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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.
The supervisors will meet in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, for a hybrid meeting format which also will include the opportunity for community members to continue to participate virtually.
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 at 9 a.m. The meeting ID is 968 5229 1359, password 439154.
To submit a written comment on any agenda item please visit https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and click on the eComment feature linked to the meeting date. If a comment is submitted after the meeting begins, it may not be read during the meeting but will become a part of the record.
At 9:30 a.m., the board will discuss approving the formation of the Lake County Small Business COVID Recovery Team and appoint Supervisor Eddie Crandell and Supervisor Bruno Sabatier to fill the county seats on the team.
The committee will include two members of the Board of Supervisors, one member from each of the two cities, one member from the Lake County Economic Development Corp. and two members who represent local business associations.
“The purpose of the committee will be to work collaboratively to secure all possible funding available for Lake County businesses resulting from Governor Newsom's newly announced $500 million dollar Small Business Relief Grant, which is pending development and administration by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (OSBA), as well as any and all future COVID relief efforts intended to support local small businesses,” Sabatier wrote in his memo to the board.
He said the committee will hold public meetings subject to the Brown Act and will be staffed by the Lake County Administrative Office.
In an item timed for 10 a.m., the board will get an update on the COVID-19 situation from Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace.
In an untimed item, Community Development Director Scott De Leon will ask the board to consider options for allowing a cannabis cultivation project, as part of a larger manufacturing and processing operation, at the site of the former Adobe Creek Packing plant at 4820 Loasa Drive in Kelseyville.
De Leon’s report explains that the project has hit a snag due to the cultivation of cannabis currently not being allowed within 1,000 feet of a community growth boundary. “Staff has been unable to find a solution to this conflict, and the Owner is not willing to move forward with the project without the cultivation component,” De Leon wrote.
De Leon is suggesting possible solutions including the adoption of a zoning ordinance text amendment modeled on one approved in Mendocino County for projects that previously were developed as agricultural packing and processing facilities, or a revision of the community growth boundary for Kelseyville.
Both of those options would require board action, De Leon said.
A third option, which doesn’t require board action, would be to make no change to the zoning ordinance or the community growth boundary. De Leon said that would limit the property development to whatever uses could be performed with a rezone to manufacturing.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Second reading, adopt ordinance amending Chapter 21 of Article 27 of the Lake County Code to correct the inadvertent omission of cannabis processing licenses in PDC zoning.
5.2: Second reading, adopt ordinance amending Chapter 21 of Articles 27 and 68 of the Lake County Code pertaining to commercial cannabis cultivation in proximity to Lake County important farmland.
5.3: Approve amendment to the temporary agency agreement.
5.4: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2020-134 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2020-21, Budget Unit No. 2603, Code Enforcement.
5.5: Adopt resolution to amend the budget for FY 2020-2021 by appropriating unanticipated revenue for Public Health Services and authorize the Health Services director to sign necessary documents to secure these funds.
5.6: Adopt proclamation recognizing the retirement of Cindy Silva-Brackett, supervising accountant, and honoring her many years of outstanding service to the county of Lake.
5.8: Approve the continuation of a local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
5.9: Approve the continuation of resolution ratifying the declaration of local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transport and disposal of fire debris for the LNU Complex wildfire.
5.10: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
5.11: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
5.12: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
5.13: Approve the continuation of a local emergency In Lake County in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
5.14: Authorize the Public Services director/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $68,842.31 to Bobcat of Santa Rosa for the Purchase of a Bobcat 5600 utility vehicle.
5.15: Approve the memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake and the Lake County Resource Conservation District for the construction of a water well at Middletown Trailside Park.
5.16: a) Approve mutual aid agreement between the county of Lake and Napa County for assistance provided in responding to the 2020 Glass fire; and b) adopt a resolution authorizing the chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign the agreement.
5.17: (a) Approve contract amendment #11 between the county of Lake and Sun Ridge Systems Inc. in the amount of $25,000 for the purchase and installation of RIMS CIBRS reporting software and (b) authorize the sheriff/coroner or his designee to issue a purchase order.
5.18: Approve Amendment No. 2 between the county of Lake on behalf of CSA 20, Soda Bay and PACE Engineering of Redding for Construction Engineering Services in the amount of $58,000 for a total contract amount of $220,131.50 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.19: Adopt resolution authorizing the director of Social Services to execute Standard Agreement # 20-HK-00075 and all other documents necessary to participate in the HOMEKEY program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:01 a.m.: Public input.
6.2, 9:05 a.m.: Presentation of a proclamation recognizing the retirement of Cindy Silva-Brackett, supervising accountant, and honoring her many years of outstanding service to the county of Lake.
6.3, 9:30 a.m.: (a) Approve formation of the Lake County Small Business COVID Recovery Team and (b) appoint Supervisors Crandell and Sabatier to fill the county seats on the team.
6.4, 9:45 a.m.: Consideration of resolution of intention of the Board of Supervisors of the county of Lake to initiate amendments to the zoning ordinance to establish regulations and develop standards for the cultivation of cannabis amending Article 27 of Chapter 21 of the Lake County Code pertaining to cannabis cultivation.
6.5, 10 a.m.: Consideration of update on COVID-19.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: a) Consideration of Awarding Bid No. 20 – 24 for the Supply of Bulk #2 Red Diesel Fuel, No. 2 clear diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline; and b) accept and sign Westgate Petroleum bid for No. 2 red diesel; and c) accept and sign Westgate Petroleum Bid for No. 2 clear diesel; and d) accept and sign Westgate Petroleum bid for unleaded gasoline; and e) authorize chair to sign agreement between the county and Westgate Petroleum.
7.3: Discussion and direction to staff regarding the proposed re-use of an existing agricultural packing facility for a commercial cannabis-related business which includes a use not currently allowed by the current cannabis ordinance.
7.4: Consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and Safebuilt for consulting services for professional plan check, building permit processing, and building and public infrastructure inspection services for the Guenoc Valley Mixed Use Planned Development Project.
7.5: Consideration of Change Order No. 1 with West Coast Contractors DBA Oregon West Coast Contractors for Clayton Creek Road at Clayton Creek Bridge Replacement Project, Federal Project No. BRLO-5914(077), Bid No. 20-10, for an increase of $492 and a revised contract amount of $1,613,663.40.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Employee grievance: Complaint pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54957.
8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(3) – Claim of McQueen.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.
The meeting will be by teleconference only. The city council chambers will not be open to the public.
The agenda can be found here.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here or join by phone by calling 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799. The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to
Indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.
On the agenda is the council’s acceptance of the final results of the Nov. 3 general election by the approval of a resolution.
The council will then honor outgoing councilmembers, Tim Barnes and George Spurr. Both just completed their first and only terms.
Councilman Kenny Parlet, who was elected to a new term, will take his oath along with new councilmen Michael Froio and Michael Green.
The council will then elect its mayor and mayor pro term for 2021.
In other business on Tuesday, Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace will give the council an update on the COVID-19 situation in Lake County.
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 Dec. 1 and the special meeting on Dec. 7 and 8; the Dec. 8 warrant register; and direction to the city clerk to prepare the 2021 Maddy Act Appointments List and post at City Hall and the Lakeport Public Library.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Wesley Kufel, Binghamton University, State University of New York
The first COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for use in the U.S., and states have been drawing up plans for who should get vaccinated first.
But one important group is absent: children.
So far, the vaccine is allowed only for adults and older teens. Testing is only now getting started with children – and just with adolescents. There are still a lot of unknowns.
As an infectious disease pharmacist and professor who helps manage patients hospitalized with COVID-19, I frequently hear questions about vaccines. Here’s what we know and don’t know in response to some common questions about vaccinating kids for COVID-19.
When can my child be vaccinated?
Right now, it appears unlikely that a vaccine will be ready for children before the start of the next school year in August.
Adult trials of the two leading vaccines have had promising results. On Dec. 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s vaccine for people ages 16 and older, and a second vaccine, from Moderna, is expected to be cleared for adult use soon. Vaccinations are already underway in the U.K., and Canada has also authorized the vaccine’s use for the same age range.
But clinical trials involving children are only just getting started.
Pfizer, working with Germany’s BioNTech, expanded its COVID-19 vaccine testing to children ages 12 and older only in October. Moderna announced on Dec. 2 that it planned to begin COVID-19 vaccine trials in children ages 12-17 soon.
The vaccine’s efficacy and safety will have to be evaluated for each age group, and testing hasn’t started for infants, toddlers or kids in the U.S.
Clinical trials are designed to ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective. Typically, it takes 10 to 15 years from the start of development until the vaccine is licensed, but the COVID-19 vaccines are being developed faster in response to the pandemic.
Will children need more shots than adults?
It does not appear that the schedule of COVID-19 vaccine doses will be different for children, but that could change as testing goes on.
Pfizer’s vaccine is being tested in adolescents with a two-dose series, three weeks apart, just like in adults. Moderna also plans to use its adult schedule – two doses four weeks apart – in an upcoming trial with 3,000 adolescents.
The second dose serves as a “booster shot,” since the first dose alone doesn’t provide optimal immunity. This is consistent with several other vaccines, including hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella.
Right now, only those two doses are planned, but that could change. It’s unclear how long the immune response from these COVID-19 vaccines will last or if more doses will be necessary in the future. The flu vaccine, for example, requires a new dose every year because the virus changes. Recent promising data from Moderna indicate immunity is sustained for at least three months after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Are the vaccines safe for kids?
So far, no serious safety concerns have been identified with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, but the trials are still in the early stages for children. Several other vaccines are also under development around the world, and a few drugmakers have started trials with younger children in other countries.
Another concern has been temporary side effects.
Children tend to have stronger immune systems than adults, and they may have stronger temporary reactions to the vaccine. That could mean more pain and swelling at the injection site for a few days and possibly a fever.
These side effects are common with vaccines. They are evidence that the immune system is doing what it should be doing, but they can be scary.
In the U.K, health officials warned on Dec. 9 that anyone with a history of anaphylaxis shouldn’t get the vaccine after two adults, both with past experience with anaphylaxis, had severe reactions.
Both the safety of the vaccine and the likelihood of temporary side effects are important to understand, because adults and children will need both doses for the vaccine to provide optimal immunity.
Is vaccinating adults enough?
Just vaccinating adults would not be enough to end the pandemic. Children can still become infected, transmit the virus and develop complications. If a vaccine is not available, children will likely serve as a reservoir of the virus, making it harder to end the pandemic.
Both leading vaccines have reported promising results in adults so far: The efficacy rate is approximately 94% for Moderna’s vaccine and 95% for Pfizer’s. That means that under the best conditions, about 95% percent of adults who get the vaccine have been found to be protected. That’s higher than expected.
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Whether the same holds for children remains to be seen.
Children typically have milder COVID-19 symptoms than adults, but they can still transmit the virus to others.
Receiving the vaccine also carries other benefits, including allowing a safer return to schools and activities.
Do we have to keep wearing masks and social distancing?
In the meantime, it will be important to continue standard preventive measures, including social distancing, wearing face masks, washing hands and following other official guidance.
While the hope is that a vaccine will allow people to get back to a more “normal” way of living, these preventive measures will still be needed, even after receiving the vaccine, until more information is known about the extent of protection from the vaccine.
There are still many unanswered questions. As time goes on, we’ll have more answers.
This article was updated with the FDA issuing the emergency use authorization on Dec. 11.
Wesley Kufel, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice, Binghamton University, State University of New York
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The Burned Area Emergency Response, or BAER, team has identified 30 miles of road work that needs to be done around the Thomes drainage on the Grindstone Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest.
To date, more than 30 miles of roads have been repaired across the August Complex fire area, forest officials said.
Road 24N01 will be temporarily closed to traffic to replace a culvert as part of this necessary road work. The crew will reopen the road as quickly as possible. In addition, please use extra caution driving around the M2 and M4 roads west of Paskenta due to ongoing road repair and the presence of logging trucks.
“We are very appreciative of the crews that have come from other regions and forests to assist us with BAER work on the August Complex,” said Loren Everest, acting Grindstone District Ranger. “They have accomplished an incredible amount of work and we are grateful for their contribution to this massive restoration effort.”
Equipment operators and assistants have come from all over the county to help the Mendocino National Forest including Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada.
The BAER work will continue as long as the weather cooperates and staffing is available.