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News

Supervisors to get report from DA on use of financial resources, discuss fire board appointments

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On the Board of Supervisors’ agenda this week is a report regarding the district attorney’s use of resources, including a credit card and a county vehicle, and a discussion of appointments to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

In an untimed item, the board is set to consider a report from District Attorney Don Anderson on internal controls used with respect to county credit cards, expenses, reimbursements, mileage and maintenance of county vehicles, necessary to protect the public trust.

The item, placed on the agenda at the request of Supervisor Rob Brown, further seeks to have Anderson explain his use of “limited county resources” and offer justification for his attendance and training in light of the fact he leaves office at the end of December.

Brown, whose son lost the election in June in his run to become district attorney, is seeking possible direction from the board to have County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson review and approve Anderson’s expense requests in advance and/or revoke his privilege to use a county credit card.

In another untimed item, the supervisors will consider a resolution establishing a protocol for the appointment of director to the Lakeport Fire Protection District and a nomination of the current fire board to fill a vacancy, and will have a discussion regarding the Board of Supervisors’ appointments to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.

At 10 a.m., the board will present a proclamation recognizing Lake County as a Dark Sky Destination, and at 10:30 a.m. will hold a public hearing to consider adding Division 3 to Chapter 9 establishing fines and penalties for the illegal disposal of garbage/refuse and creating an illegal dumping prevention program.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

6.1: Adopt proclamation recognizing Lake County as a Dark Sky Destination.

6.2: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings held July 17, July 24, Oct. 2 and Oct. 23, 2018.

6.3: Approve leave of absence request for social worker Karen Corl from Oct. 28, 2018, through Feb. 1, 2019, and authorize the chair to sign.

6.4: Approve in concept the revised Exhibit A to the County Uniform and Clothing Policy and Direct the Human Resources director to conduct the meet and confer process with the appropriate employee representatives.

6.5: (a) Adopt resolution amending Resolution 2018-125 establishing salaries and benefits for management employees for the period from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019; (b) adopt resolution amending Resolution 2018-126 establishing salaries and benefits for Confidential A Employees for the period from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019; and (c) adopt resolution amending Resolution 2018-127 establishing salaries and benefits for Confidential B Employees for the period from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

6.6: Approve request to close Behavioral Health Services Offices on Friday, Dec. 14, from noon to 5 p.m. for winter all staff training meeting.

6.7: Adopt the resolution approving the first amendment to the standard agreement between the county of Lake and the Department of Housing and Community Development for the No Place Like Home Technical Assistant Grant Award and authorizing the Behavioral Health administrator to sign the first amendment.

6.8: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Adventist Health Clearlake for the fiscal year 2018-19 for a contract maximum of $100,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

6.9: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) contract with Ken Dorsey Janitorial to provide janitorial services for the Lake County Health Department and authorize the board chair to sign.

6.10: Sitting as Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, (a) waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.4, Cooperative Purchases; (b) approve purchase of 2019 Ford F-350 truck with utility body upgrade and authorize the Special Districts administrator acting as the deputy purchasing agent to issue and sign a P.O. not to exceed $84,000 with Downtown Ford Sales of Sacramento.

6.11: Approve aeronautical activities permit at Lampson Field Airport between the county of Lake and Jack Olof for fiscal year 2018/2019, and authorize the chair to sign.

6.12: Approve aeronautical activities permit at Lampson Field Airport between the county of Lake and Reach Air Medical Services, LLC for fiscal year 2018/2019, and authorize the chair to sign.

6.13: Approve the Department of Boating and Waterways 2019/20 application for financial aid in the amount of $363,907.14; and authorize the sheriff to sign.

6.14: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and The Regents of the University of California in the Amount of $38,250, for employee training from Oct. 1, 2018, to May 31, 2019; and authorize the chair to sign.

6.15: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.4, Cooperative Purchases; (b) approve purchase of 2019 Ford F-150 Super Cab truck and authorize the Special Districts administrator acting as the deputy purchasing agent to issue and sign a P.O. not to exceed $28,000 with Downtown Ford Sales of Sacramento.

6.16: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.4, Cooperative Purchases; (b) approve purchase of 2019 Ford F-150 Super Cab 4x4 truck and authorize the Special Districts administrator acting as the deputy purchasing agent to issue and sign a P.O. not to exceed $30,000 with Downtown Ford Sales of Sacramento.

6.17: Adopt resolution authorizing cancelling County Service Area #20, Soda Bay Water, capital improvement reserve designation in the amount of $40,000 to provide sufficient funds for local match requirement of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for replacement of redwood storage tanks.

TIMED ITEMS

7.2, 9:06 a.m.: (a) Recognition of Auditor-Controller/County Clerk Cathy Saderlund as Congressman John Garamendi’s 2018 Woman of the Year; (b) recognition of Cathy Saderlund and the Office of the Auditor-Controller/County Clerk for GFOA and State Controller’s Office awards for financial reporting for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.

7.3, 9:12 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local health emergency by the Lake County health officer due to the Pawnee fire Incident.

7.4, 9:13 a.m.: (a) Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local health emergency by the Lake County health officer due to the Mendocino Complex fire; and (b) status report on Mendocino Complex fire also known as the River and Ranch fires.
7.5, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of ordinance amendment, AM 18-02 to amend Chapter 21 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance to allow Type N and P Cannabis Manufacturing License in the “C2, C3, M1, M2, and PDC” Districts subject to obtaining a Minor Use Permit, Type 6 Non-Volatile Cannabis Manufacturing License in the “APZ, A, TPZ, C3, M1, M2, and PDC” Districts subject to obtaining a Major Use Permit, Type 7 Volatile Cannabis Manufacturing License in the “M2” District subject to obtaining a Major Use Permit, Type 11 Cannabis Distributor License in the “C3, M1, M2, and PDC” Districts subject to obtaining a Major Use Permit, Type 13 Cannabis Distributor Transport Only License in the “C2, C3, M1, M2, and PDC” Districts subject to obtaining a Major Use Permit, Type 13 Cannabis Distributor Transport Only, Cannabis Self -Distribution License in the “APZ, A, TPZ, RL, RR, SR, C2, C3, M1, M2, and PDC” Districts subject to obtaining a Minor Use Permit, Cannabis Processor License in the “APZ, A, TPZ, and RL” Districts subject to obtaining a Major Use Permit, Type 8 Cannabis Testing Labs.

7.6, 10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation recognizing Lake County as a Dark Sky Destination.

7.7, 10:15 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of Deviation (DV 17-08) and Subdivision Extension (SDX 18-01) Requests for Cobb Vista Subdivision Unit No. 1; SD 16-01; IS 14-11; Located at 15385 Stonefield Court, Middletown (APN 014-111-21); Appellant is Damon Fanucchi.

7.8, 10:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of an ordinance adding Division 3 to Chapter 9 establishing fines and penalties for the illegal disposal of garbage/refuse and creating an illegal dumping prevention program.

UNTIMED ITEMS

8.2: (a) Consideration of report from the district attorney on internal controls used with respect to county credit cards, expenses, reimbursements, mileage and maintenance of county vehicles, necessary to protect the public trust; and (b) consideration of report from the district attorney on his use of limited county resources and justification to attend conferences and training himself, despite leaving office 12/31/18, with possible direction to the county administrative officer /CalCard administrator to review and approve his expense requests in advance and/or revoke his privilege to use a CalCard.

8.3: Continued from Nov. 6, consideration of report from the treasurer-tax collector.

8.4: Consideration of proposed 2019 Board of Supervisors regular meeting calendar.

8.5: Consideration of advisory board appointment: Kelseyville Cemetery District Board.

8.6: Continued from Oct. 16, (a) consideration of a resolution establishing a protocol for the appointment of director to the Lakeport Fire Protection District; (b) consideration of nomination by the Lakeport Fire Protection District to their Lakeport Fire Protection District, Board of Directors; and (c) discussion of Board of Supervisors appointments to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.

8.7: Reconsideration of ordinance amendment, AM 18-03 to Amend Chapter 21 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance to allow a restaurant up to 750 square feet accessory to a permitted tasting room in the “APZ,” “A,” “RL,” “RR,” and “SR” Districts; allow a restaurant exceeding 750 square feet in size accessory to permitted tasting room subject to obtaining a Major Use Permit in the “APZ,” “A,” “RL,” “RR” and “SR” Districts; allow a reduction of the Minimum Residential Construction Standards in the “R1” District from a minimum dwelling size of 720 square feet to 360 square feet, a minimum width reduction from 15 feet to 12 feet and a minimum eave reduction from 12 inch to 6 inch; establish a permit process to allow Emergency Temporary Dwellings after a catastrophic or natural disaster; modify the Collectors Permit conditions to allow a two car garage up to 500 square feet accessory to a permitted dwelling; allow a reduction in the Minimum Residential Construction Standards of the “MH” Mobile Home Combining District from a minimum dwelling size of 560 square feet to 360 square feet.

8.8: Consideration of a resolution authorizing hiring incentives for Correctional Officer I/II, Correctional Sergeant, Public Safety Dispatcher I/II and Supervising Public Safety Dispatcher job classifications.

8.9: Discussion and consideration of inmate transportation during contractor repair of the courthouse elevators.

8.10: Consideration of agreement between county of Lake and Redwood Community Services, for SB 163 wraparound services in the amount not to exceed $864,000 from Sept. 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021; and authorize the chair to sign.

CLOSED SESSION

9.1: Public employee evaluation title: County Counsel Anita Grant.

9.2: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): (a) Interviews of interim registrar of voters (b) appointment of interim registrar of voters.

9.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Tabba aka Ward v. Wright, et al.

9.4: Addendum, conference with labor negotiator: (a) Chief Negotiator: M. Long; County Negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Nichols; and (b) Employee Organization: LCDSA.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

Lakeport City Council to consider awarding Library Park seawall engineering contract

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The work to replace the battered seawall at Library Park is expected to take another step forward this week when the Lakeport City Council considers awarding a contract to a firm that will complete the project’s engineering.

The council will meet in closed session at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, to discuss a threat to public facilities, with the public portion of the meeting to begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On Tuesday Public Works Director Doug Grider will take to the council a proposed bid award for a professional services agreement with an engineering firm for the Library Park seawall replacement design.

The Library Park seawall needs to be replaced due to damage it incurred from flooding and storm wave action in January and February of 2017, as Lake County News has reported.

Grider’s report explained that approval and funding has been obtained to replace the existing concrete seawall with a sheet pile wall placed just to the lakeside of the existing wall, which will allow the existing wall to remain in place.

He said the approved preliminary budget is $522,000. The project is to be funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Approximately 525 lineal feet of seawall supporting a concrete promenade and handrail is to be replaced. The existing sidewalk is to be removed to reveal voids. Voids under the existing footings will be backfilled with pumped grout or controlled low strength material,” Grider wrote. “Voids under the sidewalk available to equipment will be backfilled using aggregate base. The top of the existing wall is to be removed.”

Grider said the selected engineering firm will prepare plans and specifications for the construction of the seawall replacement.

He said the city received proposals from two firms, MGE Engineering Inc. and GHD Inc. A bid selection panel reviewed and scored the proposals.

City staff is in negotiations with the top ranked firm, MGE Engineering Inc., and will present a recommendation at the council meeting, Grider said.

In other business, council members will consider adopting a resolution approving the City of Lakeport Municipal Sewer District and Lakeport Municipal Financing Agency of Lakeport Investment Policy for idle funds as recommended by staff; approve a bid from Redwood Ford not to exceed $32,078.68 for a three-quarter ton service truck for the utilities department; and approve a bid not to exceed $25,975.84 from Matt Mazzei for a small utility pickup.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the city council’s regular meeting on Nov. 6; the Nov. 14 warrant register; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency in the city of Lakeport; and approval of an amendment to Application 2018-028, with staff recommendations, for additional street closures and the addition of a roller rink and slide for the Dickens Faire to be held Nov. 24, 2018.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

112018 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

Authorities investigate credit card skimmers at Hopland gas stations

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Authorities in Mendocino County are investigating a case involving the use of credit card skimmers to defraud customers at both gas stations in Hopland.

The skimmer or scanning devices were discovered on Friday, according to a report from Sgt. Luis Espinoza of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Late Friday morning a Mendocino County Sheriff's deputy was requested to respond to Hopland for the reported discovery of a suspected credit card skimmer inside a pump at a gas station in the 13500 block of Highway 101. Espinoza did not give the name of the gas station but the Hopland Valero is located at that address.

The deputy met with a Mendocino County Agriculture Weights and Measures Department representative who had responded following a report regarding potential identity theft stemming from a purchase of gas from that specific gas station, Espinoza said.

Espinoza said the identity theft victim identified unauthorized charges to their credit card account following their use of the card at the gas station and suspected their credit card information and pin were stolen.

The deputy, along with the county agriculture representative, then proceeded to investigate all the gas pumps at the location. In total, Espinoza said five of eight pumps were identified as having the locking mechanisms defeated indicating someone had accessed the interior components of the gas pump.

Only four gas pumps were identified with scanning devices. Espinoza said all four scanning devices were removed and collected as evidence in this investigation.

Based on the number of devices located at the first gas station a check of the other gas station in town, Hopland Food and Gas, was conducted. Espinoza said the completed inspection revealed three additional scanning devices, bringing the total number of scanning devices to seven.

Espinoza said there are unconfirmed reports multiple victims have been affected by these devices. If you believe you are the victim of identity theft or fraud stemming from your purchase at a local gas station please contact your financial institution and local law enforcement agency to document the loss.

Based on the location of the devices recovered they were not readily recognizable and would not be visible to the consumer during the transaction. However, Espinoza said consumers should always consider inspecting any credit or debit card machine for loose or cleaner-than-usual parts indicating someone has tampered with the device.

Additionally, inspect locking mechanisms located on gas pump panels which contain the card reader and pin pad. He said evidence of forced entry at the identified gas station pumps was present and readily apparent after closer inspection.

Anyone with information concerning the unauthorized access and installation of the recovered credit card scanning devices from Hopland is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office tip-line at 707-234-2100.

Woodland Community College campuses to be closed for the week

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – There will be no classes at Woodland Community College’s campuses this week due to air quality concerns resulting from the Camp fire, in addition to the Thanksgiving holiday.

All three Woodland Community College campuses – located in Yolo, Lake, and Colusa Counties - will be closed Monday, Nov. 19; Tuesday, Nov. 20; and Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23 were scheduled for closure as holidays.

On Saturday, Nov. 24 classes at the Woodland main campus will be held, as scheduled.

Campus closure updates will be posted on the college Web site at www.wcc.yccd.edu, Facebook at @WoodlandCommunityCollege, and via Twitter @WCCNewsToday.

“Throughout the past two weeks, college leaders have been reviewing service area air quality indices,” said Woodland Community College President Michael White. “My thanks go to Safety Committee co-chair, Dr. Ralph Robinson, who provided a thoughtful and thorough analysis of air quality using multiple sites. These analyses have indeed been complicated, as the impact on air quality within our expansive service area is comprised of several microclimates and air quality shifts considerably within hours each day.”

White added, “I am cautiously optimistic that Yolo County's air quality index will improve before Saturday, November 24. Our Saturday students have already lost one session due to our Nov. 17 closure. Saturday class sessions represent a significant portion of the fall semesters' total instructional hours, and thus, I have elected to open our Yolo campus for Saturday, November 24 classes (Lake and Colusa have no scheduled fall Saturday classes). If there is a change in this decision, students and employees will receive another communication.”

Separately, Mendocino College reported that all of its locations will continue to be open for normal business operations unless otherwise posted here. The air quality continues to stay at the lower end of unhealthy (unhealthy for sensitive groups) at the Ukiah, North County (Willits) and Lake Center locations. College officials encourage everyone to wear N-95 masks when outside.

More than 1,200 individuals on latest Camp fire missing persons list

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Authorities are continuing to attempt to locate a growing number of individuals listed as missing in the Camp fire area.

The fire began on the morning of Nov. 8 and has since destroyed much of the town of Paradise in Butte County.

As of Sunday night, 77 deaths had been attributed to the fire, which also has destroyed 10,364 single-family residents and thousands more other structures.

The latest list of missing, released by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday night, includes approximately 1,202 individuals. The list can be seen below.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said his staff – with the assistance of allied agencies – continues to work through the list to try locate those reported as missing.

Late last week, he said more than 300 people who had been reported missing were removed from the list thanks to the efforts of the missing persons unit.

With Camp fire survivors now being scattered across the state and even outside of California, some of them may be on the list and not know it.

If you see anyone on the list who is no longer missing please contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office so their name can be removed.

Staff working the Missing Persons Task Force can be reached at 530-538-6570, 530-538-7544 and 530-538-7671.

111718 Camp fire missing persons list by LakeCoNews on Scribd

Clearlake Police officers deliver Thanksgiving dinners

Clearlake Police Officers Association members delivered Thanksgiving dinners to Clearlake Methodist Church in Clearlake, Calif., on Friday, November 16, 2018. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Members of the Clearlake Police Officers Association have once again reached out to help those in need at the holidays.

On Friday, association members delivered Thanksgiving dinners to Clearlake Methodist Church and Clearlake Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to association President Ryan Peterson.

Providing dinner for local families has been a tradition for the Clearlake Police Officers Association for many years, Peterson said.

Throughout the year, members of the Clearlake Police Officers Association meet numerous families and children who are going through difficult times, he explained.

This year, Peterson said the association was advised that the Clearlake Methodist Church and Clearlake Church of Latter-day Saints were provided turkeys to donate to families. Working with the churches, the Clearlake Police Officers Association purchased all of the side dishes and desserts to go with the turkeys.

Together, the churches and the association were able to provide full Thanksgiving dinners for 33 families, Peterson said.

Peterson said this program means a lot to the Clearlake Police Officers Association and has been successful because of community support.

This year, the association offered a special thank you to the Clearlake Safeway and Foods, Etc. for their donations to, and support of, the Clearlake Police Officers Association Thanksgiving Program.

“Without the local support of our community and business, we would not be able to serve as many people,” Peterson said.

He said the Clearlake Police Officers Association wishes community members a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Clearlake Police Officers Association members delivered Thanksgiving dinners to Clearlake Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Clearlake, Calif., on Friday, November 16, 2018. Courtesy photo.


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Community

  • Lake County Wine Alliance offers sponsor update; beneficiary applications open 

  • Mendocino National Forest announces seasonal hiring for upcoming field season

Public Safety

  • Lakeport Police logs: Thursday, Jan. 15

  • Lakeport Police logs: Wednesday, Jan. 14

Education

  • Woodland Community College receives maximum eight-year reaffirmation of accreditation from ACCJC

  • SNHU announces Fall 2025 President's List

Health

  • California ranks 24th in America’s Health Rankings Annual Report from United Health Foundation

  • Healthy blood donors especially vital during active flu season

Business

  • Two Lake County Mediacom employees earn company’s top service awards

  • Redwood Credit Union launches holiday gift and porch-to-pantry food drives

Obituaries

  • Rufino ‘Ray’ Pato

  • Patty Lee Smith

Opinion & Letters

  • The benefits of music for students

  • How to ease the burden of high electric bills

Veterans

  • CalVet and CSU Long Beach team up to improve data collection related to veteran suicides

  • A ‘Big Step Forward’ for Gulf War Veterans

Recreation

  • Wet weather trail closure in effect on Upper Lake Ranger District

  • Mendocino National Forest seeking public input on OHV grant applications

  • State Parks announces 2026 Anderson Marsh nature walk schedule 

  • BLM lifts seasonal fire restrictions in central California

Religion

  • Kelseyville Presbyterian to host Ash Wednesday service and Lenten dinner Feb. 18

  • Kelseyville Presbyterian Church to hold ‘Longest Night’ service Dec. 21

Arts & Life

  • Auditions announced for original musical ‘Even In Shadow’ set for March 21 and 28

  • ‘The Rip’ action heist; ‘Steal’ grounded in a crime thriller

Government & Politics

  • Lake County Democrats issue endorsements in local races for the June California Primary

  • County negotiates money-saving power purchase agreement

Legals

  • March 3 hearing on ordinance amending code for commercial cannabis uses

  • Feb. 12 public hearing on resolution to establish standards for agricultural roads

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