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LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council last week gave final approval to a $1.1 million project meant to improve pavement and sidewalk conditions along a half-mile stretch of South Main Street.
At its Aug. 6 meeting, the council approved the South Main Street Pavement Maintenance Project’s plans, specifications and working details, and awarded the construction contract to Granite Construction Co.
Public Works Director Ron Ladd’s written report to the council said the project improves roadway conditions on South Main Street from Lakeport Boulevard to First Street.
He said the project’s components include pavement repairs and markings, surfacing, utility adjustments and rapid flashing beacons.
“The contract award will allow the City to proceed with the necessary pavement maintenance, enhancing road and pedestrian safety, improving traffic flow, and extending the lifespan of the roadway infrastructure,” Ladd wrote.
Ladd told the council on Aug. 6 that the seven bids the city received for the project were opened on July 8, with Granite Construction coming in with the lowest bid, $1,105,885.25. The city engineer had estimated the project at $1.2 million.
“They were really tight bids and we were happy to see that they were a little bit under our engineer’s estimate,” Ladd said.
“We are excited to move this project forward,” Ladd added.
He said it’s being funded with American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds that the City Council had previously approved for this project.
“We already have some of the improvements in progress that are separate from the ARPA funds,” said Ladd, explaining that all of the components will go together as one cohesive project when both projects are complete.
“This is a really big deal for us,” City Manager Kevin Ingram told the council.
Originally, the city had broken the project up into three pieces, but the ARPA funding is allowing them to address it altogether, which is much more cost effective, Ingram said. In context, it kickstarts other projects, and along with a large water and wastewater replacement project that’s in the works will provide noticeable improvement for the city’s roadway system.
He said the city is seeking the community’s forgiveness because they are going “to make a little bit of a mess” as the projects move forward, especially when they dig into the road to replace the water and sewer mains for the upcoming water and wastewater replacement project.
Connected to the South Main Street pavement project is a sidewalk improvement project, which Ingram said will put another half million dollars into pedestrian improvements and result in continuous sidewalks along that corridor.
Ingram said the city received public comment about not including a bike lane, and he said the issues with a bike lane and rehabilitation are not mutually exclusive. “I would argue that this project does put us closer to having that wider conversation.”
He said establishing a bike lane needs to be part of a larger kind of community outreach process, because “we only have a limited amount of real estate there on the road.”
Mayor Michael Froio asked Ladd if the city would have to remove the center turn lane on South Main Street if bike lanes were installed.
Ladd said there are several options. “Removing the center lane would be one of them.”
He said the city is in the middle of an active transportation plan that is going to give design alternatives not only on that segment of South Main but for the entire corridor.
“We're not going in and buying anything. We're stuck with what we have,” as far as the amount of space on the road, Froio said.
Ladd pointed out that the right of way acquisition for this project was incredibly small and yet took several months to complete.
“I'm confident we're gonna get there,” said Ingram. “And it's going to be better by having it looked at from a whole corridor perspective rather than just these ones.”
He added that if the city made any rash decisions on adding bike lanes, “and did anything crazy like limiting parking, this room would still be full.”
Ingram said there is a lot of money available now for bike and pedestrian improvements, and the city plans to capitalize on that.
Froio said that the project is not repaving but a pavement maintenance project, and he asked Ladd to explain the difference.
Ladd said a complete reconstruct would go several feet into the base throughout the entire span of the paving. This project is more of a “mill and fill” with specific dig outs that go deeper into the road base in specific areas.
He said it’s an almost identical project to one they did on North Main between Fourth Street and Clear Lake Avenue a couple of years ago.
Councilman Brandon Disney moved to approve the project, with Councilman Kenny Parlet seconding and the council approving the motion 5-0.
In other business at the Aug. 6 meeting, the council honored retiring Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, who then administered the oath of office to his successor, Dale Stoebe. The article on that event is here.
The council also approved an ordinance amending the municipal code to create a ministerial approval process for lot line adjustments, adopted the resolution to confirm and approve the utility billing delinquency list, also directing staff to submit the list to the County Auditor-Controller’s Office for inclusion on the property tax roll.
Froio was appointed the council’s delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference to be held Oct. 16 to 18, with Costa the first alternate and Disney the second.
Following council communications, in which Parlet gave a nearly 10-minute statement on COVID-19 being a hoax, the council went into closed session to discuss labor negotiations and an existing opioid lawsuit.
After they emerged, City Attorney David Ruderman announced that there was no reportable action on the labor negotiations. However, on the issue of the city’s existing litigation against Amerisourcebergen Drug Corp., staff was given direction to seek leave to amend the complaint to name an additional defendant, Indivior Inc., relating to the company’s involvement in marketing and distributing opioids.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
At its Aug. 6 meeting, the council approved the South Main Street Pavement Maintenance Project’s plans, specifications and working details, and awarded the construction contract to Granite Construction Co.
Public Works Director Ron Ladd’s written report to the council said the project improves roadway conditions on South Main Street from Lakeport Boulevard to First Street.
He said the project’s components include pavement repairs and markings, surfacing, utility adjustments and rapid flashing beacons.
“The contract award will allow the City to proceed with the necessary pavement maintenance, enhancing road and pedestrian safety, improving traffic flow, and extending the lifespan of the roadway infrastructure,” Ladd wrote.
Ladd told the council on Aug. 6 that the seven bids the city received for the project were opened on July 8, with Granite Construction coming in with the lowest bid, $1,105,885.25. The city engineer had estimated the project at $1.2 million.
“They were really tight bids and we were happy to see that they were a little bit under our engineer’s estimate,” Ladd said.
“We are excited to move this project forward,” Ladd added.
He said it’s being funded with American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds that the City Council had previously approved for this project.
“We already have some of the improvements in progress that are separate from the ARPA funds,” said Ladd, explaining that all of the components will go together as one cohesive project when both projects are complete.
“This is a really big deal for us,” City Manager Kevin Ingram told the council.
Originally, the city had broken the project up into three pieces, but the ARPA funding is allowing them to address it altogether, which is much more cost effective, Ingram said. In context, it kickstarts other projects, and along with a large water and wastewater replacement project that’s in the works will provide noticeable improvement for the city’s roadway system.
He said the city is seeking the community’s forgiveness because they are going “to make a little bit of a mess” as the projects move forward, especially when they dig into the road to replace the water and sewer mains for the upcoming water and wastewater replacement project.
Connected to the South Main Street pavement project is a sidewalk improvement project, which Ingram said will put another half million dollars into pedestrian improvements and result in continuous sidewalks along that corridor.
Ingram said the city received public comment about not including a bike lane, and he said the issues with a bike lane and rehabilitation are not mutually exclusive. “I would argue that this project does put us closer to having that wider conversation.”
He said establishing a bike lane needs to be part of a larger kind of community outreach process, because “we only have a limited amount of real estate there on the road.”
Mayor Michael Froio asked Ladd if the city would have to remove the center turn lane on South Main Street if bike lanes were installed.
Ladd said there are several options. “Removing the center lane would be one of them.”
He said the city is in the middle of an active transportation plan that is going to give design alternatives not only on that segment of South Main but for the entire corridor.
“We're not going in and buying anything. We're stuck with what we have,” as far as the amount of space on the road, Froio said.
Ladd pointed out that the right of way acquisition for this project was incredibly small and yet took several months to complete.
“I'm confident we're gonna get there,” said Ingram. “And it's going to be better by having it looked at from a whole corridor perspective rather than just these ones.”
He added that if the city made any rash decisions on adding bike lanes, “and did anything crazy like limiting parking, this room would still be full.”
Ingram said there is a lot of money available now for bike and pedestrian improvements, and the city plans to capitalize on that.
Froio said that the project is not repaving but a pavement maintenance project, and he asked Ladd to explain the difference.
Ladd said a complete reconstruct would go several feet into the base throughout the entire span of the paving. This project is more of a “mill and fill” with specific dig outs that go deeper into the road base in specific areas.
He said it’s an almost identical project to one they did on North Main between Fourth Street and Clear Lake Avenue a couple of years ago.
Councilman Brandon Disney moved to approve the project, with Councilman Kenny Parlet seconding and the council approving the motion 5-0.
In other business at the Aug. 6 meeting, the council honored retiring Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, who then administered the oath of office to his successor, Dale Stoebe. The article on that event is here.
The council also approved an ordinance amending the municipal code to create a ministerial approval process for lot line adjustments, adopted the resolution to confirm and approve the utility billing delinquency list, also directing staff to submit the list to the County Auditor-Controller’s Office for inclusion on the property tax roll.
Froio was appointed the council’s delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference to be held Oct. 16 to 18, with Costa the first alternate and Disney the second.
Following council communications, in which Parlet gave a nearly 10-minute statement on COVID-19 being a hoax, the council went into closed session to discuss labor negotiations and an existing opioid lawsuit.
After they emerged, City Attorney David Ruderman announced that there was no reportable action on the labor negotiations. However, on the issue of the city’s existing litigation against Amerisourcebergen Drug Corp., staff was given direction to seek leave to amend the complaint to name an additional defendant, Indivior Inc., relating to the company’s involvement in marketing and distributing opioids.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic violence case that led to a shooting last week.
On Aug. 8 at approximately 11:45 p.m., deputies responded to the 9000 block of Salmina Road in Kelseyville for reports of a possible domestic violence incident and possible gunshots heard in the area, the sheriff’s office reported.
Upon arriving, deputies located three male subjects, with one of the male subjects on the ground, officials said.
Authorities have so far not released the names of those involved.
The sheriff’s office said the deputies secured the area and began rendering aid to the subject on the ground, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.
The initial investigation revealed that two of the three male subjects were in a physical fight due to the alleged domestic violence occurring, and one of the subjects possessed a firearm. During the fight, the handgun went off, striking one of the subjects in the leg.
The injured subject was taken to an out-of-county hospital for treatment and has subsequently been released. The injured subject is believed to be the suspect in this case, the sheriff’s office said.
The other two subjects were not arrested and were believed to be acting in self-defense, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The sheriff’s office said its Thursday report on the incident is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation.
“The department's understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed,” the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said it submitted the case to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges.
On Aug. 8 at approximately 11:45 p.m., deputies responded to the 9000 block of Salmina Road in Kelseyville for reports of a possible domestic violence incident and possible gunshots heard in the area, the sheriff’s office reported.
Upon arriving, deputies located three male subjects, with one of the male subjects on the ground, officials said.
Authorities have so far not released the names of those involved.
The sheriff’s office said the deputies secured the area and began rendering aid to the subject on the ground, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.
The initial investigation revealed that two of the three male subjects were in a physical fight due to the alleged domestic violence occurring, and one of the subjects possessed a firearm. During the fight, the handgun went off, striking one of the subjects in the leg.
The injured subject was taken to an out-of-county hospital for treatment and has subsequently been released. The injured subject is believed to be the suspect in this case, the sheriff’s office said.
The other two subjects were not arrested and were believed to be acting in self-defense, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The sheriff’s office said its Thursday report on the incident is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation.
“The department's understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed,” the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said it submitted the case to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
The state has found that, when refiners limit gasoline supplies, prices spike at the pump and create massive profits for Big Oil.
On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new, first-in-the-nation proposal to further prevent price spikes and save Californians money.
The proposal would authorize the California Energy Commission, or CEC, to require that petroleum refiners maintain a minimum fuel reserve to avoid supply shortages that create higher prices for consumers.
If this proposal had been in effect in 2023, Californians would’ve saved upwards of $650 million in gas costs due to refiners’ price spikes.
The CEC also found that, in 2023, there were 63 days of California refiners maintaining less than 15 days of gas supply — driving up prices. This proposal would help ensure that the industry behaves responsibly and plans ahead to protect consumers from price spikes.
“Price spikes at the pump are profit spikes for Big Oil. Refiners should be required to plan ahead and backfill supplies to keep prices stable, instead of playing games to earn even more profits. By making refiners act responsibly and maintain a gas reserve, Californians would save money at the pump every year,” Newsom said.
The state’s new oil and gas accountability tools have helped mitigate price spikes and held Big Oil accountable, with prices significantly lower than at this time last year and the year before.
This summer, Californians spent an estimated $728 million less on gasoline than the same period last year. Thursday’s announced proposal would further protect consumers at the pump and help stabilize the market for the long-term.
“The data is clear: oil refiners have been racking up profits by planning maintenance that reduces supply during our busy driving seasons. The Governor’s proposal gives us new tools to require refiners to plan responsibly and prevent price gouging during maintenance,” said Tai Milder, director of the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight for the CEC.
What the proposal would do
• Obligate California’s petroleum refiners to demonstrate resupply plans and arrangements to the CEC that are adequate to address the loss in production from refinery maintenance.
• Authorize the CEC to require petroleum refiners to maintain enough fuel inventory to stabilize fuel supply.
• Impose penalties on refiners who fail to follow these requirements.
How we got here
Following gasoline price spikes in 2022, Gov. Newsom called for a special session and signed into law a package of reforms holding Big Oil accountable.
California’s new watchdog found that higher gasoline prices were caused by suspicious market transactions, refinery maintenance without properly preparing for it, and more.
Earlier this year, the watchdog sent Gov. Newsom a letter outlining specific proposals to reform California’s gasoline spot market, which included a minimum inventory requirement to prevent price spikes due to lack of stable supply.
The state’s gasoline price watchdog also found that, in 2023, gasoline prices spiked largely due to refineries going offline without adequately planning to backfill supplies, which caused refining margins to spike as spot and retail prices jumped — indicating that refinery margins made up the largest proportion of the price spikes between July and September 2023.
Other countries have taken similar actions
Australia enacted the Fuel Security Act, which has two major components: a minimum stockholding obligation and a fuel security services payment. Implemented in 2024, the minimum stockholding obligation requires major fuel refiners to hold 24 days of gasoline and 20 days of diesel fuel.
Japan passed the Oil Stockpiling Act to ensure a stable supply of oil, requiring both the government and private sector to maintain reserves of crude oil and other finished petroleum products.
The European Union adopted an Oil Stock Directive that requires EU countries to maintain emergency stocks of crude oil and petroleum products equal to at least 90 days of net imports or 61 days of consumption, whichever is higher.
On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new, first-in-the-nation proposal to further prevent price spikes and save Californians money.
The proposal would authorize the California Energy Commission, or CEC, to require that petroleum refiners maintain a minimum fuel reserve to avoid supply shortages that create higher prices for consumers.
If this proposal had been in effect in 2023, Californians would’ve saved upwards of $650 million in gas costs due to refiners’ price spikes.
The CEC also found that, in 2023, there were 63 days of California refiners maintaining less than 15 days of gas supply — driving up prices. This proposal would help ensure that the industry behaves responsibly and plans ahead to protect consumers from price spikes.
“Price spikes at the pump are profit spikes for Big Oil. Refiners should be required to plan ahead and backfill supplies to keep prices stable, instead of playing games to earn even more profits. By making refiners act responsibly and maintain a gas reserve, Californians would save money at the pump every year,” Newsom said.
The state’s new oil and gas accountability tools have helped mitigate price spikes and held Big Oil accountable, with prices significantly lower than at this time last year and the year before.
This summer, Californians spent an estimated $728 million less on gasoline than the same period last year. Thursday’s announced proposal would further protect consumers at the pump and help stabilize the market for the long-term.
“The data is clear: oil refiners have been racking up profits by planning maintenance that reduces supply during our busy driving seasons. The Governor’s proposal gives us new tools to require refiners to plan responsibly and prevent price gouging during maintenance,” said Tai Milder, director of the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight for the CEC.
What the proposal would do
• Obligate California’s petroleum refiners to demonstrate resupply plans and arrangements to the CEC that are adequate to address the loss in production from refinery maintenance.
• Authorize the CEC to require petroleum refiners to maintain enough fuel inventory to stabilize fuel supply.
• Impose penalties on refiners who fail to follow these requirements.
How we got here
Following gasoline price spikes in 2022, Gov. Newsom called for a special session and signed into law a package of reforms holding Big Oil accountable.
California’s new watchdog found that higher gasoline prices were caused by suspicious market transactions, refinery maintenance without properly preparing for it, and more.
Earlier this year, the watchdog sent Gov. Newsom a letter outlining specific proposals to reform California’s gasoline spot market, which included a minimum inventory requirement to prevent price spikes due to lack of stable supply.
The state’s gasoline price watchdog also found that, in 2023, gasoline prices spiked largely due to refineries going offline without adequately planning to backfill supplies, which caused refining margins to spike as spot and retail prices jumped — indicating that refinery margins made up the largest proportion of the price spikes between July and September 2023.
Other countries have taken similar actions
Australia enacted the Fuel Security Act, which has two major components: a minimum stockholding obligation and a fuel security services payment. Implemented in 2024, the minimum stockholding obligation requires major fuel refiners to hold 24 days of gasoline and 20 days of diesel fuel.
Japan passed the Oil Stockpiling Act to ensure a stable supply of oil, requiring both the government and private sector to maintain reserves of crude oil and other finished petroleum products.
The European Union adopted an Oil Stock Directive that requires EU countries to maintain emergency stocks of crude oil and petroleum products equal to at least 90 days of net imports or 61 days of consumption, whichever is higher.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
On Thursday Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that a bipartisan group of 78 Members of Congress have joined him in urging Senate Leaders Schumer, Wyden, McConnell and Crapo to take up the Bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5863).
He also announced that the Bipartisan Policy Center Action has endorsed the bill.
The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act passed the House in May and would retroactively exempt thousands of qualified wildfire victims in California, including PG&E fire victims, from having to pay federal income tax on their settlement money or pay tax on attorney fees that are included in the settlement.
It also excludes from taxpayer gross income, for income tax purposes, relief payments for losses resulting from the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on Feb. 3, 2023, and designates Hurricane Ian, among other federally declared disasters, as a qualified disaster for the purposes of determining the tax treatment of certain disaster-related personal casualty losses.
“Through no fault of their own, too many Americans have incurred thousands of dollars in disaster-related expenses. It’s wrong to tax disaster victims on the settlement money meant to help them rebuild their lives,” said Thompson. “Thank you to my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans alike, for joining me to advocate for this much-needed relief for wildfire and other disaster victims. Thank you to Bipartisan Policy Center Action, as well, for recognizing the importance of this relief and endorsing this legislation. Now, Senate leadership must work with us to deliver tax relief to the disaster victims who have been waiting for it.”
The 79-member group sent a letter Thursday advocating for Senate Leadership to take up the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. Rep. Thompson serves as the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax.
He introduced the original legislation to provide tax relief to PG&E fire victims in the 117th Congress and has worked to advance the legislation ever since.
In May, Rep. Thompson and Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17) led a bipartisan group of 218 Members of Congress to successfully advance a discharge petition which forced House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act to the House floor for a vote.
The historic advancement of Thompson and Steube’s petition marked only the third time a House discharge petition has succeeded in the 21st century. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support and Rep. Thompson and Rep. Steube continue to advocate for the Senate to take up the bill and pass it.
“Since the Senate failed to pass the bipartisan tax package, which included my bill to deliver tax relief, Senate leadership must now permit my stand-alone disaster relief bill to pass swiftly through the Senate on unanimous consent,” said Rep. Steube. “My bill precedes the larger package and received resounding support across the aisle in the House (382-7). Americans can’t wait for disaster relief. Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina sustained major impacts from Hurricane Debby, further underscoring the need to pass this bill as soon as possible. Millions of Americans affected by more than 300 disasters in 48 states will be helped by this legislation. The Senate must finish the job.”
“BPC Action applauds Reps. Greg Steube (R-FL) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) for their continued efforts to enact the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. Too often, the cards are stacked against disaster survivors working tirelessly to rebuild their homes, communities, and lives. The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act would address one significant burden by exempting the compensation households have received for certain disaster-related losses, expenses, and damages from federal income taxes. The bill's 36 bipartisan House sponsors, historic discharge petition, and overwhelmingly bipartisan vote on the House Floor demonstrate the breadth of support in Congress for helping those affected by devastating disasters. With families having now waited years for this much-needed relief, BPC Action urges the Senate to quickly pass this important legislation,” said Michele Stockwell, president, BPC Action.
BPC Action has endorsed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. BPC Action is the advocacy partner of the Bipartisan Policy Center and engages in advocacy, education, and outreach to bring Democrats and Republicans together to achieve policy changes on critical issues.
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
He also announced that the Bipartisan Policy Center Action has endorsed the bill.
The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act passed the House in May and would retroactively exempt thousands of qualified wildfire victims in California, including PG&E fire victims, from having to pay federal income tax on their settlement money or pay tax on attorney fees that are included in the settlement.
It also excludes from taxpayer gross income, for income tax purposes, relief payments for losses resulting from the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on Feb. 3, 2023, and designates Hurricane Ian, among other federally declared disasters, as a qualified disaster for the purposes of determining the tax treatment of certain disaster-related personal casualty losses.
“Through no fault of their own, too many Americans have incurred thousands of dollars in disaster-related expenses. It’s wrong to tax disaster victims on the settlement money meant to help them rebuild their lives,” said Thompson. “Thank you to my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans alike, for joining me to advocate for this much-needed relief for wildfire and other disaster victims. Thank you to Bipartisan Policy Center Action, as well, for recognizing the importance of this relief and endorsing this legislation. Now, Senate leadership must work with us to deliver tax relief to the disaster victims who have been waiting for it.”
The 79-member group sent a letter Thursday advocating for Senate Leadership to take up the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. Rep. Thompson serves as the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax.
He introduced the original legislation to provide tax relief to PG&E fire victims in the 117th Congress and has worked to advance the legislation ever since.
In May, Rep. Thompson and Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17) led a bipartisan group of 218 Members of Congress to successfully advance a discharge petition which forced House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act to the House floor for a vote.
The historic advancement of Thompson and Steube’s petition marked only the third time a House discharge petition has succeeded in the 21st century. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support and Rep. Thompson and Rep. Steube continue to advocate for the Senate to take up the bill and pass it.
“Since the Senate failed to pass the bipartisan tax package, which included my bill to deliver tax relief, Senate leadership must now permit my stand-alone disaster relief bill to pass swiftly through the Senate on unanimous consent,” said Rep. Steube. “My bill precedes the larger package and received resounding support across the aisle in the House (382-7). Americans can’t wait for disaster relief. Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina sustained major impacts from Hurricane Debby, further underscoring the need to pass this bill as soon as possible. Millions of Americans affected by more than 300 disasters in 48 states will be helped by this legislation. The Senate must finish the job.”
“BPC Action applauds Reps. Greg Steube (R-FL) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) for their continued efforts to enact the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. Too often, the cards are stacked against disaster survivors working tirelessly to rebuild their homes, communities, and lives. The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act would address one significant burden by exempting the compensation households have received for certain disaster-related losses, expenses, and damages from federal income taxes. The bill's 36 bipartisan House sponsors, historic discharge petition, and overwhelmingly bipartisan vote on the House Floor demonstrate the breadth of support in Congress for helping those affected by devastating disasters. With families having now waited years for this much-needed relief, BPC Action urges the Senate to quickly pass this important legislation,” said Michele Stockwell, president, BPC Action.
BPC Action has endorsed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. BPC Action is the advocacy partner of the Bipartisan Policy Center and engages in advocacy, education, and outreach to bring Democrats and Republicans together to achieve policy changes on critical issues.
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
A State Senate subcommittee has approved several bills aimed at improving safety for tribal members and offering child protection measures.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos’s legislation ranging from children and youth to public safety and tribes cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense file on Thursday.
The approved measures will be voted on by the full Senate by the close of session on Aug. 31.
Senate Appropriations approved the following bills:
AB 2108, the Luke Madrigal Act, requires a county social worker or probation officer to immediately notify parents or legal guardians, attorneys for parents, court-appointed special advocates, the court of jurisdiction and others when they receive information that children receiving child welfare services, including non-minor dependents, are missing from foster care. The Yurok Tribe, California Tribal Families Coalition and Alliance for Children’s Rights are sponsors.
AB 2711 would ensure that students who voluntarily disclose their substance use to school officials for purposes of seeking assistance will not be suspended. Sponsors are the California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, California Alliance of Child and Family Services and California Youth Empowerment Network and Children Now.
AB 2138 creates a three-year pilot program allowing tribal governments under specified conditions to grant their law enforcement officers peace officer status. Sponsors are the Yurok Tribe and California Indian Legal Services.
AB 2695 requires the Department of Justice to collect and disaggregate data on crimes occurring on Indian lands and report that information to the California Department of Justice as part of its efforts to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis. Sponsor is California Attorney General Rob Bonta. It is also supported by the Cahuilla Band of Indians and California Tribal Business Alliance.
Also moving out of the Senate Appropriations Committee is AB 1284, which would allow California’s federally recognized tribes to enter into co-governance and co-management agreements with the California Natural Resources Agency. Sponsors are the Resighini Rancheria and the Tolwa Dee-ni' Nation.
Ramos bills currently on the Senate floor include AB 81, which seeks to safeguard existing state statutes protecting Indian children, families and the rights of tribes in child welfare cases by making changes throughout various code sections regarding placement of children in Indian child welfare cases. Official sponsors are the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the California Tribal Families Coalition.
There also is AB 1821, which would require California schools, when teaching about the Spanish Colonization and Gold Rush Eras, to teach the true history of the treatment and perspectives of California Native Americans during those periods. It would also require that the Instructional Quality Commission consider including the content in the curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials. Sponsors are the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
In addition, AB 3276 would ratify the tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Tule River Indian Tribe of California executed on June 25, 2024. Sponsor is the Tule River Indian Tribe of California.
Measures already heading to the governor’s desk are AB 1863, which would make changes to the Feather Alert, a public notification system operated by the California Highway Patrol when Native Americans are missing. The changes would streamline the process and require the CHP to state why a notification request is not enacted. Sponsors are the Bear River of the Rohnerville Rancheria, Pechanga Band of Mission Indians and the Yurok Tribe.
Also, AB 2948 that would include a final order of adoption issued by a tribal court as a qualifying circumstance for a child to receive Adoption Assistance Program benefits.
Ramos, who represents the 45th Assembly district, is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos’s legislation ranging from children and youth to public safety and tribes cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense file on Thursday.
The approved measures will be voted on by the full Senate by the close of session on Aug. 31.
Senate Appropriations approved the following bills:
AB 2108, the Luke Madrigal Act, requires a county social worker or probation officer to immediately notify parents or legal guardians, attorneys for parents, court-appointed special advocates, the court of jurisdiction and others when they receive information that children receiving child welfare services, including non-minor dependents, are missing from foster care. The Yurok Tribe, California Tribal Families Coalition and Alliance for Children’s Rights are sponsors.
AB 2711 would ensure that students who voluntarily disclose their substance use to school officials for purposes of seeking assistance will not be suspended. Sponsors are the California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, California Alliance of Child and Family Services and California Youth Empowerment Network and Children Now.
AB 2138 creates a three-year pilot program allowing tribal governments under specified conditions to grant their law enforcement officers peace officer status. Sponsors are the Yurok Tribe and California Indian Legal Services.
AB 2695 requires the Department of Justice to collect and disaggregate data on crimes occurring on Indian lands and report that information to the California Department of Justice as part of its efforts to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis. Sponsor is California Attorney General Rob Bonta. It is also supported by the Cahuilla Band of Indians and California Tribal Business Alliance.
Also moving out of the Senate Appropriations Committee is AB 1284, which would allow California’s federally recognized tribes to enter into co-governance and co-management agreements with the California Natural Resources Agency. Sponsors are the Resighini Rancheria and the Tolwa Dee-ni' Nation.
Ramos bills currently on the Senate floor include AB 81, which seeks to safeguard existing state statutes protecting Indian children, families and the rights of tribes in child welfare cases by making changes throughout various code sections regarding placement of children in Indian child welfare cases. Official sponsors are the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the California Tribal Families Coalition.
There also is AB 1821, which would require California schools, when teaching about the Spanish Colonization and Gold Rush Eras, to teach the true history of the treatment and perspectives of California Native Americans during those periods. It would also require that the Instructional Quality Commission consider including the content in the curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials. Sponsors are the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
In addition, AB 3276 would ratify the tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Tule River Indian Tribe of California executed on June 25, 2024. Sponsor is the Tule River Indian Tribe of California.
Measures already heading to the governor’s desk are AB 1863, which would make changes to the Feather Alert, a public notification system operated by the California Highway Patrol when Native Americans are missing. The changes would streamline the process and require the CHP to state why a notification request is not enacted. Sponsors are the Bear River of the Rohnerville Rancheria, Pechanga Band of Mission Indians and the Yurok Tribe.
Also, AB 2948 that would include a final order of adoption issued by a tribal court as a qualifying circumstance for a child to receive Adoption Assistance Program benefits.
Ramos, who represents the 45th Assembly district, is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Wednesday the city of Clearlake scored a win in its lawsuit against Highlands Mutual Water Co. when a judge ruled that the water company must hold a new board election and release more information about its operations.
In making his decision, Judge J. David Markham considered the water company’s bylaws, case briefs, arguments, district practice — and even matters of punctuation.
Markham presided over the brief oral arguments in the case on Tuesday afternoon, taking the matter under submission and planning to release the decision by the end of the week, as Lake County News has reported.
Highlands Mutual held its annual shareholder meeting on April 10 to elect a board, at which time the city brought 177 proxy votes in an attempt to have the Clearlake City Council elected.
Instead, Highlands Mutual ruled that its board had been reelected with 217 votes. It also said nearly half of the proxies submitted by the city were not valid because they were from owners of vacant lots that they said are not eligible to vote.
In June, the city of Clearlake filed the lawsuit seeking to have the election set aside and to force Highlands Mutual to release more information about its operations that the city maintained it is entitled to have under state corporation law.
That matter of who was eligible to vote under the definition of “shareholder” was key to the case, and emphasized during Tuesday’s argument.
Brian Hamilton, representing the city, said the water company’s bylaws and articles of incorporation were clear in considering property owners within the water company boundaries as shareholders.
Highlands Mutual’s attorney, Damian Moos, argued that in order to be a shareholder, a property owner must have a connection to the system. He said that the water company has conducted elections using that shareholder definition for decades, and the city had not previously raised an issue with it.
Markham’s reading of Highlands Mutual’s bylaws found that each lot or parcel is entitled to one share in the water company. “The language does not limit shares to those with water connections.”
The ruling noted, “Defendants rely on language in the Articles [of incorporation], conduct of the City, and conduct of the Board of DIrectors of Highlands.”
The articles of incorporation said that the water company’s purpose is “‘to sell and distribute [water] among the stockholders of this corporation who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line of this Company …’ Defendants argue that by adding the words ‘who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line,’ the drafters intended to limit ‘stockholders’ to those who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line.”
However, he said punctuation was an important consideration, explaining that the lack of punctuation or parenthetical phrases — such as, “in other words” or “to-wit” — indicated “the drafters did not intend to convey that meaning.”
Markham further explained, “For example, the drafters could have written, ‘among the stockholders of this corporation, to-wit, those who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line …’ Or they could have written, ‘among the stockholders of this corporation, who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line …’ Even the addition of a single comma could have indicated that the stockholders were limited to owners of land reached by a conduit or pipe line.”
As a result, Markham found that the city’s interpretation of Highlands Water’s bylaws is consistent with the “plain meaning” of the words in the document and the corporation’s stated purpose.
“Allowing unconnected properties to have shares and the right to vote furthers the purpose of Highlands by allowing future water users [to] have a say in how Highlands is managed so as to protect their ability to obtain connections and receive water in the future,” Markham wrote in the seven-page decision.
He found the water company’s understanding “is inconsistent with the plain meaning of the language used.”
The city’s failure to previously enforce its shareholder rights didn’t help the court with the issue of the language interpretation, and the city not taking action earlier “does not add to or detract from the terms used in the Bylaws or Articles,” Markham wrote.
Based on his evaluation of the evidence, Markham concluded that “owners of all lots and parcels, with or without a water connection, are shareholders of Highlands Mutual Water Company.”
As a result, because Highlands did not notice all shareholders of the board of directors election on April 24, Markham said the election was invalid.
Moos argued on Tuesday that Highlands Mutual has no knowledge of who owns the parcels in its territory, and that it would have to send notices to landowners they don’t know exist.
The city, in response, said the recorder’s office would have that information about the parcels.
Despite Highlands Mutual’s objections to having to send out those notices to all property owners in its territory, Markham has ordered the water company to notice a new election to all shareholders, with the election to take place within 45 days of the issuance of the order on Wednesday.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
In making his decision, Judge J. David Markham considered the water company’s bylaws, case briefs, arguments, district practice — and even matters of punctuation.
Markham presided over the brief oral arguments in the case on Tuesday afternoon, taking the matter under submission and planning to release the decision by the end of the week, as Lake County News has reported.
Highlands Mutual held its annual shareholder meeting on April 10 to elect a board, at which time the city brought 177 proxy votes in an attempt to have the Clearlake City Council elected.
Instead, Highlands Mutual ruled that its board had been reelected with 217 votes. It also said nearly half of the proxies submitted by the city were not valid because they were from owners of vacant lots that they said are not eligible to vote.
In June, the city of Clearlake filed the lawsuit seeking to have the election set aside and to force Highlands Mutual to release more information about its operations that the city maintained it is entitled to have under state corporation law.
That matter of who was eligible to vote under the definition of “shareholder” was key to the case, and emphasized during Tuesday’s argument.
Brian Hamilton, representing the city, said the water company’s bylaws and articles of incorporation were clear in considering property owners within the water company boundaries as shareholders.
Highlands Mutual’s attorney, Damian Moos, argued that in order to be a shareholder, a property owner must have a connection to the system. He said that the water company has conducted elections using that shareholder definition for decades, and the city had not previously raised an issue with it.
Markham’s reading of Highlands Mutual’s bylaws found that each lot or parcel is entitled to one share in the water company. “The language does not limit shares to those with water connections.”
The ruling noted, “Defendants rely on language in the Articles [of incorporation], conduct of the City, and conduct of the Board of DIrectors of Highlands.”
The articles of incorporation said that the water company’s purpose is “‘to sell and distribute [water] among the stockholders of this corporation who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line of this Company …’ Defendants argue that by adding the words ‘who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line,’ the drafters intended to limit ‘stockholders’ to those who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line.”
However, he said punctuation was an important consideration, explaining that the lack of punctuation or parenthetical phrases — such as, “in other words” or “to-wit” — indicated “the drafters did not intend to convey that meaning.”
Markham further explained, “For example, the drafters could have written, ‘among the stockholders of this corporation, to-wit, those who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line …’ Or they could have written, ‘among the stockholders of this corporation, who have land reached by a conduit or pipe line …’ Even the addition of a single comma could have indicated that the stockholders were limited to owners of land reached by a conduit or pipe line.”
As a result, Markham found that the city’s interpretation of Highlands Water’s bylaws is consistent with the “plain meaning” of the words in the document and the corporation’s stated purpose.
“Allowing unconnected properties to have shares and the right to vote furthers the purpose of Highlands by allowing future water users [to] have a say in how Highlands is managed so as to protect their ability to obtain connections and receive water in the future,” Markham wrote in the seven-page decision.
He found the water company’s understanding “is inconsistent with the plain meaning of the language used.”
The city’s failure to previously enforce its shareholder rights didn’t help the court with the issue of the language interpretation, and the city not taking action earlier “does not add to or detract from the terms used in the Bylaws or Articles,” Markham wrote.
Based on his evaluation of the evidence, Markham concluded that “owners of all lots and parcels, with or without a water connection, are shareholders of Highlands Mutual Water Company.”
As a result, because Highlands did not notice all shareholders of the board of directors election on April 24, Markham said the election was invalid.
Moos argued on Tuesday that Highlands Mutual has no knowledge of who owns the parcels in its territory, and that it would have to send notices to landowners they don’t know exist.
The city, in response, said the recorder’s office would have that information about the parcels.
Despite Highlands Mutual’s objections to having to send out those notices to all property owners in its territory, Markham has ordered the water company to notice a new election to all shareholders, with the election to take place within 45 days of the issuance of the order on Wednesday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Sponsoring Survivorship has announced its 28th annual Run & Walk.
The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Xabatin Community Park Theater.
Online registration is available now at https://sponsoringsurvivorship.com/.
There will be a 2K walk, 5K walk, 5K run and 10K run.
The registration fee is $30 and includes a free t-shirt.
On the day of the event, registration will take place from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Join them at 8 a.m. as there will be refreshments and raffle prizes.
The event starts at 9 a.m., rain or shine.
Proceeds benefit Lake County women and men in their treatment against breast cancer.
Sponsoring Survivorship expresses thanks to the many business sponsors and the local community.
Donations may be made by check to Sponsoring Survivorship (a nonprofit #45-3321877), and mailed to PO Box 1924, Lakeport, CA 95453.
For more information go to https://sponsoringsurvivorship.com/, or contact Julie Kelley at 707-972-0286 or Brandi Cubbage at 432-614-7707.
The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Xabatin Community Park Theater.
Online registration is available now at https://sponsoringsurvivorship.com/.
There will be a 2K walk, 5K walk, 5K run and 10K run.
The registration fee is $30 and includes a free t-shirt.
On the day of the event, registration will take place from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Join them at 8 a.m. as there will be refreshments and raffle prizes.
The event starts at 9 a.m., rain or shine.
Proceeds benefit Lake County women and men in their treatment against breast cancer.
Sponsoring Survivorship expresses thanks to the many business sponsors and the local community.
Donations may be made by check to Sponsoring Survivorship (a nonprofit #45-3321877), and mailed to PO Box 1924, Lakeport, CA 95453.
For more information go to https://sponsoringsurvivorship.com/, or contact Julie Kelley at 707-972-0286 or Brandi Cubbage at 432-614-7707.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
