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COBB, Calif. – The Cobb Area Council has announced its second springtime community wildfire preparedness event, Cobb Safe 2019, to be held on Saturday, April 13.
Local residents will be able to collaborate with neighbors on making the community safe over the coming year.
Cobb Safe will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cobb Mountain Elementary School multipurpose room.
Representatives from Cal Fire, South Lake Fire Safe Council, and other agencies will give updates to the public.
Some of these will include clearing Bottle Rock Road as a major evacuation route, the Firewise Communities certification process, Cal Fire LE-100 inspections and local homeowner grants for clearing around homes.
of particular interest will be information on the recently passed hazardous vegetation ordinance as well as the newly formed Lake County Joint Powers Risk Reduction Authority.
After learning about clearing and making properties safer from fire, the California Native Plant Society will speak about native firewise plants to beautify our community.
This year, lunch at Cobb Safe 2019 will again be complimentary, and several groups and agencies will be on hand to give away useful resources and take down registration for other assistance. Tree seedlings from the Lake County Resource Conservation District will be available. A raffle for prizes will be open to all attendees.
The Cobb Area Council is community based, community built, answering to the Cobb community.
When this community advisory council was originally formed by Cobb residents nearly three years ago, one of the highest priorities was to help build resilience in our neighborhoods and to prepare for any future emergencies.
"The Cobb Area Council has been working since the Valley Fire to build cooperation among Cobb Area residents, and these preparedness events are one way to celebrate and further develop our community spirit. Working and having fun together, we can reach for the next level of mutual aid and local self reliance,” said Eliot Hurwitz, chair of the Cobb Area Council.
The council is grateful for generous support from the Rebuild North Bay Foundation, Cal Fire, and the Seigler Springs Community Redevelopment Association for its support and guidance.
To view other event details and the itinerary, please visit www.cobbareacouncil.org or visit the Cobb Area Council Facebook page.
For information about the Firewise Communities program in the Cobb area, contactThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Local residents will be able to collaborate with neighbors on making the community safe over the coming year.
Cobb Safe will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cobb Mountain Elementary School multipurpose room.
Representatives from Cal Fire, South Lake Fire Safe Council, and other agencies will give updates to the public.
Some of these will include clearing Bottle Rock Road as a major evacuation route, the Firewise Communities certification process, Cal Fire LE-100 inspections and local homeowner grants for clearing around homes.
of particular interest will be information on the recently passed hazardous vegetation ordinance as well as the newly formed Lake County Joint Powers Risk Reduction Authority.
After learning about clearing and making properties safer from fire, the California Native Plant Society will speak about native firewise plants to beautify our community.
This year, lunch at Cobb Safe 2019 will again be complimentary, and several groups and agencies will be on hand to give away useful resources and take down registration for other assistance. Tree seedlings from the Lake County Resource Conservation District will be available. A raffle for prizes will be open to all attendees.
The Cobb Area Council is community based, community built, answering to the Cobb community.
When this community advisory council was originally formed by Cobb residents nearly three years ago, one of the highest priorities was to help build resilience in our neighborhoods and to prepare for any future emergencies.
"The Cobb Area Council has been working since the Valley Fire to build cooperation among Cobb Area residents, and these preparedness events are one way to celebrate and further develop our community spirit. Working and having fun together, we can reach for the next level of mutual aid and local self reliance,” said Eliot Hurwitz, chair of the Cobb Area Council.
The council is grateful for generous support from the Rebuild North Bay Foundation, Cal Fire, and the Seigler Springs Community Redevelopment Association for its support and guidance.
To view other event details and the itinerary, please visit www.cobbareacouncil.org or visit the Cobb Area Council Facebook page.
For information about the Firewise Communities program in the Cobb area, contact
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As the 2020 Federal Census fast approaches, it is now time for the California State Auditor’s Office to begin the process of forming California’s 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission.
The State Auditor’s Office is the organization tasked with encouraging eligible applicants to apply for a seat on the 14-member commission.
The commission will redraw the boundaries of the Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and State Board of Equalization districts, so that the districts correctly reflect the state's
Population.
To make Californians aware of the opportunity to apply for the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission, the State Auditor’s Office has asked for our help in spreading the word to eligible applicants in your cities.
The Web site http://ShapeCaliforniasFuture.auditor.ca.gov is the official site for the public, community organizations, and stakeholders to get information about the application and selection process for the commission.
There, you can get details on eligibility and application timelines, a list of resource materials available for download and a form where interested parties can sign up for email updates.
The resource documents are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tagalog.
Help spread the word about the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission and urge eligible citizens to apply for this once-in-a-decade opportunity. The open application period will begin on June 10 and will run through August 9, and citizens will be able to apply at http://ShapeCaliforniasFuture.auditor.ca.gov .
If you have any questions or would like to request a speaker from the State Auditor’s Office for an upcoming event, please call 833-421-7550 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The State Auditor’s Office is the organization tasked with encouraging eligible applicants to apply for a seat on the 14-member commission.
The commission will redraw the boundaries of the Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and State Board of Equalization districts, so that the districts correctly reflect the state's
Population.
To make Californians aware of the opportunity to apply for the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission, the State Auditor’s Office has asked for our help in spreading the word to eligible applicants in your cities.
The Web site http://ShapeCaliforniasFuture.auditor.ca.gov is the official site for the public, community organizations, and stakeholders to get information about the application and selection process for the commission.
There, you can get details on eligibility and application timelines, a list of resource materials available for download and a form where interested parties can sign up for email updates.
The resource documents are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tagalog.
Help spread the word about the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission and urge eligible citizens to apply for this once-in-a-decade opportunity. The open application period will begin on June 10 and will run through August 9, and citizens will be able to apply at http://ShapeCaliforniasFuture.auditor.ca.gov .
If you have any questions or would like to request a speaker from the State Auditor’s Office for an upcoming event, please call 833-421-7550 or email
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A young Lucerne man died in a single-vehicle wreck on the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff on Monday afternoon.
Ruben James Foreman, 20, was the victim in the crash, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported that Foreman was riding as a passenger in a gold-colored 1994 Acura Integra driven by 18-year-old Anthony R. Lopez of Lucerne. Also in the car as a passenger was a 16-year-old male Lucerne resident, whose name was not released due to his juvenile status.
The CHP said that at approximately 4:28 p.m., Lopez was driving northbound on the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, just south of the Rodman Slough bridge. Conditions at the time were cloudy and rainy.
As Lopez negotiated a left curve in the roadway, he lost control of his vehicle and traveled off the roadway in an easterly direction, crashing into a wood fence, the CHP said.
The CHP said Foreman was seated in the right front seat of the Acura, while the juvenile was in the right rear seat.
Foreman sustained major injuries, according to the CHP report. Reports from the scene on Monday said he suffered major facial trauma and was unresponsive when firefighters arrived at the scene.
Due to weather conditions, no air ambulances could fly Foreman to an out-of-county trauma center, according to radio reports.
The CHP said Foreman was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The juvenile passenger sustained minor injuries and Lopez was uninjured, the CHP said.
The crash closed the cutoff for a short time, reopening early Monday evening, according to radio reports.
The cause of the wreck is still under investigation. The CHP said all occupants were wearing their seatbelts, and neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected factors in the crash.
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.
Ruben James Foreman, 20, was the victim in the crash, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported that Foreman was riding as a passenger in a gold-colored 1994 Acura Integra driven by 18-year-old Anthony R. Lopez of Lucerne. Also in the car as a passenger was a 16-year-old male Lucerne resident, whose name was not released due to his juvenile status.
The CHP said that at approximately 4:28 p.m., Lopez was driving northbound on the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, just south of the Rodman Slough bridge. Conditions at the time were cloudy and rainy.
As Lopez negotiated a left curve in the roadway, he lost control of his vehicle and traveled off the roadway in an easterly direction, crashing into a wood fence, the CHP said.
The CHP said Foreman was seated in the right front seat of the Acura, while the juvenile was in the right rear seat.
Foreman sustained major injuries, according to the CHP report. Reports from the scene on Monday said he suffered major facial trauma and was unresponsive when firefighters arrived at the scene.
Due to weather conditions, no air ambulances could fly Foreman to an out-of-county trauma center, according to radio reports.
The CHP said Foreman was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The juvenile passenger sustained minor injuries and Lopez was uninjured, the CHP said.
The crash closed the cutoff for a short time, reopening early Monday evening, according to radio reports.
The cause of the wreck is still under investigation. The CHP said all occupants were wearing their seatbelts, and neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected factors in the crash.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – With the March death of a Clearlake man and his pets suspected to have been caused by carbon monoxide poisoning in a substandard rental, city officials launched an investigation that led to the issuance of notices of violation and citations to the owners of more than 20 properties.
The Clearlake Police Department reported that Douglas Wood, 49, Clearlake, along with his four dogs was found dead in his Pearl Street home last month.
The investigation into Wood’s death involved city and county officials and eventually led them to inspect conditions in other rentals, which resulted in the citations and violation notices.
Police said that at 9:15 p.m. March 20 Clearlake Police officers responded to a possible death investigation located in the 3700 block of Pearl Street. Officers located a deceased male adult, later identified as Wood, inside the residence along with four deceased canines.
The Clearlake Police Investigations Bureau responded along with the Lake County Fire Protection District, which conducted sampling of the air for hazardous substances. None were detected at the time, police said.
Lake County Environmental Health also responded and conducted additional testing of the air inside and outside the residence. Police said there were no significant hazardous substances detected.
The police report said Wood’s residence was a rental and did not have a required heat source, carbon monoxide detectors or maintained smoke detectors. It appeared a propane heater was operated inside the residence to serve as a source of heat.
Based on the toxicology reports from Wood’s autopsy, carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected as the cause of death, police said.
Officials inspect rental properties, find violations
Last week, Clearlake Code Enforcement and police investigations personnel attempted contact at more than 20 properties owned and/or affiliated with the landlord of the Pearl Street property, police said.
Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White said the agency wasn’t releasing the names of the property owners or the landlord at this time.
He said the properties were held by a number of different limited liability corporations, but there was one person in common behind those various LLCs.
White said in all of the property inspections city officials completed, the tenants invited them in, and the tenants expressed their gratitude that someone was there to help, as they weren’t getting traction with their respective property owners.
With White noting that tenant safety is a top priority, the inspection process discovered that multiple properties lacked required smoke detectors and had other conditions constituting substandard housing, including not having required heating sources.
Regarding the fine amounts, White said the majority of the individual offenses were $100 each, as they were first-time violations. One was $500.
He said if second citations were to be issued, the fine amounts could go up dramatically.
If the properties were to be red-tagged, the owners would have to pay for the relocation of the tenants, White said.
He said several of the properties are in such bad shape that they were on the border of being red-tagged, with some having issues – like garbage accumulation – that tenants were responsible for.
However, overall, “These main safety violations are absolutely landlord responsibilities,” he said.
Watching out for tenants
Not wanting to punish the tenants who were not well off, White said his agency partnered with Lake County Fire Protection District to immediately distribute smoke detectors to the renters who did not have them until the property owner corrected the violations.
The owners of the residences were then served with violation notices and several administrative citations, police said.
The police department said landlords are required to ensure properties they rent comply with the law and are maintained so as not to be considered substandard housing.
White explained that the city of Clearlake’s administrative citation process, which was revamped a few months ago, doesn’t send administrative citations or notices of violation to the Clearlake City Council as a rule.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson added, “Normally administrative citations and notices of violations aren’t on the agenda unless they are appealed or they go to council for confirmation of assessments.”
White said the administrative citation process “is really a key part” of the actions being taken now, as it motivates property owners to make the required fixes by giving them 21 days to do it.
If they fail to comply within that time frame, White said they accumulate late fee penalties.
In bigger cities, White said penalties can be attached to properties and because the owners don’t want dirty titles, they usually will comply quickly. In Lake County, however, the owners in such cases haven’t cared, he added.
The city of Clearlake now has a new tool to get compliance: White said it is participating in the Franchise Tax Board’s Intercept Program. That means that if a property owner is expecting a refund on their tax return, that money will be rerouted to the city to pay the penalties.
“It’s a pretty significant change,” White said.
White said the city, at one point, was doing rental inspections, which it stopped several years ago due to limited resources.
In more urban areas, there are organizations looking out for tenants rights, and White said he is concerned about individuals being exploited by landlords and out-of-town owners.
“With limited staffing and limited resources, how do we address this?” he said.
White said the city plans to look for answers to that question and what resources they can use to protect tenants, including reinstating the process of rental inspections.
He said so far they have no leads on other rentals with serious safety issues. However, if a tenant is having issues and their landlord isn’t responding, White encourages them to call Clearlake Code Enforcement, a division of the Clearlake Police Department, at 707-994-8251.
White also urges people to check the following link that provides information about landlord and tenant responsibilities: https://bit.ly/2uOq6Md .
The case involving Wood’s death remains under investigation. If you have information relative to this investigation, please contact Det. Sgt. Martin Snyder at 707-994-8251, Extension 306.
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.
The Clearlake Police Department reported that Douglas Wood, 49, Clearlake, along with his four dogs was found dead in his Pearl Street home last month.
The investigation into Wood’s death involved city and county officials and eventually led them to inspect conditions in other rentals, which resulted in the citations and violation notices.
Police said that at 9:15 p.m. March 20 Clearlake Police officers responded to a possible death investigation located in the 3700 block of Pearl Street. Officers located a deceased male adult, later identified as Wood, inside the residence along with four deceased canines.
The Clearlake Police Investigations Bureau responded along with the Lake County Fire Protection District, which conducted sampling of the air for hazardous substances. None were detected at the time, police said.
Lake County Environmental Health also responded and conducted additional testing of the air inside and outside the residence. Police said there were no significant hazardous substances detected.
The police report said Wood’s residence was a rental and did not have a required heat source, carbon monoxide detectors or maintained smoke detectors. It appeared a propane heater was operated inside the residence to serve as a source of heat.
Based on the toxicology reports from Wood’s autopsy, carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected as the cause of death, police said.
Officials inspect rental properties, find violations
Last week, Clearlake Code Enforcement and police investigations personnel attempted contact at more than 20 properties owned and/or affiliated with the landlord of the Pearl Street property, police said.
Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White said the agency wasn’t releasing the names of the property owners or the landlord at this time.
He said the properties were held by a number of different limited liability corporations, but there was one person in common behind those various LLCs.
White said in all of the property inspections city officials completed, the tenants invited them in, and the tenants expressed their gratitude that someone was there to help, as they weren’t getting traction with their respective property owners.
With White noting that tenant safety is a top priority, the inspection process discovered that multiple properties lacked required smoke detectors and had other conditions constituting substandard housing, including not having required heating sources.
Regarding the fine amounts, White said the majority of the individual offenses were $100 each, as they were first-time violations. One was $500.
He said if second citations were to be issued, the fine amounts could go up dramatically.
If the properties were to be red-tagged, the owners would have to pay for the relocation of the tenants, White said.
He said several of the properties are in such bad shape that they were on the border of being red-tagged, with some having issues – like garbage accumulation – that tenants were responsible for.
However, overall, “These main safety violations are absolutely landlord responsibilities,” he said.
Watching out for tenants
Not wanting to punish the tenants who were not well off, White said his agency partnered with Lake County Fire Protection District to immediately distribute smoke detectors to the renters who did not have them until the property owner corrected the violations.
The owners of the residences were then served with violation notices and several administrative citations, police said.
The police department said landlords are required to ensure properties they rent comply with the law and are maintained so as not to be considered substandard housing.
White explained that the city of Clearlake’s administrative citation process, which was revamped a few months ago, doesn’t send administrative citations or notices of violation to the Clearlake City Council as a rule.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson added, “Normally administrative citations and notices of violations aren’t on the agenda unless they are appealed or they go to council for confirmation of assessments.”
White said the administrative citation process “is really a key part” of the actions being taken now, as it motivates property owners to make the required fixes by giving them 21 days to do it.
If they fail to comply within that time frame, White said they accumulate late fee penalties.
In bigger cities, White said penalties can be attached to properties and because the owners don’t want dirty titles, they usually will comply quickly. In Lake County, however, the owners in such cases haven’t cared, he added.
The city of Clearlake now has a new tool to get compliance: White said it is participating in the Franchise Tax Board’s Intercept Program. That means that if a property owner is expecting a refund on their tax return, that money will be rerouted to the city to pay the penalties.
“It’s a pretty significant change,” White said.
White said the city, at one point, was doing rental inspections, which it stopped several years ago due to limited resources.
In more urban areas, there are organizations looking out for tenants rights, and White said he is concerned about individuals being exploited by landlords and out-of-town owners.
“With limited staffing and limited resources, how do we address this?” he said.
White said the city plans to look for answers to that question and what resources they can use to protect tenants, including reinstating the process of rental inspections.
He said so far they have no leads on other rentals with serious safety issues. However, if a tenant is having issues and their landlord isn’t responding, White encourages them to call Clearlake Code Enforcement, a division of the Clearlake Police Department, at 707-994-8251.
White also urges people to check the following link that provides information about landlord and tenant responsibilities: https://bit.ly/2uOq6Md .
The case involving Wood’s death remains under investigation. If you have information relative to this investigation, please contact Det. Sgt. Martin Snyder at 707-994-8251, Extension 306.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council is poised to consider a letter of intent to sell the city-owned Pearce Field property to a developer.
The letter is among the items the council will discuss at this week’s meeting.
The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, to discuss one case of anticipated litigation, an existing lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric, a liability claim filed by Tyler Borland and labor negotiations with several employee associations before the open portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
On Thursday, City Manager Alan Flora will ask the council to authorize him to sign a letter of intent with Village Investment Partners LP, which wants to purchase the 27-acre Pearce Field property on Highway 53.
Village Investment Partners includes developer Barry Johnson, who built the Lakeport Department of Motor Vehicles building and the Clearlake Carl’s Jr. restaurant, among other projects.
The airport, which was owned by the Clearlake Redevelopment Agency, was transferred to city ownership after the state ended redevelopment. Flora said the property “has been intended for commercial development for many years, but completion of the project has been hampered by many things, including the Great Recession, lawsuits and other hurdles,” Flora said.
In 2010, the city of Clearlake approved a shopping center at the site and had agreed to sell 15 acres to KK Raphel Properties. However, not long after the project was approved, the Sierra Club Lake Group sued the city to stop the project. The Great Recession followed and the project never came back together.
In 2015, the city had begun negotiating with Roseville-based Katz Kirkpatrick Properties, a sister company of KK Raphel Properties, for the the airport site. Flora told Lake County News that the company has since has dropped out.
“Due to Barry Johnson and John Glikbarg’s involvement in the neighboring properties they expressed interest in looking at the larger potential of the combined properties,” Flora said. “They met with the city several months back and expressed an interest if the previous developer pulled out.”
Closed session discussions on the site have been on the council agenda in the intervening months.
In his written report to the council, Flora noted that, “Within the past year, Village Investment Partners have expressed interest in purchasing the property and proceeding with a large-scale commercial development. The group that makes up Village Investment Partners (VIP) also has an interest in two neighboring properties, including the former ‘Waterpark’ property. These properties could be combined in a large scale project.”
Flora added that, while there was some negotiation between the company and city staff regarding a purchase agreement for the property, the recommended first step is to execute a letter of intent for the property’s purchase.
He said the resulting agreement would provide Village Investment Partners “a six-month window to determine interest from retailers or other commercial tenants. If adequate interest exists, the parties would negotiate a purchase and sale contract.”
If the airport property were sold, Flora said the property would be sold at fair market value, to be determined by an updated appraisal. He told Lake County News that the last appraisal on the property, completed in 2015, valued it at $1.37 million.
The Redevelopment Agency Oversight Board also would be required to approve the sale and distribution of the funds to the various agencies, Flora said.
Flora also told Lake County News, “We have some recommendations on how to use the proceeds to maximize the development potential of the site, but this will be decided by the Oversight Board if the deal moves forward.”
Also on this week’s agenda is a discussion of a gravel road maintenance checklist and construction maintenance guide, adoption of an ordinance amending the Clearlake Municipal Code relating to abandoned vehicles, the swearing-in of Clearlake Police Capt. Tim Celli and Community Service Officer Daniel Costancio, presentation of the Clearlake Police Department Annual Report, and proclamations declaring April 14 to 20 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and declaring support for the 2020 Census.
Items on the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the Feb. 21, 28, March 14, 21 and 28 meetings; correction to Resolution No. 2019-13 adopting the police captain job description and salary range, Resolution 2019-16; updates to the fiscal year 2018-19 salary schedule, Resolution No. 2019-17; and the second reading and adoption of ordinance to amend Subdivision 3-4.5(a)(8) of the Clearlake Municipal Code, “Exceptions to Competitive Bidding Requirements.”
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.
The letter is among the items the council will discuss at this week’s meeting.
The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, to discuss one case of anticipated litigation, an existing lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric, a liability claim filed by Tyler Borland and labor negotiations with several employee associations before the open portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
On Thursday, City Manager Alan Flora will ask the council to authorize him to sign a letter of intent with Village Investment Partners LP, which wants to purchase the 27-acre Pearce Field property on Highway 53.
Village Investment Partners includes developer Barry Johnson, who built the Lakeport Department of Motor Vehicles building and the Clearlake Carl’s Jr. restaurant, among other projects.
The airport, which was owned by the Clearlake Redevelopment Agency, was transferred to city ownership after the state ended redevelopment. Flora said the property “has been intended for commercial development for many years, but completion of the project has been hampered by many things, including the Great Recession, lawsuits and other hurdles,” Flora said.
In 2010, the city of Clearlake approved a shopping center at the site and had agreed to sell 15 acres to KK Raphel Properties. However, not long after the project was approved, the Sierra Club Lake Group sued the city to stop the project. The Great Recession followed and the project never came back together.
In 2015, the city had begun negotiating with Roseville-based Katz Kirkpatrick Properties, a sister company of KK Raphel Properties, for the the airport site. Flora told Lake County News that the company has since has dropped out.
“Due to Barry Johnson and John Glikbarg’s involvement in the neighboring properties they expressed interest in looking at the larger potential of the combined properties,” Flora said. “They met with the city several months back and expressed an interest if the previous developer pulled out.”
Closed session discussions on the site have been on the council agenda in the intervening months.
In his written report to the council, Flora noted that, “Within the past year, Village Investment Partners have expressed interest in purchasing the property and proceeding with a large-scale commercial development. The group that makes up Village Investment Partners (VIP) also has an interest in two neighboring properties, including the former ‘Waterpark’ property. These properties could be combined in a large scale project.”
Flora added that, while there was some negotiation between the company and city staff regarding a purchase agreement for the property, the recommended first step is to execute a letter of intent for the property’s purchase.
He said the resulting agreement would provide Village Investment Partners “a six-month window to determine interest from retailers or other commercial tenants. If adequate interest exists, the parties would negotiate a purchase and sale contract.”
If the airport property were sold, Flora said the property would be sold at fair market value, to be determined by an updated appraisal. He told Lake County News that the last appraisal on the property, completed in 2015, valued it at $1.37 million.
The Redevelopment Agency Oversight Board also would be required to approve the sale and distribution of the funds to the various agencies, Flora said.
Flora also told Lake County News, “We have some recommendations on how to use the proceeds to maximize the development potential of the site, but this will be decided by the Oversight Board if the deal moves forward.”
Also on this week’s agenda is a discussion of a gravel road maintenance checklist and construction maintenance guide, adoption of an ordinance amending the Clearlake Municipal Code relating to abandoned vehicles, the swearing-in of Clearlake Police Capt. Tim Celli and Community Service Officer Daniel Costancio, presentation of the Clearlake Police Department Annual Report, and proclamations declaring April 14 to 20 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and declaring support for the 2020 Census.
Items on the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the Feb. 21, 28, March 14, 21 and 28 meetings; correction to Resolution No. 2019-13 adopting the police captain job description and salary range, Resolution 2019-16; updates to the fiscal year 2018-19 salary schedule, Resolution No. 2019-17; and the second reading and adoption of ordinance to amend Subdivision 3-4.5(a)(8) of the Clearlake Municipal Code, “Exceptions to Competitive Bidding Requirements.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week, and the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, and the California Office of Traffic Safety, or OTS, encourages drivers to exercise caution when driving through areas where highway workers are present.
From April 8 to 12, state departments of transportation, highway safety offices and traffic safety organizations across the country will take part in an education campaign to raise awareness about the dangers workers face on the job every day.
The biggest danger highway workers face is from drivers who travel recklessly through construction zones, such as speeding or not paying attention. Since 1921, 189 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job.
In 2017, 46 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured from crashes that happened in construction zones, according to data from the California Highway Patrol.
“With an average of more than $5 billion each year in new funding from Senate Bill 1 for critical infrastructure improvements, we now have twice as many highway work zones in California compared to two years ago,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman.
“We want everyone to make it home safely and we’re working toward a reality where there are zero traffic-related deaths on California’s highways. We need help from all drivers to accomplish this goal. Please slow down, move over for amber flashing lights and drive cautiously, especially where crews are working. Your diligence can save a life.”
“Highway workers are the backbone of the roads we use to travel up and down the state,” OTS Director Rhonda Craft said. “We can all play a role in making sure highway workers are able to go home to their families each day by driving carefully when they are working close to traffic.”
National Work Zone Awareness Week started in 1999, the same year Caltrans launched the work zone safety campaign, “Slow for the Cone Zone.”
Caltrans and the OTS also recognize National Work Zone Awareness Week as a way to educate drivers on the importance of moving over a lane when approaching Caltrans workers, emergency vehicles and tow trucks on the side of the road.
California’s Move Over Law went into effect in 2007, and included Caltrans workers starting in 2009. The law requires drivers approaching Caltrans vehicles, tow trucks or emergency vehicles with flashing lights to move over a lane if safe to do so.
When traveling through work zones, drivers should practice the following work zone safety tips:
• Slow down and follow the speed limit.
• Look out for workers, particularly at night.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Avoid distractions like cell phones.
• Be patient and expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Obey road crews and signs.
• Pay attention to other drivers and avoid sudden lane changes.
Drivers can check on current maintenance work, road closures and traffic conditions using the Caltrans QuickMap at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov , or by downloading the QuickMap app. The app is available for free on Google Play for Androids or the App Store for Apple products.
To learn more about the Caltrans “Be Work Zone Alert” campaign, visit www.dot.ca.gov/bwza . To receive information on the OTS “Go Safely, California” campaign, visit www.gosafelyca.org .
From April 8 to 12, state departments of transportation, highway safety offices and traffic safety organizations across the country will take part in an education campaign to raise awareness about the dangers workers face on the job every day.
The biggest danger highway workers face is from drivers who travel recklessly through construction zones, such as speeding or not paying attention. Since 1921, 189 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job.
In 2017, 46 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured from crashes that happened in construction zones, according to data from the California Highway Patrol.
“With an average of more than $5 billion each year in new funding from Senate Bill 1 for critical infrastructure improvements, we now have twice as many highway work zones in California compared to two years ago,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman.
“We want everyone to make it home safely and we’re working toward a reality where there are zero traffic-related deaths on California’s highways. We need help from all drivers to accomplish this goal. Please slow down, move over for amber flashing lights and drive cautiously, especially where crews are working. Your diligence can save a life.”
“Highway workers are the backbone of the roads we use to travel up and down the state,” OTS Director Rhonda Craft said. “We can all play a role in making sure highway workers are able to go home to their families each day by driving carefully when they are working close to traffic.”
National Work Zone Awareness Week started in 1999, the same year Caltrans launched the work zone safety campaign, “Slow for the Cone Zone.”
Caltrans and the OTS also recognize National Work Zone Awareness Week as a way to educate drivers on the importance of moving over a lane when approaching Caltrans workers, emergency vehicles and tow trucks on the side of the road.
California’s Move Over Law went into effect in 2007, and included Caltrans workers starting in 2009. The law requires drivers approaching Caltrans vehicles, tow trucks or emergency vehicles with flashing lights to move over a lane if safe to do so.
When traveling through work zones, drivers should practice the following work zone safety tips:
• Slow down and follow the speed limit.
• Look out for workers, particularly at night.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Avoid distractions like cell phones.
• Be patient and expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Obey road crews and signs.
• Pay attention to other drivers and avoid sudden lane changes.
Drivers can check on current maintenance work, road closures and traffic conditions using the Caltrans QuickMap at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov , or by downloading the QuickMap app. The app is available for free on Google Play for Androids or the App Store for Apple products.
To learn more about the Caltrans “Be Work Zone Alert” campaign, visit www.dot.ca.gov/bwza . To receive information on the OTS “Go Safely, California” campaign, visit www.gosafelyca.org .