How to resolve AdBlock issue? Rent control measure for senior mobile home parks in Lakeport qualifies for 2014 ballot
LAKEPORT, Calif. – An initiative effort that proposes to institute rent control in the city of Lakeport's senior mobile home parks has gathered enough signatures to appear before Lakeport voters on the November 2014 ballot.
Initiative author Nelson Strasser of “Save Our Seniors,” the group advocating for the measure, got the news from Lake County Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley on Wednesday morning that enough of the signatures he had gathered had been verified.
The initiative qualified to go before voters in fall 2014, at which time it will be consolidated with the next regular municipal election.
The measure would define senior parks as where there is one inhabitant age 65 or older in 80 percent of the homes.
It would roll back all rental rates in such parks to Jan. 1, 2012, requiring that future rent increases be based on the percent Social Security benefits are raised.
Strasser initially had asked the city of Lakeport to consider the matter, but when those discussions didn't move forward he started gathering signatures this spring.
He needed 270 valid signatures from Lakeport voters to get onto the next municipal ballot, according to Fridley.
Fridley told Lake County News that had Strasser gathered 405 valid signatures and had the necessary additional language in the petition, the initiative could have qualified for an earlier special election.
Fridley's office received 690 signatures from Strasser, 317 of which were valid. She said he had a 45.9 percent sufficiency rate.
Of the signatures determined to be insufficient, 24.2 percent were from people who lived outside the city limits and aren't qualified to sign, 13.6 percent were registered at a different address than the one they listed on the petition and 10.3 percent weren't registered, Fridley said.
“Fortunately they collected well above what they needed,” she said of the proponents.
Before the initiative gets to the ballot, there are a few more steps to follow, including going before the Lakeport City Council, based on the municipal code requirement.
Fridley sent the city of Lakeport an Elections Official's Certificate of Examination on the initiative petition.
Kelly Buendia, the city's deputy city clerk and Administrative Services director, said Thursday that the city had received the certificate.
Buendia said city staff will take Fridley's certification to the council at its next scheduled meeting on Aug. 20. The Aug. 6 meeting has been canceled in order for the council to participate in the National Night Out.
On Aug. 20, the council will be presented with options on how to move forward, Buendia said.
According to the municipal code, those options include accepting the initiative as an ordinance without any changes within 10 days of it being presented or directing that it be placed on the ballot.
“Basically, either they approve it or ask the voters to act on it,” Fridley said.
In making a decision on whether to accept the initiative, the council also can direct city departments to create reports on potential impacts and have them report back within 30 days, said Buendia.
If the council requested those reports, it would have another 10 days after the reports were submitted to make the decision, Fridley said.
Now that the main push of his effort is over – “I was sweating it there for a while,” Strasser conceded – he's starting to look forward to what's next.
He said it was starting to hit him “that a small group of people can make a big change.”
Save Our Seniors also is running a parallel effort to get a senior mobile home park rent control initiative on the ballot in the unincorporated county.
The county ballot initiative needs a minimum of 2,115 signatures by Oct. 9 to qualify for next June's ballot, according to Fridley's office.
The language of the second measure differs slightly from Strasser's, with one of the chief differences being that it requires at least one person age 55 or older to inhabit 80 percent of a mobile home park's homes in order to qualify as a senior park.
Heather Powers, a member of Save Our Seniors, said the signature gathering effort for the county initiative is going well.
“Almost everyone who we ask wants to sign,” she said.
She estimated that the group now has about 1,500 of the signatures needed to qualify to put an initiative on the ballot in the unincorporated county next summer.
With about two months left before the deadline, Powers said Thursday, “We don't think we'll have any problems getting the number of signatures we need for the county.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Officials: West Nile Virus hitting earlier in 2013
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Lake County now having a West Nile Virus-positive dead bird and sentinel chicken, numerous new virus-positive mosquito pools and a human case in a neighboring county, local health officials are urging county residents to take precautions to protect themselves from the disease.
Dr. Jamie Scott, Lake County Vector Control District manager and research director, said Thursday that a dead West Nile Virus-positive bird was collected 10 days earlier in Lucerne, a virus-positive sentinel chicken was found near Upper Lake and on Thursday nine new positive mosquito samples came in, bringing the season's total to 13.
Once the virus is found in chickens and other animals, the risk for human infection is considered to be increased, according to local health officials.
In its 10th year of having the presence of West Nile Virus, Lake County is seeing the season start earlier than it did in 2012, when it started in August, Scott told the Clearlake City Council at its Thursday night meeting.
West Nile Virus appearing six weeks earlier means that this will be a much longer WNV season than the county has seen before, according to Scott.
“It's not something to panic about but it is something to be aware of,” she told council members.
State health officials said that so far this year West Nile Virus has been detected in 31 of California's 58 counties.
Neighboring Mendocino County is among them, reporting this week that a state lab confirmed its first West Nile Virus-positive case in a dead bird.
Then, on Thursday the California Department of Public Health said an elderly Glenn County resident – who was hospitalized and recovering – was the first confirmed human case of West Nile Virus infection this summer in California, and that county's first case so far this year.
A Sacramento County man who died earlier this year was reported as having the disease, according to the state.
While the risk of West Nile Virus to humans – who receive it from infected mosquitoes – generally is low, according to health officials, less than 1 percent can develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.
In addition, people 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications, with recent health data showing that people with diabetes and hypertension are at the greatest risk for serious West Nile Virus-related illness, officials reported.
In a joint Thursday report issued by vector control and county health officials, Scott said Lake County's West Nile Virus activity typically peaks between mid-August and mid-September. She said weather is a factor in determining how much West Nile Virus activity occurs, but even average temperatures likely would result in continued virus activity that could potentially surpass last year’s numbers.
“This is the time to be particularly careful to avoid mosquito bites and, given the early appearance of the virus in Lake County, it will be important to maintain those precautions for quite a while,” said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait in the joint statement with Scott.
Tait and Scott agreed that while there is no reason for alarm, personal protection against mosquito bites is the crucial step necessary to prevent humans against West Nile Virus.
“Staying indoors during early morning and evening hours, keeping window screens in good repair, wearing protective clothing and use of insect repellents according to package instructions will help reduce your risk of catching the infection,” said Tait.
West Nile virus symptoms of the mild form include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches and swollen lymph glands, according to Tait and Scott's report. While the illness can last only a few days, some people feel sick for several weeks.
They said severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. In a small number of cases, the infection can be fatal.
While there is no West Nile Virus vaccine for humans, vaccine is available for horses and is strongly recommended because West Nile virus also can cause serious illness or death in horses, officials said.
In her presentation to the council on Thursday night Scott noted that most people who live in Lake County love being outside, and her agency wants to make sure they can enjoy those outdoor activities.
Vector control and health officials urge the following steps to stay safe in the outdoors:
- Drain: Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including buckets, old car tires, pet bowls and unused wading pools. If you have a pond or livestock watering trough, contact the Lake County Vector Control District for mosquito fish.
- Dawn and dusk: Mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus bite in the early morning and evening. When possible, avoid being outside at these times. If you are outside when mosquitoes are active, use repellent and wear long-sleeved clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure to mosquito bites during this time.
- Defend: Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 and apply it according to label instructions. Repellents keep mosquitoes from biting. Make sure your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
Residents can request service, get mosquito fish, or report neglected swimming pools to the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 or www.lcvcd.org . Just one neglected pool can produce thousands of mosquitoes every day and that may fly up to five miles away, Scott reported.
Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds and dead tree squirrels by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473) or by visiting www.westnile.ca.gov .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Clearlake City Council approves first reading of sales tax measure; second reading set for Aug. 8
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Following a Thursday night public hearing, the Clearlake City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would put a new sales tax measure for roads and code enforcement on this November's ballot.
The one-percent sales tax, identical in form to last year's failed Measure G, would raise an estimated $1.4 million annually, with $1,050,000 to go to road maintenance and $357,000 to code enforcement services, according to City Manager Joan Phillipe's report to the council. The state Board of Equalization would administer the funds.
It would need to pass by a 66 percent supermajority, which would then allow for the road and code enforcement uses to be locked in, with the money not to be put to other uses.
At the council's June 27 meeting council members discussed the concept and directed staff to move forward on bringing back a new sales tax measure.
On Thursday night, in addition to deciding whether to approve the measure, the main question was when to schedule its appearance on the ballot.
Phillipe said there was the potential for Lake County Fire Protection District Board seats to be placed on the fall ballot, which would make it a consolidated election, however there had been no filings for any of the available five seats as of Thursday.
The Konocti County Water District has three seats up for reelection this fall, said Phillipe, but the three incumbents are all seeking reelection with no challengers so far. If none of the incumbents are opposed, she said there won't be an election.
If no other matters are scheduled to go on the November ballot, it would end up being a special election, Phillipe said.
While Phillipe said she didn't yet have an exact cost for a special election, she said the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office estimated the special election could cost the city nearly $28,000. She didn't have the cost available for a consolidated election.
The public comment on the proposed measure was nearly unanimous in support of putting it before voters, with the main point of difference being whether to pay for a special election.
There also was a concern that the fall schedule would not give enough time to educate the public about why the sales tax measure is needed.
Carl Webb, a city resident and proponent of the sales tax measure, said it's a start in the right direction for the city's failing pavement.
He said it's estimated that the city needs $17 million to bring its streets up to good condition. In five years of collecting the tax, the city would have about $5 million.
“We have to start somewhere. We're never going to have enough money to do all the roads in the city,” Webb said.
By becoming a “self help” city – the term for cities that establish their own sales tax measures – it could help generate grant funds for Clearlake, Webb said.
It won't solve all of the city's problems, but it will be a good start, said Webb, pointing out that Measure G only failed by 154 votes.
“The damage to your tires outweigh what you're going to spend on the sales tax,” Webb said.
He and other proponents of the tax pointed out that by going on the November ballot, Clearlake's measure would not be competing with other sales tax measures, unlike Measure G, which was on the ballot at the same time as a county measure for lake improvements, which also failed. Webb and other speakers suggested there could be more sales tax proposals by next June's ballot.
During the meeting questions arose about what roads would be repaired, whether the gravel roads would be paved and why the city had not taken responsibility for upgrading the many unpaved city roads.
In response to the historical questions relating to the streets, Caroline Chavez, who was on Clearlake's incorporation committee more than 30 years ago, told the council, “We only accepted the roads that were accepted by the county.”
Chavez – who works as the county's Public Services director – pointed out that road funding is complex. “We have a finite amount of money. It's not getting any better.”
She agreed with Webb that it was best to move sooner rather than later on the measure. “We don't need very many people to make this pass.”
Chuck Leonard, a former city councilman, addressed concerns by some that there could be an accountability issue. He said the city doesn't have discretion on how the funds will be used, with the state to audit the money the measure generates.
Leonard said there are “dire consequences” for using the money for anything other than roads and code enforcement if the measure is approved.
“I agree that we need to put this on the November ballot,” said Council member Joyce Overton, explaining that the city could lose half a million dollars by June if it waits.
She said the city would “definitely be accountable” regarding how it spent the money.
The condition of the roads, she said, causes her to spend as much as $500 a year on vehicle maintenance and tires.
Council member Gina Fortino Dickson said it now costs $4 per square foot for paving. While new pavement is very expensive, it isn't meant to last a lifetime and needs constant maintenance, she added.
She believed that, if a good plan is in place, there is enough time to educate the public and gather support for a November vote.
Vice Mayor Denise Loustalot said she felt the measure would fail if it waited until June, and a failure won't save the city any money.
Councilman Joey Luiz said he wanted to be ready for next spring's construction season – “right when we need it” – so he supported a November ballot measure.
“If we wait until June, when will we see that money? Oh, when we can do very little with it,” he said.
He criticized the campaign supporting Measure G for not doing a better job of promoting it but thinks the new effort will be better.
“It's worth the cost,” he added.
Mayor Jeri Spittler had issues with the measure. While she said the city needed the sales tax, she had concerns about low voter turnout and the need for more time to educate voters.
She also didn't support spending money for a special election in the event no other elections appear on the November ballot.
Earlier during the meeting, Phillipe had noted that the funds to pay for a special election would come from reserves. Referencing that statement, Spittler asked why they hadn't hired a code enforcement officer if they had reserves.
Loustalot agreed that money was a concern. “That is a big deal. I completely agree.”
However, she pointed out that hiring a code enforcement officer from reserves wasn't sustainable, while the sales tax measure would give the city a foundation to have a sustainable income for a code enforcement officer.
Phillipe said the city has $185,000 in reserves, which are meant for one-time expenses, not ongoing uses, such as paying for employee salaries.
Luiz said if they didn't put things on the ballot due to concerns about low voter turnout, they wouldn't vote on anything. He added that he felt people who vote are informed.
Overton moved to approve the measure's first reading, with Loustalot seconding.
The vote was 4-1, with Spittler voting no.
The measure will come back for its second and final reading at the council's meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8. That is one day before the deadline to have the measure submitted to the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, according to Phillipe.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
City of Lakeport to take part in 'National Night Out' event Aug. 6; officer, 10-year-old to be honored
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport will participate in “National Night Out” on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 600 16th St.
The community is invited to come and participate in the free event.
National Night Out focuses on efforts to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
City police officers and volunteers, city council members, city management and staff and Lakeport Fire Protection District members will be on hand to meet with the community and provide information and materials about community policing programs, Neighborhood Watch, community safety, fire safety and prevention, and other health and welfare issues within the community.
It also will provide a good opportunity to meet your neighbors and other concerned community members.
At 6:30 p.m. the Lakeport City Council, city of Lakeport and Lakeport Police Department will be commending Lakeport Police Officer Stephanie Green and 10-year-old Lakeport resident Hannah Steffen for their quick actions and efforts on July 9 to save the life of Shaun Rudd, found at the bottom of a motel swimming pool.
The city will provide free hot dogs and drinks and the Lakeport Kiwanis Club will be on hand to barbecue and serve citizens.
For updates on the event follow the Lakeport Police Department on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lakeport-Police-Department/176101292414821 and the city of Lakeport at https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Lakeport/110619388983178 .
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
Clearlake City Council to discuss proposed road and code enforcement sales tax measure
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday evening will discuss putting another sales tax measure before voters in order to raise the funds to meet the city's road and code enforcement needs.
The council will meet on Thursday, July 25, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Council members will gather at 5:30 p.m. to hold a closed session performance evaluation of City Manager Joan Phillipe before emerging for open session at 6 p.m.
At the Thursday night meeting the council will hold a public hearing to consider the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 162-2013.
If the council passes the ordinance's first reading on Thursday – as well as its second reading at the regularly scheduled council meeting on Thursday Aug. 8 – a sales tax measure would be placed on an upcoming ballot.
A specific election date, however, has not yet been set, as the council on Thursday must weigh whether it can place the measure on the November ballot as part of a consolidated election or if it will need to do a standalone election, which is estimated to cost nearly $28,000, according to Phillipe.
Phillipe's report to the council said this proposed new sales tax measure is identical to Measure G, a one-cent sales tax measure to improve roads and the city's code enforcement services that went before the voters in November 2012, narrowly missing the 66 percent majority it needed.
The new measure would raise an estimated $1.4 million annually, with 75 percent, or $1,050,000, dedicated to road and street improvements, and 25 percent, or $357,000, to go to code enforcement.
If approved by voters, the measure would raise Clearlake's sales tax rate from 8 percent to 9 percent.
In other business, Lake County Water Resources Coordinator Gary Hansen will make a presentation to the council on the aquatic plant management work on Clear Lake; Dr. Jamesina Scott, manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District, will report on the Integrated Vector Management Program; and there will be a presentation by Phil Down of the Lake County/City Area Planning Council on the proposal to make Pomo Road a one-way street.
Also on Thursday, the council will present a certificate of appreciation to the Lakeshore Lions for the July 6 festivities celebrating Independence Day, and Tatonka Trading Co. also will be honored.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted on one vote – are minutes of the July 11 meeting; consideration of the sale of city-owned properties previously funded with Community Development Block Grant funds; the Clearlake Police Department quarterly report; Engineering/Public Works Department quarterly report; Finance Department quarterly report; City Clerk Department Quarterly Report; minutes of the June 12 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting; and consideration of rejection of a claim for damages from Kim Lorenzetti.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
072513 Clearlake City Council - Proposed Sales Tax Measure
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
