LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week accepted a property conveyance from Live Oaks Seniors Inc. and also approved a lease agreement with the group for the new senior center in Clearlake Oaks.
County Administrative Officer Matt Perry presented the items regarding the Live Oak Senior Center to the board Tuesday morning.
The 4,000-square-foot, $1.5 million facility opened its doors to the community's seniors last month, as Lake County News has reported.
Center Executive Director Pat Grabham said in an April interview that the center serves an average of 80 to 100 meals a day on site. Its Meals on Wheels program serves another 30 to 35 meals daily.
Perry said that as part of the public-private partnership to build the new Live Oak Senior Center, Live Oak Seniors Inc. agreed to donate to the county the property on which the former senior center was located next door.
Regarding the lease between the county and Live Oak Seniors Inc. for the new building, the initial term is for 10 years with the option to extend in five-year increments with mutual consent of the two parties.
Live Oaks Seniors also will be able to serve alcohol on premises for special occasions, and is required to commercial liquor liability endorsement when doing so, Perry said.
“What a day this is,” to finally be able to lease the new building, said Grabham, who has been one of the guiding forces for the project over the past several years.
“It's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, and we're so happy there, and all of our seniors are, also,” she said.
Perry and Grabham told the board that the tentative date for the center's grand opening is Thursday, June 26.
Board Chair Denise Rushing, whose district includes Clearlake Oaks, passed the gavel to Supervisor Rob Brown so she could make the motions to accept the real property donation and approve the lease agreement, both of which were approved 4-0. Supervisor Anthony Farrington was absent from the meeting.
Rushing said it was an example of a true public-private partnership.
“It shows the power of a vision and what can happen if you’re willing to be patient and just keep working toward a goal,” said Rushing.
She said it took many years of holding onto that vision. “You, of all people, held onto that vision,” she told Grabham.
“Our seniors are the ones who will benefit the most,” said Grabham.
She said the new facility also will serve as a cooling and heating center for seniors.
Rushing credited retired County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox for initially putting aside the money for the project, and Perry and his staff for getting the project across the goal line.
The audience then offered a round of applause.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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