

The board also has a continued discussion scheduled for 9:15 a.m. regarding Mercy Air Services' plans to operate an air ambulance within Lake County. The supervisors have received a request to postpone the discussion.

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).

9:15 a.m., A-5: Consideration of proposed permit of Mercy Air Services to operate an air ambulance within Lake County. Continued from Oct. 15.

9:30 a.m., A-6: Hearings, nuisance Abatement Assessment confirmation and code enforcement proposed recordation of notice of lien: Salvador Diaz and Delfina Diaz - $1616.67 - 5542 Hilltop Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 008-701-260-000); Javier Gloria and Alejandra Gloria - $3,997.41 - 3035 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, CA (APN 008-025-010-000); Richard Sherwin and Dorinda Sherwin - $4,842.63 - 5555 Konocti Road, Kelseyville, CA (APN 008-053-420-000); Anthony Tucciarelli - $6,605.82 - 5845 East State Highway 20, Lucerne, CA (APN 034-421-280-000).

9:50 a.m., A-7: (a) Consideration of staff request for permission to enter negotiations with franchise haulers; and (b) consideration of staff request for appointment of board members to negotiating team.

10:05 a.m., A-8: Consideration of proposed bylaws of the CSA No. 2 Spring Valley Advisory Board.

1:30 p.m., A-9: Assessment appeal hearing: Michael Amendola - Application No. 289-2011 - 6120 Gold Dust Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 017-003-180-000); Renata Basso - Application No. 288-2011 - 10809 Witter Springs Road, Witter Springs, CA (APN 003-011-060-000); Jack Bond and Janet Bond - Application No. 308-2011 – 3336, Southlake Court, Kelseyville, CA (APN 044-272-200-000); Pamela Bullock - Application No. 286-2011 - 7965 Golf Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 044-532-110-000); Lyza Chavez - Application No. 377-2011 - 3412 Jackson Street, Clearlake, CA (APN 039-496-030-000); Clear Lake Riviera Community Association - Application Nos. 484-2011 and 485-2011 - 9366 Paloos Court and 4839 Iroquois Trail, Kelseyville, CA (APNs 430-112-300-000 and 043-674-080-000); Fontenot Builders Inc. - Application No. 275-2011 - 17323 Greenridge Road, Hidden Valley Lake, CA (APN 142-201-110-000); Tamara Fontenot - Application No. 276-2011 - 17329 Greenridge Road, Hidden Valley Lake, CA (APN 142-182-210-000); Asif Ghias - Application No. 291-2011 - 12626 Shoreview Drive, Clearlake Oaks, CA (APN 035-711-130-000); Sam LaMonica - Application No. 297-2011 - 1150 North Brush Street, Lakeport, CA (APN 026-233-160-000); Jack King - Application No. 292-2011 - 3945 Main Street, Kelseyville, CA (APN 024-125-090-000); James Oliver - Application No. 334-2011 - 2775 Eastlake Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 044-211-140-000); RBC Real Estate Finance, Inc. - Application Nos. 463-2011 through 468-2011 - 4851 Cascade Way, 9931 Fairway Drive, 10204 Del Monte Way, 9972 El Dorado Way, 5611 Ponca Way, 9719 Tenaya Way, Kelseyville, CA (APNs 043-683-080-000, 043-573-030-000, 043-603-160-000, 043-722-060-000, 430-102-010-000 and 043-732-060-000); Michael Rizzio - Application No. 277-2011 - 20 Rocky Point Road, Lakeport, CA (APN 029-242-100-000); Creston Rudolph - Application No. 373-2011 - 17845 Diamond Ridge Road, Lower Lake, CA (APN 122-211-040-000); SA California Group Inc. - Application Nos. 386-2011 through 422-2011 - 210, 270, 390, 395, 405 & 410 Island View Drive, 230, 250, 255, 265, 280, 285, 290, 300, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 340, 345, 350, 360, 365, 370, 380, 390, 395, 400 & 405 Lakeview Drive, 4120, 4125, 4150 & 4155 Limbaugh Street, 4150 & 4155 Herschel Street and 4150 Roger Street - (APNs 029-181-590-000, 029-181-550-000, 029-181-430-000, 029-181-660-000, 029-181-630-000, 029-181-400-000, 029-201-130-000, 029-201-150-000, 029-202-290-000, 029-202-220-000, 029-201-160-000, 029-202-280-000, 029-201-170-000, 029-201-180-000, 029-201-030-000, 029-202-260-000, 029-201-040-000, 029-202-230-000, 029-201-050-000, 029-201-060-000, 029-202-310-000, 029-201-070-000, 029-201-080-000, 029-202-270-000, 029-201-090-000, 029-201-100-000, 029-201-110-000, 029-202-240-000, 029-201-120-000, 029-202-250-000, 029-181-650-000, 029-181-640-000, 029-181-420-000, 029-181-410-000, 029-181-460-000, 029-181-450-000 and 029-181-540-000) Benjamin Schafer and Diana Schafer - Application No. 435-2011 - 11918 Old Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake, CA (APN 049-251-020-000); Donna Schwartz - Application No. 476-2011 - 20492 Powder Horn Road, Hidden Valley Lake, CA (APN 141-592-070-000); Dr. Ian Van Zyl - Application Nos. 313-2011 through 315 - 2011 - 21038 and 21048 Calistoga Street, Middletown and 9633 Drebach Lane, Cobb, CA (APNs 024-365-080-000, 024-365-020-000 and 051-263-120-000); Christopher Weston - Application No. 482-2011 - 3007 Buckingham Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 044-392-100-000).

NONTIMED ITEMS

A-10: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.

A-11: Consideration of appointments to the following: In Home Support Services (IHSS) Public Authority Advisory Committee.

A-12: Consideration of appointment of treasurer-tax collector; continued from June 4, 11, 18 and July 9.

A-13: Consideration of proposed ordinance establishing a fee schedule for and other drug services driving-under-the-influence programs (second reading). Advanced from Oct. 22 and Nov. 5.

A-14: Consideration of proposed agreement between the county of Lake and Alpha Omega Wireless for microwave wide area network connectivity services.

A-15: Consideration of proposed ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code Changing Library Hours (second reading). Advanced from Nov. 5, 2013.

A-16: (a) Consideration of request to approve purchase of three vehicles utilizing the state vehicle purchase contract: One 2014 Ford F-250 4x4 Crew Cab Pickup, and two 2014 Ford F150 Supercab pickups, to replace vehicles used by the Narcotics Task Force, Marine Patrol and Enforcement; and (b) consideration of request to authorize sheriff/assistant purchasing agent to issue purchase order, total amount of $82,095.66, to Downtown Ford. Carried over from Sept. 17, Oct. 22 and Nov. 5.

A-17: (a) Consideration of request to approve purchase of 10 vehicles utilizing the state vehicle purchase contract: Four 2014 Ford Sedan Police Interceptor AWD Base (unmarked vehicles) and six (6) 2014 Ford Sedan Police Interceptor AWD Base for Enforcement; and (b) consideration of request to authorize sheriff/assistant purchasing agent to issue purchase order, total amount of $229,529.88, to Downtown Ford. Carried over from Nov. 5.

CLOSED SESSION

A-18: 1. Conference with labor negotiator: (a) county negotiators: A. Grant, L. Guintivano, S. Harry, M. Perry, A. Flora and C. Shaver; and (b) employee organization: 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-18: 2. Conference with real property negotiator, (a) property located at: 3980 Gard St., Kelseyville (APN 024-081-01); (b) negotiating parties for county: Supervisor Rob Brown, Child Support Services Director Gail Woodworth, County Administrative Officer Matt Perry and Deputy County Administrative Officer Alan Flora; for seller, Kelseyville Unified School District representatives; (c) under negotiation, lease terms.

A-18: 3. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) (CalWater) Application 12-07-007.

A-18: 4. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): 45 Tort Claims: Lakeside Heights

A-18: 5. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9, subd. (d)(1) - LACOSAN v. Choy.

CONSENT AGENDA

C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on Nov. 5, 2013.

C-2: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Modesto Residential Living Center for final payment of FY 2012-13 services, in the amount of $7,500, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-3: Approve Lakeport Main Street’s facility use permit for the tree lighting ceremony to allow for the consumption of alcoholic beverages at Courthouse Square (255 North Main Street, Lakeport).

C-4: Authorize the Social Services director to complete the following actions (as previously authorized by Resolution 2013-90): (a) open an escrow account; and (b) execute all documents to complete the sales transaction of 4855 Heidi Way, Kelseyville, including the purchase agreement.

C-5: Adopt Resolution authorizing cancellation of Upper Lake Lighting District, Revitalization Reserve Designation in the amount of $3,500 to provide funds for maintenance of light facilities.

LAKE COUNTY LOCAL BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

C-6: (a) Accept stipulation change in assessment for Granite Construction (APN 007-003-750-000) for a change in the value of the land from $188,766 to $90,000 and improvements from $6781 to $0, for a change in the total value from $195,547 to $90,000, for the 2011 tax year; and (b) accept stipulation change in assessment for Granite Construction (APN 007-003-750-000) for a change in the value of land from $187,356 to $120,000 and improvements from $6731 to $0, for a change in the total value from $194,087 to $120,000, for the 2010 tax year.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.