How to resolve AdBlock issue? Supervisors to consider Child Support Services office move
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors will discuss a proposed move of the county’s Child Support Services, honor the Kelseyville High School Academic Decathlon team and get a report from the Clear Lake Advisory Committee when it meets this week.
The meeting will take place beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 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 10:15 a.m., the board will get a staff update regarding relocation options for Child Support Services offices.
Staff is requesting board direction regarding the finalization of a lease agreement, with the Gard Street School in Kelseyville a proposed option for a new location.
Also on Tuesday, at 9:10 a.m. the Kelseyville High School Academic Decathlon team will be honored with a certificate of commendation for its performance at the state competition earlier this month.
At 9:15 a.m., the Clear Lake Advisory Committee Quarterly Report Committee will be presented.
The board will consider reestablishing the Geothermal Advisory Committee in a 10 a.m. discussion.
The full agenda follows. Some items are out of order due to A-7, for a public hearing on a public access television pass-through fee, was inadvertently placed on the March 26 agenda, when it is scheduled for April 9.
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 certificates of commendation to the 2013 Kelseyville High School Academic Decathlon team.
9:15 a.m., A-6: Presentation of Clear Lake Advisory Committee Quarterly Report Committee.
10 a.m., A-8: Consideration of reestablishment of the Geothermal Advisory Committee, including its purpose and membership categories.
10:15 a.m., A-9: Presentation of update regarding relocation options for Child Support Services offices and request for board direction regarding the finalization of a lease agreement.
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-10: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-11: Consideration of Classification and Compensation Committee Findings and Recommendations for FY 2013-14.
CLOSED SESSION
A-12: 1.Conference with labor negotiator: (a) county negotiators: A. Grant, L. Guintivano, M. Perry, and A. Flora; 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-12: 2. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Michael Fowler and Emily Ford v. County of Lake, et al., Case No. CV412464.
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on March 19, 2013.
C-2: Adopt certificates of commendation to the 2013 Kelseyville High School Academic Decathlon team.
C-3: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Children’s Services for FY 2012-13 specialty mental health services, an increase of $75,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-4: Approve second amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Children’s Services for FY 2012-13 specialty mental health services for children and youth enrolled in the WRAP Program, a decrease of $75,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-5: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Peterson Tractor Co. for equipment repair and service, an increase in the annual compensation amount of $75,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-6: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Lake Family Resource Center for FY 2013-14 Cal-Learn teen parenting services, in the amount of $52,095, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-7: Award Bid No. SD 13-08 for two new 2013 3/4-ton extended cab standard bed trucks to Hansel Ford, for a total amount of $47,110.98, and authorize the Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue the purchase order.
C-8: Award Bid No. SD 13-05 for one new 2013 3/4-ton utility truck to Ukiah Ford, for an amount of $31,058, and authorize the Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue the
purchase order.
C-9: Approve encroachment permit for NorCal Boat and Ski Club for boat and ski races on Clear Lake during 2013, and authorize the chair to sign.
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Farrington to seek Fourth District Assembly seat in 2014
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A longtime Lake County supervisor said he is running for a seat in the state Assembly.
Anthony Farrington, 43, will seek the Fourth District Assembly seat in the 2014 election, when Assemblymember Mariko Yamada is termed out. He is a registered Democrat.
He’s the first to announce for the race. “I predict it’s going to be a very competitive seat.”
Farrington said he has formed a committee and plans to begin holding fundraiser events early this summer. The California Secretary of State’s Office campaign finance page shows that the Farrington for Assembly 2014 committee is active for the 2013-14 election cycle.
He said it’s estimated that he will need about $300,000 for a primary run and another $300,000 if he makes it to the runoff.
Farrington, now in his fourth term on the Board of Supervisors, took office in 2001. His current term on the board ends in 2016.
He holds an associate’s degree from Mendocino College and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of California, Davis.
He worked in the water rights program for the Regional Council of Rural Counties – or RCRC, now known as Rural County Representatives of California – and also was a staffer for a time with the Lake County Office of Education, working with at-risk children in middle schools.
More recently, he received his law degree from Concord Law School and passed the state bar exam last May. State Attorney General Kamala Harris administered his oath of admission to the State Bar of California.
In addition to his supervisorial duties, Farrington is practicing civil law, primarily taking personal injury, family and constitutional cases.
The recently redrawn Fourth District includes all of Lake and Napa counties, and portions of Yolo, Colusa, Solano and Sonoma counties, he explained.
Farrington’s family has called Lake County home for nearly 160 years, but he said that he’s also at various times called other portions of the Fourth District home, having also lived in Yolo, Colusa and Napa counties.
“That’s another thing that made me evaluate this district as a good fit,” said Farrington, explaining he has ties to each of those communities.
Farrington said that for years he’s been encouraged by supporters to seek higher office.
He said he believes it’s important that voters have an opportunity to vote for somebody with a track record of solutions at the local level, who doesn’t make promises they can’t keep.
Farrington said he is not tied directly to Sacramento or the political machine, and is dedicated to public service, which is his motivation for running.
He said he is able to reach across the aisle and deal with members of the Republican Party.
“I’m also walking down the aisle with a Republican,” he said.
Farrington lovingly refers to fiancée Jacquelyn St. Martin as “the Texas Republican.”
The couple, who have been together for three years, will be married on April 29, the one-year anniversary of their engagement, he said.
St. Martin brings not just Texas charm, beauty and intelligence to the match, but expertise in the wine industry. She has certifications from the International Sommelier Guild and currently works for Six Sigma Ranch and Winery in Lower Lake, promoting the ranch’s signature wines and events.
“She’s very supportive of my candidacy,” and has been key to Farrington considering a run for higher office, he said.
Among the main issues facing the Fourth District right now are the economy and the need to create a good environment for businesses to succeed and thrive, Farrington said.
He said support for agriculture and understanding its role in the economy – including that of the wine industry – is of utmost importance.
Another critical issue is water, especially with the state now talking about shipping water south in dual tunnels, he said.
There also is the matter of infrastructure, with Farrington explaining that the state has lost its way when it comes to providing water, sewer and road facilities.
“Investing in infrastructure is not politically expedient,” he said, explaining that by the time money is appropriated, environmental studies are conducted and projects completed, there are different politicians at the ribbon cutting.
“Most politicians are looking for quick fixes,” he said.
Farrington added, “I really believe the state needs to focus on core services,” including education, safeguarding the environment, being business friendly, access to health care, and tax reform and reallocation.
On the latter points, Farrington wants to see the lion’s share of money returned to local government, as he believes local leaders are best equipped to make decisions about how funds should be spent for their communities.
“That’s my major platform, which probably won’t be popular with Sacramento politicians,” he said.
Farrington is proud of his accomplishments on the Board of Supervisors, including balancing the budget for 12 years. During that time he’s also been the board’s delegate to the California State Association of Counties and is the county’s representative to RCRC.
He said it’s important for Assembly members to be accessible and provide solutions. Farrington said he wouldn’t be poll-driven.
If elected Farrington wouldn’t be the first Lake County resident to serve in the state Legislature; there’s been at least one other.
Republican Burt W. Busch of Lakeport, Lake County’s district attorney from 1931 to 1946, served in the state Senate from 1947 to 1955, according to an interview he did with the University of California, Berkeley’s Bancroft Library Regional Oral History Office.
In 2002 Farrington’s colleagues on the board, Rob Brown and Ed Robey, both sought an Assembly seat. Robey didn’t make it past the primary, but Brown won the Republican nomination and ran against Patty Berg, who managed to win after an energetic race.
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Clearlake City Council chooses three planning commissioners
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – At the end of a special Thursday night meeting the Clearlake City Council selected three city residents to fill vacancies on the Clearlake Planning Commission.
Commissioners Carl Webb and Bill Perkins, whose terms were expiring, were reappointed, along with applicant Cheryl Hutchinson, according to City Clerk Melissa Swanson.
Swanson said the council voted unanimously for all three commissioners.
The special Thursday night meeting was needed in order to give the council time to interview a total of 11 applicants.
Others applying for the seats included Robert Coker, Charles O’Neill Jones, William Morgan, Karen Priest, Bruno Sabatier, Dirk Slooten, Jason Tapia and Michael Vandiver.
The new four-year terms for Webb, Perkins and Hutchinson will continue through March 11, 2017, city officials reported.
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Clearlake City Council to hold special March 21 meeting to interview planning commission candidates
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday evening for the purpose of interviewing candidates for open seats on the city’s planning commission.
The meeting will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Three seats are currently open on the Clearlake Planning Commission.
One seat is vacant after Gina Fortino Dickson was elected to the city council last fall.
The other two seats coming open currently are held by Bill Perkins and Carl Webb, who are seeking reappointment.
The special meeting was needed because in addition to Perkins and Webb there are nine other city residents seeking the seats, according to city officials.
Applicants include Robert Coker, Cheryl Hutchinson, Charles O’Neill Jones, William Morgan, Karen Priest, Bruno Sabatier, Dirk Slooten, Jason Tapia and Michael Vandiver, according to City Manager Joan Phillipe’s report to the council.
At the March 14 council meeting, when the special meeting was determined necessary, it was anticipated that the council members will require several hours at Thursday’s meeting to interview all 11 candidates, deliberate and vote on their selections.
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Lakeport City Council approves inflationary increase for city's solid waste hauler
LAKEPORT, Calif. – In a brief Tuesday evening meeting the Lakeport City Council approved an annual inflationary increase for Lakeport Disposal, the city's franchise hauler.
The city's contract with Lakeport Disposal, which began in January 2004, calls for an annual rate adjustment equal to 75 percent of the percentage change from the previous year in the US Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose area, Public Works Director Mark Brannigan reported.
He said Lakeport Disposal recently had asked for the increase for its residential services, which include garbage, green waste and recycling. Lakeport has mandatory garbage services for all residents, and Brannigan explained that prices are volume based.
For this calendar year the increase is to total 2.78 percent, Brannigan said.
Based on the proposed resolution, increases would be as follows:
- One 20-gallon totter: Old rate, $13.70; new rate, $14.08.
- One 32-gallon totter: Old rate, $20.55; new rate, $21.12.
- Two 32-gallon totters: Old rate, $41.10; new rate, $42.24.
- One 95-gallon totter: Old rate, $61.64; new rate, $63.35.
City resident Mary Nolan raised issues about residents who only live in the city part of the year having to pay for garbage services they don't use all year round.
Nolan wanted the council to table the increase, pointing out that the economy is not good and city water rates were just raised significantly.
City Attorney Steve Brookes said the city has to honor the contract, which requires the CPI increase.
As to the matter of the universal garbage requirement for city residents, Brookes said it helps keep the environment cleaner.
Nolan said a lot of people are subsidizing other peoples' costs, which she didn't think was fair.
Councilman Kenny Parlet said he wishes there was universal trash collection everywhere in Lake County based on what it has done for Lakeport.
“I think it’s a wonderful program,” he said. “I think if we could do this countywide we'd all be better off.”
Parlet moved to approve the increase, with Councilman Martin Scheel seconding. The vote was 5-0.
Also on Tuesday, during public comment, Wilda Shock, who works with the city on economic development matters and is a member of the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, reported to the council that next week the Board of Supervisors will receive a presentation regarding a proposal to relocate the office of Child Support Services, currently located in Lakeport.
The board agenda says county staff is requesting board direction on finalizing a lease agreement. The matter will be discussed at 10:15 a.m.
Shock told the council that the county is proposing to move Child Support Services and about 38 employees to the Gard Street School campus in Kelseyville. Only part of the campus currently is being used by the district, and the county has been considering making it a location for county offices.
City Manager Margaret Silveira said she has talked to Supervisor Anthony Farrington about the matter. Scheel said he also has a meeting with scheduled with Farrington regarding the proposal.
“I always thought we were the county seat. I guess that’s changed,” said Mayor Tom Engstrom.
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