How to resolve AdBlock issue? Third annual 'Grillin’ on the Green' to benefit Westside Community Park
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Grab your aprons and start testing out your favorite barbecue dishes. It’s time for the yearly cook-off competition at the Grillin’ on the Green fundraiser to benefit Westside Community Park in Lakeport.
The third annual Grillin’ on the Green featuring the barbecue cook-off, musical entertainment by EarReverence and by Andy Rossoff, children’s activities, a car show and a “washer tournament” is scheduled for Saturday, August 4, 5-8 p.m., at Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road.
The public is invited to attend and participate in the festivities, including the barbecue competition, the Westside Community Park fundraising committee has announced.
Individuals and groups, from backyard barbecuers to professional grillers, have an opportunity to compete in the cook-off. There is no entry fee.
Each contestant is required to provide his/her own setup and samples of the chef’s “grillin’” specialty for 300 people.
The competition will culminate in a presentation of the People’s Choice Awards. Deadline for submission of cook-off entry forms is July 1.
Ticket prices for the event are $25 per adult, $10 per child 12 years old or younger, and no charge for children 2 years old or younger.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Lake Event Design and Main Street Bicycles, all in Lakeport.
Tickets are also available from members of the fundraising committee. They are Dennis Rollins, Cindy Ustrud, Alice Holmes, Wilda Shock, Cindy Engstrom, Mary Ann Larrea and Beth Havrilla.
For cook-off entry forms or additional information about the event and the barbecue competition, contact Ustrud, 707-263-7091, or Rollins, 707-349-0969.
Information about the event and photos of last year’s event can be found on the park’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org .
The Park Committee is also seeking sponsorships for this year’s event, says Ustrud.
This year’s major sponsors are the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, which is pledging matching funds up to $5,000, BiCoastal Media and Lake County News. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, $3,000, and $5,000. Sponsors will be recognized at the Grillin’ on the Green event.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the next phase of development of Westside Community Park. Funds raised by the Lakeport Kiwanis Club’s “Washer Tournament” will also benefit the park. Teams will compete for cash and non-cash prizes. The washer tournament entry fee is $40 per team.
For registration information and entry forms, visit the Kiwanis website at www.kiwanislakeport.org .
In 2009, the Westside Community Park was awarded a $200,000 grant. The grant has assisted the Park Committee in the Phase II development, which must be completed by November 2012. Phase II is a six-acre development with three soccer fields, one regulation baseball field, and one combination Little League/softball field. The estimated cost of Phase II is $335,000.
Westside Community Park is a City of Lakeport recreational facility that was established 13 years ago. The nonprofit Park Committee is developing the park in conjunction with the City of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.
The park currently is four acres consisting of two soccer fields, a parking lot, a picnic area overlooking the soccer fields, an ADA compliant walking path and a dog park.
Future plans for development of the park’s full 60 acres include baseball/softball fields, a BMX track, a skateboard facility, horseshoe pits, football fields, a children’s play structure, walking paths along Forbes Creek and a horse arena.
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Board of Supervisors gives approval to initial recommended budget
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A week after he was appointed, the new interim county administrative officer presented his first budget to the Board of Supervisors.
Matt Perry presented the board with a structurally sound, debt-free budget, just as his predecessor, Kelly Cox, had done during his three-decade tenure.
Cox officially retired March 16 but filled in on a volunteer basis until the board appointed Perry at the end of its June 5 meeting. Perry asked for the appointment on an interim basis to begin with to let everyone get used to the new arrangement.
The recommended 2012-13 budget Perry presented totals approximately $185,711,200, about $509,000 more than the 2011-12 budget. The proposed 2012-13 general fund budget is $52,244,146, about $114,000 more than the general fund budget in the fiscal year now winding now.
While he's been part of the budgeting process during his 24 years in the administrative office, this was the first time Perry has presented the budget on his own.
Crafting the recommended budget – the final adoption of which is not expected until August – was a challenge, said Perry.
He met with department heads who he would credit throughout the board discussion with working hard to fit the county's needs into what it could afford.
Among the sacrifices are several vacant positions that he said will remain unfilled.
Depending on how certain other factors play out, some of those positions may need to be eliminated during the August budget hearing, he said.
One of the main factors that could influence such a step is a decline in the property tax roll. Perry is anticipating a 3-percent decline, which will affect county revenues.
Due to vacancies in the assessor's office, Perry said Assessor Doug Wacker does not expect to close the 2011-12 roll before the end of July.
Regarding dissolution of the county redevelopment agency, Perry said over the last several years the agency had taken in about $1.4 million annually.
He said in the coming year $313,000 is anticipated to go to the county's general fund rather than redevelopment, with staff recommending that those funds continue to partially fund the Lucerne Hotel renovations.
Another $811,000 that formerly would have gone to redevelopment will go to local schools, Perry said.
Regarding correctional realignment, Perry said the county expects to receive $1.7 million from the state in the 2012-13 fiscal year. There will be $372,000 to fund six correctional officer positions the board approved in a recent meeting and another $100,000 to offset longer incarcerations and more inmates.
He commended the department heads for working as a team and understanding the county's tough fiscal choices. He said they don't have “the typical spend it or lose it” mindset.
One of the key budget adjustments will be an increase for marijuana-related flyover operations. Perry said the initial budget recommended $88,000 but the Lake County Narcotics Task Force was seeking a total of $135,000 to cover its contracts.
Board Chair Rob Brown acknowledged that Perry had been working for months on the recommended budget, calling the 364-page document “good work.”
The board often had acknowledged Cox's efforts in keeping the county in good fiscal shape, and Brown said he was sure they would be telling Perry the same thing as he moves forward with the job.
Perry again credited the departments heads, acknowledging their efforts in crafting a balanced budget.
The board approved the recommended budget in a 5-0 vote.
A hearing on the final budget document is set for Aug. 28.
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Supervisors to consider $185 million recommended budget, lake sales tax measure
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will consider the coming fiscal year's recommended budget and discuss whether to pursue a sales tax measure that would be dedicated to improving Clear Lake.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. TV8 will broadcast the meeting live.
In an untimed item, new interim County Administrative Officer Matt Perry will present to the board the proposed fiscal year 2012-13 Recommended Budget.
The budget is “structurally balanced and remains debt free,” Perry's report to the board explained.
Recommended appropriations total $185,711,200, up slightly from $185,202,064 for the 2011-12 fiscal year budget, Perry reported. Proposed general fund appropriations total $52,244,146, compared to $52,130,249 for the current year's general fund budget.
State law requires that the budget must be approved by June 30, and adopted no later than Oct. 2.
Perry reported that the actual adoption will take place later this summer. A budget hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28.
In other business, in a discussion timed for 10:30 a.m., Supervisor Anthony Farrington will ask the board to consider a proposed one-quarter to half-cent sales tax measure to provide funding for lake-related programs.
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 the proposed FY 2012-13 Lake County Air Quality Management District Budget; and consideration of various policy issues.
9:30 a.m., A-6: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $4829.10 – 2863 Carson Way, Nice, CA (APN 031-072-32 – Tucker).
9:45 a.m., A-7: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $9,570.76 – 12800 Bottle Rock Road, Cobb, CA (APNs 011-068-45 & 43 – HSBC Bank USA National Assoc.).
10 a.m., A-9: (a) Update from BI Incorporated relative to Lake County realignment implementation process; and (b) consideration of proposed agreement between the county of Lake and BI Incorporated for FY 2012-13.
10:30 a.m., A-9: Consideration of proposed sales tax measure to provide funding for lake-related programs.
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-10: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-11: (a) Consideration of fiscal year 2012-13 Recommended Budget; (b) consideration of proposed resolution establishing FY 2012-13 position allocations to conform to the recommended budget; and (c)
consideration of requests for authorization to purchase capital assets and fill positions prior to final adoption of the budget.
A-12: Consideration of proposed ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code to amend various provisions of the purchasing code. Second reading.
A-13: Consideration of proposed ordinance amending Chapter 3 of the Lake County Code pertaining to the abatement of unmanaged, neglected and abandoned pear and apple trees. Second reading.
A-14: Presentation of summary of rainwater sampling on April 10, 2012.
A-15: (a) Consideration of proposed memorandum of understanding between the Lake County Air Quality Management District and the Lake County California Air Resource Board to implement and enforce regulations to reduce methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills; and (b) consideration of request to authorize funding this program by implementing a time and materials charge to the Public Services Department.
A-16: Consideration of proposed agreement between the county of Lake and the Lake County Office of Education - Healthy Start, for the Probation Family-Pro (PFP) Program.
A-17: Consideration of proposed resolution approving the applications for grant funds for the FAA Airport Improvement Program and designating the Public Works Director as sponsor’s (county’s) official representative.
A-18: Consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and Kleinfelder West Inc. for geotechnical services on the Socrates Mine Road Storm Repair Project.
A-19: Consideration of proposed ordinance amending Article IX of Chapter 15 of the Lake County Code relating to the inspection program for all water vessels launched in Lake County. Second reading.
A-20: Consideration of proposed resolution amending Resolution No. 2011-125 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2011-2012, Budget Unit No. 4012, Health Services Administration (adding one Business Software Analyst position).
CLOSED SESSION
A-21: 1. Conference with Labor Negotiator: (a) County Negotiators: A. Grant, S. Harry, L. Guintivano, M. Perry and J. Hammond; and (b) Employee Organization: employee organizations Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association and Lake County Deputy District Attorney's Association.
A-21: 2. Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9: (a) Rogers v. County of Lake, et al.; and (b) EEOC Complaints of F. Rivero and M. Morshed.
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on June 12, 2012.
C-2: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Anthony Wong, DVM, an increase of $7800, for veterinary services, and authorize the Animal Care and Control director to sign.
C-3: Adopt resolution establishing a fund for Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB). Carried over from June 12, 2012.
C-4: Authorize the clerk of the board to provide notice to Kelseyville Unified School District that the county of Lake will not authorize issuance of Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes on behalf of the district, pursuant to Government Code Section 53853.
C-5: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Dazzling Janitorial for FY 2012-2013 janitorial services, in the amount of $11,700, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-6: Adopt resolution approving Public Health’s application to the California Department of Public Health for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Program (SNAP-ED) for Federal Fiscal Years 2012 through 2016.
C-7: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Manzanita House for FY 2012-13 residential support services, for a maximum amount of $120,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-8: Approve third amendment to the agreement between the county of Lake and Milhous Children’s Services, for FY 2011-12 specialty mental health services, for an increase of $11,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-9: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and San Sousee for FY 2012-13 residential support services, for a maximum amount of $115,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-10: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Modesto Residential Living Center for FY 2012-13 residential support services, for a maximum amount of $100,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-11: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Crestwood Behavioral Health for FY 2012-13 for FY 2012-13 adult mental health services, for a maximum amount of $500,000 ($300,000 for mental health rehabilitation center facilities, $85,000 for skilled nursing facilities and $115,000 for adult residential placements), and authorize the chair to sign.
C-12: Approve Budget Transfer B-309 from Professional Services in the amount of $29,726, for the engineering construction support for the Landfill Gas System Project, and to purchase blueprint copies, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-13: Adopt resolution authorizing the submittal of an application, acceptance of an allocation of funds, and execution of a grant agreement with the California Department of Transportation for an
Airport Improvement Program Matching Grant and designating the Public Works director as sponsor’s official representative.
C-14: Adopt Resolution to appropriate unanticipated revenue ($33,860 from the Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division for the purchase of two 2012 Honda XR650LLC motorcycles, one enclosed cargo trailer, miscellaneous riding equipment and for fuel and training).
C-15: Approve advanced step hiring of Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Program Coordinator John (Mike) Parkinson, due to applicant’s extraordinary qualifications (fifth step salary range).
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Police retirement, city budget, fee to support cable access station go to Lakeport City Council
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council will consider its 2012-13 budget, an ordinance to assess a fee on cable subscribers to subsidize the local cable access station and an update to the police retirement formula.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Following a budget workshop at its June 5 meeting, the council will take up its final annual budget for 2012-13, presented by City Manager Margaret Silveira. The council also is being asked to approve a resolution establishing the fiscal year 2012-2013 appropriations limit for the city.
Silveira's report to the council said total revenues for the coming fiscal year are estimated at $11,837,073, while revenues are an estimated $13,587,308.
The council also will consider adopting a resolution of intention to approve an amendment between the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System and the council to provide the 3 percent at 55 full formula for Lakeport Police Officers Association members.
That would mean that at age 55, an officer would receive 3 percent of their salary multiplied by every year of service. So if an officer had 20 years' tenure, they would receive 60 percent of their total salary during retirement.
The proposal has arisen from a tentative settlement agreement and memorandum of understanding negotiations with the Lakeport Police Officers Association. Silveira's report said the Lakeport City Council has authorized staff to proceed with an amendment to the contract between CalPERS and the city to provide the 3 percent at 55 full formula for local safety members.
“The adoption of this Resolution of Intention is the first in a series of steps that will need to be taken to amend the contract,” Silveira wrote in her report. “At a future public meeting, an actuary will be present to provide information regarding the future costs of the benefits changes.”
In other business, TV8, the council's public access television station, is asking the council to assess a 1-percent pass-through fee on Mediacom subscribers in the city in order to fund the station.
The council will consider a ordinance that will add an article to the city municipal code, and set a public hearing for the second reading on Tuesday, July 17.
Also on Tuesday, the council will consider appointing a member to the Lakeport Planning Commission.
Tom Gayner was appointed by the council to the commission in 2008, and his term expired as of June 15. He has applied to continue to serve on the council; applications also have been submitted by Phillip Meyers and Martin Scheel.
City Engineer Scott Harter Also will take to the council a discussion on a proposed countywide transportation tax and a request for direction.
The council also will consider a status report on the environmental review of the USDA water and wastewater funding request and approve an additional $9,500 in expenses to Planning Partners Inc., for the city of Lakeport USDA Water and Wastewater funding application environmental reviews.
The Lakeport Main Street Association will make a presentation to the council, and Lake County Public Works Director Scott De Leon will update the council on Lake County Water Resources' efforts to remove aquatic weeds from Lakeport’s shoreline this year.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss a case of pending litigation, Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 and Lakeport Police Officers Association v. City of Lakeport, Lakeport City Council (Lake County Superior Court Case No. CV410232); employee negotiations with the Lakeport Police Officers Association, Lakeport Employees Association and City Attorney Steve Brookes.
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Marymount College approves agreement for Lucerne Hotel campus; officials discuss next steps
LUCERNE, Calif. – Four days after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding with Marymount College for a campus at the Lucerne Hotel, the college's board of trustees reciprocated with its own approval, setting the stage for the next phases of turning the historic building into an educational center.
The Board of Supervisors took its vote on Tuesday, June 5, and on Saturday, June 9, the Marymount College Board of Trustees unanimously approved the agreement to proceed with developing the campus, the college reported.
Marymount College is a four-year liberal arts college with locations in San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes. The college reported that it currently serves about 1,000 students.
The next step is the development of a lease agreement.
Officials with Marymount College said they're busy developing the educational programs they plan to offer at the new campus, located on Country Club Drive.
Marymount College President Dr. Michael Brophy described the ability to develop the college in Lake County as an extraordinary opportunity.
“We plan to begin serving a few students in the fall,” said Dr. Brophy. “However, we will be working over the next year to develop curriculum and programs that best serve the needs of students and the community in Lake County.”
“We are very fortunate to be working with the leadership team of Marymount College,” said Lake County Board of Supervisors Chair Rob Brown. “Over the past several months, they really have demonstrated their commitment to Lake County.”
Starting in 2013 and unrolling through 2015, the college will offer bachelor’s degrees for students who have completed their freshman and sophomore years, graduate studies for those students who have completed their bachelor’s degrees, lifelong learning coursework that is not degree-specific and professional development programs.
The hotel property can house more than 100 students; college officials said additional students will commute to the campus.
Students who enroll at Lake County will also be given the opportunity to attend classes at the Southern California campuses or in the college’s study-abroad programs.
Invited by the county of Lake in June 2011 to submit a proposal to build an educational institution within the county-owned property, the Marymount College submitted its proposal for consideration.
After multiple visits and discussions between county leaders and the college’s administration, a mutually beneficial agreement, the MOU, was prepared, and it serves as the framework for the two organizations.
“We plan to be a part of the community and to bring programs to and serve the needs of transfer students completing their bachelor’s degrees and students seeking college coursework to further career or personal goals,” said Dr. Brophy.
The college will look to the community for opportunities for student internships, academic research and service learning (volunteer work that is integrated with coursework), and it will offer students recreational pursuits unique to the picturesque Clear Lake and surrounding terrain.
“The benefits that Marymount College will bring to our community are extraordinary,” Brown said.
The college has met with leaders representing local government; education; Hispanic and Native American populations; and the winemaking, hospitality, gaming and energy industries; and has recently completed a survey of many of these populations to assess their educational needs.
Enrollment opportunities also exist to bring students from the college’s Southern California campuses to the Lucerne campus for a semester or year, as well as to attract students from the Bay Area and internationally to study at the Lucerne campus.
The Lucerne Hotel sits on seven acres, with basketball courts and a swimming pool and views of the expansive Clear Lake. Its stately appearance has been refurbished and is fondly referred to as “the castle” by those who liken its peaked roofs and 1920s’ architecture to those of regal Swiss chateaux.
The last tenant, the San Francisco Theological Seminary, purchased it in 1968 and then sold it to the County of Lake in 2010. The county has completed property restoration and improvements since taking ownership.
Marymount College’s leaders view the Lucerne campus as a complement to its campuses in the Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro communities.
“We offer students a suburban learning experience with a pastoral view of the Pacific Ocean from our Rancho Palos Verdes campus,” said Dr. Brophy. “And in San Pedro our students gain experience in an urban environment where international commerce through the Port of Los Angeles, nonprofit organizations and art lofts surround the campus.”
The opportunities in Lake County serve to further the continuum of study for students, who will gain knowledge and contribute to the dynamics of a rural environment. “Our values and vision for a Lake County campus are seamlessly aligned with the goals of the leaders of Lake County,” said Dr. Brophy. “We are eager to begin our work together.”
He added, “We extend our appreciation to the County of Lake and its residents for welcoming Marymount College to the community.”
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