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LAKEPORT, Calif. — Retailers who sell tobacco in Lake County will soon have new rules to follow.
The Lakeport City Council approved a tobacco retailer licensing ordinance with a 4-1 vote on Dec 3, overcoming Councilmember Kenny Parlet’s emphatic dissent.
Parlet cast the sole opposing vote, declaring an “absolutely no” following hour-long deliberations against certain requirements and penalties in the ordinance. He also presented views on nicotine use and COVID that contradict those of public health authorities.
With its approval, Lakeport became the latest community to join the county’s tobacco prevention efforts, which seek to restrict youth access to tobacco products and improve public health.
“The primary push for this is trying to curb youth tobacco sales and enforce existing state laws in the community through the establishment of this ordinance,” Lakeport City Manager Kevin Ingram said at the council meeting.
The tobacco retailer licensing ordinance, or the TRL, alongside a smoke-free policy and enforcement measures, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, for unincorporated areas of the county, following the Board of Supervisors' final approval in September.
Clearlake adopted the TRL on Nov. 21 with unanimous support, leaving Lakeport as the final jurisdiction in the county to join the initiative. The cities’ ordinances also begin with the new year.
In September, the Lakeport City Council first reviewed the tobacco prevention program presented by Liberty Francis of Lake County Public Health, who’s also the project director of the county’s Tobacco Education and Prevention Program.
The council then moved forward with a 4-1 vote, with Parlet opposing it then as well.
Francis’ presentation showed Lake County’s “health ranking being very low” at 56 of all 58 counties in the state.
“One of those contributors to our health rankings is our very high smoking rates compared to the State of California,” said Francis at the September City Council meeting, describing the smoking rate of 26.6%, which almost doubled the state rate.
The situation of youth tobacco use is particularly concerning. While 49% of California high school students reported it was easy to access vapes from a store, 60% of ninth graders and 65% of 11th graders in Lake County said the same, according to Francis’ presentation.
Two months later on Nov. 19, four council members unanimously approved the ordinance during its first reading while Parlet was absent from the meeting.
Shortly after Lakeport’s final vote in December to adopt the ordinance, Lake County Health Services issued a statement to “celebrate success in tobacco prevention policy milestones,” marking years of efforts since 2017.
Youth access to tobacco is “a high level issue to address” for Lake County, Francis reiterated in an interview with Lake County News a week later. She believed that the new ordinance allows the state laws to be “upheld on a regular basis.”
Lakeport TRL and delay in enforcement
The new TRL ordinance requires Lakeport tobacco retailers to obtain and display a valid tobacco retailer license and prohibits selling of any flavored tobacco products.
It also bans selling tobacco to a person under 21 or placing any tobacco products within 5 feet of “youth appealing products” such as toys, snacks or non-alcoholic beverages.
Additionally, no smoking is allowed within 25 feet of any retail establishment licensed under this ordinance.
Violations carry penalties: a first offense results in a 30-day license suspension and a $1,000 fine, while a second offense within five years increases penalties to a 90-day suspension and a $2,500 fine.
While Councilmember Parlet strongly opposed the penalty codes as he did to the first presentation in September, “all three jurisdictions had voiced that they wanted a strong penalty and enforcement policy in order to make this policy,” Francis explained.
The ordinance designates the city manager as the principal enforcer but allows delegation to another agency. Ingram said the city now plans to partner with Public Health, which has secured funding for the program on enforcement.
Technically, the ordinance is enforceable by the city 30 days after the Dec. 3 approval. But the actual date that it can be enforced will likely differ.
“I don’t have staff at this time to have a comprehensive enforcement program of that ordinance,” Ingram told Lake County News in a followup phone interview, adding that it will take a couple more months to sign a memorandum of understanding with Public Health.
When asked for a more specific timeline, “I would say there is no timeline at this point,” Ingram responded.
Ingram noted that violations like selling tobacco to minors and flavored tobacco are already enforced under state law by the police department. The new TRL ordinance's requirements and penalties will take effect only after the city formalizes its partnership with the county’s public health department.
Francis said it will take some time to roll out the license application process and “extensive education” on the program.
“We’re hoping to have everybody licensed in this by the spring,” she told Lake County News. “Probably March is what we’re shooting for.”
Opposition during council comments
At the meeting, Councilmember Parlet voiced his strong objection to the ordinance during council comments, citing his experience of “five and a half decades in retail.”
Parlet appeared to be the single dissenting vote in Lakeport and one of the two in all three jurisdictions. District 4 Supervisor Michael Green was the other “no” vote during the Board of Supervisors’ consideration of the ordinance.
“I'm not going to get this onerous fine, because I can't go up and talk to the supervisors and say how asinine a first offense, $1,000 fine and a 30 day suspension,” Parlet said, raising his voice, adding that he believed such a penalty would push retailers “out of business.”
Parlet’s indignation peaked when he spoke about employees in retail making mistakes, for which the owner would be fined and the license suspended under the ordinance.
In 2012, Parlet’s business, Lakeview Supermarket & Deli in Lucerne, faced a fine and a “permanent disqualification” notice from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, by the USDA Food and Nutrition Services for “trafficking,” which means exchanging SNAP benefits for cash.
At that time, Parlet said it was one of his employees who had made several inappropriate transactions totalling $132.50. He faced a $5,000 fine.
Parlet was required to pay a $59,000 appealing fine to be reallowed into the program.
On the TRL ordinance, Parlet also fervently opposed “carding,” which means being required to verify customers’ government-issued photo ID at every purchase of tobacco products, as is done with alcohol purchases. Parlet believed it’s “insulting” and “laborious” for staff dealing with customers looking apparently over 21 years of age.
Francis responded that her son just turned 20 and he looked older than his actual age, suggesting that a lack of “positive identification” at the counter would jeopardize the purpose of protecting the youth against tobacco.
When IDs are checked, Francis said, “There's less of a failure rate when that happens all the time.”
Francis said that training and education resources will be made available to retailers throughout the process, to make sure retail employees are property trained.
Parlet’s objections also extended to the no-smoking policy within 25 feet of the TRL licensed premises because of the concerns over his employees not having a place to smoke nearby.
“None of my people can go out to the dumpster and smoke without getting a violation,” he said.
Before moving to the vote, Parlet expressed a lack of willingness to act in accordance with the ordinance.
“I can’t abide by almost any part of this. So you guys do what you need to do,” he said.
While Parlet accused the program of not involving and understanding tobacco retailers, Councilmember Kim Costa recognized the concern and posed the question to Francis.
“Was there a place anywhere in the process where the stakeholders, such as the retailers, were notified and had an opportunity to share their views?” Costa asked.
Francis said that the team went out to survey some stores and speak to store managers and owners, although not covering all the 75 retailers in Lake County.
“What I've heard from those store managers is ‘we want a policy that’s going to be enforced,’” Francis said and explained that retailers who follow the law felt they are not on a fair playing field.
“It sounds like due diligence was done on that, and I’m comfortable with the ordinance as written,” Costa said.
Health official disputes Parlet’s claims
Councilmember Parlet also claimed profound medical benefits for nicotine use in his argument against the tobacco ordinance.
“Nicotine is not the villain that everybody thinks it is. It actually works miracles in long COVID,” Parlet said. “Whatever it is, I’m not ever going to say it’s a virus. I don’t believe it. I think it’s a bio weapon.”
Parlet went on to add: “Nicotine has been prescribed and proven to treat all over the world conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, myocarditis, cancer, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, diabetes, glioblastoma, turbo cancer.”
However, local and federal public health authorities said just the opposite.
“There is no standard practice of medicine in which commercially sold tobacco is used to treat cancers or long COVID. And nicotine itself as a substance, I’ve never heard of nicotine … being used for treating any [condition],” said Noemi Doohan, Lake County Public Health officer who is also a practicing physician, in a video call with Lake County News.
“You can find a benefit to any substance,” said Doohan from a scientific point of view, “but its risks greatly outweigh the benefits.”
While Parlet also said that nicotine is “not necessarily addictive,” Doohan responded, pointing to “decades’ worth of research showing, proving, without a doubt that nicotine is addictive.”
“I think that the public needs to decide: who do they trust?” Doohan said of the possible impact of inaccurate information on public health.
“We have science, we have data, we have evidence behind our position, and therefore it's really up to the public to believe who they have the most faith in terms of reliable information,” she said.
“It is very hurtful to those people in Lake County who died from COVID to say they didn't have COVID,” she added. “So as a physician, I hope, as the health officer, I hope that I am the trusted member to this community to say COVID is real, and tobacco smoking generates dependence on tobacco, which can lead to lung cancer.”
Federal public health agency Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, or the CDC, explicitly states that cigarette smoking is a “major public health concern,” “harms nearly every organ of the body” and causes cancer, heart disease and stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, harmful reproductive health effects among other detrimental effects.
Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure cause over 480,000 deaths each year in the country, CDC data shows.
Doohan attended the council meeting and said she remembered Parlet saying he was against children smoking.
“I am completely in favor of eliminating the use of tobacco by children,” said Parlet in the meeting.
“Great! Because what we're talking about is upstream prevention of a generation of Lake County people being dependent on nicotine and tobacco products,” Doohan told Lake County News. “I'm really delighted to hear that, that part of it, he does not question.”
Email Lingzi Chen atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The Lakeport City Council approved a tobacco retailer licensing ordinance with a 4-1 vote on Dec 3, overcoming Councilmember Kenny Parlet’s emphatic dissent.
Parlet cast the sole opposing vote, declaring an “absolutely no” following hour-long deliberations against certain requirements and penalties in the ordinance. He also presented views on nicotine use and COVID that contradict those of public health authorities.
With its approval, Lakeport became the latest community to join the county’s tobacco prevention efforts, which seek to restrict youth access to tobacco products and improve public health.
“The primary push for this is trying to curb youth tobacco sales and enforce existing state laws in the community through the establishment of this ordinance,” Lakeport City Manager Kevin Ingram said at the council meeting.
The tobacco retailer licensing ordinance, or the TRL, alongside a smoke-free policy and enforcement measures, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, for unincorporated areas of the county, following the Board of Supervisors' final approval in September.
Clearlake adopted the TRL on Nov. 21 with unanimous support, leaving Lakeport as the final jurisdiction in the county to join the initiative. The cities’ ordinances also begin with the new year.
In September, the Lakeport City Council first reviewed the tobacco prevention program presented by Liberty Francis of Lake County Public Health, who’s also the project director of the county’s Tobacco Education and Prevention Program.
The council then moved forward with a 4-1 vote, with Parlet opposing it then as well.
Francis’ presentation showed Lake County’s “health ranking being very low” at 56 of all 58 counties in the state.
“One of those contributors to our health rankings is our very high smoking rates compared to the State of California,” said Francis at the September City Council meeting, describing the smoking rate of 26.6%, which almost doubled the state rate.
The situation of youth tobacco use is particularly concerning. While 49% of California high school students reported it was easy to access vapes from a store, 60% of ninth graders and 65% of 11th graders in Lake County said the same, according to Francis’ presentation.
Two months later on Nov. 19, four council members unanimously approved the ordinance during its first reading while Parlet was absent from the meeting.
Shortly after Lakeport’s final vote in December to adopt the ordinance, Lake County Health Services issued a statement to “celebrate success in tobacco prevention policy milestones,” marking years of efforts since 2017.
Youth access to tobacco is “a high level issue to address” for Lake County, Francis reiterated in an interview with Lake County News a week later. She believed that the new ordinance allows the state laws to be “upheld on a regular basis.”
Lakeport TRL and delay in enforcement
The new TRL ordinance requires Lakeport tobacco retailers to obtain and display a valid tobacco retailer license and prohibits selling of any flavored tobacco products.
It also bans selling tobacco to a person under 21 or placing any tobacco products within 5 feet of “youth appealing products” such as toys, snacks or non-alcoholic beverages.
Additionally, no smoking is allowed within 25 feet of any retail establishment licensed under this ordinance.
Violations carry penalties: a first offense results in a 30-day license suspension and a $1,000 fine, while a second offense within five years increases penalties to a 90-day suspension and a $2,500 fine.
While Councilmember Parlet strongly opposed the penalty codes as he did to the first presentation in September, “all three jurisdictions had voiced that they wanted a strong penalty and enforcement policy in order to make this policy,” Francis explained.
The ordinance designates the city manager as the principal enforcer but allows delegation to another agency. Ingram said the city now plans to partner with Public Health, which has secured funding for the program on enforcement.
Technically, the ordinance is enforceable by the city 30 days after the Dec. 3 approval. But the actual date that it can be enforced will likely differ.
“I don’t have staff at this time to have a comprehensive enforcement program of that ordinance,” Ingram told Lake County News in a followup phone interview, adding that it will take a couple more months to sign a memorandum of understanding with Public Health.
When asked for a more specific timeline, “I would say there is no timeline at this point,” Ingram responded.
Ingram noted that violations like selling tobacco to minors and flavored tobacco are already enforced under state law by the police department. The new TRL ordinance's requirements and penalties will take effect only after the city formalizes its partnership with the county’s public health department.
Francis said it will take some time to roll out the license application process and “extensive education” on the program.
“We’re hoping to have everybody licensed in this by the spring,” she told Lake County News. “Probably March is what we’re shooting for.”
Opposition during council comments
At the meeting, Councilmember Parlet voiced his strong objection to the ordinance during council comments, citing his experience of “five and a half decades in retail.”
Parlet appeared to be the single dissenting vote in Lakeport and one of the two in all three jurisdictions. District 4 Supervisor Michael Green was the other “no” vote during the Board of Supervisors’ consideration of the ordinance.
“I'm not going to get this onerous fine, because I can't go up and talk to the supervisors and say how asinine a first offense, $1,000 fine and a 30 day suspension,” Parlet said, raising his voice, adding that he believed such a penalty would push retailers “out of business.”
Parlet’s indignation peaked when he spoke about employees in retail making mistakes, for which the owner would be fined and the license suspended under the ordinance.
In 2012, Parlet’s business, Lakeview Supermarket & Deli in Lucerne, faced a fine and a “permanent disqualification” notice from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, by the USDA Food and Nutrition Services for “trafficking,” which means exchanging SNAP benefits for cash.
At that time, Parlet said it was one of his employees who had made several inappropriate transactions totalling $132.50. He faced a $5,000 fine.
Parlet was required to pay a $59,000 appealing fine to be reallowed into the program.
On the TRL ordinance, Parlet also fervently opposed “carding,” which means being required to verify customers’ government-issued photo ID at every purchase of tobacco products, as is done with alcohol purchases. Parlet believed it’s “insulting” and “laborious” for staff dealing with customers looking apparently over 21 years of age.
Francis responded that her son just turned 20 and he looked older than his actual age, suggesting that a lack of “positive identification” at the counter would jeopardize the purpose of protecting the youth against tobacco.
When IDs are checked, Francis said, “There's less of a failure rate when that happens all the time.”
Francis said that training and education resources will be made available to retailers throughout the process, to make sure retail employees are property trained.
Parlet’s objections also extended to the no-smoking policy within 25 feet of the TRL licensed premises because of the concerns over his employees not having a place to smoke nearby.
“None of my people can go out to the dumpster and smoke without getting a violation,” he said.
Before moving to the vote, Parlet expressed a lack of willingness to act in accordance with the ordinance.
“I can’t abide by almost any part of this. So you guys do what you need to do,” he said.
While Parlet accused the program of not involving and understanding tobacco retailers, Councilmember Kim Costa recognized the concern and posed the question to Francis.
“Was there a place anywhere in the process where the stakeholders, such as the retailers, were notified and had an opportunity to share their views?” Costa asked.
Francis said that the team went out to survey some stores and speak to store managers and owners, although not covering all the 75 retailers in Lake County.
“What I've heard from those store managers is ‘we want a policy that’s going to be enforced,’” Francis said and explained that retailers who follow the law felt they are not on a fair playing field.
“It sounds like due diligence was done on that, and I’m comfortable with the ordinance as written,” Costa said.
Health official disputes Parlet’s claims
Councilmember Parlet also claimed profound medical benefits for nicotine use in his argument against the tobacco ordinance.
“Nicotine is not the villain that everybody thinks it is. It actually works miracles in long COVID,” Parlet said. “Whatever it is, I’m not ever going to say it’s a virus. I don’t believe it. I think it’s a bio weapon.”
Parlet went on to add: “Nicotine has been prescribed and proven to treat all over the world conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, myocarditis, cancer, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, diabetes, glioblastoma, turbo cancer.”
However, local and federal public health authorities said just the opposite.
“There is no standard practice of medicine in which commercially sold tobacco is used to treat cancers or long COVID. And nicotine itself as a substance, I’ve never heard of nicotine … being used for treating any [condition],” said Noemi Doohan, Lake County Public Health officer who is also a practicing physician, in a video call with Lake County News.
“You can find a benefit to any substance,” said Doohan from a scientific point of view, “but its risks greatly outweigh the benefits.”
While Parlet also said that nicotine is “not necessarily addictive,” Doohan responded, pointing to “decades’ worth of research showing, proving, without a doubt that nicotine is addictive.”
“I think that the public needs to decide: who do they trust?” Doohan said of the possible impact of inaccurate information on public health.
“We have science, we have data, we have evidence behind our position, and therefore it's really up to the public to believe who they have the most faith in terms of reliable information,” she said.
“It is very hurtful to those people in Lake County who died from COVID to say they didn't have COVID,” she added. “So as a physician, I hope, as the health officer, I hope that I am the trusted member to this community to say COVID is real, and tobacco smoking generates dependence on tobacco, which can lead to lung cancer.”
Federal public health agency Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, or the CDC, explicitly states that cigarette smoking is a “major public health concern,” “harms nearly every organ of the body” and causes cancer, heart disease and stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, harmful reproductive health effects among other detrimental effects.
Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure cause over 480,000 deaths each year in the country, CDC data shows.
Doohan attended the council meeting and said she remembered Parlet saying he was against children smoking.
“I am completely in favor of eliminating the use of tobacco by children,” said Parlet in the meeting.
“Great! Because what we're talking about is upstream prevention of a generation of Lake County people being dependent on nicotine and tobacco products,” Doohan told Lake County News. “I'm really delighted to hear that, that part of it, he does not question.”
Email Lingzi Chen at
- Details
- Written by: LINGZI CHEN
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Last week, the Lake County Office of Education partnered with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Victims of Illicit Drugs, or VOID, to deliver essential presentations on the dangers of fentanyl and drug use.
These presentations reached over 4,500 middle and high school students in every school district across Lake County.
"Education is the most powerful tool we have to protect our children and their futures. By addressing this head-on, we are equipping our students with the knowledge they need to make safe choices and help save lives,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
This initiative brought together educators, law enforcement and community organizations to address the urgent issue of fentanyl-related overdoses among youth.
Lake County is not immune to the devastating impacts of this crisis. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, data shows that 40 percent of all drug overdose deaths in Lake County are fentanyl-related.
The presentations featured Steve Filson and Chris Didier from VOID and Sgt. Gary Frace from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Both speakers from VOID traveled to Lake County specifically for this initiative, bringing their stories, expertise and passion to educate and empower students.
"In my role as coroner, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of fentanyl on families in our community. My goal is to save kids’ lives by providing them with the knowledge they need to stay safe,” said Sgt. Frace.
VOID is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating substance abuse through education and outreach. Their commitment to prevention has made a significant impact on communities across the country.
“Fentanyl changes everything,” said Filson. “Fentanyl and other emerging synthetic drugs have forever changed the drug landscape. Counterfeit pills consist of nothing but a neutral filler, binder and Fentanyl. Fentanyl has eliminated the possibility of experimenting with drugs.”
While these presentations mark a significant step forward, the fight against fentanyl is far from over.
The Lake County Office of Education encourages parents, educators and community members to continue fostering open and honest conversations about the dangers of drug use.
“Together, we can build a safer and healthier future for Lake County’s students,” the agency said in a statement.
The community is invited to attend additional presentations this week.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m., there will be a presentation at Konocti Resort Casino. Another presentation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Community Building.
For more information about Stop the VOID and its mission, visit https://stopthevoid.org/.
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Angela Carter and Rob Brown invite community members to a Christmas day dinner in Kelseyville.
The couple, their family and friends — including Rosey Cooks catering service and members of the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church — are providing the free dinner.
They offer a special thanks to the Clear Lake Gleaners for the generous donation of turkey and other items.
Turkey, ham, potatoes, vegetables, rolls and dessert will be served at the Presbyterian Church at 4021 Third St. in Kelseyville from 3 to 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Those looking for a dinner and fellowship on Christmas Day, are welcome to drop by to enjoy a meal and good company at the Friendship Hall.
Piano music will be provided by Julianne Carter.
They can also bring the meal to your vehicle to take home and enjoy.
Contact them by phone at 707-349-2628 or by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your meal.
The couple, their family and friends — including Rosey Cooks catering service and members of the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church — are providing the free dinner.
They offer a special thanks to the Clear Lake Gleaners for the generous donation of turkey and other items.
Turkey, ham, potatoes, vegetables, rolls and dessert will be served at the Presbyterian Church at 4021 Third St. in Kelseyville from 3 to 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Those looking for a dinner and fellowship on Christmas Day, are welcome to drop by to enjoy a meal and good company at the Friendship Hall.
Piano music will be provided by Julianne Carter.
They can also bring the meal to your vehicle to take home and enjoy.
Contact them by phone at 707-349-2628 or by email at
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Blue Zones Project - Lake County supported the 2024 Hope Rising Innovation Summit, themed “Breaking Free,” which focused on commercial tobacco cessation.
Held at Lower Lake High School last month, the event brought together community leaders, health advocates, educators, and students to confront the ongoing challenges of commercial tobacco and vaping in Lake County, with a special emphasis on youth prevention and grassroots solutions.
This year’s summit, hosted in partnership with Adventist Health Clear Lake, featured powerful presentations, including remarks from Dr. Becky Salato, Konocti Unified School District superintendent, and Andrea McBride, a Lower Lake High School student. Both shared compelling and heartbreaking insights about the vaping epidemic impacting local schools, shedding light on the urgent need for solutions to protect the health and well-being of our youth.
Attendees also heard from Liberty Francis, Public Health project manager, who provided an overview of the county’s work in commercial tobacco prevention and cessation, showcasing innovative programs aimed at reducing tobacco use.
Community member Tammy Serpa shared her deeply personal journey as an ex-smoker, offering a message of hope and resilience while highlighting the importance of resources and community support in overcoming addiction.
Representatives from UCSF’s The Loop — Dr. Robynn Battle, Dr. Val Yerger, and Lou Moerner — delivered inspiring sessions on their work within marginalized communities, emphasizing the importance of grassroots efforts in creating meaningful change.
Their expertise provided attendees with actionable strategies to address tobacco-related health disparities in Lake County.
To align with the Blue Zones Project's Power 9 principles, the summit featured Blue Zones-inspired meals, prioritizing fresh, plant-forward foods that support health and longevity. Attendees also had the chance to participate in a demonstration Moai (a small group activity that promotes movement and social connection), meeting on Main Street in Lower Lake, and walking together to the summit venue.
“Commercial tobacco cessation is critical for improving the health and quality of life in Lake County,” said Greg Damron, Public Policy Advocate for Blue Zones Project - Lake County. “Our community suffers deeply from the physical, emotional, and financial devastation the tobacco industry perpetuates. Events like this help us unite and take actionable steps toward a healthier future for everyone.”
The summit concluded with an uplifting presentation by Shelly Trumbo, Blue Zones EVP and Community Transformations Officer, who highlighted the strength and resilience of Lake County community members. She encouraged attendees to continue building on the progress made, using the Blue Zones Power 9 principles to create an even happier, healthier, community.
Blue Zones Project - Lake County reported that it remains committed to supporting initiatives like the Hope Rising Innovation Summit that align with its mission of promoting long-term well-being through sustainable change.
“Together, alongside partners like Adventist Health Clear Lake, we can help Lake County “break free” and move toward a tobacco-free future,” the organization said in its announcement.
Held at Lower Lake High School last month, the event brought together community leaders, health advocates, educators, and students to confront the ongoing challenges of commercial tobacco and vaping in Lake County, with a special emphasis on youth prevention and grassroots solutions.
This year’s summit, hosted in partnership with Adventist Health Clear Lake, featured powerful presentations, including remarks from Dr. Becky Salato, Konocti Unified School District superintendent, and Andrea McBride, a Lower Lake High School student. Both shared compelling and heartbreaking insights about the vaping epidemic impacting local schools, shedding light on the urgent need for solutions to protect the health and well-being of our youth.
Attendees also heard from Liberty Francis, Public Health project manager, who provided an overview of the county’s work in commercial tobacco prevention and cessation, showcasing innovative programs aimed at reducing tobacco use.
Community member Tammy Serpa shared her deeply personal journey as an ex-smoker, offering a message of hope and resilience while highlighting the importance of resources and community support in overcoming addiction.
Representatives from UCSF’s The Loop — Dr. Robynn Battle, Dr. Val Yerger, and Lou Moerner — delivered inspiring sessions on their work within marginalized communities, emphasizing the importance of grassroots efforts in creating meaningful change.
Their expertise provided attendees with actionable strategies to address tobacco-related health disparities in Lake County.
To align with the Blue Zones Project's Power 9 principles, the summit featured Blue Zones-inspired meals, prioritizing fresh, plant-forward foods that support health and longevity. Attendees also had the chance to participate in a demonstration Moai (a small group activity that promotes movement and social connection), meeting on Main Street in Lower Lake, and walking together to the summit venue.
“Commercial tobacco cessation is critical for improving the health and quality of life in Lake County,” said Greg Damron, Public Policy Advocate for Blue Zones Project - Lake County. “Our community suffers deeply from the physical, emotional, and financial devastation the tobacco industry perpetuates. Events like this help us unite and take actionable steps toward a healthier future for everyone.”
The summit concluded with an uplifting presentation by Shelly Trumbo, Blue Zones EVP and Community Transformations Officer, who highlighted the strength and resilience of Lake County community members. She encouraged attendees to continue building on the progress made, using the Blue Zones Power 9 principles to create an even happier, healthier, community.
Blue Zones Project - Lake County reported that it remains committed to supporting initiatives like the Hope Rising Innovation Summit that align with its mission of promoting long-term well-being through sustainable change.
“Together, alongside partners like Adventist Health Clear Lake, we can help Lake County “break free” and move toward a tobacco-free future,” the organization said in its announcement.
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In its final meeting of the year, the Board of Supervisors will bid farewell to two of its members, consider an appeal of a Planning Commission decision and discuss recommendations from the Cannabis Ordinance Task Force.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 865 3354 4962, pass code 726865. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.
Supervisors Michael Green and Moke Simon will end their terms in January.
At 11:45 a.m. and 11:55 a.m. the board will present proclamations commending Simon and Green, respectively.
In other business, at 9:15 a.m., the board will consider an appear of the Planning Commission’s denial of major use permit and mitigated negative declaration for the Rancho Novoa special event venue on a property located at 5680 Blue Lakes Road, Upper Lake. .
At 1 p.m., the board will get a presentation on the National Flood Insurance Program.
At 1:30 p.m., Community Development Department staff will provide an informational update on Cannabis Ordinance Task Force recommendations, which Green and Simon reportedly wanted to take place before they left the board.
Also on Tuesday, the board will hear presentations from Code Enforcement on its activities under the Illegal Dumping Abatement Grant activities and its final drone usage policies.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation commending Supervisor Moke Simon on his eight years of service to the county as District 1 supervisor.
5.2: Adopt proclamation commending Supervisor Michael S. Green on his two years of service to the county as District 4 supervisor.
5.3: Adopt proclamation commending Bill Foltmer for his long and illustrious career as football head coach at Middletown High School.
5.4: Approve early activation of email for District 1 Supervisor-elect Helen Owen and title the email address as supervisor-elect.
5.5: Approve continuation of emergency proclamation declaring a shelter crisis in the county of Lake.
5.6: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to pervasive tree mortality.
5.7: Approve continuation of proclamation declaring a Clear Lake hitch emergency.
5.8: Approve continuation of local emergency by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the 2024 late January, early February winter storms.
5.9: Approve continuation of proclamation of a local health emergency by the Lake County Health Officer for the Boyles Fire.
5.10: Approve continuation of a local emergency by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the 2024 Boyles Fire.
5.11: Approve continuation of local emergency proclamation by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the Glenhaven Fire.
5.12: Adopt Board of Supervisors rules of procedure, general protocol and committees policy update.
5.13: A) Adopt resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the county of Lake adopting an amended conflict of interest code for the county of Lake; B) adopt resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the county of Lake approving conflict of interest codes of certain local agencies located wholly within the county.
5.14: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between county of Lake and Native American Mental Health Services dba North American Mental Health Services for telepsychiatry services in the amount of $1,295,636.80 for fiscal years 2022-2025 and authorize the Board chair to sign.
5.15: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and St. Helena Hospital dba Adventist Health St. Helena and Vallejo for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations in the amount of $600,000 for fiscal years 2023-2026 and authorize the Board chair to sign.
5.16: Approve the award of Bid No. 250855 to Humboldt Fence in the amount of $255,950 and authorize the chair to sign the agreement and the notice of award.
5.17: Authorize the destruction of certain Department of Public Works financial records, papers and documents pursuant to Government Code Sections 26202.
5.18: A) Adopt resolution accepting the work of the Socrates Mine Road (PM 2.61) Landslide Repair Project (FEMA-4308-DR-CA, LKLCC56) and Socrates Mine Road (PM 3.41) Landslide Repair Project (FEMA-4301-DR-CA, LKLCC03); and B) direct the Public Works director to file the notice of completion with the County of Lake Recorder’s Office.
5.19: Approve the 2024-2025 Community Corrections Partnership Plan.
5.20: Adopt resolution approving Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 18G30117 between the Secretary of State and the county of Lake for Voting Systems Replacement Funds.
5.21: A) Approve Amendment No. 2 between the county of Lake and Bennet Omalu Pathology for a one-year renewal of pathology services and B) Waive Section 38.1 of the Lake County Purchasing Policy and C) authorize the chairman to sign.
5.22: A) Adopt resolution approving the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to apply for State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Grant funds and authorize the Lake County sheriff/coroner or his designee to sign the project agreement; and B) consider delegation of authority to Lake County Sheriff/Coroner Rob Howe or Sheriff-elect Luke Bingham to execute the attached project agreement, No. G24-03-64-L01, and act as the county’s agent in negotiation, execution, and submittal of all related documents, including amendments and requests for payments.
5.23: A) Approve the Department of Boating and Waterways 2025/26 application for financial aid in the amount of $493,450.88, and authorize the sheriff to sign the application; and B) adopt resolution for authorization to apply for and accept, if awarded, fiscal year 2025/26 Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program funding from the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, in the authorized amount of $315,312, and authorization to participate in the program.
5.24: Approve third amendment to joint powers agreement between county of Lake and Mendocino County for the Area Agency on Agency Program, in the amount of $74,647 per fiscal year, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:02 a.m.: Public input.
6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the Week.
6.3, 9:05 a.m.: Presentation of Girl Scout Gold Award.
6.4, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Bill Foltmer for his long and illustrious career as football head coach at Middletown High School.
6.5, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of appeal (AB 24-04) of Planning Commission’s denial of major use permit (UP 22-24) and mitigated negative declaration (IS 22-29) for Rancho Novoa special event venue on a property located at 5680 Blue Lakes Road, Upper Lake (APN: 003-007-03).
6.6, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of A) closeout of the Community Development Block Grant - Business Assistance Loan Grant No. 20-CDBG-12081; B) closeout of the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act Grant No. 20-CDBG-CV2-3-003.
6.7, 10 a.m.: Consideration and discussion of the Broadband Implementation Plan and update on broadband initiatives.
6.8, 10:20 a.m.: A) Consideration of a revised cover memo for submittal to the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) seeking funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) to provide emergency tree mortality response and authorize chair to sign; and B) Consideration of hazard tree survey analysis requested by CalOES, to be attached with cover memo.
6.9, 10:30 a.m.: Presentation of update by the Middletown Area Town Hall.
6.10, 11:15 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of a revised County of Lake ambulance ordinance.
6.11, 11:45 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Supervisor Moke Simon for his eight years of service to the county as District 1 supervisor.
6.12, 11:55 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Michael S. Green for his two years of service to the county as District 4 supervisor.
6.13, 1 p.m.: Presentation of National Flood Insurance Program.
6.14, 1:30 p.m.: Informational update on Cannabis Ordinance Task Force recommendations.
6.15, 1:45 p.m.: Consideration of Child Welfare Services social workers to exceed 1,500 map distance miles round trip, or travel to or around the Las Vegas, Nevada, area, due to client contact.
6.16, 2 p.m.: Presentation of Code Enforcement Illegal Dumping Abatement Grant activities.
6.17, 2:15 p.m.: Presentation of Code Enforcement final draft drone usage policies.
6.18, 3 p.m.: A) Consideration of resolution and MOU to create the Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund (LCRHTF); and B) Consideration of direction to staff regarding the allocation of remaining Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program funds for the Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund for years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
6.19, 3:30 p.m.: Consideration of an engagement letter between the County of Lake and Nielsen-Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP, at a monthly retainer rate of $4,500 for an initial term of two years, with the option to annually extend for up to three additional years.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.1: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports
7.2: Consideration of the Lake County Community Risk Reduction Authority "Tree Mortality & Forest Health Task Force Subcommittee" to be transferred to the Lake County Board of Supervisors as the acting authority.
7.3: Consideration of a letter of support for chief climate resiliency officer serving as co-investigator for the second phase of the Climate Health, Adaptation, and Resilience Mobilizing (CHARM) Lake County Project.
7.4: Consideration of a letter of support for the Lake County Fire Safe Council’s application to Coalitions and Collaboratives’ Action, Implementation, and Mitigation Program Grant.
7.5: Consideration of North Coast Opportunities BUILD Program Amendment No. 1 between the County of Lake and North Coast Opportunities, Inc., for the purpose of increasing the contract by $265,000 to fund an additional cohort, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.6: Consideration of a request for use of county staff time in excess of eight hours in support of duties associated with the National Association of Counties’ Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force.
7.7: Consideration of revised Emergency Medical Care Committee bylaws.
7.8: A) Consideration of a resolution creating revenues and appropriations in Budget Unit 1785 - Public Safety Facilities; and B) Consideration of the award of Bid No. 250816 for the Lake County Jail Electronic Security Control System Upgrade Project to Tyco Fire and Security Management, Inc., in the amount of $3,855,279, and authorize the chair to sign the agreement and the notice of award.
7.9: Consideration of (A) Contract Change Order No. 4 to the construction contract between Lake County and Argonaut Constructors, Inc. for the construction of the Middletown Multi-Use Path Project (State Project No. ATPL-5914(102)) in the amount of $8,032.66, increasing the contract amount from $1,408,959.29 to a new contract amount of $1,416,991.95; (B) Resolution Accepting the Work of the Middletown Multi-Use Project (State Project No. ATPL-5914(102)) ; and (C) Direction to the Director of Public Works to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Lake Recorder’s Office
7.10: Consideration of (A) Contract Change Order No. 1 to the construction contract between Lake County and Lamon Construction Co., Inc. for the construction of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Asphalt Rehabilitation Project (State Project No. CRARPL-5914(126)) in the amount of $266.41,
increasing the contract amount from $210,215.20 to a new contract amount of $210,481.61; (B) Resolution Accepting the work of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Asphalt Rehabilitation Project (State Project No. CRARPL-5914(126)); and (C) Direction to the Public Works DIrector to file the notice of completion with the county of Lake Recorder’s Office.
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 board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 865 3354 4962, pass code 726865. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.
Supervisors Michael Green and Moke Simon will end their terms in January.
At 11:45 a.m. and 11:55 a.m. the board will present proclamations commending Simon and Green, respectively.
In other business, at 9:15 a.m., the board will consider an appear of the Planning Commission’s denial of major use permit and mitigated negative declaration for the Rancho Novoa special event venue on a property located at 5680 Blue Lakes Road, Upper Lake. .
At 1 p.m., the board will get a presentation on the National Flood Insurance Program.
At 1:30 p.m., Community Development Department staff will provide an informational update on Cannabis Ordinance Task Force recommendations, which Green and Simon reportedly wanted to take place before they left the board.
Also on Tuesday, the board will hear presentations from Code Enforcement on its activities under the Illegal Dumping Abatement Grant activities and its final drone usage policies.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation commending Supervisor Moke Simon on his eight years of service to the county as District 1 supervisor.
5.2: Adopt proclamation commending Supervisor Michael S. Green on his two years of service to the county as District 4 supervisor.
5.3: Adopt proclamation commending Bill Foltmer for his long and illustrious career as football head coach at Middletown High School.
5.4: Approve early activation of email for District 1 Supervisor-elect Helen Owen and title the email address as supervisor-elect.
5.5: Approve continuation of emergency proclamation declaring a shelter crisis in the county of Lake.
5.6: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to pervasive tree mortality.
5.7: Approve continuation of proclamation declaring a Clear Lake hitch emergency.
5.8: Approve continuation of local emergency by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the 2024 late January, early February winter storms.
5.9: Approve continuation of proclamation of a local health emergency by the Lake County Health Officer for the Boyles Fire.
5.10: Approve continuation of a local emergency by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the 2024 Boyles Fire.
5.11: Approve continuation of local emergency proclamation by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the Glenhaven Fire.
5.12: Adopt Board of Supervisors rules of procedure, general protocol and committees policy update.
5.13: A) Adopt resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the county of Lake adopting an amended conflict of interest code for the county of Lake; B) adopt resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the county of Lake approving conflict of interest codes of certain local agencies located wholly within the county.
5.14: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between county of Lake and Native American Mental Health Services dba North American Mental Health Services for telepsychiatry services in the amount of $1,295,636.80 for fiscal years 2022-2025 and authorize the Board chair to sign.
5.15: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and St. Helena Hospital dba Adventist Health St. Helena and Vallejo for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations in the amount of $600,000 for fiscal years 2023-2026 and authorize the Board chair to sign.
5.16: Approve the award of Bid No. 250855 to Humboldt Fence in the amount of $255,950 and authorize the chair to sign the agreement and the notice of award.
5.17: Authorize the destruction of certain Department of Public Works financial records, papers and documents pursuant to Government Code Sections 26202.
5.18: A) Adopt resolution accepting the work of the Socrates Mine Road (PM 2.61) Landslide Repair Project (FEMA-4308-DR-CA, LKLCC56) and Socrates Mine Road (PM 3.41) Landslide Repair Project (FEMA-4301-DR-CA, LKLCC03); and B) direct the Public Works director to file the notice of completion with the County of Lake Recorder’s Office.
5.19: Approve the 2024-2025 Community Corrections Partnership Plan.
5.20: Adopt resolution approving Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 18G30117 between the Secretary of State and the county of Lake for Voting Systems Replacement Funds.
5.21: A) Approve Amendment No. 2 between the county of Lake and Bennet Omalu Pathology for a one-year renewal of pathology services and B) Waive Section 38.1 of the Lake County Purchasing Policy and C) authorize the chairman to sign.
5.22: A) Adopt resolution approving the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to apply for State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Grant funds and authorize the Lake County sheriff/coroner or his designee to sign the project agreement; and B) consider delegation of authority to Lake County Sheriff/Coroner Rob Howe or Sheriff-elect Luke Bingham to execute the attached project agreement, No. G24-03-64-L01, and act as the county’s agent in negotiation, execution, and submittal of all related documents, including amendments and requests for payments.
5.23: A) Approve the Department of Boating and Waterways 2025/26 application for financial aid in the amount of $493,450.88, and authorize the sheriff to sign the application; and B) adopt resolution for authorization to apply for and accept, if awarded, fiscal year 2025/26 Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program funding from the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, in the authorized amount of $315,312, and authorization to participate in the program.
5.24: Approve third amendment to joint powers agreement between county of Lake and Mendocino County for the Area Agency on Agency Program, in the amount of $74,647 per fiscal year, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:02 a.m.: Public input.
6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the Week.
6.3, 9:05 a.m.: Presentation of Girl Scout Gold Award.
6.4, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Bill Foltmer for his long and illustrious career as football head coach at Middletown High School.
6.5, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of appeal (AB 24-04) of Planning Commission’s denial of major use permit (UP 22-24) and mitigated negative declaration (IS 22-29) for Rancho Novoa special event venue on a property located at 5680 Blue Lakes Road, Upper Lake (APN: 003-007-03).
6.6, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of A) closeout of the Community Development Block Grant - Business Assistance Loan Grant No. 20-CDBG-12081; B) closeout of the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act Grant No. 20-CDBG-CV2-3-003.
6.7, 10 a.m.: Consideration and discussion of the Broadband Implementation Plan and update on broadband initiatives.
6.8, 10:20 a.m.: A) Consideration of a revised cover memo for submittal to the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) seeking funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) to provide emergency tree mortality response and authorize chair to sign; and B) Consideration of hazard tree survey analysis requested by CalOES, to be attached with cover memo.
6.9, 10:30 a.m.: Presentation of update by the Middletown Area Town Hall.
6.10, 11:15 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of a revised County of Lake ambulance ordinance.
6.11, 11:45 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Supervisor Moke Simon for his eight years of service to the county as District 1 supervisor.
6.12, 11:55 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Michael S. Green for his two years of service to the county as District 4 supervisor.
6.13, 1 p.m.: Presentation of National Flood Insurance Program.
6.14, 1:30 p.m.: Informational update on Cannabis Ordinance Task Force recommendations.
6.15, 1:45 p.m.: Consideration of Child Welfare Services social workers to exceed 1,500 map distance miles round trip, or travel to or around the Las Vegas, Nevada, area, due to client contact.
6.16, 2 p.m.: Presentation of Code Enforcement Illegal Dumping Abatement Grant activities.
6.17, 2:15 p.m.: Presentation of Code Enforcement final draft drone usage policies.
6.18, 3 p.m.: A) Consideration of resolution and MOU to create the Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund (LCRHTF); and B) Consideration of direction to staff regarding the allocation of remaining Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program funds for the Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund for years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
6.19, 3:30 p.m.: Consideration of an engagement letter between the County of Lake and Nielsen-Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP, at a monthly retainer rate of $4,500 for an initial term of two years, with the option to annually extend for up to three additional years.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.1: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports
7.2: Consideration of the Lake County Community Risk Reduction Authority "Tree Mortality & Forest Health Task Force Subcommittee" to be transferred to the Lake County Board of Supervisors as the acting authority.
7.3: Consideration of a letter of support for chief climate resiliency officer serving as co-investigator for the second phase of the Climate Health, Adaptation, and Resilience Mobilizing (CHARM) Lake County Project.
7.4: Consideration of a letter of support for the Lake County Fire Safe Council’s application to Coalitions and Collaboratives’ Action, Implementation, and Mitigation Program Grant.
7.5: Consideration of North Coast Opportunities BUILD Program Amendment No. 1 between the County of Lake and North Coast Opportunities, Inc., for the purpose of increasing the contract by $265,000 to fund an additional cohort, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.6: Consideration of a request for use of county staff time in excess of eight hours in support of duties associated with the National Association of Counties’ Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force.
7.7: Consideration of revised Emergency Medical Care Committee bylaws.
7.8: A) Consideration of a resolution creating revenues and appropriations in Budget Unit 1785 - Public Safety Facilities; and B) Consideration of the award of Bid No. 250816 for the Lake County Jail Electronic Security Control System Upgrade Project to Tyco Fire and Security Management, Inc., in the amount of $3,855,279, and authorize the chair to sign the agreement and the notice of award.
7.9: Consideration of (A) Contract Change Order No. 4 to the construction contract between Lake County and Argonaut Constructors, Inc. for the construction of the Middletown Multi-Use Path Project (State Project No. ATPL-5914(102)) in the amount of $8,032.66, increasing the contract amount from $1,408,959.29 to a new contract amount of $1,416,991.95; (B) Resolution Accepting the Work of the Middletown Multi-Use Project (State Project No. ATPL-5914(102)) ; and (C) Direction to the Director of Public Works to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Lake Recorder’s Office
7.10: Consideration of (A) Contract Change Order No. 1 to the construction contract between Lake County and Lamon Construction Co., Inc. for the construction of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Asphalt Rehabilitation Project (State Project No. CRARPL-5914(126)) in the amount of $266.41,
increasing the contract amount from $210,215.20 to a new contract amount of $210,481.61; (B) Resolution Accepting the work of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Asphalt Rehabilitation Project (State Project No. CRARPL-5914(126)); and (C) Direction to the Public Works DIrector to file the notice of completion with the county of Lake Recorder’s Office.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council will seat its newly elected members this week.
The council will meet Tuesday, Dec. 17, 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, Dec. 17.
The main item on the agenda for Tuesday is the City Council reorganization as a result of the Nov. 5 election.
The council will be asked to certify the election results.
The mayor pro tem will offer a presentation to outgoing City Council member and mayor, Michael Froio.
The council will then seat and administer the oath of office to the four elected individuals — Kim Costa, Brandon Disney, Kenny Parlet and Christina Price — and seat the mayor and mayor pro tem for the coming year.
In council business, City Manager Kevin Ingram will ask the council to adopt a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake, city of Clearlake and city of Lakeport authorizing the formation of the Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund.
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 Dec. 3 and the special meeting of Dec. 10; direction to the clerk to prepare the 2025 Maddy Act Appointments List and post at City Hall and the Lakeport Public Library; adoption of the resolution accepting construction of the Silveira Community Center Electrical & HVAC Project by James Day Construction Inc. dba Coastal Mountain Electric and authorize the filing of the notice of completion; approval of the Amendment No. 2 to the commercial lease agreement with Jeff Leard, extending the lease term to Dec. 31, 2025, and authorize the city manager to execute the agreement.
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, Dec. 17, 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
The main item on the agenda for Tuesday is the City Council reorganization as a result of the Nov. 5 election.
The council will be asked to certify the election results.
The mayor pro tem will offer a presentation to outgoing City Council member and mayor, Michael Froio.
The council will then seat and administer the oath of office to the four elected individuals — Kim Costa, Brandon Disney, Kenny Parlet and Christina Price — and seat the mayor and mayor pro tem for the coming year.
In council business, City Manager Kevin Ingram will ask the council to adopt a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake, city of Clearlake and city of Lakeport authorizing the formation of the Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund.
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 Dec. 3 and the special meeting of Dec. 10; direction to the clerk to prepare the 2025 Maddy Act Appointments List and post at City Hall and the Lakeport Public Library; adoption of the resolution accepting construction of the Silveira Community Center Electrical & HVAC Project by James Day Construction Inc. dba Coastal Mountain Electric and authorize the filing of the notice of completion; approval of the Amendment No. 2 to the commercial lease agreement with Jeff Leard, extending the lease term to Dec. 31, 2025, and authorize the city manager to execute the agreement.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
More than half of the businesses in the United States had a sole owner, consistently outnumbering multi-owner businesses each year from 2017 to 2021, according to an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey, or ABS, which explores how reported business ownership varies by sex, race and ethnicity over time.
During the five-year period, the share of businesses with a single owner was remarkably stable, averaging 59.2%. By comparison, businesses with two to four owners made up an average 36.3% of all respondent firms, (Figure 1).
The share of businesses owned by five to 10 owners and those with 11 or more owners was significantly smaller and showed little variation. The portion with five to 10 owners consistently remained under 2% on average, while businesses with 11 or more owners accounted for about 1% of firms during this period.
Between 2018 and 2021, women-owned businesses were consistently more likely than male-owned to have one owner. (The difference in 2017 was not statistically significant.)
On average, 73.0% of women-owned businesses were solely owned, compared to 70.2% of male-owned businesses. This resulted in a persistent gap of 2.8 percentage points in sole ownership between men and women, (Figure 2).
Sole ownership by sex, race and ethnicity
Women-owned businesses were more likely to be sole owners than male-owned businesses across race and ethnic categories between 2018 and 2021. (The difference was not statistically significant in 2017).
Among minority-owned businesses (defined as a business owned by a person or persons of any race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White), on average 75.8% of those owned by women and 73.1% of those owned by men had one owner — an average difference of 2.7 percentage points, (Figure 3, Panel A).
Similarly, non-Hispanic White women-owned businesses were more likely than male-owned ones to have a single owner. From 2018 to 2021, an average of 72.5% of non-Hispanic White women-owned businesses and 70.0% of non-Hispanic White male-owned businesses were sole ownerships, yielding an average difference of 2.5 percentage points, (Figure 3, Panel B).
Sole ownership among hispanic and non-hispanic owned businesses by sex
From 2017 and 2021, an average of 74.6% of businesses owned by Hispanic women had a single owner. There was no statistically significant difference in the share of sole ownerships between businesses owned by Hispanic women and Hispanic men during this period, (Figure 4, Panel A).
But differences between businesses owned by non-Hispanic women and men emerged after 2018.
From 2018 to 2021, non-Hispanic women-owned businesses were 3.0 percentage points more likely to have a sole owner than male-owned businesses: 73.0% and 70.1%, respectively, (Figure 4, Panel B).
Shalise S. Ayromloo is a senior economist in the Census Bureau’s Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division.
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- Written by: Shalise S. Ayromloo
