LAKEPORT— This Tuesday the Lake County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the month of November as Native American Heritage Month. They also approved participation in “Operation Green Light” and discussed waiving the formal bidding process and approving an agreement with Mountain G. Enterprises Inc. (MGE) for consulting services related to the development of a hazardous tree removal project. The Board also heard a re-zoning proposal in Lower Lake for a cannabis retail operation.
District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon made the proclamation designating the month of November as Native American Heritage Month stating, “Thank you, it is an honor to stand here today before you with this proclamation. I know that our Tribal Nations here in Lake County are strong, we completely dive in and help with our communities around and our neighbors. Today is a proud day to just be a tribal person in Lake County as we help everybody move forward.”
District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier made a proclamation in commendation of the Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County as well as proposed the participation in “Operation Green Light,” lighting County buildings green for the week of Veteren’s Day in order to raise awareness for veterans and their needs.
Public Works Director Scott De Leon presented on waiving the formal bidding process and approving an agreement with Mountain G. Enterprises Inc. (MGE) for consulting services as part of the development of a hazardous tree removal project. After conducting the necessary research, the Public Works Department found there would be no economical advantage to accepting bids as it is difficult to find consultants in this area, especially those with previous experience in Lake County as MGE does.
District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska agreed noting, “It is difficult to find these consultants and time is of the essence. We are now going into storm season on the mountain which is arguably more dangerous than fire season.” Sabatier wanted to see requests for proposal as the entire project totals millions of dollars. “The level of expertise could mean the difference of millions of dollars of what the next step looks like so I want to make sure we have what we believe is the best suited agency to consult and provide a plan so that we’re not asking the state for more or less than we need to.” Several members of the public also expressed their concern as many have had recent issues with the PG&E Vegetation Management Program and wanted to avoid those same problems with another project. The board approved the item with Sabatier dissenting.
Community Development Director Mireya Turner, alongside Eric Porter, presented on the proposed re-zoning of the 2,000 square-foot Bikram Yoga building in Lower Lake from C3 to C2 in order to allow the opening of a cannabis retail operation. Porter detailed their findings including increased traffic faced at a cannabis dispensary sharing, “Retail cannabis tend to generate five times the number of trips that commercial pharmacies generate.” The board’s concern was that this re-zoning would create what they call a “spot zone” where one property is zoned differently than surrounding properties. Valerie Peng spoke on behalf of the applicant (herself) High Grade Supply Company who currently own and operate cultivation and processing facilities across the street from the proposed cannabis retail operation. Peng expressed the company’s desire to become fully integrated in Lake County which she noted would not only create many jobs and help the 15 local cultivators they currently work with, but would also provide the community with a different cannabis retail and delivery experience. After hearing mixed public opinion the board voted to deny the rezone with District 4 Supervisor Green dissenting.
The board meets weekly Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the County Courthouse and online via zoom. More information as well as minutes, agendas and video can be found on the county website lakecountyca.gov.
