LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday got an update on the status of the county’s landfill and the work ahead to either expand it or find an alternative.

Public Services Director Lars Ewing gave the board the Tuesday morning update on the Eastlake Landfill, a 35-acre site located on the east side of Clearlake.

“We do have space to expand into,” said Ewing.

He explained that the remaining capacity, calculated as of January, is 680,000 cubic yards of air space, or 410,000 tons.

With the landfill currently taking in 40,000 tons of materials a year, the landfill’s capacity is expected to be exhausted within eight to 10 years, he said.

The lifespan has been impacted by the recent flood as well as the large wildland fires in recent years, which have taken up space, said Ewing.

He said a new alternative needs to be in place by 2025. If the county doesn’t expand the landfill, it must be closed. That would require a $5.8 million capital improvement project, plus $6.4 million in monitoring and maintenance over 30 years.

If the county pursues a landfill expansion, that process typically takes seven to 10 years, Ewing said.

Ewing said his department already has completed a facilities siting and screening or site suitability
analysis, which explored a total of six alternatives.

Those six included a transfer station at the Eastlake Landfill site, with a resource recovery facility, which would further sort incoming waste to remove recyclables before shipping the waste out-of-county, Ewing said.

Ewing reported that a resource recovery facility at a county-owned property had the following two options: 15.23 acres, 804,000-ton capacity over 16 to 20 years, at a cost of $15.5 million; or a 21-acre site, with a capacity of  1,137,000 tons over 23 to 28 years, at a cost of $20.6 million.

The two options for an expansion at the county-owned property without a resource recovery facility pencil out as follows: 13.6 acres, 863,000 tons over 17 to 22 years, $13 million in total cost; or 15.2 acres, 977,000 tons over 19 to 24 years, at a cost of $14.2 million, he said.

South Lake Refuse and Recycling also has offered to allow an expansion on its property to the north of the Eastlake Landfill, according to Ewing. The two options if South Lake Refuse’s property is used are as follows: seven acres, 840,000 tons, 17 to 21 years at a cost of $9.8 million; 10 acres, one million tons over 22 to 27 years, $12.5 million cost.

Under the plans for a resource recovery facility at the current landfill property, the per-ton cost to handle waste would be $78, $75 a ton without a resource recovery facility and $73 per ton if using the South Lake Refuse property, Ewing told the board.

A transfer station alternative, which assumes a 25-percent reduction in waste, has a preliminary construction cost estimate of $5.5 million, and a per-ton cost of $100 for waste. Ewing said there would be a concurrent landfill closure expense ranging between $4 million to $5.5 million.

Ewing said the next steps are to move forward with a field investigation, preliminary design, environmental review and gate fee analysis.

That overall analysis is expected to take two to three years to complete, with costs ranging between $2 million to $3 million, Ewing said.

Supervisor Jim Steele asked if the proposed gate fees include money to cover illegal dumping, which he said would result from gate fees increasing. Ewing said the numbers he presented didn’t included that, and that it would need to be factored into the numbers.

Board Chair Jeff Smith said he was leaning toward the proposal to expand onto South Lake Refuse’s property. He said it was inexpensive and allows the county to still look at expanding on its own land.

Bob Pestoni, South Lake Refuse and Recycling’s owner, said he appreciated the chance to present his company’s option to the county.

“It’s an opportunity for us to participate in the benefit and the needs here of Lake County,” Pestoni said.

Bryce Howard of South Lake Refuse also suggested the county consider different funding sources, explaining that if the project is funded through a gate fee, it would hit the entire community – incorporated and unincorporated – whereas if it is specific to franchise haulers, it would impact the incorporated communities that generate the refuse.

Pestoni’s daughter, Christy Abreu, reported to the board that South Lake Refuse is applying to CalRecycle for a $960,000 grant to expand its organic recycling program for food waste at its Quackenbush property in Clearlake. She said they have a good chance of getting the funds.

“We have a real commitment to this community,” Abreu said, explaining the business has been in operation there since 1982.

Ewing’s presentation was just a report, and the board did not make a decision on next steps.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Monday, after a mandatory three-week evacuation, residents of the neighborhood along Esplanade Street in Lakeport were allowed to return home.

The Esplanade area was one of four neighborhoods in the city of Lakeport ordered to evacuate on Feb. 20 due to Clear Lake’s flooding, as Lake County News has reported.

Also evacuated that day were the Aqua Village, Lucky 4 and Will-O-Point lakeside trailer parks.

The city lifted the mandatory evacuations for Aqua Village and Lucky 4 on March 7.

However, Will-O-Point remains under mandatory evacuation, as the 41 trailers in the park have been red-tagged by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which has jurisdiction over trailer and mobile home parks, city officials reported.

The city of Lakeport said Monday that several roadways in the Esplanade area remain closed due to continued flood conditions. 

Early Tuesday, Clear Lake’s elevation was just over 8.5 feet on the Rumsey gauge, according to the United States Geological Survey. Flood stage is 9 feet Rumsey and over. The lake’s level early Tuesday is about 2 feet lower on the Rumsey gauge than it was when evacuations were ordered.

Lakeport Public Works crews will continue to monitor closed roadways and reopen only when deemed safe and debris have been cleared, the city said.

Residents returning home are urged to take the necessary precautions, including checking power sources, wearing protective clothing when cleaning, sanitizing household items and removing standing water. Those with individual well water systems are urged to get them tested for contamination.
 
For more information on dealing with health-related issues, residents may call the Environmental Health Division at 707-263-1164.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will hear from county staff about the effort to expand the county’s landfill.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

In an item timed for 10:15 a.m., Public Services Director Lars Ewing will update the board on the Eastlake Sanitary Landfill Expansion Project.

Ewing’s written report to the board explains that the 35-acre landfill in Clearlake is steadily approaching its maximum capacity.

“The most recent disposal capacity estimate indicates that the landfill will reach maximum capacity in eight to ten years,” Ewing wrote. “This forecast accounts for the effects of the massive wildfire debris disposal as well as a reduction in future waste stream quantities resulting from the Mendocino County waste import contract terminating at the end of 2016. In light of the fact that the typical landfill expansion process takes seven to ten years it is important that we take the next steps to ensure we have a plan to provide for future solid waste disposal in Lake County.”

Ewing will give the board the latest on that process, the next step of which is expected to cost between $2 million and $3 million over four years.

Also on Tuesday, the board will consider continuing local emergencies for the 2015 and 2016 wildland fires and this winter’s storms.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: Authorize acceptance of a donated x-ray machine for use at Animal Care and Control from Pets Life Line, an Animal Rescue Organization in Sonoma.

7.2: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to the Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Neuropsychological Associates of California - A Psychological Services Corporation for psychological services for fiscal year 2016-17 for a contract maximum of $35,000; and authorize the chair to sign.

7.3: Approve late travel claim for elections officer from the Nov. 8, 2016, Presidential General Election in the total amount of $7.80; and authorize the auditor to process payment.

7.4: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2016-145 Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2016-2017, Budget Unit No. 4011, Public Health.

7.5: Adopt resolution approving right of way certification for oak tree mitigation project at Highland Creek Bridge on Highland Springs Road, in Lake County Federal Project Number: BRLO-5914(109); and authorize the Public Works director to execute the right of way certification.   

7.6: Adopt resolution approving right of way certification for Harbin Springs Road over Harbin Creek Bridge Replacement Project, in Lake County: Federal Project Number BRLO-5914(106); and authorize the Public Works director to execute the right of way certification.     

7.7: Waive 900 hour limit for certain facilities maintenance positions within the Department of Social Services.

7.8: Waive 900 hour limit for certain janitorial positions within the Department of Social Services.   

TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of continuation of a proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency due to wildfire conditions, pertaining to the Rocky, Jerusalem and Valley fires.

8.3, 9:07 a.m.: Consideration of continuation of a proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency due to Clayton fire.

8.4, 9:08 a.m.: Consideration of a resolution continuing the proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency due to the atmospheric river storm as amended.   

8.5, 9:30 a.m.: Presentation to the Lake County Board of Supervisors by Partnership HealthPlan of California.

8.7, 10 a.m.: Presentation of annual report by Lake County PEG TV.

8.8, 10:15 a.m.: Update on Eastlake Sanitary Landfill Expansion Project.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.1: Consideration of concession agreement for coffee kiosk services by and between the county of Lake and Jitter Bean Coffee.

9.2: Consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities for Valley fire survivor stable housing assistance; and authorize the chair to sign.

9.3: Consideration of the following appointments: Emergency Medical Care Committee and Glenbrook Cemetery.

9.4: Consideration of the Assessor-Recorder and Treasurer-Tax Collector's request to temporarily modify front counter hours of operation.

9.5: Consideration of resolution authorizing chairman of the board to approve and direct the tax collector to sell, at public auction via Internet, tax defaulted property which is subject to the power to sell in accordance with Chapter 7 of Part 6 of Division 1, of the California Revenue and Taxation Code and approving sales below minimum price in specified cases.

9.6: (a) Consideration of a fourth amendment to the funding agreement between the state of California Department of Water Resources and the Lake County Watershed Protection District under the Flood Protection Corridor Program; and (b) consideration of a resolution amending the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project Budget.

9.7: Consideration of resolution determining redemption fund surplus in North Lakeport Water Assessment District 47-1 and ordering its disposition.

CLOSED SESSION

10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) - Shikman v. County of Lake, et al.

10.3: Public employee evaluations titles: Animal Care and Control director and Public Services director.

10.4: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b) (1): Appointment of Social Services director.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall heard an update on Thursday from county officials regarding work to craft an updated cannabis cultivation ordinance.

Much of the meeting, shown in the video above, was devoted to information on the draft cultivation ordinance presented by Lake County Community Development Director Bob Massarelli.

The draft ordinance also was the focus of a Tuesday Board of Supervisors workshop.

Sheriff Brian Martin, Supervisor Rob Brown and Supervisor Moke Simon also were on hand to give input and answer questions.

On Thursday MATH also discussed goals for the year and a proposal to nominate a “person of the year,” but tabled moving forward on bylaws revisions.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – After a monthlong closure necessitated by Clear Lake’s flooding, Thompson Harbor at Redbud Harbor has reopened.

Clearlake Public Works Director Doug Herren said the four ramps at the harbor were reopened at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

While the city determined conditions were finally safe to reopen the harbor, Herren urged boaters to use extreme caution when using the facilities.

“The water’s still high,” Herren said.

The city was forced to close Thompson Harbor on Feb. 8 when rapidly rising lake levels endangered the floating docks, as Lake County News has reported.

Feb. 8 was the same date that Clear Lake passed the flood stage mark – 9 feet on the Rumsey gauge.

The lake finally fell below 9 feet Rumsey on Thursday afternoon. On Friday afternoon, when Thompson Harbor was reopened, the lake’s elevation was just above the 8.8 feet on the Rumsey gauge, according to the United States Geological Survey, which records the lake’s gauge readings.

With the lake now below flood stage, Clearlake Public Works crews were able to reattach the floating docks to the concrete ramps, making the docks safe to use again and allowing the ramps to reopen, the city reported.

Herren said there is still some water on the docks, but he expects them to be high and dry by Saturday.

Overall, despite the flooding and closure, Herren said the harbor and its facilities suffered no damage.

City Manager Greg Folsom reported that the city of Clearlake recently completed a major renovation project at Thompson Harbor that replaced all of the docks and created one of the nicest launching facilities on Clear Lake.

“We are very pleased that the receding waters of Clear Lake have made it possible for us to reopen
Thompson Harbor,” said Folsom. “Fishing and tourism are significant drivers of our economy and we welcome all anglers to come out and experience the magnificent fishing experience that Clear Lake has to offer.”

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.