LAKEPORT – With final consideration of the county's proposed $194 million 2009-10 budget on the table, the Board of Supervisors will meet Thursday for public budget hearings.

The hearings will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the board chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. If the hearings aren't finished Thursday, they'll be continued at 9 a.m. Friday.

County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox is taking to the board a $194.3 million budget. That's about $7 million less than last year's budget, and $2 million less than the 2007-08 budget, said Cox.

Cox which the proposed draft budget maintains the county's longstanding policy of fiscal responsibility.

He said the budget is structurally balanced, with ongoing recurring expenses financed by ongoing recurring revenue, not one-time revenue sources.

Most of the decrease from last year's $201 million budget – the first to go over $200 million, Cox said – is to be found in special funds, not the general fund, which in the new budget is $54.1 million, down by $500,000 from last year. He said the general fund was about that same amount in the 2007-08 budget as well.

“There were special projects in last year's budget that were completed,” he said.

Last year's road department budget was $23.3 million, and is $19.9 million in the proposed final budget, Cox said. “A lot of that has to do with projects.”

The county's Mental Health Department will be down by $1 million, with Public Health also scheduled to be down, having already dropped some vacant positions. Lake County Sanitation District also is down due to completed projects, with its 2009-10 budget set at $6.4 million, down from last year's $7.1 million.

This year's budget also proposes to increase the county's general reserves from $5 million to $7 million, which Cox said he thinks the county needs to do to prepare for the uncertainties tied to the state's budget this year and next.

“It's the only responsible thing to do,” he said.

Cox said the county can't look at its budgets only a year at a time, but has to look ahead and longterm.

This year's state budget, the lateness of which created a budgeting challenge for the county, didn't resolve the state's fiscal issues, said Cox.

It also takes a heavy toll on counties. Cox said the state is taking from the county $2 million in property tax. The state also took $764,000 in redevelopment agency property tax increment funds from the county, which also will lose $68,000 in Williamson Act subventions and $357,000 in Proposition 36 drug treatment funds.

The state budget will delay by 11 months the payment to the county of $2 million in gas tax payments, which are used to fund the county's road department and its projects.

The county also won't receive more than $53,000 in reimbursement for the special state election in May, among a handful of other impacts, according to the county's budget documents.

Cox said he expects the county to get hit heavily by the state budget again next year – if not before.

As he's kept the budget structurally balanced, Cox also noted there are no filled positions being eliminated in the general fund.

“This budget won't result in anybody losing their job,” he said.

However, he added, “We're still not entirely finished,” explaining that they're still looking at some budget issues with Social Services and Mental Health.

That, and the uncertainty of the state's budget, means he can't guarantee that nobody will lose their jobs for the rest of the year. But he said the county is looking at every possible way to avoid laying off staff.

There are other challenges ahead for the county, including declining revenue associated with the construction industry, declining sales tax revenues due to the slumping economy, aging infrastructure and the unknown future costs of addressing invasive mussels and aquatic weeds in Clear Lake, according to the budget report.

Despite the uncertainties, Lake appears to be at the top of its class when it comes to fiscal soundness.

A recent report from the California State Association of Counties listed fiscal updates on the state's 58 counties, and only Lake and Tuolumne had no debt service whatsoever, based on 2006-07 figures.

That still remains true for Lake, which even in the challenging economic climate has avoided borrowing to keep its operations going, Cox said.

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 .

CLEARLAKE – Last week the Clearlake City Council turned down the county's offer of a decontamination unit to help prevent invasive mussels, with city officials saying they didn't have the resources to run the unit and a local business was better suited to the enterprise.

The county is giving one such unit to the city of Lakeport, and kept another one back in case Clearlake wanted it. Two others were sold to Los Angeles County, officials reported.

City Administrator Dale Neiman had submitted a report to the council urging them against accepting the station, saying the city didn't have the staff to operate it.

Pam Francis, the county's deputy water resources director, told the council that the county – which originally purchased the stations last year – never used the stations through a public-private venture, as it had intended.

“It was felt that there were perhaps other alternatives that could be considered,” she said.

She said the county approved giving Lakeport a unit on Aug. 4, and she was asked to speak with Clearlake's council.

She said the units are self-contained, with hot water and pressure steam cleaning capability, dams to collect wastewater and wastewater tanks. Originally, the county had planned to stop and clean boats at remote locations where no infrastructure was available. Later, it was decided that it would be better to have units closer to town, she said.

“Cleaning boats is very important to this program,” she said, especially when it comes to “suspicious” boats – those that are wet or coming from lakes the county doesn't trust.

Francis said it's a misnomer that they're “decontamination” stations, since if a boat is found with mussels, “It's not going in this lake,” but instead will be quarantined by state Fish and Game.

She said Lake Tahoe has lower-cost cleaning systems at more locations, “So I want to present all these alternatives.”

Francis added, “Quite frankly the county could probably uses these resources for other options.” She suggested the county should sell the stations and use the money to address the algae.

Council member Joyce Overton asked if any boats have been quarantined since the county formed its aquatic mussel group last year. Since the group was formed in April of 2008 no suspect boats have been found, said Francis.

Overton, who was against taking the station, suggested, “Pretty much by the time a boat gets here, it's dry.”

She said she thought it was great Lakeport was taking a unit, but added, “I don't know what we would do with ours.”

Francis said a nearby local business on Olympic Drive, Navarro and Sons, has cleaning capabilities for boats and was willing to take it on for a fee.

Councilman Curt Giambruno said the city didn't have the resources needed to monitor its six boat ramps, which he said the city doesn't have the authority to lock down.

“The county bought these to use them. They backed out. Obviously they saw a lot of drawbacks and said, 'Oops! We made a mistake,'” Giambruno said, adding that they should have sold all of them to Los Angeles County.

“I don't think we can do it,” Giambruno said.

He bristled at suggestions he said he heard at the Board of Supervisors meeting that Clearlake didn't care about the mussel issue. He said he visited Tahoe City to see their prevention efforts and he does care.

Councilman Roy Simons asked how much effort the federal government is putting into a mussel solution. Francis said the Army Corps of Engineers has been working on the mussels since 1988, and is experimenting with a bacteria to kill the mussels.

She added, “Eradication is not gonna be an option,” noting that native species that eat mussels would ruin ecosystem.

“It's very grim if we get the mussel,” she said. “Prevention is a much better approach to the problem.”

Simons asked how many private ramps are located in the county. Francis said there are 653 private ramps.

“It leads one to believe the inevitable will happen, doesn't it?” Simons asked.

“I hope not,” said Francis.

Simons replied, “We should make any effort we can.”

Supervisor Anthony Farrington also addressed the council on the issue. He noted that it sounded like council members already had their minds made up, and while he wasn't going to try to change their minds, he hoped to offer with another perspective.

“It's an evolving program,” Farrington said of the county's efforts to protect local waters. Anyone who says they have all the answers on the subject doesn't, he added.

The mussels are moving westward rapidly, and Farrington said he was going to try to do everything he could to keep them out of Lake County, noting the county was offering the unit to the city for free.

He said money is not currently available from the state or federal governments to fight the pests, nor does he expect it to be any time soon, despite the fact that the state has now given the mussels an “A” rating, which is its most serious rating level.

Farrington said local government needs to work together and build a funding war chest to address the problem.

He said the county's prevention program is “skeletal” right now, with the education and awareness not there. Also lacking is the front line effort to get people checked out when they arrive with their boats. He suggested all boats from suspect areas needed to be decontaminated or else turned away.

With the mussel task force recently dissolved, Overton asked how the program will advance. Farrington said the county will have an invasive species council going forward.

“This battle is going to be ongoing until we're infested,” said Farrington.

Francis, who said decontamination can be very expensive, said she wanted to offer a “reality check,” saying not all suspect boats needed to be decontaminated.

“Obviously, it needs to be balanced with risk,” she said, noting that she hated to be in opposition to Farrington, but that the council needed to be informed of all of its options.

Neiman suggested that the county could simply directly lease the unit to a local business if they found one interested in taking it, and that would cut the city out as the middle man.

Farrington agreed. “I'm just asking you all to put the brakes on for a second” to see if there is a local business that would be interested.

“We're not even doing what we need to be doing as it relates to the stickers,” he added.

Community member Rick Mayo said the presentation cleared up some issues for him. “With this mussel infestation, to do nothing is not an option.”

Overton said the unit would be better off being sold, and the city could get a less bulky one if it wanted or use Lakeport's.

Vice Mayor Judy Thein agreed. “I don't feel that we should take on any liability for that.”

Simon asked if, as soon as the mussels are found, the county and cities can get rid of the machinery. Farrington said no, that if the mussel is found the county will have a fiduciary responsibility to help prevent the mussels' spread to other areas.

The council ended by turning the offer down.

Francis told Lake County News Monday that it's still to be determined at a future supervisors meeting what will happen with the unit the city turned down. “It's unclear if the board is going to choose to keep the second unit as maybe a backup to Lakeport's or to sell it.”

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 .

LAKE COUNTY – The local food movement is alive and growing in Lake County and this summer brings even more opportunities to purchase, savor, and learn about the bounty of vegetables, fruits, and nuts that are thriving throughout the county.

In response to the increase in demand for locally grown food and to give their members another opportunity to sell products directly to the community, Lake County Farmers’ Finest has added another day for the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market.

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 18, through the last Tuesday in October, the market also will be operating on Tuesday evenings at the new Kelseyville Lumber, 3555 N. Main Street, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market will continue on Saturdays at Steele Wines, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

In addition to the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market on Tuesday and Saturday, five other markets that include Friday Night Farmers’ Market at Redbud Park in Clearlake, and on Thursday, the Upper Lake Thursday Night Market on Main Street, the Coyote Valley Farmers’ Market in Hidden Valley Lake, and the Middletown Thursday Night Market on Wardlaw at Highway 29.

To assist residents and visitors alike on how to prepare locally grown produce, Chic Le Chef in Hidden Valley Lake is a fully equipped demonstration and teaching kitchen complete with cameras over the stove and flat-panel screens for easier audience viewing. Currently, they are offering “Lake County Bounty,” a series of culinary classes designed to celebrate the agricultural heritage of Lake County and will focus on olives and olive oil, pears, and walnuts, as well as offering many other classes.

Classes at Chic Le Chef are informative and dynamic, led by knowledgeable instructors. Interaction between students and with the instructor is an engaging way of improving kitchen skills. Chic Le Chef also hosts cooking demonstration parties – at private homes or at their kitchen – and offers a full range of catering services and take-out meals that utilize Lake County produce when possible, much of it procured from Hardester’s Market, which adjoins the kitchen.

Founder of Chic Le Chef and host of The Culinary View radio program Sundays at 11:00 a.m. on KPFZ 88.1, Chef Julie Hoskins also is a member of a group of local chefs who meet monthly for friendly competitions and camaraderie and are commitment to purchase locally produced agricultural products. The Lake County Chef's Coalition vision is in the beginning stages, and discussions are underway on ways to better educate customers about local produce, build relationships with farmers, and communicate the needs of restaurants on a broader scale to plan supply and demand issues.

Three other groups are working together to help connect farmers to restaurants and other institutions. The Lake County Community Co-Op (LCCCo-Op), the Health Leadership Network (HLN), and the Lake County Food Policy Council are collaborating, and both the LCCCo-Op and the HLN have recently sought funding and assistance for an ordering system that would facilitate the supply and demand issues from farmers to chefs, as well as senior centers, hospitals, schools and more.

Local food engages students

Even youth in Lake County get to participate in the local food movement. Both Kelseyville Unified School District and the Konocti Unified School District purchase some of their fresh produce locally, have school gardens, and participate in the farm-to-school program of the HLN. Susan Jen, HLN director, continues to work with other school districts in Lake County to encourage their participation in the program.

With a strong commitment to local foods and local farmers, Michelle Malm, food service director for Kelseyville Unified School District, has formed a close partnership with farmer Colleen Rentsch, who operates Seely’s Farm Stand. Malm’s program involves high school students who work on the farm with Rentsch to learn about agriculture, prepare the food from the farm, and then teach grade school students about agriculture that includes sampling the freshly prepared produce from the farm.

Marla Peterson, food service director at Konocti Unified School District, has been including local produce in the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to residents, and has been serving 800 meals per day throughout the summer. Peterson will continue purchasing local produce when the school year begins.

Funding from the California Endowment is enabling the HLN to contract with the Lake County Marketing and Economic Development Program to administer a Local Food Assessment for Lake County, which will gather data about local farm production, where local food is available, where it is needed, and more, with a goal of developing a local food guide in the future.

The Lake County Community Co-Op (LCCCo-Op) offers members a monthly subscription to weekly boxes of locally grown organic produce from local organic farms, locally backed breads, and dry goods, with pick-up locations in Clearlake, Middletown, and Lakeport. LCCCo-Op also is collaborating with the Highlands Senior Service Center (HSSC), the city of Clearlake, and the the Konocti Unified School District (KUSD) in creating a community garden at the HSSC in Clearlake.

The Lake County Hunger Task Force is a group of volunteers who oversee several community gardens planted around Lake County with the purpose of donating the produce to local food banks and senior centers. The group is always seeking volunteers to help work in the gardens, who then get to share in the harvest. The task force also holds canning lessons in the fall and provides informational outreach about food programs in Lake County at the farmers’ markets.

Food policy council, county efforts

To address the issues of sustainability in Lake County, in August 2008, the Lake County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal sponsored by District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing to initiate sustainability and local self-reliance efforts and directed staff to form the Lake County Food Policy Council. The Council meets monthly to work on food-related issues in Lake County. Membership ranges from concerned citizen to local restaurants, agriculture groups to health-related organizations, and farmers to consumers. Currently, subcommittees have been formed on assessing software for a local food distribution and ordering system, completion of the local food assessment, community engagement, and food storage and distribution.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) also is committed to sustainability issues in Lake County. On Sept. 9, LCSO will be holding a local vendor workshop at the Lake County Jail/Hill Road Facility, 4913 Helbush Drive in Lakeport, where booths will be set up displaying the items purchased by the department including food items and fresh produce. Local farmers who are interested in selling to the Lake County Jail, as well as other businesses, are invited to attend the open house. Staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Local processing center

Local farmers have another option to extend their growing season with the opening of the Lake Added Value Agricultural Center (LAVA Center), a licensed commercial facility to process private label items. Owned and operated by Ted Herrera and Maria Giovanni, owners of Teo’s Lakeside Bistro in Nice, the agricultural products they transform are minimally processed to increase the shelf life by incorporating the fruits, vegetables, or nuts into a unique formulation that is exclusive to each farmers’ brand.

Teo’s Lakeside Bistro utilizes the processed spreadable fruit and syrups from local farms on its breakfast menu and offers them for sale and will host Tapa’s Thurdays beginning Sept. 10, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., 2570 Lakeshore Boulevard in Nice. Tapas made from locally sourced farm-fresh ingredients will be paired with wines from a rotating roster of Lake County wineries.

As the local food movement in Lake County continues to grow, the Lake County Marketing and Economic Development Program continues to support local farmers through the agritourism development and farm products promotion program, helping to preserve and promote Lake County’s

agricultural heritage now and in the future.

Farmers’ markets and farm stands in Lake County

Farmers’ Markets

Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market

Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., beginning Aug. 18 through last Tuesday in October

At Kelseyville Lumber, 3555 N. Main Street, Kelseyville, CA 95451

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. - noon, first Saturday in May through last Saturday in October

At Steele Wines, 4350 Thomas Drive, Kelseyville, CA 95451

www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org

Friday Night Farmers’ Market

5 p.m. - 8 p.m., June 5 – Oct. 16

Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422

www.clearlakechamber.com

Upper Lake Thursday Night Market

Main Street Upper Lake, CA 95485

Thursday nights, Aug. 6 – Sept. 24, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

(707) 275-2307

Coyote Valley Farmers’ Market

Coyote Valley Community Plaza, Hartmann Road, Hidden Valley Lake, CA 95467

through Oct. 29, 5 p.m. - dusk

(707) 694-8584

Middletown Thursday Night Market

Highway 29 and Wardlaw, Middletown, CA 95461

Through Aug. 27, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

(707) 987-9500

Farm stands

Barber’s Country Farm

Registered organic nursery featuring vegetable, herbs, and flower plants in containers. Organic heirloom tomatoes and a variety of organic vegetables in season. Open seven days per week April 15 - June 15; Wednesday - Saturday, June 16 - October. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., also at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market, Friday Night Farmers’ Market, Coyote Valley Farmers’ Market, the Lake County Community Co-op’s CSA boxes, Nature’s Food Center in Lakeport, and is utilized by the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville. 4680 Clark Drive, Kelseyville, CA 95451, (707) 349-2518

Barrett Farms

CCOF certified organic, home of Walnut Central, By Cracky It's Jackies’ Farm Fresh Eggs, and Clucky Plucky Poultry. Certified organic walnuts, chicken eggs, Guinea fowl eggs (seasonal), meat chickens, Guinea fowl, and pheasant. Available at Nature’s Food Center and Fastop in Lakeport, Darling's in Kelseyville, the San Rafael Farmers' Market, St. Helena Farmers' Market, and Napa Downtown Farmers' Market. PO Box 151, Finley, CA 95433, (707) 263-4211, www.barrettfarms.com

Cow Mountain Kiko Goats Home of the “Brush Busters”

The Brush Buster Goats for fuel load reduction, habitat enhancement, and weed abatement; USDA meats; fresh flowers, herbs, and berries. Willow for basket weaving. Restoration work. P. O. Box 51, Lakeport, CA 95453, (707) 262-1577, www.cmkikogoats.com

Dancing Tree People Organic Orchard & Garden

Organic walnuts; Market Garden with organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs assisted by pygmy goats and chickens. 1445 Pitney Lane, Upper Lake, CA 95485. Available at the farm by appointment.

(707) 275-8892, www.dancingtreepeople.com

F&G Farms

Fresh, hard-to-find greens, seasonal produce, and berries. Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market and at the farm by appointment.

4690 Skylar Lane, Kelseyville, CA 95461, (707) 279-6020

Full Moon Produce Farms

Fresh organic produce available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market and at the farm by appointment. PO Box 1654, 2000 Smith Lane, Kelseyville, CA 95451, (707) 245-5779

G Bar G Ranch

Lake County Mountain Pears, Bartlett and bosc, gourmet packs and condiments. Call for direct sales or order online. P.O. Box 317, Finley, CA 95435, (707) 279.0950 or (707) 279.1910,

www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org/pears.htm

Glo’s Glee Dairy Goats and Organic Garden

Organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants; Raspberries, grapes, figs, pomegranates, nuts, pumpkins, tomatoes, garlic, beans, cucumbers, squash, okra, basil, arugula, red potatoes, and much more. Glo’s goat milk soap and herbal salves. Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market.

PO Box 743, Lower Lake, CA 95457, (707) 987-2888

Green Horse Wheatgrass Farms

For over 10 years, the largest wheatgrass farm in Northern California has produced organic wheatgrass, sunflower shoots, and pea greens from their farms in Middletown. Offering incredible service, with all

deliveries made by the owner, including home delivery. Service area includes Lake, Napa, Marin, and Sonoma counties. Available by delivery for retail, wholesale, and juice bars. PO Box 972, Middletown, CA 95461-0972, (707) 477-5691, www.greenhorsewheatgrass.com

Hanson Ranch

Produce stand and direct sales of several varieties of Lake County pears, dried pears and walnuts. Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., August – November. 3360 Merritt Road, Kelseyville, CA 95451, (707) 279-4761

Hrutky’s Egg Ranch

Fresh eggs for sale. See chickens, egg room, chicks when brooding as an educational experience. Open 8 a.m. -3 p.m., Tuesdays and Saturdays, year round. 2750 Old Highway 53, Clearlake, CA 95422, (707) 994-2317

Jaguar Garden Nursery

Annuals, perennials, nursery stock, certified wine grape rootstock, bedding and landscape plants, trees. Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market and the Friday Nite Farmers’ Market; call

for direct sales. Lower Lake, CA 95457, (707) 995-5218, www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org/jaguar.htm

Leonardis Organics

CCOF certified organic fruits, vegetables, walnuts, and eggs; call for direct sales year round, including fall and winter crops. Jim will pick to order to ensure you the freshest produce. Available at Nature’s

Food Center in Lakeport, Lake County Community Co-op’s CSA boxes, Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op, Mariposa Market in Willits, Santa Rosa Community Market, and is utilized by Zino’s Ristorante in Soda Bay, Nature’s Bounty in Lakeport, Kelseyville School District, and Konocti School District.

1010 Argonaut Road, Lakeport, CA 95451, (707) 263-4245

Les Jardins du Bateau/The Gardens of the Boat

Orchard, berries, and gourmet produce with a creekside tasting area. 9435 Rue Du Bateau, Upper Lake, CA 95485. U-Pick by appointment, (707) 272-2306

Loasa Farms

Olive oil, olives, nursery stock, and vegetables. Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market, and the Mendocino County Farmers’ Market in Laytonville, Ukiah, and Willits. Call for direct sales.

PO Box 447, Kelseyville, CA 95451, (707) 278.0542

Love Farms

Hay baling and wool spinning; seasonal fruits and vegetables; fresh eggs from happy free-ranging hens. Farm operates on solar and wind power, as well as draft horses to bale the hay. Available at Kelseyville

Certified Farmers’ Market, Nature’s Food Center in Lakeport, the Lake County Community Co-op’s CSA boxes and in egg dishes at Molly Brennan’s in Lakeport. 8025 Highway 175, Kelseyville, California 95451, (707) 349-7880, www.lovefarms.net

Morgan Valley Produce and Socora’s Salsa of Lake County

Pesticide-free heirloom tomatoes, vegetables, melons, herbs, fresh-cut flowers, Socora’s Chorizo seasoning, and Lake County’s California State Fair 1st place award winning tomato salsas! Socora’s Salsas 16 ounce jars are available in mild, spicy, or hot. Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market, Friday Nite Farmers’ Market, and Coyote Valley Farmers’ Market; call for direct sales. PO Box 373, Lower Lake, CA 95457, (707) 994-5043, www.socorassalsa.com

Renker Farms

Fruits, vegetables, flowers, and agriculture-related gifts and crafts available. Open daily June 15 - November 30, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 2297 Argonaut Road, PO Box 102, Kelseyville, CA 95451, (707) 279-4409

RB Honey/Robert Landrum

Lake County honey. Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market, Friday Night Farmers’ Market, Nature’s Food Center in Lakeport, Darling’s Vitamins in Kelseyville, Seely’s Farm Stand in

Upper Lake, and other area stores. Call for direct sales. PO Box 2272, Clearlake, CA 95422, (707) 995-0260

Scotts Valley Farm

Fresh, free-range eggs. Available also at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market. Available year round, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 3489 Scotts Valley Road, Lakeport, CA 95453, (707) 263-4122

Seely’s Farm Stand

Featuring locally grown fruits including pears, peaches, and apples; large variety of local seasonal produce, fresh cut flowers, pumpkins, gourds, decorative corn and cornstalks; and locally produced products: salsa, honey, jams, jellies, and cheese. Open Memorial Day Weekend - Thanksgiving, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily. 80 E Hwy 20, Upper Lake, CA 95485, (707) 275-0525

Sky Hoyt Specialty Grower

Seasonal produce including onions, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, melons, watermelon, leeks, snap peas, winter squash and more, basil, strawberries, figs, rare fig trees, creamy sorbet, and pesto. Available

at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market, the Mendocino County Farmers’ Market in Ft. Bragg, Ukiah, and Willits, and at Harvest Market in Ft. Bragg; call for direct sales. Lakeport, CA 95453, (707)

279-0859

The Clark Family

Seasonal produce including corn, cucumbers, peas, beans, tomatoes, summer and winter squash, and other vegetables. Picked fresh for you. Open daily May through beginning of November; call for exact dates. 9650 Kelsey Creek Drive, Kelseyville, CA 95451, (707) 279-4343

The Hue De Laroque Farm

Registered organic produce. Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market, Coyote Valley Farmers’ Market, and the Lake County Community Co-op’s CSA boxes. 16546 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423, (707) 998-4832

Bodega & Yerba Santa Goat Cheese

Award-winning goat cheese hand made from fresh goat milk and without preservatives or additives using vegetarian rennet, high-quality cultures, and organic herbs. Available at the Kelseyville Certified

Farmers’ Market, the Mendocino County Farmers’ Market in Ft. Bragg, Mendocino, and Willits, and the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market in San Francisco; call for direct sales. PO Box 1048, Lakeport, CA 95453, (707) 263-8131, www.cuesa.org/markets/farmers/farm_10.php

Yoxagoi Orchards/The Purple Pear

CCOF certified organic pears and other produce. Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers’ Market and the Lake County Community Co-op’s CSA boxes. Call for farm stand hours of operation; available

for shipping. 3545 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport, CA 95453, PO Box 838, Kelseyville, CA 95451, (707) 279-4949

For more information on local farms and markets offering fresh Lake County products, or to request a copy of the Lake County Farm Trails Discovery map, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at (800) 525-3743.

For more information on Chic Le Chef or the Lake County Chef’s Coalition, contact Julie Hoskins at (707) 987-9664 or www.chiclechef.com .

For more information on the Lake County Food Policy Council, or to be identified as a local farm or restaurant utilizing Lake County products, please contact Terre Logsdon at (707) 263-2580.

For more information on the Lake County Community Co-Op, visit www.lakecountycommunityco-op.wikispaces.com .

For more information on the Lake County Hunger Task Force or to volunteer, contact Lorrie Gray at (707) 277-9227.

For more information on the Lake Value Added Agricultural Center or Teo’s Lakeside Bistro, contact Ted Herrera at (707) 350-3907.

LAKEPORT – The Board of Supervisors will continue its discussion on the sheriff's office's use of a helicopter under a federal grant and will look at possible funding sources to prevent invasive, destructive mussels, and deal with algae and aquatic weeds.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the board chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. TV Channel 8 will broadcast the meeting live.

The agenda can be downloaded at www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/BOS_Agendas.htm .

Last month, the board made it clear that no county employees are to fly aircraft on county time. The decision followed a June forced landing by a helicopter the sheriff's office rented that was being piloted by Lt. Dave Garzoli, as Lake County News has reported.

The sheriff's office had stated its intention to have a staffer trained for flying in an operational plan submitted to the DEA which hasn't historically been given to the board.

At 2 p.m. Tuesday, the board – which is waiting for the sheriff to provide additional fiscal and other records – will consider taking possible further action relative to administration of the sheriff's Drug Enforcement Agency grant, which funds the helicopter rentals for illicit marijuana searches.

They're also considering charging Garzoli – whose rank has since been reduced to sergeant – for time he was practicing for his pilot's license under the grant's auspices, according to statements made at the July 14 board meeting.

As of Friday, no staff report was ready on the item.

At 11:15 a.m., the board will discuss possible funding sources as it attempts to combat aquatic weeds and algae, and keep quagga and zebra mussels out of Clear Lake.

The board will look at sources both within the county's existing funding resources as well as the possibility of other funding – such as grants – as it works to protect the lake.

Other items on the agenda include the following.

Timed items:

9:15 a.m.: Discussion/consideration of the 5-Year Transportation Master Plan for Road Repair, Rehabilitation and Replacement.

9:45 a.m.: Public bid opening – sale of county real property located at 14102 East Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, consisting of approximately 3.04 acres (APN 06-550-24).

10 a.m.: Public hearing, (a) discussion of the fiscal year 2009/2010 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Economic Development Allocation, California Community Economic Enterprise Fund application; and (b) consideration of an application in the amount of $300,000 under the economic development allocation for the following eligible activities: $170,000 to provide funding for revolving business loan activities to make low-interest loans to local businesses; $50,000 in funding for microenterprise technical assistance to help fund business assistance to small businesses; $34,000 to fund a facade improvement program to be used to enhance the facade of businesses located along the main downtown business district of the unincorporated communities of Cobb, Kelseyville,

Lower Lake and Middletown; $46,000 for general administration and activity delivery.

10:15 a.m.: (a) Presentation regarding the harmful affects smoking has on the health of adults, children and the environment; and (b) consideration of request to adopt an ordinance regulating smoking in county parks and certain public places.

10:45 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed exchange of real property owned by the county of Lake located at 20931 Big Canyon Road, Middletown (APN 014-490-13), with real property owned by the Middletown Unified School District located at 21256 Washington St., Middletown (APN 024-411-01) (county to provide property plus $60,000 in exchange for District’s property).

11 a.m.: Presentation of 2008 Agricultural Crop Report.

1:30 p.m.: Hearing, appeal of vicious animal abatement order, located at 6565 Estates Court, Kelseyville (Nichole Johnson). Continued from July 14.

Non-timed items:

– Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.

– Discussion/consideration of proposed contract between the county of Lake and Lake County Community Action Agency (LCCAA) for the provision of alcohol and drug counseling services to Lake County adolescents attending New Beginnings Highland High School for Fiscal Year 2009/2010, in an amount not to exceed $100,000.

– Discussion/consideration of request to approve the job description for a sheriff’s community services technician position (formally tilted public service officer), and implement the position on a 900-hour basis.

Consent agenda:

– Appoint Debra Newberry Puterbaugh to the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Advisory Board for a term ending on Jan. 1, 2011.

– Appoint Edward Smith to the Spring Valley CSA #2 Advisory Board for a term ending on Jan. 1, 2011.

– Approve agreement between the county of Lake and the Kelseyville Business Association for funding of a downtown Kelseyville lighting project in the amount of $20,000, and authorize the chair to sign.

– Authorize the registrar of voters to render all services necessary to conduct the city of Lakeport’s Measure “C” election on November 3, 2009, pursuant to Resolution No. 2368 (2009), adopted by the Lakeport City Council on Aug. 4, 2009.

– Approve revision and update to the Equal Opportunity Employment Plan for the Sheriff’s Department and authorize the chair to sign.

– Adopt Resolution No. _____ approving Final Parcel Map and the signing of the final parcel map (Mitchell).

– Approve requests and order consolidation of the following Districts' Elections with the General District Election to be held on Nov. 3, 2009: Board of Trustees of the Mendocino-Lake Community College District; Lake County Board of Education; Board of Trustees of Kelseyville Unified School District; Governing Board of the Lakeport Unified School District; Governing Board of the Lucerne Elementary School District; Governing Board of the Upper Lake Union High School District and Governing Board of the Upper Lake Union School District, pursuant to their respective Resolutions.

– Approve requests and order consolidation of the following Districts' Elections with the General District Election to be held on Nov. 3, 2009: Board of Directors of the Anderson Springs Community Services District; Board of Directors of the Butler-Keys Community Services District; Board of Directors of the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District; Kelseyville Fire Protection District; Board of Directors of the Lake County Fire Protection District; Board of Directors of the South Lake County Fire Protection District; Board of Directors of the Buckingham Park Water District; Board of Directors of the Callayomi County Water Disrict; Board of Directors of the Clealake Oaks County Water District; Board of Directors of the Cobb Area County Water District; Board of Directors of the Konocti County Water District; Board of Directors of the Scotts Valley Water Conservation District and Board of Directors of the Upper Lake County Water District, pursuant to their respective Resolutions.

– Approve Modification No. 006 (increasing federal funding) to the 2009 Operating and Financial Plan for the Controlled Substance Operations Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the US Forest Services and authorize the chair to sign.

– Approve easements deed and direct clerk to certify for recordation (APN 008-039-14 – Walter G. Lyon, Trustee and Madeline M. Lyon, Trustee; and APN 008-062-32 - Kerri A. Oldiser); and approve Right-of-Way Agreement between the County of Lake and Walter G. Lyon, Madeline Lyon and Kerri A. Oldiser for construction of a sanitary sewer line and authorize the chair to sign.

The board also will hold a closed session for labor negotiations, a performance evaluation for Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart, and conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation, bankruptcy of Boeger Land Investments LLC.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT – The Lakeport City Council will consider a façade program owner participation agreement and consider leasing redevelopment property to the Lake County Fair when it holds its regular meeting this Tuesday.

The council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda and supporting staff reports are posted online at www.cityoflakeport.com/departments/docs.aspx?deptID=88&catID=102 .

Convening jointly as the council and Lakeport Redevelopment Agency, the council will approve a façade program owner participation agreement and easement documents between Peggy C. Campbell and the Lakeport Redevelopment Agency.

The council also is expected to approve the Lake County Fair request to use the Redevelopment Agency property at 902 Bevins Court subject to execution of a lease agreement with conditions.

Under the consent agenda, the council will approve the warrant register; minutes of the regular City Council meeting of Aug. 4 and the special City Council meeting of Aug. 11; reject claim of Mark Paradise presented to the City on July 29 on the advice of REMIF and City Attorney Steve Brookes; adopt Resolution No. 2369 (2009) authorizing an increase in work hours for City Clerk/Treasurer Jane Chapman; approve agreement between the county of Lake and the city of Lakeport pertaining to the transfer of ownership of the watercraft cleaning station; and receive and file building permit report for July.

In public presentations, the Lakeport Rotary Club will ask the council to approve the application for its annual Konocti Challenge bicycle event, which will start at the Lake County Yacht Club on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3. The council also will consider an application for the Lake County Fair Parade from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3.

Following the public portion of the meeting, the council will hold a closed session for labor negotiations, as well as to discuss a case of potential litigation and one pending lawsuit, City of Lakeport v. Vincent.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE – The Clearlake City Council will discuss acquiring a decontamination station to help prevent invasive mussels and look at other budget-related items when it holds its next meeting Thursday.

The council will gather for a closed session with labor negotiators at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive. The public portion of the meeting will follow at 6 p.m.

The council will consider acquiring a decontamination station for quagga mussel prevention from the county of Lake. The county has agreed to give one of the units to the city of Lakeport, but a report from City Administrator Dale Neiman said Clearlake doesn't have the staff resources to operate the unit.

Also on the agenda is a public hearing to consider the adoption of the 2009-10 fee schedule, which is part of the city budget approved last month. The impacts of the state budget on the city budget will be discussed.

Neiman will take to the council a proposal to assume some responsibilities for animal control services, and a proposed agreement with the county for services the city won't take on.

Two public hearings on public nuisance abatements are scheduled, along with a status report on the amendment of the redevelopment plan.

The council will decide whether to support two resolutions that will be presented at the League of California Cities annual conference.

Also on the agenda is the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Jim Honegger in recognition of his contribution to the new crosswalk sign program.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..