Supes OK funding for planning update
Board approves more than a quarter million, also discusses infrastructure, housing projects
LAKEPORT >> This week the Lake County Board of Supervisors held their weekly meeting at the Lakeport Courthouse Chambers as well as online via zoom. They heard a presentation from the Water Resources Department, Road Map Task Force, and discussed the contract with consulting firm Place works for collaborative work on the Lake County 2050 general plan.
Angela De Palma Dow from Water Resources and the Watershed Protection District alongside a Caltrans representative from District 3, mitigation specialist Hanna Clark, presented an update on the Clover Creek Hitch project. According to De Palma Dow, “The project is supported by Caltrans Mitigation funds to offset road work on Highway 20 by Blue Lakes.” She continued explaining that the goal of the project is to “Enhance wildlife and particularly Hitch corridors.” The project includes sediment removal, invasive species management and native plant restoration. Further, the project will also reduce flooding and improve in stream water flow.
Clark explained the opportunity to work with the County of Lake, noting, “We are really excited we can use this funding to really help a very important project that's off of the Caltrans right of way.” This project does require some funds matching totaling $246,492 and is scheduled to be completed in 2027.
Some of the supervisors expressed concern over the long-term maintenance and the incurred costs of such a project, to which Clark responded, “Caltrans and CDFW (California Department of Fish and Game) are really prioritizing Clearlake Hitch passage projects so we are definitely motivated to keep partnering with Lake County.” The board approved the agreement unanimously.
Community Development Director Mireya Turner and Nicole West, Senior Associate with Placeworks presented on behalf of the Lake County Housing Action and Implementation Plan. West explained the group's goal of identifying unmet housing needs as well as finding suitable sites for housing followed by “concrete actions to increase the production and preservation of housing.” The HAIP is directly tied into the Lake County 2050 General Plan. District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska asked about the ability of conjoining this plan with others on the schedule, to which Turner responded that there can be some combining of the Local Area Planning Committees and the HAIP. The board approved the agreement totaling $253,520.
In other business, Marcus Beltramo from Code Enforcement and Mireya Turner Community Development Director presented a recap of the Road Map Task Force's 2-year pilot program. Turner noted how this program has “Deepened their relationship with local law enforcement.” She continued stating, “Nine human trafficking victims were located and rescued in 2022. That's crazy, just that there are that many.” Sharing other vital crime statistics Sheriff Howe noted “These multi-agency task forces are so valuable, they have all the tools to work together in a synergistic effect.” Howe continued to say that focusing on one area never works to long term, so giving the task force the freedom to move around broaden their area would be helpful.
Moving forward in that targeted area of Nice, Lucerne, and Clearlake Oaks, Turner suggests the board extend the targeted effort for another year while establishing local patrols to deter crime long term. Beltramo noted that the increased funds necessary for this extension would allow the Code Enforcement Department to hire two additional staff members which “would help with Nice and Lucerne but also provide coverage for other areas as well.” District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier noted the amount of unpermitted cannabis cultivation that occurs in these areas stating “This is about community. This is about creating a safe environment for our businesses, for people to live and play. Those numbers are fascinating and horrifying.” The board approved the 3-year community oriented policing and targeted restoration (COPTR).
More information on the Lake County Board of Supervisors including agenda, minutes and video can be found on the Lake County website lakecounty.ca.gov or their Facebook page.