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Most of the meeting, which ran over an hour, was devoted to discussing aspects of the Cache fire response and efforts to transition into recovery.
The 83-acre fire began on Aug. 18 in the area of Sixth Avenue at Cache Street, burning 56 homes and 81 outbuildings.
City Manager Alan Flora said the fire’s emergency shelter at the senior and community center on Bowers Avenue closed on Thursday.
All of those taking shelter at the facility — where evacuees were moved on Aug. 21 — have been moved to temporary accommodations, which Flora described as a “patchwork” of options.
He said North Coast Opportunities, or NCO, has been instrumental in placing people in a variety of programs, some of them short-term.
Flora said it’s been unexpectedly difficult to track everyone down and figure out what their needs are, and he said he believed they had 25 people — or, later in the meeting, clarified that 25 units including multiple family members — are in need of short-term housing.
While the city declared an emergency and the Board of Supervisors ratified local and health emergencies declared by the sheriff and Public Health officer, respectively, Flora said the state of California has yet to declare a disaster, although it has done so for other larger incidents. On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for federal assistance for other incidents was approved by President Joe Biden.
Congressman John Garamendi and Mike Thompson have both sent letters to Newsom asking that the Cache fire be added into the state declaration and the request for federal assistance. Flora said he doesn’t know if it’s going to happen or not because of the incident’s smaller footprint.
However, he pointed out that the Cache fire’s damage was very concentrated. In addition to the structures destroyed, 158 vehicles were burned, which is more than were burned in the 2,200-acre Sulphur fire that burned in the city in October 2017, Flora said.
Flora said the city has submitted an initial damage assessment that is being reviewed by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, which has had a team in the city over the last few days.
Currently, the city is estimating the impact to private property and cleanup efforts and the city response will cost $14.5 million, of which $11 million is in cleanup and recovery costs. “That’s excluding the private property damage,” Flora said, noting the estimate will continue to be refined.
The state is looking at the damage estimate and will forward it up the chain, where it will be determined if it will be added to the state’s larger disaster declaration. In the meantime, Flora said the city will continue to be the squeaky wheel.
Cleanup work and challenges with water systems
Flora said the city barricaded some areas to keep it off limits to nonproperty owners, and the state conducted a household hazardous waste cleanup this week — removing batteries and fuel tanks. The cleanup was completed with the exception of one structure on a property north of Dam Road that was determined to be unsafe to occupy; the property will be cleared once the structure is taken down.
Flora said there also are challenges with water systems in the area.
The water system for the Cache Creek Mobile Home Park, which lost three homes and had one damaged, was destroyed and the Konocti County Water District installed a water connection last week. But Flora said it isn’t a long-term solution.
Flora said he found out on Wednesday that Creekside Mobile Home Park, where much of the damage occurred, also had its water line to the Lower Lake County Water Works district damaged. He said the district said it’s up to the property owner to repair, with the estimated cost in the range of a couple hundred thousand dollars. The property owner said he doesn’t have the money.
In the meantime, four mobile homes that were not damaged in that park could be occupied if they have water, and some are being lived in now, Flora said. He said Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has installed generators and temporary power there.
Flora said the city needs to make a decision about water supply as it may have to red-tag the homes, although they don’t want to displace more people.
He said it’s been frustrating, with more effort needed to resolve the situation both on the part of the water district and the property owner. Flora has spoken to the Konocti County Water District and that district is willing to try to help out.
The city also has sent portable toilets to the park and is taking out extra water left over from the evacuation shelter. Flora said the city will bring up the situation to state Sen. Mike McGuire and Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry to see if they can offer additional resources.
What’s getting more important every day, Flora said, is Environmental Health has determined there are toxic materials throughout the fire area, with a lot of ash and fire debris in Cache Creek currently.
“Presumably we have some rain coming sometime soon,” he said.
Cal OES has sent the California Conservation Corps out to install some mitigations, like wattles. A state water board representative was in Clearlake on Thursday to conduct planning, and the city has given the state room to store materials at its corporation yard, Flora said.
Councilman Russ Cremer asked if Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, which has the chief water rights to Clear Lake, is offering help.
“They’re certainly aware of it. No one is anxious to offer any help thus far, unfortunately,” Flora said.
Flora said the city was trying to estimate the cost to protect the watershed from debris in the case of a rain event. Without a state emergency declaration, he said it could cost $3 million, and they’re not seeing much sign of insurance from the property owner.
Working on options for housing, other assistance
The next priority is the overall private property cleanup and rebuilding effort, Flora said.
“Again, that’s going to be a challenge, because the vast majority of folks were not insured. So unless there is state and federal assistance, it’s going to be very difficult to see significant cleanup,” he said.
The council also added an emergency item on Thursday approving an agreement with NCO for short-term housing for Cache fire survivors.
“We have indications that there will be some level of state assistance for short-term housing assistance, whether we get a state declaration or not,” said Flora.
He said Cal OES has some philanthropic connections and will be able to piece some things together.
Fire survivors have been getting some short-term assistance — some for up to five days — that Flora said is going to run out.
He recommended the city use $100,000 from its low and moderate income housing fund, which should provide about 30 days worth of housing for those who need it. That is meant to help bridge the gap until other options can be put together.
Flora said NCO is interested in helping to administer this program and in working with the city on more permanent medium- and long-term housing options.
The council voted unanimously to approve the agreement with NCO.
Cremer reported during the meeting that the Lake Area Rotary Club Association has so far raised $39,000 for Cache fire recovery and is working on allocating $30,000 in gift cards for survivors.
Also on Thursday, the council discussed the state redistricting process and making a request to be kept together with the rest of Lake County — the county is currently split — as well as Napa and Sonoma counties, and presented a proclamation declaring September 2021 as Senior Center Month.
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In a unanimous vote at its Aug. 17 meeting, the Lakeport City Council approved a resolution declaring its intention to adopt increased water and sewer rates over a five-year period, 2022 to 2026.
Finance Director and Assistant City Manager Nick Walker said they are only allowed to set the utility rates on a five-year basis.
City officials said the last utility rate study for Lakeport was completed in 2012, and utility rates have not increased since 2017.
The council also has set a public hearing on the new rates for Oct. 19 and directed staff to provide notice to ratepayers pursuant to Proposition 218, which sets the requirements for notifications and how to protest.
The council also accepted a resolution establishing guidelines for the submission and tabulation of protests in connection with rate hearings conducted pursuant to the California Constitution.
The city hired Willdan Financial Services to do the rate study. The firm gave an initial presentation on the utility increase study on May 4, at which time the council gave the go-ahead to complete the final study.
Walker told the council that staff had worked closely with the consultant to prepare a study that meets the regulatory requirements.
Daryll Parker and Michael Cronin of Willdan attended the meeting via Zoom to explain the study and their proposal.
Their presentation and information about the study has been posted here on the city of Lakeport’s website.
“It’s been awhile since you’ve had a rate study,” said Parker, explaining the city hasn’t looked at its rates in nine years.
If the city keeps to the status quo and makes no changes, Parker said it won’t be able to meet its debt service requirements and would have no cash for operations and capital.
Because the city hasn’t changed its rates in some time, the rates would have larger increases at the beginning of the five-year increase, which is from 2022 to 2026.
While the rates are not as much as they want, “they’re going in the right direction,” Parker said.
Based on bill comparisons created by the study, an average single-family residential water customer — all of whom are billed at the ⅝ by ¾ inch service charge rate — with a monthly flow of 800 cubic feet has an existing bill of $53.09, which would rise to $61.48 in the first year, and to $71.49 by the fifth year in 2026.
For sewer, in the first year that same customer, with the same monthly water flow, would see their bill increase from $74.25 to $79.50, and to $86.05 by year five.
The combined bills for that average customer would rise from $$127.34 to $157.54 over five years, with the largest increase, $13.64, coming in the first year.
Assuming that proposed 10.71% increase, Willdan reported that Lakeport will remain in the middle of the pack when compared to water systems: Kelseyville, north Lakeport (operated by Lake County Special Districts), Cloverdale, Esparto, Ukiah, Willits, Hidden Valley Lake, Healdsburg, Calistoga and St. Helena.
Parker said the next steps include setting the October public hearing, mailing out the Proposition 218 notice, conducting the public hearing, and then adopting and implementing the new rates.
Councilman Michael Froio asked if COVID-19 and drought will have an impact on the rates.
“We don’t know yet,” said Parker, adding that it’s possible and it may need to be addressed in a few years based on what the city sees in its system.
Walker said the city’s calculations included base customers, not the proposed South Main Street annexation area, as they felt that would be presumptuous.
He said he didn’t see the drought creating more revenue due to seeing more conservation.
Froio asked if the city was seeing less revenue due to conservation. Walker said it was too early to tell, that the city has asked customers to voluntarily cut back 15% and he believes there may be more state requirements once the gubernatorial recall election is past.
City Manager Kevin Ingram said the city saw quite a bit of reduction in water use due to behavioral changes following the last rate increase in 2012 and the last drought in 2014. Since then the city hasn’t seen a significant growth in use as those behavioral changes have remained in place.
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina asked about planned utility projects. Walker said they include work on the Scotts Creek wells; water main replacements on Armstrong Street, Lakeshore Drive, Lakeport Boulevard and Lupoyoma Circle; and equipment replacement; among other system upgrades.
Both Councilman Michael Green and Mayor Kenny Parlet agreed during the meeting that the council needs to have another rate study done at the end of the five-year rate increase period.
“Costs are just escalating at unbelievable rates,” and the city doesn’t need to wait nine, 10 or 11 years to study the rates again, Parlet said.
Mattina said the last time a rate study was done nine years ago it was very painful, and while it was put off, “It was time to get to it.” Now it’s not as painful, it’s doable and well done, she said.
Ingram said they can add future studies into the city’s capital expenditure program.
Froio made separate motions to accept the two resolutions, which the council approved 5-0.
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Between now and Sunday, many thousands of people per day will stream through the fairgrounds, and Public Health officials said they want people to safely enjoy this important event.
The county of Lake and OPTUM are partnering to provide a mobile vaccination van on-site, each day of this year’s Lake County Fair.
Dr. Gary Pace, the county’s former Public Health officer who continues to assist on matters related to COVID-19, was on hand with staff in front of the fair on the opening night on Thursday evening to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations.
Lake County residents that get newly vaccinated against COVID-19 earn free admission to the Fair.
The vaccination van will be set up near the front fairgrounds gate from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
While getting vaccinated between now and Sunday will not offer protection while you are at the Fair, Public Health said it will significantly limit the likelihood you will have severe complications, should you be exposed to COVID in the future.
Looking ahead to what will be another fall and winter where people will wonder whether their runny nose is due to a cold or COVID, you will want to ensure you are protected, officials reported.
“The evidence is clear: for almost everyone, getting vaccinated is safe, and offers significant protection against severe illness and death. If you have concerns, simply waiting does nothing to limit your risk. Talk to your doctor today, and get your questions answered,” Pace said in a Thursday statement.
If you attend the fair, masking, even while outdoors, is strongly recommended. Physical distancing should additionally be practiced whenever possible. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently; think about this before using your hands to eat, for example, and if you have come in physical contact with other people.
Particularly if you are unvaccinated and/or have other significant medical conditions or other factors that impair your immune system and general health, you will want to strongly consider the risks associated with being around thousands of people from other households. Attending the fair may not be the right choice for everyone this year, in light of COVID-19, Public Health said.
Though many activities have resumed, COVID-19 remains highly prevalent in Lake County communities.
The most recent case rate reported by the state for Lake County is 43.6, more than four times the expanded Purple Tier threshold used in the latter phases of the State’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” framework.
“We have now lost 77 residents to COVID-related illness, and 14 since July 1 — just after the Delta Variant was identified in Lake County. Unvaccinated individuals were seven times more likely to contract COVID-19 in Lake County in the period from Aug. 1 to 15. The vast majority of those recently hospitalized with severe complications have also been unvaccinated,” Public Health reported.
While enjoying the Fair between now and Sunday, please take care. Other Northern California counties have attributed increases in cases and hospitalization to large events since the state’s reopening, including fairs.
Frequently asked questions and further opportunities to get vaccinated in Lake County are also available here. If mobility issues or other barriers are keeping you from getting vaccinated, call 707-263-8174.
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The City of Clearlake Animal Association also is seeking fosters for the animals waiting to be adopted.
Another way to help is through donations. A wish list has been posted at Amazon and on Chewy. For those who wish to shop local and drop off items, call 707-273-9440 to schedule a delivery or donate at the association’s Facebook page.
Here are this week’s adoptable dogs.
The newest dog is at the top.
‘Sammy’
“Sammy” is a female American pit bull mix with a short black and white coat.
She is dog No. 5143.
‘Bear’
“Bear” is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix with a short brown coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 3476.
‘Blue Eyed Jack’
“Blue Eyed Jack” is a male German shepherd mix.
He is dog No. 5046.
‘Mara’
“Mara” is a female Rottweiler mix.
She has a short black and tan coat.
He is house-trained.
She is dog No. 4628.
‘Mary J’
“Mary J” is a female pit bull terrier mix.
She has a white and tan coat.
She is house-trained.
She is dog No. 4927.
‘Mitzy’
“Mitzy” is a female shepherd mix with a medium-length black and white coat.
She is dog No. 4648.
‘Petey’
“Petey” is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix with a black and white coat.
He is dog No. 4963.
‘Sassy’
“Sassy” is a female American bully mix with a short black coat.
She has been spayed.
She is dog No. 4602.
‘Sissy’
“Sissy” is a female American Staffordshire terrier mix with a black coat.
She is dog No. 4964.
‘Tanisha’
“Tanisha” is a female shepherd mix with a short orange and white coat.
She is dog No. 4647.
‘Terry’
“Terry” is a male Dutch shepherd mix with a smooth brindle coat.
He is dog No. 4880.
‘Yule’
“Yule” is a male husky with a medium-length black and white coat.
He is dog No. 4432.
Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email
Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
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