As the result of a bomb threat phoned in to the courthouse on April 28 – shortly before the Lake County Planning Commission was to discuss the dispensaries ordinance – that meeting was rescheduled to May 11 at the Lake County Jail.
After people were allowed back into the courthouse on April 28 – following three hours of clearing the building – Planning Commission Chair Bob Malley called the meeting back to order and said Sheriff Frank Rivero had suggested that the meeting be continued to May 11 at the Alternative Work Program building next to the jail on Hill Road, according to meeting minutes.
The meeting did take place on May 11 at the jail. Rivero suggested to Community Development Director Rick Coel, County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox and Malley that the meeting be moved to the jail, according to Coel.
“Rivero made a good call,” Coel told Lake County News on Tuesday.
After that “strong recommendation” from Rivero to have that first meeting at the jail, Coel sent the sheriff an e-mail on May 26 to ask if the offer still stood for the purposes of the board meeting. Rivero indicated in his response that he was happy to help and would notify his jail lieutenant to cooperate with Coel on scheduling the meeting.
However, medical marijuana advocates have complained to the supervisors that holding the meeting at the jail is disrespectful and has a chilling effect on public input.
The board on Tuesday appeared to agree. Additionally, they made clear that they didn't want to be held hostage to threats.
Cox told the board that having the courthouse closed for several hours on April 28 while the bomb threat was cleared was expensive.
“The cost of the county itself was in excess of $10,000,” said Cox, a calculation that covered the amount of lost staff work time. That amount didn't include the cost to the courts, which have separate budgets.
Cox said Rivero, who was not present for the Tuesday discussion, had suggested that the planning commission be moved to the jail, a recommendation that Cox thought was good and said he supported.
While there may end up being no threat this time, “It's a risk to take, and it's a costly risk,” said Cox.
He said there are other buildings in the community where the meeting could be held. Referring back to April 28, Cox said it was a “very disruptive day in county government,” with members of the public unable to access the courthouse for other business.
Supervisor Rob Brown said having the meeting at the jail could be even more disruptive if a threat is called in there.
Based on the county corrections policy, of copy of which he had with him at the meeting, a jail evacuation would require law enforcement from around the county to converge at the site to move inmates.
The disruption and cost incurred in such a circumstance could be far greater, and place the county at greater risk, he suggested.
“I don't think the jail is an option,” said Brown.
Regardless of a bomb threat, Brown said if the supervisors start worrying about where to hold meetings because of what might happen, they'll have a problem.
The building has been evacuated in the past for other reasons too, he said. “We've had this building evacuated because cookies were burning.”
He said he wanted to hold the board meeting in the board chambers and get a commitment from Rivero to bulk up security.
Lake County Chamber Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton said the jail may not be the appropriate place due to a perceived stigma.
Fulton said another threat could cost the county more money and disrupt county services.
“I think it's totally inconsiderate to inconvenience the general public,” she said.
Fulton suggested the meeting could be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Martin Street, adding she was certain Rivero could accommodate security measures there.
Brown, who pointed out that the superior court also has had threats before, said he refused to be held hostage to a random bomb scare, noting that any future threats could be over anything.
Supervisor Jeff Smith agreed. “I can see it just snowballing.”
He added, “We have a secure facility. I guess it was a good lesson learned that day.”
Smith said the board needed to take safety measures and be willing to stand up.
Coel said Tuesday that he believed the board made the right decision and, wherever the meeting was held, a law enforcement presence was necessary.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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