LAKEPORT — The Lake County Board of Supervisors (BOS) Tuesday continued for another week the discussion of moving Mental Health Department offices from Lakeport to Lucerne after the offices” current landlord offered to “gift” the building to the county at the end of a newly proposed 15-year lease.
Mental Health has proposed to move offices from a building it currently leases on Parallel Drive in Lakeport to a building on 13th Avenue in Lucerne. The BOS heard that the move would shift county jobs and some Mental Health services to Lucerne.
“Generating a dollar for Lucerne is a good idea, but taking a dollar from Lakeport and giving it to Lucerne, that”s not a good idea,” Lakeport Mayor Suzanne Lyons told the BOS.
Lyons said that the transition would have a negative economic impact on Lakeport. Other citizen concerns included the possible effect the move could have on the ability of Lakeport and Kelseyville residents to access certain Mental Health services.
The Mental Health services currently available at the Parallel Drive offices include psychiatrist assistance and outpatient drug and alcohol programs through the county”s Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS).
The BOS heard that the move to Lucerne could increase the number of residents in and around Lucerne who access the services, as well as introduce new customers to local businesses.
District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington, whose district includes Lakeport, said he would rather see these Mental Health offices remain in a densely populated area, either Lakeport or Clearlake, rather than move to smaller town such as Lucerne.
Bruno and Associates, which owns the two-story building on 13th Avenue in Lucerne, proposed a 20-year lease for these Mental Health offices, and county staff predicted a move-in date of August 1, if that lease were approved.
Mental Health”s lease at the Parallel Drive building expires in June, though it could be extended on a month-to-month basis if needed, according to County Administrator Kelly Cox.
The owner of the Parallel Drive property, Cliff Ruzicka, introduced a proposal to the BOS Tuesday, saying he would “gift” the building to the county at the end of a new 15-year lease, the final cost of which would be around $4.1 million.
The BOS decided to continue the item for a fourth meeting in light of Ruzicka”s proposal. The issue will be discussed on March 15 at 2:30 p.m.
The BOS directed staff to pursue a joint project with Falconer Brothers to remove a sunken crane in Clear Lake on Lakeshore Boulevard in Clearlake. The crane is owned by Konocti Marine Construction.
Water Resources Director Scott De Leon said his department received four proposals for the crane removal. The Falconer Brothers proposal included two options, both describing a coordinated effort between the county and the company.
De Leon said “all of the options (proposed) have inherent risks,” and there are no guarantees that any proposed effort would be successful.
The BOS adopted a proclamation designating March 13 to 19 as Mediation Week in Lake County. District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing presented the proclamation to two representatives of Lake County Mediations, which offers mediation services to residents, businesses and the courts.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
