CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday approved a list of road projects to submit to the state for funding and got an update from Public Works staff on the plans for road maintenance projects in the coming months.

The discussion on roads begins in the video above at the 3:23:20 mark.

Public Works Superintendent Michael Baker presented to the council the list of road projects staff proposed submitting to the California Transportation Commission for funding under Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

The list, in no particular order, includes:

– Meadowbrook area pavement rehabilitation project: $1.1 million.
– Pearl Avenue/Emory Avenue pavement rehabilitation project: $1.3 million.
– Highlands Park frontage improvement project: $516,000.
– Airport Road regional connector improvements: $1.2 million.
– Modoc/Second Street pavement rehabilitation project: $550,000.
– San Joaquin drainage improvements and pavement rehabilitation: $1.4 million.
– Dam Road roundabout: $4.6 million.

He said adopting the resolution containing the list of projects didn’t obligate the city to spend funds on the project.

City Manager Alan Flora said the list is supposed to include projects that would be completed in the next year. Work on Lakeshore Drive isn’t on the list because that project isn’t far enough along.

“This is an extremely optimistic project list,” said Flora, noting there is no penalty for adding extra projects. He said they were erring on the side of adding extra projects in, in hopes of getting the money.

Flora also noted during the discussion that the city is only eligible for funding for projects included on the list, which has to be submitted by May 1.

Councilman Russell Cremer asked if the projects were designed already. Flora said they were in various stages, with the city’s consulting engineer, Dave Swartz, adding that Meadowbrook is the farthest along.

Councilman Phil Harris was concerned about the city not being able to complete all of the projects within the coming year.

Later in the discussion, Harris said, “These proposed completion dates make me giddy,” and that he didn’t want to get let down.

Harris added that the city has a history of not doing things by certain dates, and he preferred to under promise and over deliver.

Swartz said that, realistically, they will see work on Emory, Pearl, Highlands Harbor and Highlands Park in the coming year.

“In the next 12 months, we’re going to tear up some ground,” Swartz said.

The council approved the resolution unanimously.

Baker also presented to the council the city’s road maintenance plan for this year.

The city’s road work is largely funded by its Measure V road tax.

He said his staff will start grading in the Avenues on May 6. They’re starting in that area due to the number of complaints and service requests as a result of heavy rains and lack of drainage.

“Some of those spots are pretty bad,” he said, and they need to be addressed quickly as they are creating issues for elderly residents with medical conditions.

He said his department is now working to hire more workers, with Public Works staff to be split into two crews: One crew of four to six people will do pothole repair, crack sealing and miscellaneous work, while the grading crew will include six to nine personnel.

Baker said the crews will work 10-hour days, Monday through Friday, and alternating Saturdays.

He said they are required by law to call DigAlert before starting grading work so that the utilities are marked. It usually takes about 48 hours for that process. In the meantime, crews will go out and trim trees and clean the right-of-way so equipment won’t be damaged.

Baker said they will build up the road base as part of the grading.

Pothole patching will start on Lakeshore Drive, move up Olympic Drive and come down Old Highway 53, Baker said.

In addition to their work plan, Baker said crews will respond to service requests.

Flora showed a map – which he said the city plans to post a map on its Web site – illustrating where the crews will be working.

He said grading work is expected to take place from 18th to 30th avenues.

Baker also let the council know that, in case of emergencies, the grading crew could be called off its work to assist elsewhere.

Cremer asked if the first phase of work will take the entire summer. Baker said no. Cremer followed up by asking about phase two.

Flora said the plan is to give the council and public a monthly update on progress and next phases. He said the city is changing its technique a little this year as it tries to accomplish more road work than it did last year.

He said they want to see how much ground they can cover. “Having the two crews is really going to help.”

Cremer asked how long Baker expected it to take to complete pothole repair. Baker said the city is still waiting for delivery of its new asphalt hot box, which is being built. He reported that the manufacturer said they should hear something by next week.

As soon as the city gets that piece of equipment, Baker said the city repair crew will get to work.

“They’re going to be working hard, they’re going to be working 10-hour days, five to six days a week,” Baker said.

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.

042519 Clearlake City Counc... by on Scribd

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Thursday, in conjunction with more than 3.5 million public and private sector employers across the nation, the city of Clearlake participated in “Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day.”

Employees from all divisions, including the Clearlake Police Department, Public Works, Code Enforcement and administration, brought their children to work to show them the value of their education and help them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life.

The children spent a half day with the Public Works Department, learning proper equipment techniques and how roads are built.

They were then given a tour of the police department, where Det. Leonardo Flores taught them fingerprinting techniques and showed them to use the sirens and loud speakers in the vehicles.

They ended their day with a meeting with Councilmember Phil Harris, who taught them about the history of Clearlake and discussed the roles their parents play within the city of Clearlake.

NICE, Calif. – Authorities took a Kelseyville man into custody early Thursday after he was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.

Jose Villela, 35, was arrested following a traffic stop on the Northshore, according to Lt Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

At 12:30 a.m. Thursday a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy was driving on Highway 20 in Nice when he observed a vehicle travelling toward him with its high beam headlights on, Paulich said.

Paulich said the driver of the vehicle failed to dim the headlights and the deputy stopped the driver for the violation.

The deputy contacted Villela, the driver and only occupant of the vehicle, who told him that he was on post release community supervision for sales of a controlled substance, Paulich said.

Deputies conducted a search of Villela’s vehicle, locating approximately 2 ounces of suspected methamphetamine and one and a half ounces of suspected heroin, as well as a small amount of suspected cocaine hidden behind an air vent in the vehicle, according to Paulich.

Paulich said Villela was placed under arrest and transported to the Lake County Jail where he was booked on charges of possession of controlled substance and narcotics for sale, transportation of controlled substance and narcotics, and violation of post release community supervision.

Villela remains in custody on a no bail hold, according to jail records. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control is offering several dogs for adoption this week.

The following dogs have been cleared to go to new homes.

‘Cadbury’

“Cadbury” is a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix with a smooth medium-length beige coat.

She is No. 1215.

‘Macy’

“Macy” is a female Labrador Retriever mix with a smooth short black coat.

She already has been spayed.

She is No. 11.

‘Neve’

“Neve” is a female terrier puppy with a smooth medium-length white coat.

She is No. 1216.

‘Wynn’

“Wynn” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier with a short brindle coat.

He is No. 969.

Clearlake Animal Control’s shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53, off Airport Road.

Hours of operation area noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays.

Call Clearlake Animal Control at 707-994-8251, Extension 1, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or at the city’s Web site.

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.

The California Department of Public Health announced that consumers who have prescription drugs that are no longer needed or are expired can safely dispose of them on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Saturday, April 27.

Unused medications in homes create a public health and safety concern because they are highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, theft or misuse. The proper disposal of unused drugs protects the environment and helps save lives.

“We know that the majority of abused prescription drugs are from the home medicine cabinets of family and friends,” said State Public Health Officer and CDPH Director Dr. Karen Smith. “The Take-Back event is a valuable opportunity for everyone to help keep their loved ones safe.”

The Lakeport Police Department, located at 2025 S. Main St., will participate with its own event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as Lake County News has reported.

Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration Web site for other locations throughout California, or by calling 800-882-9539. Events throughout the state run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no charge.

Consumers can anonymously drop off pills and other solids, such as patches and well-sealed liquids. However, there will be no collection of sharps waste, such as needles and syringes at these sites.

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

During the National Prescription Drug Take-Back event in October 2018, federal, state and local law enforcement partners across the country collected 457 tons of unwanted prescription drugs: Californians disposed of more than 34.5 tons of unwanted drugs, more than any other state.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The California Attorney General’s Office has reached a settlement in the 2014 murder of a man who investigators believe was killed in relation to illegal marijuana growing in Clearlake.

Gary Joseph Williams, 34, of Clearlake pleaded last month to voluntary manslaughter with a gun in the death of Guillermo Figueroa, with a number of other counts dismissed, according to his attorney, Patrick Pekin of Fort Bragg.

The Lake County Superior Court Clerk’s Office confirmed that Williams is set to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. May 6 in Department 3 before Judge David Markham.

The California Attorney General’s Office began handling the case’s prosecution early on because of a conflict of interest for then-District Attorney Don Anderson.

Specifically, his daughter, Robyn Anderson, her husband Michael Campbell and her daughter, Courtney Crusse, were all named as potential witnesses in court documents. Robyn Anderson was expected to testify at one point and Crusse, who was given immunity, also was to have testified but refused, according to Pekin.

“I had to recuse myself because my granddaughter was a witness,” and a “pretty crucial witness” at that, Anderson – who left office at the end of 2018 – told Lake County News.

Jury selection and motion hearings had been under way in mid-March, when Williams’ trial was set to start. But just days before the trial was to have begun on March 20, Williams and the Attorney General’s Office reached the settlement.

Lake County News made a total of five requests – three by phone, two by email – to the Attorney General’s Office seeking comment on the case settlement, but the agency did not respond.

Pekin said it’s a really good outcome for Williams in a case that originally was considered for the death penalty because it was prosecuted as a murder during the course of a robbery, which is one of the special circumstances that qualifies as a capital offense.

The death penalty was taken off the table by the Attorney General’s Office not long after Pekin came on as Williams’ counsel. At that point, had Williams been tried and convicted, he could have faced life without the possibility of parole.

Pekin said the ultimate offer was voluntary manslaughter with a gun, with a 16-year sentence. Williams has been in custody since Nov. 26, 2014 – he already had been in jail for the theft of a trailer when he was arrested in the Figueroa case in May 2015 – so that four years will count toward his time served.

“The bottom line is, he would be released in about nine years or so,” said Pekin.

That was a much better outcome, said Pekin, than the possibility of losing at trial and having his client face a life sentence.

A missing man and discovered remains

In late October 2014, local law enforcement began investigating Figueroa’s disappearance.

The 36-year-old husband and father of three was reported missing to the Clearlake Police Department by his wife on Oct. 27 after he failed to return home to Hidden Valley Lake from visiting a friend in Clearlake. He had last texted his wife the night before.

The Clearlake Police Department pinged Figueroa’s phone to an area in Clearlake and later found a vehicle registered to him on Burns Valley Road.

Then, on Nov. 28, 2014, Clearlake Police responded to a report from a man who lived in the 2700 block of Oleander Street. The man discovered a human skull in his yard that he believed his dog may have found and brought there.

Teams of detectives, sheriff's deputies, K-Corps members and out-of-county law enforcement personnel combed the isolated, heavily wooded part of the city where the skull was found and, the day after the skull’s discovery, a canine from the Contra Costa County-based California Rescue Dog Association found partial human remains about 100 yards north of the residence where the skull had been located.

An autopsy and DNA results matched the skull and remains as belonging to Figueroa in December 2014.

A complicated case

Pekin said a dispute over marijuana cultivation and collection of funds appeared to be a potential cause in the murder.

Don Anderson said his daughter and son-in-law “knew Williams and there was some marijuana issues going on between them,” adding he didn’t know the extent of it.

When Figueroa’s wife went to the Clearlake Police Department in October 2014 to report his disappearance, she was accompanied by a man who had been with Figueroa at a party the day before. The two men then left and went to the Clearlake Safeway and the man watched Figueroa get into a vehicle with a woman. At the time, Figueroa was reported to have $5,000 in cash on him, but he wouldn’t tell his wife what it was for, according to court documents.

The investigation revealed that Figueroa owned a grow house in Clearlake and was involved in the illegal marijuana growing trade.

Pekin said Figueroa also had been growing marijuana for Campbell.

The investigative trail led to Campbell, who is recounted in court documents as admitting to authorities that Figueroa had been growing marijuana on his property in Clearlake Park. Campbell and his wife and Crusse said people had been looking for Figueroa in connection to the marijuana and money he was said to have owned them.

Other witnesses said they saw Crusse drive Figueroa away from the Clearlake Safeway in her green Mercedes, and that Crusse, who spoke Spanish, often interpreted for Figueroa. There also were details about armed confrontations between two groups over marijuana Figueroa was growing.

At one point in the investigation, Robyn Anderson admitted not being truthful with people – as her daughter also had done – and said her husband had taken Figueroa’s marijuana and had someone transplant it elsewhere.

“Robyn Anderson told Detective Riley that her father, District Attorney Don Anderson, had called her about the case and asked Robyn to go on a drive with him. During the drive, Don questioned Robyn extensively about the case,” the documents said.

As far as his discussion with his daughter, Don Anderson said, “I was not giving her legal advice because she had an attorney.”

He said he also was present at the meetings between his granddaughter and her Fifth Amendment attorney, Andrea Sullivan, adding he gave Crusse “grandfatherly advice.”

Police received information that Williams and his girlfriend, Crystal Pearls, had stolen Figueroa’s marijuana. They then searched Williams’ mother’s home, and found her boyfriend – a convicted felon – in possession of ammunition. Wanting to avoid jail, he offered authorities information – that Williams had admitted to him that he shot “the Mexican” in the face with a .22 revolver and that the “interpreting girl” – Crusse – saw it.

Court documents also state that Williams’ brother told authorities – after he was granted immunity – that Williams admitted to “killing a Mexican.”

Williams was arrested on Nov. 26, 2014, during a sweep of his mother’s home, on charges relating to a trailer theft.

Meanwhile, the investigation continued. Figueroa’s remains were sent to Dr. Allison Galloway at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in January 2015.

Galloway completed her examination of the remains in three weeks, concluding that Figueroa had been shot once or twice in the head. One of the wounds, in the forehead, was determined to be either a .22 or .32 caliber hole.

A second injury on the right maxillary bone – found in the upper jaw – could have been from a bullet strike, blunt force trauma or animal scavenging. No weapon or slug was recovered.

“He was certainly killed by gunshot,” said Pekin, but added that Galloway couldn’t tell with any degree of certainty how long Figueroa had been dead.

In March 2015, a search warrant was executed on Crusse’s Mercedes, which case documents said was the first time it was inventoried or subjected to any forensic treatment. Investigators found the carpet had been replaced and washed, and the tires rotated.

In May 2015, once more evidence had been gathered and corroborated, Williams was arrested for the murder.

The following month, Crusse, driving a tan Dodge Colt with two male passengers, was stopped by a Clearlake Police officer. A functional Mossberg .22 rifle with a cut short barrel and pistol grip was discovered. “Crusse was evasive as to how long the gun had been in her car and claimed it belonged to her great grandfather,” according to trial briefs.

“We hadn’t gotten far enough to litigating that,” Pekin said of the rifle, which could have potentially been brought up at trial.

Extensive trial preparation

Pekin said he was “pretty eager” to take the case to trial.

He said Judge Markham scrutinized every piece of evidence, the amount of which was enormous. He said there were estimated to be 50 witnesses, plus DNA and GPS evidence.

The case, Pekin said, had “all the bells and whistles.”

He added, “It had so many forensic aspects to it that are really interesting to work with.”

Pekin said Robyn Anderson and Courtney Crusse were going to be called to the stand.

Crusse was a material witness. “She was close to the case, close enough to be granted immunity,” said Pekin, adding that Crusse had refused to testify.

Don Anderson confirmed that the Attorney General’s Office offered his granddaughter immunity, that she was subpoenaed and was going to show up to the trial. However, he said he couldn’t say if she would have testified.

Andrea Sullivan, the administrator of Lake Indigent Defense, the county’s indigent defense contractor, said she was appointed as Fifth Amendment counsel for Crusse after other available attorneys were disqualified for conflicts.

Sullivan said she couldn’t comment on the course of action Crusse chose to take regarding testifying, but added that Crusse was “one of many” people offered immunity in the case.

Pekin said it was “certainly a possibility” that Don Anderson himself could have been called as a witness, but Anderson told Lake County News that he had not gotten any subpoena or notice to testify.

Jury selection was extensive. Hundreds of potential jurors were interviewed in a two-phase process. Pekin said the trial had been expected to last for about two months, and those individuals who said they could serve for the duration had to fill out a 23-page questionnaire.

Pekin said the case was “really triable,” which he believes is reflected in the offer the Attorney General’s Office made. He said you’re never going to see a 16-year offer in a case that started out as a homicide with a gun.

“I think the court did a really good job,” Pekin said, offering praise for Judge Markham and Deputy Attorney General Peter Flores Jr.

Lake County Probation will do a sentencing report, as is standard. Pekin said it should be fairly straightforward and noncontroversial.

“I’m really grateful that I had the opportunity to work on it at all,” Pekin said of the case.

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 American Lung Association has released its State of the Air 2019 Report, with Lake County once again getting good ratings for its air quality despite the wildland fires of the last several years.

State and local area air quality are graded on an A through F scale by comparing local ozone and small-particulate concentrations with the federal air quality standards.

Although many areas, especially within California, were given failing grades, Lake County passed with flying colors.

Lake County received an “A” grade for ozone, a “C” grade for short-term particulate pollution and is ranked the 15th Cleanest County in the Nation for annual particulate average concentrations.

Lake County did not change significantly from its previous annual averages even though the period of time covered by this report includes the Valley fire, Rocky fire, Jerusalem fire, Clayton fire, Sulphur fire, Tubbs Fire and other major fires in the region.

Out of California’s 58 counties, Lake County is one of only eight counties in California that did not have any days of ozone exceeds from 2015 through 2017.

The report presents data showing what the residents of Lake County actually are breathing on a daily basis. This report does not exclude wildfire impacts or other natural events that are excluded when determining our attainment status.

The “C” grade for short-term particulate pollution is the result of impacts from the 2015, 2016 and 2017 wildfires. This report does not include the 2018 Ranch, River or the Camp fires.

This report shows that despite the Valley, Rocky, Jerusalem, Clayton and other fires, and the short-term smoke impacts from these fires, the residents of Lake County still enjoy some of the cleanest air in the nation.

The American Lung Association grades are the latest recognition of a long history of air quality accomplishments in Lake County. Strong local support for clean air measures has enabled the county to comply in full with not only the Federal Clean Air Standards, but also with the more rigorous California Standards for ozone and other air pollutants for the past 29 consecutive years. No other air district in California can match that record.

Air Pollution Control Officer Douglas Gearhart of the Lake County Air Quality Management District attributes the success of the program to strong community support for maintaining clean, healthful air and cooperation of local government, including the county of Lake, cities of Lakeport and Clearlake, the local fire protection districts, Cal Fire, the agricultural community, industry, the district board of directors, and to the dedication and hard work of Air Quality Management District staff.

“The 15th cleanest county in the nation for particulate matter is a significant indicator of the hard work and dedication this community has to maintaining a healthful environment,” Gearhart said.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying who is responsible for ongoing graffiti tagging in the city’s downtown.

Police said that between 3 and 4 a.m. Wednesday, the latest round of graffiti tagging occurred.

It’s been an ongoing issue, and the responsible subjects have repeatedly vandalized the same buildings after the business owners fix or remove the graffiti, police said.

“This is a public nuisance that can deteriorate our beautiful city. So help us keep our city safe and clean,” the agency said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the graffiti is asked to contact investigating Officer Joe Medici at 707-263-5491, Extension 120, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also send us a private message via Facebook or send us a tip by texting the words “TIP LAKEPORT” followed by your message to the number “888777.”

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake city officials said the deadline for outdoor cannabis cultivation permits is fast approaching.

In the city of Clearlake, the outdoor cultivation of marijuana is not permitted without first obtaining an outdoor cultivation permit.

Permits may be obtained at the Clearlake Police Department through the end of the business day on Tuesday, April 30.

The annual permit fee is $250 and allows for the outdoor cultivation of up to six marijuana plants at one time.

City officials said It is a common misconception that state law allows for the cultivation of marijuana on any property and does not prohibit the quantity of plants.

In January of 2018, recreational marijuana use and possession became legal in California.

Pursuant to the law, a person over the age of 21 may cultivate up to six marijuana plants indoors without the approval of a local or state agency, however local jurisdictions have control over the outdoor cultivation in each jurisdiction.

Wanting to work with the citizens of our community and while considering the increasing costs associated with cultivating indoors and the health and safety risk factors, the Clearlake City Council approved the outdoor cultivation of up to six marijuana plants with certain restrictions and guidelines.

Any persons who intend to cultivate marijuana outdoors in city limits are encouraged to obtain their permit prior to April 30.

Those found to be cultivating illegally are subject to fines, immediate abatement of plants and suspension of cultivation privileges for the individual and/or the property.

For additional restrictions and requirements, please visit the city of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or contact Code Enforcement at 707-995-8251, Extension 309.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – On Tuesday, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s helicopter crew rescued five people from the Russian River after their inner tubes got stuck on some bushes in the middle of the river near Vacation Beach.

A family of four from Fremont became stranded on the bushes for about two hours and when a good Samaritan tried to help with a rope, he too became stuck in the rushing current, officials said.

A crew from the Sheriff’s Helicopter Unit “Henry-One” received the call around 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, according to the report.

Authorities said the crew flew to the area and found all five in need of assistance.

The crew fastened a 100-foot rope to the bottom of the helicopter and a deputy fastened himself to the bottom of the rope. One by one, using a horse collar device, the crew was able to lift each person out of the river and get them safely to the shore.

Nobody needed further medical attention but the helicopter crew advised that this time of year the water is moving very swiftly and is very cold.

Those people thinking about floating or boating in the river should use extra precaution.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Habematolel Pomo’s proposal to place its community center in downtown Upper Lake into federal trust received the Board of Supervisors’ unanimous approval on Tuesday.

The tribe has applied to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to transfer into trust its community center at 9470 Main St., the former Westamerica Bank Upper Lake branch, which the tribe purchased from Hospice Services of Lake County in 2016.

Moving property into trust means that the United States government, acting as trustee, will hold legal title to the land on behalf of the tribe’s current and future generations,

BIA notified the county of the application in a letter received on April 1 and invited it to comment, according to County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board.

The BIA asked the county for information on property taxes, assessments, government services provided and potential zoning consistency.

Based on the county’s draft letter in response to the BIA’s comment invitation, the taxes on the property total $2,752.38 for the 2018-19 tax year, with an additional $162.62 in assessments.

Regarding public services, the county’s letter explained that the Lake County Sheriff’s Office remains the primary agency providing law enforcement services to the tribe – including the community center property – while the Lake County County Public Works Department maintains the access roads in the area. Many other county agencies also are involved in the area, whether directly or indirectly, the letter states.

The letter said the BIA notice indicates that the tribe intends to retain the existing use of the property, which houses tribal government and related programs.

“No further development is planned, preserving the existing character of the area. Based off this assertion, with the Main Street area in Upper Lake being zoned Commercial, the use described appears to be consistent with current zoning and land uses,” the draft letter stated.

On Tuesday, Huchingson suggested several updates to the letter, including a paragraph stating: “The county is grateful for our longstanding memorandum of understanding with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, through which the tribe provides a substantial amount of funding to the county. In light of this, the county does not intend to seek any additional agreement with the tribe to offset the small revenue loss resulting from this proposal.”

Also added was a paragraph explaining that Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin has submitted his own separate comments to the BIA indicating his support for the proposal.

Huchingson’s additions to the letter also explained that the tribe has suggested an additional memorandum of understanding for support of local law enforcement efforts, and “we’re grateful for the tribe’s continuing generosity.”

The last of the new language, added to the closing comments, states: “Our board supports this application of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake to place the subject parcel into trust and we look forward to our continuing partnership with the tribe for the betterment of our communities.”

The updated letter met with the board’s approval. There were no additional comments by the board or the public before District 3 Supervisor EJ Crandell moved to approve the letter, which Supervisor Bruno Sabatier seconded and the board approved 5-0.

The board’s approval of the letter in response to the Habematolel Pomo’s application came a week after it signed off on two letters to the BIA in response to two separate fee to trust applications – covering 21 parcels totaling 51 acres – from the Big Valley Rancheria, as Lake County News has reported.

Big Valley leadership said those 21 parcels were part of the original rancheria before termination in the 1950s, which sought to assimilate tribes into mainstream culture, forcing them from their lands.

The tribe had expressed concerns over incorrect information that county staff had included in its original response letters – involving the county’s suggestion that the tribe might have commercial plans for the land, which currently is open space and residential. Had those letters been sent, the tribe said it could have been damaging to the applications.

It took a few weeks of discussions between the board, county staff and the Big Valley tribe to come up with updated letters that the tribe found acceptable. The board voted to approve those updated letters last week.

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. – As part of the city of Clearlake’s continuing focus on road improvement, this week the Clearlake City Council will consider a list of road projects to submit for state funding and discuss staff’s road maintenance plan for the coming season.

The council will meet in closed session beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, to discuss a case of potential litigation, existing litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric and conference with labor negotiators before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

At the start of the meeting, adoptable pets from Clearlake Animal Control will be introduced and kennel technician Michelle Brooks will be sworn in.

On the agenda is consideration of approval of a list of projects to be submitted to the California Transportation Committee for funding from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

A staff report from Adeline Brown, the city’s engineering technician, said SB 1 invests $54 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and safety. “These funds will be split equally between state and local investments.”

Brown said the city is proposing the following projects for state funding, with estimated costs:

– Meadowbrook area pavement rehabilitation project: $1.1 million.
– Pearl Avenue/Emory Avenue pavement rehabilitation project: $1.3 million.
– Highlands Park frontage improvement project: $516,000.
– Airport Road regional connector improvements: $1.2 million.
– Modoc/Second Street pavement rehabilitation project: $550,000.
– San Joaquin drainage improvements and pavement rehabilitation: $1.4 million.
– Dam Road roundabout: $4.6 million.

Also on Thursday, the council will consider the city’s road maintenance plan for this year, which includes grading in the Avenues and streets where repairs are needed due to washouts, with the crews also following the Gravel Roads Maintenance and Design Manual, according to a report from Public Works Superintendent Michael Baker.

Baker’s report also explains that pothole repair, crack sealing and miscellaneous work will start on Lakeshore Drive and continue to Olympic Drive and Old Highway 53 before work moves to other streets, “depending on service requests and severity.”

The council will hold a public hearing to consider amendments to Sections 5 and 18 of the Clearlake Municipal Code related to cannabis businesses and consider commercial cannabis amendments to the city zoning code, and hold a public hearing for Konocti County Water District’s request for the city to abandon a street right-of-way on Ballpark Avenue.

In other business, the council will consider the New Clean Water Program agreement between the city of Clearlake, city of Lakeport, county of Lake and the Lake County Watershed Protection District; and consider a resolution certifying appointment of Wendy England as police dispatcher is necessary to fill a critically needed position and requesting an exception from CalPERS to the 180-day wait period and authorizing the chief of police to appoint.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; continuation of a declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; adoption of Resolution No. 2019-19 regarding the digital signatures administrative policy; receipt of and response to the 2018-19 grand jury report regarding Lampson Field; second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending the Clearlake Municipal Code relating to abandoned vehicles.

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.