How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Mayor Russ Cremer and council members Phil Harris, Joyce Overton and Russell Perdock were in the chambers – sitting farther apart than usual from each other and staff – with Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten attending telephonically.
City Hall is closed to the public but community members were able to watch the meeting online.
Last Friday, City Manager Alan Flora – under his authority as the city’s director of emergency services – issued the declaration of a local emergency due to the threat of COVID-19, taking action on the same day the city of Lakeport and county of Lake issued theirs.
As of Thursday, no cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Lake County.
On Thursday, Flora issued an amendment, which he said is a small clarification recommended by City Attorney Ryan Jones and Police Chief Andrew White to make sure the city has the most tools available for enforcement of Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace’s recent health orders.
Those orders address school closures and rules for events, as well as a shelter in place order that went into effect at 12 a.m. Thursday. The amendment Flora issued made all of those orders mandatory within the city limits.
The council ratified the emergency declaration unanimously and will review it at its April 2 meeting.
In other action related to COVID-19, Jones brought to the council an urgency ordinance to stop evictions of people impacted by the virus – either medically or financially – for nonpayment of rent.
Jones said a number of jurisdictions around California are doing such eviction hold urgency ordinances, which require a four-fifths vote.
He said it is not rent forgiveness, “It is a postponement during this declaration of emergency.”
Tenants impacted by COVID-19 who can’t pay part or all of their rent must notify their landlord immediately in writing and provide documentation – such as a doctor’s note – to prove the impact. They also are required to pay what they can. During the discussion, Jones said that if their hours have been reduced 10 percent, they should only have a 10-percent decrease in their rent payments.
“This is for residents only,” he said, explaining that some areas are doing it for commercial tenants but there is a reluctance by cities who think it’s too overly broad.
Originally, Jones had proposed that the payment reprieve period last as long as the governor’s COVID-19 emergency declaration, which would then be followed by a 180-day rent payment period.
Council members were concerned about the impact on police. Chief Andrew White said they would let officers know but that, due to the Public Health officer’s orders, they wouldn’t be responding to such calls anyway, and that they would be civil matters referred to the courts.
Councilman Phil Harris wanted to make sure it isn’t abused, so he asked that the language make clear what criteria makes it allowable to postpone rent payment. He said he also is concerned about impacts on property owners who use rentals as income and retirement.
After discussion, staff suggested that the reprieve period would last 60 days – and not wait until the end of the governor’s emergency order – with the period for payment to last 180 days.
Harris moved to adopt the urgency ordinance, which will go into effect immediately as an emergency measure.
Harris added in the proposed amendments the council agreed upon, including that tenants must provide verifiable documentation to the landlord monthly, that the reprieve period for reduced rent payments or nonpayment is 60 days with 180 days after that for tenants to catch up and pay the rent that is due, and that acceptable documentation includes medical diagnosis, proof of loss of work or that the person is required to assist in taking care of somebody diagnosed with COVID-19.
Overton seconded and the council approved it unanimously.
The council agreed to have the urgency ordinance in effect for 45 days, at which time they will review it and consider continuing it. Urgency ordinances can last up to two years if extended by additional council action.
Considering other measures
As the council was meeting, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a statewide stay at home order, with more than 50 percent of the public in California expected to be infected within the next eight weeks.
Flora said City Hall remains closed and staff is conducting business via email, telephone and remotely. White also had just implemented a new online reporting system, with a similar system to be rolled out to other departments.
Flora asked the community to take the Public Health officer’s shelter in place order seriously, noting that he continues to see a lot of people out and about in the community. He called it “quite alarming” and too close to a normal business day considering the state of emergency the county is in.
“This is an unprecedented burden on all of us, but the only way that this is really worth the sacrifice is if we follow the order, shelter in place, and hopefully eliminate or slow the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
He said the city is working with other county officials on the response. The county is looking at using the old juvenile hall site near Lakeport as a possible quarantine location if needed. Flora said they are starting to make improvements to that facility.
He said the police department and Code Enforcement visited most if not all city businesses on Thursday, educating them about the shelter in place order and giving those not in compliance time to shut down. With very few exceptions, the businesses were responsive.
The city also has deployed its lighted messaging signs in high visibility areas to inform the public about the shelter in place order and that a $500 penalty can be administered to those who are not in compliance, Flora said.
Overton asked about the homeless and how they are being provided a safe place.
Flora said the shelter in place order exempts the homeless population entirely.
While the governor has issued notifications that the state will be providing $150 million to help shelter the homeless, “Unfortunately for communities like ours, I think all of this funding currently is focused on the 13 largest cities in California,” said Flora.
Flora said county officials are trying to find locations where the homeless could go but a place hasn’t yet been identified.
At the end of the meeting, Harris said he is concerned about people trying to come into Lake County in order to be in a lower infection area. He said the county doesn’t have the police, emergency medical services or hospital capacity to deal with a large increase in cases.
Harris said he wanted the city to look at every means available under the constitution to keep out a rapid influx of people into the city, noting the council was elected to protect Clearlake.
He asked for such a discussion to be on a future agenda, adding he could imagine a scenario where there are checkpoints to come into the city.
Perdock asked if Jones could explore the legalities of such action, and Jones said he could, noting that his firm – Jones and Mayer, which serves municipalities throughout the state – is actively following the COVID-19 situation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Among the short-term changes for local law enforcement, the sheriff’s office last week stopped regular in-person visits to the jail and this week stopped all family visitations, as Lake County News has reported.
At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Sheriff Brian Martin said his agency is now only booking felony cases into the jail.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday closed its lobby at its headquarters at 1220 Martin Street in Lakeport. That closure will remain in effect until Monday, April 13, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
Paulich said people who are reporting a crime or have an emergency should contact Central Dispatch. For emergencies, dial 911; for nonemergencies, dial 707-263-2690. If you need to speak with someone at the Sheriff’s Main Office call 707-262-4200.
The sheriff’s office has an existing online crime reporting system on its website.
If it isn’t an emergency and there are no known suspects, and if it happened within the unincorporated county, reports can be filed online. For more information on whether an incident qualifies, check out the FAQs for online report filing.
Both the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport also have closed police department lobbies to the public.
Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White said his agency has taken steps in line with health expert guidance, including limiting some in-person interactions with the public.
On Thursday, White told the Clearlake City Council that the department launched a new online reporting system which can be found here.
Similar to the sheriff’s online reporting system, the one the Clearlake Police Department rolled out also requires that incidents reported not be emergencies and that the suspect is unknown, except in the case of a custody violation.
White emphasized that while the lobby is closed to the public, the agency is still at work, with officers on patrol and support staffers such as dispatchers hard at work behind the scenes.
The Clearlake Police Department can be reached at 707-994-8251.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen had emphasized at Tuesday’s Lakeport City Council meeting that his department is continuing to serve the community and to be out in front, acting as the voice of reason as the county deals with COVID-19.
Rasmussen said he and his officers will be continuing work as normal, and he doesn’t expect an increase in crime.
On Wednesday, the department reported that its work included responding to calls for service, checking on the welfare of residents called in by concerned neighbors, foot patrol checks and the checking of nearly 40 individual businesses.
“With more residents at their homes during the Shelter-In-Place Order, we ask that you look out for your neighbors, summon a police officer for issues that necessitate a response, and continue to utilize other forms of crime reporting, such as: by phone, text and emails; which comply with Social Distancing recommendations. We are committed to working together, resulting in our enduring this together as we have endured our previous disasters,” the department said in a Thursday statement.
The Lakeport Police Department also is working on an online reporting system. The form appears to be ready for use although it also is reported to be under construction.
The Lakeport Police Department can be reached at 707-263-5491.
In addition to their websites, all of the departments keep active Facebook accounts, which is another way to contact them.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
If you are a senior citizen in Lake County or know of a senior citizen in need of assistance with meal delivery or pharmacies providing delivery service, please call the senior center in your area.
If you don’t know which senior center serves your area, please call the Area Agency on Aging at 707-995-4652 and they can provide you with that information.
The Lakeport Senior Activity Center, which manages Meals on Wheels services for Lakeport, Kelseyville and Lucerne, reported that it has a team of volunteers ready to bring lunches and anything else homebound seniors may need.
Seniors do not need to have a prior relationship with the senior center to get the services they are providing. Anyone over age 60 automatically qualifies to receive the meals.
Lakeport must serve those over 60 first, but the center wants to help younger seniors and the disabled or isolated. Center officials reported that they will do everything they can for the most vulnerable in the community during this crisis.
With the order to stay home, any senior over 60 may request meals for pickup or delivery and any other needs they have by contacting the center at 707-263-4218.
Cash donations are greatly appreciated to make up for the loss of revenue from the center’s Meals on Wheels Thrift Shop. Donations can be made online at www.facebook.com/lakeportseniors or by mailing a check to 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport, CA 95453.
To find out what the current needs or ways to be a part of Lakeport’s efforts, call the Lakeport Senior Activity Center at 707-263-4218 or join the Covid19 - Lake County Seniors and Disabled Support Network Facebook group.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Despite a countywide shelter in place order due to concerns about COVID-19, community members can still sign up to foster shelter dogs.
The following dogs are ready for adoption or foster.
‘Buddy’
“Buddy” is a male spaniel mix with a black and white coat.
He is dog No. 3667.
‘Cha-Chi’
“Cha-Chi” is a male Chihuahua with a short gold and white coat.
He is dog No. 3661.
‘Duchess’
“Duchess” is a female Chihuahua puppy with a short tan coat.
She is dog No. 3618.
‘Fable’
“Fable” is a female husky with a smooth brown and buff coat.
She is dog No. 3044.
‘Lucious’
“Lucious” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a short gray and white coat.
He is dog No. 3690.
‘Missy’
“Missy” is a female Chihuahua puppy with a short tan coat.
She is dog No. 3663.
‘Phoebe’
“Phoebe” is a female American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short black and white coat.
She is dog No. 3483.
‘Princess’
“Princess” is a female German Shepherd with a black and tan coat.
She has been spayed.
Princess is young and energetic. She previously lived around a smaller dog and has been around the office cat. She will benefit from training and attention.
She is dog No. 3669.
‘Woodrow’
“Woodrow” is a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier with a black and white coat.
He is dog No. 3281.
Clearlake Animal Control’s shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53, off Airport Road.
Hours of operation are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays; the shelter offers appointments on the days it’s closed to accommodate people.
Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email
Visit Clearlake Animal Control on
Email Elizabeth Larson at