LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The state judicial branch’s fiscal situation has resulted in the Lake County Superior Court making significant changes to its calendar, including moving all criminal matters to Lakeport, with traffic and small claims going to Clearlake.

Presiding Lake County Superior Court Judge David Herrick said the court calendar needed to be restructured in order to cope with continuing budget cuts.

The changes will go into effect Aug. 6, Herrick said.

Herrick told Lake County News that the local court has been planning changes for some time.

“The May revise has just made things more definite and gave us a specific number to work with,” he said.

Last month, the Judicial Council of California held an emergency session in the wake of Gov. Jerry Brown’s new budget proposal, which called for a $544 million reduction to the judicial branch in fiscal year 2012-13, as Lake County News has reported.

This most recent reduction follows four consecutive years of cuts totaling $653 million, according to the Judicial Council.

For context, the Lake County Superior Court budget for the current fiscal year totals just over $3.6 million, excluding grants and reimbursements, according to court officials.

“We have felt the cuts mightily here,” said Herrick. “It’s been very difficult to absorb.”

The new cuts on the horizon are going to be even worse, Herrick said.

The state judicial branch has dealt with the cuts that have occurred to date with a series of one-time fixes, but Herrick said there is an ongoing debate about how effective those fixes have been, and what the ultimate impact has been on the courts and the justice system.

So far, the Lake County Superior Court hasn’t been given a precise number for the budget reduction it can expect in the coming fiscal year, said Herrick.

However, he added, “It’s going to be a pretty huge number,” and to prepare the court is looking at different scenarios to address that bottom line number.

As part of the changes going into effect in August, Judge Stephen Hedstrom – who presides over Department 4 at the Clearlake courthouse at 7000 A South Center Drive – will move, along with the criminal calendar he oversees, to the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport, said Herrick. The courts take up the fourth floor of that building.

“That’s the main logistical component to the change,” Herrick said.

By moving Hedstrom and his caseload to Lakeport, Herrick said the court anticipates certain operational efficiencies will result, including no longer having to transfer inmates or criminal files to the south county court.

“The downside, of course, will be the terrible overcrowding we experience on the fourth floor will be enhanced,” Herrick said.

Herrick said Hedstrom will hear cases in of one of the four courtrooms in Lakeport, and may take over Herrick’s chambers at year’s end, after Herrick retires. Once Herrick has retired, Hedstrom will be the most senior judge in terms of years on the bench.

None of the other Lake County Superior Court judges – including Herrick in Department 1, Judge Richard Martin in Department 2 or Judge Andrew Blum in Department 3 – will be affected by the court calendar changes, Herrick said.

While Hedstrom moves to Lakeport and brings the remainder of criminal cases with him, all small claims, unlawful detainers and traffic matters – for the entire county – will be transferred to the Clearlake division, Herrick explained.

The new Clearlake court calendar will include child support cases on Mondays and traffic and unlawful detainers on Tuesdays. On the remaining three business days of the week, Herrick said the Clearlake court facility will be used on an as-needed basis.

Herrick said there are no layoffs planned among court employees. However, he said eight vacant positions won’t be backfilled.

The Judicial Council’s report last month on the state budget situation said the cuts it is facing in the coming fiscal year would force the courts to pull $300 million from trial court reserves and delay some court construction projects to realize another $240 million.

Lakeport’s new courthouse project – which the State Public Works Board approved on Friday – is among the projects being delayed.

Construction originally was to have begun in early 2014, with completion anticipated in fall 2015. However, Court Executive Officer Mary Smith said the Lakeport Courthouse project is being pushed back a year.

The project – currently estimated to cost nearly $56 million – also must reduce hard construction costs by at least 3 percent, based on the latest state requirements for the project.

Smith told Lake County News in a recent interview that the court already is working on making those reductions.

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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The State Public Works Board on Friday approved preliminary plans for the new Lakeport Courthouse for the Lake County Superior Court.

The new 50,000-square-foot courthouse is planned for a site at 675 Lakeport Blvd.

Designed by Mark Cavagnero and Associates, the new courthouse will replace the court’s current location on the fourth floor of the Lake County Courthouse, which is located on N. Forbes Street in Lakeport.

Friday's SPWB approval marks completion of the preliminary plans phase, which typically authorizes the project to proceed into working drawings, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

However, because of significant cuts to the California judicial branch budget proposed by the governor and currently under consideration by the Legislature for fiscal year 2012-13, the working drawings phase of this project may be delayed at least a year.

Court Executive Officer Mary Smith also told Lake County News in a recent interview that the superior court is working to make a 3 percent cut in hard construction costs ordered by the state. The project's current price tag is just under $56 million.

The new two-story, four-courtroom Lakeport Courthouse will feature the exterior use of stone veneer and architecturally exposed concrete, and will be built into the hillside so as not to obstruct the scenic view of the lake from the nearby visitors’ center.

Sustainability features will include natural day-lighting in courtrooms and public areas, on-site stormwater management, and an energy-efficient heating and cooling system.

The design of the new courthouse will reduce energy consumption by at least 15 percent and water use by at least 30 percent and will qualify the project for a LEED Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Construction was originally scheduled to begin in early 2014 and be completed in fall 2015, but that timeline is now subject to change depending on the outcome of the coming year’s state budget.

When construction proceeds, the project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs and thousands of dollars in indirect benefit to the local economy.

Before the project goes to bid, the construction manager at risk, Gilbane Building Co., will perform outreach to ensure that local subcontractors and suppliers have the opportunity to participate in prequalification and bidding. All qualified subcontractors, lower-tier subcontractors and suppliers will be considered.

Construction will be conducted with mitigation measures in place for air quality, noise, erosion and stormwater control, and other environmental considerations, as specified in the project’s environmental report under the California Environmental Quality Act.

The new courthouse will replace the current Lake County Courthouse, constructed in 1968. This overcrowded, shared-use building has substantial structural problems and significant security issues.

The new courthouse will provide safe and efficient services for visitors and staff, a jury deliberation room, a secure sallyport for the transport of in-custody defendants between the jail and the courthouse, and adequate space for court administration.

The project was ranked as an “immediate need” in the judicial branch’s capital-outlay plan, making it among the branch’s highest-priority infrastructure projects.

It is funded by Senate Bill 1407, enacted in 2008 to provide up to $5 billion in funding for new and renovated courthouses using court fees, penalties, and assessments rather than taxpayer revenues from the state’s General Fund.

As previously noted, the timing of the next phase of this project is unknown until the state Legislature resolves the budget for the coming fiscal year.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office said late Friday afternoon that its staff was continuing to investigate an alleged bank robbery that occurred in Kelseyville earlier in the day, with no suspect yet in custody.

Sgt. Steve Brooks said the incident occurred at approximately 12:39 p.m. Friday at the Kelseyville branch of Westamerica Bank.

Brooks said a male subject entered the bank and handed the teller a note demanding money.  

The suspect subsequently took just over $1,000 and left the bank, Brooks said.

The suspect claimed to have a firearm, however Brooks said no weapon was seen.

The suspect is described as a white male adult, approximately 45 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches tall and175 pounds, according to Brooks' report.

Brooks said the suspect had a medium build, dark hair and a smooth complexion. The suspect was wearing a dark-colored baseball hat, wraparound-style sunglasses, a dark-colored t-shirt with an olive green vest and blue jeans.

He also was carrying a maroon zippered bank bag when he left, Brooks said.

Numerous Lake County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies, detectives and command staff responded to the scene. Brooks said crime scene investigators also responded to the scene to collect evidence.  

This investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The county’s undersheriff received the OK from the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to seek a vendor to provide meals to the jail and juvenile hall in an effort to save money and staff time, and increase food safety.

Undersheriff Pat Turturici, accompanied by Lt. Greg Hosman, asked the board to support proposed changes in food service at the two correctional facilities, where hundreds of thousands of meals are served annually.

Specifically, Turturici said they wanted to issue a request for proposals in order to find a vendor capable of the “cook chill method,” which involves preparing food in a conventional method, portioning it out and then blast chilling it to preserve its freshness and protect against contamination.

Turturici said the change in process promises a reduction in the enormous food costs for the jail and juvenile hall.

However, due to the changes in state correctional law, which is sending more inmates to county jails who previously would have gone to state prison, there is another benefit to having an outside vendor prepare the food, according to Turturici.

“Currently we have inmates that help prepare the food,” he said.

Jail staff has found weapons in food containers. Inmates use knives while working in the kitchen, and Turturici said it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find inmates who are suitable for those cooking tasks.

“We’re turning into a mini prison and it’s causing concerns for us,” he said.

Food also is being stolen from the kitchen, taken outside or to the pods, which he said is contributing to significant food loss.

The right vendor would make sure the food meets the necessary requirements, and all meals would be prepared and sized the same, and sealed, he explained.

Turturici said it would be much like airline food. The food would come in sealed containers and then be microwaved. He estimated it would take about an hour to heat all of the meals.

The meals also would stay hotter longer, he said. “We’ve had a bit of a problem with the grand jury and Environmental Health in the past” because food was not warm enough.

In addition to keeping a constant inventory, not suffering food loss through theft or spoilage, and not having inmates continue to handle weapons, having a vendor handle food services also would be a benefit because all equipment – including ovens and trays – would be provided, said Turturici.

Currently the jail loses as many as five food trays – which cost just under $14 each – on a weekly basis because inmates write graffiti on them or otherwise damage them, he said.

Significant savings estimated

Hosman estimated that the per-tray cost for adult inmate meals will be $1.50, with juvenile costs per-meal at $3.60. Turturici said the juvenile food costs aren’t set in stone, and while children do have more nutritional requirements, he believed the costs could be reduced still further.

Hosman said they were seeking a three-year contract with two one-year extensions, and asking the vendor to supply all hardware, including ovens. However, Turturici said the jail would keep its current kitchen operable in case of emergencies, as it’s the largest commercial kitchen in the county.

He estimated the county could save $175,000 in the first year and up to $650,000 over the first five years, which both he and Hosman said were very conservative figures.

Those savings encompass food costs, equipment replacement, staff overtime and workers compensation, and reduced liability, they said.

Supervisor Jim Comstock asked if staff layoffs would result. Turturici said no, they would keep their three cooks.

Supervisor Denise Rushing asked if they were working with local food suppliers and a regional food hub.

“I want to make it clear, this is a specialized field,” said Turturici, who didn’t see Rushing’s suggestion of finding a local vendor as an option.

Hosman and Turturici reported that they have an average of 273 inmates a day in the jail, which totals 819 meals a day, and 298,935 meals annually.

Turturici said he’s conscious of the jail population’s size and is looking at alternative programs to keep the numbers down in an effort to save money.

He said the jail is understaffed and the staff that he does have needs to be able to focus on inmates’ safety and security. “We’ve got to get out of the restaurant business,” he said.

Turturici said going to a vendor was a “no brainer,” adding, “We’re wasting money.”

“If we can save this much money, I’m all for it,” said Supervisor Rob Brown.

Rushing agreed that it was OK for the jail to get out of the restaurant business, but wanted to see a local business benefit. She also wanted Turturici to talk to Susan Jen about farm to institutions food programs.

“With all due respect, we’re under a timeframe,” said Turturici, explaining they wanted to have the program started by August for the new fiscal year.

He also told the board he didn’t have time to do the research Rushing suggested because he’s busy running the sheriff’s office.

County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox said providing food to the jail is a bigger operation than local food groups have been doing, but that they may be able to take it on in the future. He agreed that it was “absolutely the right objective” to eventually bring it back to local vendors.

He said it would be easiest for Turturici to just ask for more money, and he suggested that not only should the board approve the request but commend Turturici for trying to control the out-of-control situation the state has thrown at them.

Lakeport resident Greg Scott, who said he had 30 years of experience dealing with firefighters and inmates, said the food costs proposed were “a heck of a deal.” He suggested the county could consider how to add local vendors in the future.

He also commended Turturici. “Finally, it’s nice to have some leadership in the sheriff’s department.”

The board approved Turturici’s request 5-0, adding Rushing’s requirement that they include in their request for proposals language encouraging local vendors.

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Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Monday announced the appointment of ten Judicial Council members, including seven new members and three reappointments.

All the appointments, except for one voting position, are effective Sept. 15.

Chaired by the chief justice, the Judicial Council is the administrative policy-making body of state courts.

The new voting members are Judge James R. Brandlin, Superior Court of Los Angeles County; Presiding Judge Sherrill A. Ellsworth, Superior Court of Riverside County; Presiding Judge David Rosenberg, Superior Court of Yolo County, and Judge David De Alba, Superior Court of Sacramento County. Judges Rosenberg and De Alba now serve as advisory members.

New advisory members are Presiding Judge Laurie M. Earl, Superior Court of Sacramento County; Judge Morris D. Jacobson, Superior Court of Alameda County; Presiding Judge Brian L. McCabe, Superior Court of Merced County; Mary Beth Todd, Court Executive Officer, Superior Court of Sutter County; Judge Charles D. Wachob, Superior Court of Placer County; and Judge Kenneth K. So, Superior Court of San Diego County. Judge So, a current voting member, has been reappointed to a one-year term as an advisory member.

Presiding Judge McCabe and Judges Jacobson and Wachob will fill new advisory positions approved by the Judicial Council in May 2012 to expand the geographical diversity of the council and gain input from a wide spectrum of judicial officers.

Created by the state Constitution, the Judicial Council consists of the chief justice, as chair, of 14 judicial members appointed by the chief justice, four attorney members appointed by the State Bar Board of Governors, one member from each house of the Legislature, and nine advisory members. The Administrative Director of the Courts serves as secretary to the council.