LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Hot conditions combined with the potential for thunderstorms on Wednesday afternoon have led to a red flag warning for Lake County and a planned flex alert from the state.
The National Weather Service issued the red flag warning for parts of California, including Lake County, through 11 p.m. Wednesday.
A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures that can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Forecasters said mid level moisture and a hot unstable atmosphere will aid in scattered thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening as an upper level disturbance moves across the region.
“Abundant lightning combined with little if any rainfall will increase the threat for fire starts across dry vegetation. In addition, gusty erratic thunderstorm winds will create dangerous fire weather conditions for ongoing fires,” the forecast noted.
In Lake County, the forecast predicts scattered showers and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon with light winds.
Shifting into Wednesday evening, there is a prediction for widespread haze, with conditions clearing into Thursday, when daytime temperatures will remain in the high 90s.
At the same time, due to the hot temperatures, the California Independent System Operator, or Cal ISO, is requesting Californians voluntarily conserve electricity on Wednesday afternoon and evening due to the stress placed on the state’s energy grid due to higher demand and tighter energy supply.
The voluntary flex alert will be in effect from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Cal ISO is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use, and is asking for a reduction in electricity usage to avoid emergency measures such as rotating power outages.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is urging Californians to precool their workspaces, set thermostats and at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting; close shades and curtains; not use major appliances during the flex alert; and turn off all unnecessary lights.
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. — Firefighters on both sides of Clear Lake quickly knocked out two Tuesday wildland fire incidents.
The Hill and Bank incidents were reported about an hour apart on Tuesday.
The Hill fire was reported in the area of Highway 29 and Hill Road in north Lakeport shortly after 4 p.m.
The fire did not threaten structures but did temporarily close down the southbound lane of Highway 29 near Mockingbird Lane, according to radio reports.
Cal Fire sent air attack and tankers, along with ground resources to join local fire districts, which stopped forward progress at around 4:45 p.m., at which point the fire was reported to be between five and seven acres. Units remained on scene for several hours for mop up.
At around 5:30 p.m., two small fires were reported in the area of Sulphur Bank and North drives in Clearlake.
The Bank incident was reported to have burned about two to three acres.
The Clearlake Police Department issued a Nixle alert asking people to stay clear of the area.
Lake County Fire, Northshore Fire and Cal Fire were involved in fighting the two small blazes, with Clearlake Police officers also joining the effort.
“When it comes to responding to fires, it’s all about teamwork, coordination and cooperation,” the Clearlake Police Department reported on its Facebook page, where it posted a picture of Sgt. Elvis Cook and Officer Chris Kelleher helping to hold the fire line with hand tools.
Air attack, tankers and Copter 104 from the Boggs Mountain Helitack were part of the response, radio reports indicated.
Copter 104 was among the last aircraft on scene, clearing the incident just before 6:30 p.m.
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.
Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) is recognizing the 87th Anniversary of Social Security by vowing to preserve this critical program that helps protect our nation’s most vulnerable and provides beneficiaries a lifeline that empowers them to live a life of dignity and buy necessities from groceries to prescription drugs.
“Social Security has been a promise to our country’s workers and their families for generations to reward them for decades of hard work,” said Thompson. “This year’s anniversary is yet another reminder of the longevity of the program and the importance of ensuring its solvency for years to come. That’s why I am a proud cosponsor of Social Security 2100 to enhance benefits and improve the cost-of-living adjustment for every beneficiary.”
Thompson said 145,474 constituents in his district receive Social Security benefits every year, “and we must ensure these benefits keep up with the needs of beneficiaries.”
Thompson continued, “Each month, Social Security pays $236 million in benefits to people in our district. That money, in large part, is spent in our district. This program is not only vital to our seniors, but to their families and our local economy as well. As our nation combats the COVID pandemic and addresses rising prices, we must enhance and protect the program American workers pay into with each and every paycheck.
“While Democrats are working to protect and expand Social Security, extreme MAGA Republicans have unveiled a plan to end Social Security and Medicare in five years. They have also proposed raising taxes on middle class families, which would make it even harder for Californians to prepare for retirement.
“Social Security beneficiaries are made up of our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, and our children. Unjustified attempts to end the program as we know it will target some of our country’s most vulnerable communities, including seniors, women, people of color, and people with disabilities. Countless retirees, widows, and their children rely on their well-earned Social Security funds to survive. I will always be committed to fighting to protect Social Security in Congress,” he said.
Social Security was established on Aug. 14, 1935, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. This provided for a new federally administered insurance program for the elderly.
It started off as old-age insurance for individuals, but has grown into a cornerstone of American life, providing comprehensive benefits for retirees and persons with disabilities and their families.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — After a month-long delay due to issues raised by members of the construction industry over the bid selection process, the Lakeport City Council on Tuesday awarded the contract to construct the new Lakefront Park to a Redding firm.
The council voted 3-1 — with Councilman Michael Green voting no and Mayor Stacey Mattina recusing — to award the project to Builder Solutions Inc.
Builder Solutions Inc. and Granite Construction Construction Co. were the only two bidders on the project. Builder Solutions submitted the lowest bid, $4,399,381, while Granite came in at $5,396,669.50.
The regular meeting followed a nearly hour-long special closed session meeting called due to the city having received a threat of litigation from the Construction Industry Force Account Council, or CIFAC, which began raising issues about the park project’s bidding last month.
Mattina also recused herself from that closed session and waited in the council chambers for the rest of the council, who emerged shortly after 6:20 p.m. to announce that no reportable action had been taken.
It was not disclosed on Tuesday if the discussion directly related to the Lakefront Park matter.
The city received a $5.9 million grant from the state in January 2020 to purchase the 7-acre park property at 800 and 810 N. Main St. and develop it. When completed, it will feature a number of amenities, chief among them, a lakeside promenade that will link it with Library Park.
The state has a tight timeline for the park’s purchase, planning and development. By the time the city received the grant, it already had done significant planning and public outreach on turning the property, formerly the home of Natural High School, into a premier public facility.
With an extension given by the state due to COVID-19, the city’s fund expenditure deadline has been moved back to June 30, 2024, said Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nick Walker.
The bid award had originally been on the council’s agenda for July 19, but Granite Construction submitted a bid protest, which led to the council pulling the item at the request of City Manager Kevin Ingram.
Granite argued that Builder Solutions’ bid was not responsive and should be rejected because Builder Solutions failed to provide the Public Works Contractor Registration number for themselves and all the subcontractors. Ingram said staff concluded that matter was immaterial because they were able to confirm those numbers through the California Department of Industrial Relations’ online registration portal.
However, on July 20, CIFAC submitted a letter to the city which Ingram said was considered a bid protest. CIFAC also raised issues with Builder Solution Inc.’s failure to provide Public Works Contractor Registration numbers as well as reporting that one of the subcontractors was not registered at the time of bidding, in violation of state labor code.
Regarding the issue with the subcontractor, Ingram said Public Contract Code allows for substitution of such contractors with consent of all parties, and the procedure for substituting the subcontractor “has been finalized without objections, with Builder Solutions electing to self perform the work of the subcontractor in question, which constitutes less than 1% of the total project cost,” Ingram wrote in his report to the council.
On Aug. 5, the city received a “bid advisory” from the Foundation for Fair Contracting, which Ingram said “addressed concerns of patterns of labor code and prevailing wage violations resulting in penalties, historical non-compliance with apprenticeship requirements, OSHA violations resulting in fines and discrepancies in Builder Solutions’ filing of an exemption from the requirement to have workers’ compensation insurance.”
For its part, Builder Solutions submitted a July 22 letter explaining that the city’s contract documents did not require that the completed bid form include the Public Works Contractor Registration, or the Department of Industrial Relations Number of either the prime contractor or the subcontractors, but only that they be “currently registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations.”
Regarding the Foundation for Fair Contracting’s allegations, in a separate response letter Builder Solutions said the information presented by the foundation regarding wage infraction and violation documentation was for a separate company, and went on to answer the rest of the claims, saying they were wrong.
They did acknowledge having two OSHA violations regarding failure to notify the agency of permit-required activity and failure to ensure an employee wore a seat belt on a skip loader. The company paid fines totaling $770 and the cases were closed.
After having reviewed the matter and investigated the claims, Ingram said staff recommended awarding the bid to Builder Solutions.
Because the company claims no employees and utilizes a professional employment organization which leases employees to the company as a form of “co-employment,” Ingram recommended the council approving hiring labor compliance consultant at a cost of no more than $100,000 to avoid the potential for violations and claims.
Ingram said the city has a small, limited staff. “This is a very large project for us,” he said, adding that hiring the consultant is a good move to protect the city.
He added that on Monday the city had received another contact from CIFAC, which didn’t agree with the city’s findings on the matter. He said staff prepared a written response and provided it to CIFAC.
During public comment, Michelle Pickens, CIFAC’s executive director, explained that the organization’s purpose is to monitor state and local agencies with compliance with bidding laws.
Pickens said there has been ongoing concern from the construction industry about the city’s plans to award the bid to Builder Solutions. She said the company’s bid was clearly deficient and it should be rejected.
The company’s failure to list subcontractor information and contractors that are licensed and registered should be a major concern to the city, Pickens said.
She said Builder Solutions may be assessed fines due to failure to finish a project for the city of Redding.
Pickens encouraged the city to vet Builder Solutions thoroughly before awarding it the contract.
“Are you really willing to take a chance with the Lakefront Park project?” she asked.
Thomas Adams Jr., Builder Solutions’ chief executive officer, appeared before the council to explain that they had addressed the issues raised about the company’s performance.
Green questioned Adams about the large differences in the cost differences between his company and Granite Construction in the bid breakdown.
Councilman Michael Froio wanted to know if Adams was going to be on site regularly and if the subcontractors would be monitored.
Green said he wanted to reject both bids and put the project out to bid again. He said he didn’t want to punish the low bidder for irregularities but didn’t want to reward them either.
However, Councilman Kenny Parlet moved to award the bid to Builder Solutions, with Froio seconding. Mayor Pro Tem Mireya Turner joined Parlet and Froio in voting to pass the motion, with Green voting no. Mattina had recused herself due to owning property near the park.
The council voted 4-0 to authorize Ingram to hire the labor compliance consultant.
In other business, the council held a public hearing to introduce changes to the city’s sign ordinance to allow signs to be seen from State Route 29 for Major Centers, as well as clarify the maximum height requirements for signage, received the after action report on Independence Day fireworks operations and heard an update from Utilities Superintendent Paul Harris on drought conditions and voted to direct staff to create a drought response plan.
The council also adopted a resolution approving the Forbes Creek Neighborhood Improvement Project Study and authorized the city manager to implement the plan, and approved the purchase of a new Daihatsu mini dump truck for the parks department.
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.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that California will receive $120 million in funding for eight projects through the IIJA Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE, grant program to improve and modernize transportation infrastructure.
At the same time, Gov. Gavin Newsom has named former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to serve as an infrastructure adviser to the state of California, working with local, state and federal leaders to identify priority projects and maximize access to federal funding across all regions of the state.
“With this influx of federal dollars, we have an incredible opportunity to rebuild California while creating quality jobs, modernizing crucial infrastructure, and accelerating our clean transportation progress, benefiting communities up and down the state,” said Gov. Newsom. “Antonio has the extensive experience and relationships to deliver on this promise and bring together the many partners who will be key to our success. I look forward to his collaboration with the Administration as we build up communities across California.”
The $120 million in funding is being awarded to the following local governments, transit agencies and others:
• $25 million to the High-Speed Rail Authority for its Merced Extension design work • $23 million to San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for complete streets improvements along Howard Street. • $20 million to the Port of Los Angeles for its Terminal Island Grade Separation. • $15 million for the Inglewood Transit Connector Project. • $15 million for the Yuba-Sutter Transit Authority’s Zero-Emission Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility. • $15 million to the City of Fontana for multimodal complete street improvements. • $5 million to the Sacramento Area Council of Governments to plan and design Mobility Zones in the Sacramento Region. • $1.6 million to the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation for a separated pedestrian and bicycle path across Highway 101 in Del Norte County.
In some countries, cigarettes are prominently displayed at children’s eye level. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, CC BY-NC-ND
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.
The big idea
The world’s largest multinational tobacco companies are advertising cigarettes to kids near playgrounds and schools in 42 majority low- and middle-income countries. That’s the key finding of our recently published paper.
Through our on-the-ground data collection at 19,500 points of sale, we identified tobacco industry advertising and promotions demonstrating four common tactics. These include displaying cigarettes near snacks, sweets and sugary drinks; placing cigarette advertisements near children’s eye level; marketing flavored cigarettes through ads and/or product displays; and selling single cigarette sticks.
We collected data on how cigarettes are marketed and sold within 250 meters, or about 820 feet, of one or more schools and/or playgrounds in more than 100 cities around the globe. The locations included most capital cities and spanned Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, North America and South America.
Many jurisdictions throughout the world have implemented laws prohibiting advertising of tobacco products on radio, television and billboards. As a result, comparably less restricted point-of-sale opportunities have become a critical component of tobacco company marketing strategies. This includes the “Big Four” global giants: Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Tobacco.
Our findings, summarized below, show that the tobacco industry uses point-of-sale advertising widely, and consistently targets youth.
• In 90% of the countries we studied, cigarettes were displayed near junk food or sugary drinks, including some self-serve displays within children’s reach.
• We found ads or displays promoting flavored cigarettes, which are known to appeal to minors, in 76% of the countries we studied.
• Points of sale in all 42 majority low- and middle-income countries displayed cigarette advertising at kids’ eye level, featuring “Big Four” tobacco products or ads.
The study identified four common tactics that tobacco companies use to target kids.
Experts have also established links between point-of-sale advertising and smoking-related behaviors and beliefs, like misperceptions that smoking is less harmful than it really is and a lower likelihood of quitting smoking.
What’s next
Our work focused on what consumers see and did not differentiate between products that were on sale legally versus those sold illicitly.
The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international treaty ratified by 182 parties and covering more than 90% of the world’s population, recommends a variety of evidence-based strategies to counteract these marketing tactics. These include comprehensive bans on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship, plain tobacco packaging, large graphic health warnings on tobacco packs, bans on single-stick cigarette sales, and regulation of flavors.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Following the abrupt departure last week of the Community Development Department director, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed the department’s second-in-command to fill the director’s role on an interim basis.
Shortly before noon on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors emerged from closed session to appoint Mireya Turner as interim Community Development Department director, effective immediately.
Turner’s is the seventh appointment the board has made to head the department since the start of 2016.
She succeeds Mary Darby, who took over the job on a full-time basis in October.
“I am honored to take on the interim director position,” said Turner, adding that during her time with the county of Lake, Darby “made great improvements to the department, including building a superb team of qualified and professional staff. I look forward to working with them to achieve the excellent level of public service our residents deserve.”
Turner has served on the Lakeport City Council since December 2014. She’s also served as a board member for the League of California Cities since 2018.
She brings eight years of experience in county and city planning activities. In June, she accepted the position of Community Development’s deputy director, following three years of service with the city of Ukiah, all in management and leadership roles.
Turner previously served in multiple roles with the county of Lake, including service with the Community Development Department and the County Administrative Office. In January of 2013, Turner completed a Master of Public Administration degree.
By the time she announced her resignation, the board had five scheduled closed session performance evaluations with Darby, far more than are held on an annual basis with department heads.
Last Tuesday, the board held a sixth closed session evaluation of Darby.
Three days later, on Friday, Darby announced her immediate departure from the director’s job at the end of that business day, nearly three months ahead of her previously scheduled departure date, according to comments County Administrative Officer Susan Parker made during Tuesday’s board meeting.
As a result, on Tuesday morning, Parker requested the board take up an extra item to consider a closed session discussion to appoint an interim Community Development director, leading to the decision to appoint Turner.
“We are truly excited Ms. Turner has stepped up to assume this interim role,” said Board Chair Eddie Crandell in a written statement released by the County Administrative Office. “Her combination of experience and education, and recent service as deputy director, made her the logical choice. As members of the public will also be aware, recruitment for a permanent Community Development director is ongoing, and we look forward to conducting interviews soon.”
The departure of Darby, who is Black, followed by two months the county’s settlement of a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by the county’s former human resources director, Pamela Nichols.
Nichols, who also is Black, alleged wrongful termination, racial discrimination, infringement of her First Amendment rights to free speech and retaliation.
The settlement paid Nichols $500,000 and required the county to conduct training in the discrimination harassment complaint process, continue its ongoing process of implementing cultural awareness training.
At the same time, the county’s Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee is continuing to meet as part of a stated effort to increase equity and inclusion in Lake County.
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.
Smoke from the Six Rivers Complex in Northern California (the fires are located with orange dots) has impacted air to the south, including Lake County. Clear Lake is in the middle of the bottom of the image. Courtesy of NASA. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Air Quality Management District said air quality in the county will continue to be impacted until later this week due to fires to the north.
Smoke impacts to Lake County, which began over the weekend, are from the Six Rivers Lightning Complex fire and other minor regional fires throughout Northern California, the district reported.
The Six Rivers Complex, currently made up of three individual wildfires having burned 19,272 acres and 17% containment.
The Air Quality Management District said air monitor readings throughout Lake County on Monday showed “moderate” air quality levels.
All areas of Lake County have experienced moderate to unhealthy air quality on Monday. However, the air quality forecast through Thursday will range from “moderate” (AQI of 51-100) to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (AQI of 101-151), and intermittently areas may experience “unhealthy” air quality for all.
Areas at lower elevations expected to experience the most smoke impacts in the morning hours, with higher elevations likely to experience impacts throughout the day. Expect fluctuating periods of poorer air quality.
Late this week, forecasts indicate a chance of improving conditions. This district said this smoke forecast is based on the latest weather, monitoring, fire activity information and will be updated as necessary.
The district is actively monitoring the smoke impacts throughout the county. Additionally, you may go to www.lcaqmd.net and follow the quick links for air monitoring for current smoke and air quality conditions.
Concentrations of smoke may vary depending upon location, weather, elevation, and time of day. Smoke from wildfires and structure fires contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
People who are at greatest risk of experiencing symptoms due to smoke include: those with respiratory disease (such as asthma), those with heart disease, young children, and older adults.
These sensitive populations should stay indoors and avoid prolonged activity. All others should limit prolonged or heavy activity and time spent outdoors. Even healthy adults can be affected by smoke. Seek medical help if you have symptoms that worsen or become severe.
Follow these general precautions to protect your health during a smoke event:
• Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise. • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible. • Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside — examples include swamp coolers, whole-house fans, and fresh air ventilation systems. • Run your air conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors. • Change the standard air conditioner filter to a medium or high efficiency filter. IF available, use the “recirculate” or “recycle” setting on the unit. • Do not smoke, fry food, or do other things that will create indoor air pollution.
If you have lung disease (including asthma) or heart disease, closely monitor your health and contact your doctor if you have symptoms that worsen. Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you have repeated coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue and lightheadedness.
Localized areas of unhealthy air quality are possible throughout this fire season. Take appropriate measures whenever smoke is present.
Christopher McDonald, 44, of Upper Lake, California, has entered a plea for the 2020 murder of John Turner Dickerson, 48, of Nice, California. Lake County Jail photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — An Upper Lake man has entered a plea in a 2020 homicide as part of an agreement with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
On Friday, Christopher Jon McDonald, 45, pleaded no contest to first-degree murder for the killing of 48-year-old John Turner Dickerson of Nice, said Deputy District Attorney Daniel Flesch.
Flesch said McDonald is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 26.
McDonald is facing a stipulated 25 years to life when sentenced. Andrea Sullivan, McDonald’s defense attorney, told Lake County News that McDonald will be eligible for parole.
The plea came ahead of McDonald’s trial, which was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Flesch said.
“Had Mr. McDonald gone to trial and lost, he could’ve faced 50 years to life, because of California’s 25 year to life enhancement for great bodily injury events or deaths resulting from a firearm,” Sullivan told Lake County News in an email.
“Additionally, a prosecutor can add a special circumstance allegation at any time prior to trial. If that were to occur, and Mr. McDonald was convicted, he would have been sentenced to life In the state prison without the possibility of parole,” Sullivan said.
Dickerson reportedly came to Lake County from the East Coast. His badly decomposed remains were found in the Mendocino National Forest on Aug. 9, 2020, as Lake County News has reported.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the remains were believed to have been in the forest for several weeks by the time they were discovered.
An autopsy that took place the same week that the remains were recovered determined they were those of Dickerson, and that he had died from a gunshot wound.
The investigation led to a search warrant service at McDonald’s property and, in early May 2021, the sheriff’s office obtained an arrest warrant for McDonald, who was taken into custody shortly after the warrant was issued.
At the time of McDonald’s arrest, authorities did not disclose a possible motive for the killing.
However, Flesch told Lake County News that it was “likely a drug deal gone bad.”
Flesch said Dickerson had allegedly “lost” 30 pounds of marijuana that belonged to McDonald.
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 Clearlake City Council is scheduled this week to consider purchasing a piece of property that is to be used for a new road as part of the commercial development of the city’s former airport site.
The council will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, in closed session to discuss a potential case of litigation before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18.
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.
On Thursday, the council will meet one of August’s adoptable dogs from the city shelter, and get presentations on the Sulphur Fire Roadway Disaster Repair Project and ZoneHaven.
Under council business, staff will present a proposed agreement for the city to purchase property at 6540 Old Highway 53.
City Manager Alan Flora’s report to the council explains that the property is to be used for the construction of a new public roadway and future commercial development at the former Pearce Field airport.
“The City has been actively engaged in development of the former Pearce Field airport over the past few years. The project will include a new roadway, developed by the City, that connects Old Highway 53 and Highway 53 from the 18th Avenue intersection,” Flora wrote.
He said that proper development of this road and connecting it with the existing improvements at 18th Avenue required the acquisition of some privately owned land.
“Earlier this year a transaction was completed near the Highway 53 intersection to accommodate the new roadway. For over a year the City has been working with Amerigas to complete the purchase of property near Old Highway 53 to accommodate the road construction on the western side of the property,” Flora wrote.
Flora said city staffers have negotiated with Amerigas and reached a proposed agreement that would allow the city to purchase the property for the appraised value of $110,000.
“This purchase would allow the 18th Avenue road construction to be started later this year,” Flora said.
In other business, the council will hold the introduction for the first reading of an ordinance to update the municipal code to reflect the city’s migration from a traffic engineer to a city engineer model.
The council also will review and consider approving the use and retention of the development impact fees for fiscal year 2021-2022 and discuss the proposed bylaws amendments for the 2022 League of California Cities Annual Conference.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; authorization of an amendment of contract with E4 Utility Design for dry utility planning services related to the Burns Valley Development Project, for a not-to-exceed amount of $24,900; discontinuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 23, 2021, and ratified by council action on Sept. 16, 2021; and discontinuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug.18, 2021, and ratified by council action on Aug. 19, 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.
The fair will once again feature the carnival. Courtesy photo. LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lake County Fair is just around the corner.
Opening day is Thursday, Sept. 1, with gates opening at 6 p.m., starting with the Blue-Ribbon Dinner where they will introduce Grand Marshal Jane Alameda.
Highlights Thursday evening include the second annual “Guns N Hoses” event. Can Fire beat Law this year? It will surely be entertaining as local law enforcement squares off against local fire in some hilarious games coordinated by Capt. Chris Chwialkowski from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Friday’s fun headliner will be Mud Drags, sponsored by Twin Pine Casino & Hotel at 7 p.m. Anyone can enter at https://wgasmotorsports.com/registration/.
Also, don’t forget the Mr. & Miss Lake County Fair toddler contest at 6 p.m. and the themed floral contest at 5:30 p.m.
Starting the Labor Day Weekend off right, Saturday, is the Junior Livestock Auction with brunch at 10 a.m. and auction at noon.
Barty the Pear, the fair mascot, and some young friends. Courtesy photo. The grandstand headline is the famous boat races, so come cheer on the Shark Car or participate in family karaoke.
Sunday will be Fiesta Day, sponsored by Lake County Tribal Health featuring a Jaripeo in the grandstands with bulls, dancing horses and bandas and Lake County Idol on Fiesta lawn.
This will be a fantastic fair with lots of local music, two carnivals (the kiddie carnival is back), amazing food and our own hometown community exhibits.
All grandstand events are free with admission.
Presale tickets at local businesses now or at the fair office, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Tuesday and Thursday, from 1 to 5 p.m.
There will be extra free parking during the fair at Tribal Health with an afternoon shuttle by Anytime Rides.
Students will show and sell livestock during the fair. Courtesy photo.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council is set to consider awarding the bid to construct the Lakefront Park Project and discuss having staff develop a plan to prepare for drought.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. Masks are highly encouraged where 6-foot distancing cannot be maintained.
If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.
The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16.
On Tuesday, City Manager Kevin Ingram will ask the council to award a construction contract to Builder Solutions Inc. for the Lakefront Park Project in the amount of $4,399,381, and authorize Ingram to execute the construction contract subject to legal review.
The contract originally had been on the council’s July 19 agenda, but it had been pulled due to a bid protest filed by the other bidder, Granite Construction Co., on July 18 over Builder Solutions’ failure to provide the Public Works Contractor Registration number for themselves and all the subcontractors, Ingram wrote in his staff report.
Ingram said staff has determined this fact was immaterial because they were able to confirm the numbers through the California Department of Industrial Relations’ online registration portal.
He said the city researched all the claims made by Granite as well as those in a letter from the Construction Industry Force Account Council and a bid “advisory” from the Foundation for Fair Contracting.
Staff is recommending awarding the bid in the amount of $4,499,381 to Builder Solutions, Ingram said.
Builder Solutions has a business model that utilizes a professional employment organization, which leases employees to the company as a form of “co-employment,” so Building Solutions itself claims no employees.
As a result, Ingram said staff is recommending the city hire a labor compliance consultant using the city’s consultant procurement policy to mitigate potential for violations and claims. That will cost an estimated $100,000.
Also on Tuesday, Public Works Superintendent Ron Ladd will ask the council to adopt the resolution approving the Forbes Creek Neighborhood Improvement Project Study and authorize the city manager or designee to implement this plan.
The council also will hold a public hearing to introduce proposed text amendments to the city’s sign ordinance, which Community Development Director Jenni Byers said will allow signs to be seen from State Route 29 for Major Centers, as well as clarify the maximum height requirements for signage.
Utilities Superintendent Paul Harris also will give an update on current drought conditions and review existing water conservation measures and seek council direction to begin the development of a comprehensive drought response plan.
In other business, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will present the 2022 police after action report on the Independence Day fireworks operations and the council will consider approving the purchase of a utility truck for the Park Department.
On the consent agenda — items usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Aug. 2; warrants; adoption of a resolution authorizing continued remote teleconference meetings of the Lakeport City Council and its legislative bodies pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e); approval of event application 2022-023, with staff recommendations, for the 2022 Climb Out of the Darkness event; approval of event application 2022-022, with staff recommendations, for the City Wide Sidewalk Sale; authorize the city manager to sign a three-year purchase agreement with Cartegraph Systems LLC; cancellation of the regular City Council meeting on Oct. 4 and approve the participation of the city of Lakeport in the National Night Out event, with street closures and the Gazebo reserved for the event.
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