How to resolve AdBlock issue? Roundabout suggested as possible solution for Hartmann Road and Highway 29 intersection
LAKEPORT, Calif. – State officials are looking at ways to make a south county intersection with a high collision and fatality rate safer, and one of the solutions that’s being considered is the installation of a new roundabout.
Caltrans District 1 Director Charlie Fielder met with county officials and a representative from Congressman Mike Thompson’s office on Thursday afternoon to discuss what he said was a very preliminary proposal for a new roundabout at Hartmann Road and Highway 29 outside of Hidden Valley Lake.
The informal meeting in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport included Middletown area Supervisor Jim Comstock, Thompson representative Brad Onorato, Valley Oaks developer Ken Porter, county Deputy Public Works Director Lars Ewing and Public Works’ special projects engineer, Todd Mansell.
“We’ve had some concerns with the collision rates we’ve been seeing at Highway 29 and Hartmann Road,” Fielder said.
It was because of those collision rates that in July 2011 Caltrans announced its plans to install a three-way stop at the intersection, as Lake County News has reported. The stop sign installation was completed in October 2011.
Caltrans statistics showed that, between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2011, there were 27 collisions at the intersection, including two fatals, 13 injury crashes and 18 broadsides.
Those numbers put the fatality rate at 15 times the state average and injury collisions at six times the statewide average, while the overall crash rate is five times the state average.
When it announced the three-way stop, Caltrans wasn’t planning to install a stoplight due to concerns about the intersection’s orientation, which has a 1,000-foot radius horizontal curve with a 10-percent cross slope.
Caltrans continues to have that opinion, with Fielder saying Thursday that a traffic signal won’t work due to the way the intersection is oriented.
The stop signs, however, have worked well as an interim solution, Fielder said, with Comstock agreeing.
Fielder said Caltrans had planned to seek grant funding in order to support the county improving the intersection, but the grant didn’t come through.
Caltrans therefore decided to look at other options, with Fielder explaining that his engineers believe a roundabout can work there.
“Roundabouts get mixed reviews,” Fielder conceded, but said a new roundabout in Nice at the corner of Highway 20 and the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff appears to be working well. “People are adapting to it very quickly.”
There also is a new roundabout, completed at the end of 2011, at Highway 1 and Simpson Lane in Fort Bragg, Fielder said.
“This is the direction we're heading right now,” said Fielder. “It's not a done deal by any means.”
He said there needs to be more research and public outreach before a final decision is made. “Initial investigations are showing this is a viable option.”
One of the benefits of roundabouts is that there is essentially no maintenance cost, Fielder said.
Comstock, who admitted to not being a fan of roundabouts, questioned how a roundabout would handle the traffic volume at the busy intersection, one of the entry points into the Hidden Valley Lake subdivision. Fielder said it will work better than the stop signs do currently.
Fielder said Caltrans will continue its studies of the intersection before making a final decision.
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Supervisors give CASA program $5,000 to support advocacy for abused children
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mendocino & Lake Counties program has once again received $5,000 from the Lake County Board of Supervisors in support of the group’s advocacy for local abused and neglected children.
CASA Executive Director Sheryn Hildebrand, along with Shelly Mascari of the Lake County Office of Education and Tom Jordan of FIRST 5 Lake County, both CASA Board members, expressed their gratitude during the presentation ceremony.
They said the funds will be used to expand volunteer based advocacy services for abused and neglected children in Lake County.
Having a consistent person in each of these children’s lives can make all the difference in the world, they noted.
Fourth District Supervisor Anthony Farrington emphasized the importance of having the program in Lake County.
“We are proud to support the CASA volunteer program in our county and would like to encourage community members to step forward and serve our at-risk youth who are in need of crucial services and a voice of their own,” Farrington said.
CASA of Mendocino and Lake Counties has been providing advocacy for abused and neglected children since 1994 in Mendocino County and recently expanded into Lake County in 2010.
There are currently more than 300 open cases of abuse, neglect or delinquency in Mendocino and Lake counties and the need for advocates is great.
CASA is accepting volunteer applications for its next training beginning in January.
For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, contact Kimberly Smith at 707-463-6503, Extension 11, or
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Investigation continues in death of Lower Lake man
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The death of a Lower Lake man whose body was found last week remains under investigation.
Lake County News has independently confirmed that the man found dead last week was Mark Bartholomew Johnson, 52, of Lower Lake.
Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and Lake County Fire Protection District had responded to the 23000 block of Morgan Valley Road near Rocky Creek Roads late on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 21, on the report of a male assault victim, as Lake County News has reported.
Reports from the scene indicated that Johnson – who owned property in the area – was found on the ground next to his pickup, with both he and the vehicle covered with blood.
His body has reportedly been taken to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office, which handles autopsies for Lake County.
Officials are reported to be continuing the investigation.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has blacklisted Lake County News and is refusing to release any details about Johnson’s death to this news organization.
However, at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Undersheriff Pat Turturici stated that the case was not a homicide.
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Lakeport City Council plans two special meetings to handle business, orient new members
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council will hold two special meetings in order to deal with a utility expansion fee deferral agreement and an omission on the city manager’s new contract, and to hold an orientation for its newly elected members.
The meetings will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On the Tuesday agenda is an agreement with Lakeport Pacific Associates, which is requesting a utility expansion fees deferral agreement with the city.
Lakeport Pacific Associates is planning a $5.3 million senior affordable housing project on Martin Street and has asked the city to defer charging it the utility expansion fees in the project’s early stages.
City Manager Margaret Silveira told the council at its Nov. 13 meeting that the agreement would defer a high interest rate on the firm’s construction loan.
The council had put off making a decision at that time over concerns about how the firm had advertised for local contractors, as the deferral agreement refers to “best efforts” to hire local. City staff said Lakeport Pacific Associates had only put out a notice three days ahead of the deadline.
Despite those concerns, Silveira said it’s an excellent project for seniors and meets the city’s affordable housing criteria.
According to the Community Development Director Richard Knoll’s report to the council for Tuesday’s meeting, a company principal indicated that the end of the Lakeport Redevelopment Agency has led to financing issues for the project.
As a result, Lakeport Pacific Associates is now seeking more than the original two-year deferral agreement.
Knoll said the company is requesting that the agreement be enhanced to include a 15-year $150,000 deferral fee loan at 3-percent interest with payment to be made out of the project's residual receipts, which Knoll explained are excess revenues generated by the operation of the housing project after all other debt service obligations and expenses are paid.
Knoll said the water and sewer expansion fees to be paid to the city is $496,096; the agreement would defer $346,096 of that for a period not to exceed two years from the date of the agreement or until a
request for building occupancy is made. The deferral loan would cover another $150,000 of the $496,096.
“In exchange for the deferral, the developers will use best efforts to build the affordable housing project which is consistent with City housing policy as set forth in the Lakeport General Plan, would be consistent with State Housing Policy and would also bring added financial benefit to the local economy through the use of local tradespersons and vendors,” Knoll said.
He said city staff is recommending that the developer supply a report within 30 days of the start of construction and updates every 30 days thereafter. The developer also should pay $1,000 for staff time to prepare and monitor the obligations.
If the fees aren’t paid upon any request for occupancy or a call for a final inspection, the fees are due within two years; if they aren’t paid then, they will be secured as a lien on the property, Knoll suggested.
Also on Tuesday, the council will consider an amendment to Silveira’s new contract, which extends through May 30, 2016. The new contract inadvertently omitted mention of Silveira’s health benefits.
The council also will hold a closed session for labor negotiations city City Attorney Steve Brooks.
On Thursday, the council will hold a special meeting for a new council member orientation.
On Nov. 6 three new council members were elected – Kenny Parlet, Martin Scheel and Marc Spillman.
The councilmen-elect will have the chance on Thursday to meet department heads – if they haven’t already – as well as receive an overview of city department functions and a report of current projects.
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Supervisors to discuss Code Enforcement priorities, assessment appeals
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Board of Supervisors will consider giving the Code Enforcement division direction for what work it should pursue in the upcoming year, discuss negotiations for correctional food services and hold property assessment appeal hearings.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 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 a.m., the board will receive an update regarding Code Enforcement’s activities this year and give direction for the division’s work next year.
At 10:30 a.m., the sheriff’s office will ask the board to consider giving “conceptual approval” to enter into negotiations with Aramark for the provision of food services at the Lake County Jail and Juvenile Hall facilities.
During the afternoon session, beginning at 1:30 p.m., the board will hold assessment appeal hearings on a number of properties.
Included in the group is Kmart, which is asking to have its property at 2019 S. Main reassessed from a total value of $6.9 million to $4.4 million.
Wells Fargo also is asking to have its location at 1055 Second St. reduced from a value of $190,274 to $100,000.
In an untimed item carried over from Nov. 13, the board will consider a policy regarding media releases and release of public information.
The full agenda is below.
TIMED ITEMS
9 a.m., A1-A4: 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.: Public hearing, consideration of request for General Plan Planning Amendment (GPAP 12-03) of two parcels from Rural Lands and Resource Conservation to Rural Residential and Resource
Conservation and a Rezone (12-03) from “RL-SC-WW-FF” Rural Lands-Scenic Waterway-Floodway Fringe to “RR-B5 (5 acre)-SCWW-FF” Rural Residential-Special Lot Size (5 acre)-Scenic Waterway-Floodway Fringe; project applicants are Alex Straessle and Harry Zabel and Nancy Zabel; located at 12609 and 12625 Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake, CA (APNs 022-004-01 & 02).
9:35 a.m., A-6: Consideration of request for board direction regarding the reorganization of crisis services.
9:45 a.m., A-7: Public hearing, consideration of proposed ordinance amending Chapter 13 of the Ordinance Code of the County of Lake pertaining to replacement of the courtesy notification process, establishing a request for hearing procedures and adding additional provisions for cost recovery.
10 a.m., A-8: (a) Presentation of update regarding 2012 Code Enforcement activities; and (b) Consideration of request for Board direction regarding 2013 Code Enforcement priorities. Carried over from Nov. 13.
10:30 a.m., A-9: Consideration of request for conceptual approval to enter into negotiations with Aramark for the provision of food services at the Lake County Jail and Juvenile Hall facilities. Carried over from Nov. 13.
11 a.m., A-10: (a) Consideration of request for waiver of construction traffic road fees for Robert Cramer; and (b) consideration of request for waiver of construction traffic road fees for Melvin and Lynn Goos.
11:15 a.m., A-11: (a) Consideration of request to waive the formal bidding process and make a determination that competitive bidding is not appropriate due to acquisition of equipment from a sole source vendor; and (b) consideration of request to approve purchase of C-IV tech refresh upgrades and hardware support from the county of San Bernardino; and (c) consideration of request to authorize the Social Services director/asst. purchasing agent to issue a purchase order to the county of San Bernardino, in the amount of $70,622, for C-IV tech refresh upgrades and hardware support for existing equipment.
1:30 p.m., A-12: Carried over from Nov. 6: Assessment Appeal Hearing, Velloo Family 2008 Trust - Application No. 92-2010 - 21016 Highway 29, Middletown, CA (APN 024-491-070-000); Gilbert & Dewitt Land Co., LLC - Application No. 151-2010 – 4485 Lakeshore Blvd., Lakeport, CA (APN 029-121-520-000); James Lynch - Application No. 200-2010 - Pillsbury Homesite #14, Pillsbury, CA (APN 981-000-877-000/860-000-095-000); Kmart Corporation - Application No. 174-2010 - 2019 S. Main Street, Lakeport, CA (APN 005-045-400-000); Twin Oaks Vineyards LLC. - Application No. 63-2010 - 14670 East State Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA (APN 006-560-270-000); Wells Fargo Bank NA - 1055 Second Street, Lakeport, CA (APN 025-082-030-000).
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-13: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-14: Consideration of policy regarding media releases and release of public information. Carried over from Nov. 13.
A-15: Advanced from Nov. 13, second reading of consideration of proposed ordinance amending Chapter Three of the Lake County Code concerning the Commercial Weighing and Measuring Device Program and the annual registration fees for inspection and testing of weighing and measuring devices.
A-16 Consideration of proposed footwear policy for Community Development Department inspection staff.
A-17: (a) Consideration of request to waive the formal bidding process and make a determination that competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the county;and (b) consideration of request to authorize sheriff/coroner/asst. purchasing agent to issue a purchase order to Baker Distributing Inc., for replacement HVAC units for the Lake County Jail/Hill Road facility.
CLOSED SESSION
A-18: 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.
A-18: 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.
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings held on Nov. 6 (carried over from November 13, 2012) and 13, 2012.
C-2: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Children’s Services for children and youth enrolled in the Lake County WRAP Program for specialty mental health services (adding family therapy), with no increase to maximum amount, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-3: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Children’s Services for FY 2012-13 Medi-Cal specialty mental health services, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, and authorize the
chair to sign.
C-4: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Creek Community Living Center for FY 2012-13 residential support services, for an increase of $30,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-5: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Hilltop Recovery Services for FY 2012-13 residential support services, for an increase of $22,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-6: Adopt resolution to appropriate unanticipated revenue from Lake County Office of Education in support of Health Services Dental Disease Prevention Program for FY 2012-13.
C-7: Approve advanced step hiring of Nurse Practitioner Donna Farmer, due to applicant’s extraordinary qualifications (fifth step salary range).
C-8: Adopt resolution temporarily prohibiting parking and authorizing removal of vehicles and ordering the Department of Public Works to post signs (Community Holiday Tree Lighting, Hartmann Road, Hidden Valley Lake, on Dec. 8, 2012, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
C-9: (a) Authorize the Social Services director/assistant purchasing agent to issue purchase order to Kathy Fowler Chrysler Jeep Dodge, in the amount of $20,974.92 for one 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan; and (b) authorize the Social Services director/assistant purchasing agent to issue purchase order to Kathy Fowler Chevrolet, in the amount of $22,635.65 for one 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (as approved in the 2012-13 approved budget).
LAKE COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
C-10: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2012-107 establishing position allocations for fiscal year 2012-13, Budget Unit No. 8799, Air Quality Management District (deleting one FTE Air Quality Specialist/Senior Air Quality Specialist and add one 0.60 FTE Air Quality Specialist/Senior Air Quality Specialist).
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