CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The East Region Town Hall, or ERTH, an advisory council formed by District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele and approved by the County Board of Supervisors, will convene its third meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Keys Club House, 12980 Lakeland St., in Clearlake Oaks.

The public is invited to attend and may comment on items not on the agenda during the public comment period as well as participate in discussions on any item on the agenda.

Still in its infancy, the council has formed bylaws and assigned Denise Loustalot as chairwoman. Loustalot has experience including previous service as the mayor of Clearlake before she moved out of the city limits.

The role of the council is to bring forward issues, problems and solutions from their respective communities.

Each member represents a segment within the communities that makes up ERTH including Spring Valley, Clearlake Oaks, The Keys, Glenhaven and Paradise Cove.

At the second meeting of the ERTH, a number of complaints were raised by citizens during the public comment period including illegal dumping, the deteriorating condition of the East Lake Grange, perpetual yard sales along Highway 20 and sediment flowing into the lake. All items not on the agenda were captured for future discussion and possible action.

On the agenda for approval were the bylaws, updated by County Counsel Anita Grant. The ERTH Council voted unanimously to approve the bylaws as amended.

The council devoted some time to discussion about how to be effective. They agreed to maintain a running list of issues and to adjust priorities as opportunities for funding or other resources became available. The idea is not to lose track of important community issues for lack of immediate resources.

A discussion of sediment that flows into Clear Lake from various sources resulted in an agreement to have Chuck Lamb and Holly Harris make a presentation at the Feb. 1 meeting to identify source points.

“Water quality hasn’t had the funding,” said Supervisor Steele. “It’s important to have compelling conditions and there’s nothing more compelling than an 800 home development with its waterways choked up with toxic algal blooms.”

Supervisor Steele reported that he was working on a grant that would study water quality in the Keys with a goal of reducing or eliminating the algal blooms that choke the waterways and create smelly and sometimes noxious conditions.

“This is important to the quality of life in the Keys,” he said.

The concept of benefit zones to raise supporting funds needed to get roads paved was discussed. The item was tabled for further discussion, as was another item of concern, the grading permit waiver for a vineyard in the Keys which could impact the canals.

The council also agreed to a presentation by Susan Jen on health and welfare statistics that are significant in District 3.

Chairwoman Loustalot expressed her appreciation for the way the council was coming together.

“It will take a little time to work out the meeting details but the items we are tackling are important to our communities,” she said.

For more information regarding the councils in District 3, contact Steele at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

To request an item for the agenda, contact Loustalot at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .