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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will discuss this week the possibility of raising salaries for council members – which hasn’t happened in more than 30 years – and whether or not to pursue a tobacco retail licensing program.

The council will meet virtually at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6.

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.

The agenda can be found here.

Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Deputy City Clerk Tina Viramontes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also visit the city’s new town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/forum_home . Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.

To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6.

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.

At 5:30 p.m., the council will meet in closed session to discuss existing litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric Corp. and two potential cases of litigation.

On the agenda for the open portion of the meeting is a discussion regarding raising council members' salaries.

A report to the council from City Manager Alan Flora and City Attorney Ryan Jones said at a recent meeting the council requested staff bring back a discussion related to the council’s compensation.

Their report said the current monthly council salaries are $300 per member, the maximum salary allowed under state government code for cities with a population of less than 35,000 people. However, state law also allows the council to increase the salary above that amount by 5 percent per calendar year since the last adjustment of salary.

They added that amounts paid for retirement, health and welfare, and federal Social Security benefits are not included in the computation of the maximum salary.

Flora and Jones reported that the salary for Clearlake City Council members was last amended by city ordinance in 1989. They said the council may amend the Municipal Code and increase the current salary by $465, to a total of $765 per month under Government Code section 36516(a)(4).

The city’s current total cost for council salaries is $18,000, plus health care benefits, the costs for which vary depending on the plan of the individual council member but average between $30,000 and $40,000 per year.

“If the maximum increase mentioned above was implemented of $765 per month the stipend costs would increase from $18,000 to $45,900 or from $3,600 to $9,180 per year for each council member,” they wrote. Those increased costs would be covered by the general fund.

They said the Government Code also restricts the council's ability to change the salary during the council member’s term of office. “Under Government Code section 36516.5, a change to the
compensation of all city council members is permissible when one or more of the members of
2 council begins a new term of office. Any increase to the City Council’s salary could be effective following the November 2020 election.”

Flora and Jones’ report includes a 2018 League of California Cities council compensation survey as well as information about nearby cities. The information showed that Lakeport City Council members receive $300 a month, Cloverdale council members receive $550 a month and Ukiah council members receive $490 a month.

Also under council business, the council will discuss potential direction to staff regarding a tobacco retail license program.

City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explains that staff wants to know the council’s thoughts on the matter and whether they should continue to pursue such a program’s implementation in light of the funding limitations.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017, in response to the Sulphur fire; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and Ratified by Council Action March 19, 2020; and ratification of a letter of support for the National Endowment of the Arts “Our Town” grant.

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.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A wildland fire that began in neighboring Colusa County on Sunday is nearing full containment.

Cal Fire said Tuesday night that firefighters had held the Sites fire to 560 acres, with containment up to 90 percent.

The fire began on Sunday afternoon along Sites Lodoga Road and Campground Road, southeast of Stonyford.

Thanks to the progress made by fire crews made, evacuations and road closures were lifted on Monday night, as Lake County News has reported.

Fire crews on Tuesday continued work on containment lines and mop up, officials said.

Cal Fire said 240 personnel and 14 fire crews remained assigned to the incident as of Tuesday night.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office is reminding county residents that the filing deadline for dozens of seats on school and special district boards that will be up for election this fall is coming up this week.

More than two dozen local school boards, fire districts and other special districts have seats that will be up for election in the Nov. 3 general election.

The filing period opened on July 13 and continues through 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, unless an incumbent does not file to run again. In those cases, the filing period will be extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12.

For a list of offices up for election and deadlines, visit the Lake County Registrar of Voters website.

A candidate election calendar/handbook detailing deadlines, candidate filing requirements, and election processes for the Nov. 3 General Election is available here.

Official declaration of candidacy forms for eligible candidates desiring to file for the elective offices may be obtained from the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, located on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Room 209, Lakeport, during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The office will be open on the last day to file, Friday, Aug. 7, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call the office at 707-263-2372 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – At the request of one of its members, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday chose to reschedule a discussion on a draft urgency ordinance that proposes fines and administrative penalties for not following local and state health orders issued due to COVID-19.

Supervisor EJ Crandell, who had asked that the ordinance be placed on the agenda originally, requested early on in Tuesday’s meeting that the discussion item be pulled, noting there was confusion on the matter.

Last week, the county had initially posted the draft urgency ordinance – which includes fines for failing to comply with health orders, including masking requirements in public – but not a second, nonurgency draft ordinance without fines and penalties that was being proposed by the Blue Collar Committee, a group of local business owners assembled by Supervisor Rob Brown. The Blue Collar Committee’s version was later posted.

Crandell said Tuesday that there was confusion about the ordinances and that it had been his intention for the board to consider both, not just the urgency version. He was concerned that people hadn’t had enough time to read both documents.

Board members agreed to hold off on the item but Supervisor Tina Scott said she considered the matter urgent and wanted it to be brought back at next week’s meeting.

Several community members showed up online and in-person to discuss the item, with their comments noting they were disappointed to have the matter delayed.

Haji Warf told the board that freedom is not just about rights but also responsibilities and that masking helps protect the community’s high-risk residents.

Lake County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton asked for clarification as to whether the board would eventually consider one or both ordinances. Crandell said it would be both.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he had no issue with moving forward and having the conversation as scheduled since the documents had been posted with enough time to meet the meeting requirements.

Crandell, however, said he believed people hadn’t had enough time to look at the documents.

County Counsel Anita Grant added that, since at the start of the meeting it was announced that the item was going to be pulled, going forward with the discussion would add to the confusion.

In June the board had considered another urgency ordinance that would have enforced health orders with fines and penalties. That ordinance failed as it required at least four supervisors to vote in its favor.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two people were injured on Tuesday morning when the helicopter they were riding in crashed near Upper Lake.

Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash at around 9:20 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Clover Valley Road and Bambi Lane, according to radio reports.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said when deputies arrived on scene they located the helicopter, a small privately-owned Cavalon Rotorcraft, resting upright in a field.

Deputies found the pilot and passenger conscious and alert, officials said.

Northshore Fire personnel responded to the scene and provided treatment to the helicopter’s occupants, who were later flown by separate air ambulances to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and Vacaville, according to radio reports.

Sheriff Brian Martin told Lake County News that the initial reports indicated that one person had minor injuries and the other moderate injuries. As of early Tuesday afternoon, there had not been an update on the extent of their injuries.

Martin said his agency had notified both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board of the crash.

“We’re assisting with their investigation,” he said, adding, “They are providing direction to our investigators.

Martin said he didn’t yet have information about what caused the crash.

The sheriff’s office is securing the scene for further investigation by the FAA and NTSB.

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.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters on Monday held the Sites fire in Colusa County to minimal growth while making substantial gains in containment.

The fire, burning since Sunday afternoon, is located along Sites Lodoga Road and Campground Road, southeast of Stonyford.

Cal Fire said Monday night that the fire’s size had grown by 20 acres to a total of 560 acres, with containment up to 55 percent.

Assigned to the fire on Monday night were 240 personnel, including 14 crews, Cal Fire said.

Fire crews made progress working on containment lines on Monday, with Cal Fire reporting that crews would continue to strengthen control lines and mop up overnight.

Evacuation orders for areas along Sites Lodoga Road and Campground Road were reduced from mandatory to advisory on Monday night, and roads in the area were reopened to the public after 9 p.m.

With fire personnel still active in the area working on or near the roadway throughout the night, officials asked motorists to reduce speeds and drive with caution.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Department of Food and Agriculture said the presence of another invasive pest has been confirmed in Lake and two of its neighboring counties.

CDFA, in cooperation with the Lake County Agricultural Commissioner, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner, Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner, Cal Fire, University of California Cooperative Extension and the USDA - United States Forest Service, have started an extensive survey and outreach project, and are examining patterns of attack and management options, in response to the detection of Mediterranean oak borers in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties.

The survey is part of California’s pest prevention system that protects agriculture and natural resources from non-native invasive species.

Officials said early detection plays a key role in successfully controlling an infestation before it can spread to nearby areas.

To date, the area generally infested by the Mediterranean oak borer includes Pope Valley on the east; Seigler Mountain on the north; Calistoga on the south; and Knights Valley on the west. The primary infestation is in the Calistoga area.

The extensive survey, also known as a delimitation survey, consists of multiple Mediterranean oak borer traps placed outside of find sites. As beetles are trapped, traps are moved further away in order to see how far it has spread.

To date, the Mediterranean oak borer has been detected in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties with two detections in Contra Costa county in 2018. The Contra Costa detections were at a wood collection facility that included firewood.

Firewood is a pathway that can artificially spread the pest to other areas. Officials urge the public to “Buy It Where You Burn It, Don’t Move Firewood.” Visit www.firewood.ca.gov to learn more.

The Mediterranean oak borer is an ambrosia beetle native to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, where it primarily attacks oak species. It attacks at least 12 species of oaks.

In California, it has been found infesting two species of white oak, most commonly valley oak and, to a lesser extent, blue oak. A single, very limited attack was found in a severely distressed California black oak.

The Mediterranean oak borer creates tunnels (or galleries) in the trunks and branches of host trees while continuing to multiply. It initially attacks the crown of the tree, where it will kill individual limbs. Infestation can continue over several growing seasons, eventually invading the main trunk and killing the entire tree. Infested trees become hazards when widespread tunnels undermine the strength of limbs, making limbs susceptible to falling.

Additionally, Mediterranean oak borer beetles grow fungi inside their tunnels and use it for food for larvae and adults. Some of the fungi may be pathogenic and cause tree decline, structural failure, and in some cases tree death.

If you have a tree that you believe to be infested, please contact the appropriate agricultural office below and take the following steps to help stop the spread of Mediterranean oak borer:

• Moving infested wood artificially spreads the pest to other areas. Buy it where you burn it, don’t move firewood.
• Chip infested wood as small as possible (1 to 3 inches in diameter chipped pieces).
• Solarization of both chips and logs is recommended. Cover the wood with sturdy plastic (clear if possible) and leave in the sun for six weeks (summer) to six months (winter). Make sure the chips or logs (and beetles) are fully contained by wrapping the plastic sheet fully underneath and over the material and place soil or rocks to secure the edges.

Federal, state, and county agricultural officials work year-round, 365 days a year, to prevent, deter, detect, and eliminate the threat of invasive species and diseases that can damage or destroy our agricultural products and natural environment. These efforts are aimed at protecting California’s natural environment and keeping our food supply plentiful, safe, and pest-free.

Residents with questions about the project or believe they may have the Mediterranean oak borer may call the Lake County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-263-0217; the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-253-4357; the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-565-2371; or CDFA’s Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899.

Additional information, including the University of California MOB Pest Alert can be found here and you can report-a-pest here.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Public Health officials reported that more than a dozen new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Lake County.

On Monday, the Lake County Public Health COVID-19 dashboard showed that the total caseload was at 208, up from 195, the last total given as of Friday.

Of the 208 cases reported Monday, 25 are active, 182 are recovered and one has died, based on dashboard statistics.

There are no current hospitalizations. A total of 17 individuals have been hospitalized to date.

Lake County’s positivity rate on Monday was 3.2 percent, down from the 3.4 percent reported on Friday.

The state’s 58 county Public Health departments reported on Monday night a total of more than 518,600 cases statewide and 9,485 deaths.

Local health departments also have reported 24,420 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 128 deaths statewide.

The California Department of Public Health said the seven-day average number of new cases is 7,764 per day, down from last week’s seven-day average of 9,859.

Cases continue to climb around the region. Lake’s neighboring counties, all of which are on the state’s monitoring list, reported the following case counts on Monday: Colusa, 331 cases, four deaths; Glenn, 332 cases, one death; Mendocino, 331 cases, nine deaths; Napa, 963 cases, nine deaths; Sonoma, 3,113 cases, 39 deaths; and Yolo, 1,582 cases, 42 deaths.

Lake County Public Health said total tests in the county to date number 7,159.

The California Department of Public Health said Monday that to date 8,184,696 tests have been conducted in the state, an increase of 148,721 over the prior 24-hour reporting period.

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.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors will consider another urgency ordinance that includes fines and administrative penalties for failing to comply with county and state health orders nearly two months after a similar effort failed.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The supervisors will meet in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, for a hybrid meeting format which also will include the opportunity for community members to continue to participate virtually.

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.

To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link at 9 a.m. The meeting ID is 944 4498 5303, password 307043.

To submit a written comment on any agenda item please visit https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and click on the eComment feature linked to the meeting date. If a comment is submitted after the meeting begins, it may not be read during the meeting but will become a part of the record.

At 9:02 a.m. Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace will give the board his weekly COVID-19 update.

At 10:30 a.m., the supervisors will consider a proposed urgency ordinance that would implement administrative fines for those who refuse to follow the guidance in county health orders.

While the ordinance speaks generally of following health orders and measures to protect public health and safety, its opening section refers specifically to a June 25 report by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, which stated that its work supports “the growing scientific consensus that cloth face masks can reduce respiratory virus infections by 33% and slow community spread of COVID -19.”

In June, the board had considered an ordinance to enforce compliance but had failed to get the required votes. Urgency ordinances must have the support from at least four of the five board members to go into effect.

This newly proposed urgency ordinance differs from the previous one in that it designates the Public Health Department as primarily responsible for training and assistance, allowing the hiring of temporary staff or use of other county employees. The ordinance that failed to pass in June had specifically authorized the use of Code Enforcement officers to assist Public Health in the effort.

The two documents are similar in that both allowed for administrative penalties for noncompliance, with the fine structure relying on amounts set for infractions in state government code.

Supervisor EJ Crandell, in his memorandum to the board, explained that he has been working with the COVID-19 Blue Collar Committee – a group made up primarily of several local business owners and representatives – to prepare the ordinance.

“As we are all aware, while our own local metrics have been manageable to date, Lake County is now nearly surrounded by counties who are on the state ‘monitoring’ list, having lost local control with respect to opening/reopening of businesses during the COVID-19 crisis and severely impacting the local economies in those areas. Once a County reaches this status, affected local businesses may not reopen until the State Health Officer authorizes reopening,” Crandell wrote.”

He continued, “The vast majority of our local businesses and agencies are diligently complying with Public Health Orders and studies now show that the use of facial coverings can significantly reduce respiratory virus infections and slow community spread of COVID-19. When facial coverings are not used, there is increased potential for the State’s renewed curtailment of local business operations and thus, some level of enforcement for egregious, repeated incidents of non-compliance is needed.”

However, the draft document initially posted on the county’s website Friday with the agenda is not the document proposed by the Blue Collar Committee. Rather, it is significantly different; the Blue Collar Committee’s document is not an urgency ordinance and doesn’t include fines and some of the other more punitive measures proposed in the document prepared by staff.

On Friday, Crandell sent an email to Blue Collar Committee members reporting that its proposed ordinance had not been posted to the county’s website but that he has asked for staff to post it, which it later was. He also explained that he wasn’t trying to pass off the urgency ordinance as the nonurgency ordinance.

The urgency ordinance that Crandell is asking the board to approve states, “The Board hereby establishes that the County Public Health Department shall offer training, information, and other assistance to local businesses and members of the public as necessary in order to foster compliance with Public Health Orders and the County’s reopening plan. Additional qualified employees may be hired temporarily if necessary. Additionally, qualified existing County Employees not presently able to return to work shall be given the opportunity to perform such work on behalf of the Public Health Department under the direction of the Public Health Officer. The cost of all employees dedicated to this effort shall be funded with state and federal dollars allocated for this purpose and shall not impact the County General Fund.”

It goes on to state, “In those rare instances where members of the public and/or local businesses repeatedly reject offers of assistance and refuse to take corrective action to attain compliance with state and local public health orders and the County’s reopening plan, a Notice of Violation may be issued by the Public Health Officer or his designee. Examples of violations include, but are not limited to: (1) a business operating when that business sector has been ordered closed, (2) failure to adhere to masking requirements, (3) failure to adhere to social distancing requirements, or (4) failure to adhere to mandated hygiene requirements.”

The proposed ordinance gives the Public Health officer “the authority to take appropriate action to gain compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance. Said authority and powers include the power to issue Notices of Violation and the power to enter and inspect public and private Property.”

It authorizes the Public Health officer and the officer’s designees to enter properties or premises to ascertain if there are violations of the ordinance or local or state health orders, as well as the county’s reopening plan.

“All such inquiries shall be made in a reasonable manner. If the property owner or other responsible person, as that phrase is defined in Chapter 13 of the Lake County Code, refuses permission to enter or inspect, the Public Health officer may seek an administrative inspection warrant pursuit [sic] to the California Code of Civil Procedure,” the document explains.

In the followup section on notice of violation, the ordinance explains, “Upon determining that a violation exists and that correction efforts have been made but were unsuccessful, the Public Health Officer may issue to the person committing said violation a Notice of Violation and Order to Correct. Said notice may be made by personal service or by mail.”

The ordinance requires corrective action during a specified time period “of not less than 10 days from the receipt” of the notice, although the Public Health officer may require immediate correction “if the violation creates an immediate danger to the health and safety of a person or persons.”

Those who fail to ultimately take corrective action may be subject to the maximum amounts for infractions set forth in California Government Code section 25132 and other applicable fines and penalties pursuant to State and local law.

Government Code section 25132 says that fines for infraction violations may not exceed $100 on the first violation, $200 on the second violation of the same ordinance within one year of the first violation and $500 for each additional violation of the same ordinance within one year of the first violation.

Additionally, the ordinance provides for imposing administrative fines in “egregious circumstances,” which are defined as those which create “a significant risk to public health.”

“Egregious circumstances creating a significant risk to public health include violations which occur in groups of more than ten (10) people, violations which expose patrons to prolonged indoor interactions without adherence to masking requirements where social distancing is not practiced, and violations which occur under conditions deemed by the Public Health Officer or his designee to already be unsanitary and a risk to public health,” the ordinance states.

“Any person violating this Ordinance under circumstances determined by the Public Health Officer to be egregious, where there has been repeated attempts by the Public Health Officer and/or his designee to offer assistance and no corrective action has been taken, may be subject to the imposition of administrative fines as established by this Ordinance in amounts no greater than set forth in Government Code section 25132.”

In other business on Tuesday, at 11 a.m., the board will hold the second reading to consider an ordinance establishing regulations and development standards for the Guenoc Valley Zoning District. The board gave initial approval of most of the aspects of the massive resort and residential project at its meeting two weeks ago.

In an untimed item, the board will consider a resolution amending Resolution No. 2018-118, which established temporary alternative office hours for county offices located in and surrounding the Lake County Courthouse.

Staff is seeking the board’s approval of the continuation of closures to the public on Fridays from Aug. 7 to Dec. 31.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Approve Budget Transfer for Budget Unit 2711 – Animal Medical Clinic from account 727.28-30 Special Services to 727.38-00 Inventory Items for new capital asset in the amount of $5,396.93 to purchase an animal medical clinic autoclave and authorize the chair to sign.

5.2: Approve Leave of Absence with pay for Crisis Supervisor Melissa Mathis from August 31, 2020 through August 27, 2021, to attend Education and Training per County personnel policy sections 1507 and 1508.

5.3: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2020-72 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Budget Unit No. 2110, District Attorney.

5.4: Approve amendment to the agreement between the county of Lake and County of Yuba on behalf of Yuba-Sutter-Colusa Tri-County Regional Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility Maxine Singer Youth Guidance Center, youth housing agreement for an amount not to exceed $48,000 per county fiscal year.

5.5: Adopt resolution authorizing the Public Services director to sign the notice of completion for work performed under agreement dated May 21, 2019 for the South Shore Behavioral Health Roof Project, Bid No 18-14.

5.6: Approve Budget Transfer in Budget Unit 7011 from Object Code 18.00 Maintenance and Improvements to Object Code 63.12 Park Improvements for $31,000 for LED pole lighting at the Lucerne Harbor Park.

5.7: Approve contract between county of Lake and Fiscal Experts Inc. for Time Study Buddy services in the amount of $33,120 per Fiscal Year for July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023, and authorize the chair to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

6.1, 9:01 a.m.: Public input.

6.2, 9:02 a.m.: Consideration of update on COVID-19.

6.3, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of a resolution amending the master fee schedule for departmental services rendered by the county.

6.4, 10 a.m.: Consideration of resolution authorizing a joint application by the county of Lake and Adventist Health for the California Department of Housing and Community Development Homekey Grant Program.

6.5, 10:30 a.m.: (a) Consideration of an urgency ordinance of the Lake County Board of Supervisors to provide for compliance with state and local public health orders, to assist local businesses and members of the public during the continuing public health emergency, and to adopt administrative fines for violations of public health orders in egregious cases, and (b) discussion of an ordinance amending the Lake County Code to provide for compliance with state and local public health orders, with direction to staff.

6.6, 11 a.m.: Second reading, consideration of an ordinance establishing regulations and development standards for the Guenoc Valley Zoning District or GVD District.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of an ordinance amending Articles 27 and 68 of Chapter 21 of the Lake County Code to clarify the definition of public lands in regard to commercial cannabis cultivation.

7.3: Consideration of a resolution amending Resolution No. 2018-118 establishing temporary alternative office hours for county offices located in and surrounding the Lake County Courthouse or alternative direction to staff.

7.4: Consideration of the following appointment: Cobb Municipal Advisory Council.

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.

Covid Urgency Ordinance Draft Final Form 080420 by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Congressman Mike Thompson this week will hold another in his series of virtual town halls, this one on Congress’ response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thompson will host the online event from 7 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, Aug. 6.

He will be joined by special guest Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), member of the House Education and Labor Committee and pediatrician for a discussion about the congressional response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the 12th in a series of virtual town halls Thompson has hosted this spring and summer. All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.

This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people.

Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.

The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/ .

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – New data from Lake County Public Health continues to show a prevalence of cases coming from close contacts, with additional communities in the county joining the list of those with confirmed patients.

The newest demographics, released on Monday, are based on the 208 cases reported that day. That’s an increase of 33 cases from when the last demographics report was released on July 27.

This week’s data shows that close contacts to known cases are the source of how the majority of local COVID-19 patients contracted the virus. So far, of Lake County’s 208 cases, more than half – or 105 – acquired the virus in that way. That category had 17 additional cases reported since last week.

Another 51 cases are categorized as “under investigation,” down from 53 last week; followed by out of county contacts, 23, up by five; “other/unknown” source, 17, up by 10; presumed community transmission, six, up by three; presumed occupational contact, four, no change; and congregate living situations – specifically, the Lake County Jail – two, also no change.

Local data continues to show the majority of cases in females over males, 113 to 95; that’s an increase in 19 cases in females and 14 in males since last week. Likewise, the state trend shows more cases in females.

Regarding age breakdowns, the 25 to 34 age group continues to lead, with 48 cases, up by four over last week.

That group is followed by age 13 to 24, which rose to the second spot this week with 35 cases, up by five; age 35 to 44, 31 cases, up by four; age 55 to 64, 28, up by eight cases, the largest increase for an age group this week; age 45 to 54, 27 cases, up five; age 65 and above, 21 cases, up by four; and birth to age 12, 18 cases, up by three.

This week’s numbers by supervisorial district show the following:

– District 1, Middletown and the south county along with portions of Clearlake: 23 cases, an increase of six over the week;
– District 2, Clearlake area: 79 cases, up by 18;
– District 3, Northshore area: 36 cases, up by two;
– District 4, greater Lakeport area: 33, up by two;
– District 5, Kelseyville, Loch Lomond and Cobb: 36 cases, up by seven.
– One case is labeled as “unknown” for location, a decrease of two since last week.

This week’s case breakdown by zip code shows the communities of Loch Lomond and Witter Springs have had their first confirmed cases.

The zip code breakdown, with the increased number over last week in parentheses, is as follows:

– 95422, Clearlake: 78 (18);
– 95453, Lakeport: 32 (2);
– 95451, Kelseyville: 32 (7);
– 95423, Clearlake Oaks: 12 (1);
– 95457, Lower Lake: 13 (4);
– 95485, Upper Lake: 9 (no change);
– 95458, Lucerne: 8 (no change);
– 95461, Middletown: 1 (1);
– 95467, Hidden Valley Lake, 9 (1);
– 95464, Nice: 6 (no change);
– 95426, Cobb: 4 (no change);
– 95435, Finley: 1 (no change);
– 95424, Clearlake Park: 1 (no change);
– 95493, Witter Springs, 1 (1).
– Unknown: 1 (-2).

Public Health said the next set of data will be released on Monday, Aug. 10.

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.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Fire crews are remaining on scene overnight to stop a vegetation fire burning in neighboring Colusa County.

The Sites fire was first reported at 4:15 p.m. Sunday in the 3300 block of Sites Lodoga Road in Colusa County.

In a late Sunday night report, Cal Fire said the fire had burned 540 acres and was 20 percent contained.

Cal Fire said 12 structures are threatened, but none have so far been damaged or destroyed.

Crews arrived on Sunday afternoon to find the fire being pushed by the wind at a dangerous rate of spread, Cal Fire reported.

During the day, ground crews with the support of aircraft were able to make good progress on the fire. Cal Fire credited the hard work and quick actions of personnel at the scene with allowing crews to hold the fire to the east of Squaw Creek Inn.

Overnight, crews are working on containment lines, Cal Fire said.

On Sunday, evacuations had been issued for the 3300 block of Sites Lodoga Road at Campground Road.

Road closures also were put in place at Sites Lodoga Road and Lodoga Stonyford Road and Sites Lodoga Road to the community of Sites.

Cal Fire said road closures and evacuations will remain in place through the night at the minimum.

Resources assigned to the fire include 24 engines, three helicopters, five hand crews, 15 dozers, eight air tankers and 240 personnel.

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.

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