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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors will get an update from staff on the Mendocino Complex at its meeting this week and also discuss several proposed changes to the county’s zoning ordinance.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
At 9:06 a.m., the board is scheduled to get an update and hold a discussion on the Mendocino Complex fire response and recovery.
In another item timed for 9:15 a.m., the board will consider and discuss various amendments to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance regarding a reduction in the minimum residential construction standards in the single-family residential and manufactured home overlay districts; updates to the collector's permit terms and conditions; restaurants as accessory uses to a tasting room; and temporary dwellings in emergency situations; and request for board direction.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
6.1: Adopt resolution transferring the current balance in the other post-employment benefits fund (645) to the recently authorized Section 115 Post-Employment Benefits Trust and authorizing initial investment portfolio option.
6.2: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Debra Sally, DVM for veterinarian services in the amount not to exceed $25,000 annually for the 18/19 fiscal year, and authorize the chair to sign.
6.3: Adopt Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2018-73 establishing position allocations for fiscal year 201-2019, Budget Unit No. 1123, Assessor.
6.4: Adopt the resolution approving the Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 through Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
6.5: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Cal Engineering & Geology Inc. for engineering services for repair of Socrates Mine Road Landslides, Lake County, in the amount not to exceed $232,297.02; and authorize the chair to sign.
6.6: Approve amendment three to the agreement for final design and right-of-way services for the South Main Street and Soda Bay Road Corridor Improvement Project in Lake County, with Quincy Engineering Inc. for an increase of $139,878.05, and an amount not to exceed $2,483,054.78; and authorize the chair to sign.
6.7: Approve Encroachment Permit #18-27 - Temporary closure of a portion of Clear Lake in front of Library Park on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for single-boat, high-speed demonstration runs associated with the Hot Car and Boat Show.
TIMED ITEMS
7.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of update and discussion on the Mendocino Complex - River and Ranch fires response and recovery.
7.3, 9:15 a.m.: Discussion and consideration of various amendments to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance regarding a reduction in the minimum residential construction standards in the single-family residential (R1) and manufactured home overlay (MH) districts; updates to the collector's permit terms and conditions; restaurants as accessory uses to a tasting room; and temporary dwellings in emergency situations; and request for board direction.
7.4, 9:30 a.m.: (a) Presentation of code enforcement update; and (b) consideration of request for board direction regarding amendments to Chapter 13 of the Lake County Code.
7.5, 10 a.m.: Public bid opening, consideration of bids to purchase the property known as the Lucerne Hotel, located at 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne, CA (APN’S 034-182-030 & 040, AND 034-867-010 through 070) pursuant to Government Code Section 25520 et seq. (Due to the mandated evacuation of the City of Lakeport due to disaster, the public bid opening will be continued to Aug. 21, 2018, at 10 a.m.)
7.6, 10:15 a.m.: Public bid opening, consideration of bids to purchase the Bevins Court properties in Lakeport, CA (APN’s 025-462-100 & 090), pursuant to Government Code Section 25520 et seq. (Continued from Aug. 7, 2018).
UNTIMED ITEMS
8.2: Consideration of change in Board of Supervisors Committee assignment for vice chair to the Disaster Council.
8.3: Discussion and consideration of a draft ordinance amending certain sections of Chapter 13 to establish administrative fines for violations of the Lake County Code relating to the failure to obtain and/or maintain any permit related to cannabis operations.
8.4: Consideration of resolution to oppose Proposition 6 in the November 2018 Election.
CLOSED SESSION
9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4): County of Lake v. United States, Department of Interior .
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 board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
At 9:06 a.m., the board is scheduled to get an update and hold a discussion on the Mendocino Complex fire response and recovery.
In another item timed for 9:15 a.m., the board will consider and discuss various amendments to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance regarding a reduction in the minimum residential construction standards in the single-family residential and manufactured home overlay districts; updates to the collector's permit terms and conditions; restaurants as accessory uses to a tasting room; and temporary dwellings in emergency situations; and request for board direction.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
6.1: Adopt resolution transferring the current balance in the other post-employment benefits fund (645) to the recently authorized Section 115 Post-Employment Benefits Trust and authorizing initial investment portfolio option.
6.2: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Debra Sally, DVM for veterinarian services in the amount not to exceed $25,000 annually for the 18/19 fiscal year, and authorize the chair to sign.
6.3: Adopt Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2018-73 establishing position allocations for fiscal year 201-2019, Budget Unit No. 1123, Assessor.
6.4: Adopt the resolution approving the Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 through Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
6.5: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Cal Engineering & Geology Inc. for engineering services for repair of Socrates Mine Road Landslides, Lake County, in the amount not to exceed $232,297.02; and authorize the chair to sign.
6.6: Approve amendment three to the agreement for final design and right-of-way services for the South Main Street and Soda Bay Road Corridor Improvement Project in Lake County, with Quincy Engineering Inc. for an increase of $139,878.05, and an amount not to exceed $2,483,054.78; and authorize the chair to sign.
6.7: Approve Encroachment Permit #18-27 - Temporary closure of a portion of Clear Lake in front of Library Park on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for single-boat, high-speed demonstration runs associated with the Hot Car and Boat Show.
TIMED ITEMS
7.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of update and discussion on the Mendocino Complex - River and Ranch fires response and recovery.
7.3, 9:15 a.m.: Discussion and consideration of various amendments to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance regarding a reduction in the minimum residential construction standards in the single-family residential (R1) and manufactured home overlay (MH) districts; updates to the collector's permit terms and conditions; restaurants as accessory uses to a tasting room; and temporary dwellings in emergency situations; and request for board direction.
7.4, 9:30 a.m.: (a) Presentation of code enforcement update; and (b) consideration of request for board direction regarding amendments to Chapter 13 of the Lake County Code.
7.5, 10 a.m.: Public bid opening, consideration of bids to purchase the property known as the Lucerne Hotel, located at 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne, CA (APN’S 034-182-030 & 040, AND 034-867-010 through 070) pursuant to Government Code Section 25520 et seq. (Due to the mandated evacuation of the City of Lakeport due to disaster, the public bid opening will be continued to Aug. 21, 2018, at 10 a.m.)
7.6, 10:15 a.m.: Public bid opening, consideration of bids to purchase the Bevins Court properties in Lakeport, CA (APN’s 025-462-100 & 090), pursuant to Government Code Section 25520 et seq. (Continued from Aug. 7, 2018).
UNTIMED ITEMS
8.2: Consideration of change in Board of Supervisors Committee assignment for vice chair to the Disaster Council.
8.3: Discussion and consideration of a draft ordinance amending certain sections of Chapter 13 to establish administrative fines for violations of the Lake County Code relating to the failure to obtain and/or maintain any permit related to cannabis operations.
8.4: Consideration of resolution to oppose Proposition 6 in the November 2018 Election.
CLOSED SESSION
9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4): County of Lake v. United States, Department of Interior .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council is set to hold a short special meeting to deal with fire-related issues.
The council will meet at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The single agenda item is the council’s review of the need to continue the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to conditions of extreme peril as a result of the River fire, which along with the Ranch fire is now part of the Mendocino Complex.
On July 28, the director of emergency services for the city of Lakeport declared a local state of emergency in connection with the conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the city as a result of the River fire, according to the staff report from City Manager Margaret Silveira.
Silveira said the council subsequently ratified the declaration on July 30 in accordance with the Emergency Services Act Section 8630(b) and Lakeport Municipal Code section 2.28.130, under Resolution 2679 (2018).
Lakeport Municipal Code requires the city council to review, at least every 14 days, the need for continuing the emergency declaration until the local emergency is terminated, Silveira said.
The council has the option to approve the need for the continuation of the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to Mendocino Complex or to proclaim the state of emergency’s termination, according to Silveira.
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 council will meet at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The single agenda item is the council’s review of the need to continue the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to conditions of extreme peril as a result of the River fire, which along with the Ranch fire is now part of the Mendocino Complex.
On July 28, the director of emergency services for the city of Lakeport declared a local state of emergency in connection with the conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the city as a result of the River fire, according to the staff report from City Manager Margaret Silveira.
Silveira said the council subsequently ratified the declaration on July 30 in accordance with the Emergency Services Act Section 8630(b) and Lakeport Municipal Code section 2.28.130, under Resolution 2679 (2018).
Lakeport Municipal Code requires the city council to review, at least every 14 days, the need for continuing the emergency declaration until the local emergency is terminated, Silveira said.
The council has the option to approve the need for the continuation of the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to Mendocino Complex or to proclaim the state of emergency’s termination, according to Silveira.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
081318 Lakeport City Council special meeting agenda by LakeCoNews on Scribd
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police are investigating an early Sunday morning shooting in which initial reports suggest a Clearlake man killed three of his children and wounded the fourth before fatally shooting himself.
At 12:43 a.m. Sunday, the Clearlake Police Department received a report of a male subject shooting a firearm in the 4700 block of Yarrington Court, according to Sgt. Tim Hobbs.
Hobbs said officers arrived in the area a short time later and contacted a 25-year-old female who called the police.
The officers learned the female had just been at a residence on Yarrington Court with her husband, 39-year-old Ricardo Lopez, and their four children, Hobbs said.
For unknown reasons Ricardo Lopez, who was outside the residence, began shooting a firearm and she ran away to get help, according to Hobbs.
Officers went to the residence on Yarrington Court and located Ricardo Lopez deceased laying in the driveway. Hobbs said Lopez had what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was in possession of a firearm.
Officers located the couple’s four children inside a SUV parked in the driveway. Three of the children – ages 9 months, 2 years and 4 years – were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds, Hobbs said.
A fourth child, age 5, was alive and had a gunshot wound to the chest, according to Hobbs.
Hobbs said officers rendered medical aid to the 5-year-old while waiting for medical personnel to arrive.
Once medical personnel arrived, the child was transported to Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital then flown to an out-of-county hospital. As of Sunday morning, Hobbs said the child was in stable condition.
“Clearlake Police detectives responded to the location and are in the process of investigating the circumstances that led to this tragic incident,” Hobbs said.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Leonardo Flores at 707-994-8251, Extension 315, or by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
At 12:43 a.m. Sunday, the Clearlake Police Department received a report of a male subject shooting a firearm in the 4700 block of Yarrington Court, according to Sgt. Tim Hobbs.
Hobbs said officers arrived in the area a short time later and contacted a 25-year-old female who called the police.
The officers learned the female had just been at a residence on Yarrington Court with her husband, 39-year-old Ricardo Lopez, and their four children, Hobbs said.
For unknown reasons Ricardo Lopez, who was outside the residence, began shooting a firearm and she ran away to get help, according to Hobbs.
Officers went to the residence on Yarrington Court and located Ricardo Lopez deceased laying in the driveway. Hobbs said Lopez had what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was in possession of a firearm.
Officers located the couple’s four children inside a SUV parked in the driveway. Three of the children – ages 9 months, 2 years and 4 years – were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds, Hobbs said.
A fourth child, age 5, was alive and had a gunshot wound to the chest, according to Hobbs.
Hobbs said officers rendered medical aid to the 5-year-old while waiting for medical personnel to arrive.
Once medical personnel arrived, the child was transported to Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital then flown to an out-of-county hospital. As of Sunday morning, Hobbs said the child was in stable condition.
“Clearlake Police detectives responded to the location and are in the process of investigating the circumstances that led to this tragic incident,” Hobbs said.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Leonardo Flores at 707-994-8251, Extension 315, or by email at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Mendocino Complex’s Ranch fire reached a record acreage total on Sunday as it continued to burn actively along its northern perimeter.
Cal Fire said the Mendocino Complex reached 331,399 acres and 70-percent containment on Sunday morning.
The River fire near Lakeport continues to be held at no new growth. It’s at 48,920 acres, with containment up slightly to 93 percent, Cal Fire said. Crews continue to monitor it for hot spots and to do suppression repair.
The Ranch fire on the county’s north side reached 282,479 acres and 62-percent containment on Sunday, according to Cal Fire.
The US Forest Service, which is in unified command on the fire with Cal Fire, said the Ranch fire grew approximately 6,000 acres in the previous 24 hours.
Mendocino National Forest spokeswoman Punky Moore said the Ranch Fire is burning in the Snow Mountain Wilderness and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
The complex is listed as the largest wildland fire in California history; all on its own, the Ranch fire could rank as the second largest, having surpassed the December 2017 Thomas fire overnight.
The Mendocino Complex’s updated damage assessment shows it has destroyed 146 residences and 118 other structures, and damaged 13 homes and 24 other buildings. It continues to threaten 1,025 structures.
The Ranch fire continued to be active in its northeast section overnight, Cal Fire said. Fire mapping showed that activity in the northwest occurred near the Lake-Colusa County line west of Lodoga, based on the maps.
Dozer lines have been constructed in the northeast corner below Stonyford and contingency dozer lines have been constructed ahead of the fire around Stonyford with additional proposed lines being scouted, officials said.
Moore said that on Saturday, firefighters were able to hold and improve the dozer line along McLeod Ridge from Lake Pillsbury towards the fire’s edge. Dozer operators continued constructing dozer line along Gilmore Ridge and north through the 2012 Mill Fire scar toward Davis Flat.
Crews improved the fireline in the steep canyons near Clover Valley in the southern portion of the fire, and they continued to improve contingency dozer lines in the Potter Valley area and along Bushy Camp and Noel ridges, Moore said.
Cal Fire said fire crews on Sunday will continue attempting to contain the northwest portion of the fire, protecting the southern areas of Lake Pillsbury and bringing it back into the Mendocino National Forest. There are many constructed dozer lines along the western edge and throughout Potter Valley and below Lake Pillsbury.
Fire crews will attempt to contain the fire from progressing west, keeping it south of Eel River, Cal Fire said.
On the northeast side, Moore said that on Sunday dozer operators will continue constructing dozer line along Gilmore Ridge and north through the 2012 Mill Fire scar toward Davis Flat in order to secure the fire’s northeast corner to keep the fire west of Stonyford and Century Ranch.
Cal Fire said 3,422 personnel – including 41 from New Zealand and Australia, and 200 active duty military firefighters – are part of the firefighting force, along with 281 engines, 87 water tenders, 20 helicopters, 61 hand crews and 76 dozers.
“I am glad to see all of the cooperation from Cal Fire, the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Military and all of the other cooperators,” said Incident Commander Jerry McGowan. “We will all continue to work together to stop this fire, it is our main objective. It has already burned enough land.”
With a red flag warning having ended on Saturday night, Moore said there should be a return to a more normal weather pattern Sunday. Temperatures will be a little cooler, the humidity will be a little higher and the winds lighter than Saturday.
She said smoke impacts will continue to be heavy in communities near and east of the Ranch fire, including Clearlake, Stonyford and east to Willows. Moderate impacts are expected west of the fires in Ukiah, Hopland and Willits. The north and central Sacramento Valley will see widespread haze and smoky conditions.
Across California on Sunday, almost 13,200 firefighters are on the front lines of 11 large wildfires across California. To date, these fires have burned over 695,000 acres and damaged or destroyed over 2,000 structures. Over 12,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, Cal Fire said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Health is urging boaters and recreational users to avoid direct contact with or use of waters containing blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, in Clear Lake.
The recommendation is based on the potential health risks from the algae, which is currently blooming at varying levels in all three arms of the lake – Upper Arm, Oaks Arm and Lower Arm.
The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony conduct extensive monitoring of Clear Lake.
The most recent test results for cyanotoxins from Aug. 7 confirmed “danger” levels of 20 micrograms per liter, or µg/L, at several locations, triggering health warnings.
The sites where the danger levels were found include:
– Sulphur Bank mercury mine, 4,800 µg/L.
– Austin Park Beach, 230 µg/L.
– Redbud Park boat launch, 24 µg/L.
Warning levels were found at Soda Bay Cove, 13 µg/L, and Cache Creek, 8.7 µg/L, while caution levels were confirmed at Elem Indian Colony, 3.7 µg/L, and Lakeside County Park, 2.9 µg/L, according to the Big Valley Rancheria monitoring Web site.
In recent weeks, the California Department of Water Resources issued an algal bloom warning advisory for Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County and reported danger levels of cyanotoxin in San Luis Reservoir in Merced County.
Lake County officials said blue-green algae can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets.
Public Health urges people to choose safe activities when visiting the Oaks Arm and parts of the Lower Arm of Clear Lake and wherever blooms are visible. It is strongly recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with water and avoid swallowing lake water in an algae bloom area.
Sulphur Bank mercury mine site is close to a private drinking water supply. The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony will be following up with these drinking water suppliers. The Redbud Park boat launch location also is close to a drinking water supply, and sampling of drinking water at the site will occur on Aug. 17.
Cyanotoxin are produced by bacteria called cyanobacteria. They are an essential part of the environment that have existed for millions of year and produce oxygen.
Under certain conditions, they multiply excessively and form visible clumps that can appear as cut grass in the water or blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats that can float on the water’s surface and accumulate along the shoreline and boat ramp area.
On occasion, they produce toxins that can cause harmful effects in people and animals if exposed through ingestion, inhalation of aerosolized water or direct contact. As environmental factors change, most harmful algae blooms resolve over time.
However, when cyanotoxin are known to be present, re-testing the water after it has cleared and allowing at least two weeks to pass after no toxins are found is recommended
Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock might have been poisoned by blue-green algae toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae. Also, make sure to contact the local county public health department at 707-263-1090.
To see harmful algal blooms reported statewide, visit https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/index.html
For a phone app to monitor blooms, visit https://www.citsci.org/CWIS438/Browse/Project/Project_Info.php?ProjectID=822&WebSiteID=7.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the Federal Aviation Administration will award $770.8 million in airport infrastructure grants, the third allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program, or AIP, funding.
The grants include a $648,450 award to Lampson Field Airport for runway repairs.
“These Airport Improvement Grants are investments in our country’s critical infrastructure,” said Secretary Chao. “This grant is a down payment to ensure Lampson Field remains an economic engine as demand grows.”
AIP grants fund infrastructure projects that include runways, taxiways, aprons, and terminal projects. These projects are important to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s system of airports.
Airports receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
The grants include a $648,450 award to Lampson Field Airport for runway repairs.
“These Airport Improvement Grants are investments in our country’s critical infrastructure,” said Secretary Chao. “This grant is a down payment to ensure Lampson Field remains an economic engine as demand grows.”
AIP grants fund infrastructure projects that include runways, taxiways, aprons, and terminal projects. These projects are important to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s system of airports.
Airports receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.