News
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 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 939 7015 1338, pass code 797313. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,93970151338#,,,,*797313#.
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.
The board will get an update on COVID-19 from Public Health staff at 9:06 a.m.
At 10:30 a.m., the board will consider a proposed resolution from Chair Bruno Sabatier to memorialize the board’s support of the Community Development Department in its discretion in applying the appropriate standards under the California Environmental Quality Act to determine the necessary level of environmental review for all projects.
“Cannabis projects are becoming more controversial in our communities. The projects are getting closer to rural communities. The growing number of acres already approved, the drought concerns, and the proximity to communities has aided in increasing public participation in questioning these projects,” Sabatier wrote in his memo to the board.
He added, “The environmental impacts being reviewed are not limited to solely flora and fauna. It is also ground water sustainability analysis as well as community impacts, such as odor, increased traffic and activity.”
He said he wants to assure the Community Development director and staff that “the Board of Supervisors holds our environment (nature and community) as the highest of priorities to protect. The department's exercise of discretion to utilize a more stringent CEQA process (i.e. Environmental Impact Report), for those projects that may not have impacts reduced to less than significant, will be supported by the Board of Supervisors.”
At 10:45 a.m., the board will have a discussion regarding potentially separating Public Works and Water Resources.
The two departments have been consolidated since 2019; before that, they had been standalone departments for several years.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board explains, “The basis for the present discussion is the impending, extraordinary surge of federal infrastructure funding coming to Lake County and whether local need can be best served by again separating PW [Public Works] and WR [Water Resources], thus enabling PW to focus on the advancement of critical infrastructure projects.”
She said staff will present the board wil options and return on a future date with necessary actions.
In an untimed item, the board will consider the Recovery and Revitalization Plan proposed by staff to allocate the $12.5 million the county is receiving through the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.
The plan’s priorities include building sustainable housing and long-term planning, removing barriers to childhood success and dignified aging, acting now on water and infrastructure projects, and preparing to effectively meet emergent public needs.
In other untimed items, the board will consider approving the proposed findings of fact and decision in the appeal of Don and Margie Van Pelt’s appeal of the Sourz HVR Inc. project on High Valley Ranch in Clearlake Oaks, which the board approved in November, and will consider amending the micro home kitchen operation ordinance.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve correction to the start date of the appointment of Jonathan Portney to Health Services Director to be effective Jan. 11, 2022.
5.2: Approve agreement between county of Lake and AirMedCare Network for air ambulance services, and authorize the director of Human Resources to sign.
5.3: Second reading of ordinance rescinding Ordinance Number 2958 which amended Article II, Section 2-4, of Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code establishing the boundaries of the supervisorial district for the county of Lake, Pursuant to Sections 21500 Et Seq of the California Elections Code.
5.4: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 21-0516-009-SF with California Department of Food and Agriculture to authorize execution of the Asian Citrus Psyllid Winter Trapping Program in the amount of $9,107 beginning Oct. 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022.
5.5: Approve Board of Supervisors meeting minutes Oct. 19, Dec. 9 and Dec. 14.
5.6: Approve continuation of resolution authorizing teleconferenced meetings while a state of emergency continues to exist.
5.7: Adopt resolution amending Resolution 2017-79 that approved a request from county of Lake Health Services Department to submit a renewal application for the California Department of Public Health Immunization Assistance Grant Program for fiscal years 2017-18 through 2021-22 in the amount of $197,715, and authorized the Health Services director to sign.
5.8: Approve the continuation of a local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
5.9: Approve the 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.
5.10: Adopt resolution approving the renewal application and certification statement for the state Department of Health Services, CMS Branch’s Child Health & Disability Program, Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care Program, monitoring oversight of Foster Children Treated with Psychotropic Meds and Caseload Relief grant for fiscal year 2019-20 and authorize the board chair to sign said certification statement.
5.11: Approve continuation of a local health emergency by the Lake County Health officer for the Cache fire.
5.12: a) Waive the formal bidding requirement; and b) authorize the IT Director to issue a purchase order to AMS.net for Cisco Networking Switches for Behavioral Health locations in the amount of $49,085.42.
5.13: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire Incident.
5.14: Approve the continuation of a local emergency In Lake County in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
5.15: Approve the continuation of an emergency declaration for drought conditions.
5.16: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
5.17: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
5.18: Approve continuation of a local emergency by the Lake County Sheriff/Office of Emergency Services director for the Cache fire.
5.19: Approve the continuation of a local emergency In Lake County in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
5.20: Adopt resolution authorizing the acceptance of the 2022-23 Boating Safety and Enforcement financial aid funding from the state of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways in the amount of $315,312.
5.21: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve agreement between county of Lake and Harmony Research, for fiscal year 2021-22 for professional research services related to tax default land sales in an amount not to exceed $147,750.00 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.22: Sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, consideration and approval of memorandum of understanding between Lake County Watershed Protection District and Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake to execute a Bureau of Indian Affairs Endangered Species Hitch Study Grant in a shared amount not to exceed $43,912.60 and authorize the Board Chair to sign said MOU.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of update on COVID-19.
6.3, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, Greg Hanson, general plan amendment (GPAP 20-02), rezone; (RZ 20-02), initial study (IS 20-91).
6.4, 10:30 a.m.: Consideration of resolution supporting the Community Development Department in processing commercial cannabis permits while ensuring appropriate environmental protection to our communities.
6.5, 10:45 a.m.: Discussion/consideration of making Public Works and Water Resources separate, standalone departments.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of ordinance amending the micro home kitchen operation ordinance.
7.3: Consideration of recovery and revitalization plan for Lake County, an American Rescue Plan Act Spending priorities statement.
7.4: Consideration of MOU between CalMHSA and participating counties and the California Department of State Hospitals for the purchase of state hospital beds for fiscal year 2021-22.
7.5: Consideration of participation agreement Between Lake County Behavioral Health Services and the California Mental Health Services authority for the Superior Regional Partnership, OSHPD WET Grant FY 2021-25.
7.6: Consideration of extension of the use of County Juvenile Hall Facility for a temporary support shelter targeting Lake County’s chronically homeless population through March 31, 2022.
7.7: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board.
7.8: Consideration of planning services contract amendment No. 1 between the county of Lake and LACO to extend the term of the contract and increase the compensation.
7.9: Consideration of proposed findings of fact and decision in the appeal of Don and Margie Van Pelt (AB 21-04).
7.10: Consideration of agreement with the Regents of the University of California on behalf of the Tahoe Environmental Research Center for Clear Lake sediment sampling analysis for a 16-month period not to exceed $74,995 and authorize the Water Resources director to sign.
7.11: Sitting as the Board of Directors, Lake County Watershed Protection District, presentation of Big Valley Groundwater Basin Sustainable Groundwater Management Act progress and next steps.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): Appointment of Public Health officer.
8.2: 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
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm for information on visiting or adopting.
The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.
‘Dinky’
“Dinky” is a 10-year-old female domestic shorthair cat with a tortie coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 24, ID No. LCAC-A-2375.
Male domestic shorthair
This young male domestic shorthair cat has a gray and white coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 53a, ID No. LCAC-A-2384.

‘Blackette’
“Blackette” is a young male domestic shorthair with a black and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 53b, ID No. LCAC-A-2385.
‘Blackie’
“Blackie” is a young male domestic shorthair with a black and white coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 53c, ID No. LCAC-A-2386.
Male domestic shorthair
This young male domestic shorthair has a unique striped gray tabby coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 53d, ID No. LCAC-A-2383.
Male domestic shorthair kitten
This male domestic shorthair kitten has an orange tabby coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 96a, ID No. LCAC-A-1871.
Male domestic shorthair kitten
This male domestic shorthair kitten has an orange tabby coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 96c, ID No. LCAC-A-1873.
Female domestic shorthair kitten
This female domestic shorthair kitten has an orange tabby coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 96d, ID No. LCAC-A-1874.
Female domestic shorthair kitten
This female domestic shorthair kitten has a gray tabby coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 101a, ID No. LCAC-A-1945.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
A record share of American workers are quitting their jobs, thanks in part to a strong economy and a labor shortage.
Does that mean Americans are unhappy with where they work?
The answer would seem to be yes, according to many economists and other observers. That’s the narrative driving the Great Resignation, in which workers are simply fed up with their current jobs and demanding something better.
Survey data I’ve been collecting during the pandemic, along with social survey results from previous years, however, suggests this is far from the whole story. Rather than being motivated simply by dissatisfaction, it appears many of them are simply taking advantage of a strong economy to look around, while for others, the pandemic has prompted them to consider their options.
Are you satisfied?
The General Social Survey, a reputable national survey of American adults, has been asking workers questions about how they feel about the quality of their working life since 2002.
There are actually three key types of questions it asks that help us get at this idea: the level of dissatisfaction with current work, turnover intention and confidence in finding a new job.
Let’s start with dissatisfaction. The question is: “On the whole, how satisfied are you with the work you do – would you say you are very satisfied, moderately satisfied, a little dissatisfied or very dissatisfied?”
In 2002, about 12% of respondents said they were very dissatisfied or a little dissatisfied with their work, a figure that barely changed in subsequent surveys through 2018. In 2021, a tad over 16% said they weren’t satisfied – an increase, but not a big one. And on the flip side, a little over 83% said they were moderately or very satisfied.
This means that by and large the vast majority of Americans – at least according to this survey – express moderate to high satisfaction with their work.
Looking for a change
Turnover intention is another important indicator. The General Social Survey asks:
“Taking everything into consideration, how likely is it you will make a genuine effort to find a new job with another employer within the next year – would you say very likely, somewhat likely or not at all likely?”
My interpretation of a “very likely” response to this question is that it signals an immediate interest in leaving their present job. In 2002, about 19% said they were very likely to try to find a new job soon. Over the years, the share who said this rose and fell a little, but has remained very consistent.
Unfortunately, the survey hasn’t posed the question since 2018, so I partnered with polling company Angus Reid Global to conduct two large national surveys of American workers in November 2020 and November 2021. One of the questions I asked was the one on turnover intentions, though I extended the period of time in which they expected to look for a new job to two years.
As you might expect given the rising quit rate, the share saying they were very likely to hunt for a new position jumped. It rose to 26% in 2020 and to 29% in November 2021.
While it’s likely that my number is a bit elevated just because of the extended time horizon – two years instead of one – the increase is consistent with the Great Resignation narrative that workers are keen to find a better workplace.
But these two figures – job satisfaction and turnover – reveal an interesting paradox: A greater share of people say they are contemplating quitting than express dissatisfaction with their current job. There are several possibilities for why a worker might be happy with their job, yet eyeing a move to another company. Perhaps they’re seeking more status or reconsidering their career, or maybe they’re worried about possible layoffs.
Confidence in the job search
An additional theme in the Great Resignation narrative is that workers feel more confident about finding alternative job prospects – and that’s one reason they have been quitting in droves.
Fortunately, the General Social Survey asks that very question:
“How easy would it be for you to find a job with another employer with approximately the same income and fringe benefits as you now have – not at all easy, somewhat easy or very easy?”
Two years before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2018, about a quarter of respondents said finding another job would be very easy. I asked the same question in my 2021 survey and found that number had actually decreased to around 22%.
This means that worker confidence or optimism about finding a palatable alternative job has not climbed all that much, making it less likely to be a factor in driving the current wave of resignations.
What’s going on here?
While the data doesn’t show that Americans overwhelmingly love their jobs or anything like that, they do suggest most people like them enough to hold on to them.
Of course, this isn’t the end of the story. The data does show important differences depending on the type of job we’re talking about. For example, workers in the service sector were more dissatisfied with their jobs and much more likely to express an intent to quit than the average respondent.
But all in all, the survey data doesn’t support the common narrative that it’s a “take this job and shove it” economy, in which increasingly unhappy workers are finally sticking it to their managers.
Rather, when you dig down into the data, something different appears: A slice of workers are always considering leaving their jobs – and as the labor market looks brighter, the pent-up impulse to quit kicks in. But the shift in worker sentiment – or at least the way it has been portrayed – seems exaggerated.
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Scott Schieman, Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Fire Protection District celebrated the addition of new equipment and new staff in a special Saturday morning ceremony.
Community members and leaders of city and county agencies gathered in the bay of Lakeport Fire’s Station 50 in the city’s downtown to officially welcome the fire district’s newest engine and five new paid staffers.
The Pierce Enforcer 1500 Type 1 pumper engine can pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute and is equipped for up to four crew members, said Chief Jeffrey Thomas.
It has 1,000 feet of supply line, 800 feet of make up attack line and 400 feet of preconnected quick attack line, Thomas said.
Thomas said it’s distinguished from a fire “truck,” which has a ladder.
The engine has special touches including having the department’s logo sewn into its seats, and an American flag painted on its grill.
Thomas told Lake County News that the engine, which was ordered more than a year ago, cost $800,000, and was made possible by the Measure M fire tax, which voters approved in May 2019.
Ten years is the average age for fire engines, but Thomas said it’s not unusual to have the equipment for 20 years.
Having the newer and reliable equipment is important to Lakeport Fire’s mission of protecting the community. “We are the first line of defense,” said Thomas.
Thomas’ staff brought him the idea for the “push in” ceremony. It reenacts how fire brigades used to push the horse-drawn pumper into its stall close to where the horses would be kept.
While more of an East Coast tradition in origin, Thomas said it’s now going to be a Lakeport tradition, noting, “It makes sense.”
He thanked the district’s board members for their support in purchasing the new engine.
In addition to Thomas, speakers at the Saturday morning event included Fire Board Chair John Whitehead, Lakeport City Councilman Michael Green, District 4 Supervisor Tina Scott, City Manager Kevin Ingram and Sheriff Brian Martin.
Green thanked Thomas for his vision. He also noted the nearly 75% yes vote for Measure M offered by the community. “You did this,” he said of bringing the new engine to Lakeport.
Ingram and Martin both lauded Thomas for his work with their agencies to make the community safer.
After the speakers, the group moved outside and the firefighters and board members joined together to push the engine as it was being backed into the bay.
Following the engine’s introduction, Thomas held a brief ceremony to swear in firefighter/emergency medical technician Nathan Barnett, paramedic Derek Reisbeck, firefighter/paramedic John Tyson, firefighter Sean Thomas and firefighter paramedic Travis Hindmarch.
Capt. Jordan Mills said the department couldn’t ask for a better group.
Mills said Measure M also made it possible for the department to restore its staffing up to 12 personnel. Layoffs occurred in late 2018 and had cut staff in half.
In addition to the paid staff, Mills said Lakeport Fire also has numerous volunteers. Thomas said separately during the ceremony that without volunteers, rural fire departments can’t survive.
Mills said the new Pierce engine is the first built-to-specifications equipment the district has purchased since 2004.
In 2014, the department purchased a type three engine for fires in wildland areas. That equipment, which Mills said wasn’t built to spec, cost more than $312,000 and was paid for primarily by an Assistance to Firefighters grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
As for the new engine, Lakeport Fire personnel will have to be trained before using it. Thomas said that training should be completed by the end of Jan., but the engine will be on the road before then.
“It’s going to serve the community very well,” said Mills. “We’re excited.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Agencies in Lake County are continuing their efforts to provide help and services to homeless individuals in the community.
On Friday, in collaboration with Sutter Lakeside Hospital and the Lake Family Resource Center a team was deployed to provide assistance to unhoused neighbors within the city of Lakeport, the Lakeport Police Department reported.
The team includes a Sutter Lakeside Medical director, hospital social worker, community benefit and patient access manager, Lakeport Police sergeant, Lake Family Resource Center and Lakeport Police Department community crisis responder and a volunteer with veterinary technician experience.
Police said the purpose of this outreach is to provide a helping hand and guidance to individuals experiencing homelessness and get them connected to the proper resources such as setting up medical care appointments, behavioral health assistance, housing assistance, other social services connections and care for any pets they may have.
“By going into the community we are not only extending access to care beyond the walls of our hospital and clinics, and helping people in the moment, but we’re also learning directly from the most vulnerable about their barriers to receiving ongoing care for mental health challenges or addiction,” said Rachel Walsh, community benefit and patient access manager for Sutter Lakeside.
Sutter Health recently invested in behavioral health and substance use navigators to address the growing problems of mental health disorders and drug dependency, both worsened by the pandemic.
Navigators play a unique role by providing people with the medical treatment, emotional support and other assistance that can foster long-term psychological stability and recovery from addiction.
“Lessons from today will certainly inform our work,” remarked Walsh.
The Sutter Lakeside substance use navigators are available to community members struggling with alcohol or drug dependency, including prescription opioids, and can be reached at 707-262-5088.
The Sutter Lakeside behavioral health navigator works in the hospital emergency department, offering support through referrals to ongoing outpatient care and follow-up to ensure patients access the services they need.
Courtesy of Hope Rising, Sutter Lakeside Hospital and other community partners, the team has also been able to offer winter warming kits, food, personal hygiene products, sleeping bags and other supplies to persons in need.
This is the second such outreach that the Lakeport Police Department and Sutter Lakeside Hospital have been able to do in Lakeport this year.
The outreach is also part of a bigger goal of continuing to collaborate with the many local agencies and organizations working to end homelessness in our community.
“I’m excited to have law enforcement working directly with medical and social service providers to ensure a better response to those experiencing homelessness in our community,” said Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of beagle, border collie, Chihuahua German shepherd, husky, Labrador retriever, mastiff, pit bull and Rhodesian ridgeback.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control website not listed are still “on hold”).
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.
Male German shepherd
This 1-year-old male German shepherd has a black and tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 12, ID No. LCAC-A-1892.
‘Cinnamon’
“Cinnamon” is a 5-year-old female chocolate Labrador retriever-pit bull mix with a short chocolate-colored coat.
She is in kennel No. 13, ID No. LCAC-A-1769.
‘Bruce’
“Bruce” is a 2-year-old male pit bull terrier with a short brown coat.
He is in kennel No. 14, ID No. LCAC-A-2351.
Female mastiff
This 3-year-old female mastiff has a short brindle coat.
She is in kennel No. 15, ID No. LCAC-A-1868.
Male husky
This 1-year-old male husky has a black and white coat with bright blue eyes.
He is in kennel No. 16, ID No. LCAC-A-2190.
Male beagle-terrier mix
This young male beagle-terrier mix has a short tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 18, ID No. LCAC-A-2389.
Male Chihuahua
This 1-year-old male Chihuahua has a short brown coat.
He is in kennel No. 19, ID No. LCAC-A-2393.
Cattle dog-terrier mix
This 2-year-old male cattle dog-terrier mix has a short yellow coat.
He is in kennel No. 21, ID No. LCAC-A-2394.
Female border collie mix
This 2-year-old female border collie mix has a black and white coat.
She is in kennel No. 23, ID No. LCAC-A-2207.
‘Snuffy’
“Snuffy” is a 1-year-old black Labrador retriever mix.
He is in kennel No. 24, ID No. LCAC-A-2152.
Male German shepherd
This 2-year-old male German shepherd has a black and tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 26, ID No. LCAC-A-1903.
Male shepherd mix
This 2-year-old male shepherd mix has a short black and tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 28, ID No. LCAC-A-1743.
‘Duke’
“Duke is a 1-year-old male Rhodesian ridgeback with a short brown coat.
He is in kennel No. 30, ID No. LCAC-A-2219.
Female German shepherd
This female German shepherd has a black coat.
She is in kennel No. 33, ID No. LCAC-A-2169.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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