LAKEPORT, Calif. — The city of Lakeport is accepting applications to fill two vacancies on the Lakeport City Council.
The vacancies resulted due to the recent resignations of Mireya Turner, who accepted the Lake County Community Development director job, and Michael Green, who was appointed by the governor to the Board of Supervisors.
The deadline to apply for the two vacant seats is Monday, Nov. 28, at 5 p.m.
Interested persons are invited to submit a councilmember vacancy application. The application can be obtained online at www.cityoflakeport.com at the bottom of the home page.
The individuals appointed will serve approximately two years, with a term ending in 2024.
Qualified candidates must reside in Lakeport city limits, be at least 18 years of age, and registered to vote in the city of Lakeport.
The five-member City Council serves as the legislative body of the city and is responsible for setting policy, adopting the annual budget, adopting laws, determining services to be provided and the funding levels, and appointing citizens to its advisory boards and commissions.
Applications may be submitted electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or in person, at Lakeport City Hall.
The applications will be distributed to the Lakeport City Council for review and interviews will be held on Dec. 12 and 13.
For additional information, please contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263-5615, Extension 102, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
On Monday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) released additional information on the PG&E Fire Victims Trust and provided an update on his legislation, H.R. 7305.
“The Fire Victims Trust was set up to help people recover from the impact of wildfires and rebuild what they lost, and no fire survivor should have to pay taxes on their settlement funds,” said Thompson. “While I continue to press for the passage of my bill, I am glad to provide additional information to those looking for clarification on what this means for their payments.”
Rep. Thompson has been working with the Internal Revenue Service, outlining several potential tax issues facing settlement recipients and requesting formal guidance from the agency.
In response, the IRS clarified that a number of existing tax provisions may assist taxpayers in deferring or fully offsetting any tax liability arising from Fire Victims Trust payments.
These provisions are especially relevant to survivors who have rebuilt or are in the process of rebuilding their homes.
Applications are also available at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board Office, Room 109, 255 North Forbes St., Lakeport.
If you have questions regarding a vacancy on one of these advisory boards, please contact the Clerk of the Board at 707-263-2368 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The following seats are available.
Animal Control Advisory Board: Seven vacancies — one each for supervisorial districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and two each for members at large.
Big Valley Groundwater Management Zone Commission: Seven vacancies, four agriculture users category, one member at large and two water district category.
Child Care Planning and Development Council: Seven vacancies — one consumer, two public agencies, two community representatives, one discretionary appointee and one child care provider.
Cobb Municipal Advisory Council: Six vacancies, five members at large and alternate.
Countywide Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: Five vacancies, one representative from each supervisorial district.
East Region 3 Town Hall: Five vacancies — one member from Spring Valley Property Owner's Association, one member from Clearlake Oaks Keys Property Owner's Association, one member of the Clearlake Oaks Business Association and two members at large.
Emergency Medical Care Committee: Eighteen vacancies — two hospitals (Sutter Lakeside and Adventist Health Clear Lake), one community college district, four consumer interested group, two emergency room affiliated-medical care coordinator, two emergency medical technician representatives, one private ambulance company, five fire departments and one paramedic representative.
Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee: Eleven vacancies — two fish and wildlife conservation, one land conservation, one agriculture, one education, one recreation, five general public (one from each supervisorial district).
Geothermal Advisory Committee: Five vacancies — one from Cobb Area Water District, two Anderson Springs community members and two Cobb community members.
Heritage Commission: Seven vacancies, one representative from each supervisorial district and two members at large.
In Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee: Eleven vacancies — four senior consumers, one disabled community representative, two disabled community representatives, two senior community representatives and two providers.
Kelseyville Cemetery District: One vacancy — general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Law Library Board of Trustees: One vacancy — one public member.
Library Advisory Board: Five vacancies — one representative from each supervisorial district.
Lower Lake Cemetery District: One vacancy — one general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Lower Lake Waterworks District One Board of Directors: Two vacancies — public members (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Lucerne Area Town Hall: Five vacancies — members at large (must live within the area boundaries).
Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board: Ten vacancies — general membership.
Mental Health Board: Two vacancies — one member at large and one consumer family member of a past/present consumer.
Middletown Cemetery District: Three vacancies — three general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
North Bay Cooperative Library Advisory Board: One vacancy — Lake County representative.
Resource Conservation District: Two vacancies — one district one member, one member at large.
Scott’s Valley Community Advisory Board: Five vacancies — five public members at large.
Upper Lake Cemetery District: Three vacancies — general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Western Region Town Hall: Four vacancies — one public member-at-large, three public members from Upper Lake.
As respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, the flu and COVID-19 continue to impact Californians earlier than usual this year, state Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan urges everyone across the state to protect themselves and their families against many circulating viruses.
“As we prepare for Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings, we need to continue being vigilant in preventing the rapid spread of winter viruses,” said Dr. Pan. “As a pediatrician who specializes in infections, and a parent, it is concerning to see the rise in RSV and flu in babies, young children and our elderly population. It is crucial we are aware of prevention methods, but also, how to care for our loved ones at home, and what symptoms to be aware of for parents to seek care for their children.”
Caring for your child at home
There is no cure for respiratory viruses, but some medications can reduce disease severity in certain situations. For mild symptoms, Dr. Pan provides these tips to help ease discomfort:
• Reduce congestion with nasal saline with gentle suctioning. Patients should sit or lie upright when possible. Cool-mist humidification also helps to clear the congestion and make people feel better. • Make sure your loved ones get plenty of rest and drinks clear fluids such as water, broth or sports drinks to prevent dehydration. For infants, use electrolyte beverages such as Pedialyte. Healthy snacks and small meals are also recommended. • If your child has a fever (100 degrees or higher), acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be given to children 6 months of age and older. Infants and children should not be given aspirin as this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. Only use other medications or medications for infants less than 6 months old under the guidance of your health care provider. • Follow dosing instructions listed on the back of the medication or from your health care provider. • Stay home at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
When to seek care
Most childhood respiratory illnesses are mild and resolve on their own without the need for emergency care or hospitalization. Understanding when to see a doctor or go to the hospital ensures that children receive the right care.
Call ahead to get medical advice and see what you can do at home and when it is best to come in to be examined.
Seek evaluation right away if you child has:
• Symptoms of lung disease: fast breathing, flaring nostrils, head bobbing, grunting, or wheezing while breathing; belly breathing; pauses in breathing. • Symptoms of dehydration. • Gray or blue color to tongue, lips or skin. • Significantly decreased activity and alertness. • Symptoms that worsen or do not improve after seven days. • Fever in those under 3 months of age (12 weeks). • Fever above 104°F repeatedly for a child of any age. • Poor sleep or fussiness, chest pain, ear tugging or ear drainage.
Is your child at a higher risk for severe disease?
Early evaluation and treatment by a health care professional can ensure the best possible outcomes for children who are at a higher risk of severe disease.
Children who are at higher risk of severe disease include:
• Younger children, particularly 6 months old or younger. • Premature or low-birth weight infants. • Children with chronic medical conditions, including chronic lung diseases, heart disease, disorders weakening the immune system, or neuromuscular disorders.
Testing for RSV
Testing for RSV is not always necessary. Unlike COVID-19, testing for RSV generally does not change the way doctors manage individual patients with this illness and treatment is based on the symptoms a person is experiencing.
Accordingly, individuals should seek care based on concerns for the symptoms listed above and not solely to obtain an RSV test result.
Further, schools and childcare settings should not require a negative RSV test to return to these settings; in most situations, return should also be based on symptoms and generally children with respiratory symptoms should not return to childcare or school until symptoms are resolved or at least mild and improving.
This includes waiting until 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
As millions of people venture out for the Thanksgiving holiday, the California Highway Patrol is preparing for one of the busiest travel weekends in the nation.
To help motorists arrive at their destinations safely, the CHP will implement a maximum enforcement period, or MEP, and deploy all available officers through the holiday weekend.
The MEP begins at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27.
“As with every holiday, the CHP will work to keep motorists safe as they travel to gatherings with friends and family,” said Commissioner Amanda Ray. “Our officers will be on patrol to take enforcement action as necessary and to provide assistance to motorists who are stranded or in need of help on the side of the road.”
During the MEP, CHP officers will be working to assist and educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state, actively looking for unsafe driving behaviors, including impaired or distracted driving, unsafe speed, and people not wearing seat belts.
According to the CHP’s MEP data, 42 people, including 16 pedestrians and one bicyclist, were killed in crashes in CHP’s jurisdiction during the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday weekend. CHP officers issued more than 5,600 citations for speed and seat belt violations.
Additionally, CHP officers made 1,033 arrests for driving under the influence during the four-day period.
“Enjoy your Thanksgiving festivities, but please celebrate responsibly, wear your seat belt, and always designate a sober, nondrinking driver,” said Commissioner Ray.
The California Highway Patrol is continuing its efforts to ensure infants and children are safe while traveling California’s roadways with the “California Restraint Safety Education and Training VI,” or CARSEAT, campaign funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
This CARSEAT campaign, which runs through Sept. 20, 2023, focuses on reducing the number of injuries and deaths resulting from unrestrained and improperly restrained infants and children.
As part of the campaign, the CHP will host certification training for first responders to educate the public during child passenger safety seat inspections and community events.
These efforts will highlight the importance of properly using seat belts and child passenger restraints, and provide education related to the proper installation of child passenger safety seats.
California law requires all infants and children under 2 years of age ride in a rear-facing child car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall.
Additionally, state law requires children under the age of 8 be properly restrained in an appropriate car seat or booster seat in the back seat of a vehicle.
While California law dictates minimum guidelines for keeping infants and children safe while riding in a vehicle, parents and caregivers are encouraged to continue to use their current child passenger safety seat up to the height and weight limits of the manufacturer’s guidelines. It is recommended all passengers ride in the back seat of a vehicle until age 13.
For further information about safety guidelines, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at www.nhtsa.gov.
“The CHP remains focused on educating parents and caregivers about the proper installation and safe use of child passenger safety seats,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “The best way to protect your child is to use a properly installed car seat or booster seat every trip, regardless of the distance.”
For more information regarding seat belts, seat belt regulations, child passenger safety, or to make an appointment for a free car seat installation, please contact your local CHP Area office at https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office.
The Clear Lake Area office in Kelseyville can be reached at 707-279-0103.
The young faces of the families of highway workers are reminding you to move over a lane or slow down for their loved ones who help keep our roads safe.
The “Kids of Caltrans” provide the personal, impactful messages behind the new public awareness campaign from the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, in partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety and the California Highway Patro, that kicked off this week at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center.
Some of the children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of Caltrans workers featured in the “Move Over” campaign were on hand for the kickoff event, which comes on the heels of last week’s National Crash Responder Safety Week.
In video messages that will air throughout the state through January 2023, they ask drivers to be alert and move over a lane if safe to do so or slow down to safely pass highway workers.
Sadly, highway workers, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and tow truck drivers are killed or injured along California’s roadways every year.
Moving over and slowing down when passing a vehicle stopped on the roadway with flashing lights in California isn’t just a matter of following the law — it is about saving lives.
The “Move Over” law exists to provide a safer environment for maintenance and emergency vehicles stopped along roadsides close to fast-moving traffic.
“Not a single person should die on our roadways — let alone in our work zones — so I urge you to do your part, pay attention, move over and save lives,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Don’t let that split second of inattention destroy the lives of so many people ... including your own.”
“Making a traffic or emergency stop on the side of the road is one of the most dangerous duties law enforcement officers and other first responders perform,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “Tragically, too many first responders and highway workers have been killed on the shoulder or median, and dozens more have been seriously injured. Please, move over or slow down when you see our officers and others working on the side of the freeway; not only is it the law, their lives depend on it.”
“Caltrans workers are mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles who have loved ones who need them to come home,” Office of Traffic Safety Director Barbara Rooney said. “For your safety, and the safety of all roadside workers and emergency responders, please be alert and slow down.”
California’s “Move Over” law requires all drivers to move over a lane if safe to do so, and if unable to do so safely, to slow down when they see amber flashing lights on Caltrans vehicles, law enforcement and other emergency vehicles and tow trucks.
“Towing professionals are the ones we rely on when the unexpected happens. We all depend on these Heroes of the Highway to clear our roadways and get traffic safely flowing after a crash has occurred,” said Sam Johnson, president of the California Tow Truck Association and the Emergency Road Service Coalition of America. “As a motorist, you can help protect these heroes by paying attention, slowing down, and moving over when you see the flashing lights of a tow truck assisting a stranded vehicle. The California Tow Truck Association along with the Emergency Road Service Coalition of America would like to thank the motoring public for their help with our mission to get each and every one of these Heroes of the Highway safely home to their families at the end of the day.”
In 2020, nearly 7,000 work-zone crashes occurred on California roadways, resulting in more than 3,000 injuries and nearly 100 fatalities. Nationally, drivers and passengers account for 85% of those killed in work zones.
Although all 50 states have enacted “Move Over” laws, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 71% of Americans are not aware of them.
In California, failure to obey the “Move Over” law can result in fines up to $1,000, plus points on your driving record.
Since 1921, 191 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job, and one of the biggest hazards to them and anyone working on the roads is from motorists who do not exercise caution. Those 191 employees represent scores of families torn apart by preventable work zone collisions.
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.
The big idea
People who breathe polluted air experience changes within the brain regions that control emotions, and as a result, they may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression than those who breathe cleaner air. These are the key findings of a systematic review that my colleagues and I recently published in the journal NeuroToxicology.
Our interdisciplinary team reviewed more than 100 research articles from both animal and human studies that focused on the effects of outdoor air pollution on mental health and regions of the brain that regulate emotions. The three main brain regions we focused on were the hippocampus, amygdala and the prefrontal cortex.
In our analysis, 73% of the studies reported higher mental health symptoms and behaviors in humans and animals, such as rats, that were exposed to higher than average levels of air pollution. Some exposures that led to negative effects occurred in air pollution ranges that are currently considered “safe” by the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards. In addition, we discovered that 95% of studies examining brain effects found significant physical and functional changes within the emotion-regulation brain regions in those exposed to increased levels of air pollution.
Most of these studies found that exposure to elevated levels of air pollution is associated with increased inflammation and changes to the regulation of neurotransmitters, which act as the brain’s chemical messengers.
Why it matters
Research into the physical health effects associated with air pollution exposure, such as asthma and respiratory issues, have been well documented for decades.
But only over the last 10 years or so have researchers begun to understand how air pollution can affect the brain. Studies have shown that small air pollutants, such as ultrafine particles from vehicle exhaust, can affect the brain either directly, by traveling through the nose and into the brain, or indirectly, by causing inflammation and altered immune responses in the body that can then cross into the brain.
At the same time, researchers are increasingly documenting the association between air pollution and its negative effects on mental health.
For this reason, more research into the health effects of air pollution exposure that goes beyond respiratory health outcomes into the realm of biological psychiatry is badly needed. For instance, the neurobiological mechanisms through which air pollution increases risk for mental health symptoms are still poorly understood.
What still isn’t known
In addition to our primary findings, our team also identified some notable gaps within the research that need to be addressed in order to paint a fuller picture of the relationship between air pollution and brain health.
Relatively few studies examined the effects of air pollution exposure during early life, such as infancy and toddlerhood, and in childhood and adolescence. This is especially concerning given that the brain continues to develop until young adulthood and therefore may be particularly susceptible to the effects of air pollution.
We also found that within the studies investigating air pollution effects on the brain, only 10 were conducted in humans. While research on animals has extensively shown that air pollution can cause a host of changes within the animal brain, the research on how air pollution affects the human brain is much more limited. What’s more, most of the existing brain studies in humans have focused on physical changes, such as differences in overall brain size. More research is needed that relies on a technique called functional brain imaging, which could enable researchers like us to detect subtle or smaller changes that may occur before physical changes.
In the future, our team plans to use brain imaging methods to study how air pollution increases the risk of anxiety during adolescence. We plan to use a variety of techniques, including personal air monitors that children can wear as they go about their day, allowing us to more accurately assess their exposure.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has playful cats and kittens waiting for new homes.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm for information on visiting or adopting.
The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.
‘Mom’
“Mom” is a 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat with an orange and white coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 3, ID No. LCAC-A-4080.
Female domestic shorthair
This 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat has a gray tabby coat.
“She is an adult cat with some playful kitten tendencies when toys are brought out. She has a sweet little meow and likes to have playful chats with you,” shelter staff said.
She is in cat room kennel No. 10, ID No. LCAC-A-3661.
Male domestic shorthair
This 3-year-old male domestic shorthair cat has an orange tabby coat.
“This guy can be shy at first, but once he knows that you are all about the pets, he will roll right over and start his purr machine. He has a unique curly tail which he flicks around when curious,” shelter staff said.
He is in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. LCAC-A-4021.
Female domestic shorthair kitten
This 3-month-old female domestic shorthair kitten has a gray and white coat.
Staff said the kitten is outgoing and all about fun and games. “She loves to play with toys and enjoys cuddle time. She also enjoys playing with the other kittens and cats.”
She is in cat room kennel No. 36, ID No. LCAC-A-4085.
Male domestic longhair cat
This 1-year-old male domestic longhair cat has a black and white coat.
“This guy had a hard start, but has a lot of love to give once he warms up to you,” shelter staff said.
Staff said he also loves brushing and shows his appreciation with purring and head bumps.
He is in kennel No. 107, ID No. LCAC-A-4023.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Unemployment increased slightly in Lake County, across California and the nation in October, according to the newest state reports on the jobless rate.
While unemployment ticked up, the Employment Development Department said the good news is that as of October, California has recovered all of the 2,758,900 jobs lost during the pandemic-induced recession.
In Lake County, October’s unemployment rate was 4.5%, up from 4.3% in September. The October 2021 rate was 6.2%.
Most job sectors were down in October, except for mining, logging and construction, which grew by 3.2%; state and local government, 1.3%; educational and health services, 0.4%; and service producing, 0.1%.
California added more than 56,000 jobs in October, and is now 30,800 jobs above the pre-pandemic total of February 2020.
In addition, California marked the 13th consecutive month of job growth in October and accounted for more than 20% of the nation’s new jobs, outpacing the nation in year-over job growth.
California’s jobless rate in October was 4%, up from 3.8% in September, which was a record-low rate for the state in a data set that dates back to 1976.
On the national level, unemployment in October was 3.7%, up from 3.5% in September but much improved from the 4.6% reported in October 2021.
The number of Californians employed in October was 18,502,900, a decrease of 40,500 persons from September’s total of 18,543,400, but up 642,100 from the employment total in October, the report said.
At the same time, the number of unemployed Californians was 776,600 in October, an increase of 35,400 over the month, but down 386,900 in comparison to October 2021.
The state said total nonfarm jobs in California’s 11 major industries totaled 17,722,700 in October — a net gain of 56,700 jobs from September. This followed a downward revised (-1,200) month-over gain of 5,300 jobs in September.
Total nonfarm jobs statewide increased by 695,500 (a 4.1% increase) from October 2021 to October 2022 compared to the U.S. annual gain of 5,303,000 jobs (a 3.6% increase), the report said. In Lake County, nonfarm jobs increased by 4.9%, or 760 jobs, during that same time.
Regarding total farm jobs, statewide the number of jobs in the agriculture industry decreased from September by 100 to a total of 410,700 jobs in October. The agricultural industry had 3,000 more farm jobs in October 2022 than it did in October a year ago. In Lake County, the total farm jobs category was up by 5.4% in a year-over comparison, with 240 jobs added.
Eight out of 11 job sectors added jobs. Education and health services had the largest gain, 16,800 jobs, showing the largest month-over gains thanks to above average gains in outpatient care services, nursing care facilities, and individual and family services. In Lake County, the education and health services sector was up by 0.4%, or 20 jobs.
Professional and business services added 16,400 jobs statewide, strong growth credited in part to above average gains in accounting and tax prep and bookkeeping services. That sector showed no growth in October in Lake County.
Other sectors that showed growth statewide and the Lake County comparisons are as follows:
• Leisure and hospitality: increase of 13,500 jobs statewide; Lake County lost 2.3%, or 30 jobs. • Manufacturing: increase of 6,400 jobs; Lake County lost 2.7% or 10 jobs. • Trade, transportation and utilities: increased by 4,600 jobs; Lake County lost 0.3%, or 10 jobs. • Information: increased by 4,100 jobs; Lake County showed no change. • Financial activities: increased by 3,600 jobs; Lake County lost 3%, or 10 jobs. • Other services: increased by 100 jobs; Lake County lost 1.8%, or 10 jobs.
Lake County’s 4.3% jobless rate ranked it No. 42 statewide in October.
Lake’s neighboring counties had the following rates and ranks: Colusa, 7.2%, No. 56; Glenn, 4.6%, No. 44; Mendocino, No. 20, 3.3%; Napa, No. 8, 2.7%; Sonoma, No. 6, 2.6%; and Yolo, No. 20, 3.3%.
In related data that figures into the state’s unemployment rate, there were 289,716 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the October 2022 sample week. The EDD said that compares to 294,085 people in September and 463,257 people in October 2021.
Concurrently, 38,186 initial claims were processed in the October 2022 sample week, which was a month-over increase of 3,685 claims from September and a year-over decrease of 21,693 claims from October 2021.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors this week will consider the analysis used for proposed new rates for Middletown sewer customers.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting ID is 945 1390 1976, pass code 304907. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,94513901976#,,,,*304907#.
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.
In a discussion timed for 10:15 a.m., the board, sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, will consider a proposed resolution to receive, approve and adopt the financial planning, revenue requirements and rate setting analysis for Lake County Sanitation District’s Middletown sewer system.
In their report to the board, Special Districts Administrator Scott Harter and Special Districts Deputy Administrator Jesus Salmeron said that the rate structure hasn’t been adjusted since sewer rates were adopted in 1995 for the district.
“Rates were set to be analyzed when the Valley Fire occurred and the analysis and any proposed rate adjustment was postponed due to that and subsequent disasters. Early in 2021 district staff coordinated with the California Rural Water Association for a Financial Planning, Revenue Requirements, and Rate Setting Analysis to determine the financial health of the district and support a Proposition 218 compliant rate increase if need be,” the report said.
The report said rate adjustments are not being proposed as part of Tuesday’s discussion and action. Instead, the rates will be taken up during a public hearing on Dec. 6.
On Tuesday, the board is being asked to accept and approve the attached financial planning, revenue requirements, and rate setting analysis by adopting the attached resolution as a precursor to the public hearing.
In a sampling of rates, the analysis shows that the bimonthly rate for single family homes is proposed to go from $32.60 to $59.36 in 2022-23, $62.93 in 2023-24, $65.13 in 2024-25, $67.41 in 2025-26 and $69.77 in 2026-27.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve public defender contract amendment No. 8 between the county of Lake and Lake Indigent Defense LLP for the purpose of extending the term of the contract to March 31, 2023, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.2: Approve the agreement between the county of Lake and the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake for Animal Care and Control services on tribal lands and authorize the Animal Care and Control Director to sign the agreement.
5.3: Approve request to close Behavioral Health Services offices from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, for winter all staff training meeting.
5.4: Adopt resolution authorizing an amendment to the standard agreement between county of Lake and the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission for the period beginning upon contract execution through Sept. 30, 2026, and authorize the Behavioral Health director to sign the standard agreement amendment and the grant award claim form.
5.5: Approve amendment No. 1 to the participation agreement between county of Lake and the California Mental Health Services Authority to include modifications to Exhibit C — participant-specific committed funding and payment terms; and Exhibit D — participant contingency budget with no change to the contract maximum for fiscal years 2021-29 and authorize the board chair and department head to sign.
5.6: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2022-119 establishing position allocation for fiscal year 2022-2023, Budget Unit 2602 (Building & Safety).
5.7: Approve amendment to the purchase amount of a new 2023 Ford Explorer for the Building & Safety Division, from $25,000 to $50,000.
5.8: Approve equitable sharing agreement and certification between the county of Lake Sheriff's Office and the US Department of Justice; and authorize the sheriff and chairman to sign.
5.9: A) Approve the FY 2022 Emergency Management Performance Grant application in the amount of $141,465; B) authorize Sheriff Brian Martin to sign the grant subaward face sheet, the authorized agent document and the subrecipient grants management assessment form; C) authorize County Administrative Officer Susan Parker to act as the authorized agent on behalf of the county to sign the standard assurances and initial each page, the lobbying certification and the FFATA financial disclosure document and d) authorize the chairperson of the Board of Supervisors to sign the certification of the governing body resolution.
5.10: Approve contract between county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc. for the Housing Support Program for the term of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.11: Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Kelseyville County Waterworks District No. 3, approve budget transfer allocating money from object code 17.00 to 62.74.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of the Sept. 30, 2022, report of Lake County pooled investments.
6.3, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of request for hearing in the matter of 8020 High Valley Road, Cobb (APN 011-040-26); The Cryptorights Foundation Inc., a California nonprofit corporation.
6.4, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing, continued from Nov. 8, hearing of appeal of notice of violation and notice of nuisance and order to abate. Property owner: Thomas Carter. Location: 1622 Hunter Point Road., Upper Lake (APN 022-001-05).
6.5, 10:15 a.m.: Sitting as Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, consideration of proposed resolution to receive, approve and adopt the financial planning, revenue requirements and rate setting analysis for Lake County Sanitation District Middletown Sewer.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of agreement with Lake County PEG for professional videography services specifically for coverage of municipal advisory councils.
7.3: Consideration of appointment to the Geothermal Advisory Committee.
7.4: Consideration of Resolution No. 2022-118 adopting final budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 to increase revenues and appropriations in Budget Unit 4015 — Behavioral Health Services Department.
7.5: Consideration of a) request to waive competitive bidding according to Section 38.2(2); and b) agreement between county of Lake and New Life Health Authority dba New Life LLC for substance use disorder outpatient drug free services, intensive outpatient treatment services and narcotic treatment program services for fiscal year 2022-23 in the amount of $10,000,000.
7.6: Addendum, consideration of recognition of Department of Public Works Director Scott De Leon for the 2022 California County Engineer of the Year.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee evaluation. Title: County Administrative Officer Susan Parker.
8.2: Public employee evaluation. Title: Health Services Director Jonathan Portney.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 5456.9(d)(1) — Flesch v. County of Lake.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1) — Sabalone v. County of Lake.
8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1) — City of Clearlake v. Testate & Intestate Successors of Bailey Lumbers Co., et al.
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November is American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, a time to honor the nation’s tribal cultures and history.
The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916, in New York. The event culminated an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, who rode across the nation on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians.
In 1990, more than seven decades later, then-President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating the month of November “National American Indian Heritage Month.”
Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994 to recognize what is now called “American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.”
In Lake County, the Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation for Native American Heritage Month at its Nov. 8 meeting.
The American Indian and Alaska Native population is one of the six major race categories defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
The following facts are possible thanks to responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys.
DID YOU KNOW?
3.7 million The nation's American Indian and Alaska Native population alone in 2020. This population group identifies as AIAN only and did not identify with any other race.
10.1 million The projected American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination with other race groups on July 1, 2060, about 2.5% of the projected total U.S. population.
3,438 The American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination with other race groups in Lake County, California, for 2021, or about 5% of the county’s entire population.
324 The number of distinct, federally recognized American Indian reservations in 2022, including federal reservations and off-reservation trust land.
574 The number of federally recognized Indian tribes in 2022.
7 The number of federally recognized Indian tribes in Lake County, California, in 2022. They are the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria, Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of the Sulphur Bank Rancheria, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Koi Nation of Northern California, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California, Robinson Rancheria and Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians of California.
120,944 The number of single-race American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in 2021.