Last December, Assemblyman Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata) introduced AB 74. It was one of the first bills Chesbro introduced after being elected to his first term in the Assembly, as Lake County News has reported.

AB 74, the Middle Creek and Hamilton City Flood Damage Restoration and Ecosystem Act, seeks to restore Clear Lake habitat that includes open water, seasonal wetlands, in-stream aquatic habitat, shaded aquatic habitat and perennial wetlands. It would restore up to 1,400 acres of wetlands in the Clear Lake Basin.

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) coauthored the bill with Chesbro. AB 74 includes a subvention project for a levee on the Sacramento River in Hamilton City, located in Glenn County. AB 74 would authorize the state to provide subvention funds for both projects, Chesbro's office reported.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday turned down many bills, but AB 74 was approved.

The bill won unanimous bipartisan support from the Assembly’s Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, Chesbro's office reported.

On Friday, Chesbro visited Lake County. During the morning he toured the Middle Creek area with county officials including Supervisor Denise Rushing.

Rushing and County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox both lauded Chesbro for his efforts on behalf of Lake County, telling Lake County News they were impressed with his knowledge of the county's unique issues.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors sponsored AB 74, which also is supported by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Lake County Land Trust, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club Lake Group, West Lake Resource Conservation District, The Nature Conservancy, Glenn County Board of Supervisors, Reclamation District 2140 in Glenn County, Hamilton City Community Services District, Hamilton City Citizens In Action and the Hamilton City Fire Protection District.

AB 74 next heads to the Assembly floor for consideration by the full Assembly.

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

Kayakers enjoy birdwatching, scenic views and tranquility at Rodman Slough Regional Park, located on the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – Imagine, a series of trails encircling the perimeter of Clear Lake – both land and water-based – highlighting Lake County’s outstanding natural beauty, culture and history.

This dream took another step forward recently when the Lake County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Alta Planning to develop the Konocti Regional Trails (KRT) Master Plan. Alta Planning is a nationwide consulting firm specializing in developing trail master plans, greenways, multi-use hiking and community pathways.

For the past year, a stakeholder’s group under the direction of Kim Clymire, Director of Lake County’s Department of Public Services, has been developing the concept of the Konocti Regional Trails system in conjunction with a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service, River Trails and Conservation Assistance (NPS RTCA) program.

The land-based trails would provide hikers with scenic views of Clear Lake, Mt. Konocti, vineyards, low-lying valleys, small communities and distant wilderness areas. Wherever possible, plans are to use low-impact existing trails, utility easements, fire roads or fire breaks located on public lands, or on private lands of voluntary property owners; eminent domain is not a consideration.

The water “trails” would permit recreational kayakers and canoers to experience the same views, vistas and educational opportunities, but from a reverse perspective while fishing, bird watching or enjoying Lake County’s clean air.

Through the use of signage, the trails could provide educational opportunities and highlight geological, cultural and historical information, as well as promote economic development and agri/eco-tourism.

Over the next year, Alta Planning will compile existing and proposed trail information into the county GIS mapping database, work with community volunteers to assess proposed trails segments, develop a signage plan and design guidelines, and ultimately compile a proposed master trails and implementation plan.

This summer and fall, three community outreach meetings will be organized by Alta Planning and Lake County’s Community Development Department. The intent is to encourage and incorporate public comments, suggestions and feedback in the master plan development. Outdoor enthusiasts will also be given the opportunity to volunteer in trail development, reconnaissance and building. The first meeting is scheduled for June 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport, 255 N. Forbes St.

For more information, contact county project manager Rebecca Dierssen, Lake County Department of Public Services at 707-262-4293, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Links to all current trails/maps in Lake County is available at www.KonoctiTrails.com .

AB 479, introduced in January by Assemblyman Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata), would raise the waste stream diversion rate for cities and counties from the current 50 percent to 60 percent by Jan. 1, 2015, and then to 75 percent by 2020. It also would raise the mandatory quarterly landfill fee from $1.40 per ton to $3.90 per ton on or after Jan. 1, 2010.

In April, the board had discussed the bill and sent it to the county's Solid Waste Task Force for consideration, as Lake County News has reported.

Last week, the group met and reached unanimous consensus to oppose the bill, Public Services Director Kim Clymire told the board Tuesday.

Clymire was clear about his opposition to the bill, pointing out that the county already pays the state to use its own landfill and does other “maddening” things like sending waste board out to teach the county how to recycle. He added that the state waste board is a “parking space” for appointments.

Clymire also voiced frustration over the state pushing Lake County to increase its diversion rates, when it's already well below the state average.

He said that, with construction down, Public Services' revenue is down by 20 percent at the transfer station and landfill.

Otherwise, he said the county is meeting its diversion rates, has a strong recycling program and affordable curbside recycling, with rates averaging about $11 a month.

Deputy Public Services Director Carolyn Chavez told the board that, when the state calculated the county's diversion rates back in 1992, there were several factors it didn't take into account, from illegal dumping to a bad economy. At that point, people simply weren't using the landfills very much.

“It's really easy to bash the state bureaucracy because it's so bad,” said Board Chair Denise Rushing.

But Rushing urged fellow board members to work with Chesbro, who she agreed didn't reach out to the county to find out the bill's possible ramifications. But it's a two-way street, and Rushing said the county should now reach out to Chesbro.

She said a lot of the things that make it into the landfill are created and not easily recycled. “At the local level we make choices about what to buy, what to recycle.”

Rushing said the county shouldn't have to try to reach diversion levels that aren't attainable, but preferred that the board send a letter to Chesbro and state Sen. Patricia Wiggins explaining that there are issues that need to be addressed in rural areas.

Supervisor Jeff Smith said it's the consumers who will pay for the bill ultimately. “They're just looking for more money to offset their poor judgment in budgets,” he said of the state, noting members of the public have enough financial struggles now as it is.

Chavez said the state's measure of pounds of garbage per person per day for Lake County is 4.1, well below the 5.8 that is the state average. “Right now they're all scrambling to justify their jobs.”

Supervisor Jim Comstock said he strongly opposed the bill. “This is a tax and no society has ever taxed itself into prosperity,” he said.

Supervisor Rob Brown said he also is against the bill. Brown said if the county needed to, it can raise its own fees.

As far as bashing the state, he said his concerns were specifically about Chesbro, “who I don't think is representing us in this case.” Brown suggested Chesbro is more interested in the waste board, a body which Brown accused him of having “milked” for a long time.

Brown said there was no use in writing a letter about the current bill. “They can't write it to where I could support it.”

Supervisor Anthony Farrington suggested the legislation could be gutted to meet the county's needs. Like Rushing, he suggested working with Chesbro, who has introduced other legislation that will benefit the county directly, specifically, in the funding authorization for the Middle Creek Restoration Project.

Politics is “part of the game that we all have to play,” Farrington said, worrying about Middle Creek being derailed because of an adversarial position.

“I don't believe that's compromise, Tony,” Brown replied, saying Chesbro is garnering “too much good press” over Middle Creek.

Farrington reminded the board that several years ago they took a vote of no confidence on a legislator. “All we had was no representation from that point forward.”

County Administrator Kelly Cox told the board that he doesn't support AB 479 and thinks the board should oppose it, too.

However, Cox said they shouldn't interpret the bill as Chesbro not wanting to work for Lake County. “I think he doesn't realize what the actual impact of this legislation is.”

Translating the bill's impacts into actual dollars, Cox – quoting Clymire's report to the board – said it would result in the county's current annual landfill fees to the state jumping from $70,000 to $290,000, which would require a tremendous rate increase.

“I don't believe that he'd want to do that,” Cox said of Chesbro. “He's trying to help us in a lot of things. This is an area where we need to let him know what the concerns are.”

Comstock noted of legislation, “when it's good it's good, when it's bad, it's bad,” and they need to oppose it while taking out all the personality issues.

Brown moved to send a letter opposing the legislation. However, he agreed to amend his motion to draft a letter with a more middle ground approach suggested by Farrington, who proposed adding the stipulation that the county would oppose AB 479 unless it was changed to address the county's concerns. Rushing added that those amendments would need to take into account goals appropriate for rural areas.

Comstock seconded the motion, which was approved 5-0.

Chesbro spokesman Andrew Bird told Lake County News on Tuesday that he can't comment on the county's concerns until he sees the letter the board voted to send.

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CLEARLAKE – The Clearlake City Council is expected to offer initial comments on a proposal to partner with the Konocti Unified School District to build homes for the city's Homebuyer Program at its Tuesday meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The council will consider entering into a cooperative agreement with the district but is not expected to take action on the item, as the city is waiting for financial information from the district.

In his report to the council, City Administrator Dale Neiman, who also is executive director of the city's redevelopment agency, explains that he approached the district last year about the agreement.

“We will be building single family homes on property we own that would be sold to low- to moderate-income residents as part of the Homebuyer Program,” Neiman's report states.

At the same time, the district is planning to initiate their construction trades work experience program for high school students in September, he explained.

The district and agency are still working out one issue in particular, said Neiman. Initially, the district proposed that the redevelopment agency reimburse them for all of their labor and supervisory costs for an employee who would handle the construction work.

Neiman said the agency is proposing to pay for the cost of an appraisal on each home – not including the land value, developer impact fees and extension of utilities to the property line. After the cost of materials and contractors fees are subtracted, that value would be divided between the agency and the school district.

The school district's revenue streams from the Regional Occupational Program and its average daily attendance should help support the staffer running the construction trades program, Neiman suggests.

Other items on the agenda include:

– Consideration of providing financial assistance to support the Youth Fishing Derby.

– An appeal to live in a travel trailer on a single family residential lot.

– A financial audit for the city and the redevelopment agency for the fiscal year ended June 30.

– Consideration of the priorities for the city and redevelopment agency.

– Elimination of the building inspector II position and status report on the 2009-10 fiscal year budget preparation.

– Public hearing to consider confirming the assessment for administrative penalties for failure to abate a public nuisance.

– Public hearing to consider abating a nuisance at 15889 25^th Ave., Clearlake, Cecil and Raynette Hendricks.

The council also will hear presentations from Cathy Wilson on the May 9 “Clean Up Clearlake” day and Valerye Anderson of Tuleyome.org on the Berryessa Snow Mountain Economic Report.

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County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox took to the board a proposal to make the loan out of the county's building and infrastructure designated reserve in an effort to pay $2.3 million in outstanding invoices

Those bills are owed to county departments, service providers and other private vendors, according to Cox's report to the board. The list of obligations includes amounts owed to hospitals, residential treatment centers and psychologists.

Mental Health is a department that is self-funded through reimbursements for services, but state audits have found that the department received reimbursements several years ago to which it wasn't entitled. That's resulting in the state now withholding current reimbursements, Cox told the board Tuesday.

Last week, the board transferred realignment funds to the department, a few weeks after it approved a proposal by Mental Health Director Kristy Kelly to eliminate 18 positions in the department. Three extra-time staff also were eliminated, as Lake County News has reported.

While the realignment funds helped repay some of the department's bills, “that still leaves a significant balance unpaid,” said Cox, explaining the reasoning behind the $1 million loan.

Mental Health would then be required to make quarterly payments, beginning Dec. 31, Cox said.

The department will now owe the county $2.4 million, said Cox. The board previously had approved a $2 million general fund loan to Mental Health – which is being repaid with $200,000 annual payments – and which the department has paid down.

Cox said he didn't know of an alternative to help Mental Health. “I'm reluctant to recommend it but I believe it's necessary to do this.”

There is another issue at play as well, with Mental Health approaching a deadline by which it needs to make its vendor payments or else be disqualified from government reimbursements.

Board Chair Denise Rushing asked what changes are being made in the department's running. Cox said they're replaced a difficult computer system used for submitting claims and have completed thorough financial reviews to make sure the same problems don't happen again.

Cox noted that the state currently is withholding an “incredible amount” of money from Mental Health because of the overpayments. He said Mental Health has told him they believe they've gotten through the worst of it, and he'll be watching them like a hawk.

Supervisor Anthony Farrington brought up using the building and infrastructure designated reserve for local infrastructure projects, suggesting the county could use the funds instead for its own stimulus program.

After the Mental Health loan is made, Cox said $2.5 million would still be left in the fund, which is a general fund reserve and not to be used for sewer or roads. He had recommended its creation years ago, and the county has been able to increase the amount it contains, although he doesn't know if they can in light of the state's fiscal crisis.

Supervisor Rob Brown suggested that the county paying its bills is an economic stimulus issue.

Rushing said she couldn't see a downside to Cox's proposal. Farrington said he wasn't in disagreement, but he wanted to check the pulse of the board about addressing county projects with the funds.

“My goal is going to be to infuse money back into that fund, one way or the other. I just can't guarantee it,” said Cox.

Brown offered the resolution, which the board approved 5-0.

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The agency reported that the new Web reports will begin on June 1. The site address is www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Environmental_Health.htm.

Users will be able to search and select the restaurants and food facilities by reviewing an alphabetical list or by communities from around Lake County, Environmental Health reported.

Barbara Loveless, Environmental Health's office services supervisor, said the Board of Supervisors asked the department to put the information together and make it available to the public. She said they looked at other similar agencies, such as that in Sonoma County, in updating the site.

She said a PDF of the inspection reports will be posted as soon as inspections are completed.

Environmental Health's three inspectors and one supervisor oversee between 340 and 350 facilities – restaurants, grocery stores, mini marts and fast food restaurants – around Lake County, Loveless said.

She said the number of inspections a facility receives is based on the potential risk for foodborne illness.

“The restaurants we're trying to do at least three times a year,” she said.

Larger grocery stores are inspected two or three times annually, with low-risk facilities inspected less frequently, Loveless explained.

“Everybody should have at least one a year,” she said.

The summary information that consumers will be able to find on Environmental Health's site beginning in June includes the number of major critical, minor critical or non-critical violations; a description of the critical and non-critical violations and reference to the code section; and whether the major critical violations were corrected on-the-spot during the inspection.

For more information contact Environmental Health at 707-263-1164.

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