CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A proclamation recognizing the World Water Monitoring Challenge and the local effort to support the international program to test water from around the world was presented Thursday by the Clearlake City Council.

Local testing of Clear Lake waters takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the playground at Austin Park on Lakeshore Drive.

Sampling will be conducted and the results discussed and recorded for submittal to the international database.

The community is welcome to attend and the city encourages participation of its citizens.

Sarah Ryan, director of the Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians Environmental Protection Department, said World Water Challenge sampling kits will be used to test pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature and Secchi disk readings.

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss those results during the event before they are submitted to the database.

The event is being sponsored by KPFZ public radio station, “The Water Hour,” which airs from 5 to 6 p.m. the first Friday of every month at 88.1 FM.

The radio program is supported by a Rose Foundation mini-grant awarded to the station to sponsor the show in effort to bring awareness to local water issues.

The council recognized the station, presenting a proclamation to Chloe Karl, board member and producer, for its commitment to promoting good stewardship of water resources and its efforts to instill a “stewardship mindset” in local citizenry and the throughout the world.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Another task in the dissolution of the Clearlake Redevelopment Agency was completed as the Clearlake City Council took action as the redevelopment successor agency on Thursday.

A long range property management plan, developed by Fraser & Associates, was presented and adopted by the agency in line with the state's process to dissolve the redevelopment program.

David Spilman, special consultant to the agency, said the State Department of Finance issued a finding of completion letter to the agency in April.

He called the finding a milestone in the redevelopment dissolution process. The process requires that the agency develop a long range property management plan for approval by the Department of Finance by Oct. 22.

The plan's purpose is to detail the type, uses and values of agency property, and identify a plan for disposal of assets in a planned manner that will generate the greatest amount of revenue for redistribution to the county, city and other local agencies.

The agency has 27 properties, including multiple lots, which Fraser & Associates consultant Anastasia Efstathiu said were reviewed by each type of property, history and original purchase, current value, environmental issues and certain planning objectives.

She said the Department of Finance can now accept or reject the plan; however, it is likely it may accept the plan yet continue to reject certain properties that Efstathiu addressed in her presentation of the plan to the agency.

The plan identifies properties in three categories: properties retained for government use, properties to be retained for future government use and properties proposed for disposition.

In addition, the plan identifies one property for future disposition and private development when economic conditions improve.

Properties identified for retention for government use include Clearlake City Hall, the Public Works corporation yard and property required for drainage.

Efstathiu said the Department of Finance has approved these properties for such use in the plan; however, future development may warrant the disposition of some properties in the area of the Public Works corporation yard.

Should this occur, she said the corporation yard would either need to be relocated or consolidated onto one or more of the existing parcels. The property would then be sold and net profits distributed to applicable taxing entities.

The three properties identified for future government use are not being accepted by the Department of Finance, Efstathiu said. The properties include two adjacent to the corporation yard that should be retained for future road circulation improvements.

The third property is that located at 14295 Lakeshore Drive, which was purchased with the intent to expand the adjacent public lakefront park and renovate an existing dilapidated structure for use as a visitor center.

Efstathiu said the firm will continue to appeal the Department of Finance's ruling. With regard to the Lakeshore Drive property, they are arguing that the intent to use the property was clearly there and that redevelopment's plan was in motion prior to the agency's dissolution.

A total of 16 properties are identified for disposition. The objective of the disposition plan is to sell the subject properties for private development consistent with the city's general plan and existing zoning ordinance land use designations.

Additionally, property located at 14061 Lakeshore Drive, in the area of city-owned property known as Austin Park Resort, is identified for future disposition.

Efstathiu said the property has been identified as being an essential component in the city economic development plan and should be held for future disposition when the real estate market has improved.

Councilman and agency member Joey Luiz recused himself from the vote, citing a possible conflict with regard to his new position with the Clearlake Chamber of Commerce.

The remaining agency members voted unanimously to adopt the plan.

In other dissolution business, like actions were taken by the agency and the council to approve a revised loan agreement for past city loans to the redevelopment agency.

The city made loans totaling nearly $1.8 million to the former redevelopment agency.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Thanks to the Upper Lake High School District Board's approval of a proposed agreement with the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the district is looking forward to soon introducing a new school resource deputy.

The board unanimously approved the proposed memorandum of understanding with the sheriff's office at its Wednesday night meeting.

The agreement calls for the district to reimburse the sheriff's office for 50 percent of the cost of one deputy sheriff without overtime, which totals $51,500, with the sheriff's office being responsible for the remaining payroll costs in excess of that amount.

The school resource deputy will be responsible for conducting a variety of safety-related functions, according to the agreement, from identifying the best routes and staging areas for responding law enforcement and emergency responders in case of critical incidents, to continually reviewing emergency action plans.

The deputy also will investigate criminal activity, coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, provide crime prevention materials and information to students and staff, provide trainings and participate in presentations, maintain continuous communication with staff and administrators, assist in school attendance review board meetings and coordinate with the sheriff's juvenile crimes investigator, among a lengthy list of other duties.

Before the vote was taken, Board member Keith Austin asked students in the audience if they felt it was a good idea, with one teen responding that she thought it was a “great idea.”

“School safety is very important,” said Board member Valerie Duncan. “We are excited about it also.”

Upper Lake High Superintendent/Principal Patrick Iaccino said he expects the new deputy to be in place soon.

“Hopefully by January he will be on campus,” said Iaccino.

“Or she,” interjected Duncan.

In addition to increased safety on campus, district officials are hoping for other benefits from a deputy's presence.

Austin said at Wednesday night's meeting that he believes the school resource deputy will go a long way toward improving the school's culture.

In a separate interview, Iaccino told Lake County News that he hopes to put the school resource deputy to work addressing truancy issues in the district.

Attendance runs about 92 to 93 percent at Upper Lake High School, but is less at the continuation school, which affects the school district's funding, he said.

Iaccino said he plans to have the school resource deputy find truant students and bring them back to school.

Based on past practice, it's expected that the memorandum of understanding between Upper Lake High School District and the sheriff's office will now go to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.

That was the case with a similar agreement for a school resource deputy – which included the identical payment amount – between the sheriff's office and the Kelseyville Unified School District.

That agreement received the supervisors' unanimous approval in January, as Lake County News has reported.

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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will present a proclamation before convening as the redevelopment successor agency when it meets week.

The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The council will reconvene to discuss the scheduling of a workshop to address relations within the council.

The redevelopment successor agency will first consider adoption of a long range property management plan.

The plan is in step with the completion of the process to dissolve the redevelopment agency.

The purpose of the plan is to detail the type, uses and values of redevelopment successor agency property and identify a plan for disposal of the assets in planned manner that will generate the greatest amount of revenue for redistribution to county, city and other local agencies.

The redevelopment successor agency also will review and consider a revised loan agreement for past city loans to the former redevelopment agency and their eligibility as enforceable obligation.

City staff is recommending the council schedule a workshop on a Thursday, in which a regular meeting is not scheduled, to discuss relations among the council.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Board of Supervisors will hear presentations on efforts to improve broadband services and employment in the county.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. It will be broadcast live on TV8.

At 9:15 a.m., the California State University, Chico Center for Economic Development will give the board an update regarding the Upstate California Consortium Broadband Planning effort to bring broadband to rural areas of Northern California.

At 9:30 a.m., the Napa Lake Workforce Investment Board will give the board a presentation entitled, “Where the Jobs are in Lake County.”

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: (a) Presentation of proclamation celebrating the centennial of the Upper Lake Women’s Protective Club; (b) presentation of proclamation declaring Oct. 6-12, 2013, as 4-H Week.

9:15 a.m., A-6: Update from CSU Chico Center for Economic Development regarding the Upstate California Consortium Broadband Planning effort to bring broadband to rural areas of Northern California.

9:30 a.m., A-7: Presentation from Napa Lake Workforce Investment Board on “Where the Jobs are in Lake County.”

10 a.m., A-8: (a) Presentation by Granicus of timeline for training and implementation of Legislative Management and Government Transparency suites within the departments of the county of Lake; and (b) consideration of proposed agreement between the county of Lake and Granicus for Government Transparency & Agenda Workflow Solutions.

1:30 p.m., A-9: Assessment appeal hearing: Robert and Gloria Reed - Application No. 178-2011 - 10827 Skyview Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 043-643-010-000).

NONTIMED ITEMS

A-10: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.

CLOSED SESSION

A-11: 1.Conference with Labor Negotiator: (a) County Negotiators: A. Grant, L. Guintivano, S. Harry, M. Perry, A. Flora and C. Shaver; and (b) employee organizations: Deputy District Attorney's Association, Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Lake County Correctional Officers Association, Lake County Employees Association and Lake County Safety Employees Association.

A-11: 2. Conference with real property negotiator, (a) property located at: 3980 Gard St., Kelseyville (APN 024-081-01); (b) negotiating parties for county: Supervisor Rob Brown, Child Support Services Director Gail Woodworth, County Administrative Officer Matt Perry and Deputy County Administrative Officer Alan Flora; for seller, Kelseyville Unified School District representatives; (c) under negotiation, lease terms.

A-11: 3. Public employee evaluation: Behavioral Health director.

A-11: 4. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9, subd. (d)(1) - Spano v. County of Lake.

CONSENT AGENDA

C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on Oct. 1, 2013.

C-2: (a) Adopt proclamation celebrating the centennial of the Upper Lake Women’s Protective Club; (b) presentation of proclamation declaring Oct. 6-12, 2013, as 4-H Week.

C-3: Carried over from Oct. 1, approve lease agreement between the county of Lake and Albert Moretti and Theresa Moretti for office space located at 525 N. Main St., Lakeport (APN 025-372-020) for use by the Child Support Services Department, through July 14, 2014, at a monthly rate of $8,122, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-4: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Lake County Office of Education for FY 2013-14 specialty mental health services, total amount $432,500, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-5: Adopt Resolution setting rate of pay for election officers for the Nov. 5, 2013, Consolidated General District Election pursuant to Section 12310 of the Elections Code.

C-6: Approve the 2012-13 Lake County Library Advisory Board Annual Report.

C-7: Grant ongoing approval to adoptions staff, Social Worker Supervisor II Kim Costa, Social Worker IV John Griffith and Social Worker IV Sandra Miller to travel in excess of 1,500 miles round trip for required adoptions purposes.

C-8: Approve the Water Resources Annual Financial Report for FY 2012-13, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-9: Approve purchase agreement for property located at 8220 Sailor Ave., Upper Lake (APN 004-016-33 - Mary Martin) for the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project, and authorize the chair to sign.

C-10: Approve Budget Transfer B-034 for 2214 - Sheriff-Asset Forfeiture to transfer $74,221 from Account 18-00 Maintenance-Building to 62-74 Equipment-Other and 61.60 Building & Improvements for Narcotics Task Force Facility.

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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A town hall meeting was held last Wednesday for the purpose of educating the public about a ballot measure that is projected to generate more than a $1 million annually for road maintenance and code enforcement in the city of Clearlake.

City voters will be asked to consider the 1-percent transaction and use tax in November.

Seventy-five percent of the anticipated revenues will be allocated to road maintenance, with the remaining 25 percent to be directed toward code enforcement.

Measure H is the same measure voters saw last November with Measure E, according to Clearlake City Manager Joan Phillipe, who was present during the meeting along with City Engineer Bob Galusha.

The 2012 measure gained a majority vote but not the two-thirds support it needed to pass, falling about 154 votes short.

The Oct. 2 meeting was conducted in question and answer format, beginning with a presentation by the Yes on Measure H Committee and a list of most frequently asked questions.

About 60 people joined the discussion at Lake County Youth Services center on Golf Avenue, including members of the No on Measure H Committee.

The initiative is being brought back to the voters because it is suspected that the public did not receive enough information about the measure in order to make an informed decision, according to the measure's proponents.

Phillipe said it's believed that the measure could have a good chance of passing if public were to be provided with more information.

Officials were asked why the tax was being proposed when city staff salaries have increased. Phillipe said the increase in salaries reflected in the budget is a result of insurance increases and the absorption of salary expenses that were previously allocated through the redevelopment agency before its dissolution.

The city of Clearlake has a maintained street system of 112 miles, consisting of 63 miles of paved streets and 49 miles of unpaved, gravel or dirt streets.

According to Galusha, the city has a deferred maintenance need of $17 million. The city is currently spending about $40,000 annually for repair and maintenance. He said with the current funding levels the city's street system will continue to deteriorate.

“The money we have in the gas tax isn’t' going to cut it. There needs to be consistent funding to make progress,” Galusha said. “Without some increased revenue you're not got going to have a road system.”

Galusha said it will take about five years to begin systematically rehabilitating the system while protecting the investments of recent road projects.

Arterial streets, such as Lakeshore Drive, Olympic Drive and Old Highway 53, will be of the highest priority, he said. Next will be collector streets and then residential roads.

According to the Yes on Measure H Committee, paved roads that have turned to dirt will be repaved over time.

Measure H funds are not to go toward public work salaries, officials said. Public works staffing is to continue to be funded through gas tax funds. The only funds earmarked for salaries are within the 25 percent designated for code enforcement.

A total of $230,000 is set aside for staffing of two code enforcement officers, one animal control officer and a portion of the animal services contract with SPCA.

Health and safety issues will be a priority for code enforcement. Other areas of service will include animal control, vehicle abatement, dilapidated structures, trash and debris.

“There is already a list generated by complaints but initially, once staff is in place, several things will occur: A strategy will be developed to survey the city to classify conditions and a plan laid out to systematically begin addressing the worst properties first. An educational brochure will be developed to encourage self compliance as well,” said Yes on Measure H Committee presenter Mike Vandiver.

Vandiver said the sales tax proposal is better than a property tax initiative because sales tax applies to everyone making taxable purchases, including those visiting the area. A property tax would apply only to property owners and also would require a vote.

Passage of the measure would designate the city as a “self-help” city, thereby improving its opportunities to receive grants when state and federal funding becomes available. Vandiver said the city could expect incremental payments within six months.

Among other questions answered during the meeting was how the funds were to be monitored.

The funds are to be subject of an annual independent audit and will be included in budget discussions, officials reported.

State law requires the city to prepare and adopt an expenditure plan describing specific projects for which the revenues from the tax may be used. There will be a five year plan implemented by public works, and it will be revised and changed as needed.

The Clearlake City Council will oversee the work to make sure the plan is adhered to, and officials said the city council can revise the plan as needed based on public and city needs.

The public can attend council meetings and budget workshops to provide input.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .