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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport on Monday afternoon announced operational changes – including the temporary closure of the lobbies of Lakeport City Hall and the Lakeport Police Department – in response to concerns about COVID-19.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram said that, as a means to aid in stopping the continued spread of COVID-19 – the illness caused by the novel coronavirus – the city is implementing social distancing practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The city’s priority during this declared emergency is to continue to protect the public, as well as our employees, so we may continue to serve, by limiting the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your understanding and your patience,” Ingram said.
As a result, Ingram said the city is closing the public lobbies of Lakeport City Hall and Lakeport Police Department until Monday, April 13.
On Friday, City Manager Margaret Silveira issued a state of emergency declaration due to the threat of COVID-19, which the Lakeport City Council is due to consider at its Tuesday evening meeting.
The city of Clearlake and county of Lake took similar actions on Friday, and on Sunday Lake County school superintendents closed all public schools through April 10, as Lake County News has reported.
As of Monday afternoon, Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lake County.
Ingram said the city of Lakeport remains committed to the provision of high-quality essential services during this evolving emergency.
“With the safety of the citizens and the employees of the city of Lakeport in mind, those seeking services from the city are requested to conduct activities through the phone or by email,” Ingram said.
Specific contact information for city services is provided below.
Police services
The Lakeport Police Department will continue to respond to emergency calls and non-emergency calls for service.
For emergencies, call 911 and non-emergencies, call 707-263-2690.
For general administrative business (e.g. evidence and records requests, tow retrieval, etc.) please call 707-263-5491, Extension 8, or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Fire and emergency medical services
For all fire and medical-related emergencies call 911. For all other fire and administrative services, call 707-263-4296 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Utility payments and account services
To speak with a Lakeport Finance Department representative regarding utility billing or account services, please call 707-263-5615 ext.305 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Utility payments may be made online at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/lakeportca or by phone at 1-833-208-7229.
Building and planning services, permitting and inspections
For assistance related to building and planning services, permitting and inspections, please call 707-263-5615, Extension 204, or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Building permit submission and inspection services may be scheduled through special arrangements.
Public Works
For the reporting of utility and infrastructure problems, please call 707-263-3578 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Business licensing
For payments, obtaining a license or general business licensing inquiries, please call 707-263-5615, Extension 204, or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Special events scheduling and reservations
Reserving public spaces and requesting street closures for special events during this continuing emergency will be limited.
For more information please call 707-263-5615, Extension 102, or by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Public meetings
The city of Lakeport is working on alternative procedures for the administering of upcoming public meetings, including Lakeport City Council meetings.
Additional information will be issued prior to the Tuesday, March 17, Lakeport City Council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram said that, as a means to aid in stopping the continued spread of COVID-19 – the illness caused by the novel coronavirus – the city is implementing social distancing practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The city’s priority during this declared emergency is to continue to protect the public, as well as our employees, so we may continue to serve, by limiting the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your understanding and your patience,” Ingram said.
As a result, Ingram said the city is closing the public lobbies of Lakeport City Hall and Lakeport Police Department until Monday, April 13.
On Friday, City Manager Margaret Silveira issued a state of emergency declaration due to the threat of COVID-19, which the Lakeport City Council is due to consider at its Tuesday evening meeting.
The city of Clearlake and county of Lake took similar actions on Friday, and on Sunday Lake County school superintendents closed all public schools through April 10, as Lake County News has reported.
As of Monday afternoon, Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lake County.
Ingram said the city of Lakeport remains committed to the provision of high-quality essential services during this evolving emergency.
“With the safety of the citizens and the employees of the city of Lakeport in mind, those seeking services from the city are requested to conduct activities through the phone or by email,” Ingram said.
Specific contact information for city services is provided below.
Police services
The Lakeport Police Department will continue to respond to emergency calls and non-emergency calls for service.
For emergencies, call 911 and non-emergencies, call 707-263-2690.
For general administrative business (e.g. evidence and records requests, tow retrieval, etc.) please call 707-263-5491, Extension 8, or email
Fire and emergency medical services
For all fire and medical-related emergencies call 911. For all other fire and administrative services, call 707-263-4296 or email
Utility payments and account services
To speak with a Lakeport Finance Department representative regarding utility billing or account services, please call 707-263-5615 ext.305 or email
Utility payments may be made online at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/lakeportca or by phone at 1-833-208-7229.
Building and planning services, permitting and inspections
For assistance related to building and planning services, permitting and inspections, please call 707-263-5615, Extension 204, or email
Public Works
For the reporting of utility and infrastructure problems, please call 707-263-3578 or email
Business licensing
For payments, obtaining a license or general business licensing inquiries, please call 707-263-5615, Extension 204, or email
Special events scheduling and reservations
Reserving public spaces and requesting street closures for special events during this continuing emergency will be limited.
For more information please call 707-263-5615, Extension 102, or by email at
Public meetings
The city of Lakeport is working on alternative procedures for the administering of upcoming public meetings, including Lakeport City Council meetings.
Additional information will be issued prior to the Tuesday, March 17, Lakeport City Council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake announced Monday that it is immediately closing City Hall to the public, a closure to extend through at least March 31.
On Friday, City Manager Alan Flora declared a state of emergency in the city due to concerns about the threat of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, as Lake County News has reported.
The Clearlake City Council is due to ratify that state of emergency declaration at its meeting on Thursday evening, Flora said.
Last week, the city of Lakeport and county of Lake took similar actions to declare emergencies in their jurisdictions, and on Sunday the superintendents of the county’s school districts closed all public schools through April 10.
While there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 yet in Clearlake or Lake County, Flora said the declaration will allow city officials to facilitate the mobilization of local resources and gives us the ability to coordinate interagency response, accelerate procurement of vital supplies, use mutual aid, and allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments.
Flora said in the Monday City Hall closure announcement that preparation is critical to successfully responding to COVID-19.
Citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Flora said social distancing is a vital component of preventing the spread of COVID19 by minimizing the risk of exposure.
“The situation surrounding COVID-19 is rapidly changing and we are implementing measures to mitigate the spread of the virus,” Flora said.
That led to his decision to close city hall to the public until at least March 31.
“This closure includes both the lobby of the administrative offices and the police department lobby,” Flora said. “The city will attempt to facilitate normal business through phone calls, email, and video conferencing as necessary.”
Flora added, “The city’s priority during this declared emergency is to continue to protect the public, as well as our employees so we may continue to serve, by limiting the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your understanding and your patience.”
Community members are invited to call the city at 707-994-8201 for questions or accommodations in conducting city business.
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.
On Friday, City Manager Alan Flora declared a state of emergency in the city due to concerns about the threat of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, as Lake County News has reported.
The Clearlake City Council is due to ratify that state of emergency declaration at its meeting on Thursday evening, Flora said.
Last week, the city of Lakeport and county of Lake took similar actions to declare emergencies in their jurisdictions, and on Sunday the superintendents of the county’s school districts closed all public schools through April 10.
While there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 yet in Clearlake or Lake County, Flora said the declaration will allow city officials to facilitate the mobilization of local resources and gives us the ability to coordinate interagency response, accelerate procurement of vital supplies, use mutual aid, and allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments.
Flora said in the Monday City Hall closure announcement that preparation is critical to successfully responding to COVID-19.
Citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Flora said social distancing is a vital component of preventing the spread of COVID19 by minimizing the risk of exposure.
“The situation surrounding COVID-19 is rapidly changing and we are implementing measures to mitigate the spread of the virus,” Flora said.
That led to his decision to close city hall to the public until at least March 31.
“This closure includes both the lobby of the administrative offices and the police department lobby,” Flora said. “The city will attempt to facilitate normal business through phone calls, email, and video conferencing as necessary.”
Flora added, “The city’s priority during this declared emergency is to continue to protect the public, as well as our employees so we may continue to serve, by limiting the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your understanding and your patience.”
Community members are invited to call the city at 707-994-8201 for questions or accommodations in conducting city business.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County District Attorney’s Office has ruled that a Clearlake Police officer was justified in the fatal July shooting of a man who was stabbing his half-brother.
Rocco Morgan Jr., 42, was shot on July 15 by Officer Brittany Shores, dying several days later, according to the report, released Sunday by District Attorney Susan Krones.
Krones said Shores responded to a home on Mullen Avenue where a man had called police to report that his brother was threatening to stab and kill him.
When Shores arrived, she found Morgan in a back bedroom of the home he was sharing with his girlfriend, two young children and his younger half-brother, identified in the report as “C. H.” In that bedroom, Morgan was punching his brother.
Shores grabbed Morgan’s arm but couldn’t hold onto him because of his strength. Krones’ report said Morgan continued to punch his brother and then began to stab him.
Believing the victim’s life was in danger, Shores fired one shot at Morgan, which had no effect, so she fired a second time before leaving the room when backup officers arrived and told her to get back, according to the report.
Morgan was taken by ambulance to Adventist Clear Lake Hospital in Clearlake for emergency treatment and later transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for further treatment. Krones said he died on July 20, five days after the shooting.
Krones said an autopsy found that Morgan had a bullet wound to his left wrist and to his chest between his sixth and seventh ribs, which injured Morgan’s right lung, his liver and his diaphragm, causing his death. He also had a blood-alcohol level of approximately 0.13 percent.
Pursuant to a countywide critical incident protocol, Krones and her staff investigated the incident.
Krones said Shores believed the victim’s life was in imminent danger and had tried to use nonlethal force to stop Morgan’s attack before finally shooting him.
“There is overwhelming evidence that Officer Shores’ actions meet the standard of a reasonably prudent law enforcement officer and the discharge of her firearm was an objectively reasonable use of force under both California statutory law and State and federal case law,” Krones said.
She concluded, “It is my opinion that there is no evidence of criminal culpability on the part of Officer Shores in the death of Mr. Morgan. In fact, the words of C. H. summarizes the case very well. “If she didn’t shoot him I would’ve been dead.”
Krones’ full report on the shooting, including her analysis and findings, is below.
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.
INTRODUCTION:
On July 15, 2019, Clearlake Police Office Brittany Shores responded to a call of a “brother threatening to stab him and kill him.” Officer Shores was the first to arrive on scene. As Officer Shores approached the house she heard yelling and a ruckus coming from the residence. She knocked on the door and a female let her in. Shores heard noise coming from the back bedroom and a male yell “Help me.” The back bedroom was barricaded but Shores was able to enter. She saw a heavy set male (Rocco Morgan, Jr.) hitting a smaller man (C. H.) in the corner of the room. Upon further observation, she saw that Morgan had a knife and was stabbing C. H. repeatedly. Shores believed that Morgan was going to kill C. H. so she fired one shot at Morgan. That did not stop Morgan from his attack. Shores fired another shot at Morgan and Morgan stopped the attack. Morgan and C. H. were taken to the hospital. Morgan died due to a bullet wound that damaged his lung, diaphragm and liver.
It is the finding of this office that the killing of Rocco Morgan Jr. was justifiable homicide pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 196 and 197. (see Fn. 1)
PROCEDURES:
Pursuant to the Lake County Law Enforcement Fatal Incident Protocol of 2019, The Lake County District Attorney Investigation Division conducted an independent investigation into the incident. Also, an internal investigation was conducted by the administration at Clearlake Police Department.
The purpose of the District Attorney’s investigation is to determine the facts of the incident, whether any crime has been committed and whether or not criminal charges should be filed against any individual involved.
Fn 1 This incident occurred prior to California Assembly Bill 392’s amendments to Penal Code sections 196 and 835a. Therefore, this incident is analyzed under the law as it existed at the time of the events.
This report and findings are conducted pursuant to California State Law and the Lake County Law Enforcement Fatal Incident Protocol of 2019. Any findings by the District Attorney is for the sole purpose of criminal charging, using a “beyond a reasonable doubt” burden of proof standard.
FACTS:
At the time of his death Rocco Morgan Jr. was 42 years old with a last known address of 3875 Mullen Ave. in Clearlake, CA. Morgan had a lengthy criminal history including but not limited to:
Battery on a peace officer 7/21/97 – misdemeanor
Participation in a street gang 7/1/97 – felony
Concealed weapon on person 7/1/97 – felony
Felon in possession of a firearm 8/15/13 – felony
Domestic Violence 5/31/16 – misdemeanor
Domestic Violence 9/11/18 – misdemeanor
At the time of the incident Morgan was living with his girlfriend and his 2 young children and his younger half-brother, C. H. C. H. had a bedroom in the rear of the single story house.
According to Shores, she was in the area of 36th Ave when she was dispatched to 3875 Mullen Ave. with a reporting party stating that “his brother is threatening to stab him and kill him”. As Shores approached the house she could hear yelling and a ruckus inside. Shores knocked on the door and a woman answered the door. The woman was holding a baby. Shores asked the woman “who has the knife?” Shores was told the name and started calling the name as she went down the hallway to the back room where Shores heard the ruckus. Shores drew her firearm. She heard someone say “help me” from the back room. The back bedroom door was partially open. Shores re-holstered her firearm before entering the room. Shores had to use her shoulder to open the door as it was blocked. Shores said a male with an orange shirt (Morgan) was down on a pile of something. Shores yelled something and then Morgan stood up, looked at Shores and then started punching another male who was on the floor (C. H.).
Shores called for Code 3 (back-up officers). As Shores went further into the room she was able to grab the arm of Morgan but was not able to maintain a grip on his arm because Morgan was very strong. Morgan continued to punch C. H. At this time Shores saw that Morgan had a knife in his hand and was stabbing C. H. Shores saw blood splatter on C. H.’s face. C. H. was on his back against the wall and under a desk.
Shores believed that Morgan was going to continue to stab C. H. and that his life was in danger. Shores drew her firearm and fired one shot at Morgan. This had no effect on Morgan so Shores fired one more shot at Morgan. Shores felt that if she did not use this level of force the suspect would have killed C. H. At this time back up arrived and yelled at Shores to get back. Shores left the room and left the house. By this time an ambulance arrived on scene. Morgan was taken by ambulance to Adventist Hospital in Clearlake for emergency treatment. Morgan was later transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for further treatment. Morgan died on July 20, 2019 at 3:38 a.m. An autopsy was conducted by Dr. Jennifer Hammers on July 20, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Morgan had a bullet wound to his left wrist and to his chest between his 6th and 7th rib. The bullet injured Morgan’s right lung, his liver and his diaphragm. This was the cause of death. Morgan’s blood alcohol level was approximately .13%.
INVESTIGATION:
The investigation was conducted by the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations. Division. The Lead Investigator was Scott Poma. The investigation included an inspection of the residence and particularly the back bedroom where the shooting took place. Investigators located 2 expended 40 caliber shell casings and a steak knife with a 3 inch serrated blade that was covered in blood. This was the knife Morgan used to stab his brother C. H.
On July 16, 2019 Investigators Poma and Cox contacted C. H. at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. C. H. said he lived at 3875 Mullen Ave. in Clearlake with his brother, Morgan, and Morgan’s girlfriend. C. H. is Morgan’s half-brother.
C. H. said that Morgan had been consuming drugs recently and was displaying signs of paranoia. About 2 hours before the stabbing, Morgan contacted C. H. in C. H.’s back bedroom and demanded to see his computer as Morgan believed C. H. was recording him. Morgan also threatened to cut C. H.’s throat.
A short time later C. H. heard Morgan’s girlfriend yell for C. H. to call the police. C. H. came out with his phone and told Morgan he would call the police if Morgan did not calm down. About 20 minutes before Morgan stabbed C. H., Morgan told C. H. he was going to go to “Facebook Live” and stream himself stabbing C. H. Morgan told C. H. not to call the police or he would kill him.
Just a few minutes before the stabbing, Morgan accused C. H. of spying on him and Morgan hit C. H. with a closed fist to the left side of his face. Morgan left the bedroom and C. H. started barricading the door to his room. Morgan returned and was able to squeeze through the door.
C. H. called 911. C. H. knew that Morgan kept a knife in his pocket and he saw Morgan had something in his hand as he came into the bedroom. C. H. picked up a screwdriver to defend himself. Morgan asked C. H. what he was going to do with the screwdriver. C. H. put the screwdriver down. Morgan pulled out a knife. Both Morgan and C. H. were standing facing each other at this point. C. H. heard a female voice calling Morgan’s name. C. H. dropped down and went underneath his computer desk. C. H. believed the female calling Morgan’s name was a police officer. Morgan followed C. H. and began stabbing C. H. Morgan stabbed C. H. four times in his chest and two times in his back. C. H. remembers that Morgan was stabbing him when the police officer came into the room. C. H. said everything happened very fast. C. H. said that he believed Morgan would have killed him if it was not for the Officer’s actions. C. H. said, “If she didn’t shoot him I would’ve been dead.”
LEGAL ANALYSIS:
The relevant California statutory and case law regarding this matter is set forth below.
Penal Code Section 196 states in part:
Homicide is justifiable when committed by public officers ….:
(2) When necessarily committed in overcoming actual resistance to the execution of some legal process, or in the discharge of any other legal duty.
Penal Code Section 197 states in part:
Homicide is also justifiable when committed by any person in any of the following cases:
1. When resisting any attempt to murder any person, or to commit a felony, or to do some great bodily injury upon any person.
The test for whether homicide was justifiable is “whether the circumstances ‘reasonably create[d] a fear of death or serious bodily harm to the officer or to another.’ ” Kortum v. Alkire (1977) 69 Cal.App. 3d 325, 333.
In People v. Escobar (1992) 3 Cal.4th 740, 750 the court held that “It is well settled that the determination of great bodily injury is essentially a question of fact, not of law.” In Munoz v. City of Union City (2004) 120 Cal.App.4th 1077, 1109 the court held that “Unlike private citizens, police officers act under color of law to protect the public interest. They are charged with acting affirmatively and using force as part of their duties, because “the right to make an arrest or investigatory stop necessarily carries with it the right to use some degree of physical coercion or threat thereof to effect it.” It continues “The question is whether a peace officer’s actions were objectively reasonable based on the facts and circumstances confronting the peace officer.” “The test is highly deferential to the police officer’s need to protect himself and others.” Munoz p. 1102.
California law permits the use of deadly force in one’s self defense or in the defense of another if it reasonably appears to the person claiming the right of self-defense or the defense of another that he actually and reasonably believed that he or another was in imminent danger of great bodily injury or death. People v. Williams (1977) 75 Cal.App.3d 731.
The reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with 20/20 hindsight. The calculus of reasonableness must embody allowance for the fact that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments – in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving – about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation. Graham v. Connor (1989) 490 U.S. 386
In the instant case, Officer Shores was responding to a call of a man threatening to stab his brother and kill him. When Officer Shores arrived to the house she asked Morgan’s girlfriend, “Who has the knife?” Officer Shores heard a commotion in the back room and heard someone yell “help me”. When she was able to get through the door she saw a male with an orange shirt (Morgan) over a pile of something. Shores yelled something and then Morgan stood up, looked at Shores and then started punching another male who was on the floor (C. H.). She was able to grab the arm of Morgan but was not able to maintain a grip on his arm because Morgan was very strong. Morgan continued to punch C. H. At this time Shores saw that Morgan had a knife in his hand and was stabbing C. H. Shores saw blood splatter on C. H.’s face.
Shores believed that Morgan was going to continue to stab C. H. and that C. H.’s life was in imminent danger. Before Shores shot Morgan, she did try to stop Morgan using non-lethal force by grabbing Morgan’s arm in an attempt to stop him. She yelled at Morgan to stop. This had no effect on Morgan, who pulled away and continued to stab C. H. Shores then drew her firearm and fired one shot at Morgan. This first shot had no effect on Morgan so Shores fired one more shot at Morgan. Shores felt that if she did not use this level of force the suspect would have killed C. H. Shores’ use of lethal force was justified to save the life of C. H. Shores reasonably believed that if she did not shoot Morgan a second time that Morgan would have killed C. H.
FINDINGS:
There is overwhelming evidence that Officer Shores’ actions meet the standard of a reasonably prudent law enforcement officer and the discharge of her firearm was an objectively reasonable use of force under both California statutory law and State and federal case law.
It is my opinion that there is no evidence of criminal culpability on the part of Officer Shores in the death of Mr. Morgan. In fact, the words of C. H. summarizes the case very well. “If she didn’t shoot him I would’ve been dead.”
Dated:
_____________________________
SUSAN KRONES
District Attorney
Rocco Morgan Jr., 42, was shot on July 15 by Officer Brittany Shores, dying several days later, according to the report, released Sunday by District Attorney Susan Krones.
Krones said Shores responded to a home on Mullen Avenue where a man had called police to report that his brother was threatening to stab and kill him.
When Shores arrived, she found Morgan in a back bedroom of the home he was sharing with his girlfriend, two young children and his younger half-brother, identified in the report as “C. H.” In that bedroom, Morgan was punching his brother.
Shores grabbed Morgan’s arm but couldn’t hold onto him because of his strength. Krones’ report said Morgan continued to punch his brother and then began to stab him.
Believing the victim’s life was in danger, Shores fired one shot at Morgan, which had no effect, so she fired a second time before leaving the room when backup officers arrived and told her to get back, according to the report.
Morgan was taken by ambulance to Adventist Clear Lake Hospital in Clearlake for emergency treatment and later transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for further treatment. Krones said he died on July 20, five days after the shooting.
Krones said an autopsy found that Morgan had a bullet wound to his left wrist and to his chest between his sixth and seventh ribs, which injured Morgan’s right lung, his liver and his diaphragm, causing his death. He also had a blood-alcohol level of approximately 0.13 percent.
Pursuant to a countywide critical incident protocol, Krones and her staff investigated the incident.
Krones said Shores believed the victim’s life was in imminent danger and had tried to use nonlethal force to stop Morgan’s attack before finally shooting him.
“There is overwhelming evidence that Officer Shores’ actions meet the standard of a reasonably prudent law enforcement officer and the discharge of her firearm was an objectively reasonable use of force under both California statutory law and State and federal case law,” Krones said.
She concluded, “It is my opinion that there is no evidence of criminal culpability on the part of Officer Shores in the death of Mr. Morgan. In fact, the words of C. H. summarizes the case very well. “If she didn’t shoot him I would’ve been dead.”
Krones’ full report on the shooting, including her analysis and findings, is below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S FINAL REPORT
REGARDING OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING OF
ROCCO MORGAN JR.
INTRODUCTION:
On July 15, 2019, Clearlake Police Office Brittany Shores responded to a call of a “brother threatening to stab him and kill him.” Officer Shores was the first to arrive on scene. As Officer Shores approached the house she heard yelling and a ruckus coming from the residence. She knocked on the door and a female let her in. Shores heard noise coming from the back bedroom and a male yell “Help me.” The back bedroom was barricaded but Shores was able to enter. She saw a heavy set male (Rocco Morgan, Jr.) hitting a smaller man (C. H.) in the corner of the room. Upon further observation, she saw that Morgan had a knife and was stabbing C. H. repeatedly. Shores believed that Morgan was going to kill C. H. so she fired one shot at Morgan. That did not stop Morgan from his attack. Shores fired another shot at Morgan and Morgan stopped the attack. Morgan and C. H. were taken to the hospital. Morgan died due to a bullet wound that damaged his lung, diaphragm and liver.
It is the finding of this office that the killing of Rocco Morgan Jr. was justifiable homicide pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 196 and 197. (see Fn. 1)
PROCEDURES:
Pursuant to the Lake County Law Enforcement Fatal Incident Protocol of 2019, The Lake County District Attorney Investigation Division conducted an independent investigation into the incident. Also, an internal investigation was conducted by the administration at Clearlake Police Department.
The purpose of the District Attorney’s investigation is to determine the facts of the incident, whether any crime has been committed and whether or not criminal charges should be filed against any individual involved.
Fn 1 This incident occurred prior to California Assembly Bill 392’s amendments to Penal Code sections 196 and 835a. Therefore, this incident is analyzed under the law as it existed at the time of the events.
This report and findings are conducted pursuant to California State Law and the Lake County Law Enforcement Fatal Incident Protocol of 2019. Any findings by the District Attorney is for the sole purpose of criminal charging, using a “beyond a reasonable doubt” burden of proof standard.
FACTS:
At the time of his death Rocco Morgan Jr. was 42 years old with a last known address of 3875 Mullen Ave. in Clearlake, CA. Morgan had a lengthy criminal history including but not limited to:
Battery on a peace officer 7/21/97 – misdemeanor
Participation in a street gang 7/1/97 – felony
Concealed weapon on person 7/1/97 – felony
Felon in possession of a firearm 8/15/13 – felony
Domestic Violence 5/31/16 – misdemeanor
Domestic Violence 9/11/18 – misdemeanor
At the time of the incident Morgan was living with his girlfriend and his 2 young children and his younger half-brother, C. H. C. H. had a bedroom in the rear of the single story house.
According to Shores, she was in the area of 36th Ave when she was dispatched to 3875 Mullen Ave. with a reporting party stating that “his brother is threatening to stab him and kill him”. As Shores approached the house she could hear yelling and a ruckus inside. Shores knocked on the door and a woman answered the door. The woman was holding a baby. Shores asked the woman “who has the knife?” Shores was told the name and started calling the name as she went down the hallway to the back room where Shores heard the ruckus. Shores drew her firearm. She heard someone say “help me” from the back room. The back bedroom door was partially open. Shores re-holstered her firearm before entering the room. Shores had to use her shoulder to open the door as it was blocked. Shores said a male with an orange shirt (Morgan) was down on a pile of something. Shores yelled something and then Morgan stood up, looked at Shores and then started punching another male who was on the floor (C. H.).
Shores called for Code 3 (back-up officers). As Shores went further into the room she was able to grab the arm of Morgan but was not able to maintain a grip on his arm because Morgan was very strong. Morgan continued to punch C. H. At this time Shores saw that Morgan had a knife in his hand and was stabbing C. H. Shores saw blood splatter on C. H.’s face. C. H. was on his back against the wall and under a desk.
Shores believed that Morgan was going to continue to stab C. H. and that his life was in danger. Shores drew her firearm and fired one shot at Morgan. This had no effect on Morgan so Shores fired one more shot at Morgan. Shores felt that if she did not use this level of force the suspect would have killed C. H. At this time back up arrived and yelled at Shores to get back. Shores left the room and left the house. By this time an ambulance arrived on scene. Morgan was taken by ambulance to Adventist Hospital in Clearlake for emergency treatment. Morgan was later transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for further treatment. Morgan died on July 20, 2019 at 3:38 a.m. An autopsy was conducted by Dr. Jennifer Hammers on July 20, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Morgan had a bullet wound to his left wrist and to his chest between his 6th and 7th rib. The bullet injured Morgan’s right lung, his liver and his diaphragm. This was the cause of death. Morgan’s blood alcohol level was approximately .13%.
INVESTIGATION:
The investigation was conducted by the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations. Division. The Lead Investigator was Scott Poma. The investigation included an inspection of the residence and particularly the back bedroom where the shooting took place. Investigators located 2 expended 40 caliber shell casings and a steak knife with a 3 inch serrated blade that was covered in blood. This was the knife Morgan used to stab his brother C. H.
On July 16, 2019 Investigators Poma and Cox contacted C. H. at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. C. H. said he lived at 3875 Mullen Ave. in Clearlake with his brother, Morgan, and Morgan’s girlfriend. C. H. is Morgan’s half-brother.
C. H. said that Morgan had been consuming drugs recently and was displaying signs of paranoia. About 2 hours before the stabbing, Morgan contacted C. H. in C. H.’s back bedroom and demanded to see his computer as Morgan believed C. H. was recording him. Morgan also threatened to cut C. H.’s throat.
A short time later C. H. heard Morgan’s girlfriend yell for C. H. to call the police. C. H. came out with his phone and told Morgan he would call the police if Morgan did not calm down. About 20 minutes before Morgan stabbed C. H., Morgan told C. H. he was going to go to “Facebook Live” and stream himself stabbing C. H. Morgan told C. H. not to call the police or he would kill him.
Just a few minutes before the stabbing, Morgan accused C. H. of spying on him and Morgan hit C. H. with a closed fist to the left side of his face. Morgan left the bedroom and C. H. started barricading the door to his room. Morgan returned and was able to squeeze through the door.
C. H. called 911. C. H. knew that Morgan kept a knife in his pocket and he saw Morgan had something in his hand as he came into the bedroom. C. H. picked up a screwdriver to defend himself. Morgan asked C. H. what he was going to do with the screwdriver. C. H. put the screwdriver down. Morgan pulled out a knife. Both Morgan and C. H. were standing facing each other at this point. C. H. heard a female voice calling Morgan’s name. C. H. dropped down and went underneath his computer desk. C. H. believed the female calling Morgan’s name was a police officer. Morgan followed C. H. and began stabbing C. H. Morgan stabbed C. H. four times in his chest and two times in his back. C. H. remembers that Morgan was stabbing him when the police officer came into the room. C. H. said everything happened very fast. C. H. said that he believed Morgan would have killed him if it was not for the Officer’s actions. C. H. said, “If she didn’t shoot him I would’ve been dead.”
LEGAL ANALYSIS:
The relevant California statutory and case law regarding this matter is set forth below.
Penal Code Section 196 states in part:
Homicide is justifiable when committed by public officers ….:
(2) When necessarily committed in overcoming actual resistance to the execution of some legal process, or in the discharge of any other legal duty.
Penal Code Section 197 states in part:
Homicide is also justifiable when committed by any person in any of the following cases:
1. When resisting any attempt to murder any person, or to commit a felony, or to do some great bodily injury upon any person.
The test for whether homicide was justifiable is “whether the circumstances ‘reasonably create[d] a fear of death or serious bodily harm to the officer or to another.’ ” Kortum v. Alkire (1977) 69 Cal.App. 3d 325, 333.
In People v. Escobar (1992) 3 Cal.4th 740, 750 the court held that “It is well settled that the determination of great bodily injury is essentially a question of fact, not of law.” In Munoz v. City of Union City (2004) 120 Cal.App.4th 1077, 1109 the court held that “Unlike private citizens, police officers act under color of law to protect the public interest. They are charged with acting affirmatively and using force as part of their duties, because “the right to make an arrest or investigatory stop necessarily carries with it the right to use some degree of physical coercion or threat thereof to effect it.” It continues “The question is whether a peace officer’s actions were objectively reasonable based on the facts and circumstances confronting the peace officer.” “The test is highly deferential to the police officer’s need to protect himself and others.” Munoz p. 1102.
California law permits the use of deadly force in one’s self defense or in the defense of another if it reasonably appears to the person claiming the right of self-defense or the defense of another that he actually and reasonably believed that he or another was in imminent danger of great bodily injury or death. People v. Williams (1977) 75 Cal.App.3d 731.
The reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with 20/20 hindsight. The calculus of reasonableness must embody allowance for the fact that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments – in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving – about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation. Graham v. Connor (1989) 490 U.S. 386
In the instant case, Officer Shores was responding to a call of a man threatening to stab his brother and kill him. When Officer Shores arrived to the house she asked Morgan’s girlfriend, “Who has the knife?” Officer Shores heard a commotion in the back room and heard someone yell “help me”. When she was able to get through the door she saw a male with an orange shirt (Morgan) over a pile of something. Shores yelled something and then Morgan stood up, looked at Shores and then started punching another male who was on the floor (C. H.). She was able to grab the arm of Morgan but was not able to maintain a grip on his arm because Morgan was very strong. Morgan continued to punch C. H. At this time Shores saw that Morgan had a knife in his hand and was stabbing C. H. Shores saw blood splatter on C. H.’s face.
Shores believed that Morgan was going to continue to stab C. H. and that C. H.’s life was in imminent danger. Before Shores shot Morgan, she did try to stop Morgan using non-lethal force by grabbing Morgan’s arm in an attempt to stop him. She yelled at Morgan to stop. This had no effect on Morgan, who pulled away and continued to stab C. H. Shores then drew her firearm and fired one shot at Morgan. This first shot had no effect on Morgan so Shores fired one more shot at Morgan. Shores felt that if she did not use this level of force the suspect would have killed C. H. Shores’ use of lethal force was justified to save the life of C. H. Shores reasonably believed that if she did not shoot Morgan a second time that Morgan would have killed C. H.
FINDINGS:
There is overwhelming evidence that Officer Shores’ actions meet the standard of a reasonably prudent law enforcement officer and the discharge of her firearm was an objectively reasonable use of force under both California statutory law and State and federal case law.
It is my opinion that there is no evidence of criminal culpability on the part of Officer Shores in the death of Mr. Morgan. In fact, the words of C. H. summarizes the case very well. “If she didn’t shoot him I would’ve been dead.”
Dated:
_____________________________
SUSAN KRONES
District Attorney
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will hold the first public discussion about the results of a long-running employee classification and compensation study and consider approving the sheriff’s emergency declaration for COVD-19.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 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 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
At 10 a.m., the board will consider the county’s total compensation report, prepared by CPS HR.
The county awarded the $100,000 contract for the study to CPS HR, a Joint Powers Agency, in November 2018.
The report is part of an apparent plan by county leadership to raise pay for employees, but just how much salaries could be raised – and how much the county can afford – does not appear as part of the discussion.
The county of Lake’s salaries and classifications were compared to 10 other counties: Calaveras, Colusa, Glenn, Humboldt, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo and Yuba.
The presentation “is expected to include description of the Classification and Total Compensation Study methodology undertaken by CPS HR, and market data, as appropriate, as verified by CPS HR. This does not constitute any indication of your Board’s implementation of the Study data, nor what level of salary adjustment is affordable by the County of Lake at this time. These matters are subject to ongoing confidential labor negotiations,” according to the report from County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson.
Huchingson, who has pushed for the study to be done, is incidentally the county employee whose job classification is shown to be farthest below the market numbers, based on a table on page 12 of the study, shown below.
With a base salary of $9,339 a month up to a maximum of $11,352 a month, the county administrative officer classification is rated as 81.6 percent below the market minimum, 69.15 percent below the market midpoint and 56 percent below the market maximum,
For comparison, a deputy sheriff II position has a salary range of $4,649 to $5,651 per month, and is rated as only 4.1 percent below the market minimum, 6.2 percent below the market midpoint and 10.2 percent below the maximum. The county historically had trouble keeping deputy jobs filled, citing pay as a key issue.
Also on Tuesday, at 9:10 a.m., the board will get an update on the novel coronavirus, and in related untimed items, the board will continue its consideration of a temporary policy for telework during the pandemic and discuss accommodations to facilitate broader electronic access to Board of Supervisors meetings in light of COVID-19 and Executive Order N-25-20.
The board also is expected to consider ratifying Sheriff Brian Martin’s COVID-19 emergency proclamation, issued Friday.
In other business, in an untimed item, the board also will discuss the structure of the Department of Public Works and the Community Development Department.
On Feb. 11, the board appointed Public Works Director Scott De Leon as interim Community Development Director.
“In the next month, all departments must prepare their proposed budgets for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and with this in mind, staff is in need of Board direction concerning the structure of these two departments,” Huchingson wrote in her report to the board.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike for 17 years of support for military personnel and their families.
5.2: Adopt proclamation designating the month of March 2020 as March for Meals Month.
5.3: Adopt resolution authorizing the Planning Division of the Community Development Department to file a grant application to the California Strategic Growth Council for a Proposition 84 Wildfire and Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grant to update the Upper Lake/Nice area and Rivieras area plans.
5.4: Approve Wildfire Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grant letter of commitment for updates to the Upper Lake-Nice and Rivieras area plans and authorize chair to sign.
5.5: Approve California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement for emergency medical and health disaster assistance and authorize board chair to sign.
5.6: Approve PC purchase for district attorney.
5.7: Approve supplemental service agreement between the county of Lake and Mead & Hunt, Consultants, for mandatory filings of Lampson Field Airport Capital Improvement Plan 2020-2025, not to exceed $5,000, and authorize the chair to execute the agreement.
5.8: Adopt resolution authorizing the director of Social Services to execute the standard agreement and all other documents necessary to participate in the HOME Program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
5.9: Adopt resolution authorizing the Lake County Water Resources Department to file a grant application to the California Strategic Growth Council for a Proposition 84 Wildfire and Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grant to update the Lake County Storm Water Management Plan.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: (a) Presentation of proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike for 17 years of support for military personnel and their families; and (b) presentation of proclamation designating the month of March 2020 as March for Meals Month.
6.3, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of update on the novel coronavirus.
6.4, 9:20 a.m.: Presentation of annual report by Lake County PEG TV.
6.5, 9:40 a.m.: Consideration of Ag Department ordinance for industrial hemp regulations.
6.6, 10 a.m. Consideration of CPS HR’s County of Lake Total Compensation Report.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Continuation of consideration of a temporary policy for telework.
7.3: Consideration of accommodations to facilitate broader electronic access to Board of Supervisors meetings in light of COVID-19 and Executive Order N-25-20.
7.4: Consideration of the structure of the Department of Public Works and the Community Development Department.
7.5: Consideration of the following appointment: Audit Committee.
7.6: Consideration of proposed findings of fact and decision in the appeal of Antonio and Doris Guerra-Freire (AB 19-02).
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: Public employee evaluation: Animal Control director.
8.3: Conference with (a) temporary representatives designated to meet with county department heads regarding salary and benefits and (b) unrepresented management employees.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(3) Threat of Litigation – City of Clearlake.
8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) – Ugorji v. County of Lake, et al.
8.6: Public employee evaluations: Interim Community Development director/ interim Water Resources director/ Public Works director.
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, March 17, 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 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
At 10 a.m., the board will consider the county’s total compensation report, prepared by CPS HR.
The county awarded the $100,000 contract for the study to CPS HR, a Joint Powers Agency, in November 2018.
The report is part of an apparent plan by county leadership to raise pay for employees, but just how much salaries could be raised – and how much the county can afford – does not appear as part of the discussion.
The county of Lake’s salaries and classifications were compared to 10 other counties: Calaveras, Colusa, Glenn, Humboldt, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo and Yuba.
The presentation “is expected to include description of the Classification and Total Compensation Study methodology undertaken by CPS HR, and market data, as appropriate, as verified by CPS HR. This does not constitute any indication of your Board’s implementation of the Study data, nor what level of salary adjustment is affordable by the County of Lake at this time. These matters are subject to ongoing confidential labor negotiations,” according to the report from County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson.
Huchingson, who has pushed for the study to be done, is incidentally the county employee whose job classification is shown to be farthest below the market numbers, based on a table on page 12 of the study, shown below.
With a base salary of $9,339 a month up to a maximum of $11,352 a month, the county administrative officer classification is rated as 81.6 percent below the market minimum, 69.15 percent below the market midpoint and 56 percent below the market maximum,
For comparison, a deputy sheriff II position has a salary range of $4,649 to $5,651 per month, and is rated as only 4.1 percent below the market minimum, 6.2 percent below the market midpoint and 10.2 percent below the maximum. The county historically had trouble keeping deputy jobs filled, citing pay as a key issue.
Also on Tuesday, at 9:10 a.m., the board will get an update on the novel coronavirus, and in related untimed items, the board will continue its consideration of a temporary policy for telework during the pandemic and discuss accommodations to facilitate broader electronic access to Board of Supervisors meetings in light of COVID-19 and Executive Order N-25-20.
The board also is expected to consider ratifying Sheriff Brian Martin’s COVID-19 emergency proclamation, issued Friday.
In other business, in an untimed item, the board also will discuss the structure of the Department of Public Works and the Community Development Department.
On Feb. 11, the board appointed Public Works Director Scott De Leon as interim Community Development Director.
“In the next month, all departments must prepare their proposed budgets for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and with this in mind, staff is in need of Board direction concerning the structure of these two departments,” Huchingson wrote in her report to the board.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike for 17 years of support for military personnel and their families.
5.2: Adopt proclamation designating the month of March 2020 as March for Meals Month.
5.3: Adopt resolution authorizing the Planning Division of the Community Development Department to file a grant application to the California Strategic Growth Council for a Proposition 84 Wildfire and Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grant to update the Upper Lake/Nice area and Rivieras area plans.
5.4: Approve Wildfire Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grant letter of commitment for updates to the Upper Lake-Nice and Rivieras area plans and authorize chair to sign.
5.5: Approve California Mutual Aid Region II Intra-Region Cooperative Agreement for emergency medical and health disaster assistance and authorize board chair to sign.
5.6: Approve PC purchase for district attorney.
5.7: Approve supplemental service agreement between the county of Lake and Mead & Hunt, Consultants, for mandatory filings of Lampson Field Airport Capital Improvement Plan 2020-2025, not to exceed $5,000, and authorize the chair to execute the agreement.
5.8: Adopt resolution authorizing the director of Social Services to execute the standard agreement and all other documents necessary to participate in the HOME Program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
5.9: Adopt resolution authorizing the Lake County Water Resources Department to file a grant application to the California Strategic Growth Council for a Proposition 84 Wildfire and Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grant to update the Lake County Storm Water Management Plan.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: (a) Presentation of proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike for 17 years of support for military personnel and their families; and (b) presentation of proclamation designating the month of March 2020 as March for Meals Month.
6.3, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of update on the novel coronavirus.
6.4, 9:20 a.m.: Presentation of annual report by Lake County PEG TV.
6.5, 9:40 a.m.: Consideration of Ag Department ordinance for industrial hemp regulations.
6.6, 10 a.m. Consideration of CPS HR’s County of Lake Total Compensation Report.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Continuation of consideration of a temporary policy for telework.
7.3: Consideration of accommodations to facilitate broader electronic access to Board of Supervisors meetings in light of COVID-19 and Executive Order N-25-20.
7.4: Consideration of the structure of the Department of Public Works and the Community Development Department.
7.5: Consideration of the following appointment: Audit Committee.
7.6: Consideration of proposed findings of fact and decision in the appeal of Antonio and Doris Guerra-Freire (AB 19-02).
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: Public employee evaluation: Animal Control director.
8.3: Conference with (a) temporary representatives designated to meet with county department heads regarding salary and benefits and (b) unrepresented management employees.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(3) Threat of Litigation – City of Clearlake.
8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) – Ugorji v. County of Lake, et al.
8.6: Public employee evaluations: Interim Community Development director/ interim Water Resources director/ Public Works director.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
County of Lake Total Compensation Report FINAL by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will consider a city emergency declaration in response to COVID-19, discuss a broadband plan and a list of SB 1 projects.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
City officials said the meeting is going on as normal.
On the agenda is a city emergency declaration in response to concerns about COVID-19 made by City Manager Margaret Silveira on Friday, as Lake County News has reported.
So far, no cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by novel coronavirus, have been confirmed in Lakeport or in Lake County as a whole, officials said. However, city and county officials have gone forward with emergency declarations in order to be positioned for state and federal assistance should it be required.
Also up for discussion on Tuesday is the proposed adoption of the Lake County Master Broadband Plan as prepared by the Upstate California Connect Consortium and CSU Chico, Geographical Information Center.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram’s report to the council explains, “Rural areas such as Lake County have lagged behind more urban areas in the provision of broadband and/or high speed internet service. Bridging this divide has been a high priority for many civic and governmental organizations throughout the County. The completion of a broadband feasibility study is
noted specifically as a key improvement element within the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.”
He said Lake Economic Development Corp. has partnered with the Upstate California Connect Consortium and the California State University, Chico, Geographical Information Center to develop the Lake County Master Plan.
“The plan aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape of broadband services for residential and business customers, as well as recommendations for improving broadband coverage and service speeds, developing and implementing local government policies that can ease and support broadband infrastructure deployments, and improving broadband service adoption,” Ingram said.
He said a key element to the plan is the development of an accurate baseline of existing broadband and internet service in Lake County.
In other business, the council will consider adopting a proposed resolution approving the city’s project list for funds generated by SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, in fiscal year 2020-21.
Public Works Director Doug Grider’s report to the council said the city is expected to receive $90,770 in fiscal year 2020-21.
“Staff proposes that the anticipated funds for fiscal year 2020-21 be utilized and dedicated to the Second Street Rehabilitation Project. This project includes the reconstruction of a section of Second Street between North Main Street and Park Street along with the replacement of curb, gutter and sidewalk to meet current ADA standards,” Grider wrote.
He said funds from last year will be added to this year’s funds in order to increase available funding for the project. “Any remaining monies will be dedicated to miscellaneous roadway maintenance and rehabilitation activities citywide.”
If approved, the council would direct staff to submit to the California Transportation Commission.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on March 3; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; approval of the Application 2020-011 with staff recommendations, for the 2020 Child Festival to be held in Library Park April 18, 2020; receipt and filing the communication letter and CAFR for year ended June 30, 2019; adoption of the proposed resolution to reaffirm the necessity of AB 1600 development impact fees; introduction of the proposed amendments and revisions to the Lakeport Municipal Code adopting the 2019 California Building Code and removing references to obsolete building codes and schedule a public hearing for April 7, 2020.
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 beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
City officials said the meeting is going on as normal.
On the agenda is a city emergency declaration in response to concerns about COVID-19 made by City Manager Margaret Silveira on Friday, as Lake County News has reported.
So far, no cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by novel coronavirus, have been confirmed in Lakeport or in Lake County as a whole, officials said. However, city and county officials have gone forward with emergency declarations in order to be positioned for state and federal assistance should it be required.
Also up for discussion on Tuesday is the proposed adoption of the Lake County Master Broadband Plan as prepared by the Upstate California Connect Consortium and CSU Chico, Geographical Information Center.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram’s report to the council explains, “Rural areas such as Lake County have lagged behind more urban areas in the provision of broadband and/or high speed internet service. Bridging this divide has been a high priority for many civic and governmental organizations throughout the County. The completion of a broadband feasibility study is
noted specifically as a key improvement element within the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.”
He said Lake Economic Development Corp. has partnered with the Upstate California Connect Consortium and the California State University, Chico, Geographical Information Center to develop the Lake County Master Plan.
“The plan aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape of broadband services for residential and business customers, as well as recommendations for improving broadband coverage and service speeds, developing and implementing local government policies that can ease and support broadband infrastructure deployments, and improving broadband service adoption,” Ingram said.
He said a key element to the plan is the development of an accurate baseline of existing broadband and internet service in Lake County.
In other business, the council will consider adopting a proposed resolution approving the city’s project list for funds generated by SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, in fiscal year 2020-21.
Public Works Director Doug Grider’s report to the council said the city is expected to receive $90,770 in fiscal year 2020-21.
“Staff proposes that the anticipated funds for fiscal year 2020-21 be utilized and dedicated to the Second Street Rehabilitation Project. This project includes the reconstruction of a section of Second Street between North Main Street and Park Street along with the replacement of curb, gutter and sidewalk to meet current ADA standards,” Grider wrote.
He said funds from last year will be added to this year’s funds in order to increase available funding for the project. “Any remaining monies will be dedicated to miscellaneous roadway maintenance and rehabilitation activities citywide.”
If approved, the council would direct staff to submit to the California Transportation Commission.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on March 3; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; approval of the Application 2020-011 with staff recommendations, for the 2020 Child Festival to be held in Library Park April 18, 2020; receipt and filing the communication letter and CAFR for year ended June 30, 2019; adoption of the proposed resolution to reaffirm the necessity of AB 1600 development impact fees; introduction of the proposed amendments and revisions to the Lakeport Municipal Code adopting the 2019 California Building Code and removing references to obsolete building codes and schedule a public hearing for April 7, 2020.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
031720 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Library is opening as a 2020 Census Questionnaire Assistance Center starting Tuesday, March 17.
Community members will be able to visit three local libraries to get help filling out the census during normal operating hours.
County Librarian Director Christopher Veach said that the service will be offered as long as the library remains open for its normal operating hours.
“The library is taking extra measures regarding cleaning and encouraged patrons to remain a healthy distance apart,” Veach said regarding COVID-19 concerns.
Lakeport Library is located at 1425 N. High St. The hours at Lakeport Library are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Redbud Library is located at 14785 Burns Valley Rd. in Clearlake. The hours are Redbud Library are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m.
Middletown Library is located at 21256 Washington St. The hours at Middletown Library are Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 707-263-8817. The library is on the internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov .
Library employees will provide online access to those who do not have access or have limited broadband access, and can answer questions about who is considered a household member to be counted.
Each library has public computers that can be used to fill out census questionnaires. Library employees in the QAC can answer questions about the 2020 Census questionnaire and provide clarifications as needed to community members.
Once each decade, the U.S. Census Bureau attempts to count every person in the United States. The next enumeration will be April 1, and will be the first to allow online responses as well as responses by phone or in person.
The data collected by the decennial Census determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funds to state and local governments.
The U.S. Census Bureau does its part to count everyone. The California Complete Count – Census 2020 office focuses on working with community partners to reach Californians in the hardest-to-count areas.
The mission of the California Complete Count – Census 2020 is to ensure that Californians get their fair share of federal resources and Congressional representation by encouraging the full participation of all Californians in Census 2020.
Jan Cook is a library technician for the Lake County Library.
Community members will be able to visit three local libraries to get help filling out the census during normal operating hours.
County Librarian Director Christopher Veach said that the service will be offered as long as the library remains open for its normal operating hours.
“The library is taking extra measures regarding cleaning and encouraged patrons to remain a healthy distance apart,” Veach said regarding COVID-19 concerns.
Lakeport Library is located at 1425 N. High St. The hours at Lakeport Library are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Redbud Library is located at 14785 Burns Valley Rd. in Clearlake. The hours are Redbud Library are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m.
Middletown Library is located at 21256 Washington St. The hours at Middletown Library are Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 707-263-8817. The library is on the internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov .
Library employees will provide online access to those who do not have access or have limited broadband access, and can answer questions about who is considered a household member to be counted.
Each library has public computers that can be used to fill out census questionnaires. Library employees in the QAC can answer questions about the 2020 Census questionnaire and provide clarifications as needed to community members.
Once each decade, the U.S. Census Bureau attempts to count every person in the United States. The next enumeration will be April 1, and will be the first to allow online responses as well as responses by phone or in person.
The data collected by the decennial Census determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funds to state and local governments.
The U.S. Census Bureau does its part to count everyone. The California Complete Count – Census 2020 office focuses on working with community partners to reach Californians in the hardest-to-count areas.
The mission of the California Complete Count – Census 2020 is to ensure that Californians get their fair share of federal resources and Congressional representation by encouraging the full participation of all Californians in Census 2020.
Jan Cook is a library technician for the Lake County Library.