Historic district street signs installed in Lakeport

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport is celebrating its 1880s beginnings through the installation of historic street signs along the downtown Main Street core.  

Directional signs with white background and black type have just been replaced by larger signs with white type against a mocha brown background, the color most closely associated with sites of historic significance throughout the state.

The signs can be seen along Main Street, from Martin to Seventh streets.

The project was initiated by the Design Committee of the Lakeport Main Street Association (LMSA) to more clearly designate the city’s historic district.

Following approval of the idea by the Lakeport City Council, LMSA provided funding for the purchase of the signs and the city supplied the labor for installation.

“It is so gratifying to see an idea like this come to fruition,” said LMSA Executive Director Carol Hays.  “It benefits businesses, property owners and residents alike, and gives us all a sense of place and a feeling of pride in our beautiful community.”

Lakeport City Council holds workshop on draft 2013-14 budget

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The shape of the city of Lakeport's finances over the coming year was the topic of a special Tuesday afternoon Lakeport City Council budget workshop.

The 75-minute workshop, ahead of the council's brief regular Tuesday night meeting, was the second budget workshop the council has had so far this spring, following one that took place early in May, as Lake County News has reported.

Finance Director Dan Buffalo went over the basics of the budget document with the five council members, city management team and a small group of community members.

The proposed 2013-2014 city budget has $14.42 million in revenue and $16.72 million in total expenditures, said Buffalo.

Buffalo said the difference between the revenue and expenditures is largely due to projects such as water and sewer work that has federal grant funding to support it, as well as a road project and bond proceeds from the city's former redevelopment agency.

He said the hope is that the final budget document will be adopted later this month.

“You'll be pleased to know that it's doubled in size since last year,” said Buffalo, which resulted from city staff including a capital improvement project budget within the main budget for the first time.

The capital improvement project list includes 87 projects – from roads to vehicle replacement to new financial software – according to Buffalo.

Buffalo told the council that the document illustrates the “new normal,” adding, “the new normal is not 2006,” when housing was booming and money was pouring into the city.

“We are not going back to that time,” Buffalo said, adding the expenditures have gone up significantly for the city. “It's hard to find that balance now between matching revenues with expenditures.”

For the benefit of the newer council members, Buffalo explained that the city's budget serves many functions – it's not just a spending plan, but also a legal and a policy document.

“Were trying to present something that's more than just numbers,” said Buffalo.

The goals and outcomes included in the budget document, Buffalo said, provide a context about why the city spends the money that it does.

The budgeting process, Buffalo said, began with a strategic planning session in January, at which point the council established five citywide goals and strategies for how to achieve them.

This year's budget is a goal-based budget with a priority-based component. At the department levels, Buffalo said, the budgeting process starts with outcomes.

“We're hoping that it establishes the highest level of transparency and accountability,” Buffalo said of the new approach to the budgeting process.

The five goals around which Lakeport's 2013-14 budget has been built include maintaining strong council and staff relations, and encouraging leadership development; strengthening community and regional involvement; establishing and promoting effective public outreach efforts; enhancing activities and programs to support local and regional economic development; and focusing efforts on infrastructure improvements.

Among other budget highlights discussed at the Tuesday afternoon workshop were the condition of the city's enterprise funds, which cover sewer and water operations.

The city's water system had its first new rate increase in January with the sewer system to have a rate increase in July. Buffalo said the water and sewer systems are expected to be operating in the black by mid-2014.

City Manager Margaret Silveira is proposing to use a $200,000 surplus from the general fund to go toward dock repairs in Library Park.

Because of the cost to replace the docks, which Buffalo said could go as high as $800,000, city staffers are looking for grant opportunities in which the $200,000 could be used as a match.

The city's docks have generated numerous complaints, according to council members and staff. The condition of the docks resulted in the city losing the Wood & Glory boat show to Konocti Vista Casino.

Buffalo said that city revenues are relatively flat, but costs for things like personnel – particularly health and pension costs – and capital projects are continuing to rise.

As an example, he said CalPERS is trying to increase employer pension contributions by 50 percent over the next five years.

Buffalo briefly went over a general fund analysis with the council, with a chart showing revenues over the last several years. There was a large revenue spike in 2007-08, and he said that the city is not projected to be back to 2006 revenue levels until 2016.

Taxes, Buffalo said, form the largest source of revenue for the city's general fund. The city relies heavily on sales tax which, Buffalo said, is ticking upward, which he attributed to gas costs. In addition, he said auto sales in the city have been strong over the last few quarters.

The city's Measure I, a half-cent sales tax voters passed in November 2004, is anticipated to generate approximately $709,466 in the 2013-14 budget year, according to Buffalo.

The Measure I funds are proposed to cover several road and park projects, Westshore Pool and vehicle leases for Lakeport Police Department, according to the budget.

With the council having no major questions of Buffalo on Tuesday, it's expected the budget will come back for final consideration at the council's last regular meeting of the month, which takes place on Tuesday, June 18.

During the brief regular council meeting that followed the workshop, the Lakeport Main Street Association presented “Business of the Quarter” to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre and the council voted to reschedule a public hearing on the closeout of a Community Development Block Grant.

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.

City of Lakeport 2013-14 Budget - Recommended (Draft) by LakeCoNews

Supervisors to get Lakeside Heights update, consider treasurer-tax collector appointment

LAKEPORT, Calif. – An update on a landslide that has damaged a north Lakeport subdivision as well as the appointment of a treasurer-tax collector are on the Board of Supervisors' agenda this week.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 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 9:15 a.m., county staff will update the board on the latest on the Lakeside Heights Subdivision, with consideration of continued response to the county emergency, which the board declared in April.

Several homes have been red-tagged and several more have been issued voluntary evacuation notices, but more recently subdivision residents have reported that there hasn't been significant land movement and that water that was coming out of the hillside and going into a storm drain on Downing Drive has nearly stopped.

In other business, at 9:30 a.m., the board will hear about the report regarding local impacts of implementation of the provisions of the Mental Health Services Act.

In untimed items, the board will continue its consideration of appointing a new treasurer-tax collector, discuss approval of a notice of completion for the Middletown Library/Senior Center, consider a request for a letter of opposition regarding the governor’s May budget revision to redirect county health care funds.

A proposed property purchase at 8250 Reclamation Road, Upper Lake, as part of the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project, also will be taken up as an untimed item.

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: Presentation of proclamation commending Donna Gitchell for her years of service to the county of Lake.

9:15 a.m., A-6: (a) Update on Lakeside Heights Subdivision; and (b) consideration of services recommendations for continued response.

9:30 a.m., A-7: Presentation of report regarding local impacts of implementation of the provisions of the Mental Health Services Act.

NONTIMED ITEMS

A-8: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.

A-9: Consideration of appointment of treasurer-tax collector.

A-10: Carried over from April 23, May 7 and 14, consideration of proposed resolution authorizing the chair to sign a notice of completion for the Middletown Library/Senior Center.

A-11: Consideration of request for letter of opposition regarding the governor’s May budget revision to redirect county health care funds.

A-12: Consideration of proposed purchase contract for property located at 8250 Reclamation Road, Upper Lake (APN 004-014-19 - Brad Floyd and Mary Floyd) for the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project.

CLOSED SESSION

A-13: 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-13: 2. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) (CalWater).

A-13: 3. Conference with legal counsel: Significant Exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(2),(e)(5): City of Lakeport.

A-13: 4. Conference with legal counsel – significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2),(e)(2): Public Records Act request of Lake County News.

CONSENT AGENDA

C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on May 21, 2013.

C-2: Adopt proclamation commending Donna Gitchell for her years of service to the county of Lake.

C-3: Carried over from May 14 and 21, approve plans and specifications for construction Clearlake Oaks Senior Center, and authorize the county administrative officer/purchasing agent to advertise for bids.

C-4: Adopt resolution to amend Resolution 2010-177, “A Resolution authorizing Mental Health Director to participate in the California Mental Health Services Authority and approval of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement,” and authorizing the Behavioral Health director to sign.

C-5: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Crestwood Behavioral Health for FY 2012-13 adult residential and mental health services, an increase of $350,000, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-6: Health Services Adopt Resolution approving the Medi-Cal Targeted Case Management (TCM) provider participation agreement between the county of Lake and the California Department of Health Services and authorize the director of Health Services to sign.

C-7: Adopt resolution approving agreement between the county of Lake and the county of Marin for Medi-Cal Administrative Activities (MAA) and Targeted Case Management (TCM), and authorizing the director of Health Services to sign.

C-8: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Dazzling Janitorial, for FY 2013-14 janitorial services at the Redbud Branch Library, in the amount of $11,700, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-9: (a) Approve grant deed and direct clerk to certify for recordation (a portion of APN 014-210-33 - Dwight Holford and Joelle Holford), and approve purchase agreement between the county of Lake and
Dwight Holford and Joelle Holford for the Hilderbrand Road Bridge Project, and authorize the chair to sign agreement.

C-10: (a) Approve grant deed and direct clerk to certify for recordation (a portion of APN 008-029-15 - Diane Beverlin and Dale Beverlin), and approve purchase agreement between the county of Lake and Diane Beverlin and Dale Beverlin for the Soda Bay Road/Cole Creek Bridge Project, and authorize the chair to sign agreement.

C-11: Approve Drug Enforcement Administration Marijuana Eradication (DEA) agreement between the county of Lake and Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States Department of Justice (DEA will pay Lake County $170,000 to defray the cost relating to the eradication and suppression of illicit marijuana), authorize the sheriff to sign the letter of agreement and authorize the chair to sign the workplace certifications and grant assurances.

C-12: (a) Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2012-106 to amend the Adopted Budget for FY 2012-13 by adjusting revenues and appropriations in Budget Unit 2203 - Sheriff - Marijuana ($20,000 for flight time); (b) approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and A&P Helicopters for FY 2012-13 marijuana reconnaissance and eradication on public and private lands, an increase of $20,000, and authorize the chair to sign; and (c) approve agreement between the county of Lake and A&P Helicopters for FY 2013-14 marijuana reconnaissance and eradication on public and private lands, in an amount not to exceed $60,000, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-13: Approve request to waive 900 hour limit for the following extra help employees: Sheriff/Marine Patrol – Jim Campbell, Dane Hayward, Robert Piveronas and Lloyd Wells; Sheriff/Court Security – Wes Frey, James Everhart and Duayne Emis; and interim OES Coordinator Willie Sapeta.

C-14: Approve retroactive agreement between the county of Lake and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for transitional adoption services from July 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013, amount not to exceed $25,000, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-15: Approve third amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities/Rural Communities Childcare for administration of the Stage One Child Care program for CalWORKs recipients (changing the compensation allocation from 25 percent of total provider payments to 25 percent of annual CalWORKs allocation for Stage One childcare), and authorize the chair to sign.

C-16: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2012-107 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, Budget Unit No. 5011, Department of Social Services (delete one Eligibility Worker III position and add one Staff Services Analyst I/II position).

C-17: Amend Bid Award for Bid No. SD 13-05 to a total amount of $31,275, an increase of $217 for increased sales tax (previously awarded on March 26, 2013).

LAKE COUNTY WATERSHED PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

C-18: Approve amendment one to agreement between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and the University of Southern California for Clear Lake Limnological Analysis (modifying the scope of work with no additional cost to the County), and authorize the chair to sign.

C-19: Approve amendment one to agreement between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and the Regents of University of California for Clear Lake Limnological Analysis (modifying the scope
of work with no additional cost to the county), and authorize the chair to sign.

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.