Thursday, 27 February 2025

Register

News

Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Mendocino Complex Disaster Recovery Center in Lake County will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center on Monday, Sept. 17.

The center is located at the Habematolel Pomo Tribal Community Center, 9460 Main St., Upper Lake.

SBA representatives will be available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to meet with businesses and residents affected by the wildfires and high winds that began July 23 to answer questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help with completing SBA applications and close approved disaster loans.

The disaster recovery center will operate through 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15.

The premises will reopen on Monday, Sept. 17, as the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Representatives from FEMA will continue to provide services at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center through the registration deadline of Oct. 3.

Disaster recovery centers are jointly run by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Representatives from Cal OES, FEMA, SBA and other state and federal agencies staff the centers. They offer survivors of the July wildfires disaster assistance resources.

As with any disaster recovery center transition, those affected are reminded that FEMA is a phone call, mouse click or FEMA app away.

Disaster survivors can go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , use the FEMA app, or call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 for TTY users.

Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time, seven days a week.

For more information on California recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4382, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion9 or www.wildfirerecovery.org/ . You can also apply for SBA disaster loans by visiting SBA’s disaster Web site at www.disasterloan.SBA.gov/ela . For more information call SBA at 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 (TTY).
Posted On

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall this week will get an update from the district supervisor.

MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.

Meetings are open to the community, and offer the opportunity for additional public input on items not included on the agenda.

On the agenda is an update from District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon.

MATH members also will discuss new projects, the group’s Internet presence and the formation of a bylaws committee.

The MATH Board includes Chair Joseph Sullivan, Vice Chair Courtney Van Leuven, Secretary Marlene Elder, and members-at member Lisa Kaplan, and alternates Mike Tabacchi and Claude Brown.

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.

Meetings are subject to videotaping.

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.
Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As Ranch and River fire survivors progress through the initial steps of their recovery journey, rebuilding is becoming a central focus for many.

The cleanup required to prepare wildfire-damaged properties for safe and successful rebuilding is considerable, and survivors have many questions about their options.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, the county of Lake will host a virtual Mendocino Complex Recovery meeting, focused entirely upon cleanup and debris removal.

The meeting will be streamed via Facebook Live, at https://www.facebook.com/lakecountycagov.

Questions will be taken through the county’s Facebook page, so Mendocino Complex survivors throughout the county can access key information.

Those whose properties were seriously damaged are aware that the Department of Toxic Substances Control, or DTSC, began Phase 1 of the cleanup effort Monday.

DTSC is expected to continue clearing household hazardous waste through Friday, Sept. 21.

The next phase will include a state-coordinated program to remove hazardous wildfire debris from private properties damaged by the Ranch and River fires, run by CalRecycle.

To participate in this public debris cleanup program, property owners are required to sign a right of entry, or ROE, form that permits the state’s contractors to enter their property and remove wildfire-related debris.

Participation in the program also requires that those with homeowner’s insurance file an insurance claim and reimburse any proceeds received for the government program’s debris removal efforts at a later date. ROEs are available through the county’s Environmental Health office.

While there is no up-front, out-of-pocket cost to participate in the state’s debris removal program, keeping and profiting from any insurance funds received in consideration of the public program’s debris removal efforts is a “duplication of benefits,” a type of insurance fraud.

Property owners are encouraged to work with their insurance companies to ensure they understand and can hold aside any reimbursements made to them, directly, for debris removal.

“Cleanup is a major step in the recovery process,” said Nathan Spangler, Lake County’s Mendocino Complex recovery coordinator. “Participation in the State’s program can help ensure a damaged property is safe for rebuilding. County Environmental Health staff and others are available to help property owners understand their options, and Wednesday’s virtual meeting is a great opportunity to hear from many of the county officials who are involved in this important effort.”

Spangler can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 916-521-7108.

Lake County Environmental Health can be reached at 707-263-1164.
Blog Left ad
Posted On



On Thursday Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) slammed Republicans on the House Committee on Ways and Means for unanimously rejecting his amendment to provide targeted tax relief for victims of natural disasters.

The amendment was offered to H.R. 6760, the second iteration of Republican-led tax cut bill, during a markup in the committee.

“In the last year, our district has suffered both the most destructive and the largest fire in California history,” Thompson said in a followup statement. “The survivors of these fires and all natural disasters should not have to come begging to Congress to get tax relief as they work to recover and rebuild. Last year after hurricanes ravaged his Texas district, Chairman Brady offered a bill that provided targeted tax relief for the victims of disaster that struck his community. Today, he and the rest of the Republicans on the committee rejected my amendment that would provide the same disaster tax relief to all survivors of natural disasters. This is hypocrisy – we shouldn’t be turning our backs on those who need help the most, we should be providing a path for them to get back on their feet.”

He continued, “The tax plan to which my amendment was offered is reckless policy focused on gifting huge, unpaid for tax cuts for the richest one percent, while eliminating tax incentives for the middle class, and leaving low-income families in the dust. After adding more than $2.3 trillion to the debt, Republicans will use this an excuse to chip away at Medicare and Social Security. By making permanent the cap on State and Local Tax deductions, this bill makes it harder for local governments in states like California to pay for essential services like health care, infrastructure, and law enforcement. Once again, Republican leaders rushed this process with no bipartisan input or opportunity to hear from outside experts to pass this tax giveaway to the richest Americans just in time for the November elections. This is unacceptable, we should instead be working together on policy that will boost wages for everyone, build up our middle class, and help everyone get ahead.”

Posted On

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters continue to work to fully contain the Snell fire in Napa County.

The fire remains at 2,490 acres, with containment on Wednesday night up to 75 percent, according to Cal Fire.

The fire began on Saturday afternoon southeast of Middletown near the Berryessa Estates subdivision, as Lake County News has reported.

Cal Fire said fire crews on Wednesday made good progress constructing fire line and strengthening current lines.

Fire crews also are continuing to patrol and mop up hot spots, Cal Fire.

Cal Fire said the resources that remain assigned to the incident include 746 personnel, 66 engines, seven water tenders, 19 fire crews, one helicopter and three bulldozers.

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.
Posted On

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service has reported on the next steps to be taken for public lands impacted by the Mendocino Complex.

The Ranch and River fires started in late July and combined they burned 459,123 acres across federal, state, tribal and private lands.

The Ranch fire is 98 percent contained at 410,203 acres and the River Fire is fully contained at 48,920 acres.

The Ranch fire is the largest wildland fire in California history and it’s not out yet. After the fire is fully contained, there will be a lot of repair and restoration work to accomplish in the years ahead.

Mendocino National Forest officials said the priorities for the incident remain firefighter and public safety. Fire crews assigned to the incident continue to repair firelines constructed during suppression operations.

Suppression repair work has been completed on 70 percent of the 672 miles of fireline that were constructed.

Fire suppression repair work consists of cutting hazard trees to ensure firefighters are working in safe areas, removing damaged trees that were bulldozed during fireline construction, reducing dirt berms, spreading cut vegetation, building water bars to minimize soil erosion and installing signs to protect natural resources and control traffic.

The Burned Area Emergency Response, or BAER, team completed its assessment of the fire area with the exception of the Snow Mountain Wilderness which still has active fire.

Trail 36 in the Mendocino National Forest before the Mendocino Complex. Photo courtesy of the Mendocino National Forest.

The BAER report provided information about the potential for future flooding, erosion and debris flows and made recommendations for emergency stabilization activities that need to occur in the first year after the fire.

The report stated that the fire burned through the entire off highway vehicle trail system, damaged trail segments, burned or compromised culverts and bridges and impacted campgrounds, day use areas, trailheads, and signage.

Also, the BAER team advised forest officials that future washouts from storm events pose general and widespread threats to safety for visitors and Forest Service employees.

The fire area remains closed under Forest Order No. 08-18-15. The forest is working to open areas as quickly as possible, but it’s going to take time. Some of the hazards in and around the fire area include dead standing trees or snags, burned bridges, barriers and culverts, exposed rebar stakes, rolling logs and rocks, and burned-out stump holes.

Next, the BAER focus will be on reducing hazard trees along roads, in campsites and parking areas. This work has to be done before areas can be safely reopened to the public.

An assessment of the fire area is planned first in order to identify priorities based on public safety. Initially, hazard tree removal work will be done in areas leading to private property, communication sites, infrastructure and developed recreation sites.

“We understand everyone’s desire to return to the forest,” said Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson. “We all want to visit our favorite places and see how they fared through the fire. People have also expressed interest in volunteering for cleanup and restoration projects. We are doing everything possible to reasonably reduce risks to the public and reopen areas. We are exploring opportunities for volunteers to help us. Thank you again for your patience and support during this long recovery process.”

Trail 36 in the Mendocino National Forest after the Mendocino Complex. Photo courtesy of the Mendocino National Forest.
Posted On

LAKEPORT, Calif. – After postponing a vote on its budget for two weeks to hold labor negotiations that ultimately failed, the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board on Tuesday approved a new fiscal year budget that is the worst-case scenario for staffing, making deep cuts to both full-time and part-time firefighter numbers.

The district has nine full-time firefighters in addition to Fire Chief Doug Hutchison, and three part-timers, Hutchison told Lake County News.

The new budget calls for laying off three of the district’s full-time firefighters and all three part-timers, which Hutchison said was necessary to make the budget balance.

When contacted by Lake County News on Wednesday, the Lakeport Professional Firefighters Union declined comment ahead of a Thursday night meeting that is planned with members.

The fire district board held a special meeting on Aug. 28 to consider two budget options: the first, what Hutchison called a “Band-Aid measure” that would have laid off one full-time firefighter and all three part-time positions, and the “black and white” option, which called for laying off three full-time firefighters and the three part-time personnel.

At that time, the board voted to seek an extension from the county on the budget’s approval in order to try last-minute negotiations with the firefighters’ union, as Lake County News has reported.

The district has been wrestling with dropping ambulance revenues and struggling to make ends meet after having given the union a 3-percent cost of living increase in February, as Hutchison said in a late August interview during which he explained the district’s challenges.

At the opening of the district’s regular Tuesday night meeting, Board President John Whitehead said the union had offered the district a 10-percent pay cut in salaries with four-person staffing per day, which Hutchison later explained to Lake County News would have required three full-time firefighters and one part-time firefighter.

The district countered with a 10-percent budget cut and three-person staffing per day, which Whitehead said was rejected. That proposal also included 10 ambulance transport shifts per month.

Whitehead said the negotiation committee considered negotiations at an end.

From there the board moved forward with the public hearing on the budget in front of a standing-room-only audience of nearly 70 people, ultimately voting 3-1 – with Bill Whipple voting no – to accept the more severe of the two budget options it had looked at on Aug. 28.

Board member Gerry Mills retired last month. Later in the meeting the board interviewed candidates to succeed him, ultimately deciding to ask the Board of Supervisors to appoint Gary Hill to Mills’ seat.

On Tuesday the fire district board also would vote to do away with board member stipends of $100 per meeting as another cost-saving measure.

Hutchison told Lake County News that the newly approved budget has revenues of $1,821,160 and expenditures of $2,091,601. The district’s reserves will cover the $270,441 deficit.

In addition to the firefighter staffing cuts, Hutchison said he and his administrative assistant took 7-percent pay cuts and had caps placed on their health insurance.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the fire district board heard from a number of concerned community members who decried the cuts and also raised issue with why they were finding out about the severity of the situation so late in the budgeting process.

Among those raising concerns about public health and safety was Sutter Lakeside Hospital Chief Administrative Officer Dan Peterson.

“I have grave concerns about the decision that it appears you've made tonight,” Peterson said.

He said the delay in ambulance transports could cost patients their lives. Peterson added that it was more than a budget conversation but one that is about the community’s health and wellness.

Peterson said he would pledge his own money and added that the hospital would love to collaborate with the district to find solutions.

In the wake of the meeting, Hutchison said the reactions from the community have been muted.

On Wednesday, Hutchison – who said he doesn’t do social media – said the district had received no phone calls, and that everyone he’s been able to sit down with and talk to about the matter has understood the situation.

“Nobody’s more unhappy about this than me. There isn’t a fire chief in the world who wants to give up people,” he said, adding that, at the same time, he has a legal responsibility to keep a balanced budget because government finance is different than personal finance.

The next steps ahead

Hutchison said the process for how the layoffs will take place still hasn’t been determined.

One of the key issues is that the district and union don’t really have a memorandum of understanding, but decades of side letters about an original agreement, a copy of which no one has, Hutchison said.

That has complicated the negotiations process, he said, adding that the district had hoped to hit the “pause button” in order to get the document written down.

None of the existing documents explain how to proceed with layoffs. “Typically, it’s seniority,” he said.

However, Hutchison said the district wants to hear from the union on the process. “We will give them the opportunity to have that input.”

Negotiations also could restart, which would offer other options outside of the layoffs. However, Hutchison said that because negotiations had previously not yielded a resolution, the district had to move forward with its budget because it cannot arbitrarily cut pay and health insurance.

“That’s what forced the board to have to cut the positions,” he said.

Even though a final budget has been approved, Hutchison said the district always welcomes discussions with the union. “We’ll sit down with the union any time they want to talk.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, Hutchison said he hadn’t received any messages from the union, which typically communicates through its representative and attorney, who in turn contacts the district’s attorney.

The district’s staffing has remained at the same level since 2004, when the district hired an additional firefighter per shift in response to the departure of an ambulance company that had served the county, Hutchison said.

Altogether, the district will now have six firefighters, plus Hutchison, left to serve the Lakeport community, which just over a month ago was fully evacuated due to the River fire portion of the Mendocino Complex.

At the fire board meeting on Tuesday night, community members raised the issue of fire and ambulance response times, which Hutchison acknowledged could now be slower due to less personnel.

In the followup interview on Wednesday, Hutchison said the cuts will bring Lakeport’s staffing to levels that are really no different than other stations around the lake, with the exception of Clearlake.

“While it’s tragic and unfortunate, we’re still going to be on par with the rest of the county, which isn't a good place to be, I don’t want to be there, but right now my hands are tied,” he said.

In addition to look at pursuing an updated fire tax measure early next year, Hutchison said he plans to apply for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for rehiring laid off firefighters which will open early next year, likely in March.

The grant is highly competitive, with only about 300 awards made nationwide. The grant would provide money for 75 percent of the salaries for two years and a 35 percent for the third year. Hutchison said that if the tax measure is approved, the district wouldn’t get proceeds for a few years, so the grant could help cover that lag time.

He said the district didn’t apply for that grant this year because they were in negotiations and, at that point, hadn’t gotten all of the revenue projections. “At the time, as we were building that budget, everything looked OK,” he said. “We don’t get the final numbers from the county until June.”

Hutchison said the district also got a surprise when, due to a lag in ambulance revenue billings that was exacerbated by changes in billers, rather than going into the new fiscal year with $114,000 in the bank, it started $97,000 in the hole.

He’s hoping that the issues with the billings are just a temporary glitch. However, “I can’t issue people paychecks that don’t have cash behind them, and that’s what it would take to keep those folks on right now unfortunately.”

In light of his current situation, Hutchison recalled one of his old chiefs, who had to downsize units and close stations. “I remember him telling me, it will be one of the worst days of your life,” and he said that’s been the case.

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.
Posted On

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office will host a meeting seeking public input on the Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response, or BAER, team assessment of damage to federal lands from the Mendocino Complex fires on Thursday, Sept. 20.

The meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center in the Cabernet Room No. 2, 200 S. School St., Ukiah.

“The BLM believes partnerships and inclusion are vital to managing sustainable, working public lands,” says Ukiah Field Manager Amanda James. “We want our outdoor enthusiasts and user groups helping us explore solutions for these charred landscapes, so together we can preserve the integrity of the trails and recreation areas for generations to come.”

More than 80,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands burned during the Pawnee, County, River and Ranch fires this year. Trails on the Cow Mountain Recreation Management Area were heavily damaged by the River Fire.

The BLM has created a new webpage at https://www.blm.gov/california/mendocino-complex-fires to make it easier for the public to access information about the BAER team assessment and impacts from the Mendocino Complex fires on federal lands in one location.

Maps, photos, presentations and information will be shared on this site and an interactive map is being developed allowing users to turn on and off different layers and zoom into specific locations.

During the public meeting, BLM specialists and attendees will have a chance to review and discuss the maps and information generated by the BAER team.

Public lands keep America not only beautiful, but also strong. For more information, please contact the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.
Posted On

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has identified the Lakeport man who died in a Sunday wreck near Ukiah.

Reynaldo Castillo Esquivel, 52, was the victim of the crash, according to Capt. Greg Van Patten.

The California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office said Esquivel was driving a 2002 BMW sedan northbound on Eastside Calpella Road south of Highway 20 East shortly before 6 p.m. when the crash occurred.

The CHP said Esquivel’s car went off the road and onto the east shoulder before overturning and coming to rest on its roof.

Esquivel died at the scene. The CHP said he was not using his seat belt.

A 52-year-old Lakeport woman who was riding as his passenger, and who the CHP has not identified, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Ukiah Valley Medical Center.

The crash is under investigation, the CHP said.

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.
Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As part of its campaign to reverse the opioid crisis, which claimed 63 lives in Lake County between 2014 and 2017, SafeRx Lake County has committed to participate in three outreach events over the coming month.

Additionally, SafeRx will be meeting with state legislators on Sept. 26 to lobby for support.

“Our presence at these events will focus on Medically-Assisted Treatments, or MAT,” said Lisa Hardy, an AmeriCorps VISTA working with SafeRx. “MAT has proven to reduce overdose deaths, and has documented successes of full patient recovery from opioid addiction.”

AmeriCorps VISTA, a national service program, has matched the community’s urgent need by assigning three more full-time AmeriCorps Volunteers to serve in the coalition within the past two weeks.

“The crisis has affected all parts of our community, and contributes to poverty, crime, destruction of families and lives, and most unfortunately, death,” says Susan Reed, SafeRx’s coordinator. “Our strategy in preventing overdose death is to implement initiatives pervasively throughout all areas where we can make a difference. We’re looking at every angle.”

SafeRx is currently addressing areas such as awareness, youth education, law enforcement, medically-assisted treatments, Naloxone distribution (an overdose reversal medicine), safe prescribing, data collection and analysis, community enrichment, partnerships and outreach.

SafeRx is determined to reverse the opioid crisis, and seeks any and all support the community can offer at the following events:

· Recovery Happens: Sept. 15, Austin Park, Clearlake;
· Veterans Stand Down: Sept. 19 and 20, Lake County Fairgrounds, Lakeport;
· Heroes of Safety and Health: Oct. 13, Lake County Fairgrounds, Lakeport.

For more information about SafeRx Lake County, please visit www.saferxlakecounty.org.

SafeRx seeks to create a healthier and safer community by improving the quality of life and functionality of individuals with pain, and reducing harm from prescription drug misuse and abuse through collaborative partnerships that focus on prevention, treatment and recovery.
Posted On



LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Unified School District and its board of trustees have come under fire from community members over the projects proposed to be completed under the 2014 Measure T bond, with the district pointing to sharply rising construction costs as well as prospects for state funding that could help backfill already completed work.

The situation came to a head during the district’s regular Thursday evening meeting, when the district board was greeted by a crowd of parents and community members who voiced frustration over the district’s prioritization of bond-funded projects, particularly the building of a new swimming pool.

The board meeting room at the district office on Howard Avenue normally only sees a few people outside of staff attend the evening meetings, but that wasn’t the case on Thursday, when dozens crowded into the room for a presentation on the Measure T bond expenditures.

Lakeport Unified voters passed Measure T in November 2014. The $17 million measure is a general obligation bond under the auspices of Proposition 39, the School Facilities Local Vote Act of 2000, which became a state constitutional amendment.

Proposition 39 reduced the threshold for a school district bond to pass from the 66.7 percent supermajority to a 55-percent supermajority. The proposition also makes such bonds subject to a citizens oversight committee.

In all, the Thursday meeting ran four hours, the first two of which were devoted to the bond discussion, with the primary item of concern being the building of a new Westshore Pool, since state officials deemed the existing 40-year-old pool seismically unsafe and not built to state standards.

Supporters of the pool – including families and individuals associated with the Channel Cats swim team, which has made the pool its home for years – told the board that they worked to get Measure T passed because of the assurances given to them that a new pool would be built.

With just over $3 million of the $17 million bond total left, pool advocates argued that the district hasn’t acted in good faith.

Board and district officials countered that they have faced rapidly rising project costs in the wake of the region’s wildland fires, which have driven costs up precipitously and made the business of securing bids and finding contractors more difficult than ever.

Leaking pipes under the existing pool – and the loss of thousands of gallons of water a day – meant that the district’s plans to keep it open while a new pool is built became untenable, according to Finley resident Mike Adams, the district’s consultant on the bond projects.

District Superintendent April Leiferman told Lake County News that the leaks were discovered around the start of this year, at which point an aquatic specialist was called in to do an examination and dye.

She said Dave Norris – the district’s longtime director of maintenance, operations and transportation – is still looking into options to see if the leaks can be fixed without digging underneath the pool, which state officials have ruled was not built to proper standards.

The issue of the bond and the new pool also appear to be key motivators for three community members who have filed to run against Board President Dennis Darling and Board member Tom Powers, both of them longtime local businessmen, in this fall’s school district election.

Carly Alvord, Dan Buffalo and Jennifer Hanson have made as their centerpiece fiscal responsibility and accountability.

All three are parents with children in the district, with Alvord having served on various district and school councils; Buffalo is the city of Lakeport’s former finance director who left to take the job as Ukiah’s finance director; and Hanson, the Channel Cats president and professor of economics and accounting at the Clear Lake Campus of Woodland Community College.

Adams told Lake County News that the that over the last two years, inflationary costs, lack of competition and some geotechnical issues on the site, are the primary reasons for the cost overruns.

“These projects are not palatial, they are institutional facilities and reflect that quality. Pretty paint and some acoustical treatments aren't extravagant,” he said.

He added, “All public agencies that are doing projects are experiencing the same things.”

Adams and district officials believe the Proposition 51, approved in November 2016, could provide additional funds needed to complete important projects like the pool.

Proposition 51 authorizes the state to sell $7 billion in general obligation bonds. However, as of this spring, the state had only apportioned about 10 percent of those available funds. That led to community members like Buffalo and Hanson urging caution in relying on them.

A look at the bond projects so far

In calling the meeting to order, Darling said it was good to see so many people and to get public input.

He turned the meeting over to Norris who gave the bond update along with Mike Adams of MBA Consulting.

Adams is the retired facilities director for Mendocino College, who oversaw the building of the college’s facilities in Mendocino and Lake counties, including the Lake Center on Parallel Drive. He also is the executive director of the Soper Reese Theatre, and has played an integral role in that building’s ongoing renovation.

Norris led off by discussing the completion of what he considered an important bond-funded project, the new $3.8 million food service and culinary arts kitchen and cafeteria at Clear Lake High School. Before now, students haven’t had a cafeteria to sit and eat, he said.

He thanked the board and community for supporting it, reporting that staff is excited about the new facility. “The children are really, really enjoying it.”

Norris said the district also demolished two old modulars and brought in two new ones at Terrace Middle School, explaining that because of the school’s location in a floodplain the modulars had to be put on raised, permanent foundations, with sidewalks, a staircase and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps.

The frame for Terrace’s new learning center was erected on Thursday, and in the next few weeks the interior and exterior walls will start to be built. The foundation for amphitheater-style seating and a shade structure as part of a quad area also is to be built there.

The district’s facilities also had to undergo in-depth cleaning because of ash and smoke from the Mendocino Complex, he said.

He then handed off the presentation to Adams in order to discuss the high school fitness complex, which has been combined with the pool and tennis courts project. It was explained during the meeting that combining those three projects will save significant money. “We wouldn't be where we're at without Mike,” Norris said.

Adams explained the history of Measure T, noting he was retained by the district in November 2014 to assist with the projects. He went over the bond’s language and said that a project’s inclusion in the list didn’t guarantee it would be funded and built.

He said the district created a master plan and began working with the architect firm TLCD, which he had worked with at Mendocino College. After the master plan was created, a budget plan was put together. While the bond totaled $17 million, he said the original master plan budget estimate was for $19.8 million.

“This is not uncommon,” he said, noting that Mendocino College also had a far higher master plan budget estimate than the total amount of bond proceeds for its projects.

There were three carryover projects included in Measure T that were necessary to include, no matter what, Adams said: the payment of the balance of existing debt, $835,708, which saved money and raised the district bond rating; ADA compliance for Terrace’s lower campus, $122,565; and the Terrace Middle School playground access ramp, $446,344.

He said the two projects at Terrace were carryovers from the last bond and had to be completed before the district could get approval for any new projects by the state.

Adams said the district has been aware of the importance of the pool from the beginning.

The pool, tennis courts and high school fitness center have now been combined into one large project totaling $7.5 million, more than twice what is left of the bond funding, Adams said. “So, what are we going to do?”

Adams then reviewed a list of possible funding sources for the district’s remaining projects, including Proposition 51 funds totaling $784,683 for modernizing the high school, $2,319,678 for district moderation and $8,128,816 for new construction, which could backfill funds already spent on some projects. Those sources, coupled with the remaining $3,038,250 in Measure T funds, total $14,271,427.

Throughout the meeting, Adams, Norris and board members emphasized that they had never said they were taking the pool off the project list.

Darling explained that they prioritized the project list, and put the kitchen and modern classroom projects at the top. “Always, the pool has been there, it has just been there behind those projects,” Darling said. “We're working toward it.”

Norris said they had adjusted some projects to keep costs down, including the kitchen project, which had been held over from the last bond. It was built into an existing building which cost the district half the money. Adams added that the kitchen was a large cost, adding that the high school hadn’t had a dining room since 1965.

Community members question bond projects

Throughout the presentation there were back and forth exchanges with audience members, who accused district officials of not controlling bond expenditures because final project costs came out far higher than original estimates.

An example was the original estimate for the kitchen from the architect was $2.8 million, but the final actual cost was $3.3 million, which the contractor bid.

Powers said they’re in a climate where to build a home went from $200 a square foot to $600 per square foot, which affects the district.

Buffalo told the board that they’re held to a fiduciary responsibility, and he questioned what led the board to greenlight a project that could jeopardize other projects that are of equal or higher value to the community.

“When we came up against the construction costs, what would you have us do?” Darling asked.

Powers said a committee of 11 people, chaired by former district Superintendent Erin Hagberg, came up with the bond project priority list, and it was discussed at every board meeting for three years.

“The priorities haven’t changed,” Powers said, adding that the pool is still on the list but it was moved down and combined with other projects.

Buffalo said the district knows the community wants the pool project. He also urged caution in reliance on Proposition 51 funds. He said he called the state to check up on the district’s application, which it confirmed had been submitted in April. However, the application doesn’t include the pool.

He said there is a long list of districts that want the Proposition 51 funds, Gov. Jerry Brown is not a fan of the bonds, and there is no guarantee the school will receive any funding.

Darling said board members have visited Sacramento to lobby for the funds. He said State Sen. Mike McGuire is set to visit the district this month to discuss the situation.

“We are not happy that there was cost overruns, believe me,” said Darling, adding they were unforeseen. “We're not stopped, we're stalled and we're working on it, and we're working hard on it.”

Buffalo said the bond bond oversight committee has still not been presented with a project priority list. He said he called McGuire’s office, which told him its discussion with the district over the bond funds was in an introductory stage.

Darling maintained Lakeport Unified isn’t the only district in this financial situation.

Norris raised the cafeteria project, saying the students needed a place to eat and the district’s critics were shying away from it like it wasn’t a big deal.

Suzanne Lyons, a former Lakeport City Council member, said she would rather the children not drown. She said that during her four-year tenure on the council, they worked to keep it open despite the city’s financial challenges. Lyons added she wouldn’t vote in favor of another district bond.

Lake County Supervisor Tina Scott, who formerly served on the school board, said the pool was a top priority when she was a board member. She asked at what point does the district decide how much longer to wait on building the pool before it divides projects and moves forward.

Scott said she didn’t believe the bond would have passed without the pool; Adams replied that there was a survey that showed it would have.

Darling said the board has never waivered on its plan to build the pool, but they’re not in a position to design the facility if they don’t have the funding to build it. He said they will wait until sometime next year, after the election, to see if the new governor will release the Proposition 51 money, adding he thinks the only person in the State Capitol who doesn't want to release the funds is Jerry Brown.

Norris recounted the county handing off to the district the pool operations several years ago, adding that the city has helped the district, as has the Channel Cats swim team, with maintaining the facility. He asked if there was a chance the group could ask the city and county to contribute to the project.

Board member Lynn Andre added that she’s met with city and county representatives about the pool.

Board member Lori Holmes said the district also has met with Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry about the pool, and she said McGuire is working on expediting Proposition 51 funds to districts.

Adams said at one point in the discussion that he had been shocked that there had previously been no cafeteria where the students could eat.

A short time later, Hanson said she was shocked there’s no place for them to swim. Darling asked her why she kept saying the district wouldn’t build a pool, with Hanson replying that the district’s plan is a pipe dream.

“Whenever a kid dies out here, I'm going to come here and remind you,” she said.

The discussion ended with Darling asking everyone to direct their energy in a positive way. “I think your school board has been working hard for you,” he said, adding that they’re not happy about where they’re at right now.

Since the meeting

Adams told Lake County News after the meeting that while it’s unlikely that Lakeport Unified will get all of the more than $11 million in Prop 51 funds for which it’s qualified, “Getting enough of those funds to free up bond funds to build the pool along with the fitness building and tennis courts is very likely.”

He said the district prioritized the pool within the combined pool/fitness/tennis complex. “This would not have been done if the district intended to separate the pool out and not build it. They recognized all three of those facilities are important.”

Adams said the fitness center and pool project hasn’t yet been submitted to the Division of the State Architect – which oversees construction in K-12 schools – or the California Department of Education because there isn’t yet funding to cover the entire project.

As such, it’s been termed “on hold,” which Adams said has two meanings: It’s waiting for funding so the project can be designed to the available funds, and it is awaiting approval until the design is complete and approved by the Division of the State Architect.

He said he’s concerned by the proposal by some concerned community members that the district begin rejecting bids, the result of which is likely to mean even higher bids – or no new bids – in the current environment.

“The construction process can be a minefield, but it's one I'm familiar with,” he said. “The methods for addressing them in either a expanding or contracting economy require creativity to find solutions that adapt to that reality. There's no perfect solution, but having a plan is essential. I believe we have one that will work.”

On Tuesday evening, a bond oversight committee meeting was set to take place. A report on the proceedings wasn’t immediately available.

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.
Posted On

California Gov. Jerry Brown delivers the keynote at Carbon Pricing Delivering Climate Ambition on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, in San Francisco, Calif. Photo by Joe McHugh, California Highway Patrol.


California Gov. Jerry Brown met with international climate leaders, including fellow summit co-chair, China’s Special Representative for Climate Change Minister Xie Zhenhua, on Tuesday – the eve of the Global Climate Action Summit – and highlighted the importance of California’s landmark cap-and-trade program in keynote remarks at an event co-hosted by the by the European Commission, Government of Canada and state of California.

“This is a global challenge that requires a global response with many, many elements. And one of those elements is carbon pricing. Carbon pricing is an elegant pathway that produces real results, both in reduced emissions and in increased revenues to be directed at a more environmentally friendly economy,” said Gov. Brown during his keynote remarks at the Carbon Pricing Delivering Climate Ambition event. “You have to be warriors and innovators and missionaries to keep at it. Climate change, global warming waits for no one.”

Tuesday’s event brought together senior government officials, business leaders and academics from around the world to discuss the key aspects of carbon pricing, which continues to gain momentum as an important tool for addressing climate change.

California’s well-established cap-and-trade program, strengthened and extended to 2030 last year by Gov. Brown and linked with Quebec’s program in 2014, sets a declining limit on carbon pollution and creates a market to achieve the state’s bold emission reduction targets in the most cost-effective manner.

Gov. Brown also blasted the Trump Administration's proposal to roll back methane regulation at Tuesday’s event.

Later in the day, Gov. Brown met Minister Xie Zhenhua, who is leading China’s 120-plus person delegation at the Summit – building on significant diplomatic and environmental exchanges between California and China.

Gov. Brown and Minister Xie discussed China’s progress in meeting its goals under the Paris Agreement and California and China’s efforts to strengthen their climate initiatives through subnational collaboration.

Last year, Gov. Brown and Minister Xie hosted a dialogue between Californian and Chinese policymakers and business leaders in Beijing during the governor's California-China Climate Mission, and met at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, where the governor served as special advisor for states and regions.

Additionally on Tuesday, Gov. Brown met with Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force members from Acre, Brazil; San Martin and Ucayali, Peru; North Kalimantan, Indonesia; Caqueta, Colombia; and Pastaza, Ecuador, as well as Norway's Minister of the Environment Ola Elvestuen.

The governor also met with indigenous community leaders from across the globe to discuss the task force’s commitment to working with local communities to develop strategies to address climate change and deforestation.

Gov. Brown delivered welcoming remarks at the National Governors Association’s Water Policy Institute conference, where top state officials from across the nation gathered to exchange best practices and discuss new technologies and policies for the wise management of water resources.

Reaffirming California’s global climate leadership in the lead-up to the summit, Gov. Brown on Monday signed legislation setting a 100 percent clean electricity goal for the state, and issued an executive order establishing a new target to achieve carbon neutrality – both by 2045.

Late last week, Gov. Brown also signed legislation to block new federal offshore oil drilling along California’s coast and announced the state’s opposition to the federal government’s plan to expand oil drilling on public lands in California. The entirety of the state’s coast has been off-limits to new oil and gas leases for more than 30 years, and the state has not issued a lease for offshore oil or gas production since 1968.

California Gov. Jerry Brown meets with Minister Xie Zhenhua of China on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, in San Francisco, Calif. Photo by Joe McHugh, California Highway Patrol.

LCNews

Responsible local journalism on the shores of Clear Lake.

 

Memberships:

 

Search