LAKEPORT>>> This week the Lake County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation on the Clearlake Integrated Science Symposium and also approved the Comprehensive Retailer Licensing Tobacco Ordinance effective Jan. 1 2025.
Public Health Project Manager Liberty Francis presented on the Comprehensive Retailer Licensing Tobacco Ordinance in efforts to address the continual decline of Lake County’s health rankings and the high rates of youth tobacco use.
Francis discussed data from a 2018 state decoy operation where 100 percent of tobacco retailers failed and also recent surveys which found that 84 percent of locals “believed that their community had been negatively impacted by smoking, vaping and other tobacco uses.” Francis also noted another study on the topic. “When policies are adopted to include enforcement and penalties the youth sales are reduced,” She said and added that there have been increases in tobacco products with a traditional pack of cigarettes containing around 22 milligrams of nicotine and the Elf vape at 563 milligrams.
Comparing Lake to neighboring counties like Sonoma, Francis noted the differences in sales and enforcement. Using this information the health department has formulated a Comprehensive Retailer Licensing Tobacco Ordinance which would go into effect Jan. 1 2025. Included in the proposed ordinance is a “strong enforcement plan.” Francis said that for a first violation at a location, their license will be suspended for 30 days and the owner will be fined $1000. Fines and suspensions increase as violations increase with eventual revocation of the tobacco license.
District 4 Supervisor Michael Green insisted there be clarification on language noting “Clarification about cooperation with the cities is needed.” He suggested this be brought back to the board after said changes were made. The board unanimously approved the first reading and the draft ordinance after much revision.
In other business, the Clearlake Integrated Science Symposium (CLISS) was presented by Water Resources Program Coordinator Angela DePalma-Dow presented via Zoom as the watershed protection district had taken on the task of organizing such an event. DePalma-Dow explained the event’s purpose is “The history for research and management for Clear Lake.” She further noted that it has been 25 years since the last comprehensive and publicly accessible event. During the two-day affair there will be several guest speakers, film showings, speaker panels and workshops. The watershed district has worked with over 20 partners including local tribal councils and other conservation based organizations. The CLISS will be held from August 15 through August 16, reserving approximately 130 spots out of a maximum of 200. District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska asked how the public can see the results of this symposium. DePalma Dow responded that there is a digital binder available for purchase on the CLISS website on the county site www.lakecountyca.gov.
A digital copy of the symposium presentation binder will be available for no charge as a PDF file. Anyone wishing to have a printed copy of the symposium binder (an estimated 150-200 pages) will need to pre-pay $20 on EventBrite.
The board also sought to rescind the Agency Adoption Services and Resource Family Approval Family Evaluations made on July 23 with Social Services in the amount of $1,218,968.00. This item was requested to be moved to a later date due to errors.
