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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
This story has been corrected to show that the meeting takes place on Friday.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Due to an Internet outage that impacted a large part of Lake County as well as a portion of Mendocino County on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors was unable to conduct business and has called a special meeting on Friday.
The board will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 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, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 885 0531 6073, pass code 778712. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,88505316073#,,,,*778712#.
With the exception of the pet of the week, the agenda for Thursday’s special meeting is the same as Tuesday’s regular meeting.
Key items will include the board's consideration at 9:15 a.m. of submitting public comments in response to PG&E’s initial draft surrender application and conceptual decommissioning plan for the Potter Valley Project, which includes the Scott Dam.
At 9:45 a.m., the board will consider adopting the Lake County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The board also will hold an untimed discussion regarding appointments to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve letter of support for the 2023-2024 COCO AIM grant application entitled “Lake County Fire Safe Council Capacity Building and CMAT Implementation” project (CBCI) submitted by the Lake County Resource Conservation District (LCRCD) and authorize the chair to sign.
5.2: approve public defender contract amendment No. 11 between the county of Lake and Lake Indigent Defense LLP for the purpose of removing Anakalia K. Sullivan as partner, and authorize chair to sign.
5.3: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 23-0413-004-SF with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the Sudden Oak Death Quarantine program for the period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, in the Amount of $4,341.69.
5.4: Approve resolution of the Board of Education of the Kelseyville Unified School District ordering an election to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds, establishing specifications of the election order, and requesting consolidation with other elections occurring on March 5, 2024.
5.5: a) Approve the FY 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant application in the amount of $138,341; and b) authorize Sheriff Rob Howe to sign the grant subaward face sheet, the authorized agent document and the subrecipient grants management assessment form; and c) authorize County Administrative Officer Susan Parker to act as the authorized agent on behalf of the county to sign the standard assurances and initial each page, the lobbying certification and the FFATA financial disclosure document and d) authorize the chairperson of the Board of Supervisors to sign the certification of the governing body resolution.
5.6: a) Adopt resolution approving the Lake County Sheriff's Office to apply for state of California, Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Grant funds and authorize the Lake County sheriff/coroner or his designee to sign the project agreement; and b) consideration of a delegation of authority to Lake County Sheriff-Coroner Rob Howe or his designee to execute the attached project agreement, No. G23-03-64-L01 and to act as the county’s agent in the negotiation, execution, and submittal of all related documents, including amendments to the project agreement and requests for payments.
5.7: a) Waive formal bidding process pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.4 Cooperative Purchase Agreement by the Huston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and, b) approve the purchase of a Hindsight H-4 Multi-Media Recorder from Exacom and c) authorize the sheriff to sign a purchase order not to exceed $50,000.
5.8: a) Approve the FY 2023 EOC Grant Program application in the amount of $1,318,133; and b) authorize Sheriff Rob Howe to sign the grant subaward face sheet, and the subrecipient grants management assessment form; and c) Authorize County Administrative Officer Susan Parker to act as the authorized agent on behalf of the county to sign the standard assurances and initial each page, the lobbying certification and the FFATA financial disclosure document; and d) authorize the chairperson of the Board of Supervisors to sign the certification of the governing body resolution.
5.9: a) Approve the FY 2023 Homeland Security application in the amount of $126,762; and b) authorize Sheriff Rob Howe to sign the grant subaward face sheet, the authorized agent document and the subrecipient grants management assessment form; and c) authorize County Administrative Officer Susan Parker to act as the authorized agent on behalf of the county to sign the standard assurances and initial each page, the lobbying certification and the FFATA financial disclosure document and d) authorize the chairperson of the Board of Supervisors to sign the certification of the governing body resolution.
5.10: Approve delegation of investment authority to treasurer-tax collector.
TIMED ITEMS
6.3, 9:08 a.m.: Consideration of county investment policy.
6.4, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of submittal of public comments in response to PG&E’s initial draft surrender application and conceptual decommissioning plan.
6.5, 9:45 a.m.: Consideration of resolution adopting the Lake County Hazard Mitigation plan for the county of Lake.
6.6, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, continued from Nov. 28, consideration of proposed negative declaration (IS 23-03), General plan amendment (GPAP 23-01), and rezone (RZ 23-01) for Reynolds System Inc., to change the general plan designation of a portion of the parcel from rural lands to industrial, and rezone a portion of the parcel from rural lands to heavy industrial; Location: 18649 CA State Highway 175, Middletown (APN: 013-046-04).
6.7, 10:30 a.m.: Consideration of presentation for overview of grant award from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research under the Adaptation Planning Grant Program.
6.8, 10:45 a.m.: Presentation of Revised State Water Resources Control Board’s Information Order Regulations for the Clear Lake Watershed.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of appointments to Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
7.3: Consideration of the following advisory board appointment: Mental Health Advisory Board.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1, 3 p.m.: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b) (1): Interviews for Health Services director; appointment of Health Services director.
8.2: Public employee evaluation: Director of Child Support Services.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced the final cleanup plan for the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site, covering the mine site and residential soils in Clearlake Oaks.
EPA said its cleanup plan will combine and cover mine waste piles, remove or cover contaminated residential soils, minimize impacts on nearby tribes, and reduce mercury entering Clear Lake sediments and fish.
The mine operated from the late 1800s to the 1950s, spreading waste with toxic levels of mercury and arsenic across the mine property and into nearby neighborhoods and Clear Lake.
The 160-acre mine property, which sits on the lakeshore, has been a Superfund site since 1990.
“This cleanup plan marks the culmination of years of planning with tribes, local government and the state to develop a joint vision for reviving the local environment and economy around Clear Lake,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA is committed to continuing our coordination with local stakeholders, ensuring community-wide benefits, returning land to the Elem Indian colony and collaborating on the protection of tribal and cultural resources.”
“We’re thrilled to see this project move into the next phase,” California Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Dr. Meredith Williams said. “A cleanup project of this magnitude takes immense coordination and expertise, and we look forward to our continued partnership with the US EPA and the Elem Indian Colony to protect the community.”
Before finalizing the cleanup plan, EPA held a 90-day public comment period and hosted online question and answer sessions, in-person open houses, and hybrid (online and in-person) formal public hearings for both the whole community and a tribal-focused audience.
The agency captured both written and verbal comments, considered them in cleanup planning, and responded to them in the final decision document.
The plan is detailed in a document called a Record of Decision, or ROD. The ROD and other documents on how the EPA decided on this plan are found in the site’s Administrative Record posted on EPA’s website.
EPA has already completed eight earlier cleanups at Sulphur Bank to protect community members and the environment.
These prior cleanups included controlling soil erosion, improving surface water management, removing contaminated soil on the Elem Indian Colony, and capping mine waste beneath roadways.
EPA also continues to study Clear Lake’s complex ecosystem, sediment and north wetlands to understand how to reduce mercury pollution.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office did not release the name of the woman, which also was not available from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.
The CHP’s report said the woman was walking southbound on Highway 29, south of Central Park Road, at approximately 6:18 p.m. Friday when the crash occurred.
Fatmah Freimund, 31, of Hidden Valley Lake was driving her 2020 Tesla Model S northbound on Highway 29, approaching the pedestrian's location, the CHP said. Conditions were wet and rainy.
For reasons still under investigation, the CHP said the female pedestrian was struck by the Tesla within the northbound lane of Highway 29.
The female pedestrian sustained major injuries as a result and was transported by South Lake County Fire Department to Adventist Health Clear Lake, according to the report.
The CHP said that, despite the efforts of medical personnel, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased due to her injuries sustained from the collision.
Freimund, who was wearing her seat belt, sustained minor injuries, and a 6-year-old male riding with her was not harmed, the CHP said.
The CHP is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Initial information indicated alcohol may be a factor for the pedestrian, the report said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
On Monday, the California State Parks announced recommendations to the National Park Service, or NPS, for $35.6 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund, or LWCF, grants for 16 local park projects.
Funding would provide public agencies with the ability to acquire land and/or develop recreational amenities such as playgrounds, sports fields and courts, exercise stations, dog and skate parks.
The recommendations include the county of Lake’s proposed Cobb Community Park acquisition. If approved, the county would be awarded $207,500 to acquire approximately 12.88 acres to create the new Cobb park.
Other projects on the list include cities such as Santa Ana in Orange County that would receive funding to build a new park and construct a shaded playground, exercise area with shade, walking path, a skatepark and half basketball court, picnic area, gathering area, and lighting and landscaping throughout the park.
Funding for Chico Area Recreation and Park District in Butte County would help them build a new aquatic park that includes a new competition pool, wading pool with water slides and play equipment, permanent cabanas, shade sails and a parking lot.
State Parks evaluated more than $154 million in LWCF funding requests, for the available $35.6 million in this application cycle.
Monday’s recommended applicants will proceed with post-selection federal requirements prior to the projects being forwarded to NPS for review and federal funding approval.
Following NPS approval, grantees will participate in a mandatory grant administration workshop, receive grant contracts from State Parks, and begin work to complete their projects.
Since 1965, this grant program has provided funding to cities, counties, eligible districts and state agencies to create outdoor recreational resources.
Four of every 10 Californians have no access to open space within walking distance of their home, and six of every 10 Californians live in park-poor neighborhoods.
Programs such as the LWCF help advance the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative championed by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative.
This effort expands outdoor access to all Californians through focused investments in open space infrastructure, outdoor programming, and improvements to permit applications, with a priority to expanding access in underserved communities.
State Parks develops grant programs to provide funding for local, state and nonprofit organization projects.
Since 1964, more than 8,000 local parks throughout California have been created or improved from grant funding. Since 2000, the department has administered approximately $3 billion in grant funding throughout California. For more information, please visit http://parks.ca.gov/grants.
The full list of recommended projects (listed by the county and city where projects are located) are listed below.
Alameda County
Hayward: Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, D & Clay Streets Neighborhood Park: $1,306,580 to create a new park that will include an approximate 800-foot segment of the paved Foothill Trail, natural play area, open lawn area for sports and games, picnic areas, a bridge, walking paths, resting areas, benches and preservation of Sulphur Creek.
Butte County
Chico: Chico Area Recreation Park District, Chico Aquatic Park: $6 million to create a new competition pool, wading pool with water slides and play equipment, pool decks, cabanas, shade sails, parking, fencing, landscaping and lighting throughout the park.
Humboldt County
Eureka: City of Eureka, Grace Marton Memorial Park: $619,989 to create a new playground, game area, picnic areas, drinking fountains, signage, landscaping, extend and renovate the trail and amphitheater.
Kern County
Shafter: Shafter Recreation and Park District, Shafter Community Park: $904,135 to create a new dog park, community garden, fitness course, tennis/pickleball courts, outdoor gym, picnic area, parking lot, restroom, landscaping and lighting throughout the park.
Lake County
Cobb: County of Lake, Cobb Community Park acquisition: $207,500 to acquire approximately 12.88 acres to create the new Cobb Community Park in the town of Cobb.
Los Angeles County
Santa Clarita: City of Santa Clarita, Via Princessa Park: $6 million to create a new park including four full-sized multipurpose fields, pickleball courts, shaded plaza/gathering area with seating, shaded nature-themed playground, natural play area with wooden bridges, shaded picnic shelters, monument signs, walking pathways, signage, bike racks, and lighting and landscaping throughout the park.
Pico Rivera: City of Pico Rivera, Smith Park Aquatic Center: $6 million to construct a new pool deck, competitive pool lanes, diving board, racing platforms, fixed interactive water features, bleachers with shade structures, turf seating, scoreboard and clock, perimeter fencing, storage and chemical room, and lighting.
Los Angeles: Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Children’s Park Development Project: $1,450,000 to create a new park with play areas with seating, a junior basketball court, stepped seating feature, open space lawn area, tyke track, walkways, lighting and landscaping throughout the park.
Lancaster: City of Lancaster, Avenue J Neighborhood Park: $2,460,097 to create a new drought-tolerant demonstration garden, shaded playground, pedestrian/bike trail with lighting and benches, shaded plaza/picnic area, fitness course with exercise stations, shaded open space area, monument signs, perimeter fencing and landscaping.
Glendora: City of Glendora, South Hills Bike Park Project: $1 million to create a new pump track with jump lines, multiuse trails, downhill bike-only trails, shaded picnic area, bike fix-it stand, trailhead kiosk, signage, restroom and parking lot. Renovate existing access road
Orange County
Santa Ana: City of Santa Ana, 10th and Flower Street New Neighborhood Park: $2,250,000 to create a new park including a playground with shade, exercise area with shade, walking path, skatepark with lighting, half basketball court with lighting, picnic area, gathering area, fencing with landscaping and lighting throughout the park.
Riverside County
Wildomar: City of Wildomar, 27-Acre Park Phase I: $2,837,500 to create a new 1.1-mile hiking trail, bike park, bike plaza, playground, synthetic turf field, shade structure, windmill, fencing, three decomposed granite parking lots with landscaping throughout the park.
Sacramento County
Galt: City of Galt, Walker Park Phase II: $2,650,000 to expand the park by creating three new lighted baseball/softball fields, restrooms, storage building, bleachers, pedestrian connection path, landscaping and parking.
San Bernardino County
Colton: City of Colton, Chavez Park Improvement Project: $1,015,200 to create a shade structure over the playground, new ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) walkways/trails and sidewalk for connectivity, landscaping, trees, lighting throughout the park, and six hydration stations. Renovate two tennis courts into a futsal court, playground, and an outdoor fitness circuit with lighting.
San Luis Obispo County
Cambria: Cambria Community Services District, Cambria Skatepark: $600,000 to create a new skatepark facility with a seating section with shade structure, landscaping, parking lot and restroom stall.
Santa Clara County
Milpitas: City of Milpitas, Delano Manongs Dog Park: $301,516 to create a new dog park for large dogs by installing asphalt and decomposed granite, concrete paving, fencing, signage, site furnishings, landscaping and irrigation throughout the park.