LAKEPORT — The tension was thick during a discussion with the Lake County Supervisors and Sheriff Frank Rivero during Tuesday”s meeting about substations.
Nearly two hours was dedicated to talking about four alternatives for the Clearlake Oaks substation and progress at the Middletown substation.
The supervisors unanimously approved moving forward with negotiations for a leased property in the Big Oak Shopping Center in Clearlake Oaks while retaining a property on Shady Lane as a future option.
Two properties were dismissed: a property on Acorn Street and a county-owned property adjacent to Nylander Park.
Rivero favored purchasing the Shady Lane property.
Alan Flora, deputy county administrator, said the property was estimated at $430,000 and the building was listed at $325,000.
Flora said renovations were estimated at $105,000 for a new heating and ventilation system, relocating a sewer line, $12,000 for telecommunications and the installation of a retaining wall, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant bathrooms and access.
He said the Big Oak building was a vacant bank and the property owner would reduce rent for the lease”s first year to $1 per month because the community wants the substation opened soon.
Costs associated with the Big Oak building were estimated at $4,012. Renovations included expanding an ADA-compliant bathroom and a hallway.
Flora said telecommunications costs would total $500. He said the large difference in cost was because the Big Oak building faces the county”s Mount Konocti telecommunications infrastructure.
Shane French, director of the Information Technology Department, said telecommunications costs for the Shady Lane property could be reduced by bouncing wireless signals.
The supervisors were in favor of the Big Oak property and supported the Shady Lane property, but balked at the cost.
Rivero said he was not in favor of the Big Oak property because of its proximity to a bar and had concerns about patrol vehicle parking, an unsecured alleyway and a thrift store that had merchandise blocking the walkway.
District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith said Rivero stated he would not put deputies in a strip mall after touring the property in September, which Rivero confirmed.
Rivero said the proposed $1-per-month lease agreement for the first year was “alarming.”
“What”s the problem? Is no one else willing to take it?” he asked.
“Sometimes people go for community interest rather than self-interest,” District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington said, adding that Rivero”s concerns would be mitigated by the presence of a substation.
Farrington said the Shady Lane property costs made it “problematic.”
He suggested the county temporarily lease the Big Oak building while negotiating with the Shady Lane property owner.
District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing agreed and moved to approve.
Earlier, Rivero gave an update on the Middletown substation.
He said renovations were complete for the first building and a new foundation needs to be done for the second building at 21277 Calistoga St. (Highway 29). Telecommunications access is not in place.
French said telecommunications access for the substation would be linked with the new Middletown Senior Center and Library, which he expected to “go live” on Dec. 6.
Rivero said the costs associated with the renovations totaled about $66,000. About $180,000 was budgeted for the project.
The Sheriff said it came in under budget because he helped perform much of the renovations along with inmate labor.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14. Follow on Twitter: @KevinNHume.
