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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
City Manager Kevin Ingram asked the council to consider if it wanted to sign onto a letter the Board of Supervisors voted to send to the governor on Nov. 17 regarding the revisions to the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
The board’s action in sending that letter last month followed by a day Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement of the stricter blueprint, which saw the majority of the state’s 58 counties going into the most restrictive of the four tiers, purple.
In particular, the letter, written by Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, focused on the challenges that rural counties like Lake are facing with the shortened time frame for data analysis and ranking that pushed many of them into the highest tier.
But what the board’s letter had been trying to avert – Lake also moving into the purple tier – happened over the weekend.
And on Tuesday morning, during his regular update to the Board of Supervisors, Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said he doesn’t think Lake County will leave the purple tier – and its restrictions – any time soon.
“I suspect we’re probably going to be here for a couple months,” he said, adding that he also expects the state to impose more restrictions.
While the Lakeport City Council ultimately said it supported the supervisors’ letter, it stopped short of signing on or even sending its own at present, noting the rapid changes in the situation which made many of the letter’s main points moot.
They also questioned if, with Lake’s case numbers rapidly rising – the county caseload was up to 971 confirmed cases and 20 deaths on Tuesday, an increase of 94 cases and one death over the previous week – that they could successfully argue that the county’s situation is as unique as the supervisors’ letter maintained.
Trying to thread the needle
While Ingram, in presenting the letter, acknowledged that quite a few developments had occurred since it was sent two weeks ago, he said he still wanted to bring it to the council.
He noted the city’s efforts in trying to thread the needle between controlling the virus and making sure they have an economy left afterward. Ingram questioned how the city can assist businesses with changing regulations, which seem to be different every week.
Ingram also noted that on Monday the governor had warned of the possibility of even greater restrictions due to the statewide spike in cases.
“Our businesses are really struggling,” he said, noting that in addition to financial hardship, “These regulations are overbearing, too.”
Community Development Director Jenni Byers explained that, at the end of May, her department came up with a temporary zoning permit that allowed restaurants to extend into the sidewalk and the street.
The state’s guidelines restrict outside dining to 50 percent restaurant capacity and must allow for airflow. Byers said staff also checked on outside tents in which large heaters are being used to ensure compliance with guidelines from the manufacturers and the Lakeport Fire Department.
Councilwoman Mireya Turner asked Ingram about $500 million in grants for small businesses that Gov. Newsom announced earlier this week. Ingram said they are looking into it and how it can help local business, adding his strategy is to hit the challenging situation “from a million different angles.”
Ingram asked the council members if they wanted to see the city taking a larger and more active role in trying to push Lakeport’s unique case to state legislators or the Governor’s Office.
“I think that this is a moving target,” said Councilwoman Stacey Mattina, adding the situation keeps changing and there could be another lockdown ahead.
“From the beginning, it’s felt like government’s picking winners and losers and it doesn’t seem fair,” Mattina said.
Mattina said she wasn’t sure the council should sign onto the letter, and Councilman Kenny Parlet said he also doubted it would do any good, although Councilman Tim Barnes thought a letter was a good idea.
“I don’t know how much longer some of these small businesses are going to last,” Barnes said, adding that it’s hard enough to make payroll in Lake County in the winter if you’re not getting hit with a public safety power shutoff or a pandemic.
“Just keeping the doors open in a rural community is difficult,” Barnes said.
Turner said she could support a letter but that it needed to be clear in what it’s asking of state officials. She also wanted to know what kind of support is available for residents who are having trouble making ends meet or property owners not collecting rent.
Public weighs in on letter
During public comment, Michael Green – a city planning commissioner who, based on preliminary election results, appears to have won a seat on the council, although the election results weren’t confirmed as of Tuesday evening – said he didn’t know what the point would be in sending a letter if it didn’t have a clear request.
“We’re getting hammered, Lakeport in particular, though our nursing home outbreak,” he said.
Green said the city needed to up its game in supporting curbside dining, and said it’s hard to support a shop local campaign when local business owners are struggling with compliance with rules regarding COVID-19 safety.
Frank Dollosso, a local businessman who led an unsuccessful signature drive to hold a referendum on the county’s COVID-19 enforcement ordinance, said the whole enforcement issue “is nothing but an illusion,” and that this winter is going to be very detrimental for businesses.
Nathan Maxman, another city council candidate who in early returns appeared in line to win a seat, said if the council sends a letter, it needs to include what steps the city is taking to help reduce the number of cases.
“I am against signing this letter. It is outdated. It does not have a clear ask,” Turner said, with Mattina agreeing.
Ultimately, the council took no action. However, Ingram said the pandemic is going to be a continuing issue for some time, and that staff would provide ongoing updates to the council on its efforts to help the community.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.
Because of the county’s shelter in place order, Clearlake City Hall remains closed to the public, however, the virtual meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEG TV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
The meeting will include December’s adoptable dogs, a presentation by Retail Strategies and honors to be offered to outgoing Councilman Phil Harris.
The council will consider accepting the November election results and the prelude to administering the oath of office to the newly elected council members.
Based on preliminary election results – the final results were not available as of Tuesday night – incumbent Joyce Overton was returned for another term and David Claffey was elected to his first term. Both were on the ballot. The elections office has not reported on write-in candidates.
On Thursday, the council also will select the mayor and vice mayor for 2021.
The council will then move on to consider cosigning a letter that the Board of Supervisors sent to the governor regarding the state’s recent changes to COVID-19 restrictions.
The board sent a letter to the state on Nov. 17 raising issues with the new structure, which it said impacts rural counties more harshly, and asking the state to ease up.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Lake’s growing COVID-19 caseload landed it in the state’s most restrictive tier on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora’s report said that Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, who wrote the board's letter, suggested that both the city councils of Clearlake and Lakeport sign onto the letter. On Tuesday, the Lakeport City Council offered its support for the board’s letter but chose not to sign onto it due to the developments in the last two weeks.
In other business Thursday, the council will consider a resolution to implement a hiring bonus and referral program in an effort to fill city job vacancies. The council approved such a program for police officers in 2019.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the Oct. 14 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting; minutes of the Oct. 15, Nov. 5 and Nov. 19 meetings; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action March 19, 2020; consideration of Resolution No. 2020-54, approving a temporary street closure for the annual Christmas Parade adopt resolution; second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 248-2020, an Amendment to Chapter 18 of the Clearlake Municipal Code repealing and replacing the zoning ordinance hold second reading, read it by title only, waive further reading and adopt ordinance; annual calendar of meetings for 2021; consideration of amendment No. 2 to employment agreement with chief of police; and City Hall holiday closure.
After the open portion of the meeting, the council will hold a closed session to discuss existing litigation, Jane Wang v. City of Clearlake, et al. and City of Clearlake v. County of Lake, a political subdivision of the State of California, Board of Supervisors of the County of Lake, a public body of the County of Lake, Barbara C. Ringen, in her official capacity as the Treasurer-Tax Collector of the County of Lake; and Does 1 through 30, inclusive; the claim of Bliss X LLC., Robert Glasner; and property negotiations with Robert Adelman for property at 2890 Old Highway 53.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Initial allocations are based on conservative assumptions regarding hydrology and factors such as reservoir storage. Allocations are reviewed monthly and may change based on snowpack and runoff information. They are typically finalized by May.
“While we still have several months ahead of us, dry conditions persist,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “As communities throughout California prepare to support their environment and economies through times of extended dry periods, state agencies plan together to support those communities. Californians can help by always using water carefully, inside and outside their homes and businesses.”
DWR’s eight precipitation stations in Northern California recorded a record-low 0 percent of average rainfall in October and 53 percent in November.
Most of the state’s major reservoirs are lower than the historical average to date compared to a year ago. Lake Shasta, the federal Central Valley Project’s largest reservoir, is at 75 percent compared to 119 percent its historical average to date in 2019.
Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, holds 61 percent compared to 90 percent of its historical average to date in 2019.
San Luis Reservoir, a joint-use facility for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, now holds 76 percent compared to 72 percent of its historical average to date in 2019.
The 10 percent initial allocation amounts to 422,848 acre-feet of water, distributed among the 29 long-term State Water Project contractors who serve more than 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.
Last year’s initial allocation was 10 percent, with a final allocation of 20 percent set in May.
Nearly all areas served by the State Water Project have sources of water other than the allocation, such as streams, groundwater, and local reservoirs.
DWR will conduct the season’s first snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada on December 30, 2020. On average, the snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs as it melts in the spring and early summer.
For information on current water conditions at the state’s largest reservoirs and weather stations, visit the California Data Exchange Center website.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Vitalant, the nation’s second-largest community blood service provider, is hosting the 15th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge.
It’s partnering with 21 fire agencies across Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties for this year’s event.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing major disruptions, Kim Walsh, Vitalant’s donor recruitment representative, said the Bucket Brigade is even more important this year.
Vitalant reported that surges in COVID-19 cases, wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters combined with the cancellation of blood drives at schools, businesses and community organizations have brought the blood supply to a critical level on a national level.
Walsh said Vitalant supports 45 Bay Area hospitals.
While they’ve been able to supply those hospitals with what they need, “We’re in need of donors,” Walsh said.
Walsh said they are doing things very differently in response to COVID-19.
“We have had to cancel 2,000 blood drives in the Bay Area,” said Walsh.
On the local level, they’ve also stopped mobile blood drives. Instead, Walsh said they’re looking for spaces of 2,000 square feet and above to allow for social distancing.
She said they are fortunate that the fire stations chose to continue with this year’s Bucket Brigade. “That’s been a huge, huge relief.”
The Bucket Brigade is a friendly competition to see which fire department can host the largest blood drive between December and January.
Vitalant said the Bucket Brigade idea comes from the Great London Fire of 1666 that found community members in “brigades” as they passed buckets of water from the city’s water supply to the blaze that endangered their town and community.
Vitalant Senior Director of Donor Recruitment Andrea Casson brought the participating North Coast fire departments together 15 years ago with the idea of “creating a modern Bucket Brigade that gathers our community in an effort to save lives through blood donations.”
Since 2006, fire departments participating in the Bucket Brigade Challenge have recruited more than 11,000 participants, Vitalant reported.
For Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties, Walsh said 80 percent of the mobile blood drives in December have been Bucket Brigade events.
Walsh said Lake County’s participating fire agencies – Lakeport Fire and South Lake County Fire – typically perform very well and are consistently among the top drives in the Bucket Brigade.
Last year, Lakeport had 65 donors and placed fourth out of 21 competitors, while South Lake County came in seventh with 56 donors, Walsh said.
Lakeport Fire’s blood drive won’t take place in the downtown station’s truck bay as in past years. Walsh said this year it will be held in the larger – and heated – Silveira Community Center across N. Main Street.
As a special thank you, blood donors will receive an annual event T-shirt.
To find a drive near you, see the complete list of Bucket Brigade blood drive events published below.
Appointments for the Bucket Brigade are encouraged. Visit www.vitalant.com and use the sponsor code, Middletown or Lakeport, for the Lake County blood drive where you wish to donate.
For your donation, please arrive well-hydrated and well-nourished, with a face mask and photo identification.
Besides the Bucket Brigade, Walsh said Vitalant is in Lake County once a month to collect blood donations.
To make an appointment, get eligibility information and to learn more about how Vitalant is adjusting to the pandemic, visit www.vitalant.org or call 877-258-4825.
15th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive events
Lake County
Saturday, Dec. 5
South Lake County Fire Protection District
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Station 60, 21095 State Highway 175, Middletown
Saturday, Dec. 19
Lakeport Fire Protection District
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Silveira Community Center, 500 N. Main St.
Mendocino County
Tuesday, Dec. 1
Ukiah Valley Fire Authority
1:30 to 5:45 p.m.
Community center, 200 School St., Ukiah
Monday, Dec. 28
Fort Bragg and Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department
1 to 5:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 363 N. Main St., Fort Bragg
Tuesday, Dec. 29
Fort Bragg and Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 363 N. Main St., Fort Bragg
Wednesday, Jan. 13
Hopland Volunteer Fire Department
1 to 6 p.m.
Fire station, 21 Feliz Creek Road
Sonoma County
Tuesday, Dec. 15
Sebastopol Fire Department
1 to 6 p.m.
Fire station, 7425 Bodega Bay Ave.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
Graton Fire Protection District
1:30 to 6 p.m.
Fire station truck bay, 3750 Highway 116 North
Wednesday, Dec. 30
Forestville Fire Department
2 to 6:30 p.m.
Fire station: 6554 Mirabel Road
Sunday, Jan. 3
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
SOMO Event Center, 1100 Valley House Drive
Wednesday, Jan. 6
Santa Rosa Fire Department
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Training center, 35 Stony Point Road
Saturday, Jan. 9
Healdsburg Fire Department
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Fire station, 601 Healdsburg Ave.
Thursday, Jan. 14
Sonoma County Fire District
1:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Rincon Valley Station Fire Station, 91 Middle Rincon Road, Santa Rosa
Friday, Jan. 15
Cloverdale Fire Protection District
1:30 to 6 p.m.
Fire station, 451 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Wednesday, Jan. 20
Sonoma Valley Fire District
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vintage House, 264 First St. East, Sonoma
Friday, Jan. 22
Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District
1:30 to 6:30 p.m.
District fire station, 20975 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville
Monday, Jan. 25
Wilmar and San Antonio Volunteer Fire Departments
1 to 6 p.m.
Wilmar Fire Station, 3825 Bodega Ave., Petaluma
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Petaluma Fire Department and Rancho Adobe Fire District
1 to 6 p.m.
Petaluma Elks Lodge, 2105 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Petaluma Fire Department and Rancho Adobe Fire District
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Petaluma Elks Lodge, 2105 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma
Saturday, Jan. 30
Sonoma County Fire District – Windsor Station
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Huerta Gym, 9291 Old Redwood Hwy #200, Windsor
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