LAKEPORT— During their weekly meeting on Tuesday the board of supervisors received more public comment than usual regarding the continuation of the Emergency Warming Center in Lakeport. They also considered a municipal advisory committee (MAC) transition of the Lucerne Area Town Hall (LATH), to Central Region Town Hall (CERTH).
Several members of the community alongside Yvonne Cox, Emergency Warming Center Director, spoke during public input to express the need for the continuation of the warming center past its upcoming 90-day limit. Cox said, “It’s needed all year long, not just when it’s cold, but all the time.” Many current and prior residents of the shelter illustrated their experiences, expressing their individual gratitude with Christina Carlyle stating, “We’re people too, we need to be warm and fed just like everyone else.” This was not an agenda item and therefore there was no response from the board.
District 3 Supervisor Eddie Crandell presented on the MAC transition explaining the need for transition as it would expand the region to the entire 95458 zip code. Crandell added that feedback he received from constituents illustrated a need for more inclusion to participate in the committees, but some residents felt they were limited as they resided outside of the current community growth boundary.
Crandell said, “ERTH (East Region Town Hall) has recently separated Paradise Cove due to their lack of involvement, in which their zip code is that of Lucerne, 95458.” District 4 Supervisor Michael Green asked “Is there anything bigger than a community growth boundary but smaller than a zip code that has a more geographical basis? Yea you want to be more inclusive but what if you’re on the border of the zip code.” Crandell responded that there are specific areas that are not currently included and are thus not able to participate in these committees. District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon proposed the idea of a “super MAC” stating “I don’t know if it was ever considered, but having a larger board with two representatives out of each district.”
During public input several residents spoke including John Jensen, President of the Lucerne Area Revitalization Association. “There’s no need to change the name,” he said. “If you bring this to the LATH you will find there’s a bunch of people that would love to increase their sphere of influence so bring it.” Community member and former LATH chair Kurt McKelvey said, “I believe that in expanding this territory an attempt will be made at revising the bylaws to make it to where whoever our district 3 supervisor would like to appoint can be appointed, totally disregarding our current bylaw limitations.”
The two speakers and former council members also asked for Crandell to be recused from this matter due to an alleged conflict of interest, to which Crandell responded, “There is no conflict of interest, I haven’t even stated I support anything that has to do with what they’re talking about, this doesn’t have anything to do with the castle, that’s what he’s talking about. This has to do with the community reaching out to me and wanting to be a part of LATH basically.” Lots of feedback was offered and the board will return to this item at a later date.
The board also took action in closed session today including a motion to approve settlement agreements in regard to national prescription opioid litigation and the use of settlement funds from that of Wal-mart, CVS, Allergen, and Walgreens. The motion was passed unanimously.
More information, including minutes agendas and video are available on the Lake County website lakecountyca.gov as well as their Facebook page.
