LAKE COUNTY >> Community Development Director Rick Coel’s resignation was announced at the Lake County Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting Tuesday.
For many, the announcement was unexpected.
“I didn’t see it coming. I was pretty shocked to hear,” District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith said.
On Monday, however, law enforcement officers conducting a child pornography investigation had seized evidence from Coel’s home, including his computer.
Two agencies — the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office — had quietly been conducting investigations into allegations linking Coel to child pornography. Federal agents met with LCSO detectives on Monday morning. Just before noon officers from both agencies descended on Coel’s home, located in the 6000 block of Sunrise Drive in Lower Lake.
The investigation is ongoing. Coel’s computer has been submitted to detectives for forensic examination.
The 47-year-old’s resignation came at a critical time, as rebuilding from the Valley Fire will pick up in the coming months.
According to County Administrative Officer Matt Perry, the resignation was immediate. The county was informed Tuesday morning.
In response to the sudden news, the supervisors appointed Public Works and Water Resources Director Scott DeLeon to be the interim director until a permanent replacement can be found.
“It was a whirlwind of a day,” DeLeon said. “I will certainly do everything I can and help them do their jobs while the county looks for a new director.”
DeLeon explained that the office faces an upcoming building season — especially with the fire victims — and a Community Development Department that was approved to make a large change to its old permit software and databases.
If implemented correctly, the software should give with employees, architects, and property owners a more convenient digital interface with each other by Cloud access, online case tracking, and electronic document submission. However, delays could occur if not done right, DeLeon said.
“We need to be really careful with that,” he said, adding that it may take staff more than 60 days to implement the new system.
Regarding delays, county officials did not believe that Coel’s resignation would cause any as action was taken immediately to fill the role. Additionally, DeLeon claimed he had already met with department staff.
“Lots of institutional knowledge and it will be a challenge to step in his absence,” he said. “I think we’re all a little shocked today but I am confident we will keep working … I think they are a real competent and committed staff.”
Although county officials were mum on the reason for Coel’s resignation much of the day Tuesday, the sheriff’s office issued a statement regarding the child pornography investigation shortly after 6. p.m.
