- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Supervisors approve homeless shelter funding, order to allow businesses to use county right-of-way
On Tuesday Behavioral Health Services Administrator Todd Metcalf went to the board to ask it to consider amending an agreement with the Harbor Warming Center Project for the COVID-19 shelter for the homeless.
The center is located in Lakeport in the former Record-Bee building on Main Street. Originally it was supposed to close in the spring but has been extended for additional months in order to offer a location for the homeless to shelter in place.
The amendment increases the contract maximum from $79,511.74 to $152,664.66.
Metcalf said this second round of funding allows the shelter to continue operating through the end of June.
“I think giving the Hope Harbor Center another month is definitely needed,” said Supervisor Tina Scott, explaining that the center is looking for strategies on how to wind down.
She said the center has done great work and helped its clients to get other services. “It’s really been a win-win for the community.”
Metcalf said he had some other ideas for the money “but this is the obvious place it needs to go.”
He also noted the ongoing discussions on how the center will close and transition its clients. Metcalf said they are trying to come up with some creative solutions to mitigate some of the homelessness problem here in Lake County.
Scott moved to approve the amendment, which Supervisor EJ Crandell seconded and the board approved 5-0.
In other business, the board ratified an order issued on Friday by Sheriff Brian Martin, acting as director of the Office of Emergency Services, that allows business owners to temporarily use county-owned right of way and property – such as sidewalks – in order to be able to meet social distancing guidelines.
As part of that item, the board voted to send a letter to Caltrans asking that it also allow local businesses temporary use of state-owned properties during the reopening phases.
Also on Tuesday, the board considered returning to in-person board meetings.
Board members favored a hybrid approach that included having the board return to the chambers but continuing to do live Zoom and Facebook streams – along with the Granicus feed on the county website – in order to allow more people to participate without having to crowd into the chambers.
Board Chair Moke Simon suggested the board could resume meeting in person on June 9.
He said he liked that the live streams on Zoom and Facebook have opened up the meetings for more people to be involved and for the government to be more transparent. Other members of the board agree.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said she can start drafting guidelines for resuming the in-person meetings.
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