LAKEPORT >> Despite a change of management contractors, the former Juvenile Hall on Waylan Way in Lakeport can continue as an overnight shelter now that the Board of supervisors approved a three-part resolution to maintain code standards during their regular meeting October 24.
District 4 Supervisor Michael Green made a motion to authorize the old juvenile hall to remain in service as a shelter. But he did recognize some repairs will be done to maintain it within code standards. “There’s flexibility for standards, should we need them- if the price (for upgrades) gets a little crazy, we can bring it up to compliance,” he said. “We could propose minimal health and safety regulation as we move through deferred maintenance and get checked off by the Fire Department, building inspector and other agencies. Let’s see where the check list takes us.”
The second piece of a three-part agenda item was to move to waive the request for competitive bidding based on a state of emergency for the health and safety of the shelter residents. The third section moved to have the Lake County Behavioral Health Services to continue as lead administrative entity to the county’s Continuum of Care provider and Blue Horizon Foundation shelter management contractor, until the new contractor takes over before new shelter manager Redwood Community Service assumes operations just before Christmas. All three actions passed unanimously.
In a public comment period prior to the vote, Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen offered his support for the proposal. “If we don’t continue the shelter until December (and beyond), it’ll have devastating effect on the residents, local businesses and commuters and visitors to downtown,” he said. “This gap can continue until the next contract manager takes over.”
Code Enforcement Director Mireya Turner noted the building is now owned by the county but is exempt from zoning regulation since it is zoned as open space with a designation of a public facility, which would not allow for an emergency shelter were this not a county led project. Yet as the county considers transferring this over to private ownership through a declaration of surplus, it will then require a General Plan Conformity Determination, as well as a state law deeming it be listed on some type of a Master List for housing.
“What you end up with if it’s purchased by a private party with intention of continuing the shelter operation is a legal nonconformist use,” Turner said. “This requires the private party to re-zone to rural residential, and a General Plan amendment to something consistent with rural residential.”
BOS Chair Jessica Pyska noted this proposal is an agreement between Lake County and Behavioral Services as lead entity for the Continuum of Care, Blur Horizon Foundation for the amount of $104,400 for Fiscal Year of 2023/24.
District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier agreed a shelter was needed for the county, he expressed concern about the county’s responsibility for the long term. “I don’t disagree with the pathway but it would be nice to not have it as a liability of the county,” he said.
Elsie Jones director of Behavioral Services said the contract with Blue Horizon Foundation was for the next 60 days and annual monthly payments will remain the same as under prior shelter manager Sunrise, who bowed out of the operation this week. But Jones reassured services will continue unabated.
“The contract is under review with our administrative office and you’ll see it (finalized) before December 24- it should be concluded within the next couple of weeks,” she said.
Sabatier also raised concerns of complaints in BOS emails questioning current hygiene standards at the shelter. But Dr. Ryan Aava, CEO of Blue Horizon said he shared concerns of the shelter, but the scope of his duties does not require his daily presence on a daily basis. “The responsibility of the shelter falls on my shoulders,” he said. “I’m in touch with my staff on a daily basis, and I’m at staff meetings and engaged with what’s going on behind the scenes such as putting together this proposal. I am passionate about helping with the transition to December.”
Green added the proposal is not out of the realm of feasibility and the building can be serviceable for another three years. “Even if it’s not fully operational, certain construction changes can be made soon,” he said. “I’m interested to fine tune repairs, so that Behavioral Health Services does not have to be a full-time property manager. Let’s make sure we make it a safe and welcoming place for residents.”
