LAKEPORT—The Lake County Board of Supervisors held their weekly meeting at 9 a.m. in the County Courthouse and online via zoom Tuesday. This week’s meeting included discussions regarding applying for grant funding under the Regional Climate Collaboratives program and also drafting of a partnership agreement for the Climate Safe Lake Project. The board also considered an update from Community Development on the proposed Valley Oakes Subdivision.
District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska presented on behalf of the Lake County Risk Reduction Authority regarding the consideration for grant funding and draft partnership with the California Strategic Growth Council Regional Climate Collaboratives Program. Supervisor Pyska explained the program stating “It was created under Senate Bill 170. This is for building climate adaptation resiliency through planning, research, capacity building restoration and sustainable infrastructure. What’s really important to this work is that it’s community rooted, it’s press sectional and that you’re building the social infrastructure to serve all people.” The grant is a three-year term and funds are available from $500,000 to up to $1.75 million, making it a highly competitive grant with a prospective 50 applicants for 10 awards.
The Risk Reduction Authority detailed the strategies of the Climate Safe Lake Project which includes creating the proper plans, funds, and committees. The matter was met with confusion as individuals questioned the proposed partners as well as details that may have been left out of the presentation, specifically site locations for eight potential bio-char facilities.
District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier responded “I struggle with this because it’s already set as what it is, and I don’t necessarily agree with how it’s set. I am concerned about the sustainability of our staff working on this taking away from all the other work that we’re doing.” Pyska explained how the locations have not yet been totally vetted and could not be discussed until so, and that these partners had been determined over the past year through requests for proposals.
District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon responded, “The Lake County Risk Reduction Authority since inception has been meeting monthly, and we’ve had continued participation from the groups – Clerc, NCO, Scotts Valley Band – from day one have been participants in these meetings. Obviously, the Tribal position was opened as we grew it but these are folks that have been doing the work. The boots on the ground that have been successful getting grants, doing programs, NCO obviously brought on board to help facilitate and take on other projects.” Ultimately the board decided to approve the amended resolution with a 3-1 vote with Sabatier dissenting.
Community Development Director Mireya Turner and Planner Eric Porter presented updates to the Valley Oakes Subdivision proposed in the Middletown area. The subdivision was originally approved in 2018 but has received extensions to continue planning and has increased its footprint by 14 acres. Community Development asked for another extension, which the board approved.
More information on the Board of Supervisors, their recorded meetings, minutes and agendas can be found on the County Website at lakecountyca.gov.
