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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Volunteers from around California – and here in Lake County – are being asked to pitch in and help with the 30th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day.
The annual cleanup – which isn't limited to just the coast, but is for water bodies across California – takes place this year from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 20.
The California Coastal Commission sponsors the cleanup, which is California's largest volunteer event.
The commission reported that since the cleanup began in 1985, more than 1.2 million volunteers have taken part, removing more than 20 million pounds of debris from California’s shorelines, creeks, lakes, rivers and streams.
The county of Lake participated in the statewide cleanup for some time before taking a hiatus of several years, once again joining the annual effort in the fall of 2012, according to Carolyn Ruttan, invasive species program coordinator for Lake County Water Resources.
Last year, Lake County's lake and creek cleanup resulted in three dozen volunteers removing 1,680 pounds of trash and recyclables, Ruttan reported. The previous year, eight bags of recyclables, 32 bags of trash and 156 tires were removed from local waterways thanks by local volunteers.
Ruttan said this year the county is planning to have three gathering sites for volunteers: Holiday Harbor on Lakeshore Boulevard in Nice; Big Oak Shopping Center, located on Highway 20 next to the post office in Clearlake Oaks; and the Lake County Fire Protection District station, 14815 Olympic Drive in Clearlake.
She said people are asked to gather at the volunteer sites at 8:30 a.m. for briefings and to sign liability waivers. Volunteers then will receive trash bags, gloves and water.
After checking in, participants can then go out to areas around the lake, pick up trash and then bring their filled bags back to the staging areas. Ruttan said that if large items – like refrigerators – are found, a county truck will be sent out to pick them up.
This year, Ruttan said the county is going to document the kinds of trash – such as tires and Styrofoam cups – that is picked up and the specific amounts, statistics which she said the Coastal Commission is asking participating groups to record.
Separately from the county of Lake-sponsored effort, a cleanup of Cache Creek on Sept. 20 will be headquartered at the Shady Acres Campground, located at 7805 Cache Creek Way in Clearlake.
Kayakers, canoers and car top boaters are invited to volunteer to help with the creek and beach cleanup.
Volunteers are asked to arrive between 8 and 8:30 a.m. They will be in the water by 9 a.m. and out of the water by 11 a.m. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat.
For information about the Shady Acres cleanup, contact Lisa Wilson at
For additional details about the county of Lake's sponsored cleanup effort, contact Ruttan at telephone 707-263-2344 or email at
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – After burning for nearly a month and a half, a complex of lightning fires near Laytonville has been fully contained.
Cal Fire said the Lodge Lightning Complex was 100-percent contained Tuesday evening.
The fires were sparked early on the morning of July 30 in the Wilderness Lodge and Eel River Canyon area of Mendocino County.
Approximately 12,536 acres acres burned and there were 15 injuries, Cal Fire said.
At one point in August the fire was sending large amounts of smoke in the Lake County air basin.
Cal Fire said the areas outside of the fire lines will be closely monitored for any new spot fires and the fire crew that remains on scene will continue mopping up and looking for hot spots within containment lines.
Portions of the interior fire area is expected to continue to burn for some time, with smoke likely in the areas of Laytonville and south Leggett, Cal Fire said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
State Controller John Chiang on Tuesday released a report on efforts made by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to detect and prevent pension spiking practices at the 3,100 public agencies which contract with the system.
CalPERS officials said Tuesday that the system's monitoring efforts have increased in recent years while also finding shortcomings with Chiang's report.
CalPERS has more than 3,000 member agencies.
In Lake County, it covers several agencies including the city of Clearlake's safety and miscellaneous employee classifications; peace officer, fire and miscellaneous employee classifications for the county of Lake; the Clearlake Oaks County Water District; Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District; Konocti County Water District; Lake County Fire Protection District; Lake County Vector Control; Lakeport Fire Protection District; Lower Lake Cemetery District; Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1; and Northshore Fire Protection District.
The report, which covered the period from July 2010 to June 2012, found CalPERS's failure to use automated controls and more proactively review payroll data exposes the system to the manipulation of pay for the purpose of “spiking” retirement benefits.
Chiang's review found that CalPERS lacks sufficient audit capacity to cover all the state and local governments with which it contracts. On the current audit schedule, a local government that contracts with CalPERS, for example, would only face an audit once in every 66 years.
“The good news is that my office sampled 11 employers within the CalPERS system and found no incidences of pension spiking,” said Chiang. “The discouraging news is CalPERS’s lack of robust auditing, underutilization of advanced technology, and its generally passive approach to the problem invites abuse. The state's largest pension system can and must be more vigorous in protecting taxpayers from this form of public theft.”
“As we expected, the controller’s review did not identify any pension spiking,” said Rob Feckner, president of the CalPERS Board of Administration. “We agree on the importance of a proactive and automated system to detect pension spiking.”
Fecker continued, “Long before the Controller’s Office began their current review, CalPERS saw the need for a 21st century, state-of-the-art technology system and we successfully implemented it in 2011. That is one of the reasons why the SCO’s report 'did not identify pension spiking' among the 11 agencies they reviewed. We further agree we need a larger audit staff, which is why we significantly increased it and plan to continue to increase it in the near future. We look forward to our continued partnership with the controller and California’s public employers to monitor and enhance compliance with the law.”
The Controller's Office review focused on audit oversight and internal controls at CalPERS aimed at identifying, preventing and eliminating pension spiking.
The controller also reviewed 11 CalPERS member agencies – three state agencies, two counties, two cities, and four special districts – to determine if any retirements occurring during the audit span included any inappropriate benefit enhancements.
Those 11 member agencies included a geographically diverse sample of public entities that included the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California State University Chancellor’s Office, the county of Riverside, CalPERS, the county of Placer, the city of Oakland, the city of Colton, the Grossmont Healthcare District, the Inverness Public Utility District, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Woodside Fire Protection District.
Although the controller's review of the 11 reporting entities did not identify an incident where a retiring employee received an inappropriate pension enhancement, it did discover that CalPERS doesn’t regularly run the monthly payroll data it received through automated controls to identify indicators of pension spiking.
At CalPERS, the controller found that the pension fund has developed a number of electronic risk assessment tools that can be used to detect pension spiking, but does not effectively use them.
Instead of applying these automated data mining tools to all payroll data received from its member agencies on a monthly basis to identify anomalies indicative of abuse, CalPERS only performs a risk assessment once per year and the primary driver of that assessment is whether that agency has employees compensated at greater than $245,000 per year, Chiang's office reported.
Compounding the deficiencies inherent in an approach that does not systemically screen data on a frequent basis, CalPERS generally only reviews pay data for spiking when an employee of a member agency is about to retire. This lack of up-front, real-time accuracy verification needlessly creates opportunities for abuse to occur, according to Chiang's report.
CalPERS has insufficient auditing resources to effectively oversee its more than 3,000 member agencies. Available resources limit its annual reviews to only 45 (or 1.5 percent) of its membership. At this rate, a public agency would only face a pension spiking audit once every 66 years.
Since the audit was completed, CalPERS has added additional staff; however, with the change, it still would be once every 33 years that an agency would face an audit.
The Controller's Office strongly recommends CalPERS address the understaffing immediately, makes full use of its electronic tools, and deploy a more rigorous and prevention-based approach to combating pension spiking.
Finally, the review observed a form of “legal” pension spiking authorized with the 1993 enactment of California Government Code section 20692. This method of pension enhancement involves a one-time shift in “pick-up” payments, or payments made by employers to cover the employee's share of pension costs.
Commonly referred to as “Employer Paid Member Contributions,” 97 contracting agencies – primarily local governments and special districts – have contract amendments allowing them to withdraw the commitment to pick up the retirement contribution in the employee’s final year, and will instead add the cash value of that payment to the employee's salary to be paid by the employee as a retirement payment.
While this arrangement does not affect the total cash value being sent to the pension fund each year, it does “spike” the employee’s final year of compensation by shifting the cash value of the pension payment into the regular salary.
As a result of the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013, this optional benefit is no longer available to new members.
However, the controller’s review concluded that the contract amendments increased members pay by $39.1 million in annual pensionable compensation for participating employees. This arrangement could provide as much as $796 million in this type of pension compensation over 20 years, Chiang's office reported.
CalPERS said the Controller's Office review did not cite certain aspects of its efforts to monitor compliance of contracting agencies.
It said it has significantly increased audit staff since June 2012 and, in the last year alone, has doubled the number of audits of contracting public agencies to 99. CalPERS said it also provides comprehensive education for employers and offered more than 600 training courses last year.
In addition, CalPERS has procedures in place to review compensation of active employees for pay increases and inappropriate reporting by employers. CalPERS also targets public agencies that have highly paid employees with reported earnings exceeding $245,000 annually in an effort to optimize its review of agencies.
CalPERS said it is developing a business intelligence program using technology and data analytics to identify membership and payroll reporting anomalies across its membership. This will allow the Pension Fund to focus its auditing efforts on contracting agencies most at-risk for reporting errors.
Lastly, CalPERS said that while the practice of using Employer Paid Member Contributions is still generally available for the “classic” employees who were first hired by Jan. 1, 2013, the recent Public Employees' Pension Reform Act prohibited EPMC for “new hires.”
“CalPERS shares a partnership with our local government employers who bear the primary responsibility for complying with and accurately reporting employee compensation in compliance with the law,” said Feckner. “We welcome suggestions on how to improve our oversight role.”
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man who fled the Sacramento area during his prosecution on charges including driving under the influence and vehicle theft was arrested on Tuesday in Clearlake.
John Anthony Lewis, 53, was arrested through a collaborative effort of the US Marshals Service, the Clearlake Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, according to a report from Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
Joseph said that on Tuesday the Clearlake Police Department received information from the US Marshals Service of a possible wanted subject – Lewis – who was believed to be in the city's jurisdiction.
Lewis was wanted on a no-bail felony arrest warrant out of the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Joseph explained.
He said Lewis was convicted in 2012 of charges including driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle, evading police and resisting arrest.
Lewis, who fled during the court proceedings, was convicted in absentia of the charges and given an 11-year prison term. Authorities had been trying to locate him since that time, Joseph said.
Besides the Sacramento County conviction, Lewis also had a no-bail felony arrest warrant out of Washington state for failing to appear on several charges, including – in Washington terminology – theft, trafficking and a controlled substance violation, Joseph said.
The US Marshals Service, working in collaboration with the Clearlake Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, arrested Lewis after a lengthy surveillance was conducted by US Marshals, according to Joseph.
Joseph said that on Tuesday Lewis was found leaving Walmart in a vehicle. A high risk traffic stop subsequently occurred near the intersection of Dam Road and Dam Road Extension.
During his arrest Lewis expressed surprise at being apprehended by law enforcement, asking the arresting officers how they had found him, Joseph said.
Walmart’s vehicular exit onto Dam Road was partially blocked for about 10 to 15 minutes during the brief police activity, according to Joseph.
Clearlake Police Department later transported Lewis to the Lake County Jail for housing. Lewis' mug shot was not immediately available for posting early Tuesday evening.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport Planning Commission will consider giving certificates of appreciation to local businesses and owners for completing notable projects around the city.
The commission will meet beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Planning Service Manager Andrew Britton's report to the commission explains that, in 1996, the commission adopted a resolution establishing an annual recognition/award program for property and business owners “who have completed notable development projects, commercial remodels or other beautification projects which have enhanced the image of the City.”
He said the award program consists of the presentation of certificates of appreciation signed by the planning commission chair to the selected businesses or property owners.
The last time the city gave out the certificates was in 2011, Britton said.
At that time, the certificates were awarded to Bruno's Shopping Center, Campos Casuals, Jones Mortuary, Ross Kauper, Lake County Tribal Health, Lincoln Leavitt Insurance, Safeway, Tower Mart and Dave Wright of Morgan’s Barber Shop, according to Britton.
Britton said staff is recommending the commission consider numerous projects completed in the last several years. The list initially was discussed at the commission's Aug. 13 meeting, with additional projects added.
The list now includes Dr. Mark Buehnerkemper, exterior remodel and addition at 120 S. Main St.; Tom Nieto, façade enhancement project, Main St. Bicycles and Lakeport Computers, 125 and 127 N. Main St.; Lakeport Tire & Auto, façade enhancement project, 1901 S. Main Street; Savings Bank of Mendocino County, new bank building, 290 S. Main St.; Sun Dental, façade enhancement project, 800 S. Main St.; attorney Dennis Fordham, exterior remodel and façade enhancement, 870 S. Main St.; Bella Vista Senior Apartments, 48-unit apartment complex, 1075 Martin St.; Hospice Services of Lake County, extensive remodel and building, 1862 Parallel Drive; Janice Stokes, façade and interior improvements, 357 N Main St.; Jason Soderquest, façade remodel, 470 S. Main St.
Britton said the commission is encouraged to suggest other project for consideration as well.
“Once a list of the recipients is approved, staff will prepare the certificates and invite the recipients to a future Planning Commission meeting for presentation,” Britton said in his report.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Public Works Director Doug Herren recently provided the city council with a quarterly report of activities of the Public Works Department.
The report reviews activities from January through June of this year.
Staff is currently working six days a week to keep up with the demand for services, Herren said. “Our goal is to provide safety to all who use city parks and public right-of-ways.”
Herren said department services include grading, pothole patching, tree trimming, sign maintenance and park maintenance.
Additionally, the status report accounts staff hours for drainage repairs, street sweeping, frost control and vehicle and equipment maintenance.
Parks Department
Herren said the hiring of two seasonal temporary employees has been beneficial to the Parks Department.
“The demand for service is high and challenging,” he stated. “With the extra help we are starting to catch up on some deferred maintenance.”
Extensive damage, caused by rocks being drawn into the system, was sustained by the pump that provides water to Austin Park, impacting its lawn, he explained.
Herren said crewman Chuck Davis worked with longtime resident Bill Wilder, ultimately resulting in Wilder's donation of a working pump for the system.
“I have to say 'thank you very much' to the Wilder family for their generous donation,” Herren stated. “The is a perfect fit and works like a champ. Special thanks to Highlands Water Co. for helping with the electrical and testing of the pump before it went online.”
According to the status report, a total of 1,241 hours of general maintenance was exhausted in the city's four parks, including the skate park.
Another 335 hours were spent on irrigation repairs and 126 hours were spent on boat ramp maintenance and cleaning.
Additional park activities concern a collaborative project involving the city and Konocti Unified School District.
Herren said the city began discussion with Konocti Unified in June regarding options for drilling a well in Austin Park that would serve both the park and Haverty Field, which is located just east of the park.
A joint use agreement between the city and Konocti Unified currently is in place for the district's use of Haverty Field and its maintenance.
“After a few meetings and site visits, it was decided to put the well in the northeast corner of Austin Park, close to the power supply and the timer system,” Herren stated. “(Konocti Unified) Maintenance Supervisor Dana Moore is currently in the process of hiring a contractor with the scheduling to drill the well set for this September or early October.”
Herren said if the well produces as well as anticipated, the city will be able to connect it to its controller and water both areas from the well water source rather than from the lake source it currently uses.
Windstorms update
Herren said the community was impacted substantially by windstorms in late November 2013.
He said the greenwaste amnesty program that was offered in response went well with no hazardous materials or garbage dropped-off at the designated site.
All greenwaste materials were run through chippers provided by Lake County Fire Protection District, the county of Lake Parks Department and the Clearlake Public Works.
Spring Clean Up 2014
The city hosted its annual Spring Clean Up in April of this year with what Herren said was a tremendous turnout.
The 2014 effort was expanded to include Cache Creek, he said.
“Cathy Wilson, with the help of some eager kayakers, along with Jeff Smith and Chuck Leonard on the county's air boat, were able to collect four full truck loads of debris from the water's edge that would have never been seen from the road,” he stated.
Herren also recognized with gratitude Bruce McCracken, Julie Price and Andrea Rios of Clearlake Waste Solutions, along with city staff and local volunteers who contributed to the success of the event.
Cal Recycling programs
Cal Recycling distributes $5,000 annually to each eligible city and county specifically for beverage container recycling and litter clean up activities. Herren said the city was again successful in receiving those funds.
The program funds, Herren explained, are to assist in providing opportunities to support new or existing curbside recycling programs, public education, litter prevention and clean up activities such as the city's annual event.
Herren said some of the past funds were used to purchase recycling bins placed in city hall, the police department, the parks and the senior/community center.
The annual Cal Recycling report for 2013 was submitted in July of this year. “I'm pleased to say that with all the hard work from staff and the city's contract waste hauler, we once again have seen huge gains and improvements in diversion rates,” Herren stated.
According to the status report, the city saw a diversion rate of 37 percent in 2007, increasing to 57 percent by 2009.
In 2010, the diversion rate dropped 2 percent but returned to 57 percent in 2011, the report showed.
In 2012, the diversion rate reached 65 percent and in 2013 the report said diversion was at its highest at 71 percent.
Herren said the steady increase in the city's diversion rate clearly illustrates that the community is doing its part.
Email Denise Rockenstein at