From left, Marsy Harrell of First American Title, Lake County Public Services Director Kim Clymire, County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox, County Counsel Anita Grant and Deputy County Counsel Lloyd Guintivano gathered to sign the final escrow documents for the county's purchase of acreage on Mt. Konocti on Friday, November 13, 2009. Photo courtesy of Lake County Public Services.

LAKEPORT – At the end of an anxious day Friday, the county's escrow on acreage on Mt. Konocti closed.

County Public Services Director Kim Clymire, County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox, County Counsel Anita Grant and Deputy County Counsel Lloyd Guintivano joined Marsy Harrell from First American Title to sign the escrow documents for the 1,344 acres shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.

Afterward, a relieved and excited Clymire issued a whoop of joy. “This is just awesome.”

The documents will be recorded Monday, he said.

At the signing Cox handed over the $2.5 million check for the land. He said the county has made many property purchases over the years, but this was the largest.

Cox – known for his careful fiscal management of the county's budget – joked that the check almost had to be pried out of his hands.

The process to purchase the land began in November 2007, when the Fowler family approached the county and offered the first chance at the land, as Lake County News has reported.

Escrow had to begin by this past Sept. 15 and end by this Sunday or else the county lost the option, according to the agreement terms.

Issues were still being worked out at the 11^th hour, making for what Clymire called a “pretty anxious day.”

On Friday Clymire and Community Development Director Rick Coel were up on the mountain working out some easement issues with Mike Fowler, Clymire said.

Still, “It's all come to fruition,” he said.

Clymire gave credit to community members for supporting what he said was a grassroots effort. He also thanked the Board of Supervisors and other county officials for their work.

“It took a lot of work by everybody,” he said.

Clearlake Oaks residents Holly Harris and Chuck Lamb also were on Clymire's recognition list. The couple has supported the effort through, among other things, creation of the www.preservekonocti.org Web site.

Harris and Lamb called the completion of the sale “momentous,” noting it's “one of those moments which will go down in Lake County history.”

They credited county officials with having the foresight, creativity and drive – despite a tough economy – to make the purchase a reality.

Harris and Lamb added that the Clymire, Cox, Grant, the supervisors and those Lake County employees working behind the scene deserved a standing ovation from the public.

Clymire said the work is far from over in making the land into a county park.

On Thursday a master plan committee met for the first time. The group will help determine how the land will be used. The county isn't hiring a high-priced consultant for the work, Clymire added.

He said they'll meet once a month until April, at which time they'll hopefully have a completed draft with policies and procedures.

“We want to take it slow and make it right,” he said.

The county reported that the park is tentatively scheduled to officially open in May of 2010, following the completion of some land improvements for pedestrian access and a road realignment away from Mike Fowler's residence.

Other improvements – parking, benches and tables, and signage – also are planned as soon as possible, according to the county.

The county will pay for park maintenance with the proceeds of telecommunications contracts generated on the 176-acre Buckingham Peak site, which the county previously purchased from the Fowlers for $1.2 million.

Clymire said the land currently is generating $104,000 annually, thanks to the supervisors' recent approval of a contract with T-Mobile.

One-time geothermal funds generated from the largest geothermal lease in US history – paid for a lease on property on Cobb Mountain – along with community donations made the purchase possible, Cox said in a previous interview.

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Champagne time
written by Dwain, November 14, 2009

This is a great moment for Lake County. I'm so happy to be here!

Truly historic
written by golson, November 14, 2009

moment in Lake County history. An opportunity that only comes around once at this price. The incredible benefits to the public and private sectors will be realized in the coming years, despite the naysayers. Great work and kudos to all who worked diligently to reach this goal.

Casino
written by fubarbrothersband, November 14, 2009

Dollars to donuts a casino, will be thereabouts in 5 years or less.

Thank You!
written by smurf, November 14, 2009

Thank you Kim, Kelly, Chuck and Holly, for getting this done! It took vision and persistance, but people a thousand years from now will appreciate what you've done.

waste of taxpayers money
written by Vogel, November 14, 2009

What a huge waste of tax payers money. Roads badly in need of repair , the Lake is green with algae , Konocti Spa closed. The purcahse of this mountain will do nothing to draw visitors to this area. On top of the purchase price many improvments need to be made to the area. The county purchased a huge money pit.Like the mountain was going to leave the area if not purchased.As usual the dead heads in charge spend taxpayers money like there is no bottom.

Tax payers money?
written by rtnc, November 14, 2009

No Lake County taxpayer's money has been used for this acquisition. The following excerpt is from the FAQ's at: http://preservekonocti.org/news.html

What source of funding is being used to purchase the property?
• Public donations, Geothermal Royalty funds and possibly grants. The county receives geothermal royalties from the federal and state governments. The purchase of Mt. Konocti property is an allowable use of these funds. No local taxes are being used to purchase the property.

Further, the maintenance of the property will be financed through telecommunication lease funds that the County receives on a yearly basis.

An absolutely amazing opportunity that allows public use of the mountain for perpetuity. Thank you Kim, Kelly, Anita and Lloyd!

Excited about more public land,
written by Toad, November 14, 2009

and that means more pot grows. Not alot of uses if innocent citizens get shot enjoying this property.

Tax payers Money
written by Vogel, November 14, 2009

Even if private funds were used what a waste of money. The mtn. is not going anywhere. Lake county needs much more than this Mtn. to entice visitors to return. How about an agenda to clear up the Lake , it is more of a draw than this dam Mtn.
What public is going to use this mtn. maybe 2% of Lake county residents. I don't believe much of what government puts out as facts.

You can pour your money...
written by Dwain, November 14, 2009

You can pour your money...

In a hole or on a mountain.

I know what I would chose.

choose, doh
written by Dwain, November 14, 2009

:*

ok, comment longer

I love the lifties mindset
written by bearer, November 14, 2009

"Its not local taxpayer money"

"Its state or federal tax money, so it is different".

And people really buy into this kind of logic.

Buying our County Back
written by ckcoyote, November 15, 2009

t is about time. For over a hundred years we have sold off our water, our shoreline and everything else in Lake county with no regards for the future. Our current economic situation has been years in the making. Resort who milked all the money out of their properties with no upkeep. A lake that no one wants to use anymore because of Algae. This has been a problem for the 30 years I have lived here. I don't think there is a solution to it. It is no wonder no one wants to stay here. Median income in Lake county by some reports is $19,000. Biggest employers, Hospitals, schools, Geysers and Walmart. No industry no income for the county. The board of supervisors can't be expected solve Lake County's problems by themselves. Only the residents, Businesses, and Property Owners can. At least this purchase got us back a small portion of what we have lost and perhaps leave something positive for the future for once.

Yes, it is a positive move
written by ekarnowski, November 15, 2009

Finally we are considering the future and setting aside land that our children and theirs can enjoy long into their lifetime. There will be enough people out enjoying this land, and possibly eventually hikers from outside the area to appreciate the mountain. It is a resource that can finally be accessed.

Most satisfying - on the drive home
written by Donna Christopher, November 15, 2009

last night, there was a great sense of comfort, looking across the lake at the Mountain and knowing that the lights present on it now will not be a harbinger of things to come. The current grumblings of some will be diminished over time as our children acknowledge we didn't screw EVERY thing up on our watch. Many thanks to those who made it happen.

now we have a mtn
written by Vogel, November 16, 2009

Oh great now we have a mtn. or hole in the ground , your choice. This is really going to help bring jobs to lake county , this will improve the economy , our worrys are over. Meantime the Lake rots and businesses are closing left and right but we got the mtn. OH boy. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy at night as I lay in bed and look at OUR mtn. I can sleep well tonight , all is well we now own a mtn. Wonder if thie will lessen unemployment and repair the things we call roads.

Infrastructure doesn't happen quickly
written by ekarnowski, November 16, 2009

Roads, businesses and industry take time to develop. Meanwhile maintaining our resources and being good stewards of them rather than selling them off makes sense. The lake nor the mountain could never be considered a "hole in the ground." Get your head out of the sand, in a good way, because we are all in this together. If you don't like it, try to work to change it. This step works.