How to resolve AdBlock issue? County treasurer-tax collector steps down to take position with Marin
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's treasurer-tax collector said she is leaving to take a job with the Marin County Department of Finance.
Sandra Shaul made the announcement at the Board of Supervisors' meeting on Tuesday morning. She was at the meeting to give the annual treasurer's report.
Shaul, who has been with the county of Lake for 12 years, is in her second term in elected office, according to a county statement.
“It's been a challenging but an entirely fulfilling experience,” Shaul said of her tenure.
Shaul will step down, effective March 10.
She acknowledged having “mixed emotions” about the step, and said she will maintain a residence in Lake County.
“It's just a time in my life when this is the right decision for me,” she said of her decision to join the county of Marin.
Shaul said she will be available to assist with helping facilitate the transition through the end of the fiscal year, and she praised her staff for their efforts to create a reliable and efficient department.
She also thanked the board for its support.
Board members offered their thanks for her time, expertise and service.
Supervisor Rob Brown said he and Shaul had been friends since childhood. He had been excited when she joined the county and, later, when she was elected, it gave him a feeling that everything was in good shape.
He said he respected her decision, and knew she had given it a lot of thought.
“While we may not be working together anymore, our friendship won't end,” he said.
Supervisor Jim Comstock told Shaul she had done an outstanding job. “We will not be better off with you leaving.”
In addition, Board Chair Jeff Smith noted in the county's written statement, “Sandy is a dedicated public servant and has been an exemplary department head. Her energy and diligence will be sorely missed. I wish her the best in her new role.”
Next week, the Board of Supervisors will discuss options for filling the remainder of Shaul's term, which expires in December 2014.
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Taxi cab ordinance, update on new visitor center on Clearlake City Council agenda
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – This week the Clearlake City Council will hold the second reading on an ordinance governing taxis and for-hire vehicles in the city and get an update on a new city visitor center.
The public portion of the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The council will convene at 5:30 p.m. for a closed session to discuss a case of litigation, James
Smiley Harris vs. City of Clearlake.
At the start of the meeting, the council will present a proclamation recognizing March as Black History Month.
Staff will take to the council the second reading of an ordinance regulating taxi cabs and other vehicles for hire and adoption of fees.
The council had held an initial reading last October. Since that time city staff has had discussions with local cab company representatives. They also invited all local taxi owners operating in the city to come to a Feb. 5 workshop, but no one came, according to Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen.
Proposed fees are $125 for an operator’s permit, $75 for a driver permit and $25 per vehicle for a vehicle permit, Clausen reported.
The council can either accept the ordinance as is, or add in a section requested by a community member that would prevent work on the vehicles taking place in the right-of-way.
The council also will receive an update on the Highlands Park visitors center building, located at 14295 Lakeshore Drive.
Public Works Director Doug Herren’s report to the council explained that asbestos and lead paint were found in parts of the building, which triggered the need for a licensed abatement crew to come in and remove the materials.
The council also will consider a resolution authorizing City Manager Joan Phillipe to take actions to preserve the standing of the Community Development Block Grant rehabilitation loans.
There are nine such loans out of compliance, two of which are subject to a tax lien sale by the county, according to Phillipe’s report. The proposed resolution “gives authorization to the city manager to take necessary actions on the two to protect the city’s interest.”
Mayor Jeri Spittler also will make her appointment to the Clear Lake Advisory Committee.
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021413 Clearlake City Council - Taxi Cab Ordinance by LakeCoNews
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Mid-year budget review, Office of Emergency Services structure up for discussion by supervisors
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The county’s supervisors will discuss the mid-year budget review and the structure of the county’s Office of Emergency Services this week.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. The meeting will be broadcast live on TV8.
In an untimed item, County Administrative Officer Matt Perry will present the mid-year 2012-13 budget review and ask the board to consider a proposed resolution amending the adopted budget and position allocations.
The board approved a $179 million budget last August, as Lake County News has reported.
In other business on Tuesday, the board at 11:15 a.m. will consider a recommendation recommendation regarding departmental structure of the Office of Emergency Services.
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: Public hearing, consideration of proposed ordinance amending Article VI of Chapter Fifteen of the Lake County Code restricting the operation of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller skates and in-line skates on certain county property.
10 a.m., A-6: (a) Presentation of the annual treasurer’s report; and (b) consideration of request to approve the annual delegation of investment authority to Treasurer-Tax Collector Sandra Shaul, pursuant to Government Code 53607.
10:45 a.m., A-7: Consideration of proposed agreement between the county of Lake and Aramark Correctional Services, LLC., for food services at the Lake County Jail and Juvenile Hall facilities
11:15 a.m., A-8: Consideration of recommendation regarding departmental structure of the Office of Emergency Services.
11:30 a.m., A-9: Assessment appeal hearing: Barry Shaffer - Application No. 316-2010 - 65 Konocti Avenue, Lakeport, CA (APN 025-573-040-000).
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-10: Board of Supervisors Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-11: Consideration of appointments to the Lake County/City Areawide Planning Council.
A-12: (a) Presentation of mid-year budget review; and (b) consideration of proposed resolution amending the FY 2012-13 Adopted Budget and the position allocation for selected budget units.
A-13: Consideration of proposed ordinance establishing a fee schedule for driving under the influence programs; second reading, advanced from Feb. 5.
A-14: (a) Consideration of request for board direction regarding the continuance of the Energy Watch Partnership; and (b) consideration of request for board direction regarding departmental priorities, staffing and service levels.
A-15: Consideration of proposed agreement with consultant to assist in preparation of application for Proposition 84 grant funds for the Middle Creek Restoration Project.
CLOSED SESSION
A-16: 1.Conference with Labor Negotiator: (a) County Negotiators: A. Grant, L. Guintivano, M. Perry, and A. Flora; and (b) Employee Organization: Deputy District Attorney's Association, Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Lake County Correctional Officers Association, Lake County Employees Association, LCSEA.
A-16: 2. Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County IHSS Public Authority: Conference with Labor Negotiator: (a) Agency Negotiator: Carol Huchingson and F. Buchanan (b) Employee Organization: California United Homecare Workers Union Local 4034.
A-16. 3. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(a): Jensen and Larson v. Lake County Sheriff’s Office, et al.
A-16.4. Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Agricultural Commissioner Steve Hajik.
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve Minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings held on February 5, 2013.
C-2: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and First 5 Lake Commission for the FY 2012-13 Mother-Wise Program (for an increase of $9,650), and authorize the chair to sign.
C-3: Approve indemnification agreement between the county of Lake and Regina Legoski to allow emergency vehicles and certain members of the public to pass over a portion of her property knows as APNs 003-047-05 and 003-047-07, due to an emergency situation caused by flooding of Scotts Valley and Eickhoff Roads, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-4: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Ruzicka Associates for engineering services for CSA #2 – Spring Valley Water System Improvement Project (an increase of $83,387), and authorize the chair to sign.
C-5: Approve first amendment to memorandum of understanding, Integrated Regional Water Management Plan for the Westside Subregion of the Sacramento River Funding Area (authorizing coordinated submission of grant application), and authorize the chair to sign.
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Kelseyville residents get update on Seagrave murder investigation, public safety issues
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – More than 150 people gathered in Kelseyville on Thursday night to hear from local officials about public safety issues in the town following the death last month of a young man mortally wounded during a robbery.
Supervisor Rob Brown organized and led the town hall, held at Kelseyville High School.
He called the gathering in response to community concerns after 33-year-old Forrest Seagrave’s death. He was shot during a robbery at Mt. Konocti Gas and Mart on the night of Friday, Jan. 18, dying a short time later.
In the weeks since, the town has been plagued by a series of burglaries to businesses and homes, according to reports from community members.
With concerns heightened, Brown wanted to give town residents a chance to find out what is being done in the investigation and to ask questions about general public safety issues.
“Given the circumstances, we as a community need all the help we can get in this very important time,” said Brown.
The meeting featured a panel of local officials, including Lt. Greg Baarts, commander of the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office; Capt. Chris Macedo of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office; Lake County Community Development Director Rick Coel; Agent John McNunn of State Parole; District Attorney Don Anderson; and Probation Chief Rob Howe. Not on the panel but present were Undersheriff Pat Turturici and Sheriff Frank Rivero.
Brown said there are many issues going on in Kelseyville, Lake County and the world at large. “we can take care of our little piece of the world here.”
He first asked Macedo to give a brief update on the status of the Seagrave murder investigation.
The sheriff's office, said Macedo, “has been working nonstop” to bring the suspect to justice. He said they’re working with CHP, Probation, the District Attorney’s Office, State Parole and other agencies on the case.
“We are turning over every stone, knocking on every door,” as well as making car stops and serving search warrants, said Macedo.
He said the men and women of Lake County law enforcement “take this personally and they are working doggedly night and day.”
Macedo credited Brown for being instrumental in raising the $10,000 being offered as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Seagrave’s murderer. He also thanked the Board of Supervisors for ratifying the reward funds collection at its meeting last Tuesday.
He encouraged community members to call the sheriff’s office at 707-263-2690 if they have any information about the murder. No lead is too small.
Macedo said he wanted to dispel one persistent rumor making its way around the community, that sheriff’s officials have someone in custody for the murder.
“That is not true,” he said.
They have done probation and parole searches and, as a result, there are people in jail, but not for Seagrave’s murder, Macedo said.
As soon as an arrest is made, Macedo guaranteed the community will be informed about it.
However, he said he was limited in what else he could tell them at that point. “We do need to balance the public’s knowledge with the safety and integrity of this investigation.”
Baarts told the group that the shooting was right in the CHP’s backyard. “Our office is right over there,” he said, gesturing toward Live Oak and Highway 20, where the Clear Lake Area office is located. “We're part of this community.”
Brown said he had been talking with Baarts about installing cameras at the Live Oak intersection to help monitor the area. The technology available has capabilities including allowing authorities to identify stolen vehicles based on license plates.
Having such cameras in place would have been helpful in the Seagrave case, he added. That’s because law enforcement has been searching for a pickup in connection with the crime.
That, in addition to initiating new Neighborhood Watch groups, were among the suggestions Brown offered the community in the effort to take back the town from the recent rash of crimes.
“This is not the Kelseyville we grew up in,” Brown said.
“It's not going to be like that again,” he said, adding, “That's just the reality.”
Brown also suggested that benefit zones could be set up in the Kelseyville area to help fund dedicated deputy positions.
A key concern for local officials is the impact of AB 109, the legislation for correctional realignment, which is sending prisoners who normally would have been in state prison to county jails.
“It’s been a tremendous burden on us,” Brown said.
The suspect shot and killed by a local CHP officer last year following a struggle had been released early from the Orange County Jail due to realignment, according to Brown.
State Parole Agent John McNunn also raised concerns about realignment and its impact on communities.
One suggestion he made: “I would recommend you get a gun and get some training.”
McNunn also encouraged residents to participate in the community. “We can’t do it all.”
He said there currently are 181 parolees in the county. McNunn said citizens were sold a bill of goods with AB 109, which was meant to save money but, “Unfortunately, it affects the community.”
District Attorney Don Anderson also worried about correctional realignment’s impacts, among them, violent, serious felons being let out of custody. “It is a reality.”
Of the CHP shooting, he said the officer only got the upper hand due to a good Samaritan stopping to help. “Without that, the situation probably would have been different.”
Regarding the Seagrave case, Anderson said his office has been involved in the investigation since the night of the murder.
When the suspect is caught, “We will prosecute him to the fullest extent we possibly can,” Anderson said.
He said one thing that has come out of Seagrave’s murder is that it has brought the community together.
During a question and answer session, Gary Olson asked for an update on gangs in Kelseyville.
Deputy Gary Frace, a member of the multiagency gang task force, said Kelseyville appears to be the hub of a couple of sets of gangs.
He said people don’t want to admit Lake County has a gang problem, but it does. While it’s not the same as what is seen in Los Angeles or Sacramento, “They’re still here nevertheless,” said Frace.
He pointed to the influence of marijuana both on gangs and general crime. He said marijuana is believed to be the root cause of a recent triple homicide in Sonoma County.
Nancy Rhoades said she wanted to see Neighborhood Watch reinstated as soon as possible. Undersheriff Pat Turturici said the sheriff’s office has reinstated it, and recently started a group in Scotts Valley. He encouraged community members to contact the sheriff’s office for information on how to get started.
Macedo also urged people to be aware of their surroundings, and if held up to surrender money and other possessions if they’re demanded.
Brown said he appreciated – and was impressed by – the community turnout, and wants to have another meeting in the future, at which time he hopes they will be talking about the murderer’s arrest.
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Lakeport City Council approves request to restore police officer position
LAKEPORT, Calif. – After several years in which its officer numbers have been cut back, the Lakeport Police Department will be able to restore an officer position thanks to a unanimous decision by the Lakeport City Council Tuesday night.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen asked the council to add back one of the positions that has been removed from the budget by attrition due to the city's financial difficulties.
He pointed out that in 2009 the department had 14 officer positions budgeted, a number that has dropped to nine in the current fiscal year.
Rasmussen asked for additional funding to increase full-time staffing in order to be ready for the busy summer months.
Adding back the position would cost the city $28,464 for the rest of this fiscal year and $55,000 in fiscal year 2013-14, according to Rasmussen. The revamping of the CalPERS retirement formulas is estimated to save the city $12,000 on the position. In addition, Rasmussen is looking at grant funding.
While Rasmussen said all city departments are working with less staff and resources, as chief of police he said he had to bring his concerns to the council.
“I don't know how you've done it. I did it with 14,” said Mayor Tom Engstrom, the city's retired police chief.
Engstrom pointed out that in the small department everyone – including Rasmussen – covers shifts.
Councilman Marc Spillman asked about overtime. Rasmussen said he's asked for an annual overtime budget of about $45,000. “We've stayed fairly well within that.”
Councilman Martin Scheel asked Rasmussen if he would specifically be hiring a school resource officer, as Rasmussen's plans included filling the school resource officer position for the Lakeport Unified School District. Rasmussen said no, that he would assign a veteran officer to the school district.
Rasmussen's proposal was called a “good proactive move” by Councilman Kenny Parlet, who said Rasmussen has been excellent with his budget and that rewarding staff includes giving them what they need. Councilmember Stacey Mattina agreed.
Lakeport Unified Superintendent Erin Hagberg told the council she was there to confirm the district's commitment to the position.
Hagberg said the district has cut $2 million out of its budget in recent years, reducing staffing and student programs, but has maintained its commitment to the school resource officer position. “I believe it's invaluable to student and staff safety.”
Hagberg added, “Our district is a microcosm of our entire city,” and when there is an increase in certain issues in Lakeport, the school district sees them as well. She said everyone needed to work together.
Engstrom said the Lakeport Police Department has had a presence in the Lakeport schools for the past 20 years.
Mattina asked if Rasmussen would have an officer in place in the schools for the rest of the year. He said it wouldn't be possible until August.
In addition to the restored officer position and another officer's job for which Rasmussen recently held a recruitment, he said one of his officers is leaving on Feb. 15, taking his sworn officer staffing down to seven.
While he said it won't be easy, Rasmussen has a plan for getting the work done. At the same time, he doesn't plan to rush. “I'm not going to make a bad decision on hiring staff by moving too quick, either.”
Scheel asked Finance Director Dan Buffalo for his prognosis for future budgets, and Buffalo said they should have money available due to the dissolution of redevelopment. Buffalo said it's also an excellent time to hire officers due to changes in the CalPERS retirement formulas.
Mattina moved to approve restoring the position, which the council approved 5-0.
“Congratulations, Chief,” said Engstrom. “Go find three people now.”
Rasmussen told Lake County News in a followup interview that he's doing just that.
Thanks to his recent recruitment, Rasmussen said he has sufficient candidates to fill all three positions within the next month or two.
Rasmussen estimated that the restored position will cost about $71,000 a year, $25,000 of which will come from Lakeport Unified.
He said the state now requires jurisdictions to adopt certain mandated retirement formulas for staff hired after Jan. 1, 2013, who are not vested in the CalPERS system or who have have a six-month break in service.
For Lakeport, that mandated formula is 2.7 percent for every year of service by age 57, Rasmussen said. Other jurisdictions have different formulas.
Those changes are resulting in his estimate of about $12,000 in annual savings per position for new officers.
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