LUCERNE >> First order of new business for the Central Regional Town Hall meeting Monday provided a glimmer of hope of how collaboration on specific needs with partner Municipal Advisory Councils creates a rising tide to lift all boats.
Vice Chair Austin Pratt disclosed that a new survey could identify best practices, which can achieve long sought objectives once the surveys are completed and returned by the due date next week. The survey’s questions could jump start inertia and inspire much needed development. Certain neighborhood concerns may motivate action to eliminate obstacles to growth or otherwise dispel unfounded rumors.
To participate in the survey, refer to Lake County’s website’s online link at: https://tinyurl.com/4zhmxfax
For example, the negative image of the North Shore stems from a persistent perception of, empty store fronts, dilapidated docks, shabby houses, outdoor storage, which comprise much of HWY 20 blight, feral cats and abandoned animals.
Also cited by the survey was needed additional code enforcement to address illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles. And in particular, there is a perceived need for stricter code enforcement to beef up public safety, lax law enforcement overall, illegal cannabis trade as well as trafficking in other banned substances, illegal use of off-road vehicles, increasing vagrancy and squatters.
In addition, people cited speeding vehicles as well as semi-trucks rerouting off Highway 20, excessive potholes off Highway 20, And public opinion also cited a need for a proactive approach such as more protection of seniors, children and the disabled. But there’s also a desire to implement warming, cooling and community information centers during emergencies. There was also expressed interest for strengthening ties to county and state government leaders and improving water quality of Clear Lake. Residents also advocated for a tourist-based economy in the Northshore, increased signage promoting Lake County at pullouts on Highway 20, increased broadband, as well as more support for locally owned businesses, while limiting big box stores.
“The more input we have from community members of Lucerne, the more we can specifically direct back those energies we agree on throughout our district,” Pratt said. “There is also a new trails park, I think is at the planning stage with Konocti Regional Trails and Lake County Parks. It’d be in the Rodman Slough area, as you approach the Nice/Lucerne cutoff; what is known as the Trail Heads, that’s where you enter.”.
Deputy Director of the Public Services Department Katy Galvani (Finance and administration) provided CeRTH with her update. “As you know, the dredging was done at Lucerne Harbor,” Galvani said. “We’re now entering into a contract for two new docks, 40 feet by 8 feet at the Harbor to get some more space over there. And we’re also working the Tule (large bull rushes growing in dense stands that thrive in marshes) Relocation program. We have to going through the Water Resources Department, to appropriately remove them so as not to damage them.”
The timeline for the docks, is to start in October and be done by end of November. “The Department will drive two piles and attaching them to two floating docks,” she said. Another public commenter asked about the shoreline at Alpine Park, if there were plans to cleanup the brush along the shoreline there, and inquired if it would be better to do cleanup in winter when the level is lower so they can clean the floor off. Galvani replied it was a good idea and that she would refer the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
Pratt also informed the CeRTH audience he had received an email regarding zero emission vehicles. “It’s like a community survey, dealing with electric vehicle charging stations,” he said. “The survey would help plan where charging stations could be located in the future.
Another public commenter asked about escalating Quagga and Zebra Mussels and now the Golden Mussel, an invasive species from China and Southeast Asia, detected in October 2024, and wondered if Lake County’s Mussel Program would intervene. Still another public commenter expressed annoyance about planned docks for Konocti Harbor. The docks have already been built and there is a barge readied to install them, but the work was halted because of current spawning fish. The docks would be a good tourism draw this resident argued and expressed dismay for the Supervisors who have not expedited their installation.
Another resident requested county help to improve Laurel Del Drive in Lucerne; hampered by a dip in the roadbed, requiring some repairs to prevent water runoff from stagnating and interfering with the heavily used Hendricks Drive which many rely upon to access the housing development just to the east.
