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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week is set to take up final consideration of its 2018-19 fiscal year budget.

The council will meet in closed session beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, to discuss a potential case of litigation before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

One of the meeting’s main items of business will include consideration of the 2018-19 fiscal year budget, which can be seen below.

The budget summary shows that revenues for the new budget year are $18,351,814, up $1,738,857 from the current fiscal year.

On the appropriations side, the city is budgeting $22,488,401 across all funds, an increase of $921,663 compared to fiscal year 2017-18.

In related budget business, the council will hold a public hearing to adopt the appropriations limit – or Gann limit – for fiscal year 2018-19 and designate the formula to be used to calculate it. The Gann limit comes from a 1979 constitutional amendment passed by the state’s voters to place limits on a government’s growth expenditures.

Also on Thursday, the council will consider executing a master equity lease agreement, maintenance agreement and take necessary actions with Enterprise Fleet Management Inc. for the replacement of city vehicles; hold a public hearing to consider adopting the 2018-19 fee schedule; consider approval of a resolution for the designation of the subrecipient’s agent resolution for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program; and select voting delegates and alternates for the League of California Cities’ annual conference in September.

The meeting also will include a presentation of a proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month and a presentation of a joint fire prevention video by PEG TV, Lake County Fire Protection District, Clearlake Police Department and Code Enforcement, and produced by the Administrative Services Department.

Items on the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the May 10, 17 and 24 regular meetings; consideration of continuing the declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action on Oct. 12, 2017; the annual Clearlake Waste Solutions rate adjustment; and consideration of reviewing the conflict-of-interest code.

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.

FY 2018-19 Clearlake Proposed Budget - FINAL by LakeCoNews on Scribd

061418 Clearlake City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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Authorities are attempting to locate Bill Morton Henry, 64, of Upper Lake, Calif., after his wife was found dead in their home on Monday, June 11, 2018. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.


UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the suspicious death of an Upper Lake woman and is also attempting to locate her husband.

Cindi Henry, 51, was found dead in her residence by family members on Monday, according to a sheriff’s office report.

The agency said its deputies responded to an address in the 9700 block of Elliot Street in Upper Lake, the location where Henry was found, for a report of a suspicious death on Monday.

Major Crimes detectives responded to investigate, the sheriff’s office said.

At this time the death remains suspicious and the cause of death is pending an autopsy that is scheduled for June 13, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.

Cindi Henry’s husband, 64-year-old Bill Morton Henry, was not at the residence, authorities said.

Bill Henry was last seen at the home by family between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities said Bill Henry's location was unknown on Tuesday, but he is believed to be in a dark gray Ford Focus sedan, California license plate 6ZSU874.

Paulich said Major Crimes detectives are actively looking for Bill Henry and hadn’t yet located him by early Tuesday afternoon.

There had been no history of domestic violence involving the couple, Paulich said.

If Bill Henry or the vehicle is located or you have information related to this investigation please contact Lake County Sheriff's Central Dispatch at 707-263-2690.

Bill Henry is reported to be driving a dark gray Ford Focus sedan like this one (the vehicle pictured is not the actual car), California license plate 6ZSU874. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The search is under way for a new District 4 representative on the Lake County Planning Commission.

District 4 Supervisor Tina Scott will be conducting interviews to appoint a new planning commissioner for her district.

The planning commission is the general advisory body to the Board of Supervisors with regard to land use decisions, and acts on those matters delegated to it by the Board of Supervisors and state law.

The commission consists of five members appointed by the Board of Supervisors for a two-year term. It usually meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

The meetings are held in the Board Chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse at 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.

Occasionally, for special purposes, the commission will schedule other meetings at different times.

The planning commission meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted the week prior to the meetings.

If you are interested in an interview, please contact Supervisor Scott at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall this week will look at its own rules of operation.

MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 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 a discussion of the organization’s bylaws.

There also will be committee reports.

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 Joe Sullivan.

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.
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A Chernoh Excavating Inc. crew demolishing the building that formerly housed Mario’s Lodge and Silks Bar and Grill in Clearlake, Calif., on Monday, June 11, 2018. Photo courtesy of Greg Folsom.


CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Monday, crews from Chernoh Excavating Inc. began the demolition of the dilapidated building formerly known as Mario’s Lodge and Silks Bar and Grill.

The building is located at 14825 Lakeshore Drive in downtown Clearlake.

The demolition and cleanup should be completed within two days, according to City Manager Greg Folsom.

The building has been vacant and red-tagged for several years due to health and safety issues with the building, Folsom said.

Folsom said the city had been working with the property owner to try to address those concerns, but no progress was made.

In an effort to force compliance, Folsom said the city pursued a court ordered receivership to take custodial responsibility for the property in order to abate the red tag on the building.

Excavators prepare to begin the demolition of the building that formerly housed Mario’s Lodge and Silks Bar and Grill in Clearlake, Calif., on Monday, June 11, 2018. Photo courtesy of Greg Folsom.


He said the process lasted many months but finally the court-appointed receiver was authorized to demolish the building to abate the health and safety conditions leading to the red tag.

Pursuant to state law, the costs of the receivership will be borne by the property owner.

This is the latest building to be torn down in the Lakeshore Drive corridor over the last few years in an effort to clean up key areas of the city.

Previously, the city has torn down the former chamber building on Golf Avenue; two other abandoned buildings located next to Howard’s Grotto that had been taken over by homeless persons and drug users; and the abandoned building across from City Hall on Lakeshore.

“Abating this property has been a goal of the city for a long time,” Folsom said. “We are pleased that the court ordered receiver was finally able to work through the legal process and remove this eyesore. This site has great potential for future development.”

Work to demolish the building that formerly housed Mario’s Lodge and Silks Bar and Grill in Clearlake, Calif., began on Monday, June 11, 2018. Courtesy photo.
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Leonso Paul Rangel, 46, of Lakeport, Calif., was arrested for a shooting on Saturday, June 9, 2018. Lake County Jail photo.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – Authorities have arrested a Lakeport man who they say was responsible for a shooting on Saturday night.

Leonso Paul Rangel, 46, was arrested in the case, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Paulich said that at 11:40 p.m. Saturday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 1300 block of Soda Bay Road in Lakeport for a report of male who had been shot. Officers from the Lakeport Police Department and California Highway Patrol also responded to assist.

The victim told authorities he had been shot in the back while walking on the sidewalk on Mission Rancheria Road and ran to his aunt’s house for help, Paulich said.

The victim was transported to an out-of-county hospital by air ambulance for medical treatment. Paulich said the man’s injury is not life-threatening.

Deputies received information that the shooting suspect was Rangel. Paulich said the deputies were able to locate the scene of the shooting and collect evidence.

Paulich said law enforcement contacted the victim the following morning at the out-of-county hospital.

The victim identified Rangel as the person who had shot him. The man told authorities that he thought Rangel shot him because Rangel believed the victim was attempting to have a relationship with Rangel’s girlfriend.

At noon on Sunday deputies contacted Rangel at his residence and placed him under arrest, Paulich said.

Paulich said detectives from the Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit interviewed Rangel, who provided a statement admitting he had shot the victim. Rangel told detectives he was only trying to scare the victim and did not mean to hit him.

The weapon used by Rangel also was located, Paulich said.

Rangel was booked at the Lake County Jail on charges of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, and violation of probation, according to Paulich.

On Monday Rangel remained in custody with a no-bail probation hold. Jail records indicate he is scheduled for arraignment in Lake County Superior Court on Tuesday.
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A dumpsite in Clearlake, Calif., before it was cleaned up in late May and early June 2018. Photo courtesy of the Clearlake Code Enforcement Division.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake, working with a local nonprofit group, is continuing its cleanup of illegal dumpsites.

On June 6, the Clearlake Code Enforcement Division and Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake, or CC4C, completed the abatement of 16 illegal dumpsites located throughout the Clearlake Park neighborhood, according to Code Enforcement Supervisor Lee Lambert.

The dump sites, all located between Fifth and 14th streets, consisted of household trash, junk, electronics, wood and metal debris and tires, Lambert said.

In total, Lambert said 17,780 pound of trash was disposed of and approximately 7,200 pounds of metal and e-waste along with 233 tires were recycled.

The abatement project began on May 2. Lambert said CC4C volunteers cleared each property, bringing the illegally dumped items to the edge of the roadway.

After a property was cleared and the illegally dumped items were next to the roadway, code enforcement officers came in and removed all of the items.

“Since its inception three years ago, CC4C has been assisting the city of Clearlake with these types of projects,” said Lambert. “To date, this is the largest project we have completed together and it went very well. We look forward to completing more of these types of projects together in the future.”

Code Enforcement asks that all community members be vigilant in reporting illegal dumping to the Clearlake Police Department, as well as trespassing and occupying “red tagged” properties.

If you see someone dumping illegally, Lambert asid it is as simple as writing down a license plate number and description of the vehicle and subject doing the dumping. You should then contact dispatch immediately at 707-994-8251 and provide them the information and location.

Those wishing to remain anonymous may do so by advising the dispatcher at the time of call, Lambert asid.

Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake is a privately operated nonprofit organization which relies solely on volunteers and donations.

For more information on CC4C or to become a volunteer, please contact Barbara Christwitz at 707-995-0940.

One of the dumpsites in Clearlake, Calif., after it was cleaned up in late May and early June 2018. Photo courtesy of the Clearlake Code Enforcement Division.
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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A vehicle crash at the Upper Lake roundabout resulted in minor injuries on Monday night.

The crash occurred just before 10 p.m. at the roundabout, located at the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 29, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Lake County News contributor Tyler Elsa, who was in the area at the time of the wreck, said he heard tires screeching and then a boom when the vehicle hit the roundabout, and another boom when the car landed.

The vehicle was overturned in the roundabout, the CHP reported.

The initial reports said three people were involved, with minor injuries and all denying medical treatment at the scene.

Elsa captured the video above that shows a tow truck pulling the car upright.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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A fire burned about five acres of a hayfield in Kelseyville, Calif., on Sunday, June 10, 2018. Photo courtesy of Barbara Haddon.


KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Sunday afternoon fire burned a hay field but didn’t damage any structures in Kelseyville.

The fire in the area of Soda Bay Road and Clark Drive was first reported just after 3 p.m. Sunday, according to ardio reports.

Firefighters who arrived at the scene minutes later found the fire to be about a tenth of an acre, with no immediate threat to structures.

Agencies responding included Kelseyville and Lakeport Fire districts, and Cal Fire, which sent a helicopter as well as engines.

Forward progress was stopped at about 3:30 p.m., according to incident command, with units on scene for a short time afterward for mop up.

The fire’s final size was estimated at 5 acres, based on GPS measurements, according to reports from the scene.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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Roger Dale Peters, 35, of Clearlake, Calif., was arrested for a domestic violence incident on Saturday, June 9, 2018. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office photo.


NORTH COAST, Calif – A Clearlake man was arrested over the weekend after Mendocino County authorities said he injured his girlfriend during an argument.

Roger Dale Peters, 35, was arrested for the incident, which occurred on Saturday, according to a report from Sgt. Quincy Cromer of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

At 7:10 p.m. Saturday Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Round Valley Tribal Police Office in Covelo to contact a female subject who was a possible victim of domestic violence, Cromer said.

When responding to the call, the deputies were notified that the female subject had left the tribal police office, and Cromer said tribal police officers directed the deputies to the female's residence where they contacted her regarding this incident.

Cromer said the deputies learned the female was involved in a dating relationship with Peters and earlier that day they were staying together at the Eel River Campground on Etsel Ridge Road in Covelo.

During an argument at the campground, Peters reportedly grabbed the female by the hair and punched her in the head multiple times, Cromer said.

He said the woman told deputies that Peters also grabbed her by the throat during the argument. The female had injuries to her head and throat consistent with her statements.

The deputies responded to the Eel River Campground where they located and contacted Peters regarding this incident. Peters was ultimately advised and placed under arrest for felony domestic violence battery without incident Cromer said.

Peters was transported to the Mendocino County Jail where he was booked on the above charge to be held in lieu of $25,000 bail. Jail records showed he remained in custody on Tuesday.
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Winefest volunteers stay busy pouring for tasters at a previous event. Courtesy photo.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – Saturday, June 16, will mark the 17th annual Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival, taking place from noon to 5 p.m. at Lakeport’s Library Park.

The event is sponsored by the Lake County Symphony Association and is a major fundraiser that supports the symphony and youth music programs in Lake County.

The “Winefest” – as it has come to be called – was originated by a group of symphony association members who were also amateur wine makers, anxious to put their skills to work on behalf of the Lake County Symphony.

As has happened for the past two years the Lakeport chapter of the Norcal Aircooled Group of auto enthusiasts will share the day and the venue with the Winefest, with some four dozen members on hand to show off their collectible car beauties.

Numerous arts and crafts vendors and food vendors will also participate, as well as many of Lake County’s leading commercial wineries and brewers.

Home winemakers and brewers not only pour samples for attendees but also are eligible to enter their products for professional judging, with gold, silver and bronze ribbons awarded for a wide range of varietals, as well as a chance at the popular “People's’ Choice” awards voted by attendees.

Commercial wineries who are participating this Saturday include Don Angel Cellars, Fore Family Vineyards, KAZ Winery, Langtry Estate, Laujor Estate, Olof Cellars, Rosa D’Oro Vineyards, Smiling Dogs Ranch and Thorn Hill Vineyards.

Wine tasters will not go hungry, as there will be a good variety of foods, including tamales, beans, rice and tacos from Gabriel Martinez Foods, Hawaiian and Filipino food from Lumpia Hut and a Winefest favorite, Villa’s Snow Cones, offering snow cones, water, sodas, mangoneadas, wagon wheels and duros. Running Creek Casino will be there too, providing tasty offerings to pair with red and white wines.

Music will come from a variety of sources, including the ever-popular David Neft Duo, featuring David Neft on keyboard and Steve Dubois on drums.

For more information, go to www.homewinemakersfestival.com. Admission to The Winefest is $25 per person with advance purchase or $30 at the gate. Each ticket includes a commemorative wine glass.

For advance tickets, several outlets are listed on the webpage as well as the link to Eventbrite.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week is scheduled to consider the recommended budget for the new fiscal year, which begins next month.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 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 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

In an untimed item, the board will consider the recommended 2018-19 budget.

As part of that item, the board will consider the proposed resolution establishing new classifications and amending the position allocation table for the new fiscal year to conform to the recommended budget, and also will discuss authorizing affected department heads to proceed with purchasing selected capital assets prior to the adoption of the final budget in September.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report for the meeting explained that the fiscal year 2018-19 recommended budget’s appropriations total $229,576,348, which is decrease of $819,411 from the prior year adopted budget.

Notable project allocations include roads, $18,988,494; Anderson Springs Sewer project, $10,002,112; reclamation area property purchases, $5,000,000; Clearlake Oaks sidewalk project, $5,319,853; South Main Street water project, $2,427,602; and Lampson Airport pavement rehabilitation, $720,500.

Huchingson said that while the budget has sufficient revenue to support recommended appropriations, it’s not structurally balanced, “meaning that it reflects the use of one-time funds such as unreserved fund balance carryover to support on-going operational costs in the General Fund.”

She added, “Consistent with your Board’s commitment to incrementally reduce reliance on such one-time funds, the amount of unreserved fund balance carryover used to balance the FY 2018-19 budget is less than the amount required to balance the FY 2017-18 budget.”

Huchingson said that achieving a reduction in the use of one-time funding “has been particularly challenging in light of flat revenue projections, the extraordinary increase in the cost of State-mandated retirement contributions and additional costs of law enforcement labor agreements implemented in FY 2016/17 that were necessary to address the staffing crisis.”

She said that, in order to offset these increases while also reducing reliance on one-time funding, “the FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget reflects continuation of reductions in discretionarily funded staffing as well as strict limitations on appropriations for services, supplies and fixed assets. Additional reductions were achieved by recognizing significant amounts of salary savings from anticipated vacancies. In fact, many departments that are reliant on General Fund discretionary revenues will have lower appropriations FY 2018-19 than in prior year.”

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings held March 27, April 3, May 1 and May 22.

7.2: Approve Amendment No. 3 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Restpadd Inc. for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient hospitalizations for fiscal year 2017-18 in the amount of $240,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.

7.3: Adopt resolution for order approving final parcel map and the signing of the final parcel map (Strekfus PM 15-06).

7.4: Approve long distance travel for DSS Accounting Supervisor Tracy Keener to attend the Lindsey Software Systems training in Hot Springs, Arkansas, July 16 to 19.

7.5: Approve the contract Between the county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities in the Amount of $57,755 from Jan. 1 to June 30 for the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and authorize the chair to sign.

7.6: (a) Waive the normal sealed bid process under Ordinance No. 2406, Section 38.2 as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the goods; and (b) approve the Special Districts administrator acting as the assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order in the amount of $111,200 to Xylem Water Solutions USA Inc. for the purchase of 2 GSO 50 Ozone Generator units.

TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:30 a.m.: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, LCAQMD FY 18/19 Draft Budget Hearing, Budget Units #8799 & #8798.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.2: a) Consideration of the FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget; b) consideration of the proposed resolution establishing new classifications and amending the position allocation table for FY 2018-19 to conform to the recommended budget; c) consideration of authorization for affected department heads to proceed with purchasing selected capital assets prior to the adoption of the FY 2018-19 Final Recommended Budget (if necessary, this item may carry over to June 13, 2018 at 9 a.m.).

CLOSED SESSION

10.1: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(4): One potential case.

10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(4): PG&E.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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