In order to minimize the public inconvenience, beginning June 6, City Hall will remain open until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

At this time, the Lakeport Police Department offices will remain open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., officials reported.

The city of Lakeport has reached an agreement with its management employees and the Lakeport Employees Association for a work furlough plan in order to reduce expenses through the end of the next fiscal year (June 30, 2012).

City officials said the plan will require each full-time employee to be furloughed for 14 unpaid days. This, along with other concessions, is expected to save the city $126,313.

Over the past three years, due to a hiring freeze and unfilled vacancies from retirements and attrition, there has been a significant reduction in staffing for the city of Lakeport. Current staff has had to take on greater responsibilities while shouldering cuts to their pay and benefits.

The proposed closures are meant to allow staff to operate the city as efficiently as possible with the current staff available.

Certain crucial city services will be maintained during closures, officials reported.

Police patrols will still be active and police officers will continue to be on duty to respond to calls for service.

All other city staff will also be available for emergencies the same as they are on any weekend or holiday when Lakeport City Hall is closed.

Utility bills cannot be paid in person at Lakeport City Hall on Fridays; however, customers can leave their payments in the drop box which is located at the Park Street entrance to City Hall.

Customers also have the option of signing up for Easy-Pay, which allows for automatic withdraw from a checking account on a monthly basis to pay the utility bill.

Any customer who wishes to take advantage of this program should call the Utility Billing Department at 707-263-5615, Extension 10 or 18. Utility services will not be started or shut off on Fridays.

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Following a brief morning session in Lakeport, the board adjourned and went to Sacramento, where they reconvened as a body to present their case for leaving the Yuba City-based North Central Counties Consortium to the California Workforce Investment Board.

“They voted unanimously to support our move to the Napa Workforce Investment Area,” said Supervisor Denise Rushing.

While NCCC officials were on hand to argue against allowing Lake to leave the five-county consortium, the state board ultimately decided, after just over an hour of discussion, to let Lake County join the Napa County Workforce Investment area, Rushing said.

Nancy Crooks, NCCC's interim director, did not return a call seeking comment.

The state board's vote was a victory for the Board of Supervisors, which for the last several years has had a rocky relationship with NCCC over the consortium's leadership, resources for local training and economic development programs.

Rushing said the county's concerns about the consortium have been going on for a decade.

During the last few years, as Lake's unemployment rate has risen, the county has gotten more aggressive in its desire to leave the consortium, citing underutilized funding for job training programs and services.

Earlier this year, the Lake One-Stop, which holds the contract with NCCC for providing local job skills training, had run letter writing campaigns against the move, saying that it would damage their ability to offer services, which Lake and Napa County officials had argued wasn't true.

In February Rushing and county Social Services Director Carol Huchingson went before the California Workforce Investment Board Issues and Policy Special Committee to argue the county's case for leaving the consortium, ultimately receiving the go ahead to go before the full California Workforce Investment Board, as Lake County News has reported.

Rushing was the first of the supervisors to address the full state board on Tuesday.

She said she emphasized the Board of Supervisors' accountability for the decision, and how they believed it was in the best interest of local businesses and the county's workforce.

Also speaking for the move were Supervisor Anthony Farrington, who followed Rushing in addressing the board, and Supervisor Rob Brown.

“One of the concerns the NCCC had was that it will set a precedent,” Brown said of leaving the consortium. That seemed fine with Brown, who has clashed with NCCC leadership.

Crooks told the board that the consortium was concerned for Lake County's residents. Brown said he wrapped up his comments by assuring the state board that the Board of Supervisors cared far more about county residents than the consortium.

In addition to comments by supervisors, the county presented to the state board letters of support for the move from state Sen. Noreen Evans, Assemblyman Wes Chesbro and Congressman Mike Thompson, Rushing said.

She said the Board of Supervisors did not go to the business community to try to generate letters in support of the move. “We felt that was inappropriate.”

Rushing said the state board wanted to make sure that Lake County's workforce investment funds would be used for the county, not elsewhere, and that the newly combined workforce investment board would maintain its participation in the Lake One-Stop. Rushing said the supervisors assured the state board that the county agreed with both goals.

Rushing said Tuesday's traveling meeting was the first time anyone could remember the Board of Supervisors convening outside of Lake County's boundaries.

The unified message it was meant to send to state officials got through. “It actually made quite an impact on the committee,” said Rushing. “They said they'd never seen anything like it before.”

Rushing said state board members also commented that having all of the supervisors in attendance showed the Board of Supervisors' dedication to the county's workforce and economic development.

Brown credited Huchingson with proposing that the Board of Supervisors convene as a group before the state board, and also gave Rushing high marks for her presentation to the state board.

He said he now wants to see an investigation into how the $89 million allocated to the consortium over the last 10 years – in support of job training and related services in all five of its counties – was spent.

“We certainly didn't see any benefit of it,” he said.

The proposed agreement next goes to Gov. Jerry Brown's office for approval, Rushing said.

If it receives the governor's approval, Rushing said the new workforce investment area will go into effect July 1.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The public is invited to attend a celebration of Lake County’s 150-year anniversary with a sesquicentennial celebration event on Friday, May 20, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., in Old Courthouse Square in front of the Historic Courthouse Museum, at 255 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

This family-friendly celebration will begin with presentation of the colors by the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen Drill Team and the singing of the national anthem by Miss Lake County’s Outstanding Teen, Faith Hornby.

The program will include a reenactment of the signing of the act of incorporation that carved a section of northern Napa County to create Lake County, a reading of the proclamation of the commemoration by the Lake County Board of Supervisors, as well as the telling of several fascinating stories of Lake County’s past.

A 45-minute guided historic walking tour of downtown Lakeport will be offered at 6 p.m. Antique fire trucks will be on display from Lakeport Fire Protection District and Kelseyville Fire Protection District.

Musical entertainment during the evening will be provided by the Sweet Adelines and by Hilarie, Milton & Moe.

The Upper Lake 4-H Club will sell old-fashioned root beer floats and the Lake County Winery Association will be pouring a selection of Lake County wines.

Several Lake County historic groups, including the Lake County Historical Society, will present informative exhibits and displays. The Lake County Historic Courthouse Museum will be open during the event with docents on hand to answer questions.

A selection of 150th-logo’d merchandise will be available for sale with proceeds going to support the LC 150 effort.

This event kicks off the 150th celebration, which will continue through the summer and fall with a presence at several major annual events held in each community.

Residents, community groups, and business owners and associations are encouraged to sponsor an activity or event in their community. Those interested in doing so may contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 for information about donations and sponsorship levels, in-kind needs, and volunteer opportunities.

The LC150 steering committee has been working for several months guiding the plans for the celebration and includes several community volunteers, as well as representatives from the Lake County Museum, Friends of the Lake County Museum, Lake County Genealogical Society, Lake County Historical Society, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Marketing and Economic Development Program, Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Winery Association, and City of Lakeport.

The birth of Lake County

In 1861, Abraham Lincoln had taken office as president, the nation was on the brink of the Civil War, and Gold Fever continued to lure pioneers and prospectors to the state.

On May 20, 1861, nearly 11 years after California had become the 31st state in the Union, California Governor John D. Downey signed an Act of Incorporation into law and Lake County was born.

Called “The Clearlake Township of Napa County” and unofficially the “Hot Springs Section,” Lake County was carved from the northern section of Napa County.

The 1860 Census recorded 1,065 residents in this area, a population that doubled in 10 years. Who were they? Joining the Native American population were farmers and ranchers, gold prospectors, war conscription evaders, and pioneers moving west in search of a new life.

Over the years, many have been drawn to Lake County. Today, more than 65,000 people call Lake County home.

What has attracted these individuals to Lake County? For some, it may be the clean air, the wide open space, or the stunning lake or mountain vistas. For others, it may be opportunity, lifestyle, or family connection. For others still, it simply may be happenstance, luck, or serendipity.

Thus, Lake County has a long history of fascinating stories – stories of pioneering spirit and entrepreneurship, of agricultural traditions and recreational pursuits, of kindness and preservation, stories of heroes and visionaries, of traditions and family trees.

To discover more, go online to www.LC150.org for information about Lake County sesquicentennial activities and events and for a fascinating look at historical video vignettes of life in Lake County in the 1860s. This site is updated regularly, so check back often.

Families, businesses, and organizations also are encouraged to tell their own story and connect it to the greater Lake County story on Facebook. Check out the Lake County Sesquicentennial Facebook page at www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lake-County-Sesquicentennial/171845856177015. Follow the sesquicentennial celebration on Twitter, @LakeCo150.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

The initial part of the meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. TV8 will broadcast the meeting live.

Before leaving for Sacramento, the board will work through a short agenda, including a discussion at 9:08 a.m. regarding a request from Sheriff Frank Rivero to approve a U.S. Forest Service FY 2011 Cooperative Law Enforcement Annual Operating Plan and Financial Plan, in the amount of $15,000 for patrol in the Lake Pillsbury area, and 2011 Controlled Substance Operating and Financial Plan to defray costs relating to the suppression of manufacturing and trafficking of controlled substances, in the amount of $50,000.

As part of that discussion, the board will consider adopting a resolution to appropriate unanticipated revenue for marijuana eradication activities to cover the $50,000 from the US Forest Service.

At 9:15 a.m. the board will present a proclamation commemorating the county's 150^th anniversary celebration. An event celebrating the sesquicentennial will be held in downtown Lakeport at the old courthouse museum at 5 p.m. Friday, May 20.

The board will hold a closed session to discuss labor negotiations with the Lake County Employees Association, Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Lake County Correctional Officer's Association and the Lake County Deputy District Attorneys' Association.

The meeting will then adjourn and reconvene at 1 p.m. at the California Workforce Investment Board's Doubletree Hotel, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, to testify in support of the county's application to become part of the Napa County Workforce Investment Area.

The board is seeking to leave the North Central Counties Consortium and instead join Napa County's area, saying it's a better fit and will enhance services to job seekers and employers throughout the county.

Supervisors also have raised issues with how Lake County has been treated by the NCCC leadership.

Other items on the agenda for the morning portion of the meeting in Lakeport are as follows.

Timed items

9 a.m.: 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).

9:20 a.m.: Public hearing – consideration of proposed ordinance amending Article II of Chapter 18 of the Lake County Code relating to the transient occupancy tax.

9:30 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation declaring May 15-21, 2011 as National Public Works Week.

Nontimed items

– Consideration of request to approve letter of support for AB 1178 (Fiona Ma) regarding the prohibition of disposal of solid waste based on its geographical origin

Consent agenda

– Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on May 10, 2011.

– Adopt proclamation declaring the week of May 15-21, 2011 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

– Adopt proclamation celebrating the Sesquicentennial of the County of Lake on May 20, 2011.

– Adopt proclamation declaring May 15-21, 2011 as National Public Works Week.

– Approve letter of support of the North Coast Emergency Medical Services for the Bertha Russ Lytel Foundation Grant Application, and authorize the chair to sign.

– Approve request for extended leave of absence for Deputy Assessor-Recorder Janet Laird, from June 3, 2011 to June 19, 2011.

– Approve retroactive request for extended leave of absence for Code Enforcement Officer Dana McDonald, from January 29 to March 20, 2011.

– Approve first amendment to the agreement between the county of Lake and North Valley Behavioral Health for acute inpatient psychiatric services (for an increase of $98,432), and authorize the chair to sign.

– Adopt resolution accepting litigation proceeds and appropriating said funds as unanticipated revenue ($6000 for agricultural building roof repair).

– Adopt resolution declaring duty weapons as surplus to the needs of the county and authorizing purchasing agent to sell said weapons; and approve sheriff’s request, dated April 18, 2011, to purchase duty weapons and equipment as per the LC Action Police supply quotation dated April 6, 2011 (Net cost after sale of surplus duty weapons, per item (a) above, is a credit to the county in the amount of $1,284.44).

– Carried over from May 10, 2011. Approve Amendment No. 3 between the county of Lake and Sierra Air Helicopters (an increase of $3,500) for helicopter services; approve Amendment No. 3 between the county of Lake and A&P Helicopters (an increase of $20,000) for helicopter services; and approve Amendment No. 3 between the County of Lake and Cutting Edge Helicopters (an increase of $3,500) for helicopter services, and authorize the chair to sign the amendments.

– Approve second amendment to the agreement between the county of Lake and the regents of the University of California for sediment sampling in Clear Lake (extending the term through April 27, 2012, for an increase of $20,008.56), and authorize the chair to sign.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

051711 California Workforce Investment Board Agenda

Following interviews of five candidates Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Supervisors emerged from closed session to announce the hiring of Scott De Leon as the new Public Works director.

The department's previous head, Brent Siemer, resigned in January, and since then the department has been led on an interim basis by Gerald Shaul, the retired director who preceded Siemer.

County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox said the recruitment process has been going on for a few months.

“We recruited extensively,” he said.

All of the candidates who were interviewed came from within California, Cox said.

Cox said De Leon was the board's unanimous choice.

De Leon officially takes over as Public Works director on Monday, May 16, Cox said.

The new job will be a lateral transfer and De Leon said he won't receive a pay raise.

When De Leon was hired last year the board voted to put him at the third step of the Water Resources director pay ladder, which Lake County Human Resources said is $8,085.64 per month, the same as the Public Works director.

Tuesday, the day De Leon was interviewed, marked the one-year anniversary of when he began work as Water Resources director, De Leon said.

His hiring is anticipated to bring with it changes to the structures of the two departments, which the Board of Supervisors voted to separate about a year and a half ago.

Cox said that on May 24 the Board of Supervisors will consider merging Public Works and Water Resources once again.

“If we can free up more money to put into actual projects on the lake, I think that's an incentive to do it,” said Cox.

De Leon said he had proposed to the board during his interview that the two departments be rejoined.

“I think there's a big opportunity for the two departments to work together for an increased efficiency in addressing lake issues,” he said.

De Leon pointed to working with the Road Division on debris removal and maintenance projects.

Another example: “I think we can use the engineering and inspection division to assist with some of the projects that we have on the lake,” he said.

Rejoining the two departments would save the county money – for one, it would no longer have to pay for a Water Resources director, De Leon said.

“In light of the budget situation that we have in the state and what we're going to face at the county, I think putting the two departments under one director is certainly a benefit,” he said.

De Leon said the staff of the two departments will make it possible to absorb the Water Resources director position.

In addition, he said they've hired a new water resources coordinator who is coming from Arizona with 17 years of experience.

“I think with the combination of the talents of the folks at Public Works and the talents we have in Water Resources that we'll be able to maintain the same level of attention to the lake that we're seeing now and hopefully, actually, increase it,” De Leon said.

He'll be assisted by Lars Ewing, Public Works' assistant director, who previously had worked with De Leon at his engineering firm and has since worked with Shaul. De Leon said Ewing has a good handle on Public Works' issues.

“I'm very excited to be working together with him again,” De Leon said.

Cox said last year the board appointed a group to look at algae abatement and weeds, and they then brought a number of funding proposals back to the board.

While Cox was able to find some funding for those lake health efforts, he said, “There's still additional funding needed and this might provide the opportunity to provide that funding.”

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

Last year the Sierra Club Lake Group sued the Clearlake Redevelopment Agency and KK Raphel Properties LLC over a plan to develop a regional shopping center at the now-closed Pearce Field airport property on Highway 53, as Lake County News has reported.

The lawsuit effectively stopped the project, which the Sierra Club had argued should have had an environmental impact report rather than a mitigated negative declaration.

When the council – minus Council member Judy Thein, who was absent – emerged from closed session Thursday, Mayor Joyce Overton announced the council had agreed to the settlement.

Some of the major points of the agreement, according to Overton, include the council rescinding the project's mitigated negative declaration and the disposition and development agreement with KK Raphel Properties; proceeding with a purchase and sales agreement between the redevelopment agency and KK Raphel Properties; agreeing to proceed with an environmental impact report; and paying just under $16,000 in attorney's fees to the Sierra Club Lake Group.

Overton also announced that the council had appointed interim City Administrator Steve Albright as the interim redevelopment agency executive director effective June 13 and lasting through Dec. 31.

During Albright's report later in the meeting, he explained that there are still a number of things the council will need to do to finalize the settlement agreement with the Sierra Club Lake Group.

“The council will have to act to actually carry out the settlement in an open session,” which Albright said he will schedule for the May 26 meeting.

The sale and purchase agreement with KK Raphel Properties will be scheduled for the May 26 meeting or for sometime in early June, said Albright, noting a property appraisal will need to be completed.

He said he'll begin writing a request for proposals for the environmental impact report, which also will require a notice of preparation.

Albright said he was “pretty confident” that an environmental impact report could be started by the end of summer.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .