LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors has added an urgency ordinance to its Tuesday agenda that will require everyone — regardless of vaccination status — to wear masks when visiting facilities operated by the county of Lake.
County officials said that as of Monday morning, Sutter Lakeside Hospital reported its emergency department was treating 18 COVID-19 patients. The hospital’s customary capacity is 14 beds.
Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 6 a.m. Monday update, essentially half (49.4%) of all Lake County residents, and 41.1% of those currently eligible have yet to receive even one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
With so many residents unprotected, Lake County’s District 5 Supervisor, Jessica Pyska, is sponsoring the urgency ordinance as an extra Item for Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
The urgency ordinance is intended to limit the risk of employees and the public contracting COVID-19 in county-operated facilities.
If passed by the required four-fifths vote, face coverings will immediately be required for all people, regardless of vaccination status, in county facilities (e.g.: the Lake County Courthouse building and surrounding offices; the Department of Social Services’ Lower Lake facility).
“Our board has the opportunity to set an example for all Lake County businesses by taking precautions that reflect the serious threat we are currently experiencing,” said Pyska. “If California was still using the Blueprint System, Lake County would be in the Purple Tier. All people were required to mask indoors when we were in the Purple Tier, and those precautions made a difference.”
If the board Adopts the Urgency Ordinance, another extra Item implementing changes to the County of Lake’s COVID-19 Worksite Protocol will also be considered.
“We are already asking a lot of our local hospitals and regional health care partners, and we must turn things around,” said Pyska. “Requiring universal masking in county facilities is highly sensible. We have learned over the past 17 months face coverings can significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission when people from different households come together in indoor settings. Let’s do what we can to protect one another.”
Pyska introduced a resolution as an extra item at the board’s July 20 meeting to encourage people to wear masks in indoor public settings. The board unanimously approved that resolution.
Information on how to participate in Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 9 a.m., can be found here.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council this week will consider an agreement to complete a feasibility study on a recreation center and meet the new Lakeport Police Department K-9 and his handler.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. In accordance with updated guidelines from the state of California and revised Cal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards, persons who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are required to wear a face covering at this meeting.
If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.
The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the City Clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
Indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council before the meeting.
During public presentations, the council is expected to meet new Lakeport Police K-9 Olin. Olin, a German shepherd, and his handler, Officer Kaylene Strugnell, began working together in June.
The city also will receive a donation check for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show from Bruno’s Shop Smart and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and get updates on the All Children Thrive Youth Governance Council and on cyanobacteria from Lake County Health Services.
On Tuesday, the council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and adopt the resolution to confirm and approve the utility billing delinquency list and the associated resolution and direct staff to submit the list to the Lake County auditor-controller for inclusion on the property tax roll.
Under council business, Finance Director and Assistant City Manager Nick Walker will present an update on the recreation center feasibility study, and ask for the council’s approval to execute an agreement with Studio W for the completion of the study. At the same time, Walker will ask for approval of the recommended budget adjustment in the amount of $31,000.
Also on Tuesday, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will discuss with the council current procedures for release of a vicious animal after an abatement order and seizure by the Animal Care and Control director.
He said questions arose earlier this year during a vicious animal abatement case about how long a vicious animal order remains in effect and the procedures for eventually releasing it.
Proposed options are receiving the report as presented, requesting additional information be brought back and providing other direction to staff.
On the consent agenda — items usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on July 20; confirm the continuing existence of a local emergency for the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency; review and file the draft minutes of the July 21, 2021 Measure Z Advisory Committee meeting; and authorize the out of state travel as requested by the city manager for Council member Mireya Turner to attend the National League of Cities’ City Summit to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 18 to 20.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors will get the latest details on the county’s COVID-19 situation and consider appointments to the Lake County Planning Commission and Mental Health Advisory Board this week.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting ID is 910 9817 5969, pass code 062504. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,91098175969#,,,,*062504#.
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.
In an untimed item, Public Health officials will update the board on the evolving COVID-19 situation.
Also in untimed items, the board will consider appointing Maile Field as the new District 5 planning commissioner and Bonnie Blumenthal as the newest Mental Health Advisory Board member.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve authorized representatives for Chandler Asset Management and direction to the county administrative officer to sign the authorization form.
5.2: Approve Amendment 4 to the commercial lease agreement between the county of Lake and Cipora Properties (formerly Bruno’s Property Management) for the lease of property located at 6302/6312 13th Ave., Lucerne, to revise the name and address of lessor and authorize the chair to sign.
5.3: Approve resolution setting rate of pay for election officers for the Sept. 14, 2021, California Gubernatorial Recall Election.
5.4: Adopt proclamation recognizing the retirement of Carolyn Cook-White, health programs support specialist, and honoring her many years of outstanding service to the county of Lake.
5.5: Approve amendment to the relocation policy.
5.6: a) Approve hiring incentive policy; and b) approve amendment to the employee referral program.
5.7: Adopt resolution amending Resolution 2021-68 establishing position allocation for fiscal year 2021-2022 revising salaries for Budget Unit 4121, Integrated Waste Management.
5.8: Approve plans and specifications for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Lake County Culvert Upgrades 3, FEMA-5189-FM-CA Culvert Replacement Project Various County Roads, Bid No. 21-04.
5.9: Adopt proclamation commending County Surveyor Gordon Haggitt.
5.10: Approve the extension of food services agreement with Trinity Services Group Inc. to supervise the preparation and service of meals at the Lake County Jail/Hill Road Facility and authorize the sheriff to sign the letter for the CPI increase.
5.11: Approve additional lift gate charges in the amount of $300 from the purchase of kitchen equipment from Cook's Supply.
5.12: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Brain Learning Psychological Corp. for learning disability testing and evaluation services in the amount of $45,000 from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending County Surveyor Gordon Haggitt.
6.3, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation recognizing the retirement of Carolyn Cook-White, health programs support specialist, and honoring her many years of outstanding service to the county of Lake.
6.4, 10 a.m.: Continued from July 20, public hearing, consideration of an ordinance amending Article X of Chapter Two of the Lake County Code to include further requirements for exemptions from competitive bidding and requirements for bid protests.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of appointment of District 5 planning commissioner.
7.3: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Mental Health Advisory Board.
7.4: Consideration of amendment to the existing Salary on Appointment and Advanced Step Appointment Policy 1601.1.
7.5.: Addendum, consideration of update on COVID-19.
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 (a) temporary representatives designated to meet with county department heads regarding salary and benefits and (b) unrepresented management employees.
8.3: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): (a) Interviews of Community Development director (b) appointment of Community Development director.
8.4: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): Appointment of Public Health officer.
8.5: Public employee evaluation: Air pollution control officer.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With both the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention having modified the public health recommendations regarding face coverings, the Lake County Superior Court said it is reinstating the requirement for facial coverings in court facilities.
The changes are effective on Monday, Aug. 2.
In areas of “high transmission,” it is recommended that all individuals wear a proper face covering when indoors, regardless of whether an individual is fully vaccinated.
Over the last few weeks, the number of new cases and the positivity rate in Lake County has increased dramatically, with the county now having the highest case and positivity rates in the state.
“The court has the obligation to reasonably act to protect court staff, participants in court proceedings and all members of the public when at the court while acting to maintain public access to the court and the current scope of operations of the court,” court officials said in a statement.
As a result of the change in public health guidance, the extremely high virus transmission rate in Lake County and that many individuals coming to court may spend substantial time while indoors and in proximity to others, the Superior Court said it is making masking mandatory for everyone coming into a court facility.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Four people died Sunday when the helicopter they were riding in crashed near Colusa.
The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office said that at 1:15 p.m. Sunday it received a report of a helicopter crash near Highway 45 at Reservation Road.
The agency responded to the scene along with Sacramento River Fire personnel.
When they arrived, authorities said the first responders located four passengers on board the helicopter.
Authorities said the passengers were confirmed deceased at the scene.
The passengers’ identification was not released Sunday pending family notifications.
As of Sunday evening, no additional information on the victims was available.
The Colusa County Sheriff's Office said it was continuing to investigate the scene on Sunday, along with interviewing persons who may have seen the helicopter crash.
The agency said it notified the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, and they will take the lead on the investigation.
Two females in this litter of domestic short hair kittens remain available in cat room kennel No. A1, ID Nos. 1173 and 1174. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Domestic short hair kittens
Two females in this litter of domestic short hair kittens remain available.
They are in cat room kennel No. A1, ID Nos. 1173 and 1174.
This male domestic short hair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 11c, ID No. LCAC-A-1144. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male domestic shorthair kitten
This male domestic short hair kitten has a gray tabby coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 11c, ID No. LCAC-A-1144.
This female domestic short hair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 11d, ID No. LCAC-A-1145. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female domestic shorthair kitten
This female domestic short hair kitten has a black coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 11d, ID No. LCAC-A-1145.
This 3-year-old female domestic medium hair cat is in cat room kennel No. 58, ID No. LCAC-A-1029. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Domestic medium hair cat
This 3-year-old female domestic medium hair cat has a brown tabby coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 58, ID No. LCAC-A-1029.
“Furball” is a 6-year-old female domestic longhair cat in cat room kennel No. 84, ID No. LCAC-A-969. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Furball’
“Furball” is a 6-year-old female domestic longhair cat with a brown tabby coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 84, ID No. LCAC-A-969.
This male domestic shorthair is in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. LCAC-A-874. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male domestic shorthair
This male domestic shorthair has a gray and white coat.
He is 1-year-old and weighs nearly 6 pounds.
He is in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. LCAC-A-874.
This 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat is in cat room kennel No. C123, ID No. LCAC-A-1152. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female domestic shorthair
This 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat has a white coat and blue eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. C123, ID No. LCAC-A-1152.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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