CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council meeting this week will include a swearing-in for new police department employees and proclamations, with the council also to discuss an education program and award a contract.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 6, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The public may attend, however, the council chambers will have limited capacity and attendees must adhere to masking and social distancing mandates.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the city’s town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/forum_home. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 6.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
The council will host a swearing-in of new police department employees and a presentation of police department employee awards, and present proclamations declaring May 9 to 15 as Police Week and May 2 to 8 as Public Employee Appreciation Week, and May as Military Appreciation Month and Older Americans Month.
On Thursday the council will receive a presentation and hold a discussion with Woodland College regarding a promise program for Clearlake students.
The council will consider a $335,048 contract with Pavement Coatings for the 2021 Chip Seal Project.
Mayor Dirk Slooten will announce the city’s appointment to the county’s Visioning Forum Planning Committee.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; minutes of the April 15 meeting; continuation of declaration of local emergency Issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action on March 19, 2020; consideration of development agreement DA-2021-01 with Chandra Martinez for a commercial cannabis operation; approval of the second reading of the amendment to Clearlake Municipal Code Section 3-4 Purchasing and Sales; adoption of a resolution to continue city participation in the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority; and adoption of the 14th Amendment to the FY 2020-25 Budget (Resolution 2020-27) appropriating funding for the 2021 Chip Seal Project, Resolution No. 2021-26.
The council will hold a closed session following the public portion of the meeting to discuss labor negotiations with the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association, Clearlake Police Officers Association and Clearlake Middle Management Association.
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.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The family of Vanessa Niko, muralist Shane Grammer and the Hope Through Art Foundation are conducting a mural project for young artists in Upper Lake.
The Young Artist Intern Mural Project began Friday, April 30, and will continue through Wednesday, May 5.
The mural will be of Vanessa Niko, who was a member of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake as well as being of Samoan descent.
Niko died in June 2017 after being severely injured in a domestic violence assault by the father of her children, as Lake County News has reported.
Organizers reported that Niko is a missing and murdered indigenous women “sister” because of being a victim of domestic violence.
Young artists from around Lake County have been invited to participate in this event to promote awareness for missing and murdered indigenous women like Niko.
The Hope Through Art Foundation is a nonprofit entity devoted to broadening public awareness and education of social issues such as missing and murdered indigenous women through art.
The mural will be dedicated in honor of Niko’s life on National MMIW Day, Wednesday, May 5.
The dedication will take place at 12:30 p.m. at 9460 Main St. in Upper Lake.
To honor Niko’s Pomo and Samoan heritage there will be a Pomo dance group and Kumu Hula Mikilani Young, a representative of United Pillars of Aloha, will be in attendance.
Following the dedication ceremony, there will be a dinner and they will close out with a song and prayer.
For further information on this national epidemic of violence against indigenous women, go to www.mmiwusa.org.
Strawberries, in season now, can be as much a part of a Mother's Day celebration as roses. Photo by Esther Oertel. In medieval times strawberries were associated with love, so it’s appropriate that they arrive at local farmers’ markets close to Mother’s Day.
My heart skips a beat or two when I see their luscious red color in the stalls and – joy of all joys! – taste their sweetness.
Strawberries grown close to home – with their fresh, delicate flavor and burst of lush juiciness – are so unlike their supermarket counterparts that it’s worth a trip (or two or three) to the farmers’ market during the brief season that they’re available.
I have it on good authority that the season is now, so don’t hesitate!
Strawberries are actually not berries at all, at least not by botanists’ standards. True berries have their seeds on the inside (think blueberries or cranberries) and, as you know, strawberry seeds are on the outside.
The yellowish seeds covering the outside of the berry are considered individual fruits, with the sweet, fleshy part of the strawberry being the receptacle for the roughly 200 tiny fruits that cover it.
They’re members of the same family tree as the rose, another connection to Mother’s Day. In Italian strawberries are known as “fragola,” derived from the Latin word for fragrant.
Speaking of Mother’s Day, strawberries can be elevated in a variety of celebratory ways – dipped in chocolate, floated in champagne, skewered for a fruit bouquet, or incorporated whole in a centerpiece-worthy fresh strawberry pie.
Quite a few years ago (11, to be exact), I taught an early May cooking class where mothers and their young sons or daughters made one of these strawberry-themed items together.
The focus of the class was strawberry pie-making and the end result – glistening whole strawberries shining bright red in handmade crusts – was a testament to the beauty of this fruit.
The loveliness of these take-home masterpieces was eclipsed only by the joy I witnessed as family teams worked together to create them. (I have such a soft spot in my heart for parents and children cooking cooperatively!)
The strawberry pie recipe from this class is below so you can create your own maternal bonding experience, whatever the age of your mother or children.
In addition to being tasty and visually delightful, strawberries are surprisingly nutritious. Only eight medium-sized berries provide 140% of our daily requirement for Vitamin C. They contain high amounts of antioxidants, which account for their bright red color.
And they’re not just great in pies! As we all know, they’re wonderful eaten out of hand, sliced on cold cereal or yogurt, or tossed into fruit smoothies.
You can also serve them sliced on a sandwich with cream cheese and fresh mint, pair them with a nice balsamic vinegar and freshly ground black pepper, chop them and add to port wine to reduce for a sweet sauce, or toss them on a spinach salad (for which I’d recommend a poppy seed dressing or balsamic vinaigrette).
And now for some practical tips to keep your berry bounty fresh.
Strawberries should be stored in a cool, humid place; namely, your refrigerator with some special precautions. They’ll dry out without moisture but will go bad when sitting in too much dampness.
To store your strawberries, place them unwashed in a tightly covered plastic container or zipper sealed plastic bag with layers of paper towel between the berries. Make sure to remove any bruised or moldy berries first.
The sealed container provides a humid environment and protects them from the drying effects of the fridge, while the paper towel soaks up excess moisture.
I learned this method years ago from a strawberry grower at a farmers’ market and it hasn’t failed me yet!
If you’re not going to use your berries within a day or two, they should be frozen.
To do this, stem, wash and dry the berries. Line a baking tray with waxed or parchment paper and place the strawberries on it with some space between them. Cover with plastic wrap and pop the tray in the freezer till the strawberries are frozen solid, then store them in zipper sealed plastic bags.
Some folks roughly chop the berries and freeze in plastic tubs. That works well, too.
Frozen berries are fantastic in icy smoothies or pureed to make healthy popsicles for the kids. I like to make a fruity topping for pancakes or waffles by cooking frozen berries with a bit of water and sugar till it liquefies and then thickens into a syrupy consistency.
Whether or not they’re able to influence human love, tasty, healthy strawberries are well worth your affection! I hope you have a chance to enjoy them while the enjoying is good.
Fresh strawberry pie
Pastry crust:
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of salt 1/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces About 2 (or more) tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Combine the dry ingredients (through salt) in a bowl.
Cut the butter in using a pastry blender or two knives (even your fingers will do!) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
With a fork, stir in just enough lemon juice for the dough to form a mass.
Gather the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
When your dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Then sprinkle flour on a surface, like a cutting board or countertop.
Using a floured rolling pin, roll out the pie crust to an 11-inch circle and transfer it to a 9 inch pie plate.
Trim the dough so it has a 1-inch overhang. Fold the overhang back toward the inside and crimp the edge decoratively.
Prick the bottom and sides with a fork and line it with aluminum foil (shiny side down). Fill the pie plate with dried beans or pie weights.
Bake the pastry for 15 minutes or until fully baked.
Pie filling:
6 cups (about 3 pints) fresh strawberries 1 cup sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch ½ cup water Grated zest of ½ orange Optional flavorings: fresh lemon juice to taste, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon vanilla
Optional for the bottom of the crust (to prevent sogginess):
3 oz. cream cheese mixed with 1 or 2 tablespoons milk OR 3 oz. melted chocolate
Wash and stem strawberries.
Crush enough berries to make 1 cup of puree and mix with water and orange zest in a pan.
Mix sugar and cornstarch together and mix with liquid ingredients in the pan.
Add fresh lemon juice and/or cinnamon (or not) to taste. If berries are overly tart, leave out lemon juice. If using vanilla, add at the end when removed from heat.
Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil, stirring, for one minute, then remove from heat and allow mixture to cool.
If using optional cream cheese mixture, spread on bottom of baked pastry crust. If using melted chocolate, spread on the bottom of the baked crust and allow chocolate to cool and harden.
While the mixture is cooling, cut tops off remaining strawberries and arrange cut side down in pastry crust.
Spoon cooked mixture over the berries, covering them and dispersing it evenly.
Refrigerate pie for several hours and garnish with lightly sweetened whipped cream.
Esther Oertel is a writer and passionate home cook from a family of chefs. She grew up in a restaurant, where she began creating recipes from a young age. She’s taught culinary classes in a variety of venues in Lake County and previously wrote “The Veggie Girl” column for Lake County News. Most recently she’s taught culinary classes at Sur La Table in Santa Rosa. She lives in Middletown, California.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight the help and tools available to assist those who need them.
Launched by Mental Health America in 1949, this is the most highly-recognized mental health awareness event in the United States.
Last year, Mental Health Awareness Month media and materials were used and seen by over 230 million Americans.
This past year has presented myriad obstacles and challenges that have truly tested the community’s resilience and strength.
The global pandemic forced people to cope with unimaginable situations, leaving many of them struggling with their mental health.
The good news is there are tools and resources available to support the well-being of individuals and communities.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to combat the stigma surrounding mental health.
That’s why Lake County Behavioral Health Services is highlighting #Tools2Thrive, what individuals can do throughout their daily lives to prioritize mental health, gain resiliency, and continue to cope with whatever life throws our way.
This month, Lake County Behavioral Health Services is focusing on how a healthy lifestyle may help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, anxiety and depression, along with physical health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Managing stress, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising can go a long way in making one both mentally and physically healthy.
When you or a loved one is grappling with a mental health concern, sometimes it is a lot to handle.
“Mental health is essential and critical to one’s overall health and well-being,” said Todd Metcalf, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services. “Mental illnesses are common and treatable.”
The staff at Lake County Behavioral Health Services wants everyone to know mental illnesses are real, and recovery is always the goal.
Living a healthy lifestyle may not always be easy, but taking a look at one’s overall health every day — both mentally and physically — helps ensure a focus on fitness.
By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, you can find a balance between life’s ups and downs and successfully cope with issues and challenges brought on by the pandemic and other stressors.
For more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will consider updating a county vision document, look at separating out the Community Development director’s job and offer several proclamations.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting ID is 933 8613 0854, passcode 715750. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,93386130854#,,,,*715750# US.
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 passcode information above.
On the agenda is consideration of an update to the county’s document, “Vision 2028: Reimagining Lake County, Ten Key Priorities to Build a Brighter Future.”
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board for the item explains that during the board’s April 16 governance workshop, Supervisor Jessica Pyska raised concern that disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery is not specifically stated in the plan, originally adopted on April 10, 2018, and amended on May 22, 2018.
The board will hold a discussion to update the document’s goals for public safety, as Pyska suggested.
Also on Tuesday, in another untimed item, the board will consider forming a roadmap task force committee, which came out of the board’s April 16 special governance workshop.
The task force will focus on four goals: developing and maintaining a high standard of disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery, including an applicable update to Vision 2028; create a community revitalization pilot project; continue to support the efforts of the Economic Development Task Force; and continue to support efforts to invest in and develop the workforce as necessary to accomplish the board's goals.
Membership is recommended to include Supervisor Jessica Pyska and Supervisor Bruno Sabatier; the Community Development director; the Animal Care and Control director; Sheriff Brian Martin; and County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson.
In an untimed item, the board will consider a resolution to establish positional allocations for the current fiscal year for the planning budget unit in order to separate out the Community Development director job.
Huchingson’s report to the board explains that, historically, the Community Development director classification has been allocated as part of the Planning Budget Unit 2702.
“In February 2020, your Board combined the Community Development Department with the Departments of Public Works and Water Resources, and in the next Fiscal Year budget cycle, said classification was eliminated from BU 2702,” Huchingson said.
Noting that Community Development “deals with a very high volume of complex work, essential to residents needing the services and vital to the local economy,” Huchingson said the resolution would reallocate the Community Development Director classification as a separate classification within the Planning Budget Unit 2702, and so return to the long-time model with a director focused 100-percent of the time on the department.
Scott De Leon has held the job of Public Works, Water Resources and Community Development director since February 2020, as Lake County News has reported.
Board Chair Bruno Sabatier told Lake County News that the county is going to begin advertising the separate Community Development director job this week.
On Tuesday, from 9:06 to 9:14 a.m., the board will present several proclamations, including one to commend Operation Tango Mike for 18 years of support for military personnel and their families, and to designate May 2021 as Mental Health Month and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, and May 3 to 8 as Wildfire Preparedness Week.
The board also is scheduled to have another closed session to conduct interviews for the Public Health officer position.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation designating May 3 to 8, 2021, as Wildfire Preparedness Week.
5.2: Adopt proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike for 18 years of support for military personnel and their families.
5.3: Approve the County of Lake COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Worksite Protocol.
5.4: (a) Waive the formal bidding process pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve contract between the Lake County Assessor-Recorder's Office and Kofile Technologies Inc. for redaction services in the amount of $99,570.55 and authorize assessor-recorder to sign.
5.5: (a) Waive the formal bidding process pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve Amendment 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Social Solutions Global Inc. for the Service and Coordination of Activities Involved With the Lake County Continuum of Care Homeless Management Integration System Software for Fiscal Years 2020-21 through 2023-24 to allow for an increase to the total number of licenses provided and an increase to the contract maximum of $137,670.00 for a total of $253,570 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.
5.6: Adopt proclamation designating the month of May 2021 as Mental Health Month.
5.7: Adopt proclamation designating the month of May 2021 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Lake County.
5.8: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 13, 2021.
5.9: Adopt resolution authorizing the 2021-2022 Grant Project-Lake County Victim Witness Assistance Program and authorize the chair to sign the certification of compliance.
5.10: Approve the continuation of a local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
5.11: Approve the continuation of resolution ratifying the declaration of local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris for the LNU Complex wildfire.
5.12: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
5.13: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
5.14: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
5.15: Approve the continuation of a local emergency in Lake County in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
5.16: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.4, Cooperative Purchases; (b) approve purchase of a 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab 4x4; and (c) authorize the Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue and sign a purchase order not to exceed $30,000 to Matt Mazzei Chevrolet-Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram of Lakeport.
5.17: Adopt proclamation designating the month of May 2021 as CalFresh Awareness Month.
5.18: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the goods and services, and (b) approve and sign the agreement between county of Lake and Clean Lakes Inc. for the Aquatic Vegetation Management Program for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 in the amount of $197,000 and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:05 a.m.: Public input.
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike for 18 years of support for military personnel and their families.
6.3, 9:08 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of May 2021 as CalFresh Awareness Month.
6.4, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of May 2021 as Mental Health Month.
6.5, 9:12 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of May 2021 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Lake County.
6.6, 9:14 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating May 3 to 8, 2021, Wildfire Preparedness Week.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of recommendations for formation of roadmap task force.
7.3: Consideration of update to “Vision 2028: Reimagining Lake County, Ten Key Priorities to Build a Brighter Future.”
7.4: Consideration of resolution amending Resolution No. 2020-134 Establishing Position Allocations For Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Budget Unit No. 2702, Planning.
7.5: Consideration of Change Order No.’s 4, 5, 6, & 7 FEMA FMAG Culvert Replacement No. 1 & No. 2 Project, Federal Project No.’s FMAG DR 5093-1-1R & FMAG DR 5112-1-1R, Bid No. 19-01, for an increase of $19, 528.66, and a revised contract amount of $667,369.93.
7.6: Consideration of Contract Change Order No. 1 with Storesund Construction, Inc. for the Soda Bay CSA-20 Redwood Water Tanks Replacement Project, CalOES Disaster #4240 and Project Number 4240-40-36R, for an increase of $30,055.09 and a revised contract amount of $655,139.54.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): (a) Interviews of Public Health officer; (b) appointment of Public Health officer.
8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2), (e)(1) – One potential 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.
Larkspur. Photo by Kim Riley. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rising above a field of grass or on rocky outcrops on slender stalks waving in the breeze in deep shades of violet (Foothill Larkspur, Delphinium hesperium) or red (Red Larkspur, Delphinium nudicaule) is commonly just called larkspur and both varieties are native to Lake County.
Often grown and used as cut flowers (but don’t pick the wildflowers if not in your own yard), both varieties of these larkspur are classified within the genus Delphinium because the flower buds on the plant look a lot like a dolphin.
Regardless of the genus classification, the plant earned the common name of larkspur because the elongated petals on each bloom look like spurs- typically, the hind claws of a lark.
Foothill larkspur, or also called western or coastal larkspur, is endemic to California, where it grows in woodland and grassland in the northern half of the state including Lake County.
It is well adapted to serpentine soils and grassy areas, and rises like a banner of deep violet above the surrounding grasses but can sometimes be found with lighter pinkish to white flowers.
Red larkspur, or also orange larkspur and canyon delphinium, sends up long, stringy thin stems with the flowers in shades of red and orange towering above the leaves near the ground.
Native to the lower elevation canyons, foothills, and slopes, it is often found along the banks of streams and roadsides in Lake County.
Both red and foothill larkspur attract hummingbirds in droves; so if you want more hummers in your yard, larkspur is a great choice of wildflower, with both larkspur varieties reaching up to three or four foot tall, blooming mid-spring, and can grow in full sun to part shade.
Red larkspur prefers moist, heavy clay soils with some shade while foothill larkspur prefers open, grassy areas with full sun; both are well adapted to Lake County in the right spot and will bring joy to your garden – as well as the bees and hummingbirds.
Terre Logsdon is an environmentalist, certified master composter, and advocate for agroecology solutions to farming. An avid fan and protector of California wildflowers, plants, natural resources, and the environment, she seeks collaborative solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change. Kim Riley is retired, an avid hiker at Highland Springs, and has lived in Lake County since 1985. After 15 years of trail recovery and maintenance on the Highland Springs trails, she is now focused on native plants, including a native plant and pollinator garden on her property as well as promoting and preserving the beauty of the Highland Springs Recreation Area. Karen Sullivan has operated two nurseries to propagate and cultivate native plants and wildflowers, has lived in Kelseyville for the past 30 years, rides horses far and wide to see as many flowers as possible, and offers native plants and wildflowers for sale to the public. You can check her nursery stock here. They are collaborating on a book, Highland Springs Recreation Area: A Field Guide, which will be published in the future. In the meanwhile, please visit https://www.facebook.com/HighlandSpringsNaturalists and https://www.facebook.com/HighlandSpringsRecreationArea.
Many kids are attending public schools this spring with the use of COVID-19 safety protocols, including more desk spacing, more frequent cleaning and mandates to wear masks.
On average, U.S. public schools are more than 50 years old – and by and large they are not being properly maintained, updated or replaced. The American Society of Civil Engineers graded America’s public K-12 infrastructure a D+ in their 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, the same abysmal grade as in their prior 2017 report.
But help may finally be on the way.
The US$1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11 provides nearly $130 billion for K-12 education and could trigger much-needed investment in the U.S.‘s crumbling public school buildings. The package provides an additional $350 billion for state, local and territorial governments – some of which could also be invested in schools.
Such unprecedented federal investment could fuel a long-term national effort to repair and modernize our public schools – the second-largest public infrastructure in our nation, behind roads and highways.
Why schools are crumbling
For decades now, the funding of our public school infrastructure has remained the most inequitable aspect of our school finance system.
School districts rely primarily on local property taxes to build and renovate their schools. On average, states pay for 45% of local school operations, but cover only 18% of school capital costs. Twelve states provide no capital aid. The federal government contributes an average of 8% for local school operations, but less than 1% of capital spending.
The 2016 “State of Our Schools” report by the Center for Green Schools concluded that the U.S. underfunds school facilities by about $46 billion each year – a 32% annual shortfall that compounds over time and has worsened in recent years.
As a former assistant state superintendent for research and policy and now a professor of educational leadership and policy, I’ve seen firsthand the problems that arise from this inadequate and inequitable funding. In my home state of Michigan, wealthy districts can build and upgrade fine schools, often with low property tax rates. Meanwhile, poor districts endure aging, dilapidated and sometimes unsafe schools – despite paying high property tax rates.
In prosperous Ann Arbor, for example, children will enjoy the benefits of a $1 billion capital bond approved in late 2019 by local voters, including me. The bond program, fully funded by local property taxes, will upgrade the district’s 35 buildings, including new and enhanced technology, building entrance renovations, outdoor classrooms, kitchens, teaching gardens and the construction of two new schools.
In nearby Hamtramck Public School District, however, where property values are lower, and some school buildings are so old they’ve been designated historical landmarks, school leaders need their new federal relief to fix windows that won’t open.
The educational toll of inequity
Recent news reports like the one about kids sitting on a curb outside Taco Bell with their Chromebooks, trying to connect to the internet to do their schoolwork, have thrown a spotlight on inequities.
In Chicago, where the average school building is 80 years old, the public schools have spent $100 million upgrading HVAC systems since last spring. Still, the district has a $3.5 billion backlog of building repairs.
A school district executive administrator in Louisville, Ky., demonstrates how classroom windows will be left open as a COVID-19 safety precaution.on Cherry/Getty Images
In Baltimore, nearly two-thirds of the public school buildings are over 50 years old. They are poorly maintained. According to six years of inspections records, only 17% of Baltimore’s schools were in “good” or “superior” shape – the lowest percentage in the state.
In old school buildings, it’s more likely that pipes will burst, heat and air conditioning will fail, and plumbing and electrical problems will arise. And these problems take an educational toll on kids and teachers.
Research confirms that a dry building with good indoor air quality and thermal comfort reduces student illness and absences and elevates student achievement. Facility quality can also significantly impact teacher retention.
The American Rescue Plan can help immensely. The biggest pot of the $128 billion earmarked for K-12 schools is $122.8 billion allocated to school districts and states. Fully 90% goes to local districts through the Title I formula, which favors districts with low-income families.
Districts will get to determine how they use these funds. The sole restriction requires they use at least 20% of the money to address “learning loss.” Examples mentioned in the law include “summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive after-school programs or extended school-year programs.”
Most importantly, the amount of K-12 aid can’t be used to pay for state and local cuts to school funding. Combined with the two previous federal COVID-19 relief packages, this K-12 emergency funding totals about $195 billion, nearly twice the amount schools received in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
And finally, the American Rescue Plan money is a one-time injection. It can be used until 2024, but should not be baked into school operating budgets without solid plans for state or local replacement funding. So hiring more teachers and support staff, though attractive as an educational investment, would probably lead to massive and disruptive layoffs in a few years. Infrastructure upgrades, however, sidestep this problem.
Two years ago, I wrote an article about fixing America’s crumbling public schools and argued that passage of the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2019, a bill that would invest $100 billion over 10 years in our school buildings, was a no-brainer. That bill never passed, but was reintroduced this session and has been largely folded into President Biden’s infrastructure bill called the American Jobs Plan, which was announced on March 31.
The plan calls for $100 billion to upgrade and build new public schools. The bill’s proposed tax hikes, however, prompted immediate criticism from Republicans and prominent business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Much negotiation and change to the $2 trillion package can be expected.
But in the meantime, there’s the American Rescue Plan. The K-12 money in this sprawling relief package is not dedicated to school infrastructure and is not a final fix to an enormous problem that has been decades in the making. But using a good share of this massive, one-time federal investment to address this chronic need in our poorest schools makes total sense to me.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will hear an update from Pacific Gas and Electric and also consider grant agreements and projects.
The council will meet in closed session at 5:15 p.m. for an evaluation of City Manager Kevin Ingram before the open portion of the council meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 4.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here 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 prior to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.
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 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 prior to the meeting.
Tuesday’s agenda includes a presentation by PG&E about its Community Wildfire Safety Program and a proclamation recognizing May 9 to 15 as Police Week.
Ingram will ask the council to approve a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Lakeport Main Street Association for the period of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.
Finance Director Nick Walker will present an update on the utility rate study and seek direction to staff on next steps.
The council also will consider a waiver request for accrued interest in the amount of $9,041.57 for the parcel located at 2403 Hartley St. in exchange for the full payment of the parcel’s base assessment in escrow, and the denial of a reduction in the AB1600 water expansion fee for that same parcel.
Community Development Director Jenni Byers will present a resolution approving an allocation of funding and the execution of a grant agreement and any amendments from the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief.
Byers also will take to the council a draft resolution authorizing the city manager to sign the statement of assurances and submit an application for the State Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Rounds 2 and 3.
Public Works Director Doug Grider will discuss with the council items regarding the 2021 Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project.
Councilmembers will be asked to terminate the construction contract with AFelix General Engineering, Inc. dba WestPac Construction under Section 6-5 of the contract’s standard specifications, and award a construction contract to Ghilotti Construction for the 2021 Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project subject to the previously-approved budget adjustment.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances, minutes of the special council meetings on April 15 and 20, and the regular meeting on April 20; approval of event application 2021-004, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Home Amateur Winemakers Winefest on Sept. 18; approval of event application 2021-008, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Memorial Day Parade on May 29, 2021; approval of a resolution authorizing examination of sales or transactions and use tax records and authorize the city manager to sign an amendment and novation agreement.
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. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has several new dogs waiting to be adopted.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Belgian Malinois, boxer, German Shepherd and pit bull.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
“Sophie” is a female boxer-pit bull mix in kennel No. 18, ID No. 14356. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Sophie’
“Sophie” is a female boxer-pit bull mix with a short red coat.
She is in kennel No. 18, ID No. 14356.
“Rocky” is a male pit bull terrier in kennel No. 19, ID No. 14506. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Rocky’
“Rocky” is a male pit bull terrier with a short black coat.
He has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 19, ID No. 14506.
This young male Belgian Malinois is in kennel No. 20, ID No. 14521. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Belgian Malinois
This young male Belgian Malinois has a short black and tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 20, ID No. 14521.
This female pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 14486. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female pit bull terrier
This female pit bull terrier has a short blue and white coat.
She is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 14486.
“Ella” is a female German Shepherd in kennel No. 25, ID No. 14510. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Ella’
“Ella” is a female German Shepherd with a medium-length tan coat.
She is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 14510.
“Brutus” is a male pit bull terrier in kennel No. 28, ID No. 14507. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Brutus’
“Brutus” is a male pit bull terrier with a short gray and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 14507.
This male pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 32, ID No. 14509. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male pit bull terrier
This male pit bull terrier has a short brown and tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 32, ID No. 14509.
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.
As part of the Commission’s Broadband Data Collection effort to collect comprehensive data on broadband availability across the United States, the FCC is encouraging the public to download the FCC’s Speed Test app, which is currently used to collect speed test data as part of the FCC’s Measuring Broadband America program.
The app provides a way for consumers to test the performance of their mobile and in-home broadband networks.
In addition to showing network performance test results to the user, the app provides the test results to the FCC while protecting the privacy and confidentiality of program volunteers.
“To close the gap between digital haves and have nots, we are working to build a comprehensive, user-friendly data set on broadband availability. Expanding the base of consumers who use the FCC Speed Test app will enable us to provide improved coverage information to the public and add to the measurement tools we’re developing to show where broadband is truly available throughout the United States,” said acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
The network coverage and performance information gathered from the Speed Test data will help to inform the FCC’s efforts to collect more accurate and granular broadband deployment data.
The app will also be used in the future for consumers to challenge provider-submitted maps when the Broadband Data Collection systems become available.
The FCC Speed Test App is available in the Google Play Store for Android devices, and in the Apple App Store for iOS devices.
“Ruby” is a female domestic long hair in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. 14475. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Ruby’
“Ruby” is a female domestic long hair with a brown coat and gold eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. 14475.
“Moxi” is a female domestic longhair in cat room kennel No. 133, ID No. 14483. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Moxi’
“Moxi” is a female domestic longhair with a calico coat and blue eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 133, ID No. 14483.
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.
Warmer weather brings the emergence of rattlesnakes. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Spring is here, and with it comes warm weather and hot, dry conditions in many areas of California that create an ideal atmosphere for rattlesnakes.
Human encounters with snakes are more likely as these elusive animals become more active this time of year. Most native snakes are harmless.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends avoiding the rattlesnake, a venomous species, and knowing what to do in the rare event of a bite.
Rattlesnakes may be found in diverse habitats, from coastal to desert, and are widespread in California. They can be attracted to areas around homes with heavy brush or vegetation, under woodpiles where rodents may hide, as well as well-manicured landscapes to bask in the sun.
Rattlesnakes are not generally aggressive, unless provoked or threatened, and will likely retreat if given space.
“Snakes are often misunderstood. They provide significant ecosystem benefits, such as rodent control, and are an important part of California’s unique biodiversity,” said CDFW’s Conflict Programs Coordinator Vicky Monroe. “Snakes prefer to avoid people or pets and are not naturally aggressive. We encourage people to be rattlesnake safe, take time to learn about their local wildlife and take appropriate safety precautions when enjoying the outdoors.”
Most bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally brushed against by someone walking or climbing.
Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors.
On occasion, rattlesnake bites have caused severe injury – even death.
The California Poison Control System notes that the chances of being bitten are small compared to the risk of other environmental injuries. The potential of encountering a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors.
In 2019, CDFW confirmed the state’s first case of Snake Fungal Disease, or SFD, a newly emerging disease in snakes. SFD can cause significant mortalities in species of conservation concern. There is no evidence that SFD is transmittable from snakes to humans.
You may assist CDFW’s efforts by reporting sightings of snakes with skin sores or unusual behavior. Do not attempt to touch or handle.
