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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will discuss this week the possibility of raising salaries for council members – which hasn’t happened in more than 30 years – and whether or not to pursue a tobacco retail licensing program.
The council will meet virtually at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6.
Because of the county’s shelter in place order, Clearlake City Hall remains closed to the public, however, the virtual meeting will be broadcast live on Lake County PEG TV’s YouTube Channel.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Deputy City Clerk Tina Viramontes atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also visit the city’s new town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/forum_home . Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
At 5:30 p.m., the council will meet in closed session to discuss existing litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric Corp. and two potential cases of litigation.
On the agenda for the open portion of the meeting is a discussion regarding raising council members' salaries.
A report to the council from City Manager Alan Flora and City Attorney Ryan Jones said at a recent meeting the council requested staff bring back a discussion related to the council’s compensation.
Their report said the current monthly council salaries are $300 per member, the maximum salary allowed under state government code for cities with a population of less than 35,000 people. However, state law also allows the council to increase the salary above that amount by 5 percent per calendar year since the last adjustment of salary.
They added that amounts paid for retirement, health and welfare, and federal Social Security benefits are not included in the computation of the maximum salary.
Flora and Jones reported that the salary for Clearlake City Council members was last amended by city ordinance in 1989. They said the council may amend the Municipal Code and increase the current salary by $465, to a total of $765 per month under Government Code section 36516(a)(4).
The city’s current total cost for council salaries is $18,000, plus health care benefits, the costs for which vary depending on the plan of the individual council member but average between $30,000 and $40,000 per year.
“If the maximum increase mentioned above was implemented of $765 per month the stipend costs would increase from $18,000 to $45,900 or from $3,600 to $9,180 per year for each council member,” they wrote. Those increased costs would be covered by the general fund.
They said the Government Code also restricts the council's ability to change the salary during the council member’s term of office. “Under Government Code section 36516.5, a change to the
compensation of all city council members is permissible when one or more of the members of
2 council begins a new term of office. Any increase to the City Council’s salary could be effective following the November 2020 election.”
Flora and Jones’ report includes a 2018 League of California Cities council compensation survey as well as information about nearby cities. The information showed that Lakeport City Council members receive $300 a month, Cloverdale council members receive $550 a month and Ukiah council members receive $490 a month.
Also under council business, the council will discuss potential direction to staff regarding a tobacco retail license program.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explains that staff wants to know the council’s thoughts on the matter and whether they should continue to pursue such a program’s implementation in light of the funding limitations.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017, in response to the Sulphur fire; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and Ratified by Council Action March 19, 2020; and ratification of a letter of support for the National Endowment of the Arts “Our Town” grant.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The council will meet virtually at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6.
Because of the county’s shelter in place order, Clearlake City Hall remains closed to the public, however, the virtual meeting will be broadcast live on Lake County PEG TV’s YouTube Channel.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Deputy City Clerk Tina Viramontes at
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
At 5:30 p.m., the council will meet in closed session to discuss existing litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric Corp. and two potential cases of litigation.
On the agenda for the open portion of the meeting is a discussion regarding raising council members' salaries.
A report to the council from City Manager Alan Flora and City Attorney Ryan Jones said at a recent meeting the council requested staff bring back a discussion related to the council’s compensation.
Their report said the current monthly council salaries are $300 per member, the maximum salary allowed under state government code for cities with a population of less than 35,000 people. However, state law also allows the council to increase the salary above that amount by 5 percent per calendar year since the last adjustment of salary.
They added that amounts paid for retirement, health and welfare, and federal Social Security benefits are not included in the computation of the maximum salary.
Flora and Jones reported that the salary for Clearlake City Council members was last amended by city ordinance in 1989. They said the council may amend the Municipal Code and increase the current salary by $465, to a total of $765 per month under Government Code section 36516(a)(4).
The city’s current total cost for council salaries is $18,000, plus health care benefits, the costs for which vary depending on the plan of the individual council member but average between $30,000 and $40,000 per year.
“If the maximum increase mentioned above was implemented of $765 per month the stipend costs would increase from $18,000 to $45,900 or from $3,600 to $9,180 per year for each council member,” they wrote. Those increased costs would be covered by the general fund.
They said the Government Code also restricts the council's ability to change the salary during the council member’s term of office. “Under Government Code section 36516.5, a change to the
compensation of all city council members is permissible when one or more of the members of
2 council begins a new term of office. Any increase to the City Council’s salary could be effective following the November 2020 election.”
Flora and Jones’ report includes a 2018 League of California Cities council compensation survey as well as information about nearby cities. The information showed that Lakeport City Council members receive $300 a month, Cloverdale council members receive $550 a month and Ukiah council members receive $490 a month.
Also under council business, the council will discuss potential direction to staff regarding a tobacco retail license program.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explains that staff wants to know the council’s thoughts on the matter and whether they should continue to pursue such a program’s implementation in light of the funding limitations.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017, in response to the Sulphur fire; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and Ratified by Council Action March 19, 2020; and ratification of a letter of support for the National Endowment of the Arts “Our Town” grant.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – At the request of one of its members, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday chose to reschedule a discussion on a draft urgency ordinance that proposes fines and administrative penalties for not following local and state health orders issued due to COVID-19.
Supervisor EJ Crandell, who had asked that the ordinance be placed on the agenda originally, requested early on in Tuesday’s meeting that the discussion item be pulled, noting there was confusion on the matter.
Last week, the county had initially posted the draft urgency ordinance – which includes fines for failing to comply with health orders, including masking requirements in public – but not a second, nonurgency draft ordinance without fines and penalties that was being proposed by the Blue Collar Committee, a group of local business owners assembled by Supervisor Rob Brown. The Blue Collar Committee’s version was later posted.
Crandell said Tuesday that there was confusion about the ordinances and that it had been his intention for the board to consider both, not just the urgency version. He was concerned that people hadn’t had enough time to read both documents.
Board members agreed to hold off on the item but Supervisor Tina Scott said she considered the matter urgent and wanted it to be brought back at next week’s meeting.
Several community members showed up online and in-person to discuss the item, with their comments noting they were disappointed to have the matter delayed.
Haji Warf told the board that freedom is not just about rights but also responsibilities and that masking helps protect the community’s high-risk residents.
Lake County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton asked for clarification as to whether the board would eventually consider one or both ordinances. Crandell said it would be both.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he had no issue with moving forward and having the conversation as scheduled since the documents had been posted with enough time to meet the meeting requirements.
Crandell, however, said he believed people hadn’t had enough time to look at the documents.
County Counsel Anita Grant added that, since at the start of the meeting it was announced that the item was going to be pulled, going forward with the discussion would add to the confusion.
In June the board had considered another urgency ordinance that would have enforced health orders with fines and penalties. That ordinance failed as it required at least four supervisors to vote in its favor.
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.
Supervisor EJ Crandell, who had asked that the ordinance be placed on the agenda originally, requested early on in Tuesday’s meeting that the discussion item be pulled, noting there was confusion on the matter.
Last week, the county had initially posted the draft urgency ordinance – which includes fines for failing to comply with health orders, including masking requirements in public – but not a second, nonurgency draft ordinance without fines and penalties that was being proposed by the Blue Collar Committee, a group of local business owners assembled by Supervisor Rob Brown. The Blue Collar Committee’s version was later posted.
Crandell said Tuesday that there was confusion about the ordinances and that it had been his intention for the board to consider both, not just the urgency version. He was concerned that people hadn’t had enough time to read both documents.
Board members agreed to hold off on the item but Supervisor Tina Scott said she considered the matter urgent and wanted it to be brought back at next week’s meeting.
Several community members showed up online and in-person to discuss the item, with their comments noting they were disappointed to have the matter delayed.
Haji Warf told the board that freedom is not just about rights but also responsibilities and that masking helps protect the community’s high-risk residents.
Lake County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton asked for clarification as to whether the board would eventually consider one or both ordinances. Crandell said it would be both.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he had no issue with moving forward and having the conversation as scheduled since the documents had been posted with enough time to meet the meeting requirements.
Crandell, however, said he believed people hadn’t had enough time to look at the documents.
County Counsel Anita Grant added that, since at the start of the meeting it was announced that the item was going to be pulled, going forward with the discussion would add to the confusion.
In June the board had considered another urgency ordinance that would have enforced health orders with fines and penalties. That ordinance failed as it required at least four supervisors to vote in its favor.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Department of Food and Agriculture said the presence of another invasive pest has been confirmed in Lake and two of its neighboring counties.
CDFA, in cooperation with the Lake County Agricultural Commissioner, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner, Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner, Cal Fire, University of California Cooperative Extension and the USDA - United States Forest Service, have started an extensive survey and outreach project, and are examining patterns of attack and management options, in response to the detection of Mediterranean oak borers in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties.
The survey is part of California’s pest prevention system that protects agriculture and natural resources from non-native invasive species.
Officials said early detection plays a key role in successfully controlling an infestation before it can spread to nearby areas.
To date, the area generally infested by the Mediterranean oak borer includes Pope Valley on the east; Seigler Mountain on the north; Calistoga on the south; and Knights Valley on the west. The primary infestation is in the Calistoga area.
The extensive survey, also known as a delimitation survey, consists of multiple Mediterranean oak borer traps placed outside of find sites. As beetles are trapped, traps are moved further away in order to see how far it has spread.
To date, the Mediterranean oak borer has been detected in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties with two detections in Contra Costa county in 2018. The Contra Costa detections were at a wood collection facility that included firewood.
Firewood is a pathway that can artificially spread the pest to other areas. Officials urge the public to “Buy It Where You Burn It, Don’t Move Firewood.” Visit www.firewood.ca.gov to learn more.
The Mediterranean oak borer is an ambrosia beetle native to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, where it primarily attacks oak species. It attacks at least 12 species of oaks.
In California, it has been found infesting two species of white oak, most commonly valley oak and, to a lesser extent, blue oak. A single, very limited attack was found in a severely distressed California black oak.
The Mediterranean oak borer creates tunnels (or galleries) in the trunks and branches of host trees while continuing to multiply. It initially attacks the crown of the tree, where it will kill individual limbs. Infestation can continue over several growing seasons, eventually invading the main trunk and killing the entire tree. Infested trees become hazards when widespread tunnels undermine the strength of limbs, making limbs susceptible to falling.
Additionally, Mediterranean oak borer beetles grow fungi inside their tunnels and use it for food for larvae and adults. Some of the fungi may be pathogenic and cause tree decline, structural failure, and in some cases tree death.
If you have a tree that you believe to be infested, please contact the appropriate agricultural office below and take the following steps to help stop the spread of Mediterranean oak borer:
• Moving infested wood artificially spreads the pest to other areas. Buy it where you burn it, don’t move firewood.
• Chip infested wood as small as possible (1 to 3 inches in diameter chipped pieces).
• Solarization of both chips and logs is recommended. Cover the wood with sturdy plastic (clear if possible) and leave in the sun for six weeks (summer) to six months (winter). Make sure the chips or logs (and beetles) are fully contained by wrapping the plastic sheet fully underneath and over the material and place soil or rocks to secure the edges.
Federal, state, and county agricultural officials work year-round, 365 days a year, to prevent, deter, detect, and eliminate the threat of invasive species and diseases that can damage or destroy our agricultural products and natural environment. These efforts are aimed at protecting California’s natural environment and keeping our food supply plentiful, safe, and pest-free.
Residents with questions about the project or believe they may have the Mediterranean oak borer may call the Lake County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-263-0217; the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-253-4357; the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-565-2371; or CDFA’s Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899.
Additional information, including the University of California MOB Pest Alert can be found here and you can report-a-pest here.
CDFA, in cooperation with the Lake County Agricultural Commissioner, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner, Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner, Cal Fire, University of California Cooperative Extension and the USDA - United States Forest Service, have started an extensive survey and outreach project, and are examining patterns of attack and management options, in response to the detection of Mediterranean oak borers in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties.
The survey is part of California’s pest prevention system that protects agriculture and natural resources from non-native invasive species.
Officials said early detection plays a key role in successfully controlling an infestation before it can spread to nearby areas.
To date, the area generally infested by the Mediterranean oak borer includes Pope Valley on the east; Seigler Mountain on the north; Calistoga on the south; and Knights Valley on the west. The primary infestation is in the Calistoga area.
The extensive survey, also known as a delimitation survey, consists of multiple Mediterranean oak borer traps placed outside of find sites. As beetles are trapped, traps are moved further away in order to see how far it has spread.
To date, the Mediterranean oak borer has been detected in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties with two detections in Contra Costa county in 2018. The Contra Costa detections were at a wood collection facility that included firewood.
Firewood is a pathway that can artificially spread the pest to other areas. Officials urge the public to “Buy It Where You Burn It, Don’t Move Firewood.” Visit www.firewood.ca.gov to learn more.
The Mediterranean oak borer is an ambrosia beetle native to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, where it primarily attacks oak species. It attacks at least 12 species of oaks.
In California, it has been found infesting two species of white oak, most commonly valley oak and, to a lesser extent, blue oak. A single, very limited attack was found in a severely distressed California black oak.
The Mediterranean oak borer creates tunnels (or galleries) in the trunks and branches of host trees while continuing to multiply. It initially attacks the crown of the tree, where it will kill individual limbs. Infestation can continue over several growing seasons, eventually invading the main trunk and killing the entire tree. Infested trees become hazards when widespread tunnels undermine the strength of limbs, making limbs susceptible to falling.
Additionally, Mediterranean oak borer beetles grow fungi inside their tunnels and use it for food for larvae and adults. Some of the fungi may be pathogenic and cause tree decline, structural failure, and in some cases tree death.
If you have a tree that you believe to be infested, please contact the appropriate agricultural office below and take the following steps to help stop the spread of Mediterranean oak borer:
• Moving infested wood artificially spreads the pest to other areas. Buy it where you burn it, don’t move firewood.
• Chip infested wood as small as possible (1 to 3 inches in diameter chipped pieces).
• Solarization of both chips and logs is recommended. Cover the wood with sturdy plastic (clear if possible) and leave in the sun for six weeks (summer) to six months (winter). Make sure the chips or logs (and beetles) are fully contained by wrapping the plastic sheet fully underneath and over the material and place soil or rocks to secure the edges.
Federal, state, and county agricultural officials work year-round, 365 days a year, to prevent, deter, detect, and eliminate the threat of invasive species and diseases that can damage or destroy our agricultural products and natural environment. These efforts are aimed at protecting California’s natural environment and keeping our food supply plentiful, safe, and pest-free.
Residents with questions about the project or believe they may have the Mediterranean oak borer may call the Lake County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-263-0217; the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-253-4357; the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-565-2371; or CDFA’s Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899.
Additional information, including the University of California MOB Pest Alert can be found here and you can report-a-pest here.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Congressman Mike Thompson this week will hold another in his series of virtual town halls, this one on Congress’ response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Thompson will host the online event from 7 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, Aug. 6.
He will be joined by special guest Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), member of the House Education and Labor Committee and pediatrician for a discussion about the congressional response to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is the 12th in a series of virtual town halls Thompson has hosted this spring and summer. All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people.
Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/ .
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
Thompson will host the online event from 7 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, Aug. 6.
He will be joined by special guest Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), member of the House Education and Labor Committee and pediatrician for a discussion about the congressional response to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is the 12th in a series of virtual town halls Thompson has hosted this spring and summer. All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people.
Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/ .
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A wildland fire that began in neighboring Colusa County on Sunday is nearing full containment.
Cal Fire said Tuesday night that firefighters had held the Sites fire to 560 acres, with containment up to 90 percent.
The fire began on Sunday afternoon along Sites Lodoga Road and Campground Road, southeast of Stonyford.
Thanks to the progress made by fire crews made, evacuations and road closures were lifted on Monday night, as Lake County News has reported.
Fire crews on Tuesday continued work on containment lines and mop up, officials said.
Cal Fire said 240 personnel and 14 fire crews remained assigned to the incident as of Tuesday night.
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.
Cal Fire said Tuesday night that firefighters had held the Sites fire to 560 acres, with containment up to 90 percent.
The fire began on Sunday afternoon along Sites Lodoga Road and Campground Road, southeast of Stonyford.
Thanks to the progress made by fire crews made, evacuations and road closures were lifted on Monday night, as Lake County News has reported.
Fire crews on Tuesday continued work on containment lines and mop up, officials said.
Cal Fire said 240 personnel and 14 fire crews remained assigned to the incident as of Tuesday night.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two people were injured on Tuesday morning when the helicopter they were riding in crashed near Upper Lake.
Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash at around 9:20 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Clover Valley Road and Bambi Lane, according to radio reports.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said when deputies arrived on scene they located the helicopter, a small privately-owned Cavalon Rotorcraft, resting upright in a field.
Deputies found the pilot and passenger conscious and alert, officials said.
Northshore Fire personnel responded to the scene and provided treatment to the helicopter’s occupants, who were later flown by separate air ambulances to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and Vacaville, according to radio reports.
Sheriff Brian Martin told Lake County News that the initial reports indicated that one person had minor injuries and the other moderate injuries. As of early Tuesday afternoon, there had not been an update on the extent of their injuries.
Martin said his agency had notified both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board of the crash.
“We’re assisting with their investigation,” he said, adding, “They are providing direction to our investigators.
Martin said he didn’t yet have information about what caused the crash.
The sheriff’s office is securing the scene for further investigation by the FAA and NTSB.
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.
Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash at around 9:20 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Clover Valley Road and Bambi Lane, according to radio reports.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said when deputies arrived on scene they located the helicopter, a small privately-owned Cavalon Rotorcraft, resting upright in a field.
Deputies found the pilot and passenger conscious and alert, officials said.
Northshore Fire personnel responded to the scene and provided treatment to the helicopter’s occupants, who were later flown by separate air ambulances to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and Vacaville, according to radio reports.
Sheriff Brian Martin told Lake County News that the initial reports indicated that one person had minor injuries and the other moderate injuries. As of early Tuesday afternoon, there had not been an update on the extent of their injuries.
Martin said his agency had notified both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board of the crash.
“We’re assisting with their investigation,” he said, adding, “They are providing direction to our investigators.
Martin said he didn’t yet have information about what caused the crash.
The sheriff’s office is securing the scene for further investigation by the FAA and NTSB.
Email Elizabeth Larson at