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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council on Thursday approved the purchase of four tax defaulted lots by Lake County Special Districts in order for the agency to improve its sewer system in the city.
The council gave unanimous support to the proposal, presented to them by Special Districts Administrator Robin Borre.
Borre noted that Special Districts has purchased other tax defaulted properties in the county jurisdiction.
The four lots Special Districts was seeking the council’s support in purchasing through the Lake County Tax Collector’s Office, and the purchase prices, are:
• 14750 Highlands Way — $3,000;
• 14760 Highlands Way — $3,000;
• 5878 Vallejo Ave. — $2,000;
• 5898 Vallejo Ave. — $2,000.
“These four lots are really important to the district to improve sewer connections and improve our system overall,” said Borre.
Borre said the two lots on Highlands Way will help increase system capacity for the new Konocti Gardens apartments complex while the two on Vallejo Avenue, which are unbuildable due to the sewer lines crossing them, will collect additional flow from the other side of the highway. Odor controls also will be installed.
She said the lots on Highlands Way have experienced a lot of dumping and encampments. Those lots will be fenced and secured, and odor controls also placed there as well.
Noting that taxes haven’t been paid on the lots in some time, Borre said the Board of Supervisors, in its capacity as the Special Districts Board of Directors, had already approved the purchase. That approval came on Nov. 5.
The final step needed was the council’s approval of the purchase price, as required under the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
Council members had questions about generators at the sites — which Borre said they are working to provide — as well as the odor control issues. Mayor Russ Cremer said the odors from the sewer station near the Clearlake Senior Center were awful.
City Manager Alan Flora thanked Borre for her efforts, explaining that they have had a lot of issues with the sewer system in Clearlake over the years.
Since his tenure as city manager began in 2019, Flora said that almost every major rain event has led to a sewer spill. That is, until this winter.
This is the first winter in the job for Borre, who the Board of Supervisors hired in May.
The fact that Borre is working on plans for improving the system and understands where the bottlenecks in the system are “is very refreshing and encouraging,” Flora said.
Cremer said he thinks Borre is doing a better job than has been done in the past, but added there has been frustration for a long time.
During the discussion, a neighbor who has lived on Highlands Way for 30 years said he has been trying to find how to purchase the lots for a few years and that he had not heard of a public sale, only that $68,000 was owed.
He said the lots have been a drug haven but were cleaned up two days before New Year’s, and he offered to pay $10,000 for them. He complained about having to deal with the smell.
Borre reiterated that they will install odor controls, secure the lots to address issues with homeless encampments and will make some road improvements in order to access the properties.
Former Councilmember Joyce Overton told the council that since Special Districts made upgrades to its facilities near the senior center, where she is director, the odor issues have improved. “It is working.”
Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten moved to approve the purchase, with Councilmember Mary Wilson seconding and the council voting 5-0.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
The council gave unanimous support to the proposal, presented to them by Special Districts Administrator Robin Borre.
Borre noted that Special Districts has purchased other tax defaulted properties in the county jurisdiction.
The four lots Special Districts was seeking the council’s support in purchasing through the Lake County Tax Collector’s Office, and the purchase prices, are:
• 14750 Highlands Way — $3,000;
• 14760 Highlands Way — $3,000;
• 5878 Vallejo Ave. — $2,000;
• 5898 Vallejo Ave. — $2,000.
“These four lots are really important to the district to improve sewer connections and improve our system overall,” said Borre.
Borre said the two lots on Highlands Way will help increase system capacity for the new Konocti Gardens apartments complex while the two on Vallejo Avenue, which are unbuildable due to the sewer lines crossing them, will collect additional flow from the other side of the highway. Odor controls also will be installed.
She said the lots on Highlands Way have experienced a lot of dumping and encampments. Those lots will be fenced and secured, and odor controls also placed there as well.
Noting that taxes haven’t been paid on the lots in some time, Borre said the Board of Supervisors, in its capacity as the Special Districts Board of Directors, had already approved the purchase. That approval came on Nov. 5.
The final step needed was the council’s approval of the purchase price, as required under the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
Council members had questions about generators at the sites — which Borre said they are working to provide — as well as the odor control issues. Mayor Russ Cremer said the odors from the sewer station near the Clearlake Senior Center were awful.
City Manager Alan Flora thanked Borre for her efforts, explaining that they have had a lot of issues with the sewer system in Clearlake over the years.
Since his tenure as city manager began in 2019, Flora said that almost every major rain event has led to a sewer spill. That is, until this winter.
This is the first winter in the job for Borre, who the Board of Supervisors hired in May.
The fact that Borre is working on plans for improving the system and understands where the bottlenecks in the system are “is very refreshing and encouraging,” Flora said.
Cremer said he thinks Borre is doing a better job than has been done in the past, but added there has been frustration for a long time.
During the discussion, a neighbor who has lived on Highlands Way for 30 years said he has been trying to find how to purchase the lots for a few years and that he had not heard of a public sale, only that $68,000 was owed.
He said the lots have been a drug haven but were cleaned up two days before New Year’s, and he offered to pay $10,000 for them. He complained about having to deal with the smell.
Borre reiterated that they will install odor controls, secure the lots to address issues with homeless encampments and will make some road improvements in order to access the properties.
Former Councilmember Joyce Overton told the council that since Special Districts made upgrades to its facilities near the senior center, where she is director, the odor issues have improved. “It is working.”
Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten moved to approve the purchase, with Councilmember Mary Wilson seconding and the council voting 5-0.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake Planning Commission will hold its first gathering of 2025 as part of a special meeting to consider a new gas station development at a former hardware store site.
The commission will meet beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The agenda can be found here.
Submit comments and questions in writing for commission consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line.
Community members also can participate via Zoom. To register, visit this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the
webinar.
The meeting also can be watched on the city’s YouTube account.
To give the planning commission adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit written comments before 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23.
The main item on the agenda is a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit and corresponding environmental analysis for a gas station, convenience store and drive-through car wash on two acres covering three parcels at 14975 Olympic Drive, 3545 Old Highway 53 and 3565 Old Highway 53.
The property’s owner is Norcal Fuelworxz Inc.
The site is the former Four Corners Builders Supply.
City documents show that the project site has been developed since the 1950s, with uses from residential to commercial. Two tribes, the Koi and Elem, have responded to say they want to consult on the project due to concerns it will impact cultural resources.
The 8,500-square-foot hardware store and accessory structures that remain on the site will be removed in order to redevelop the site.
The project proposes to build a 5,106-square-foot convenience store, a 2,081-square-foot quick serve food area, a 588-square-foot office, 852-square-foot equipment room, a 3,600-square-foot drive-through car wash facility, six double-sided gas pumps, and 75 parking spaces with 12 vacuum pump stations.
City staff is recommending the commission’s approval of the project, which it said is to be located on parcels where the proposed uses are allowed under the city’s general plan.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
The commission will meet beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The agenda can be found here.
Submit comments and questions in writing for commission consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
Community members also can participate via Zoom. To register, visit this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the
webinar.
The meeting also can be watched on the city’s YouTube account.
To give the planning commission adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit written comments before 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23.
The main item on the agenda is a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit and corresponding environmental analysis for a gas station, convenience store and drive-through car wash on two acres covering three parcels at 14975 Olympic Drive, 3545 Old Highway 53 and 3565 Old Highway 53.
The property’s owner is Norcal Fuelworxz Inc.
The site is the former Four Corners Builders Supply.
City documents show that the project site has been developed since the 1950s, with uses from residential to commercial. Two tribes, the Koi and Elem, have responded to say they want to consult on the project due to concerns it will impact cultural resources.
The 8,500-square-foot hardware store and accessory structures that remain on the site will be removed in order to redevelop the site.
The project proposes to build a 5,106-square-foot convenience store, a 2,081-square-foot quick serve food area, a 588-square-foot office, 852-square-foot equipment room, a 3,600-square-foot drive-through car wash facility, six double-sided gas pumps, and 75 parking spaces with 12 vacuum pump stations.
City staff is recommending the commission’s approval of the project, which it said is to be located on parcels where the proposed uses are allowed under the city’s general plan.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Planning Commission will hold its first meeting of the year this week to discuss a cell tower project.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The agenda is here.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The webinar ID is 994 1760 2765, the pass code is 155982.
Access the meeting via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,99417602765#,,,,*155982# or dial in at 669-900-6833.
The meeting also can be viewed on the county’s website or Facebook page.
The main item of business is the consideration of a wireless communication tower and equipment proposed by Carlsbad-based Public Safety Towers LLC at 3275 Hill Road in Lakeport.
The commission is being asked to approve a major use permit for the construction of an 80-foot-tall wireless communication facility that will provide AT&T customers with service. The monopine cell tower will be designed to look like a pine tree.
The staff report said the project will include 15 antennas, 15 radios, three surge suppressors and three antenna mounts, within a 35-foot by 35-foot lease compound area that will contain equipment needed to support the tower. There also will be a battery backup system providing approximately eight hours of power and a backup generator.
The project is expected to be constructed within 110 days.
Once completed, the tower will be unmanned, with the staff report noting that there will be between one and four annual maintenance trips required.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The agenda is here.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The webinar ID is 994 1760 2765, the pass code is 155982.
Access the meeting via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,99417602765#,,,,*155982# or dial in at 669-900-6833.
The meeting also can be viewed on the county’s website or Facebook page.
The main item of business is the consideration of a wireless communication tower and equipment proposed by Carlsbad-based Public Safety Towers LLC at 3275 Hill Road in Lakeport.
The commission is being asked to approve a major use permit for the construction of an 80-foot-tall wireless communication facility that will provide AT&T customers with service. The monopine cell tower will be designed to look like a pine tree.
The staff report said the project will include 15 antennas, 15 radios, three surge suppressors and three antenna mounts, within a 35-foot by 35-foot lease compound area that will contain equipment needed to support the tower. There also will be a battery backup system providing approximately eight hours of power and a backup generator.
The project is expected to be constructed within 110 days.
Once completed, the tower will be unmanned, with the staff report noting that there will be between one and four annual maintenance trips required.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has three adult cats waiting for new homes.
The cats at the shelter that are shown on this page have been cleared for adoption.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.
The shelter is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
The cats at the shelter that are shown on this page have been cleared for adoption.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.
The shelter is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
UKIAH, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management has selected Neal Craig as the Ukiah field manager who will oversee management of more than 270,000 acres of public lands within Marin, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Colusa, Glenn, Yolo and Solano counties.
The Ukiah Field Office also manages parts of the California Coastal National Monument in the Point Arena-Stornetta area and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, managed jointly with the Mendocino National Forest.
The field office also administers geothermal leasing at The Geysers, the world’s largest geothermal steam field and the Cow Mountain Recreation Area, which includes the first Congressionally designated OHV area.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with our stakeholders and the public to manage the Ukiah Field Office,” Craig said. “I look forward to developing new and existing projects and programs that serve the surrounding communities, while balancing our multiple-use mission.”
Craig brings a broad background in natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, and organizational development in both the government and private sectors.
Most recently, he served as the assistant field manager in the BLM Bishop Field Office where he supervised the multi-resources staff and provided leadership in several program development areas.
He previously worked for the U.S. Geologic Survey, serving as a technical expert, project manager, and supervisor in water quality and water quantity projects in Colorado, Michigan, Kentucky, and other states.
Throughout his career, he has focused on employee training, mentoring, engagement and advancing organizational change. Craig has also owned and operated a sustainable farm that utilized livestock grazing systems, soil health improvement, and watershed restoration projects.
“We are fortunate to have Neal on our team,” said BLM Central California District Manager Gabe Garcia. “His experience and leadership in natural resource management combined with his knowledge of watershed restoration projects will be valuable additions to our Ukiah Field Office.”
Craig graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Science in geography. When not in the office, Craig is an avid runner, small batch coffee roaster, and explorer of diverse social viewpoints.
He succeeds Nick Lavrov, who took a position with another government agency.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will discuss its meeting procedures, consider updates to the city’s public bathroom policies, get an update on crime status and consider new use policies for the Silveira Center.
The council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The agenda can be found here.
If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.
The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Under council business, Police Chief Dale Stoebe will present the annual crime statistics report and introduce an ordinance amending the city code regulating use of public bathrooms, which Stoebe’s written report says is in response to an increase in loitering in and around the city’s public bathrooms over the past 18 months.
In other business, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Kelly Buendia will present an update on the Silveira Community Center and present an interim plan for operations of the building, gifted to the city in 2019 by Bank of America.
After a number of upgrades, the report explains, “The Silveira Community Center has served in a limited capacity as a valuable resource for local community activities, events, training, and meetings, as well as for emergency response purposes. However, the center's full potential has been hindered by infrastructure limitations, particularly with respect to plumbing and ADA compliance.”
Buendia’s report said that last year the city secured a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $1,274,020 to address ADA compliance and plumbing upgrades, with a target completion date of January 2026.
“Despite increased interest from the public and progress to the facility, the Community Center faces significant hurdles in supporting full-scale operations,” Buendia wrote, noting that the building’s current usage policies are shaped by these limitations.
As such, staff is recommending that interim use be limited to business hours and events with fewer than 50 attendees; that the city secure ADA-compliant portable restroom facilities; and that a discretionary fee waiver program for City Council members that will support eligible non-profits and community groups while maintaining financial oversight be adopted.
In other business, the council will review its meeting procedures in order to conduct productive meetings, foster shared expectations and collaboration among council members, promote understanding and trust with the community, and enhance public engagement and participation in city decision-making.
Also on Tuesday the council will present a proclamation designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, will hear from Sutter Health on the success of the 2024 Health & Wellness Expo that was held at Xabatin Community Park and consider the annual comprehensive financial report and a state housing legislation update.
On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting on Jan. 7; approval of the continuation of the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to severe weather conditions including heavy rain and extreme wind; approval of application 2025-003, with staff recommendations, for the Clear Lake Open Fishing Tournament; approval of application 2025-004, with staff recommendations, for the closure of Clear Lake Avenue. for the 2025 Splash-In event.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
The council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The agenda can be found here.
If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.
The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to
Under council business, Police Chief Dale Stoebe will present the annual crime statistics report and introduce an ordinance amending the city code regulating use of public bathrooms, which Stoebe’s written report says is in response to an increase in loitering in and around the city’s public bathrooms over the past 18 months.
In other business, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Kelly Buendia will present an update on the Silveira Community Center and present an interim plan for operations of the building, gifted to the city in 2019 by Bank of America.
After a number of upgrades, the report explains, “The Silveira Community Center has served in a limited capacity as a valuable resource for local community activities, events, training, and meetings, as well as for emergency response purposes. However, the center's full potential has been hindered by infrastructure limitations, particularly with respect to plumbing and ADA compliance.”
Buendia’s report said that last year the city secured a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $1,274,020 to address ADA compliance and plumbing upgrades, with a target completion date of January 2026.
“Despite increased interest from the public and progress to the facility, the Community Center faces significant hurdles in supporting full-scale operations,” Buendia wrote, noting that the building’s current usage policies are shaped by these limitations.
As such, staff is recommending that interim use be limited to business hours and events with fewer than 50 attendees; that the city secure ADA-compliant portable restroom facilities; and that a discretionary fee waiver program for City Council members that will support eligible non-profits and community groups while maintaining financial oversight be adopted.
In other business, the council will review its meeting procedures in order to conduct productive meetings, foster shared expectations and collaboration among council members, promote understanding and trust with the community, and enhance public engagement and participation in city decision-making.
Also on Tuesday the council will present a proclamation designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, will hear from Sutter Health on the success of the 2024 Health & Wellness Expo that was held at Xabatin Community Park and consider the annual comprehensive financial report and a state housing legislation update.
On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting on Jan. 7; approval of the continuation of the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to severe weather conditions including heavy rain and extreme wind; approval of application 2025-003, with staff recommendations, for the Clear Lake Open Fishing Tournament; approval of application 2025-004, with staff recommendations, for the closure of Clear Lake Avenue. for the 2025 Splash-In event.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Lake County on Monday as high northeast winds are expected throughout the day.
The advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The forecast calls for northeast winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour expected.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is expected to have a high of 56 degrees during the day with a nighttime low of 37 degrees.
Daytime temperatures are forecast to rise to the high 60s mid-week before dropping back to the low 50s during the weekend.
Nighttime conditions will range from the low 40s midweek to the high 30s at the weekend.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
The advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The forecast calls for northeast winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour expected.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is expected to have a high of 56 degrees during the day with a nighttime low of 37 degrees.
Daytime temperatures are forecast to rise to the high 60s mid-week before dropping back to the low 50s during the weekend.
Nighttime conditions will range from the low 40s midweek to the high 30s at the weekend.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
