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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County saw a significant drop in its unemployment rate in March, a development that mirrors economic gains across the state and nation.
Lake County’s March jobless rate was 5%, down from 5.9% in February and 9% in March 2021, the California Employment Development Department, or EDD, reported.
California’s unemployment rate in March was 4.9%, down from 5.3% in February and 8.4% in March of last year.
The report said California’s employers added 60,200 nonfarm payroll jobs, with the state now having regained nearly 90% — or 2,463,400 — of the 2,758,900 nonfarm jobs lost during March and April of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the 431,000 nonfarm jobs the nation gained in March, California accounted for 14% of those gains, surpassing the state's 11.5 percent share of employment in the U.S., the report said.
The EDD said California has enjoyed month-over gains in nonfarm jobs in 13 of the past 14 months totaling a 1,380,100 job gain over that time period.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the report was “more good news for California’s continued economic recovery, representing thousands of new opportunities for workers throughout the state,” adding, “We’re committed to building on these gains and our progress toward creating a stronger, fairer and more prosperous state for all Californians to live and work.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nationwide unemployment rate in March was 3.6%, down from 3.8% in February and 6% in the year-over comparison. The March national jobless rate is the lowest it’s been since February 2020, when it was 3.5%.
California’s payroll jobs totaled 17,338,900, while the number of Californians employed in March was 18,197,600, an increase of 141,400 persons from February’s total of 18,056,200, and up 997,700 from the employment total in March 2021.
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1,041,900, a 6.4% increase, from March 2021 to March 2022 compared to the U.S. annual gain of 6,494,000 jobs, a 4.5% increase.
The number of unemployed Californians was 933,700 in March, a decrease of 78,300 over the month and down 648,000 in comparison to March 2021. That’s the first time since February 2020 that there have been fewer than one million Californians unemployed.
Lake’s neighboring counties’ jobless rates and ranks in the latest report are Colusa, 12.5%, No. 58; Glenn, 5%, tied with Lake County for No. 36; Napa, 3.2%, No. 9; Sonoma, 3%, No. 7; and Yolo, 3.7%, No. 20.
Comparisons in industry sectors
The number of jobs in California’s agriculture industry decreased by 600 from February to 413,900 jobs in March. The agricultural industry has 3,600 more farm jobs in March 2022 than it did in March a year ago.
In Lake County, total farm jobs also were down by 4.3% in a month-over comparison, totaling an 80-job reduction.
Leisure and hospitality was once again the sector with the largest job increase statewide, with 14,800 jobs added. That growth had as its main driver limited-service eating places.
In Lake County, leisure and hospitality saw an 8% increase, totaling 90 new jobs in March.
Professional and business services also posted a good-sized gain of 10,400 jobs statewide thanks to strength in employment services, as well as accounting, tax preparation and bookkeeping services.
Lake County had a 5.7% increase in that sector in March, with 40 new jobs.
State and local numbers for other industry sectors are as follows:
• Education and health services: Statewide, increase of 9,000 jobs; Lake County, 20 new jobs, growth of 0.5%.
• Mining, logging and construction: Statewide, increase of 8,900 jobs; Lake County, loss of 10 jobs, reduction of 1.2%.
• Trade, transportation and utilities: Statewide, increase of 5,300 jobs; Lake County, 80 new jobs, increase of 2.6%.
• Other services: Statewide, increase of 4,900 jobs; Lake County, 10 new jobs, 1.9% increase.
• Financial activities: Statewide, increase of 3,600 jobs; Lake County, 10 new jobs, 3.1% increase.
• Manufacturing: Statewide, increase of 2,900 jobs; Lake County, 10 new jobs, 2.9% increase.
• Information: Statewide, increase of 200 jobs; Lake County, loss of 10 jobs, 11.1% reduction.
• Government: Statewide, increase of 200 jobs; Lake County, 40 new jobs, 1% increase.
In other employment news, the state said there were 398,638 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the March 2022 sample week, compared to 425,221 people in February and 680,279 people in March 2021.
Concurrently, 39,185 initial claims were processed in the March 2022 sample week, which was a month-over decrease of 4,517 claims from February and a year-over decrease of 57,027 claims from March 2021, the EDD said.
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.
Lake County’s March jobless rate was 5%, down from 5.9% in February and 9% in March 2021, the California Employment Development Department, or EDD, reported.
California’s unemployment rate in March was 4.9%, down from 5.3% in February and 8.4% in March of last year.
The report said California’s employers added 60,200 nonfarm payroll jobs, with the state now having regained nearly 90% — or 2,463,400 — of the 2,758,900 nonfarm jobs lost during March and April of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the 431,000 nonfarm jobs the nation gained in March, California accounted for 14% of those gains, surpassing the state's 11.5 percent share of employment in the U.S., the report said.
The EDD said California has enjoyed month-over gains in nonfarm jobs in 13 of the past 14 months totaling a 1,380,100 job gain over that time period.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the report was “more good news for California’s continued economic recovery, representing thousands of new opportunities for workers throughout the state,” adding, “We’re committed to building on these gains and our progress toward creating a stronger, fairer and more prosperous state for all Californians to live and work.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nationwide unemployment rate in March was 3.6%, down from 3.8% in February and 6% in the year-over comparison. The March national jobless rate is the lowest it’s been since February 2020, when it was 3.5%.
California’s payroll jobs totaled 17,338,900, while the number of Californians employed in March was 18,197,600, an increase of 141,400 persons from February’s total of 18,056,200, and up 997,700 from the employment total in March 2021.
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1,041,900, a 6.4% increase, from March 2021 to March 2022 compared to the U.S. annual gain of 6,494,000 jobs, a 4.5% increase.
The number of unemployed Californians was 933,700 in March, a decrease of 78,300 over the month and down 648,000 in comparison to March 2021. That’s the first time since February 2020 that there have been fewer than one million Californians unemployed.
Lake’s neighboring counties’ jobless rates and ranks in the latest report are Colusa, 12.5%, No. 58; Glenn, 5%, tied with Lake County for No. 36; Napa, 3.2%, No. 9; Sonoma, 3%, No. 7; and Yolo, 3.7%, No. 20.
Comparisons in industry sectors
The number of jobs in California’s agriculture industry decreased by 600 from February to 413,900 jobs in March. The agricultural industry has 3,600 more farm jobs in March 2022 than it did in March a year ago.
In Lake County, total farm jobs also were down by 4.3% in a month-over comparison, totaling an 80-job reduction.
Leisure and hospitality was once again the sector with the largest job increase statewide, with 14,800 jobs added. That growth had as its main driver limited-service eating places.
In Lake County, leisure and hospitality saw an 8% increase, totaling 90 new jobs in March.
Professional and business services also posted a good-sized gain of 10,400 jobs statewide thanks to strength in employment services, as well as accounting, tax preparation and bookkeeping services.
Lake County had a 5.7% increase in that sector in March, with 40 new jobs.
State and local numbers for other industry sectors are as follows:
• Education and health services: Statewide, increase of 9,000 jobs; Lake County, 20 new jobs, growth of 0.5%.
• Mining, logging and construction: Statewide, increase of 8,900 jobs; Lake County, loss of 10 jobs, reduction of 1.2%.
• Trade, transportation and utilities: Statewide, increase of 5,300 jobs; Lake County, 80 new jobs, increase of 2.6%.
• Other services: Statewide, increase of 4,900 jobs; Lake County, 10 new jobs, 1.9% increase.
• Financial activities: Statewide, increase of 3,600 jobs; Lake County, 10 new jobs, 3.1% increase.
• Manufacturing: Statewide, increase of 2,900 jobs; Lake County, 10 new jobs, 2.9% increase.
• Information: Statewide, increase of 200 jobs; Lake County, loss of 10 jobs, 11.1% reduction.
• Government: Statewide, increase of 200 jobs; Lake County, 40 new jobs, 1% increase.
In other employment news, the state said there were 398,638 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the March 2022 sample week, compared to 425,221 people in February and 680,279 people in March 2021.
Concurrently, 39,185 initial claims were processed in the March 2022 sample week, which was a month-over decrease of 4,517 claims from February and a year-over decrease of 57,027 claims from March 2021, the EDD said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — On March 17 and 18, Kelseyville High School student Diego Lopez joined other Native American basketball players from Lake County to represent their communities in the 21st annual American Indian Youth Conference and Basketball Tournament at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The event is one of many such events nationwide that allow Native American boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 to come together to share their love of sports while learning about each other’s cultural experiences and being exposed to different regions of the country.
“These tournaments expose our Lake County youth to city life,” said Kelseyville High Native American Club Advisor Katie Ray. “They have the experience of walking around college campuses and seeing what they’re up against, what it would be like to be on their own. They also get a feel for what it would be like to play [basketball] at a collegiate level.”
Lopez agreed and said he was certainly more interested in attending UCLA after touring the campus, attending conference workshops, and playing basketball there.
He was surprised and pleased to find that UCLA has resources to help Native American students with their studies and some of the other challenges associated with higher education.
Lopez and his teammates came together thanks to Kristin Amparo, education director and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Big Valley Rancheria, and advisor to the Native American Club at Clearlake High School.
“Our children shouldn’t miss out on opportunities because no one is willing to step up and take on the challenge of helping them,” Amparo said. “Every child deserves an opportunity, but it is up to them as an individual to accept the challenge. All I want to do is provide an opportunity for our children to have a chance to change their lives.”
Amparo offered to coach the basketball team and identified tournaments for them to play in.
“Our basketball program started a year ago with four Big Valley youth jumping on an opportunity to be exposed at a collegiate level in Arizona, Diego being one of the four; from there, we grew,” Amparo said. “We were fortunate enough to receive grant funding to keep our program going and have all their trips 100% paid for, including team bonding activities. That’s an opportunity of a lifetime for our kids. It doesn’t come by often and it won’t last forever.”
The players have four more tournaments planned in the months to come, including the Native American Midwest Tournament of Champions in Wichita, Kansas; the Third Annual Native American Nationals in Mesa, Arizona; the NABI Educational Youth Summit and Basketball Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona; and the Indigenous Elite Summer Championship in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ray explained that there are many ongoing activities for Native youth, noting that “basketball is huge, and so is youth leadership.”
Through these shared experiences, kids from rural and urban backgrounds have an opportunity to discover both shared experiences and how very different growing up on a reservation can be from an urban or suburban setting.
“Having an outlet is crucial, especially to our teens in a county that doesn’t have much for them to do,” Amparo said. “It brings good feeling to my heart knowing that we have a team who is willing to work hard, work together, be leaders, and go after what they want.”
She continued, “Around here, our kids fundraise to go everywhere. In urban areas, kids often have sponsors and scholarships. On the other hand, urban kids are not as connected to their culture as the kids around here. Our youth are rich in culture with lots of big times and gatherings. These aren’t as common in urban settings because of the Relocation Act, when Tribal people were taken from their culture and homelands,” she said.
Lopez said he would recommend that fellow Native American students get involved in these types of youth activities.
Although he is a bit reserved when it comes to meeting new people, he said enjoyed connecting with other students and learning new ideas.
He was happy to represent KHS and Big Valley Rancheria, and said he had fun participating in workshops like learning archery and making homemade ice cream. Mostly, he loved the basketball.
Amparo said, “Diego is one of the leaders on our team. He plays with heart, passion and emotion. He is constantly working to better himself, as both a person and an athlete. It is an honor to help guide our youth into positive light and I’ll do whatever I can to help them achieve their goals.”
Ray said that if anyone is interested in supporting local Native American students, they could consider donating to Big Valley Boys & Girls Club or the Native American Club at Kelseyville High.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Behavioral Health Services has announced the grand reopening of the Circle of Native Minds Peer Support Center.
On Friday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the community is invited to Circle of Native Minds’ new location at 525 N. Main St. in Lakeport; the entrance is at the rear of the building on Forbes Street.
Circle of Native Minds is a cultural healing and resource center for members of all seven Lake County-connected tribal nations.
It is dedicated to supporting and preserving Native American culture, especially the healing capabilities of cultural activities, gatherings and events.
Center lead Thomas Leon Brown, the Pathfinders group of local tribal elders and the entire Lake County Behavioral Health Services Department are honored to announce and celebrate the center, its new location and the people it serves.
Highlights of the grand reopening include free Indian tacos, the Elem Pomo Dancers, blessings and messages of hope for our community. The center’s staff will also be in attendance to answer questions or just chat.
“Heckathama” is a powerful word in the Elem Pomo language. Elder Brown explains, “It means ‘How are you?’ and is used to welcome people into our space. The Circle was created to meet the needs of the Native American community through our culturally-enriched traditional ways, using traditional songs, blessings, ceremonies, prayers, medicines and language.”
Elder Brown continues, “You are invited as we provide a place to open your heart for peace and harmony from the great spirits of our ancestors for wellness and goodness. OH!”
The Circle is funded by the Mental Health Services Act, and is a program of Lake County Behavioral Health Services.
For additional information, or questions regarding this event, please contact Thomas Leon Brown or Carrie Manning at Lake County Behavioral Health Services, 707-263-4880.
On Friday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the community is invited to Circle of Native Minds’ new location at 525 N. Main St. in Lakeport; the entrance is at the rear of the building on Forbes Street.
Circle of Native Minds is a cultural healing and resource center for members of all seven Lake County-connected tribal nations.
It is dedicated to supporting and preserving Native American culture, especially the healing capabilities of cultural activities, gatherings and events.
Center lead Thomas Leon Brown, the Pathfinders group of local tribal elders and the entire Lake County Behavioral Health Services Department are honored to announce and celebrate the center, its new location and the people it serves.
Highlights of the grand reopening include free Indian tacos, the Elem Pomo Dancers, blessings and messages of hope for our community. The center’s staff will also be in attendance to answer questions or just chat.
“Heckathama” is a powerful word in the Elem Pomo language. Elder Brown explains, “It means ‘How are you?’ and is used to welcome people into our space. The Circle was created to meet the needs of the Native American community through our culturally-enriched traditional ways, using traditional songs, blessings, ceremonies, prayers, medicines and language.”
Elder Brown continues, “You are invited as we provide a place to open your heart for peace and harmony from the great spirits of our ancestors for wellness and goodness. OH!”
The Circle is funded by the Mental Health Services Act, and is a program of Lake County Behavioral Health Services.
For additional information, or questions regarding this event, please contact Thomas Leon Brown or Carrie Manning at Lake County Behavioral Health Services, 707-263-4880.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it is attempting to identify and locate a man who broke into a Kelseyville home on Sunday night and assaulted a woman who lived there.
The sheriff’s office said the home invasion assault occurred at 10 p.m. Sunday in a neighborhood on Edgewater Drive in the Kelseyville Riviera.
A male subject forced his way into a residence and assaulted an adult female until he was confronted by the woman’s husband, according to a report from sheriff’s spokesperson, Lauren Berlinn.
Berlinn said the assault victim’s husband was able to physically restrain the intruder and remove him from the residence. The intruder then ran away on foot.
The subject who broke into the home is described as a white male adult with short hair, wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt.
Berlinn said the man was reported to have a tattoo on his upper chest, but no description of the tattoo could be provided.
The motive behind the assault is unclear and the man who committed it is still at large, Berlinn said.
The sheriff’s office is asking those living in the Edgewater and surrounding neighborhoods to review any cameras or video doorbell cameras for footage of any suspicious subjects.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Det. Dean Preader at 707-262-4231 orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The sheriff’s office reminds everyone to remain vigilant, lock their doors at night and be aware of strangers in the neighborhood.
To report suspicious activity, contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 707-263-2690.
The sheriff’s office said the home invasion assault occurred at 10 p.m. Sunday in a neighborhood on Edgewater Drive in the Kelseyville Riviera.
A male subject forced his way into a residence and assaulted an adult female until he was confronted by the woman’s husband, according to a report from sheriff’s spokesperson, Lauren Berlinn.
Berlinn said the assault victim’s husband was able to physically restrain the intruder and remove him from the residence. The intruder then ran away on foot.
The subject who broke into the home is described as a white male adult with short hair, wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt.
Berlinn said the man was reported to have a tattoo on his upper chest, but no description of the tattoo could be provided.
The motive behind the assault is unclear and the man who committed it is still at large, Berlinn said.
The sheriff’s office is asking those living in the Edgewater and surrounding neighborhoods to review any cameras or video doorbell cameras for footage of any suspicious subjects.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Det. Dean Preader at 707-262-4231 or
The sheriff’s office reminds everyone to remain vigilant, lock their doors at night and be aware of strangers in the neighborhood.
To report suspicious activity, contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 707-263-2690.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport is among 15 health care facilities across California where nurses will be participating in a one-day strike beginning on Monday.
The California Nurses Association, or CNA, reported that more than 8,000 registered nurses and health care workers will take part in the strike.
The union said it’s protesting Sutter Health’s refusal to address proposals about safe staffing and health and safety protections, including issues with contact tracing and stockpiling personal protective equipment.
The one-day strike will run from 7 a.m. Monday to 6:59 a.m. Tuesday, the union said. Picketing will take place from 7 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
In Lakeport, the picketing is expected to take place at the hospital’s entrance on Hill Road East.
That’s the same location where nurses at Sutter Lakeside were stationed during an informational picket at the hospital in March. In that picket, 15 facilities also were impacted, as Lake County News has reported.
At the time of the informational picket last month, union officials had reported that they were not yet at the point of calling a strike.
However, the union said nearly unanimous strike authorization votes followed in March.
Sutter Health released a statement on Sunday evening that says, “Despite resuming negotiations with the involvement of a federal mediator, the California Nurses Association has refused to call off their strike beginning 7 a.m. Monday.
“Work stoppages at 18 of our sites — even for a single day — require complex and costly preparation, and obligate us to make plans that our teams, patients and communities can rely on. Given the uncertainty of a looming strike, and in order to provide surety for our patients, communities and care teams, we will staff our hospitals on Monday with the contracted replacement workers where needed,” the Sutter Health statement continued.
“We hope the CNA union will call off this strike so our nurses can return to work and do what they do best — care for our patients. We remain committed to continue bargaining as long as negotiations are progressing effectively toward averting the strike,” Sutter Health’s statement concluded.
CNA said Sutter Health’s registered nurses and health care workers have been in negotiations since June 2021 for a new contract, “with little to no movement on key issues.”
The union is urging Sutter Health’s management to invest in nursing staff and agree to a contract that provides safe staffing that allows nurses to provide safe and therapeutic care and
pandemic readiness protections that require the hospitals to invest in personal protective equipment stockpiles and comply with California's PPE stockpile law.
“The Sutter nurses voted for this strike,” said Renee Waters, a trauma neuro intensive care RN with 26 years of experience, in a statement released by the union.
Waters said they are striking because Sutter is not transparent about the stockpile of personal protective equipment supplies and contact tracing.
“They resist having nurses directly involved in planning and implementation of policies that affect all of us during a pandemic,” said Waters, who added that “a fair contract is needed to retain experienced nurses, have sufficient staffing and training, and ensure we have the resources we need to provide safe and effective care for our patients. Nurses are fighting back against Sutter putting profits before patients and health care workers.”
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 California Nurses Association, or CNA, reported that more than 8,000 registered nurses and health care workers will take part in the strike.
The union said it’s protesting Sutter Health’s refusal to address proposals about safe staffing and health and safety protections, including issues with contact tracing and stockpiling personal protective equipment.
The one-day strike will run from 7 a.m. Monday to 6:59 a.m. Tuesday, the union said. Picketing will take place from 7 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
In Lakeport, the picketing is expected to take place at the hospital’s entrance on Hill Road East.
That’s the same location where nurses at Sutter Lakeside were stationed during an informational picket at the hospital in March. In that picket, 15 facilities also were impacted, as Lake County News has reported.
At the time of the informational picket last month, union officials had reported that they were not yet at the point of calling a strike.
However, the union said nearly unanimous strike authorization votes followed in March.
Sutter Health released a statement on Sunday evening that says, “Despite resuming negotiations with the involvement of a federal mediator, the California Nurses Association has refused to call off their strike beginning 7 a.m. Monday.
“Work stoppages at 18 of our sites — even for a single day — require complex and costly preparation, and obligate us to make plans that our teams, patients and communities can rely on. Given the uncertainty of a looming strike, and in order to provide surety for our patients, communities and care teams, we will staff our hospitals on Monday with the contracted replacement workers where needed,” the Sutter Health statement continued.
“We hope the CNA union will call off this strike so our nurses can return to work and do what they do best — care for our patients. We remain committed to continue bargaining as long as negotiations are progressing effectively toward averting the strike,” Sutter Health’s statement concluded.
CNA said Sutter Health’s registered nurses and health care workers have been in negotiations since June 2021 for a new contract, “with little to no movement on key issues.”
The union is urging Sutter Health’s management to invest in nursing staff and agree to a contract that provides safe staffing that allows nurses to provide safe and therapeutic care and
pandemic readiness protections that require the hospitals to invest in personal protective equipment stockpiles and comply with California's PPE stockpile law.
“The Sutter nurses voted for this strike,” said Renee Waters, a trauma neuro intensive care RN with 26 years of experience, in a statement released by the union.
Waters said they are striking because Sutter is not transparent about the stockpile of personal protective equipment supplies and contact tracing.
“They resist having nurses directly involved in planning and implementation of policies that affect all of us during a pandemic,” said Waters, who added that “a fair contract is needed to retain experienced nurses, have sufficient staffing and training, and ensure we have the resources we need to provide safe and effective care for our patients. Nurses are fighting back against Sutter putting profits before patients and health care workers.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors will hear an update this week on the federal government’s plans to clean up the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 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, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 914 8812 1115, pass code 495681. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,91488121115#,,,,*495681#.
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.
To submit a written comment on any agenda item visit https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and click on the eComment feature linked to the meeting date. If a comment is submitted after the meeting begins, it may not be read during the meeting but will become a part of the record.
At 11 a.m., Lake County Water Resources will host and introduce a presentation by U.S. EPA Region 9 staff on the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site.
The EPA’s site project manager Carter Jessop, along with staffers Karen Jurist and Gavin Pauley will lead a presentation in which they discuss the EPA’s upcoming recommended cleanup plan and opportunities for community engagement.
The 160-acre Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Site is located in Clearlake Oaks on the Clear Lake shoreline, next to the Elem Colony. It was added to the U.S. EPA’s Superfund Clean Up program in 1990.
While there have been cleanup activities at the site already, it remains a source of mercury contamination for Clear Lake and “represents a direct risk for anyone entering the property,” according to the report to the board from Marina Deligiannis, deputy Lake County Water resources department director and, Angela DePalma-Dow, Invasive Species Program coordinator.
The report explains that EPA is preparing to release its recommended cleanup plan to the public this year. The agency wants to update the board and community on how to access the plan, and how to participate and collaborate in upcoming meetings.
In other business, at 10:30 a.m. the board will get a presentation from Ygrene Energy Fund on commercial property assessed clean energy programs as an element of a county economic development strategy.
In an untimed item, the board will hear about opportunities identified by county department heads regarding improving employee recruitment and retention. During the discussion, the board also will consider recommended revisions to county personnel rules.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt resolution temporarily reducing the cannabis cultivation tax rate and temporarily limiting cultivation tax to canopy area.
5.2: Second Reading of Ordinance Amending Ordinance 3062, revising Section 2-192.1, Article XXVI, Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code, Providing Authority to Execute Leases and Licenses.
5.3: a) Reaffirm action taken on Jan. 4, 2022, to approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake – Behavioral Health Services as lead agency for the Lake County Continuum of Care and Elijah House Foundation for Services funded under the Emergency Solutions Grant Coronavirus (ESG-CV) Program for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and b) authorize the board chair to sign.
5.4; Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and Lisa Warner, MBA, for support services for managed care for a new contract maximum of $50,000.00 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.5: Approve memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake and Rural Communities Housing Development Corp. for the No Place Like Home Permanent Supportive Housing Project on Collier Avenue in Nice and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.6: Approve Amendment No. 3 between county of Lake and Manzanita House for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services to decrease the contract maximum by $30,000 for a new contract maximum of $164,150 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.7: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and Clover Valley Guest Home for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services to increase the contract maximum by $27,000 to a new contract maximum of $87,000 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.8: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between county of Lake and Davis Guest Home to increase the contract by $50,000 for a new contract maximum of $236,000 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.9: Approve continuation of resolution authorizing teleconferenced meetings during a state of emergency continue to exist.
5.10: Approve continuation of a local health emergency by the lake county health officer for the Cache fire.
5.11: Approve second amendment to the agreement for professional services, contractor/consultant for med-health preparedness response, between county of Lake Health Services Department, and Marsh EMS Consulting, and authorize board chair to sign second amendment.
5.12: Approve continuation of a local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
5.13: Approve continuation of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris for the LNU Complex wildfire.
5.14: Approve continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
5.15: Approve continuation of an emergency declaration for drought conditions.
5.16: Approve continuation of a local emergency in lake county in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
5.17: Approve continuation of a local emergency by the Lake County sheriff/OES director for the Cache fire.
5.18: (a) Approve agreement between the county of Lake and the state of California Department of State Hospitals, or DSH, to allow for the DSH to compensate the county when the sheriff’s office coordinates telehealth video interviews with inmates in the sheriff’s custody and (b) authorize the sheriff to sign all documents.
5.19: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2021-116 establishing position allocations for fiscal year 2021-2022, budget unit no. 2201, sheriff/coroner.
5.20: Approve contract between county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc. for the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.21: Approve contract between county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc. for the Housing Support Program for the term of Dec. 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, in the amount of $774,816, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
9:05 a.m.: Pet of the week.
6.3, 9:07 a.m.: Lake County Department of Health Services monthly update.
6.4, 9:30 a.m.: Presentation of Lake County Behavioral Health Services' fiscal year 2021-22 External Quality Review Final Report.
6.5, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of general plan amendment (GPAP 20-02), rezone; (RZ 20-02) and initial study (IS 20-91) for Greg Hanson.
6.6, 10:30 a.m.: Consideration of a presentation by Ygrene Energy Fund on commercial property assessed clean energy, or PACE, programs, as an element of a county economic development strategy.
6.7, 11 a.m.: Consideration of a presentation by US EPA Region 9 staff of the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund Site. The site’s Project Manager, Carter Jessop, Karen Jurist and Community Involvement Coordinator Gavin Pauley will be leading the presentation to provide an update on the site and EPA’s upcoming recommended cleanup plan (“Proposed Plan”) and opportunities for community engagement.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: a) Consideration of a presentation regarding department head-identified opportunities to improve employee recruitment and retention; and b) consideration of recommended revisions to county personnel rules.
7.3: a) Discussion of interest apportionment with the treasurer–tax collector; and b) update on the status of the tax sale.
7.4: Consideration of the following advisory board appointment: Lower Lake Waterworks District.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) chief negotiator: M. Long; county negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.2: Conference with temporary representatives designated to meet with confidential A and B employees regarding salaries and benefits.
8.3: Conference with temporary representatives designated to meet with county department heads regarding salary and benefits and unrepresented management employees.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (d)(1): Nichols v. County of Lake, et al.
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, April 19, 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, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 914 8812 1115, pass code 495681. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,91488121115#,,,,*495681#.
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.
To submit a written comment on any agenda item visit https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and click on the eComment feature linked to the meeting date. If a comment is submitted after the meeting begins, it may not be read during the meeting but will become a part of the record.
At 11 a.m., Lake County Water Resources will host and introduce a presentation by U.S. EPA Region 9 staff on the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site.
The EPA’s site project manager Carter Jessop, along with staffers Karen Jurist and Gavin Pauley will lead a presentation in which they discuss the EPA’s upcoming recommended cleanup plan and opportunities for community engagement.
The 160-acre Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Site is located in Clearlake Oaks on the Clear Lake shoreline, next to the Elem Colony. It was added to the U.S. EPA’s Superfund Clean Up program in 1990.
While there have been cleanup activities at the site already, it remains a source of mercury contamination for Clear Lake and “represents a direct risk for anyone entering the property,” according to the report to the board from Marina Deligiannis, deputy Lake County Water resources department director and, Angela DePalma-Dow, Invasive Species Program coordinator.
The report explains that EPA is preparing to release its recommended cleanup plan to the public this year. The agency wants to update the board and community on how to access the plan, and how to participate and collaborate in upcoming meetings.
In other business, at 10:30 a.m. the board will get a presentation from Ygrene Energy Fund on commercial property assessed clean energy programs as an element of a county economic development strategy.
In an untimed item, the board will hear about opportunities identified by county department heads regarding improving employee recruitment and retention. During the discussion, the board also will consider recommended revisions to county personnel rules.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt resolution temporarily reducing the cannabis cultivation tax rate and temporarily limiting cultivation tax to canopy area.
5.2: Second Reading of Ordinance Amending Ordinance 3062, revising Section 2-192.1, Article XXVI, Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code, Providing Authority to Execute Leases and Licenses.
5.3: a) Reaffirm action taken on Jan. 4, 2022, to approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake – Behavioral Health Services as lead agency for the Lake County Continuum of Care and Elijah House Foundation for Services funded under the Emergency Solutions Grant Coronavirus (ESG-CV) Program for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and b) authorize the board chair to sign.
5.4; Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and Lisa Warner, MBA, for support services for managed care for a new contract maximum of $50,000.00 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.5: Approve memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake and Rural Communities Housing Development Corp. for the No Place Like Home Permanent Supportive Housing Project on Collier Avenue in Nice and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.6: Approve Amendment No. 3 between county of Lake and Manzanita House for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services to decrease the contract maximum by $30,000 for a new contract maximum of $164,150 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.7: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and Clover Valley Guest Home for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services to increase the contract maximum by $27,000 to a new contract maximum of $87,000 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.8: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between county of Lake and Davis Guest Home to increase the contract by $50,000 for a new contract maximum of $236,000 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.9: Approve continuation of resolution authorizing teleconferenced meetings during a state of emergency continue to exist.
5.10: Approve continuation of a local health emergency by the lake county health officer for the Cache fire.
5.11: Approve second amendment to the agreement for professional services, contractor/consultant for med-health preparedness response, between county of Lake Health Services Department, and Marsh EMS Consulting, and authorize board chair to sign second amendment.
5.12: Approve continuation of a local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
5.13: Approve continuation of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris for the LNU Complex wildfire.
5.14: Approve continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
5.15: Approve continuation of an emergency declaration for drought conditions.
5.16: Approve continuation of a local emergency in lake county in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
5.17: Approve continuation of a local emergency by the Lake County sheriff/OES director for the Cache fire.
5.18: (a) Approve agreement between the county of Lake and the state of California Department of State Hospitals, or DSH, to allow for the DSH to compensate the county when the sheriff’s office coordinates telehealth video interviews with inmates in the sheriff’s custody and (b) authorize the sheriff to sign all documents.
5.19: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2021-116 establishing position allocations for fiscal year 2021-2022, budget unit no. 2201, sheriff/coroner.
5.20: Approve contract between county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc. for the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.21: Approve contract between county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc. for the Housing Support Program for the term of Dec. 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, in the amount of $774,816, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
9:05 a.m.: Pet of the week.
6.3, 9:07 a.m.: Lake County Department of Health Services monthly update.
6.4, 9:30 a.m.: Presentation of Lake County Behavioral Health Services' fiscal year 2021-22 External Quality Review Final Report.
6.5, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of general plan amendment (GPAP 20-02), rezone; (RZ 20-02) and initial study (IS 20-91) for Greg Hanson.
6.6, 10:30 a.m.: Consideration of a presentation by Ygrene Energy Fund on commercial property assessed clean energy, or PACE, programs, as an element of a county economic development strategy.
6.7, 11 a.m.: Consideration of a presentation by US EPA Region 9 staff of the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund Site. The site’s Project Manager, Carter Jessop, Karen Jurist and Community Involvement Coordinator Gavin Pauley will be leading the presentation to provide an update on the site and EPA’s upcoming recommended cleanup plan (“Proposed Plan”) and opportunities for community engagement.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: a) Consideration of a presentation regarding department head-identified opportunities to improve employee recruitment and retention; and b) consideration of recommended revisions to county personnel rules.
7.3: a) Discussion of interest apportionment with the treasurer–tax collector; and b) update on the status of the tax sale.
7.4: Consideration of the following advisory board appointment: Lower Lake Waterworks District.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) chief negotiator: M. Long; county negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.2: Conference with temporary representatives designated to meet with confidential A and B employees regarding salaries and benefits.
8.3: Conference with temporary representatives designated to meet with county department heads regarding salary and benefits and unrepresented management employees.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (d)(1): Nichols v. County of Lake, et al.
Email Elizabeth Larson at