LAKEPORT, Calif. – A special meeting of the Lakeport City Council will be held on Monday evening to honor a long-serving city official.

City Clerk Janel Chapman will be the honoree at the meeting, which will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The council will present Chapman with a proclamation honoring her years of dedicated service and contributions to the city.

Chapman has served the city as clerk for many years and also teaches at Mendocino College.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated in response to the Valley fire that started in the Cobb Mountain area on Saturday afternoon.

The county of Lake is still under a declaration of local emergency that was issued on July 31 for the Rocky fire, officials said.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors extended the emergency on Sept. 1 to cover all fires in Lake County.

Lake County Office of Emergency Services reported that shelters have been opened at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church at 5340 3rd St. in Kelseyville and at the Napa County Fairgrounds at 1435 N Oak St, Calistoga.

Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, or LEAP, has been activated for animal evacuations. Lake County Animal Care and Control is being used as a staging area, 4949 Helbush Drive next to the Lake County Jail. 

Animal control phones are open until further notice at 707-263-0278.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Services has a prerecorded information line set up at 707-263-2360, and will be posting the most up-to-date information on the Lake County OES Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LakeCountyOES and Twitter page at https://twitter.com/lakecountyoes .

Residents will be notified of evacuations by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office through a variety of ways, including CityWatch 911 reverse telephonic messaging, personal door-to-door notification, and Nixle Alerts.

Residents can sign up for CityWatch at http://www.lakesheriff.com/ by choosing “Public Resources” and selecting “Emergency Notification”s from the menu. 

Sign up for Nixle Alerts from the Lake County CA Sheriff’s Department at https://local.nixle.com/lake-county-ca-sheriffs-department/ or text your zip code to 888777 for mobile alerts.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Road safety, town beautification projects and a proposal for a Dollar General store were topics of discussion at the Middletown Area Town Hall this week.   

MATH held its regular meeting, which lasted an hour and a half, at the Middletown Library on Thursday evening.

At the meeting's start, Chair Fletcher Thornton gave an update on safety issues on Big Canyon Road and Santa Clara Road, which had been a topic of discussion at the August meeting. 

In August, community members attending the MATH meeting had raised issues with speeding, the safety of the roadways and concerns about the potential for accidents on the two roads. 

Thornton himself had been particularly concerned about Big Canyon Road, which passes along the Middletown Unified School District campus. He surmised that people heading to nearby Harbin Hot Springs were partially responsible for the heavy volume of traffic.

At Thornton's request, the county of Lake began to monitor the areas, putting out traffic measuring strips for a two-week period on both streets. The Lake County Public Works Department then provided Thornton with reports generated by that study.

In giving the group a synopsis, Thornton said speeds on Big Canyon Road averaged 33 miles per hour, with peak speeds of 55 miles per hour recorded in front of the school on a Friday. He said Sunday nights also were bad times based on speeds.

He reiterated his belief that Harbin visitors may be the cause of the traffic, but added of the study's conclusion, “It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.”

As for Santa Clara Road, which runs alongside the Middletown Central Park Association's arena, speeds on that road averaged between 28 and 44 miles per hour, with peaks of 55 miles per hour, he said.

Margaret Greenley, who lives on Santa Clara, pointed out that the traffic study strips on the street were placed in such a way that they didn't record some of the traffic in key areas, such as coming off of Lake Street.

Thornton said that as for solutions, what happens on Big Canyon Road largely will be determined by what the school district can do, adding he hopes the district will put up a sign to urge drivers to slow down.

In other business, Marlene Elder, who helped organize the effort to begin holding monthly free family movies in Middletown Square Park during the summer, updated the group on the next movie, “Bark Ranger,” to be held on Saturday evening. It's the last movie of the summer season.

Elder also brought to the group new projects to consider, including the installation of decorative arches for Middletown Square Park's entrances, which she said can be used for seasonal and event decorations; a marquee to announce events at the park, as well as the nearby library and senior center; and the introduction of a once-a-month summertime game night in the park. 

MATH members supported moving forward on exploring the three proposals, and Elder said she was willing to do the legwork to see what community groups – including churches – might be interested in taking turns hosting the game night events starting next year.

“I absolutely refuse to say it won't work,” Thornton said of the game night proposal.

He said Elder has proven him wrong too many times, with one of those times being the establishment of the monthly summer movie night, which he lauded during the meeting.

Thornton said he also had run the game night idea by the local charter school, which was interested in participating.

“I think it's worthwhile,” he said of the idea.

Dollar General considerations

The remainder of the meeting was spent largely on an update and a discussion about a proposal to locate a Dollar General store in Middletown.

Texas-based Cross Development, which builds stores for the Tennessee-based “small box” retailer, wants to construct a 9,100-square-foot Dollar General store at 20900 S. Highway 29.

Cross Development also submitted an application for a store on Main Street in Kelseyville, which the Lake County Planning Commission denied.

The Board of Supervisors late last month turned down Cross Development's appeal of the planning commission decision regarding the Kelseyville store proposal, with key issues revolving around design aesthetics and safety concerning traffic volumes in the area, which is near a school.

Thornton said he attended the Board of Supervisors meeting on the appeal, noting, “There was the normal emotional response, 'I don't like Dollar General, no matter what.'”

However, beyond that, he said other people brought up real issues about location and products the store sells, including alcohol and cigarette sales.

In June, MATH members voted to form a committee to study the Dollar General proposal, with Monica Rosenthal chairing the group.

On Thursday night, Rosenthal gave a synopsis of the Board of Supervisors' hearing on the Kelseyville store appeal, noting the Kelseyville community was very organized and prepared, and had a clear voice.

She said the committee hasn't met since the August MATH meeting took place, but has reached consensus via email discussions to suggest that the MATH Board respond to a request from the Community Development Department to give input on the project proposal to date, which as far as Rosenthal knew on Thursday didn't include a completed application to county planners.

Rosenthal said the committee recommends a negative declaration rather than an environmental impact report be completed, and that the project comply with the Middletown Area Plan.

At the August meeting, Thornton stated that he believed that a plan for MATH to take a vote on whether or not to endorse the project may be premature, and he raised that concern again on Thursday. 

He said he believed MATH should decide whether or not they want something in their down, adding, “The question is, are we ready to do that?”

Thornton said he believed doing so was premature because Cross Development hasn't submitted final project plans yet. “I don't know what they want to do.”

Joe Sullivan, a MATH member and Lake County planning commissioner, said he had spoken to Community Development Director Rick Coel, who indicated that Cross Development intended to move forward with submitting an application.

One attendee at the Thursday meeting, Gregg Van Oss, said he believed that some people who support bringing Dollar General to town aren't being represented because they don't attend the meetings. He said many people don't have time to participate.

Thornton said he has passed fliers around the town and worked on outreach, and doesn't buy the argument that people don't have time to attend community meetings. “If it's important, you make time.”

Another MATH Board member, Ken Gonzales, said MATH Board members' phone numbers are on the widely circulated agendas, and none of them have received phone calls from people who want the store.

Rosenthal pointed out that Middletown differs from Kelseyville in a key aspect when it comes to the Dollar General proposal. “We have two different voices on this particular project.”

She said Middletown isn't going to come together as neatly as Kelseyville did. However, “We as a community, we need to take a look at what we want this town to look at.”

If it isn't Dollar General, it could be another project down the line that poses similar issues, she said.

Thornton said he's not been happy with the proposal's design or location so far, adding his big concern is that the town will end up with something that will detract from its look.

Gonzales said he was in Santa Fe for a visit two weeks ago. While that city has malls with stores like Dollar General, he said such stores are kept out of the city's historic downtown. He suggested Middletown could take a similar approach.

Thornton asked the group if they should take a vote on the proposal, and members agreed they weren't yet ready to do so.

At one point, Van Oss said he wanted MATH to decide not to take a stand on the project. Thornton said they were not going to do that.

Rosenthal said both the Lake County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors want community input, but valid arguments are needed in addressing the project. Thornton said that's why he formed the committee – so MATH would know what valid arguments existed.

Elder asked if the group would get to see the plans. Thornton said yes; once plans are final and submitted, MATH will meet to discuss them so it can give the planning commission its input.

Sullivan emphasized that the entire process is transparent and open to the public. 

Rosenthal noted that MATH has some power, “And it's up to us if we decide to use it or not.”

As the meeting wrapped up, Thornton informed members that new Middletown Unified School District Superintendent Catherine Stone will attend the October MATH meeting, with Sen. Mike McGuire scheduled to be the special guest at the meeting in November.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake will move toward assuming all duties related to animal control, as directed by the city council during its regular meeting on Thursday night.

The city's current contract for certain animal control services with Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Clear Lake, or the SPCA, terminates on Oct. 1 at the behest of that organization, which has said it could no longer afford to offer the services for less than $1,700 a month.

“I think this is the only way we can afford to go,” Councilwoman Joyce Overton said.

Staff's recommendation identifies both short- and long-term solutions for providing animal control services in the city. 

The short-term strategy involves modifying the existing Public Works warehouse facility near the airport property. Half the storage area will provide for temporary shelter for the animal control facility. The city's temporary shelter was once located on the property. 

Folsom said approximately 10 new kennels will be purchased to replace the existing kennels; about 24 existing feline shelter will be reused.

Coverage, seven days a week, will be provided by existing staff including the field officer and Public Works personnel. Folsom said it is anticipated that volunteers will augment city staff while staff is on-site.

The long-term solution involves acquiring property to develop an animal control facility. 

Folsom said the city is currently investigating various properties that would be appropriate. 

He said initial estimates to purchase and build a sufficient facility, not including land, appear to be less than $250,000. 

The facility will be temperature-controlled and could house a significant number of dogs and cats, he said.

“Staff believes that the level of service that could be provided to the public would be significantly higher due to the closer proximity of the facility to the citizenry and the field services officer, as well as the city's ability to control the number of animals and types of animals that are being held,” Folsom stated. “By bringing it in-house the city can also administer administrative penalties that will both help to deter negligent pet ownership and help to pay for the cost of the program.”

The manner in which to provide animal control services has been a longstanding issue in the city involving contracting for services with the county of Lake and SPCA, and discussions that included the possibility of bringing services in-house. 

In the face of rising contract costs with the county, which were in excess of $200,000, the city in 2009 assumed the intake portion of animal control, while continuing to contract for shelter services. Per the agreement, which was not exceed $75,000 annually, the county only accepted animals from authorized personnel; animals delivered by residents of Clearlake were not accepted.

The 2009 strategy focused primarily on animals posing a danger to the public. It involved the creation of a new position and cross-training of another within the police department; the purchasing of an animal control vehicle and the necessity of building a permanent shelter facility was identified. 

In addition, the strategy was reliant on the assistance of volunteers as well as the Animal Coalition of Lake County. Several members of the organization and the animal welfare community opposed the plan in 2009.

In 2013, the city moved again to contract for facility services with SPCA at a cost of $20,000 per year. 

City Manager Greg Folsom said SPCA underestimated its costs to provide the service. Organization representatives met with the city several times in attempt to negotiate a higher fee. 

An agreement was not reached and Folsom said the SPCA provided a 90-day notice of termination on June 30, as required by the contract.

Staff presented to the council three other feasible options which it had been developing since receiving the notice of termination. 

Folsom said not providing animal control services is not an option as state law requires minimum services that include dealing with vicious dogs and animals that are a roadway hazard be provided.

The three additional options involved contracting services with:

– SPCA for $5,000 per month with additional costs for dog bite holds. The contract would be temporary to assist the city until January. Services would be limited to 30 dogs and 15 sick/injured cats per month. Folsom cited inefficiencies in the city's animal control officer driving to Kelseyville to deliver animals. Citizens also would have to make the drive to redeem their animals. Redemption fees, he said, are retained by the SPCA. 

– County of Lake for all-inclusive animal control services. The contract would include only required pick-ups and not stray animals. It would eliminate the city's field officer position. Citizens would have to go to Lakeport to redeem their animals and again redemption fees are retained by the county. The county's optional “Community Cat Program” would cost an additional $10,000 and is for drop-off only and feral cats are not allowed. Folsom said the city was near an agreement with the county in 2013 for $145,000 but the number was still being revised upward when the city contracted with SPCA. He said staff did not pursue an updated estimate because of the significant limitation inherent in the contract.

– County of Lake to provide animal control facilities only; the city would retain its field officer. Folsom said the proposal appears to be less expensive than the SPCA proposal, even considering the additional cost for the community cat program. However, he said, while the county will accept cats for dropoff, it will not pick up cats. Additionally, he said, there is a significant restriction of no more than six dogs at a time during the three-day holding period.

Folsom said the current budget for animal control is $89,550; estimated net annual operating cost is $147,800, resulting in an additional annual cost of $58,250, at a minimum.

He said there is little flexibility in the current budget, which will be maintained by: 

– Having existing staff manage the interim animal control facility, along with volunteers;

– Keeping the number of animals impounded and the length of the impound down to a level that keeps the program on budget;

– Using the $1,667 per month savings from the termination of the SPCA contract to cover other expenses;

– Building a revenue stream to offset additional expenses;

– Finding a creative way of financing the new facility so that it does not impact the general fund.

Folsom said the bond on the city's senior center building will be paid-off in July 2016. The bond payment of $117,204 is made in equal measure in January and July of each year. The final payment in July will be $58,602. 

“Therefore, $58,602 will be freed up from the general fund next fiscal year, and $117,204 on an annual basis thereafter that could be used to cover the increased cost of services,” he stated.

Members of the Animal Coalition and other animal advocates again voiced opposition to bringing services in-house, citing inadequate staffing and facility accommodations. 

Animal Coalition President Rita Doyle said cost estimates were too low and not feasible for success. She said $1,600 was never enough and the city should pay the SPCA more to continue services.

Linda Pallas recommended a more aggressive approach to gaining better compliance in requiring pet owner to spay/neuter their animals. 

She also addressed staffing levels. “It takes a lot more people than you have on staff right now,” Pallas said.

Another Animal Coalition member, Elaine Somit, emphasized the city's feral cat problem. 

“Whatever action is taken, you cannot ignore the (feral cat) problem. The feral cat problem has become exponential here,” she said.

The council was unanimous in providing direction to staff to move toward moving animal control services in-house.

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

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week is set to consider a proposal for the city to offer its own animal control services.

The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, to discuss litigation and negotiations for the city's 26-acre airport property and a property at 2185 Ogulin Canyon Road before convening in public session at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

City Manager Greg Folsom will take to the council the discussion on the animal control services item.

Folsom's report explains that the SPCA of Clear Lake – which has provided animal control services to the city since 2013 – provided a 90-day notice of termination to the city on June 30. As such, the contract ends on Oct. 1.

Since receiving that termination notice, Folsom said the city has explored a number of options, from not offering animal control services at all – which isn't an option according to state law – to entering into a new contract with the SPCA; contracting with the county of Lake for full services, which the city did up until 2009; or contracting with the county for facilities only.

A fifth option, which Folsom is recommending the council adopt, is bringing all animal control services in-house, including building a kennel facility.

In the short-term, the existing Public Works warehouse facility at the airport corporation yard would be modified for a temporary shelter facility, Folsom said.

“This is a significant policy decision that has been driven by budget for many years and has basically kicked the can down the road to the current situation,” Folsom wrote. “From staff's perspective, providing an in-house solution provides the highest level of service to the community and will be competitive on a cost basis with any other proposal.”

In other business, the council will hold a continued hearing on a zoning ordinance amendment to regulate telecommunication towers, antennae and related systems, and authorize the city's delegate to vote in support of the League of California Cities' proposed resolutions regarding a league bylaw amendment, compensation for prolonged electrical power outages, and overconcentration of alcohol and drug treatment facilities and residential rentals.

Also on the agenda will be presentations of proclamations in support of LakeCountyFilm.com and declaring September 2015 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; the minutes of the regular council meetings from Aug. 13 and 27; award of a $5,995 contract for asbestos and lead-based assessment with Geocon Consultants as part of the city's CalRecycle Illegal Disposal Site Abatement Grant; approval of a planning services with Price Consulting Services; contract with Price Consulting Services for planning services to complete the city's 2040 general plan update; an amendment to contract with Raney Planning and Management Inc. for preparing an environmental impact report for the Walmart expansion project; consideration of resolutions for employer paid member contributions for the Middle Management Association (two each) and the Clearlake Police Officers Association (two each); consideration of adoption of resolution 2015-27 authorizing the finance director to make only such interfund transfers as are required to close the books for the fiscal year ending 2015; and consideration of Resolution No. 2015-22, approving a temporary street closure for the annual Power to the Youth event on Sept. 20.

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.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall on Thursday will discuss public projects and events, and get an update from a committee that is exploring the proposal to locate a Dollar General in the town.

MATH will meet in the activity room at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St., beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.

Meetings are open to the community.

On the agenda are discussions of public improvement projects including the suggestion to install arches at the entrances to Middletown Park, with a marquee for the park also proposed.

There also will be consideration of creating a game night at the park.

Also on the agenda is an update from the group's Dollar General committee, formed earlier this year.

The committee has been looking at the proposal from Texas-based Cross Development to place a 9,100-square-foot Dollar General store at 20900 S. Highway 29.

At the August MATH meeting, committee Chair Monica Rosenthal explained that committee members had looked at the proposal and how it fits with the Middletown Area Plan.

Other agenda items include the approval of the Aug. 13 meeting minutes; discussion of the Oct. 8 agenda, featuring new Middletown Unified School District Superintendent Catherine Stone; and public comment.

The board of directors includes Chairman Fletcher Thornton, Vice Chair Claude Brown, Secretary Ken Gonzales, and members Charlotte Kubiak and Mike Tabacchi.

MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.

Meetings are subject to videotaping.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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.