LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will consider a new proposal dealing with hazard trees IN the Valley fire area and an update to the lease with Marymount California University for the Lucerne Castle property.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, 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.

Supervisor Rob Brown will take to the board an untimed discussion and consideration regarding Valley fire hazard trees.

In his memo to the board, Brown asks his fellow supervisors to consider taking $40,000 of the $110,000 that the county has budgeted to hire contractors for nuisance abatements of pear orchards and instead using it for “high-priority hazard tree abatement” in the Valley fire burn area.

“In addition, I am requesting the Board consider directing staff not to issue permits until it has been established that hazard trees have been removed prior to beginning construction,” he said.

The proposal arose after a tree crashed through a newly placed modular home last week during a wind and rainstorm. Brown told Lake County News that he discussed the matter with community members at Thursday's Cobb Area Council and settled on this proposal to deal with the tree concerns going forward.
 
In another untimed item, the board will consider Amendment No. 2 to the lease agreement between the county of Lake and Marymount California University for lease of buildings and grounds located at 3700 Country Club Drive, historically known as Lucerne Hotel or the Castle.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson's report to the board explains that Marymount’s operations of its Lakeside campus do not require utilization of all of the space in the main building, nor all of the grounds.

“This amendment will modify the original area of occupancy held by Marymount and provide the County of Lake with greater access to the facility to provide productive use of the previously unused space,” Huchingson wrote in her report.

She said the amendment, if approved, will give the county back possession of the Castle except for the 7,994 square feet of classrooms, offices and other space used solely for educational purposes within the approximately 45,865 square foot building.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: Approve Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) second agreement for Residence Emergency Disaster Assistance Program Member County: Lake, an increase of $700,000 and authorize the chair to sign.   

7.2: Approve second amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce to provide visitor information services and support the growth and vitality of local businesses, for an extended term of Jan. 1, 2017, to June 30, 2017, and an increase of $30,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

7.3: Approve first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and Tony Barthel to provide destination marketing program implementation and management services in support of Lake County destination tourism marketing efforts for an extended term ending June 30, 2017, at an additional cost of $20,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

7.4: Approve second amendment for agreement between the county of Lake and This is the Crowd, USA, Inc., for display online advertising campaign, creation, monthly management, optimization and reporting for Lake County destination marketing, for an extended term of Jan. 1, 2017, to June 30, 2017, at an additional cost of $11,970 and authorize the chair to sign.

7.5: Approve leave of absence request for Selena Jackson, substance abuse counselor, from Nov. 28, 2016, to Dec. 31, 2016, or until such time as the Behavioral Health Department has completed a recruitment and is ready to make an offer of employment to fill the position, whichever date is sooner.   

7.6: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Prentice, Long, Epperson, for labor negotiation and labor relations services for a duration of three (3) years, not to exceed $35,000 annually and authorize the chair to sign.

7.7: Appoint the Public Services director and county administrative officer, or their designees, to serve as the negotiating team relative to the purchase of property for the Lower Lake Parks maintenance shop.

7.8: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, per Ordinance #3043, Purchasing code 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; (b) approve the request to establish a participation agreement with Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC); and (c) approve the letter of agreement between Partnership HealthPlan of California and Lake County of California, Behavioral Health Department; and (d) authorize the Lake County Behavioral Health interim director to sign the letter of agreement.   

7.9: Adopt resolution accepting official canvass of the consolidated general election held Nov. 8, 2016; declaring certain county officials duly elected; appointing directors of certain special district boards; and declaring the results of county measure under the board’s jurisdiction.

7.10: Approve permit for Tom's Aircraft, LLC to Conduct Aeronautical Activities at Lampson Airport for FY 2016-2017 and authorize chair to sign.

7.11: Approve budget transfer in Budget Unit No. 2301 – Sheriff/Jail from Fixed Asset account no. 62.79 to Fixed Asset account no. 62.74, in the amount of $27,407 for the purchase of two replacement washing machines for the Lake County Jail facility and authorize the chair to sign.     

7.12: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Adult Protective Services tracking/reporting software for a maximum compensation amount of $10,560 annually for a total of $31,680 with the three year term beginning July 1, 2016; and authorize the chair to sign.

7.13: approve budget transfer for budget unit no. 8109 - Flood Control from Account No. 53.48 – Water Quality Improvement to Fixed Asset Account No. 62.74 – Equipment (Other), for the purchase of a Cargo Trailer in the amount of $6,552 to store and transport the quagga boat to fairs and other outreach events.

TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of continuation of a proclamation of a local health emergency by the Lake County health officer.

8.3, 9;16 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.

8.4, 9:17 a.m.: Consideration of continuation of a proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency due to Clayton fire.

8.5, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of resolution approving amendment No. 2 to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Agreement No. 12-CDBG-8395.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.2: Consideration of Amendment No. 2 to lease agreement between the county of Lake and Marymount California University, for lease of buildings and grounds located at 3700 Country Club Drive, historically known as Lucerne Hotel.   

9.3: Second reading, consideration of an ordinance establishing Article XXVIII in Chapter 2 of the county code providing the authority and procedures for adopting and administering a master fee schedule.

9.4: Consideration of resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors dissolving the solid waste independent hearing panel, approving procedures and qualifications for the appointment of a hearing officer, and appointing a hearing officer for local enforcement agency hearings on appeals and petitions pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 44307, 44308, and 44310.

9.5: Consideration to (a) Waive the normal sealed bid process under Ordinance #2406, Section 38.2, for the purchase of four Central Garage pool vehicles and one department-assigned vehicle; and (b) authorize the Public Works director/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order through the statewide bid contract in the amount of $16,791.39, a purchase order to Kathy Fowler in the amount of $62,881.65, and a purchase order to Ukiah Ford in the amount of $26,172.68.

9.6: Addendum, discussion and consideration of repurposing of funds budgeted in Budget Unit (BU) 2604 for nuisance abatements of hazard trees in the Valley fire burn area and not issuing permits until it has been established that hazard trees have been removed prior to beginning construction.

CLOSED SESSION

10.2: Employee disciplinary appeal (EDA-16-05), Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54957.

10.3: Public employee evaluations title: Community Development director.

10.4: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): Appointment of Water Resources 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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council will wrap up 2016 with a swearing-in ceremony for its new council members and make appointments to city committees and commissions.

The council will meet for a closed session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, to discuss anticipated litigation with Verizon Wireless before meeting in open session at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

City Clerk Kelly Buendia will present to the council the certification of the final Nov. 8 election results, with the council to adopt a resolution accepting those results.

Mayor Pro Tem Stacey Mattina will then make a presentation to outgoing members Marc Spillman and Martin Scheel.

Following that presentation, new council members will be sworn in. Tim Barnes and George Spurr won their first terms on the council in November, with Kenny Parlet reelected to a second term.

After the swearing-in, there will be a brief recess for a reception in honor of the outgoing and incoming councils before business resumes and the council nominates and elects its mayor and mayor pro tem for 2017.

Also on Tuesday, the Lake County Main Street Association will present the winners of its annual holiday lighting decorations contest as well as the Taste of Lake County People’s Choice Awards.

In council business, the council will consider making three appointments to the Lakeport Planning Commission.

The seats currently up for appointment are held by Ken Wicks Jr., Tom Gayner and George Spurr. Wicks has applied to be reappointed, Gayner has not and Spurr must vacate the seat after being elected to the council, according to the city clerk's report to the council.

In addition to Wicks, applicants are Michael S. Green, who had run for a council seat, and Michael Froio.

The council also will consider making six appointments to the 11-member Lakeport Economic Development Committee. Current members seeking reappointment are Bill Eaton, Melissa Fulton and Wilda Shock, with first-time applicants including Denise Combs, Sherryl Dever, George Feola, Valerie Jensen and Terre Logsdon.

Additionally, the council must decide on two appointments to the Parks and Recreation Committee, with Kipp Knorr, Suzanne Lyons, Adam Newell and Julie Pimentel submitting applications.

It also will consider reappointing Frank Dollosso to the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, and prepare the annual Maddy Act appointment list covering all regular ongoing boards, commissions and committees which are appointed by the council.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; warrant registers from Nov. 22 to Dec. 8; minutes of the regular Lakeport City Council meeting for Dec. 6; Application No. 2017-004 for Shakespeare at the Lake, July 26, 29-31, 2017, with recommended conditions; adoption of a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute agreements with the State Board of Equalization for implementation of a local transactions and use tax and to amend the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Budget for Fund 110 in the amount of $25,000 for administrative costs billed by the BOE associated with the implementation of the increased sales tax; adoption of a resolution authorizing the examination of transactions (sales) and use tax records; adoption of a resolution accepting the construction of the 2016 Bevins Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project by Granite Construction Co. and authorize the filing of the notice of completion; and authorizing the city manager to execute the second amendment to the professional services agreement with JJACAP Inc. for independent auditing services.

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.

122016 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday welcomed a new correctional officer to the ranks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office, denied an appeal of a Lower Lake kennel project and approved a contract for a feasibility study of electronic boat ramp gates.

At the start of the meeting Sheriff Brian Martin introduced newly appointed Correctional Officer Adrian Moreno to the supervisors.

Moreno was born and raised locally. “He's the perfect applicant to hire. He's got roots here in Lake County,” and graduated from Clear Lake High School, said Martin.

Martin said that after high school Moreno went on to get automotive repair certifications and has been working as a mechanic for several years.

In his experience, Martin said mechanics seem to make the best law enforcement officers. He said he's not sure why that is, but suggested it could be their willingness to get dirty or their abilities in problem-solving.

“I'm looking forward to seeing what Adrian has to offer us through his law enforcement career with us,” said Martin.

Before administering the oath to Moreno, Martin thanked Moreno's family, told them he will be working long hours but also getting opportunities.

“We are glad to have you,” said Board Chair Rob Brown, who added that he has known Moreno for a long time. Brown said some of the department's best deputies have come from working at the jail.

Supervisors Jim Comstock, Jim Steele and Jeff Smith also offered their congratulations.

Tuesday's lengthiest item was the public hearing to consider the appeal of the Lake County Planning Commission's Oct. 27 approval of a mitigated negative declaration and major use permit for a large animal kennel that Blythe Lucero has applied to have on her property at 11767 Candy Lane in Lower Lake.

Lucero is seeking to establish an animal care facility for a maximum of 20 elderly cats and 14 elderly dogs on the 11-acre parcel, located in the Twin Lakes subdivision.

Planning documents explained that the animals will be housed inside an existing 2,375-square-foot barn plus an outdoor area.

County planning staff recommended denying the appeal. In the report for the discussion staff explained that Lucero currently has the right, without a conditional use permit, to have livestock on the property – including as many as 22 horses or 69 goats – and so the use permit for the kennel “will be a minimal impact.”

For more than four hours, the board heard from Lucero's attorney Andre Ross and Robert Riggs, attorney for the appellant, Durand Duin, who along with his partner John Biron owns the nearby Spirit Lake bed and breakfast. It was noted during the discussion that the bed and breakfast currently isn't open but that Duin and Biron purchased it and are planning to reopen it.

In addition to the detailed arguments offered for the project by Ross and against it by Riggs, there also was testimony from numerous community members.

Project opponents believed it will damage quality of life and property values, and shouldn't be located close to the residential area. Those in favor of it defended Lucero's plans and her experience in animal rescue. The statements in support of Lucero included a video of several neighbors who weren't able to appear in person.

The board ultimately denied the appeal in a 5-0 vote, paving the way for Lucero to move forward.

Also on Tuesday, the board approved a contract between the county of Lake and Oscar Larson & Associates for a feasibility study for electronic boat ramp gates at public access sites on Clear Lake.

The study, the cost of which is not to exceed $171,140.51, is funded by a state grant, according to Public Works and Water Resources Director Scott De Leon. A small required match from the county will be made through staff time.

The item originally had been on the consent agenda but was pulled for discussion after Supervisor Tony Farrington and Supervisor Jim Steele raised questions about the study and its direction.

De Leon said he had received the board's go-ahead to apply for the grant to pay for the study following a meeting earlier this year, and showed a video of that meeting which confirmed his statement.

In other business, the board approved ending the mandatory conservation ordinance for the Mt. Hannah Water System, CSA No. 22, as the conditions necessitating the original emergency no longer exist.

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.

COBB, Calif. – The Cobb Area Council has invited Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mike Wink to its monthly meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15, to announce the funding of two new sirens following the September 2015 Valley fire.

The sirens are being paid for by a grant from the Cobb Community Investment Committee, which is fully funded by Calpine Corp.’s geothermal operations at The Geysers.

Previously, on Sept. 15, the board members of the newly formed Cobb Area Council received $3,000 from the investment committee to use as seed money for their coordinating efforts in helping to rebuild the community after the disaster that burned 76,000 acres and displaced 1,300 people.

"As a formal governmental body provided for under California law, the Cobb Area Council will be an important conduit between the public and the Board of Supervisors on the needs and issues affecting the Cobb area or that have potential to,” said District 1 Supervisor Rob Brown, who sits on the Cobb Community Investment Fund Committee.

Danielle Matthews Seperas, manager of Government and Community Affairs at Calpine Corp., handles the Visitor Center and Calpine's outreach program in Lake County.

She indicated that it is important to the company to be able to support the coordinating work of the new Cobb Area Council and do their part as a corporate member of the community.

The Cobb Area Council was established by unanimous resolution from the Lake County Board of Supervisors in June to support and advise county, state and other agencies on the specific needs of the communities in the unincorporated area of Cobb Mountain. The area covered is bounded by Highway 175 north of Socrates Mine Road, east by Big Canyon Road, north by Red Hills Road and Highway 29, and west by the  Lake County line.

The Cobb Area Council holds public meetings every third Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Little Red Schoolhouse, 15780 Bottle Rock Road in Cobb.

On Thursday the group will meet to discuss its plans for 2017. Every resident within the Cobb area boundaries is invited to come and vote in person on the council's decisions.

"We invite all residents in the Cobb area to come and participate every month and in the committees,” said Eliot Hurwitz, the new chair of the council. “Identifying and taking the next steps together will help all of us not only recover from the wildfire disasters but also help develop our area in ways that we have always envisioned for ourselves and aspire to."

Mike Dunlap, vice-president of the Cobb Mountain Lions Club, said, "As the ongoing guardians of the Little Red Schoolhouse, and having provided a central and greatly needed venue for delivering local assistance services in the aftermath of the Valley Fire, the Cobb Mountain Lions Club couldn't be happier to be able to host the Cobb Area Council meetings and be a partner in rallying the community forward."

Calpine also supports the Little Red Schoolhouse. 

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