The California Independent System Operator, or ISO, has extended a statewide Flex Alert for a second day, issuing a call for voluntary electricity conservation on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 9 p.m., because of hot weather affecting much of California and the West, and tight energy supply margins in the market.

Thursday’s Flex Alert follows Wednesday’s conservation call, also due to above-normal temperatures in the Western states.

Consumers are urged to conserve electricity from 4 to 9 p.m. on both days by setting their thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, and deferring use of major appliances and unnecessary lights during that time.

The ISO also issued a system-wide restricted maintenance operations, or RMO, order for Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., delaying routine maintenance of generation and transmission equipment so that all available resources are online for the critical evening time.

The Flex Alerts have been issued due to above-normal temperatures leading to high electricity demand in California and parts of the western US, narrow margins of supply, and cloud cover creating uncertainty for renewable generation forecasts.

Temperatures in the Northern California inland region are forecast to be 3 to 10 degrees warmer than normal.

In Southern California, temperatures are expected to be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than normal through the weekend, primarily for the interior, although coastal regions are forecast to see some warming as well.

Above-normal temperatures throughout much of the interior western US are also expected this week, with some cities seeing a potential for record-breaking heat.

Widespread heat waves affecting other western states limits the California ISO’s ability to import energy from neighboring power grids.

The ISO is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use. The increase can stretch electricity supplies thin and cause strain on our power grid, especially in the late afternoon and evening, when solar production goes offline and wind generation is uncertain, however, temperatures and electricity demand remains high.

Consumers are urged to conserve electricity, especially during the late afternoon and early evening, when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand and solar energy production falling.

Reducing energy use during a Flex Alert can help stabilize the power grid during a time of tight supply conditions, and prevent further emergency measures, including rotating power outages.

For information on Flex Alerts, and to get more electricity conservation tips, visit www.FlexAlert.org .

Conservation tips before a Flex Alert:

— Pre-cool home by setting the thermostat to as low as 72 degrees.

— Use major appliances:
o Washer and dryer;
o Dishwasher;
o Oven and stove for pre-cooking and preparing meals.

— Adjust blinds and drapes to cover windows.

Tips during a Flex Alert from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.:

— Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits.
— Avoid using major appliances.
— Turn off all unnecessary lights.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Lake County in response to last month’s Cache fire in Clearlake, a step that will offer the city and impacted residents much-needed help in the recovery effort.

The Governor’s Office said the proclamation will help quicken removal of the resulting hazardous debris and ash, in addition to streamlining other public services for fire victims.

City officials were both surprised and delighted by the governor’s Tuesday evening action.

“I can’t believe it! Our indications since the night of the fire have been that there would be no state or federal declaration, because it didn’t meet the thresholds,” City Manager Alan Flora said in an email response to Lake County News’ request for comment on the news.

“This is great news for the city of Clearlake because we were really worried about the cost of cleanup,” Clearlake Mayor Dirk Slooten told Lake County News.

The fire began early on the afternoon of Aug. 18 in the area of Sixth Avenue at Cache Street, swiftly burning 83 acres, 56 homes and 81 outbuildings, and leaving hundreds of people evacuated for several days.

Despite how quickly the fire moved through the densely populated area, no fatalities have been reported.

The help from Newsom’s proclamation is critical for the city of Clearlake, which was facing the prospect of trying to cover millions of dollars in cleanup and recovery on its own.

Increasing the challenge is the fact that officials said many of the impacted homeowners, property owners and renters in the area are either uninsured or underinsured.

During last week’s Clearlake City Council meeting, Flora gave an initial estimate of $14.5 million in impacts to private property and cleanup efforts, of which $11 million is in cleanup and recovery costs.

On the night of the fire, Flora, in his capacity as the city’s emergency services director, declared a local emergency which the Clearlake City Council ratified at its meeting on Aug. 19.

On the morning of Aug. 19, the Lake County Fire Protection District Board held a special meeting during which it approved an emergency declaration in response to the fire — the first time it’s taken such an action in recent memory.

On Aug. 24, the Board of Supervisors ratified separate local emergencies declared by Sheriff Brian Martin and interim Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace in response to the Cache fire, steps needed to seek assistance from the state and federal governments.

Despite those actions, because of the smaller size of the incident, Flora said they hadn’t expected to be granted a state emergency proclamation.

“We had learned recently that we would receive state assistance in clean up efforts, but it was unlikely anything else,” he said. “We are so pleased that additional resources will now be available to those whose lives were devastated by the Cache fire. It took a vast array of lobbying efforts to plead our case.”

Flora said many individuals were involved, and he singled out for special recognition Sheriff Brian Martin, District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, Congressman John Garamendi and Congressman Mike Thompson for adding their voices to this request for assistance.

Additionally, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and state Sen. Mike McGuire “have been fighting in our corner since the night of the fire,” Flora said.

“We are so fortunate to have such tireless advocates in the state Legislature representing us,” Flora said.

Flora said city department heads and staff have put in every effort to prepare a compelling case for state and federal declaration.

“We feel fortunate to be able to secure this win for those impacted by the Cache fire and offer our sincere appreciation to all those that have supported the city in this time of need,” Flora said.

Slooten said the governor's action will now open up an avenue to federal assistance for the recovery, “which is awesome.”

On Thursday, the city’s evacuation shelter at the senior and community center, run by the Red Cross, was closed, with displaced individuals and families moved into other short-term housing.

During the Clearlake City Council meeting, which also took place on Thursday, the council approved an agreement with North Coast Opportunities for short-term housing for Cache fire survivors, using $100,000 from the city’s low and moderate income housing fund to help house those individuals.

Thanks to the governor’s emergency proclamation, “Now we can move on to figuring out how to get permanent housing for these people and not worry about the cost of cleanup over there, and that is huge,” Slooten said Tuesday night.

Gov. Newsom previously proclaimed a state of emergency in counties impacted by the Caldor fire, McFarland and Monument fires, Antelope and River fires, Dixie, Fly and Tamarack fires and the Lava Fire and Beckwourth Complex fire. The governor has also signed executive orders to support impacted communities and bolster wildfire response and recovery efforts.

The Governor’s Office reported that Cal Fire and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Service are responding in concert with other federal, state and local agencies to address emergency management and mutual aid needs for the fires.

The text of Gov. Newsom’s Tuesday proclamation is published below in its entirety.




WHEREAS on August 18, 2021 , the Cache Fire began burning in Lake County; and

WHEREAS the Cache Fire destroyed or caused major damage to more than 100 structures, including dozens of homes, as well as nearly 200 vehicles, resulting in hazardous debris and ash that must be expeditiously removed to mitigate impacts to public health and safety; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the Cache Fire in Lake County; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that the conditions caused by the Cache Fire, by reason of its magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to appropriately respond; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8625( c), I find that local authority is inadequate to cope with the magnitude of the damage caused by the Cache Fire; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this Order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the Cache Fire.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, Government Code section 8625, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist in Lake County due to the Cache Fire.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

l. All agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of the Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan. Also, all residents are to obey the direction of emergency officials with regard to this emergency in order to protect their safety.

2. The Office of Emergency Services shall provide assistance to local governments, if appropriate, under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act, Government Code section 8680 et seq., and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, section 2900 et seq.

3. As necessary to assist local governments and for the protection of public health and the environment, state agencies shall enter into contracts to arrange for the procurement of materials, goods, and services necessary to quickly assist with the response to and recovery from the impacts of the Cache Fire. Applicable provisions of the Government Code and the Public Contract Code, including but not limited to travel, advertising, and competitive bidding requirements, are suspended to the extent necessary to address the effects of the Cache Fire.

4. The provisions of Unemployment Insurance Code section 1253 imposing a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance applicants are suspended as to all applicants who are unemployed as a direct result of the Cache Fire who applied for unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning August 18, 2021, and ending on the close of business on February 18, 2022, and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

5. Vehicle Code sections 9265(a}, 9867, 14901, 14902, and 15255.2, requiring the imposition of fees, are suspended with regard to any request for replacement of o driver's identification card, vehicle registration certificate, or certificate of title, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the Cache Fire. Such records shall be replaced without charge.

6. The provisions of Vehicle Code sections 4602 and 5902, requiring the timely registration or transfer of title are suspended with regard to any registration or transfer of title by any resident of Lake County, who is unable to comply with those requirements as a result of the Cache Fire, respectively. The time covered by this suspension shall not be included in calculating any late penalty pursuant to Vehicle Code section 9554.

7. Health and Safety Code sections 103525.5 and 103625, and Penal Code section 14251, requiring the imposition of fees are hereby suspended with regard to any request for copies of certificates of birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the Cache Fire. Such copies shall be provided without charge.

8. All provisions of Executive Orders N-13-21 and N-14-2 1 are hereby incorporated by reference into this proclamation and are applicable to Lake County due to the Cache Fire.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 7th day of September 2021.

GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California

ATTEST:

SHIRLEY WEBER, PH.D.
Secretary of State

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 is set to hold a special meeting to discuss preparations for the gubernatorial recall election and an arrangement to have the new Community Development director come on in an extra-help capacity ahead of her official appointment date.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. ‌Thursday, Sept. 9, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

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. ‌ ‌

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ 927 1518 0793, ‌pass code 090501.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,92715180793#,,,,*090501#.

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.

To‌ ‌submit‌ ‌a‌ ‌written‌ ‌comment‌ ‌on‌ ‌any‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌item‌ ‌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 9:06 a.m., Registrar of Voters Maria Valadez will give the board an update on her department’s preparations for the Sept. 14 special election for the gubernatorial recall.

“In addition, in light of the need to make special arrangements to enable constituents to vote in-person safely, with proper social distancing in place, I am requesting the use of the Board chambers on September 14, 2021,” Valadez wrote in a memo to the board. “The use of the Board chambers would enable the setup of voting stations in the larger space, rather than in the cramped hallway area on the second floor. Admittedly, this would necessitate that your Board meet in Zoom. At this time, many constituents are expressing their intention to vote in-person and this one-time accommodation would increase our capacity to support in-person voting during the pandemic.”

Also on Thursday, at 9:15 a.m., the supervisors will be asked to consider appointing Mary Darby as extra help Community Development director at a rate of $54.42 per hour for the period Sept. 10 through Oct. 3.

On Aug. 31, the board voted to appoint Darby as the new Community Development director, effective Oct. 4, as Lake County News has reported.

In a memo to the board, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said that ahead of her Oct. 4 start date, “Darby has expressed a desire to participate in meetings with staff remotely via zoom while she is in the process of relocating here. Doing so would support her transition by enabling her to begin to get to know staff and to become informed regarding department priorities and concerns.”

Huchingson is recommending the board hire Darby on an hourly basis, in an extra help capacity at an hourly rate of $54.42 per hour, which is equivalent to step three on the CDD Director salary scale — which is the step she was hired at for the full-time position — until her permanent employment begins on Oct. 4.

“As an extra help employee, she could work on a part-time basis, not to exceed 25 hours per week. During the time of Ms. Darby’s extra help employment, I and my designee Assistant CAO Susan Parker will continue to serve as Interim CDD Director until Ms. Darby takes over on a full-time basis on Oct. 4,” Huchingson wrote.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — As it prepares to submit an application for state grant funding for a new horse park, the Westside Community Park Committee is planning a series of upcoming meetings to gather public input.

The committee recently held the first of five public meetings to engage the community in the design of the Westside Community Horse Park.

The meeting was held at the site of the future park on Highway 175 west of Lakeport and attended by more than 30 people.

Following a barbecue hot dog dinner by Walt and Jaxan Christensen, those in attendance were able to view the site and offer their ideas for development.

These meetings are part of preparing an application to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for $3 million in funding available from voter approved Proposition 68.

Westside Community Park Committee Board Member, Carol Maxwell, is leading the planning for the grant application.

“I encourage everyone interested in seeing the development of a Horse Park serving our entire region to attend and offer input in the design,” Maxwell said. “This is a competitive grant application process and public participation is critical to a successful application.”

The first meeting built upon the results of an online survey completed by over 200 people offering opinions regarding the needs of those in the horse community in Lake County.

Six primary areas of concern were identified: community, competition, noncompetitive events, education, trails and training.

Followup meetings will begin by creating a list of potential facilities and programs needed, addressing any restraints to development and their solutions, creating two or three designs for the park and then selection of a final design.

The final four meetings are scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9; 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 18; 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23; and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6.

All meetings have been scheduled in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall.

Given the current surge in cases of COVID-19, the Sept. 9 meeting will be held outside, across the street in Library Park. Dinner will be provided.

Whether to meet in the City Hall or at Library Park for future meetings is still to be determined.

California is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, with more than 30,000 species of insects, 6,500 plants, 650 birds, 220 mammals, 100 reptiles, 75 amphibians, 70 freshwater fish, and 100 species of marine fish and mammals.

“We celebrate the unique diversity of living things found in our state, and encourage actions to protect them, on California Biodiversity Day, held Sept. 7 of each year,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

Although physical distancing restrictions and other COVID-19 precaution have prevented California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, ecological reserves and wildlife areas from planning the “open house” style celebrations that were hosted in previous years, CDFW staff across the state have created a roster of ways – both virtual and outdoors – for Californians to explore and learn about the biodiversity found on state lands.

A master list of California Biodiversity Day events can be found at www.resources.ca.gov/biodiversityday2021.

This year’s virtual events, self-guided tours and outdoor opportunities lend themselves to physical distancing. The events will be held over the course of a week, from Sept. 4 to 12.

A sampling of California Biodiversity Day 2021 events, many of which feature the use of the free iNaturalist app, include the following:

Take one of the many self-guided tours available at CDFW properties throughout the state. Use the iNaturalist app to learn and document any plants, animals or other organisms you encounter while exploring CDFW ecological reserves and wildlife areas.

Visitors to the Los Angeles Zoo are invited to imagine and share their vision of what people and animals thriving, together, looks like at their home. Visitors will be able to draw a scene showing their ideas, and then attach it to a wall-sized map of Los Angeles. This community-created mural will showcase our collective vision of a city where California biodiversity is valued. Happening Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11, and 12, 2021, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Using the free iNaturalist app, join a virtual scavenger hunt around the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and along the American River! Bring drinking water. Programming provided in English and Spanish.

Join one of the virtual presentations to learn more about California’s unique biodiversity and ways you can help protect it. Take part in an interview with pollinator scientists on Sept. 9 or learn about how you can restore habitat where you live and work on Sept. 10.

Visit the Biodiversity Day website for a full list of events and details.

All proposed in-person activities will take place outdoors and involve minimal contact between participants and any staff present, with a minimum physical distance of 6 feet from individuals from different households observed by all.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Planning Commission is set to discuss a new project proposed by Lake County Tribal Health and an option to replace the city’s outdoor dining permits.

The commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. In accordance with updated guidelines from the state of California and revised Cal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards, persons who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are required to wear a face covering at this meeting.

The agenda is available here.

To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here; the meeting ID is 986 6166 5155. To join by phone, dial 1-669-900-9128.

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 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

Please indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that are read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council before the meeting.

On Wednesday, the commission will consider Lake County Tribal Health’s application for architectural and design review and a categorical exemption for a 1,200-square-foot metal building to be located at 1950 Parallel Drive.

The new building will be located south of Tribal Health’s existing offices and facilities on its Legacy Court property, staff reported.

The staff report said the new building will be used to house the Job Skills Center training client in carpentry, cabinetry, and simple electrical and plumbing trades, and also for housing equipment.

The program had been conducted in an adjacent carport on the property before the pandemic began. “With the pandemic, the program was put on hold which prompted the decision to provide a better, more permanent location for this program,” the staff report said.

In other business, Community Development Director Jennifer Byers will hold a study session and discussion with the commission regarding outdoor dining parklets as a replacement to the current COVID-19 temporary outdoor dining permits.

Byers’ report to the commission explained that in May 2020 the city manager authorized an executive order which approved a process for temporary zoning permits to allow outdoor dining, or parklets, with a no-fee, expedited permit.

The city has issued 10 of those permits, which Byers said authorize the use of a segment of public sidewalk, street parking lane or private parking areas for outdoor dining. Some of those areas are using city-owned K-rail barriers.

In a June 3 order, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended relief measures allowing restaurants and bars to continue expanded outdoor operations through Dec. 31, Byers said.

Byers said parklets are “an innovative way to add temporary gathering spaces to public streets.” They’re typically located in the parking lane adjacent to the curb and designed as a sidewalk extension.

The Lakeport Main Street Association conducted a survey of downtown business owners from Martin to Fifth streets in July, asking if the city should allow permanent parklets. Of those responding, Byers said 50% said yes, 33% said maybe and 16% said no.

Her report said staff is seeking direction from the commission on implementing a permanent program, including design criteria and the mechanisms needed for businesses other than restaurants to use outdoor retail opportunities.

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.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Area Town Hall this week will host a discussion on county alert systems and proposed cannabis projects in the south county.

MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public.

To join the Zoom meeting click on this link; the meeting ID is 935 1671 5770. Call in at 669-900-6833, or one-tap mobile at +16699006833,93516715770# or +12532158782,93516715770#.

At 7:10 p.m., Sheriff Brian Martin has been invited to speak and hold a discussion with the group regarding the Nixle alert system his agency uses during emergencies.

7:40 p.m., the group is scheduled to turn to a discussion of proposed cannabis projects.

Mike Mitzel, a representative of projects planned at the Bar-X and Diamond J ranches, with offer and update and answer questions.

Time also has been scheduled for the applicants of the WeGrow project near Hidden Valley to speak to the group at 7:55 p.m. Earlier this year, the project was approved by the Lake County Planning Commission but an appeal without prejudice was upheld by the Board of Supervisors in June, meaning owner Zarina Otchkova can reapply.

MATH will discuss whether to act as a body in submitting comments to the county on the project. The county currently is taking public comment through Oct. 6 on the addendum to the project’s mitigated negative declaration.

Other agenda items include an update from Supervisor Moke Simon at 8:10 p.m., a vote at 8:20 p.m. on a Pacific Gas and Electric Grant for municipal groups, public comment at 8:30 p.m. and a discussion at 8:45 p.m. on moving back to in-person meetings.

MATH will next meet on Thursday, Oct. 14.

The MATH Board includes Co-Chairs Rosemary Córdova and Monica Rosenthal, Secretary Lisa Kaplan, and Ken Gonzales and Paul Baker.

MATH — established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 — is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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 Lakeport City Council has taken action to make city-owned properties available for sale in response to interest from hotel developers.

At the council’s Aug. 17 meeting, Community Development Director Jenni Byers reported that the city has been approached by two hoteliers about a potential lakeside hotel project at the Dutch Harbor property, located on North Main Street next to the Lakefront Park that’s under construction.

In order to move forward on a possible sale, Byers said the city needed to declare the property surplus.

The 2.9-acre Dutch Harbor — which has long been envisioned as being used for a hotel development — was one of several properties staff identified as surplus.

The others include a 0.51-acre property next to Dutch Harbor that includes a building that was the old Natural High School; the former police station on N. Forbes Street, 0.23 acres; and an 0.80-acre portion of land not included in the Lakefront Park project.

Councilman Michael Green asked about how developable the Dutch Harbor property is.

Byers said the Lakeport Lakefront Revitalization Plan presented information on that prospect, which is why the small strip from the park is to be included.

The plan includes alternatives such as a private hotel development on the site, or commercial or waterfront development.

It also suggested the city consider adding a specific general plan policy to the land use element allowing for a possible lot line adjustment between the Dutch Harbor property and Natural High property to make the Dutch Harbor site a more developable parcel for a hotel or similar resort commercial use.

Byers said the early proposals are for a three-story hotel building.

City Manager Kevin Ingram said a 2017 hotel feasibility study identified a hotel as the highest use for Dutch Harbor, although it was undersized, at less than three acres. He said adding the other nearby property gets it closer to the needed size.

Green asked why the city didn’t analyze adding that property to Lakefront Park. Ingram said the city didn’t include the old school building or the additional shoreline frontage due to the tight time frame the city had as well as the California Environmental Quality Act requirements for the building’s demolition.

While Ingram said that property won’t necessarily be used for a hotel, it’s a matter of making it available for other potential uses. Any potential commercial use requires the city to go through the surplus process.

He said the city has done some marketing to try to attract hoteliers and they received some leads.

Councilman Michael Froio moved to adopt the resolution declaring the surplus property and directing staff to file a notice of availability with the California Department of Housing and Community Development in accordance with the Surplus Lands Act.

That law requires local governments to follow certain steps before disposition of property, including declaring it either “surplus land” or “exempt surplus land.”

Unless the land is exempt, Byers’ report said the law requires the city to give written notice of the property’s availability to any local public entity, including schools and park districts, within whose jurisdiction the property is located, as well as to housing sponsors that have notified the Department of Housing and Community Development of their interest in surplus property.

“An entity receiving notice from the agency has 60 days to notify the agency of its interest in purchasing the property, and the agency is required to negotiate in good faith for not less than 90 days with any entity that has responded. Notwithstanding the obligation to negotiate in good faith, the local agency is not required to sell or lease the property to the agency, or to do so for less than fair market value,” Byers wrote in her report.

As of early Tuesday, the Department of Housing and Community Development’s website had not been updated to show the Lakeport properties in its database.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee will meet this week to continue its work on a strategic plan.

The committee, or LEDAC, will meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8.

The meeting is open to the public.

The meeting will be held via Zoom: Meeting ID, 830 6034 4302; pass code, 232446. Dial by your location, 669-900-6833.

Agenda items include the Lakeport Economic Development Strategic Plan. The group is meeting monthly on the second Wednesday through December to work on elements of the plan.

They also will get updates on city projects and activities from City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Director Jenni Byers, and member reports.

Next month’s meeting will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.

Members are Chair Wilda Shock and Vice Chair Denise Combs, Bonnie Darling, Candy De Los Santos, Monica Flores, Pam Harpster, Andy Lucas, Alicia Russell, Laura Sammel and Marie Schrader, with Bill Eaton as an ex officio member. City staff who are members include City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Director Jenni Byers.

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.

California will face a significant shortfall of registered nurses over the next five years due to long-term trends that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report by the UCSF Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care.

The authors estimate a current shortage of 40,567 full-time equivalent RNs, a 13.6 percent gap, that is projected to persist until 2026, according to an analysis of preliminary data from the 2020 Survey of California Registered Nurses and final data from the 2019-20 Annual RN Schools Survey.

At a time when hospitals nationwide are facing challenges in filling nursing positions, the study found that many older registered nurses in California have left the field and a large number plan on retiring or quitting within the next two years. Meanwhile unemployment among younger RNs in California has increased.

“The pandemic is accelerating a broad trend that has been building for some time,” said Joanne Spetz, PhD, co-author of the report and director of the UCSF Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (PRL-IHPS). “To address this, employers need to retain older RNs, while developing career paths for new graduates. They also need to rapidly develop and implement strategies to mitigate the potential harm of nurse shortages over the next five years.”

California currently has more than 350,000 registered nurses employed in its hospitals, clinics and other facilities, as well as more than 450,000 licensed nurses.

California nurses make up nearly 12% of all nurses employed nationwide. Among employed RNs in California, an estimated 30% are over age 55.

In 2020, 26% of registered nurses between the ages of 55 and 64 said they plan to leave the field in the next two years, up from 12% in 2018. The authors said this was most likely from burnout and the need to reduce COVID-19 exposure to at-risk family members.

At the same time, employers have been reluctant to hire less experienced RNs, possibly because of the difficulty in onboarding them during the pandemic. Demand for nurses was also reduced in some regions because of limits on elective surgeries and in-person ambulatory care.

The report, released on Sept. 6, 2021, estimates that 8,500 California RNs were seeking employment in late 2020, which would fill about 20% of the current shortfall.

California is also producing fewer nurses. Public registered nursing education programs, including city colleges and the California state system, had to decrease enrollments, skip cohorts and reduce class sizes during the pandemic, in part because of their inability to place students in clinical environments.

“These programs didn’t have the resources to pivot online or to distance within classrooms as a private school can,” Spetz said. “Policymakers need to support public nursing education programs to ensure an ongoing pipeline of nurses into the health care system.”

Fortunately, there is a record-breaking interest in the nursing profession, Spetz said. RN education enrollments are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels during the 2022-23 academic year.

Spetz said much can also be done to retain older nurses, for example by offering them alternative roles as mentors.

“Employers need to be really thoughtful about long-term workforce development,” Spetz said. As nurses exit the workforce at a more rapid rate, employers will need to onboard new RNs. “Can you address older RNs’ burnout and keep them in the workplace part-time to help onboard the new grads?”

Co-authors of the report include Lela Chu and Lisel Blash, both of UCSF.

Rebecca Wolfson writes for the University of California, San Francisco.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council this week will hear a pitch from a nonprofit which wants to house its operations in the city’s historic Carnegie Library and will hold a workshop to discuss issues related to homelessness.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda can be found here.

The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. In accordance with updated guidelines from the state of California and revised Cal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards, persons who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are required to wear a face covering at this meeting.

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, Sept. 7.

Indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that are read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council before the meeting.

Under council business, the council is to hear a presentation from the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center, or CLERC, and discuss the appropriateness of the reuse of the Carnegie Library building for CLERC offices, a laboratory and a public environmental resources center.

The staff report from City Manager Kevin Ingram includes no written report or proposal from CLERC.

Ingram said CLERC recently contacted city staff to discuss the possible location of offices and laboratory space within the city of Lakeport, a site meeting was held and “it became clear that the overall mission of CLERC was a potential match for the reuse of the Lakeport Carnegie Library building.”

Ingram’s report notes that the city has installed an elevator/lift, remodeled existing restrooms and performed some minor exterior alterations to make the site compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards, and replaced the central heating and air conditioning unit.

“Over time the second-floor ceiling has continued to deteriorate. The current fiscal year budget includes funding for the repair of the ceiling and replacement of lighting on the second floor. This remains the last major barrier to the reuse of the second story interior space,” Ingram wrote in his report.

In other business, there will be a special workshop during which staff will update the council on homelessness and mental health programs and discuss available opportunities in addressing the issue.

As part of that discussion, the council will consider its response to the grand jury report’s section entitled “Homeless — Not Hopeless.”

Also on Tuesday, the council will be introduced to new Public Works employees Todd Starkovich, and Connie Warthen; direct the city’s voting delegate to the 2021 League of California Cities Annual Conference on how to vote on two resolutions related to sales tax and funding for the California Public Utilities Commission to inspect railroad lines for illegal dumping, graffiti and homeless encampments along railroad rights of way.

The council also will adopt a proposed resolution to amend the original State Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act application to include Program Income to be used for commercial kitchen upgrades at the Silveira Community Center; consider adopting a resolution to submit an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for funding under the Competitive Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program; approve a resolution to submit an application to the Small Community Drought Relief Program for the replacement of a city well; and adoption of the Pension and Reserve Policy, amendments to the Investment Policy and the proposed resolution confirming the issuance of pension obligation bonds and related documents.

On the consent agenda — items usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Aug. 3 and the special meeting on Aug. 10; approval for event application 2021-004, amended to request reserved parking on Third Street, for the 2021 Home Amateur Winemakers WineFest on Sept. 18 (this event has been canceled); adoption of resolution accepting construction of the Community Center Kitchen Remodel Project by Bridges Construction and authorize the filing of the notice of completion; adoption of resolution accepting construction of the 2021 Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project by Ghilotti Construction Co. and authorize the filing of the notice of completion; and adoption of a resolution approving the Compensation and Benefits Program for the city of Lakeport Unrepresented Employees for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024.

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. — COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of another major community event.

The Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival, also known as the WineFest, a major fundraiser for the Lake County Symphony that was planned for Sept. 18 in Library Park, has been canceled.

The event also was canceled last year because of the pandemic.

WineFest organizers said it’s all about the COVID-19 threat and concerns about public safety due to the poor record of vaccinations and mask compliance in Lake County, which has been a hot spots in California.

Organizers said they made this difficult choice to protect fellow residents in Lake County, particularly the unvaccinated, which includes children under age 12.

They cited the rise of COVID-19 cases due to the more contagious Delta variant, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that all people in high-risk areas like Lake County should continue to wear masks indoors in public places, regardless of vaccination status.

“After looking thoroughly at the statistics, we felt that even at an outdoor event like ours, the virus could be spread, since people who chose to wear a mask would have to take it off to do wine and beer tasting. I am not happy about it,” Carl Fredrickson, president of the Symphony Wine Club, explained. “A lot of hard work went into the organization of our WineFest. There was anger, disappointment and even some tears after most Wine Club members voted to cancel our WineFest for a second year.”

Fredrickson added, “Speaking only for myself, I just wish that everyone would get vaccinated and wear a mask to protect others. This pandemic could be over by now if more people had done that. Now we may be looking at requiring ‘vaccine passports’ everywhere so we can get back to normal life.”