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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Two North Coast senators have written a bill to address the kinds of disaster insurance claims that their constituents have faced in recent wildland fires.
State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa wrote Senate Bill 872 along with Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, who represents Lake County in the Senate.
On Tuesday, Dodd formally introduced the legislation, meant to streamline residential insurance claims for victims of disasters such as wildfires.
“When someone has lost their home or suffered serious damage in a disaster, they shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get coverage they are entitled to,” Sen. Dodd said. “Insurance companies must act swiftly to advance living expenses for temporary housing and other costs and they shouldn’t bury homeowners in exhaustive inventory forms. People who pay their premiums deserve to be made whole without unnecessary delay.”
Senate Bill 872, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, expands the definition of additional living expenses that must be paid to homeowners for losses incurred in a state of emergency.
Upon submission of a claim, it requires an advance payment of no less than four months for costs such as housing, furniture rental and transportation.
Also, it requires an advance payment of no less than 25 percent of a policy limit for lost contents without submission of an inventory form.
The bill requires insurers to give homeowners a 60-day grace period for payment of residential premiums after an emergency.
Insurance companies also will be barred from deducting the land value from payouts for those who build on new lots.
“When a disaster occurs, residents need immediate help, not red tape and unnecessary paperwork that adds to their problems,” Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said. “I am proud to sponsor this crucial legislation, enforcing actions that I have urged insurers to take after wildfires to protect policyholders. This proposal will help ensure residents have all the resources and time available to them to help ease the financial and emotional toll of a disaster.”
Dodd, who formerly represented Lake County in the State Assembly, now represents California’s Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties.
State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa wrote Senate Bill 872 along with Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, who represents Lake County in the Senate.
On Tuesday, Dodd formally introduced the legislation, meant to streamline residential insurance claims for victims of disasters such as wildfires.
“When someone has lost their home or suffered serious damage in a disaster, they shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get coverage they are entitled to,” Sen. Dodd said. “Insurance companies must act swiftly to advance living expenses for temporary housing and other costs and they shouldn’t bury homeowners in exhaustive inventory forms. People who pay their premiums deserve to be made whole without unnecessary delay.”
Senate Bill 872, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, expands the definition of additional living expenses that must be paid to homeowners for losses incurred in a state of emergency.
Upon submission of a claim, it requires an advance payment of no less than four months for costs such as housing, furniture rental and transportation.
Also, it requires an advance payment of no less than 25 percent of a policy limit for lost contents without submission of an inventory form.
The bill requires insurers to give homeowners a 60-day grace period for payment of residential premiums after an emergency.
Insurance companies also will be barred from deducting the land value from payouts for those who build on new lots.
“When a disaster occurs, residents need immediate help, not red tape and unnecessary paperwork that adds to their problems,” Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said. “I am proud to sponsor this crucial legislation, enforcing actions that I have urged insurers to take after wildfires to protect policyholders. This proposal will help ensure residents have all the resources and time available to them to help ease the financial and emotional toll of a disaster.”
Dodd, who formerly represented Lake County in the State Assembly, now represents California’s Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties.
Lake Local Agency Formation Commission approves next steps for considering South Lakeport Annexation
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake Local Agency Formation Commission has approved the steps it will take in the process of considering the city of Lakeport’s application to annex a portion of South Main Street.
Lake LAFCo’s members made the decision at its meeting in Clearlake on Wednesday.
Lake LAFCo oversees orderly development and protects natural resources and agricultural lands. It does that by preserving prime agricultural and open-space lands, encouraging orderly growth and development, promoting orderly development and discouraging urban sprawl, balancing competing interests and promoting efficient service delivery, according to its website.
LAFCo includes representatives from the city councils and Board of Supervisors, special districts and members of the public.
The annexation discussion begins at the 10 minute mark in the video above.
In August, the Lakeport City Council held a special meeting during which it approved submitting an application to LAFCo for the 136-acre area, composed of 50 parcels, that runs along South Main Street south of the city limit. It is reported to be the most lucrative commercial corridor in the unincorporated county.
In December, LAFCo, currently chaired by Bruno Sabatier, also the District 2 representative for the Board of Supervisors, sent letters to the city of Lakeport and county of Lake to ask them to participate in a good faith process to resolve the ongoing dispute over the proposed annexation.
Key to the dispute between the city and county over the annexation area is that they disagree about the validity of a series of previously approved tax sharing agreements meant to address the county’s loss of revenue.
One agreement, reached in 1997, calls for the city to pay the county $210,000 in tax revenue over seven years to offset the loss of the sales tax.
While the city holds that the agreement remains valid, it is the county’s position that the 1997 tax sharing agreement, including the two subsequent amendments, are void and unenforceable.
The Lakeport City Council voted in December to participate in the good faith process and sent a letter to LAFCo agreeing to its proposal.
On Jan. 7, the Board of Supervisors also approved its participation, with LAFCo Executive Director John Benoit reporting that he had received an email from the county informing him of the board’s decision.
A key piece of the process LAFCo proposes is a separate financial analysis of the proposed annexation.
Both the county and city have completed their own separate financial analyses. Benoit said the two analyses need to be reconciled so that LAFCo has some direction going forward.
Once the two studies are reconciled, LAFCo would hire a facilitator to discuss with the city and county a new property tax sharing agreement. Then, Benoit said LAFCo can notice a hearing and move on with consideration of the annexation.
LAFCo is proposing to hire its own consultant, which will be paid for by the city of Lakeport. Benoit said he has contacted an economics consultant who comes highly recommended, noting that they want someone totally independent with extensive municipal background.
He said they don’t know if they will need to do a third study. Rather, they are planning to work with the two consultants who did the city and county analyses to reconcile them. That first stage is to get all of the numbers correct as to impact on the two governments and to understand their financial obligations. Then the facilitation can take place.
LAFCO legal counsel P. Scott Browne told the commission that the hope is that they will come up with a financial analysis that represents the most accurate assessment of the impacts.
However, if the city and county consultants can’t agree with the LAFCo consultant, Browne said LAFCo’s consultant will go forward with making his own neutral recommendation.
Browne said the city and county will have to authorize their consultants to work with LAFCo’s consultant, and that will take some time – he said he wouldn’t be surprised if it took four or five months. LAFCo would then ask the parties to participate in facilitated mediation to see if they can work out their differences.
“That seems like a reasonable way to move forward,” said Commissioner and District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, adding fair and independent is the way to go.
Commissioner Stacey Mattina, who also sits on the Lakeport City Council, asked if the LAFCo consultant will review the old tax share agreement or what the city most recently offered. Browne said they will produce a fiscal impacts analysis on which an agreement can be based.
Questions about process, timing
During public comment, Assistant Lakeport City Manager Kevin Ingram told the commission, “I think this is a really good strategy for resolving this conflict. This has been going on for quite some time.”
Ingram said that the way the system is set up, it pits the two sides against each other. Whether or not the land is annexed, Ingram said there is a public health issue in the area, particularly with water.
He said regional water officials have held off on enforcement in the area because they assumed it would be annexed.
Ingram questioned the estimate of four to five months, suggesting it could be done quicker than that.
The important piece, regardless of the differences between the city and county, is to protect the public interest of people in the area, where there is a lack of water for fire protection. “There is an issue that needs to be resolved,” Ingram said.
Sabatier said part of the good faith effort is not to stall the process, noting they’re all at the table working for consensus and that the good faith effort should provide some sort of efficiency.
Ingram said they would like to shorten the time period, adding the city will have its consultant working with those with the city and county.
County Deputy Administrative Officer Susan Parker asked clarifying questions about who would pay for the various parts of the analysis. Benoit said the city of Lakeport will shoulder the costs of LAFCo’s economic consultant, but Browne confirmed that the county would pay its own consultant to work in the reconciliation process.
Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira told the commission that she appreciated the good faith negotiations.
She also raised concerns about timing, noting that it’s important for businesses in that area to get water service. She added that they would appreciate anything LAFCo could do to make the process go quicker.
Sabatier said that he liked the idea of going with a consultant, and questioned if it was better than going with a request for proposals, or RFP.
Benoit said that if they wanted to go with the RFP process, it would take six months.
Going forward, Benoit said he will work with Sabatier to get the consultant on board as quickly as possible.
Commissioner Ed Robey moved to direct staff to get a consultant in place, with Simon seconding and the commission approving the motion unanimously.
LAFCo is next scheduled to meet March 18 in Lakeport.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will get an update on the Hope Center project and consider a request to assist it through city funding.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Thursday’s meeting will include the presentation by Clearlake Animal Control regarding its January adoptable dogs.
On Thursday, the council will receive an update on the Hope Center project and provide direction on city funding support.
At the council’s Jan. 9 meeting, Councilman Russell Perdock had requested the item be placed on the next agenda, with a request for $500,000 in city funds to be given to it.
City Manager Alan Flora’s report to the council explained that in October 2018, the Clearlake Planning Commission approved a use permit for the conversion of an existing office building at 3400 Emerson Street to a medical support and residential care facility.
“The facility would provide medical respite care, intensive case management and support services to persons recovering from a physical illness or injury independently, but who are not ill enough to require hospitalization. This conversion would include dormitories for those receiving care,” he wrote.
Flora said that, since that time, “the team involved has been finalizing building plans and working to identify adequate funding to initiate the project. While some funding is available, there is still a significant shortfall.”
He said the city has issued the demolition permit and building permits necessary to start the project. “Additionally, the Hope Rising team has made a request to the City to provide some funding in support of the project.”
Flora said the council should receive an update on the project as well as other funding available and provide direction to staff on what city funding is to be made available in support of the Hope
Center.
Also on Thursday, the council will consider the first reading of an ordinance clarifying and correcting Ordinance No. 222-2019, which relates to the issuance, handling, appeals and penalties of administrative citations; amending the general penalty for violations; adjusting penalties for cannabis-related violations and providing for immediate imposition of fines in specified circumstances.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report on the item explained that on Feb. 28 the council adopted an ordinance governing administrative penalties for general violations and cannabis-related violations.
Swanson said that while codifying the ordinance, a minor typo was discovered in a section that contained a reference to a subsection that does not exist. To correct this typo, it is necessary to adopt a new ordinance stating the correct subsection.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; a memo on the joint powers authorities pension obligations; the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 235-2020 to Amend Subsection 9-1.16 to Chapter 9, Section 9-1 of the Clearlake Municipal Code relating to electric and electronic access gates; consideration of disposal of surplus vehicles, Resolution No. 2020-05; minutes of the November and December council meetings; receive and file minutes of the Dec. 11 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting; and approve the submittal of the ROPS FY 20-21 for both periods A (July to December) and B (January to June) to the Oversight Board.
The council is scheduled for a closed session with legal counsel to discuss an existing case of litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. after the public portion of the meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. m. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Thursday’s meeting will include the presentation by Clearlake Animal Control regarding its January adoptable dogs.
On Thursday, the council will receive an update on the Hope Center project and provide direction on city funding support.
At the council’s Jan. 9 meeting, Councilman Russell Perdock had requested the item be placed on the next agenda, with a request for $500,000 in city funds to be given to it.
City Manager Alan Flora’s report to the council explained that in October 2018, the Clearlake Planning Commission approved a use permit for the conversion of an existing office building at 3400 Emerson Street to a medical support and residential care facility.
“The facility would provide medical respite care, intensive case management and support services to persons recovering from a physical illness or injury independently, but who are not ill enough to require hospitalization. This conversion would include dormitories for those receiving care,” he wrote.
Flora said that, since that time, “the team involved has been finalizing building plans and working to identify adequate funding to initiate the project. While some funding is available, there is still a significant shortfall.”
He said the city has issued the demolition permit and building permits necessary to start the project. “Additionally, the Hope Rising team has made a request to the City to provide some funding in support of the project.”
Flora said the council should receive an update on the project as well as other funding available and provide direction to staff on what city funding is to be made available in support of the Hope
Center.
Also on Thursday, the council will consider the first reading of an ordinance clarifying and correcting Ordinance No. 222-2019, which relates to the issuance, handling, appeals and penalties of administrative citations; amending the general penalty for violations; adjusting penalties for cannabis-related violations and providing for immediate imposition of fines in specified circumstances.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report on the item explained that on Feb. 28 the council adopted an ordinance governing administrative penalties for general violations and cannabis-related violations.
Swanson said that while codifying the ordinance, a minor typo was discovered in a section that contained a reference to a subsection that does not exist. To correct this typo, it is necessary to adopt a new ordinance stating the correct subsection.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; a memo on the joint powers authorities pension obligations; the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 235-2020 to Amend Subsection 9-1.16 to Chapter 9, Section 9-1 of the Clearlake Municipal Code relating to electric and electronic access gates; consideration of disposal of surplus vehicles, Resolution No. 2020-05; minutes of the November and December council meetings; receive and file minutes of the Dec. 11 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting; and approve the submittal of the ROPS FY 20-21 for both periods A (July to December) and B (January to June) to the Oversight Board.
The council is scheduled for a closed session with legal counsel to discuss an existing case of litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. after the public portion of the meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
012320 Clearlake City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LUCERNE, Calif. – A semi carrying a load of milk went off Highway 20 and into Clear Lake on Sunday morning.
The crash was first reported just before 9 a.m. Sunday on Highway 20 at Cora Drive east of Lucerne.
Reports from the California Highway Patrol stated that a big rig had gone over the embankment and into the water.
One person was reported to be inside the cab but scene reports indicated they later safely got out of the truck.
The semi was reported to be fully loaded with milk, which was spilling into the lake.
Northshore Fire units and the Northshore Dive Team were dispatched, with the district reporting that crews were able to package and hoist the patient to safety.
The patient suffered minor injuries and was flown by a REACH air ambulance to a trauma center for further evaluation, Northshore Fire reported.
The CHP said Lake County Environmental Health, Lake County Water Resources and the Lake County Office of Emergency Services were contacted about the incident.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service is reporting chances of widespread rain across Northern California over the next few days, with another storm system on the horizon this weekend.
The forecast issued for Northern California calls for light to moderate rain across the region beginning on Tuesday, with rainfall estimates for Lake County ranging up to an inch.
The National Weather Service said the heaviest rainfall will be to the north, over the southern Cascade Range.
The weather system passing over the region early this week will be warmer than last week’s storm, which dropped snow around the 2,000-foot elevation mark and, in some places in Lake County, lower.
This week, the snow level will generally be above 5,000 feet. In particular, the forecast calls for 3 to 5 inches of snow above the 5,000-foot mark over Interstate 80.
The National Weather Service’s extended forecast calls for more wet weather returning late Saturday and into Sunday, with more rainfall as well as snow in higher elevations.
Lake County’s specific forecast expects rain on Tuesday, with conditions forecast to clear on Wednesday and Thursday, before chances of rain return on Thursday night and continue through Monday.
Light winds are forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, and conditions overall are expected to be warmer, with daytime temperatures into the high 50s and nighttime temperatures into the high 40s.
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 forecast issued for Northern California calls for light to moderate rain across the region beginning on Tuesday, with rainfall estimates for Lake County ranging up to an inch.
The National Weather Service said the heaviest rainfall will be to the north, over the southern Cascade Range.
The weather system passing over the region early this week will be warmer than last week’s storm, which dropped snow around the 2,000-foot elevation mark and, in some places in Lake County, lower.
This week, the snow level will generally be above 5,000 feet. In particular, the forecast calls for 3 to 5 inches of snow above the 5,000-foot mark over Interstate 80.
The National Weather Service’s extended forecast calls for more wet weather returning late Saturday and into Sunday, with more rainfall as well as snow in higher elevations.
Lake County’s specific forecast expects rain on Tuesday, with conditions forecast to clear on Wednesday and Thursday, before chances of rain return on Thursday night and continue through Monday.
Light winds are forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, and conditions overall are expected to be warmer, with daytime temperatures into the high 50s and nighttime temperatures into the high 40s.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will consider applying for state grant funds for park bathroom improvements.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On Tuesday, Public Works Director Doug Grider will ask the council to adopt a proposed resolution authorizing City Manager Margaret Silveira to sign and submit a grant application to the Division of Boating and Waterways.
The application will seek funds available in the amount of $184,073 to replace the restrooms at the First and Third street boat ramp facilities, according to Grider’s report.
Staff is asking the council to continue to its Feb. 4 meeting a public hearing the Community Development Block Grant program and consideration of giving staff direction to prepare for council consideration a CDBG application requesting up to $3,500,000.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meetings on Dec. 9 and Jan. 7; 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; adoption of Resolution 2741 (2020) approving the revised Administrative Policy – Utilities Billing effective Feb. 1, 2020; and adoption of Resolution 2742 (2020) approving the revised service deposits for new water accounts effective Feb. 1, 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, Jan. 21, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On Tuesday, Public Works Director Doug Grider will ask the council to adopt a proposed resolution authorizing City Manager Margaret Silveira to sign and submit a grant application to the Division of Boating and Waterways.
The application will seek funds available in the amount of $184,073 to replace the restrooms at the First and Third street boat ramp facilities, according to Grider’s report.
Staff is asking the council to continue to its Feb. 4 meeting a public hearing the Community Development Block Grant program and consideration of giving staff direction to prepare for council consideration a CDBG application requesting up to $3,500,000.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meetings on Dec. 9 and Jan. 7; 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; adoption of Resolution 2741 (2020) approving the revised Administrative Policy – Utilities Billing effective Feb. 1, 2020; and adoption of Resolution 2742 (2020) approving the revised service deposits for new water accounts effective Feb. 1, 2020.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
012120 Lakeport City Council Agenda Packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd