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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The council will meet virtually at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21. The agenda can be found here.
Because of the county’s shelter in place order, Clearlake City Hall remains closed to the public, however, the virtual meeting will be broadcast live on Lake County PEG TV’s YouTube Channel.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
To give the city council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit written comments prior to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 21.
On the agenda is the presentation of May’s adoptable dogs from Clearlake Animal Control.
The main item of business for Thursday is a public hearing to consider extending an emergency ordinance establishing a moratorium on industrial hemp cultivation in the city.
Due to ongoing developments, City Manager Alan Flora and Ryan Jones said in their written report to the council, “At this time, it is premature to make a policy recommendation on whether industrial hemp cultivation should be regulated by the City. As such, staff is recommending that the City extend the moratorium for an additional 10 months and 15 days, which is the maximum allowed by State law. The extension would allow for further research to be conducted on the subject, and/or federal and state regulatory agencies to release the regulatory framework for industrial hemp. City Council may subsequently extend the ordinance for one year by another four-fifths vote.”
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – includes warrant registers; minutes of the February and March meetings; leave of absence extension for office assistant Marcia Taylor; adoption of a resolution to update the lead workers job description; and the Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting minutes from March 11.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss a case of litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric Corp. and the proposed sale of the city-owned property at 2185 Ogulin Canyon Road.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The agency, which began accepting the new variance requests on Monday, said the new attestation opportunity is in response to increased statewide and local capacity to respond to COVID-19, including stronger preparedness, continued stability in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, as well as increased ability to provide personal protective equipment to workers in essential sectors.
CDPH said the new attestation opportunity allows counties to move through Stage 2, opening additional sectors of their economy at their own pace.
To qualify, counties must attest that hospitalization and test positivity rates are stable or declining; that they have a significant level of preparedness with testing, contact tracing, personal protective equipment and hospital surge; and that they have adequate plans related to county-wide containment.
The department also announced that on Monday some sectors of the economy statewide can begin reopening with modifications, including office spaces and counseling services in places of worship, curbside libraries and drive-in movie theaters.
"Californians have done incredible work flattening the curve and slowing the spread of COVID-19," said Gov. Gavin Newsom. "As we seek an effective therapeutic or vaccine, we are moving into a new chapter in the fight against the disease – focusing on protecting public health by lowering the risk of transmission and aggressively moving to protect vulnerable communities. The virus will still be present in our communities, and it's as important as ever for Californians to take steps to protect themselves and their families. Wash your hands. Keep physical distance. If you have an underlying health condition that makes you more vulnerable to COVID-19, you should still stay home."
California began its regional variance process on May 7. Allowing this initial approach to move forward for approximately 10 to 14 days allowed the state and counties to see the early impact of these modifications to the statewide stay-at-home order.
Anticipating the need and appropriateness of allowing additional counties to control the focus of restrictions for their own jurisdictions, state public health leaders are now creating opportunities for additional counties to assume more local control in Stage 2 and improve local level preparedness.
Second regional variance
The state outlined a new process that will be similar to the first variance process allowing for prepared counties to advance at their own pace through Stage 2. To qualify, a county must attest to:
Case metrics: Stable or down trending hospitalizations, cases per population count and test positivity rate. This includes stable hospitalizations on a seven-day average of daily percent change of less than 5 percent; or no more than 20 hospitalizations on any single day over the past 14 days; 14-day cumulative positive incidence of less than 25 per 100,000; or testing positivity over the past 7 days of less than 8 percent
Adequate preparedness planning: A significant level of preparedness with testing, contact tracing, PPE and hospital surge, and planning for long-term care facility disease outbreak prevention and containment.
This includes:
– Testing capacity. Minimum daily testing capacity to test 1.5 per 1,000 residents. Testing availability for at least 75 percent of residents.
– Contact tracing. At least 15 staff per 100,000 county population trained and available for contact tracing.
– Hospital surge. Hospital capacity to accommodate a minimum surge of 35 percent of their baseline average daily census.
– Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) disease outbreak prevention and containment. Plans to prevent and mitigate infections in skilled nursing facilities. SNFs have more than 14-day supply of PPE on hand for staff, with an established process for ongoing procurement.
Response Planning: Producing plans related to county-wide containment, including testing, contact tracing, vulnerable populations, congregate settings, acute care surge, and essential workforce.
The California Department of Public Health began accepting second variance attestations beginning on Monday. This allows for approximately 10 to 14 days, the COVID-19 incubation period, between the introduction of the first variance and the second variance opportunity.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
On Sunday, the Public Health departments for both Lake and Mendocino counties confirmed the latest cases – the ninth and 10th for Lake, the 14th for Mendocino – were related to a church service, but at that time hadn’t identified the church, as Lake County News has reported.
The Lake County cases are reported to be members of the same household.
On Monday, Mendocino County Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan issued an update on the investigation into the cases.
Doohan’s report explained that it’s been determined that the patient who is Mendocino County’s 14th COVID-19 case – an elderly male living in the Ukiah Valley – was exposed to the virus at Redwood Valley Assembly of God Church on Sunday, May 10.
On that day the church hosted a livestream service with singing that was recorded, Doohan said.
Officials said that the three individuals were at the church during the livestream. Two of the three individuals participated in the livestream event with singing at the church.
She said that the church has since announced on social media that the pastor has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The church’s social media posts identified the pastor as Jack McMilan, a resident of Lucerne.
In posts made by his wife Sharon McMilin and grandson Jason Bright on Sunday, it was reported that Jack McMilan is in the hospital with pneumonia as a result of COVID-19.
He is reported to have been hospitalized at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley on Saturday.
During a special Monday morning Board of Supervisors meeting, Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace gave a brief update on the cases.
He did not identify them but said the only hospitalized case – a reference to McMilan – is “stable” with the others self-isolating.
Pace said there are other family members and community contacts during the infectious period for these recent cases, so the tracing work is continuing.
Mendocino and Lake County Public Health are working together to reach any other individuals who have been exposed to this outbreak.
Officials are asking that individuals who have recently visited the Assembly of God Church in Redwood Valley or have come in contact with individuals involved in the livestream service production on Mother’s Day get tested for COVID-19 along with their close contacts.
Free COVID-19 testing will be offered by Mendocino County Public Health on Tuesday, May 19 in Redwood Valley at Eagle Peak Middle School from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lake County residents cand make an appointment for testing at various sites around the county using Project Baseline’s COVID-19 Testing Program online screening tool and appointment scheduling system, found at www.projectbaseline.com/COVID19 , or can contact Lake County Public Health at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The board will meet virtually beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 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.
Because the meeting will be held virtually, members of the public are asked to submit comments on items to
At 9:02 a.m., the board will hold a discussion on worksite prevention protocol and direction to staff for the reopening to the public of county offices that have been closed over the past two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board explained that a board ad hoc committee and department heads have been concurrently planning for the reopening of county offices to the public.
“Much like the self-certification process to be completed by local businesses for reopening, County Department Heads will self-certify that their offices are in full and continuous compliance with this Protocol. Self-certification forms will be posted at the entrance of every County office,” Huchingson wrote.
The protocol requires that personal protective equipment be kept on hand at all times; special signage regarding masking, social distancing and other practices to be posted at each public entrance and throughout interior areas including customer service counters, elevators and lobbies of county facilities to inform employees and the public; the necessity for enhanced hand washing, sanitizing and disinfecting; requirements for minimum 6-foot social distancing; best practices for paper handling; employee self-screenings, symptom checks and temperature self-checks; support for employees who are at higher risk for severe illness; handling meetings and trainings differently – canceling, postponing or conducting them electronically; cancellation of nonessential travel; and a procedure for referral of employees to testing when symptomatic or known to have been exposed.
At 9:35 a.m., the board will consider possible measures to assist local businesses and members of the public.
“As we enter the accelerated Stage 2 of Governor Newsom’s plan for gradual reopening of local businesses, staff is requesting to engage in discussion with your Board regarding options for assistance to local business and members of the public in their efforts to comply with local Public Health Orders, as the pandemic continues,” Huchingson said in a report to the board for the item.
At 10:05 a.m., the board will take up a proposal involving the use of the former juvenile hall facility for a housing navigation hub for those experiencing homelessness.
Supervisors Bruno Sabatier and Tina Scott are asking the board to consider studying the use of the facility, which their report said “has the potential to be a dormitory of sorts to help provide a perfect environment to help transition folks to stable housing as well as provide wrap around services.”
The full agenda follows.
TIMED ITEMS
5.2, 9:02 a.m.: Consideration of county of Lake COVID-19 public health emergency return to work – worksite prevention protocol and direction to staff for the reopening of county offices to the public.
5.3, 9:20 a.m.: Consideration of addition of special meeting to the board’s annual meeting calendar for 2020 due to the COVID-19 health emergency.
5.4, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, continued from April 14 and March 24), appeal to Board of Supervisors, AB 19-03 for Minor Use Permit MUP 18-10 (Sandtner/Frey).
5.5, 9:35 a.m.: Consideration of possible measures to assist local businesses and members of the public to comply with local Public Health orders during the gradual reopening of Lake County during the continuing COVID-19 public health emergency.
5.6, 9:50 a.m.: Consideration of first amendment to the emergency occupancy agreement between the county of Lake and the Lamplighter Motel for COVID-19 emergency isolation housing, for a maximum compensation amount of $49,500 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.7, 10 a.m.: (a) Presentation of proclamation designating the month of May 2020, as CalFresh Awareness Month; and (b) presentation of proclamation designating the month of May 2020 as Older Americans Month in Lake County .
5.8, 10:05 a.m.: Consideration of discussion and direction on use of juvenile hall for housing navigation hub.
CONSENT AGENDA
6.1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting from May 5, 2020.
6.2: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, authorize the air pollution control officer to sign and submit the grant agreement between the district and the Air Resources Board for AB617 implementation funds for the Community Air Protection Program, and to sign all other program documents.
6.3: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District, Board of Directors, adopt resolution authorizing participation in "Year 22" Carl Moyer Program, and authorizing the air pollution control officer to submit grant application and sign program documents.
6.4: Adopt resolution authorizing Lake County Behavioral Health Services as administrative entity for California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program grant funds.
6.5: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve Amendment No. 1 between the county of Lake and Mother-Wise Program (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) for the fiscal year 2019-20 for a contract maximum of $184,862.15 and authorize the board chair to sign.
6.6: Approve the continuation of local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
6.7: Adopt resolution to amend the budget for FY 2019-2020 by appropriating unanticipated revenue for Public Health services and authorize the Health Services director to sign necessary documents to secure these funds.
6.8: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex Fire Incident (River and Ranch fires).
6.9: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
6.10: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
6.11: Approve the plans and specifications for the Hill Road Correctional Facility Phase II Roof Project, Bid No. 20-17, and authorize the Public Services director / assistant purchasing agent to advertise for bids.
6.12: Adopt resolution accepting grant funds for the Lampson Field Airport and designating the Public Works director as the sponsor’s official representative.
6.13: Approve agreement between the Lake County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Forest Service for FY 19/20 annual operating and financial plan, in the amount of $19,000 for controlled substance operations, and authorize the sheriff and the chairman to sign.
6.14: Approve Amendment No. 1 of Inmate telephone and video visitation service agreement with Inmate Calling Solutions LLC.
6.15: Adopt proclamation designating the month of May 2020 as CalFresh Awareness Month.
6.16: Adopt proclamation designating the month of May 2020 as Older Americans Month in Lake County.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of continuation of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transportation, and disposal of fire debris for the Mendocino Complex fire.
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: existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) – FERC Project No. 77, Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1)- John, et al. v. County of Lake, et al.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(4) - One potential case.
Email Elizabeth Larson at