Issues concerning the community of Clearlake Oaks were discussed Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Moose Lodge during a town hall meeting hosted by Third District Supervisor Denise Rushing. Rushing highlighted progress made in 2007 as well as expectations for the year ahead.
Although Rushing represents several communities along the northern shore of Clear Lake, Sunday”s meeting focused on issues directly affecting the Clearlake Oaks area. The discussion included several project updates and status reports followed by an open forum with questions fielded by various representatives of county government and members of local action committees.
Rushing began the meeting by going over rules and objectives in an effort to keep the meeting focused and flowing. “This is about the whole community. It”s not about one person or one group,” she explained. “My main point is we are all in this together.”
A status report regarding The Plaza Project was provided by Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely. Seely reported that the project is nearing completion with construction expected to begin this summer, which he said should be complete by fall. Construction will involve building a round-about for one-way traffic through The Plaza area and possible beautification amenities such as a lawn, trees and a gazebo. The project has already seen the placement of a new community park.
Seely further reported that the county has bought 11 parcels in the area from the Nylander family, which could provide for future expansion of the Live Oak Senior Center. He said that the county will be working on obtaining grant funds to expand the center.
Seely continued with a status update of the Clark”s Island Project. He said the county has bought the island for $500,000 and has budgeted $230,000 for costs associated with relocating the eight residents who live on the island. The process is expected to take six to nine months.
Improvement concepts for Clark”s Island include the possibility of a park with picnic tables accessible by a foot bridge. The long-term possibilities of the island he said could be a full service marina. A marina project would require extensive planning to mitigate negative impacts concerning water access and traffic through the Keys area.
Seely also provided an update concerning a senior housing project the county is working on. He said the county has been working with a non-profit agency that builds housing units for seniors. A site had been identified for the 23-unit project however costs associated with making the site buildable far exceeded the county”s limitations. “Outside costs were going to kill the project,” Seely said adding that a new site has been identified and the county is currently working on transferring funds tied to the old site to the new one.
Traffic calming measures have been an ongoing issue of concern for the Highway 20 corridor through Clearlake Oaks and beyond. Rushing said the county is continuing to address the concern and that the Oaks is first in line for attention in the matter. “Clearlake Oaks is going to get our first effort in implementing traffic control measures,” she said adding that Eastlake School”s location in proximity to the highway was a major factor in deciding where to start. The county is seeking funding in order to implement a project.
Lake County Sheriff Rod Mitchell was on hand to highlight the recently re-established Community Recovery Task Force. The task force works with other agencies to identify common areas of concern with a focus on trouble spots that generate multiple calls for service. Often in these areas he said, calls are generated with complaints involving the same residents. Collaboration allows the agencies to work together to remedy the various problems that are handled by different departments such as code enforcement, animal control and law enforcement. “We are working on places that get all the calls,” he said. “We are focusing on those few people that are having a detrimental impact on Clearlake Oaks.”
Chuck Lamb, chairman of the Clearlake Oaks Environmental Action Network, provided an update on the Environmental Protection Agency”s cleanup of Elem reservation. He said that cleanup has been successfully completed; however, neighboring residents brought up a concern for possible contamination in their areas. Lamb reported that the EPA conducted tests of the soils and have identified 13 specific “hot spots” that exceed what is considered to be a safe limit of mercury and arsenic.
According to Lamb, the EPA was scheduled to begin work to remedy the situation on Tuesday. The effort is expected to last up to three weeks, however, depending on the weather, it could go as far as March.
Lamb also gave an update on a trail system project currently in its planning stages. The system would run a stretch along the ridge from Clearlake Oaks up to Upper Lake. The trail system will include connector trails making towns along the northshore accessible from the trail. A committee is also working toward establishing a water trail as well.
“This particular trail system has the potential to be world class,” Rushing added.
Lamb reported that the committee is seeking grant funds that if awarded will provide funding for a planning specialist for two years.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
