UPPER LAKE >> An idea, a seed planted decades ago, has resurfaced with new enthusiasm which could lead to greater cooperation among the unincorporated towns of District 3 to form an alliance that may achieve what no one single town council could realize, but what an amalgam of three Municipal Advisory Councils could accomplish. The discussion dominated the Western Region Town Hall Wednesday.
Holly Harris, member of the Eastern Region Town Hall informed the audience at Habamatalol Hall she was invited to speak by Thomas Aceves, chair of Western Region Town Hall, about a proposal she and colleagues had for a District 3’s MAC. “Or I should say, a District 3 Alliance; we would pool together, WRTH, CeRTH and ERTH, on issues important to all of us in Supervisor E.J. Crandell’s District 3 and North Shore,” she said. “We could form an alliance and talk about negative and positive issues.” What she wanted to do back in February was to have representatives of CeRTH, and WRTH visit ERTH. She noted a resounding interest and that everybody was excited about the idea.
ERTH presented it to them, and Thomas (Aceves, WRTH chair) was added, and they had an engaging talk. “So, what I wanted tonight is introduce Angela Ameral, who is also from ERTH, and we’re excited because we have Becky Schwenger and Austin Pratt from CeRTH,” she said. “What we want is to address the businesses and communities about the environment, and we’ve got a lot of similar issues: HWY. 20, Lake health, Caltrans, PG&E, code enforcement, illegal dumping, closed businesses, tourism and the economy.” Harris contended if they united together, they could have more input on the county decision making process and on earlier notification on county projects that affects them. They feel if they had some type of an alliance, they would have more input on the planning processes.
“One of my big things is development of a District 3 approach to the economy and tourism and to make the North Shore an environmental, recreation destination,” Harris said. “It could be quarterly or biannual meetings, rotating through three town council areas … or be a special District 3 meeting hosted once a year by each of the three town halls. Two from each of our councils get together informally and brainstorm ways to address issues and then come back with a plan we could present each of the town councils we thought might work.”
Becky Schwenger CeRTH chair, as well as Austin Pratt, CeRTH member, affirmed their agreement it was a good idea. “We’re looking forward to participating,” she said. “Meeting quarterly or three times a year, informally or formally, we’re on board.” Lisa Benevides, ERTH member said she loved the idea. “But if we do two from each council, does that trigger the Brown Act (state law requiring open meetings) when all of us meet together, informally or informally?” BOS Chair Crandell said with two MAC members, each from three councils, that should not be an issue, yet he would have to look into it. Moreover, with a D-3 Super MAC, it would provide for more collaboration. Crandell drew comparisons to counties forming joint power authorities, which enact bylaws to outline what is legally allowable.
Benevides said the three MACs could hash out an acceptable legal framework, perhaps not with bylaws but a charter with clearly stated goals. “It would say, these are the goals and some of the immediate priorities we’d like to tackle,” she said. “This is what we’ve been talking about. I’m absolutely for it.” Aceves added that if the council desired, WRTH members could make a motion, and he could bring the item back the next meeting for action. “So, you guys can read through it, and get your analysis next month, because there’s a lot to take in.” Yet he clarified if they did execute a D-3 Super MAC, they would need to have actionable agenda items. “Because in my opinion, I don’t want to have a D-3 Super MAC and talk about things we cannot possibly do, for example, a universal trash collection; look at things we can actually get done, with Supervisor Crandell’s help,” he said.
Harris then seized the moment to outline what her pet project would be. She explained about the recent donation of the late John T. Klaus, 600 acres of land a little west of the intersection of HWY. 53 and 20. “Gorgeous land going up to the ridge, he donated that and $3 million,” Harris said. She added that during summer 20,000 cars travel HWY. 20, many from the Sacramento area destined for the coast where it is cooler, yet the motorists were not stopping in Lake County. “We’re focused on Klaus Park as a rest stop for RVs. Also, she suggested an environmental center in Klaus Park featuring all the things Lake County has to offer, hiking trails, Walker Ridge, Lucerne’s beautiful waterfront parcels, Pinnacle Rock, Upper Lake Park, bird watching and restoration of the tules.
Benevides then made a motion to select two from each MAC; ERTH, CeRTH and WRTH to represent themselves as part of the D-3 Super MAC during informal discussions until the May meeting where they can formally offer representatives to a Super MAC after a public discussion and potential vote. Prospectively representing WRTH could be Lisa Benevides and David Eby, for CeRTH, Becky Schwenger and Austin Pratt and for ERTH, Holly Harris and Angela Ameral.
