How to resolve AdBlock issue? First 5 Lake Commission asks for community input
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The First 5 Lake Commission is asking community members to take part in a needs survey.
The commission is seeking information from parents, grandparents and families about what activities and services they feel are important for children, age 0 to 5, and their families and which ones they feel are needed more.
To gather this information, First 5 Lake has created a one page survey.
The survey will take less than five minutes to complete. It has been produced in hard copy and online via a web-based program called Survey Monkey.
To access the online survey, go to www.firstfivelake.org and click on www.surveymonkey.com/s/first5needssurvey .
A hard copy can be obtained by contacting the First 5 Lake office at 707.263.6169, or via email,
First 5 Lake is a Commission created by the Board of Supervisors in 2000. Its vision is to create healthy development for all of Lake County’s young children.
Commission funding comes in part from the taxes placed on tobacco products. Each year, the commission uses its funds to support activities and services that are seen to be of great need and at the same time lacking in Lake County.
For example, two services the commission has been funding for several years are: A comprehensive dental care program for children and a parenting skills improvement program.
The dental care program is coordinated with the Department of Public Health and local dental clinics. It works primarily through the cooperation of Lake County’s schools. The parenting skills improvement program serves the entire county and is offered in a variety of venues.
As supporters of the Lake County Child Care Planning Council are aware, First 5 Lake and First 5 California are the funding sources for the CARES Plus Grant/Steps to Quality program.
Your input is very important. Please take a few moments to complete the survey if you are able.
The selection of services to fund comes from the commission’s strategic plan. This plan is based on community input, hence the development of the needs survey.
For more information on First 5 Lake please visit www.firstfivelake.org .
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Supervisors implement centralized process for county property acquisition, leasing
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors approved a new policy governing the county’s purchasing of real estate and also updated an existing policy that covers how the county leases property.
Deputy Administrative Officer Alan Flora said that the policy updates resulted from board direction on Nov. 6.
The proposed policies were circulated to department heads who either purchase or lease property, he said, with excellent insight and recommendations resulting.
Flora said board direction was to give more consistency and a comprehensive look at property purchases.
The process utilizes the County Administrative Office and the county space committee “as a mechanism to provide a consistent and objective analysis of proposed property acquisitions,” his report explained.
The policies lay out the requirements and criteria for the acquisition process, with the County Administrative Office and the space committee working with departments proposing acquisitions in order to prepare to take purchase requests to the board. Flora’s report said the process should eliminate wastefulness, “both of staff time and money.”
The new property purchasing policy has a procedure that includes the department wanting to buy property providing a detailed list of why it needs the property, why current county property is insufficient, a description of space requirements and a preferred location, and identification of a proposed funding source.
There is then numerous steps that follow, including a property appraisal, contacting necessary agencies like Environmental Health and preparation of necessary documents. The full criteria can be seen below.
The leasing process is similar, with departments required to submit similar explanations of need, desired location and funding. After conceptual approval, a shorter list of requirements follows, including preparing a draft lease agreement and submitting the documents to the appropriate officials and individuals.
“This is what I was looking for when I suggested we do this,” said Board Chair Rob Brown, adding it would be more centralized.
Brown said there have been times when a department wants something but it comes down to it not being a great need.
Supervisor Denise Rushing asked if it would increase the County Administrative Office’s workload.
“I think it increases their workload when we don’t have a policy like this,” Brown said.
County Administrative Officer Matt Perry said his office is already involved in the process.
Flora said county staff also is nearing completion of work on a new policy to govern construction and renovation of county properties.
Supervisor Jim Comstock moved to approve the new property purchasing and leasing policies, which the board approved 5-0.
He also moved to rescind the existing property leasing policy in order to put the new leasing policy in place. That vote also was unanimous.
A short time later, in the same meeting, the board directed that the issue of acquiring a Clearlake Oaks substation for the sheriff’s office be routed through the new process.
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New Clearlake City Council members to take oath Dec. 13; council to discuss marijuana ordinance
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake’s new council members will be sworn in during the council’s regular meeting this week.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At the Thursday meeting the council will honor retiring members Judy Thein and Curt Giambruno.
Newly elected council members Gina Fortino Dickson and Denise Loustalot, and reelected member Joyce Overton will take their oaths of office, and the mayor and vice mayor for 2013 will be selected.
Once the new members are seated, they will get right to work on a number of business matters.
Among the items on the agenda is a discussion on proceeding with an ordinance to prohibit commercial medical marijuana cultivation and cultivation on vacant properties, and limit outdoor cultivation.
City Manager Joan Phillipe’s report explained that city staff has been working to have a draft ordinance ready to present to the council at the start of the year.
The council will discuss having the ordinance address grows as a zoning and nuisance abatement issue or to take an alternative approach.
“With a new council seated it is timely to confirm that this is still the direction that staff should be heading in or if there is a different approach that we should he considering,” Phillipe said in her report.
In other business, the council will continue the second reading of an ordinance regarding taxi cabs and other for-hire vehicles to a future meeting, hold the second reading of a new ordinance meant to better organize code enforcement matters in the city code, accept the Nov. 6 election results and discuss paying for Loustalot and Dickson to attend the League of California Cities New Council Member Training in Sacramento Jan. 16-18.
Items on the council’s consent agenda – to be considered at the start of the meeting and usually accepted on one motion – include the city’s 2012 conflict of interest code, consideration of a lease agreement between the city and Shomisa Norzei for public property at 14962 Lakeshore Drive to be used as a parking lot, and an agreement between the city and county to provide funding for the renovation and operation of a new visitor center at 14295 Lakeshore Drive.
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Lakeport in line for federal water, sewer grants; may help reduce new rates
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport appears to be close to receiving about $2 million in federal water and sewer grants to help upgrade the city’s infrastructure.
City Utilities Director Mark Brannigan said the city has grant applications in with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one for the city sewer system and one for the water system.
City staff recently met with USDA representatives, and Brannigan said the USDA told the city that it looked like they were going to receive the grants.
The city can receive up to $1 million for each application, for a total of $2 million, which he said would account for 25 percent of the $8 million it’s estimated that the city’s projects will cost.
Lakeport started the application process a year and a half ago, said Brannigan. Originally, the city had applied three years ago but had issues with the application, and reapplied this last time around with the help of a consultant.
Brannigan said there are nine total projects the city is proposing to complete, from paying for the purchase of the Green Ranch, where two groundwater supply wells are located, to a new water main loop, upsizing sewer lines, and replacing conduit and a lift station.
The city is in the process of modifying its sewer application to include an additional $1 million worth of work and getting final engineering documents to the USDA, Brannigan said.
The changes to the sewer grant application will cover removing sludge from two sewer treatment ponds – previously the city had proposed only to do sludge removal on one – and do slope protection work, he said.
Brannigan said the USDA is considering that Lakeport is a small, disadvantaged community, which is working in the city’s favor as far as getting grant funds.
Early in October, the Lakeport City Council approved a 100-percent rate increase for both sewer and water customers over the coming five years, as Lake County News has reported.
Brannigan and other city staff said the hikes were needed to cover the costs of providing the utilities as well as the projects, which the state is requiring.
Even with the increases, Brannigan maintained that the average water bill for city ratepayers is cheaper than in most other parts of the county, while he acknowledged that city sewer services are comparatively expensive.
Brannigan said the state has not set a deadline for completing the projects the city is proposing in order to meet its permit requirements.
As for the increasing rates, Brannigan said the grants could offer some small savings for ratepayers.
The average residential user could see a monthly savings of $.97 for water and $1.15 a month for sewer. Brannigan said the city must explore those potential savings and have its rate consultant calculate just what the potential savings might ultimately be.
Once the grants are finally approved, Brannigan said the engineering would begin immediately, with bids seeking contractors being sent out about six months afterward.
It will take another two to three months to select the projects’ contractors and the projects themselves would take a few years to complete, he said.
Depending on weather, some of the projects could begin in 2013. One project that could begin right away is one to update computerized water and sewer control systems, Brannigan said.
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Supervisors to receive update on Clearlake Oaks substation, consider paper subdivision lot donations
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Board of Supervisors will get an update on the sheriff’s plans for a Clearlake Oaks substation and decide whether or not to accept donations of paper subdivision lots on the Northshore.
The meeting will take place beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, 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.
At 9:45 a.m. the board will get an update on the Clearlake Oaks subdivision and give county staff direction on how to proceed.
In October, the board directed that a county-owned property on Acorn Street in Clearlake Oaks be used for the short-term as a new substation, rather that pursuing the purchase of a building that needs renovation on Shady Lane, which Sheriff Frank Rivero favored.
The board chose that location after the manager of the Big Oak Shopping Center on Highway 20 withdrew his offer of $1 a month rent, saying that Rivero had insulted and mischaracterized his offer, as Lake County News has reported.
Deputy Administrative Officer Alan Flora’s report to the board said that, based on board direction, on Nov. 6 the County Administrative Office made contact with the sheriff’s office and Public Services to coordinate the remodeling and occupying of the new substation.
On Nov. 29 sheriff’s staff notified the County Administrative Office that the space was too small and it would not be using the facility, planning instead to stay in the existing substation at the Lake County Superior Court’s Clearlake branch, Flora reported.
However, that location has problems; Flora said that county staff has been in negotiations with the state Administrative Office of the Courts, which is planning to take over the entire building’s use. The new agreement would necessitate relocating the substation prior to the end of February.
“Staff seeks your Board’s direction on a resolution of these issues,” Flora wrote.
In other business, at 9:15 a.m., the board will consider giving staff direction regarding the county’s acceptance of donated paper subdivision lots and their future use for county trails along the Northshore.
Also on the agenda are untimed items including proclamations of appreciation for Assemblyman Wes Chesbro who formerly represented Lake County in the California Assembly and for his aide Ruth Valenzuela for her years of service; consideration of accepting a donation from the Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library of shelving, furniture and computers for the new Middletown Library; and a proposed agreement for a needs assessment study of the Lake County Jail.
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 request for board direction regarding county acceptance of donation of paper subdivision lots and future trail use.
9:30 a.m., A-6: Consideration of policies regarding the lease and purchase of property for county use.
9:45 a.m., A-7: Update and request for board direction regarding the establishment of a sheriff’s substation in Clearlake Oaks.
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-8: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-9: Consideration of proposed 2013 Board of Supervisors regular meeting calendar.
A-10: (a) Presentation of proclamation expressing appreciation to Wesley Chesbro for his representation of Lake County; and (b) presentation of proclamation expressing appreciation to Ruth Valenzuela for her years of service on behalf of Lake County.
A-11: Consideration of request for approval of donation from the Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library for shelving, furniture and computers for the new Middletown Library.
A-12: (a) Consideration of request to waive travel policy section regarding time limit for submitting travel reimbursement claims; and (b) consideration of request to approve late travel claims.
A-13: Consideration of request to authorize out of state travel for Deputy Gavin Wells and Deputy Ben Moore to attend Mobile Audio Video (MAV) repair training, on Jan. 13-17, 2013, in Allen, Texas.
A-14: Consideration of proposed agreement for the adult detention facility needs assessment study for the Lake County Jail/Hill Road Facility.
A-15: Consideration of proposed agreement between the county of Lake and Nichols Consulting Engineers for design services for one water tank (50,000-60,000 gallon capacity) for County Service Area 13 - Kono Tayee Water System.
CLOSED SESSION
A-16: 1.Conference with Labor Negotiator: (a) County Negotiators: A. Grant, L. Guintivano, M. Perry, J. Hammond and A. Flora; and (b) Lake County Deputy District Attorney’s Association, Lake County Correctional Officer’s Association and Lake County Employees Association.
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on Dec. 4, 2012.
C-2: (a) Adopt proclamation expressing appreciation to Wesley Chesbro for his representation of Lake County; and (b) adopt proclamation expressing appreciation to Ruth Valenzuela for her years of service on behalf of Lake County.
C-3: Adopt resolution designating applicant’s agent for federal disasters (authorizing certain county officials to submit reimbursement applications with the California Emergency Management Agency, for up to three years).
C-4: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2012-107 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, Budget Unit No. 1012, Administrative Office (deleting one chief deputy county administrative officer and adding one administrative analyst I/II/senior/deputy county administrative officer I/II/III).
C-5: Adopt agreement between the county of Lake and St. Helena Hospital and Center for Behavioral Health for FY 2012-2013 mental health services, for a maximum amount of $200,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-6: Adopt resolution accepting official canvass of the consolidated general election held on Nov. 6, 2012, and declaring judge of the Superior Court, Department No. 1 duly elected.
C-7: Accept certification of county elections official of result of the canvass of the consolidated general election returns.
C-8: Accept certification of county elections official of results of the canvass of write-in votes cast for qualified candidates at the Nov. 6, 2012, consolidated general election.
C-9: Adopt governing body resolution (authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program).
C-10: Adopt governing body resolution (authorizing the submission of a anti-drug abuse grant application to the Board of State and Community Corrections).
C-11: (a) Approve Budget Transfer B-067 from Fixed Assets Prior Year, in the amount of $1,809, for the purchase of one HX55PV softmount washer and one HT0120REW dryer for the Lake County Jail/Hill Road facility; and (b) award bid to Commercial Laundry Equipment in the amount of $21,808.36 for the purchase of one HX55PV softmount washer and one HT0120REW dryer for the Lake County Jail/Hill Road facility, and authorize the sheriff/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order.
C-12: Approve memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake and Adventist Health, St. Helena Hospital, Clear Lake, for the services of county elegibility workers, through FY 2014, and authorize the chair to sign.
LAKE COUNTY LOCAL BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
C-13: (a) Accept stipulation change in assessment for LANY Lakeport LP, A California Limited Partnership, Kmart Corp, assessee (APN 005-045-400-000) for a change in the value of land from $2,471,685 to $2,000,000, and Improvements from $4,508,291 to $3,890,000, for a change in total value from $6,979,976 to $5,890,000, for the 2010 tax year; and (b) accept stipulation change in assessment for LANY Lakeport LP A California Limited Partnership, Kmart Corp, assessee (APN 005-045-400-000) for a change in the value of land from $2,490,296 to $2,000,000, and improvements from $4,542,238 to $3,890,000, for a change in total value from $7,032,534 to $5,890,000, for the 2011 tax year.
C-14: Accept change in assessment for Clifford Bergen and Patricia Bergen (APN 114-100-031-000) for a change in the value of improvements from $335,620 to $205,000, for a change in the total value from $386,109 to $255,489 for the 2010 tax year.
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