LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will get reports on the county’s cannabis tax revenue and Teeter Fund and take up a resolution directing the Tax Collector’s Office to hold a public auction of tax-defaulted property.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 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.
On the agenda Tuesday the board will get an update from Tax Administrator Patrick Sullivan on cannabis tax collected to date as well as staff’s future projections for this revenue stream.
County Counsel Anita Grant also will weigh in on allowable uses of the cannabis tax money.
The board also will consider a resolution directing the Tax Collector’s Office to hold a public auction of tax-defaulted property. That item also is untimed.
In other untimed items of note, County Auditor-Controller/County Clerk Cathy Saderlund will give the board a report on the Teeter Fund, which helps the county cover unpaid property tax.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve long-distance travel from March 16 to March 20, 2020, for Accountant-Auditor, Technology Anthony Valdez to attend the CentralSquare 2020 Customer Event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5.2: Adopt Resolution authorizing Lake County Behavioral Health Services to approve Funding Allocations for the Whole Person Care Pilot Program.
5.3: Approve addendum to the commercial lease agreement between the county of Lake and Tri-Star Properties L.P. for the lease of property located at 845 and 849 Bevins St., Lakeport, CA 95453 in the amount of $1,964.07 per month and authorize the chair to sign.
5.4: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings held Nov. 26, 2019; Dec. 10, 2019; Dec. 17, 2019; Jan. 14, 2020; and Feb. 11, 2020.
5.5: Adopt resolution setting rate of pay for election officers for the March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election.
5.6: Approve a letter of support to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.7: Adopt proclamation recognizing the retirement of Health Programs Support Specialist II Denise Rosann Doukas and honoring her many years of outstanding service to the county of Lake.
5.8: Adopt resolution approving an agreement between the county of Lake and county of Santa Cruz for Medi-Cal Administrative Activities and Targeted Case Management, and authorize the director of Health Services to sign the agreement.
5.9: Adopt resolution approving the Health Services Department’s application to the California Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch Grant Program for Fiscal Years 2020/2021 Through 2022/2023 and authorizing the director of Health Services to sign said application and grant in the amount of $74,112.
5.10: Approve amendment one to equipment repair and service contract between the county of Lake and Peterson Tractor Co. in the increased amount of $75,000 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.11: Approve telecommunications site agreement between ComSites West and the Lake County Sheriff's Office for space in their repeater vault on St. Helena.
5.12: Approve the Everbridge mass notification user agreement in the amount of $18,207.95 from March 20, 2020, to March 19, 2021, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.13: Approve revised amendment one between the county of Lake and Bennet Omalu Pathology for a five-year cost plan and fee schedule for pathology services and authorize the chairman to sign.
5.14: Approve long-distance travel on April 20 to 23, 2020, for Sherri DeLaTorre, ICPC coordinator, and Mary Pagan, program manager to attend the Interstate Compact on Placement of Children in Denver, Colorado. The Title IV-E Chabot training contract will provide funding for the costs of travel and training.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of a proclamation recognizing the retirement of Health Programs Support Specialist II Denise Rosann Doukas and honoring her many years of outstanding service to the county of Lake.
6.3, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of resolution authorizing the Public Works director to sign the notice of completion for Three SB1 Rehabilitation Improvement Projects, Bid No. 19-10.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of (a) resolution amending Resolution No. 2019-126 to Amend the FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget by adjusting reserves, fund balance carryover, revenues, and appropriations; and (b) resolution amending Resolution 2019-127 to amend the position allocations for FY 2019-20 to Conform to the mid-year budget adjustments.
7.3: (a) Consideration of report on cannabis tax revenue collected and future projections for this revenue stream; and (b) consideration of report on allowable uses of cannabis monies.
7.4: Consideration of report on the Teeter Fund.
7.5: Consideration of proposed findings of fact and decision in the appeal of Judson Hodges (AB 19-06).
7.6: Consideration of resolution authorizing the chairman of the board to approve and direct the tax collector to sell, at public auction via internet, tax-defaulted property which is subject to power to sell in accordance with Chapter 7 of Part 6 Division 1, of the California Revenue and Taxation Code and approving sales below minimum price in specified cases.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) chief negotiator: M. Long; county negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 5456.9(d)(4) – One potential case.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1): EEOC Complaint of Cari McCormick.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1): Heart Consciousness Church v. County of Lake.
8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1): County of Lake, et al. v. PG&E.
8.6: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2)(e)(3): One potential claim.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council is scheduled to hold a special Monday meeting to consider awarding a contract for the Library Park Sidewalk Replacement Project.
The council will meet beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The single item on the meeting agenda is the proposed award of the sidewalk project to Granite Construction, which was the low bidder at $399,495, according to the staff report from Public Works Director Doug Grider.
The city engineer’s estimate for this project was $435,811.25, Grider said.
The sidewalk was damaged as the result of severe storms in early 2017 and 2019, which destroyed the Library Park seawall, as Lake County News has reported.
West Coast Contractors, a firm based in Coos Bay, Oregon, currently is building a new steel sheet pile retaining wall, a project that began earlier this month.
Grider’s report explains that the sidewalk project includes removing and replacing the existing sidewalk and the aggregate base; coloring and stamping some portions of the sidewalk; installing trench drain and features, and pipe sleeves; modification of existing light pole bases and relocation of existing light poles.
Because the damage resulted from storms that were covered by a federal disaster declaration, the project is being funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and insurance funds, according to Grider’s report.
Grider said construction is estimated to start on March 16.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has tabbies and a tuxedo cat ready for new homes this week.
The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.
This female tuxedo cat is in cat room kennel No. 4, ID No. 13545. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female tuxedo cat
This female tuxedo cat has a short coat and green eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 4, ID No. 13545.
“Shelby” is a male orange tabby in cat room kennel No. 108, ID No. 13565. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Shelby’
“Shelby” is a male orange tabby with a long coat and green eyes.
He has been neutered.
He is in cat room kennel No. 108, ID No. 13565.
This male orange tabby is in cat room kennel No. 137, ID No. 13527. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male orange tabby
This male orange tabby has a short coat and gold eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 137, ID No. 13527.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Kelseyville Unified School District staff, administrators and students join Vernon Parker, manager of the Tractor Supply Co. store in Clearlake, California, to thank the store for its help of the school garden located in Kelseyville, California. Courtesy photo. KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Thanks to the generosity of local donors and the dedication of the Riviera Elementary School Garden Committee, local students have a place to dig in the dirt and learn all the lessons school gardens can provide.
Clearlake Tractor Supply Co. recently joined the growing list of local donors who have provided tools, supplies, and expertise to lay the foundation for a thriving school garden.
Riviera Elementary teacher and Garden Committee member Mary Beth Abordo spearheaded the effort to involve Tractor Supply Co.
“I applied for support through the Tractor Supply Co. website back in September, and Amanda Johnson responded that our local Tractor Supply in Clearlake would be delighted to sponsor our school,” Abordo said.
She said store manager Vernon Parker, arranged for a banner displaying the school-business partnership and presented the school with a goodie bag of seeds, rulers, a sign for the garden, master gardener awards and a $200 gift certificate to Tractor Supply Co.
“Furthermore, Mr. Parker and his team of gardening experts plan to visit the Riviera Elementary School garden this spring to support our ongoing efforts,” Abordo said.
Studies show that school gardens can have a positive impact on academic achievement and behavior, as well as instilling a lifelong appreciation for nature.
Gardens also provide a place for students to be physically active and to learn about nutrition, both of which can contribute to students’ health and wellness.
Kelseyville Unified School District Superintendent Dave McQueen expressed his gratitude to all the donors and volunteers who have made school gardens possible at both Riviera Elementary and at Kelseyville Elementary.
“It’s incredible to see the transformation in the gardens in such a short time. Big thanks to the teachers, parents and community members who made this happen. I love the thought of all our students spending time outdoors, learning to grow food and flowers, and just having fun,” he said.
At Riviera Elementary School, donations of pathway matting, peat moss, rakes, shovels, pitchforks, leaf scoops, pruning shears, seeds, and a garden wagon have been made by Campos Casual, the USDA Gymnosperm Project, Johnny's Seeds, and parents Mr. Traphagen, Laura Kirk (in memory of her daughter Katie), and Dr. Kimberly Fordham.
The Riviera Elementary Garden Committee consists of teachers Leslie Gray, Sarah Yurosko and Mary Beth Abordo.
“Getting the garden in shape has been a group effort. Ms. Gray and her students, Mrs. Yurosko and her husband and students, kindergarten teacher Mrs. Turner and her husband, Ms. Cascio and her students, Ms. Sears and her students, and senior volunteer Grandpa Ralph have spent countless hours restoring the shed, irrigation system, composting stations, and raised beds,” Abordo said.
She paused and smiled, then asked, “Aren't we so blessed to live in Kelseyville where our children are so cherished?”
Riviera Elementary teacher and Garden Committee member Mary Beth Abordo thanks Vernon Parker, manager of the Tractor Supply Co. store in Clearlake, California, for its help with the garden at the school, located in Kelseyville, California. Courtesy photo.
A second-year bald eagle at Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Some birdwatchers jokingly say there are only three types of birds.
There are tweety- birds, including birds like robins and finches; hawk-type birds such as eagles and hawks; and, finally, duck-type birds – birds that spend much of their lives floating on ponds and lakes.
It's fascinating to watch birds, no matter their species. According to reports such as National Geographic and Bay Nature magazines some bird species are arriving both earlier and later than in the past.
It is a total juggling act for today's birds, it would appear, to time their sojourns to meet the requirements of their breeding cycles, including nesting, egg-laying, the fledging process and all the while keeping healthy enough to complete this intricate itinerary.
On a recent day spent at Clear Lake State Park I ran into some fellow bird-watchers who were generously sharing their scope with park visitors.
I am happy to say that I watched at least a dozen varieties of birds near or on the lake, including a kingfisher, Clark's grebes, great blue heron, blue jay, acorn woodpecker, cormorants, egret and American Pelicans.
I also watched a young bald eagle, perched high in a cottonwood tree, who did not yet sport the characteristic white head of the stately adult bird.
I was fortunate enough to watch a pair of common goldeneyes who were serenely floating on the lake, diving periodically for their lunch of fish and aquatic invertebrates.
I also enjoyed sighting bufflehead who were also foraging for their lunch by diving for aquatic insects and crustaceans, which they often consume while under water.
A kingfisher at Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.
There may be fewer avian species passing through the area this winter, but Lake County is still a premier bird watching spot since it is blessedly located on the path of the Pacific Flyway.
The Pacific Flyway is the route taken by migratory birds as they make their way in the fall and spring seasons.
During the fall and winter birds may hark from distant lands like Alaska to rest and refuel, looking for warm homes and food on which to feast
Climate change is having an impact on the lives of many bird species, but that is not the only thing that may threaten bird species.
In 2018 the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act was celebrated, marking an important law aiding bird protection for more than 1,000 species of birds.
Today that 100-year-old protection is in danger of being stripped away in a push to take away the large fines that are in place in the event of bird-kills due to oil slicks, wind power turbines, and other human-made disasters and industrial threats.
For ornithologists and laypeople alike it is complicated and sometimes perplexing to keep abreast of all of the changes migratory birds are undergoing in these times of climate disruption.
One thing is certain: We are all hoping for the very best for birds and beasts alike.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, freelance writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.”
A goldeneye at Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.
A .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun, ammunition and other items the Clearlake Police Department seized after arresting Steven Farnan, 27, of Clearlake, California, on Friday, February 21, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Clearlake Police Department. CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police arrested a Clearlake man in possession of a concealed handgun and drugs following a Friday morning vehicle pursuit.
Steven Johnny Farnan, 27, was arrested on probable cause for numerous felony charges after being found with a concealed loaded firearm and possession of more than half an ounce of heroin, according to a report from the Clearlake Police Department.
The department reported that shortly after 7:30 a.m. Friday, Officer Mauricio Barreto spotted Farnan driving a vehicle without a license and expired registration.
When Officer Barreto turned his patrol car to catch up with Farnan, Farnan pulled into the Speedway gas station on Lakeshore Drive at Old Highway 53, the report said.
Police said Officer Barreto contacted Farnan at the driver’s window. At that point, Farnan tried to flee in the car, nearly injuring the officer, but got boxed in by other vehicles.
Barreto then noticed a concealed .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun in Farnan’s waistband, police said.
Farnan attempted to grab the gun from his waistband as he exited the vehicle through the front passenger door. Once out of the car, he tried to run, according to the report.
Police said Officer Barreto used his Taser to subdue Farnan and arrest him.
Farnan received medical treatment and was booked into the Lake County Jail, police said.
The Clearlake Police Department reported that Farnan is on Post Release Community Supervision and has prior weapon-related arrests.
Steven Johnny Farnan, 27, of Clearlake, California, was arrested on felony charges following a vehicle pursuit on Friday, February 21, 2020. Lake County Jail photo.
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