How to resolve AdBlock issue? Supervisors get report on PG&E refund, discuss road benefit zone
LAKEPORT, Calif. – During a short Tuesday morning session, the Board of Supervisors heard an update on an energy efficiency project which resulted in the county receiving a refund check, and also held a public hearing on a proposed road benefit zone.
Supervisor Jeff Smith was absent for the meeting.
Officials from Pacific Gas & Electric were on hand to present the county with a refund check for $13,992 thanks to an energy efficiency project that began in 2010.
PG&E representative Robert Cherry told the board that in mid-2010 Caroline Chavez, then deputy director and now director of the Public Service Department, contacted the company to ask for help with fast-tracking an energy efficiency project.
He said the county was applying for stimulus funds through a state program that was designed by the federal government.
“There were a lot of bumps in the road, it was tough,” said Cherry, adding that they got through it.
Two years later, the completed project included the installation of 27 air conditioning and heating units, 160 plug load sensors, nearly 200 lighting occupancy sensors installed around the courthouse, new lightning systems throughout county facilities, including the jail, and an algae aerating system at Holiday Harbor in Nice, he said.
That new equipment will save the county an estimated $17,000 annually on PG&E bills, and has reduced the county’s carbon dioxide footprint by 56 metric tons, Cherry said.
As a result, the county was receiving the rebate check, said Cherry, who added that other lightning projects are planned as well.
Supervisor Denise Rushing thanked PG&E and recognized Public Services and Chavez for her efforts, as well as the work of the Community Development Department and its director, Rick Coel.
Also on Tuesday, Public Works Director Scott De Leon went to the board regarding the proposed establishment of County Service Area 23-Zone R, Chippewa South, in the Clear Lake Riviera Subdivision in Kelseyville. There are 385 parcels in the proposed benefit zone.
On Aug. 14, the board had initiated the 45-day balloting process for the proposed establishment of a benefit zone for road improvements.
The Tuesday hearing was a necessary step to receive public input and accept last-minute ballots from property owners.
No ballots were submitted, but resident Tom Nixon, the only speaker, thanked the board for its help.
He said he wasn’t sure what was going to happen. “I’m as anxious as everybody else is.”
Nixon also thanked Board Chair Rob Brown and De Leon for their assistance.
Brown said that the ballot count at that point indicated there were 96 ballots supporting the zone’s establishment and 93 against.
“It appears that it has passed by three,” Brown said.
De Leon said his staff would make a final ballot tabulation and bring back a final resolution at the board’s Oct. 23 meeting.
Brown closed the public hearing – which also ended the time period during which ballots could be received – with the board setting Oct. 23 for consideration of the final resolution and ballot count.
De Leon also asked the board on Tuesday for approval of an agreement with Santa Rosa-based GHD Inc. for engineering services on two bridge rehabilitation projects – the Clover Creek Bridge on Bridge Arbor North Road and the Middle Creek Bridge on Rancheria Road.
The projects are funded by the Federal Highway Administration’s bridge program and California Bridge Toll-Credit funds, according to De Leon’s report to the board.
No local match funds are required, and the projects are 100-funded, De Leon said.
He said of the federal bridge program, “As a taxpayer it’s not one of my favorite programs, but as a public works director, I love it.”
That’s because he said it allows the county to replace structures it otherwise couldn’t afford to fix.
He said Lake is one of the state’s top counties in California in terms of the number of structures for which it’s pursuing the rehabilitation funding.
De Leon said the all-inclusive contract with GHD also calls for the company to handle subcontractors, which will save staff time. He said GHD had hired three local firms for some of the subcontracting work.
Rushing moved to approve the agreement, which the board approved 4-0.
In other business Tuesday, the board approved the findings of fact and denied Old Muddy II’s appeal of a mitigated negative declaration and minor use permit for a small winery at 8200 S. Highway 29 in Kelseyville; allocated a temporary fifth animal control officer position; and approved an amended light duty policy for employees.
The supervisors also held a hearing for a nuisance abatement assessment of $8,402.36 on property at 1956 Big Valley Road in Finley, owned by Cassandra Murphy, and approved the assessment; approved allocations from Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds totaling $100,000 for the sheriff-coroner, $25,000 for the jail and $14,000 for the District Attorney’s Office; and presented a proclamation to local 4-H members designating Oct. 7-13 as National 4-H Week.
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Cal Water to hold workshop on proposed rate increases Oct. 24
LUCERNE, Calif. – California Water Service Co. will host a rate workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 24, to provide information about the company’s general rate case application filed with the California Public Utilities Commission for its Lucerne water system.
The workshop will be held at 6 p.m. in Lucerne Elementary School's gym/multi-purpose room, located at 3351 Country Club Dr. in Lucerne.
On July 5, Cal Water applied to the CPUC for approval to begin increasing rates in 2014.
Altogether, the company is seeking a 77-percent increase between 2014 and 2016.
The utility’s last general rate case was filed in 2009 and became effective in 2011.
Representatives from Cal Water will provide details about planned water system improvements, how rates are set, and other important information about water rates.
Audience members also will have an opportunity to ask questions.
“We want to help customers understand the GRC filing and the rate-setting process,” said Redwood Valley District Manager Gay Guidotti. “Any increase approved by the CPUC would not become effective until 2014, and our rate workshop will be followed by a formal public hearing hosted by the CPUC next year.”
Concerns about the rate increase and the potential impact on the Lucerne community led to a discussion before the Board of Supervisors over the summer.
At that time, community members raised issues with billing, fairness and concerns about the impact on business and residents.
Cal Water serves about 3,600 people through 1,900 service connections in its Redwood Valley District – including Lucerne – where it has provided water since 2000.
More information is available at www.calwater.com .
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Clearlake City Council to discuss naming playground for child killed in June 2011 shooting
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will consider naming Austin Park’s playground in memory of a little boy who died last year in the worst shooting in the city’s history.
Council members will discuss the proposal to name the playground after 4-year-old Skyler Rapp when it meets this Thursday, Oct. 11.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive. It will be broadcast live on TV8.
City Manager Joan Phillipe’s report to the council explained that community member Yolanda Hernandez originally requested that Highlands Park be renamed for the child, who died on June 18, 2011.
Skyler died and five others were wounded– including his mother, stepfather, family members and friends – when Paul Braden and Orlando Lopez Jr., both of Clearlake Oaks, shot into the family’s Lakeshore Drive yard late that night.
The shooting had resulted after disagreements between the child’s family and friends of the two assailants.
Braden and Lopez were both convicted earlier this year, with each sentenced to more than 300 years in prison for the shootings.
Phillipe reported that a meeting of city officials that took place before her arrival last fall resulted in the suggestion to rename the playground rather than the entire park, which Phillipe said is consistent with a public parks and facilities naming policy the council approved at its Sept. 13 meeting.
She said that in reviewing the file on the request and having spoken with Hernandez, “this seems to be a fitting recommendation.”
She said there are minimal financial implications for naming the playground, and city staff will install the naming plaque.
In other business, the council will look at adopting an ordinance establishing regulations for taxi cabs and for-hire vehicles within the city limits and and discuss a candidate forum policy for the use of the city council chambers and for broadcast on TV8, the cable access station housed in city hall.
Also on Thursday, the council will consider reappointing Councilman Curt Giambruno to the Lake County Vector Control Board and will receive a briefing from the design team on the Lakeshore Downtown Corridor Study.
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Supervisors to consider engineering for bridge replacements
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Board of Supervisors will consider approving an agreement for engineering services on bridge projects in Upper Lake.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, 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, the board will discuss the proposed agreement between the county of Lake and GHD Inc., for engineering services for two bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects – the Clover Creek Bridge and Middle Creek Bridge, both in Upper Lake.
The full agenda is below.
TIMED ITEMS
9 a.m.: 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 Pacific Gas and Electric Smart Energy Rebate for energy savings.
9:15 a.m., A-6: Public hearing, Protest Hearing for the Proposed Establishment of County Service Area (CSA) #23 - “Zone R” (Road Benefit Zone – Chippewa South), and imposing of assessments.
9;30 a.m., A-7: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $8,402.36 – 1956 Big Valley Road, Finley, CA (APN 024-211-20 – Cassandra Murphy).
9:40 a.m., A-8: Public hearing, consideration of recommendations for allocation of Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds.
9:45 a.m., A-9: Presentation of proclamation designating the week of Oct. 7-13, 2012, as National 4-H Week.
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-10: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-11: Consideration of amended light duty policy.
A-12: Consideration of proposed resolution amending Resolution No. 2012- 107, amending position allocation for Fiscal Year 2012-13 in BU 2703 (addition of one Animal Control officer position).
A-13: Consideration of proposed findings of fact and decision regarding the appeal of Old Muddy II – AB 12-02.
A-14: Consideration of proposed agreement between the county of Lake and GHD Inc., for engineering services for two bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects in Lake County (Clover Creek Bridge and Middle Creek Bridge, Upper Lake).
CLOSED SESSION
A-15. 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-15: 2. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Sec. 54956.9(a): Estate of Hatfield v. County of Lake, et al.
A-15: 3. Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Sec. 54956.9 (a): Dinius v. County of Lake
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on Oct. 2, 2012.
C-2: (a) Adopt proclamation designating the week of Oct. 7-13, 2012, as National 4-H Week.
C-3: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2012-107 establishing new classifications and position allocations for Fiscal Year 2012-13 (correcting typographical errors).
C-4: (a) Approve purchase of six bridge funding applications for bridge projects (project locations: Wardlaw Street, Middletown, three on Bartlett Springs Road, Lucerne; Witter Springs Road, Upper Lake; and Big Canyon Road, Middletown); and (b) authorize the public works director/assistant purchasing agent to issue purchase order to Quincy Engineering Inc., in the amount of $18,000, for the preparation of six Federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP) application and project study reports.
C-5: Adopt resolution authorizing transfer of loan reserve funds in the amount of $35,553 to cover loan payment due by CSA #21-North Lakeport.
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Supervisors discuss new petitions to list Clear Lake hitch as endangered species
LAKEPORT. Calif. – Last Tuesday the Board of Supervisors held a discussion on newly filed petitions with the state and federal governments to list the Clear Lake hitch as an endangered species.
The Center for Biological Diversity filed the petitions late last month to protect the hitch, which his native to Clear Lake, as Lake County News has reported.
Board Chair Rob Brown said he had the matter put on the Oct. 2 board agenda in order to make sure it was on the supervisors’ radar.
He said there is still time and opportunity for public input, although he added he was “still not really clear on how this happened,” or why the Center for Biological Diversity decided to pursue the petition.
Brown said he spoke with Peter Windrem, president of the Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch, who said the group was not aware of the petitions until they were filed.
Brown said the Chi Council had suggested partnering with the Lake County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee to hold forums for the purposes of educating the public and taking input from the community.
“I think we can count on that happening,” said Brown.
Brown said he’s also spoken to Lake County Farm Bureau’s executive director, Claudia Street, about the matter.
“It could have long-reaching impacts, either positive or negative,” Brown said. “We don’t know yet.”
Windrem, who attended the board meeting, explained that the Chi Council serves as a clearinghouse for information on the fish, and also supports monitoring programs and grant applications. Their objective is to gather information on the hitch.
He confirmed that the group hadn’t been notified of the petitions before they were filed.
The council met Sept. 26 to discuss the petitions. With help from Greg Giusti of the University of California Cooperative Extension, group members have gotten an understanding of the petition process, which can take years, Windrem said.
Victoria Brandon, who is a member of the Lake County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee, said people around the county have been saying the hitch needed help for some time.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington thanked Brown for putting the discussion on the agenda.
“I think it’s best to get ahead of these types of issues,” he said.
Farrington suggested there may be opportunities to hold back more water from being released from Clear Lake during the summer months to help the hitch.
Tom Smythe, an engineer with the Lake County Water Resources Department who also sits on the Chi Council, said the lake level was mentioned in the petition as a potential issue. Most of the hitch’s spawning takes place in March.
Smythe said he has looked at lake levels prior to 1914, and the average lake levels today very closely follow what was occurring from 1873 through 1900.
“The lake operation doesn’t seem to be a whole lot different than what Mother Nature intended,” Smythe said.
Windrem said he wanted to say something in defense of bass, which have reportedly impacted the hitch.
“The environmental systems are immensely complex in this lake,” he said.
While there is no question that bass like to eat hitch, Windrem said there also are other fish – like silversides and threadfin shad – that compete with hitch for food.
He said the hitch live in two worlds – one is Clear Lake, where they reside for most of the year, and the second is the creeks where they spawn.
Windrem suggested that humans could have more potential impact on streams than the lake, adding that he wanted to approach the matter as soundly as possible and not have all issues for the hitch attributed to bass.
“Folks get really alarmed in connection with these applications,” he said.
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