How to resolve AdBlock issue? Lakeport seeks applications for city planning commission
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Applications are being sought for one vacancy on the Lakeport Planning Commission.
The Lakeport Planning Commission consists of five members who serve four-year terms.
The commission currently meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Qualified applicants must be residents of the city of Lakeport.
The Lakeport Planning Commission reviews matters related to planning and development and is the Lakeport City Council’s advisor on land use planning matters.
The commission considers such things as the general plan, rezoning, use permits, subdivisions, architectural and design reviews, planning policy matters and interpretations.
Interested applicants should contact City Clerk Janel Chapman at 707-263-5615, Extension 12, for an application.
Applications also are available on the city’s Web site, www.cityoflakeport.com (See “Hot Topics” article regarding the Lakeport Planning Commission Vacancy).
Applications must be returned to the city clerk no later than Thursday, April 26.
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Supervisors offer unanimous support for proposed National Conservation Area
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution expressing support for the proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area.
Supervisor Denise Rushing took the resolution to the board.
“There are multiple reasons to do this,” Rushing said, adding that she believed there were economic and environmental benefits for the area.
The area includes 321,000 acres of federal public lands stretching from Lake Berryessa north into the Mendocino National Forest, according to Sara Husby, executive director of the Woodland-based conservation group Tuleyome.
Of the proposed National Conservation Area’s acreage, 248,971 acres are within Lake County. Of the four counties in which the area would be located – Yolo, Napa, Mendocino and Lake – Lake has the most territory in the area, Husby said.
Husby said the National Conservation Area designation would help with the formation of a cohesive management plan among the federal agencies involved with overseeing the land. That site specific plan would be created with the help of a public advisory committee.
She said the designation is meant to preserve, protect and restore the land, noting that lands within the area have scientific, historical, ecological and recreational uses. Husby suggested that the new area could help draw visitors.
Tuleyome currently is working with Congressman Mike Thompson on a bill to support forming the area, Husby said.
Board Chair Rob Brown said he had concerns about the project but felt they were all addressed after he met with Husby and other Tuleyome staff last week.
Rich Burns, the field director for the Ukiah office of the Bureau of Land Management, also was on hand for the presentation. Brown credited Burns for being accessible. “Your involvement in this speaks a lot to my decision,” Brown said.
Rushing said there are a number of threats posed to the region, including illegal marijuana grows, unmanaged recreation, invasive species, water pollution and fires.
Supervisor Jim Comstock brought up issues about hunting, which Husby said wouldn’t be affected.
During public comment, Lake County Sierra Club Chair Ed Robey told the board, “The Sierra Club’s been supportive of this project for a number of years and we strongly encourage the board to support it, too.”
With Lake County encompassing most of the land in the proposed area, “We’re in a leadership position just because of that,” said Robey.
Lower Lake resident Victoria Brandon said she has been working on the issue since 2007, and noted the effort was launched in 2008 at the Brick Hall in Lower Lake.
“It’s something that’s going to be good for all of us,” she said.
But concerns for private property rights caused the Lake County Association of Realtors Legislative Committee to vote unanimously to oppose the designation, said member Bob Dutcher.
He was concerned about private owners become landlocked due to not being able to build new roads and the potential to have salvage logging after wildland fires reduced.
“Abandoned land is dangerous land,” he said, adding that there isn’t a more neglected area of the county than the Snow Mountain Wilderness Area.
Burns said Dutcher raised good concerns. He said the National Conservation Area proposal would not be as restrictive as Dutcher suggested.
Rushing believed that cross agency planning could help deal with issues like drug cartels growing on the public lands. Wildlife is being harmed, she said, pointing out that steelhead are dying due to water diversions.
“We have to do something about it,” she said.
Comstock asked about salvage logging after wildland fires. Burns said the U.S. Forest Service could still conduct salvage logging sales.
Equestrian use also is important, with groups like the Back Country Horsemen and Lake County Horsemen wanting to make sure the lands stayed open for public use while marijuana gardens were addressed.
Both Husby and Burns credited those groups for being great stewards of the land, with Burns adding that during a recent cleanup at marijuana sites in the forest the groups packed out refuse and materials. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”
The board approved the resolution 5-0 after adding the words “as it applies to Lake County.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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Lakeport City Council to discuss annexation April 17
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council will discuss matters related to the city's plans for annexing an area along South Main Street/Soda Bay Road when it meets this week.
The council will meet Tuesday, April 17, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
A special budget priority setting workshop will convene at 5 p.m. before the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. The agenda packet can be seen below.
City Manager Margaret Silveira will make a presentation to the council on the proposed annexation.
The annexation would cover 197 acres in south Lakeport, running along South Main Street and Soda Bay Road.
That corridor – largely commercial – is one of the most lucrative for sales tax generation in the county, and the city's proposal to add the area to its limits has strained tensions between the county and city in recent months.
Also on Tuesday's agenda, Community Development Director Richard Knoll will take to the council a staff report regarding the city providing water services outside the city limits.
In other business, Phil Dow will make a presentation regarding the Lakeport Pavement Management Program, the council will appoint two members to serve on the Lakeport Solid Waste Advisory Committee and will get an update on the meetings for the oversight board for the city's former redevelopment agency.
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); and negotiations with the Lakeport Police Officers Association.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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Board to consider support for National Conservation Area
LAKEPORT, Calif. – When it meets this week the Board of Supervisors will consider giving its support to a new proposed National Conservation Area.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. TV8 will broadcast the meeting live.
At 9:45 a.m. Supervisor Denise Rushing will ask the board to consider a proposed resolution expressing support for proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area.
The board also will present several proclamations: at 9:15 a.m., designating April 2012 as Child Abuse Prevention Month; at 9:20 a.m., congratulating Ruth and Dennis Darling on their achievement of IGA International Retailer of the Year Award; and at 9:25 a.m. designating the month of April 2012 as Alcohol Awareness Month.
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).
9:10 a.m., A-5: Public hearing, discussion/consideration of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for funding of a Special Victims/Vulnerable Persons Investigator.
9:15 a.m., A-6: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of April 2012 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
9:20 a.m., A-7: Presentation of proclamation congratulating Ruth and Dennis Darling on their achievement of IGA International Retailer of the Year Award.
9:25 a.m., A-8: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of April 2012 as Alcohol Awareness Month.
9:30 a.m., A-9: Public hearing, consideration of proposed ordinance amending Section 14-56.3 of Article II of the Lake County Code to add other safety positions as an established unit.
9:45 a.m., A-10: Consideration of proposed Resolution expressing support for proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area.
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-11: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-12: Advanced from April 10; consideration of proposed ordinance amending Article 1 Section 5-f.2 of Chapter 5 of the Lake County Code relating to the sale, use and display of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the county of Lake. Second reading.
A-13: Consideration of request to approve out of state travel for Environmental Health Specialist III Pheakdey Preciado to attend the National Association of County and County Health Officials (NACCHO) training, April 23-27, 2012, in Alexandria, Virginia.
A-14: Consideration of proposed budget transfer in the amount of $45,000 for ancillary services, charged to the public defender budget.
A-15: Consideration of bid award for purchase of tables, benches and receptacles for Mt. Konocti Park.
A-16: Consideration of proposed third amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Crestwood Behavioral Health for FY 2011-2012 specialty mental health services, for an increase of $150,000.
CLOSED SESSION
A-17: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) County negotiators: A. Grant, S. Harry, L. Guintivano, M. Perry and J. Hammond; and (b) employee organization, Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Lake County Correctional Officer's Association and Lake County Deputy District Attorney's Association.
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings held on April 10, 2012.
C-2: Adopt proclamation designating the month of April 2012 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
C-3: Adopt proclamation congratulating Ruth and Dennis Darling on their achievement of IGA International Retailer of the Year Award.
C-4: Adopt proclamation designating the month of April 2012 as Alcohol Awareness Month.
C-5: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2012-19, establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2011-2012, Budget Unit No. 4011, Public Health (adding one (1) 0.50 FTE Nurse Practitioner/Physician’s Assistant position).
C-6: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Children’s Services for FY 2011-2012 specialty mental health services, in the amount of $71,300, and authorize the chair to sign.
AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
C-7: Adopt resolution authorizing participation in “Year 14" Carl Moyer Program, and authorizing the APCO (Air Pollution Control Officer) to submit grant application and sign program documents.
LAKE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
C-8: (a) Approve easement deed and direct clerk to certify for recordation (APN 039-332-19 - Jeffrey and Cathy Wilder), and approve right of way agreement between the county of Lake and Jeffrey and Cathy Wilder for the construction of the wastewater force main sanitary sewer line; and authorize the chair to sign agreement.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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Lake County commemorates Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Week of the Young Child
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County agencies and organizations are asking Lake County to come together for children during the month of April 2012.
As part of the national Week of the Young Child celebrated and the nationally recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month, Lake County is honoring young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives with an Advocacy Walk and Children’s Festival, to be held Saturday, April 21, in Lakeport's Library Park.
This free event begins at 10 a.m. with a special ceremony and advocacy walk, and continues throughout the day in the park with free activities for children, and local entertainment including high school bands, DJ Dre, and other entertainment groups.
“All young children need and deserve a safe childhood as well as high-quality early learning experiences that will prepare them for life, and Lake County has a great opportunity to do our part to help young children and raise awareness by participating in these special Lake County Cares for Our Kids events,” said Shelly Mascari, director of the Lake County Child Care Planning Council.
To register for the walk or sign up for a booth, visit www.lakecoe.org and click on “Lake County Cares for Our Kids under Current News,” or call 707-262-4162.
The first 100 registrations will receive a free Lake County Cares for Our Kids T-Shirt.
Additional efforts are taking place throughout the month, including a special Lunchtime Learning presentation from Child Welfare Services, identifying the “Signs of Safety,” a fresh perspective on the strategies used to identify, strengthen and support at-risk families.
There is no charge for this special presentation held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, at Lake County Office of Education. Visit www.lakecoe.org/calendar , and click on the event for more information and to register, or call 707-262-4146.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors also will issue a proclamation at their board meeting scheduled for 9:15 am, April 17, at the Board of Supervisors Chambers in Lakeport.
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