Board Of Supervisors — Tuesday, April 21, 2026

DESIGNATING MAY 2026 AS WILDFIRE COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS MONTH IN LAKE COUNTY WHEREAS, wildfire significantly impacts Lake County's environmental, economic, and social well-being and can occur during any month; and WHEREAS, residents of Lake County's fire-prone communities must accept responsibility for living in high fire-hazard areas; and WHEREAS, residents, property owners, utility providers, evacuation corridor owners, and essential services providers must prepare to survive wildfire by ensuring proper management of vegetation and debris surrounding their locations and must stay continuously vigilant throughout the year; and WHEREAS, residents, citizens, and guests should take protective action immediately during a wildfire or any other emergency to keep themselves safe; and WHEREAS, Zone 0 is the Ember-Resistant Zone, a combustible exclusion area, extending from buildings to 5 feet out, including the removal of vegetation, wood chips, and any fire-wicking materials connected to the structure; maintenance of this area has been proven by science to be the most important of all defensible space zones and is designed to keep fire or embers from igniting materials that can spread fire to your home; and WHEREAS, using hardscape materials for landscaping, removing all dead or dying vegetation, removing all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet, clearing gutters of leaves and tree litter, limiting combustible items on top of decks, relocating firewood and lumber to Zone 2, and replacing combustible materials attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives are some examples for clearing Zone 0; and WHEREAS, residents and property owners are required to create 100 feet of defensible space, reduce fuels, have their address clearly posted, requested to have a wildfire "Ready Set Go" plan, prepare for extended periods without electricity; and WHEREAS, residents and property owners are required to follow Article VIII to Chapter 13 of the Lake County Code regarding Hazardous Vegetation and/or Combustible Material which requires that defensible space protections are accomplished on those portions of unimproved parcels adjacent to improved parcels and along roadways; and WHEREAS, utility providers (Phone, Cable, Fiber, Electrical, etc.) are requested to create defensible space and remove all fuels within 100 feet of infrastructure stations, transmission line systems earth to sky and have their address clearly posted; and WHEREAS, evacuation and roadway corridor owners (Federal, Tribal, State, County, City, Private) are requested to create defensible space, limb up ladder fuels 10 feet, reduce and or remove all fuels within 100 feet of roadways; and WHEREAS, essential services providers (Hospitals, Medical Clinics, Fire Stations, Police Stations, Government Facilities, Senior Centers, Care and Shelter locations), are requested to create defensible space and reduce and or remove all fuels within 100 feet of their infrastructure, have their address clearly posted, and prepare for extended periods without electricity. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Lake County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Lake County Fire Chiefs' Association and the Lake County Community Risk Reduction Authority, designates the month of May 2026, as Wildfire Community Preparedness Month in Lake County. ~ What You Do Makes a Difference ~ Wildfire Knows No Season!

Adopt Proclamation Designating May 2026 as Wildfire Community Preparedness Month in Lake County

Please note that the Auditor-Controller/Clerk Office will be closed from 12-5pm, for testing, training and coordination related to the Enterprise Resource Planning/Human Capital Management implementation on the following dates: May 1st May 22nd June 5th June 26th During this time, all normal processes will remain on schedule, scheduled meetings will continue and staff will be available for emergencies. Signage will be posted at the window and our website will be updated.

Approve Half Day Office Closures of the Auditor Controller/Clerk Office on May 1st, May 22nd, June 5th, and June 26th 2026

The Lake County Behavioral Health Department is requesting approval of Participation Agreement Amendment No. 3 with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) for the Semi-Statewide Enterprise Health Record (EHR) Program. The County originally entered into this agreement on June 9, 2022, to participate in CalMHSA's EHR program, which supports the implementation, operation, and ongoing enhancement of the County's behavioral health electronic health record system. This system is critical for clinical documentation, billing, data reporting, and compliance with state and federal requirements. Amendment No. 3 increases the total maximum funding by $121,183.44, bringing the revised contract amount to a not-to-exceed total of $1,650,000.00. This adjustment reflects the County's need to continue expanding and maintaining system functionality to meet operational and regulatory demands. The Amendment also includes $48,725.00 in additional component purchases, specifically for the SmartCare Lab Interface (Millennium reengagement), which includes both one-time implementation services and ongoing subscription services billed monthly. These enhancements will improve interoperability and support more efficient coordination of care through integration with laboratory systems. In addition, the Amendment clarifies that Behavioral Health may utilize unallocated funds within the approved maximum funding amount for future EHR-related components, modules, and services, provided that such purchases are executed through an Order Form approved by the Behavioral Health Director. Any future increase to the total maximum funding will continue to require Board of Supervisors approval. Approval of this Amendment ensures that Lake County Behavioral Health Services can maintain a functional, compliant, and modern electronic health record system that supports service delivery, enhances operational efficiency, and aligns with ongoing state requirements. There is no impact to the County General Fund, as costs associated with this agreement are supported through existing Behavioral Health funding sources.

Approve Participation Agreement Amendment No. 3 between the County of Lake and the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) for the Semi-Statewide Enterprise Health Record (EHR) Program, increasing the maximum funding amount by $121,183.44, for a total amount not to exceed $1,650,000.00, and authorize the Chair of the Board to sign.

The proposed zoning map amendment has been initiated by the Community Development Department for property owners Donald and Diane Deuchar and Timothy Cooper amending the zoning map for properties located at 4325, 4375, and 4425 Highland Springs Road, Lakeport (APNs 008-031-20, 008-031-44, and 008-031-17). The General Plan land use designations for the parcels were updated to Industrial "I" within the 2008 General Plan. However, the zoning map was not amended at that time, and the current zoning designation is listed as Agriculture "A". The purpose of the proposed zoning map amendment is to correct the zoning district of the parcels to reflect the "PDC" Planned Development Commercial base zoning consistent with the 2008 General Plan "I" Industrial land use designation. There is no proposed development associated with this zoning map amendment. On February 12, 2026, the item was heard by the Lake County Planning Commission. At the hearing, the Planning Commission chose to advance the item to the Board of Supervisors without a formal recommendation. The Planning Commission meeting may be viewed online at: https://countyoflake.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1373917&GUID=E3C32006-CB21-4DD0-8A88-156AFC0DD326 On April 14, 2026, the item was heard by the Lake County Board of Supervisors. At the hearing, the Board chose to adopt the ordinance with no revisions by a vote of 4-0, with Supervisor Crandell absent. Staff's April 14th memorandum and exhibits are available here: Ahttps://countyoflake.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1373917&GUID=E3C32006-CB21-4DD0-8A88-156AFC0DD326GENDA The ordinance for adoption is included as Exhibit A to this memorandum.

Adopt the Draft Ordinance amending Section 21-3.7 of Chapter 21 of the ordinance Code of the County of Lake by an Ordinance Amending Section 21-3.7 of Chapter 21 of the Ordinance Code of the County of Lake by adopting a Sectional District Zoning Map No. 3.7(B) 1.410. Rezoning (PL-25-101) the lands of Donald and Deuchar and Timothy Cooper, located At 4325, 4375, and 4425 Highland Springs Road, Lakeport (APNs 008-031-20, 008-031-44, and 008-031-17).

In December of 2024, the City of Lakeport passed an ordinance that mirrored the county Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance. This Memorandum of Understanding between Lake County Health Services and the City of Lakeport authorizes County Environmental Health staff to administer the City's tobacco retail licensing program. Under this agreement, Environmental Health is permitted to collect licensing fees, conduct compliance inspections, and perform enforcement activities for tobacco retailers operating within the city limits.

Approve Memorandum of Understanding Between County of Lake and City of Lakeport for Tobacco Retail Licensing and Authorize the Chair to Sign

Designating April 29th 2026 as Fentanyl Awareness Day in Lake County WHEREAS, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine; and WHEREAS, fentanyl use impacts adults and youth of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds; and WHEREAS, according to the CDC 79,384 people in the United States died of drug overdoses in 2024. Between 2023 and 2024, the drug overdose rate involving synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, decreased by 35.6%; and WHEREAS, through acknowledgement of Fentanyl Awareness Day, Lake County creates a space for organizations, community, affected individuals and family members to come together, sharing experiences as a whole group to counsel our youth and the public about the dangers of fentanyl; and WHEREAS, with commitment and support, fentanyl related deaths can be prevented; however, success will not occur overnight; our patience and continued commitment to education and prevention are imperative; and WHEREAS, while expanding access to fentanyl test strips and the emergency overdose reversal drug, naloxone, is key to reducing fentanyl use, poisoning and overdose, the stigma that surrounds drug use, addiction, and overdose often makes it difficult for communities to implement these measures and effectively address the opioid crisis; and WHEREAS, today, the County of Lake joins all those who have been affected by fentanyl use in spreading awareness of the harm that fentanyl can cause and reminds all community members that anyone can save a life by educating themselves on the signs of an overdose, learning how to administer naloxone, and calling 911; and WHEREAS, the County of Lake Board of Supervisors and Lake County Health Services and its SafeRx coalition urges all citizens, families, governmental agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, healthcare, education systems in Lake County to support efforts that will increase community awareness, understanding and action to address fentanyl use in our community. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, the Lake County Board of Supervisors does hereby recognize April 29th 2026 as Fentanyl Awareness Day in Lake County. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of April 2026.

Adopt Proclamation Designating April 29th 2026 as Fentanyl Awareness Day in Lake County

The Health Services Department is requesting Board approval to apply for this grant funding to support the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP). The grant will be used to continue to provide lead prevention services and consultation to child care providers, to increase awareness of lead hazards, support county-wide surveillance efforts, refine and enhance presentations to increase awareness, ensure that all required reports and documentation of activities within the Lake County program are provided to the State and to continue to collaborate with Environmental Health, Public Health Nursing, and other local agencies.

Adopt Resolution Approving County of Lake Health Services to Apply for Funding in the Amount of $134,000 Through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2028 and Authorize the Interim Director of Health Services to Sign Said Application

New funding under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) has been authorized by the State for election security purposes. Funds received pursuant to this agreement shall be used to reimburse activities that improve the administration of elections for federal office, including enhancements to election technology and security, as authorized under Sections 101, 103, and 104 of HAVA. By adopting this Resolution, the County will enter into an agreement with the California Secretary of State to receive funding in the amount of $8,324.38 and authorize the Registrar of Voters to execute all necessary documents related to the agreement. The term of the agreement shall extend through December 31, 2026.

Adopt the Resolution authorizing the County to enter into an agreement with the California Secretary of State to receive HAVA funding in the amount of $8,324.38 and authorize the Registrar of Voters to execute the agreement and any necessary related documents.

The Treasurer - Tax Collector's Office is presently operating at a 30% - 40% vacancy rate following transfers to other county departments or neighboring agencies offering higher pay or affordable health insurance. Our office will continue to regularly recruit and fill these positions, but the ability to retain new staff will continue to be limited by these factors for the foreseeable future. Given the circumstances, we expect these closures will be authorized as needed when there is insufficient staffing to cover the public counter and provide required meal breaks.

Confirm Notice of Temporary Office Closures - Treasurer - Tax Collector's Office 12p - 1p Due to Staffing.

Designating April 29th 2026 as Fentanyl Awareness Day in Lake County WHEREAS, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine; and WHEREAS, fentanyl use impacts adults and youth of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds; and WHEREAS, according to the CDC 79,384 people in the United States died of drug overdoses in 2024. Between 2023 and 2024, the drug overdose rate involving synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, decreased by 35.6%; and WHEREAS, through acknowledgement of Fentanyl Awareness Day, Lake County creates a space for organizations, community, affected individuals and family members to come together, sharing experiences as a whole group to counsel our youth and the public about the dangers of fentanyl; and WHEREAS, with commitment and support, fentanyl related deaths can be prevented; however, success will not occur overnight; our patience and continued commitment to education and prevention are imperative; and WHEREAS, while expanding access to fentanyl test strips and the emergency overdose reversal drug, naloxone, is key to reducing fentanyl use, poisoning and overdose, the stigma that surrounds drug use, addiction, and overdose often makes it difficult for communities to implement these measures and effectively address the opioid crisis; and WHEREAS, today, the County of Lake joins all those who have been affected by fentanyl use in spreading awareness of the harm that fentanyl can cause and reminds all community members that anyone can save a life by educating themselves on the signs of an overdose, learning how to administer naloxone, and calling 911; and WHEREAS, the County of Lake Board of Supervisors and Lake County Health Services and its SafeRx coalition urges all citizens, families, governmental agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, healthcare, education systems in Lake County to support efforts that will increase community awareness, understanding and action to address fentanyl use in our community. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, the Lake County Board of Supervisors does hereby designate April 29th 2026 as Fentanyl Awareness Day in Lake County. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of April 2026.

Presentation of Proclamation Designating April 29th 2026 as Fentanyl Awareness Day in Lake County

DESIGNATING MAY 2026 AS WILDFIRE COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS MONTH IN LAKE COUNTY WHEREAS, wildfire significantly impacts Lake County's environmental, economic, and social well-being and can occur during any month; and WHEREAS, residents of Lake County's fire-prone communities must accept responsibility for living in high fire-hazard areas; and WHEREAS, residents, property owners, utility providers, evacuation corridor owners, and essential services providers must prepare to survive wildfire by ensuring proper management of vegetation and debris surrounding their locations and must stay continuously vigilant throughout the year; and WHEREAS, residents, citizens, and guests should take protective action immediately during a wildfire or any other emergency to keep themselves safe; and WHEREAS, Zone 0 is the Ember-Resistant Zone, a combustible exclusion area, extending from buildings to 5 feet out, including the removal of vegetation, wood chips, and any fire-wicking materials connected to the structure; maintenance of this area has been proven by science to be the most important of all defensible space zones and is designed to keep fire or embers from igniting materials that can spread fire to your home; and WHEREAS, using hardscape materials for landscaping, removing all dead or dying vegetation, removing all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet, clearing gutters of leaves and tree litter, limiting combustible items on top of decks, relocating firewood and lumber to Zone 2, and replacing combustible materials attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives are some examples for clearing Zone 0; and WHEREAS, residents and property owners are required to create 100 feet of defensible space, reduce fuels, have their address clearly posted, requested to have a wildfire "Ready Set Go" plan, prepare for extended periods without electricity; and WHEREAS, residents and property owners are required to follow Article VIII to Chapter 13 of the Lake County Code regarding Hazardous Vegetation and/or Combustible Material which requires that defensible space protections are accomplished on those portions of unimproved parcels adjacent to improved parcels and along roadways; and WHEREAS, utility providers (Phone, Cable, Fiber, Electrical, etc.) are requested to create defensible space and remove all fuels within 100 feet of infrastructure stations, transmission line systems earth to sky and have their address clearly posted; and WHEREAS, evacuation and roadway corridor owners (Federal, Tribal, State, County, City, Private) are requested to create defensible space, limb up ladder fuels 10 feet, reduce and or remove all fuels within 100 feet of roadways; and WHEREAS, essential services providers (Hospitals, Medical Clinics, Fire Stations, Police Stations, Government Facilities, Senior Centers, Care and Shelter locations), are requested to create defensible space and reduce and or remove all fuels within 100 feet of their infrastructure, have their address clearly posted, and prepare for extended periods without electricity. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Lake County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Lake County Fire Chiefs' Association and the Lake County Community Risk Reduction Authority, designates the month of May 2026, as Wildfire Community Preparedness Month in Lake County. ~ What You Do Makes a Difference ~ Wildfire Knows No Season!

Presentation of Proclamation Designating May 2026 as Wildfire Community Preparedness Month in Lake County

PRISM was formed by and for the California counties in 1979 by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC). Today, 54 out of the 58 counties in California participate in one or more of the PRISM programs. In 2001, PRISM expanded its offerings to other California public agencies. At this point, over 70% of the cities in California participate in one or more of the PRISM programs. In addition, a variety of special districts, school districts, and JPAs also participate in PRISM Programs. PRISM is recognized as the largest public entity property and casualty pool in the United States. As a supplement to the information provided by the Office of the County Counsel at the June 24, 2025 budget hearing and the January 27, 2026 governance workshop, Gina Dean (Chief Executive Officer for PRISM) and Scott Schimke (Executive Director of Golden State Risk Management Authority) shall present an overview of the County of Lake's participation in PRISM, which is a member directed risk sharing pool serving California public agencies, as well as anticipated changes in the County third-party liability coverage under this risk sharing pool. As part of this presentation, PRISM shall present options for the County to transition out of PRISM's primary liability coverage in light of the PRISM Board's determination to eliminate this coverage for the participating counties.

(a) Presentation, and consider further direction to staff as appropriate. (b) Direction to provide PRISM notice of the following: (1) the County of Lake's potential withdrawal from PRISM's GL1 Program effective July 1, 2026; (2) the County of Lake shall consider joining the Golden State Risk Management Authority as of July 1, 2026 in order to maintain primary liability coverage; and (3) the County of Lake shall inform PRISM of the County of Lake's final decision prior to June 30, 2026.

PRISM was formed by and for the California counties in 1979 by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC). Today, 54 out of the 58 counties in California participate in one or more of the PRISM programs. In 2001, PRISM expanded its offerings to other California public agencies. At this point, over 70% of the cities in California participate in one or more of the PRISM programs. In addition, a variety of special districts, school districts, and JPAs also participate in PRISM Programs. PRISM is recognized as the largest public entity property and casualty pool in the United States. After 25 years of having public entity members participate in PRISM, the members of PRISM have proposed to update the composition of the Board of Directors to recognize the partnership that the counties have with the public entity members. At present, the PRISM Board of Directors is composed of 54 county members (all county members have a voting position on the Board of Directors) and 7 public entity voting spots for a total of 61 voting members. There are also 3 alternates for the public entity votes, but they only stand in place of the 7 voting spots and not in addition to. The proposal is to add 10 additional voting public entity board seats so that the total number of public entity voting seats will be 17 (with 3 additional alternates) instead of 7 (with 3 additional alternates). This results in a total of 71 voting Board of Directors seats. Under this proposal, the counties will have a total of 76% of the total voting Board of Director seats. In addition, the PRISM members have also proposed to update the composition of the Executive Committee which oversees the day-to-day activities of the organization. Currently, the executive Committee has 11 members, and the proposal is to increase the number to 13 with an additional 2 alternates. The Executive Committee members are elected by the Board of Directors. The other changes that are proposed are updates to the Agreement that reflect the current operations of the organization and remove the word insurance from the document since the organization is a pool, not insurance. These proposed changes were discussed with PRISM's Executive Committee and various Committee Chairs at a strategic planning retreat in November 2022. The discussion largely centered around the idea that public entities have been members of the organization since 2001, have participated in governance of the organization by serving on PRISM Committees, and approximately 1/2 of the contributions made to PRISM each year are from the public entity members while the other 1/2 is from counties. It was felt by the group that the organization should reconsider the size and function of the Board of Directors, including what it delegates to others and whether to eliminate the distinction between counties and public entity members in the governance process. The composition of the Executive Committee was also discussed. Thereafter, the Executive Committee tasked the Governance Sub-Committee with reviewing the JPA Agreement and proposing amendments to reflect its desire to expand governance opportunities for the public entity members and participation on the Executive Committee. The Governance Sub-Committee did so and those proposed changes were then reviewed by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. PRISM has also made some other amendments to the Agreement to "clean up" the document to coincide with current practices and the future vision of the organization and to remove the word "insurance" from the Agreement since the JPA is a risk sharing pool that provides excess coverage for members and risk-sharing pools are not "insurance" under the law.

Offer the Resolution Approving the Amendments to the Joint Powers Agreement of Public Risk Innovation, Solutions and Management (PRISM).

Your Board previously granted a claim associated with TDLS #161 at 50% of the requested $56,642.66 amount. Claimant, IHH LLC, was in contact with our office and indicated he was contesting our 50% recommendation, but ultimately did not appear at the hearing. There were no other claims against this APN and claimant now seeks the remaining $28,321.33. At the time, there was not sufficient documentation in the Recorder's index to support such a recommendation without the claimant providing additional information, as there was nothing in the recorder's index noting the death of the joint tenant Ronald Carl prior to IHH acquiring title from the surviving joint tenant, Angela Cazatt. Since that time, no other claimant has come forward.

With this item, we request our Board approve Legislative Position Letters on AB 2494 and AB 2216: (A) AB 2494 would modify the framework governing California's Demonstration State Forests (DSFs), which could unintentionally undermine critical, ongoing research and active forest management needed to improve wildfire resilience. As written, this Legislation could reduce the State's ability to conduct essential management activities, including thinning and vegetation treatment, which are necessary to maintain forest health and reduce wildfire risk. Further, it is particularly critical that research activities at Boggs Mountain, particularly, continue, as Boggs was the first SDF to experience significant disturbance due to wildfire, and reforestation efforts have been both multi-faceted and highly successful, providing lessons learned that have ramifications well beyond Lake County. 2015's Valley Fire burned 99 percent of Boggs State Demonstration Forest, killing approximately 80 percent of mature trees and 95 percent of understory vegetation, and devastating surrounding communities by destroying nearly 2,000 structures. In the years since, recovery has required extensive intervention, including salvage logging, the planting of more than 700,000 seedlings, and the implementation of major research initiatives examining watershed impacts, carbon dynamics, and forest regeneration. These projects are essential to understanding how post-fire management strategies influence recovery and long-term forest health. Our Board and Lake County have long supported a balanced, science-driven approach to forest stewardship that includes active management, ecological restoration, and long-term sustainability, consistent with the strategies advanced by the Governor's Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force. We also support continued collaboration with Tribal partners and responsible stewardship practices. These important goals should complement, not replace, the State's ability to actively manage forests and respond to changing conditions. For these reasons, we recommend the County take a position of "Oppose Unless Amended," on AB 2494. (B) AB 2216, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, proposes to expand the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy into a broader Valley and Delta Conservancy, establishing a new program to support environmental protection and economic well-being across a wider regional area. Increasing access to state resources, funding, and partnerships that are critical for rural communities working to advance environmental stewardship and local economic resilience is consistent with our County's 2026 Legislative Priorities. As currently drafted, Lake County is not included in the proposed expansion area. However, staff to the Conservancy have expressed openness to our County being included. Therefore, we recommend our Board take a position of "Support if Amended" (i.e., Support if Lake County is included in the expansion). This amendment would help ensure fair access to program benefits and align the County with similarly situated rural communities.

Approve the Letters of Support and authorize the Chair to sign.

On January 8, 2026, the Lake County Planning Commission approved a Major Use Permit (PL-25-13) for (UP 21-15) and Initial Study (IS21-13) request for commercial cannabis cultivation of 19.6 acres of outdoor canopy and a Type 13 Distributor, Self Transport only, on a property located at 19955, 19986, 20110, and 22222 Grange Road, Middletown (APNs 014-290-08; 014-300-02, 03, & 04). The Planning Commission approved the project on a 3 to 1 vote, with Commissioner Brown absent. The Planning Commission Memorandum and associated documents are included as Exhibit A; and the meeting may be viewed online at: https://lakecounty.granicus.com/player/clip/816?view_id=1&redirect=true> In accordance with County of Lake Zoning Code Section 58.31, the appellant filed an appeal (PL-26-12) of the Planning Commission's decision on January 8, 2026. The appeal application is included in Exhibit B. The appellant claims the project has substantive CEQA violations and inadequate environmental review, land use incompatibility, general welfare, and reservation of rights. An analysis of the appeal is provided in Section IV below. There was no new information presented at the Planning Commission hearing or within the appeal application that identified inconsistencies between the project (as conditioned) and the County Code, or information resulting in Staff being unable to recommend the findings required for a Major Use Permit and adoption of the Initial Study. As such, Staff's original recommendation for approval of the project remains. Staff recommend the Board deny the appeal (PL-26-12) upholding the Planning Commission's adoption of the Initial Study and approval of Major Use Permit (PL-25-13) for (UP 21-15). I. PROJECT SUMMARY An application for Major Use Permit (PL-25-13) for (UP 21-15) was originally submitted on April 5, 2021, and initially proposed a total canopy area of approximately 73.4 acres. To ensure compliance with setback requirements from waterways, an existing PG&E utility easement, and to address operational considerations, the scope was revised multiple times which resulted in reductions to both the cultivation area and canopy size. The final proposal includes the cultivation of 19.6 acres outdoor commercial cannabis canopy within a 34-acre cultivation area; and a Type 13 Distribution, Self Transport only license located at 19955, 19986, 20110, and 22222 Grange Road, Middletown (APNs 014-290-08; 014-300-02, 014-300-03, & 014-300-04). The proposed cultivation would occur on APN 014-290-08 while additional parcels will be used for clustering. A detailed project description and site plans can be found in the Planning Commission Staff Report Exhibits A1 and A2. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires agencies to evaluate the environmental implications of land use actions. A Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (Exhibit A5) was prepared and circulated for public review in compliance with CEQA from November 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023. The Initial Study found all impacts to be less than significant with implementation of mitigation measures related to Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Noise, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities, and Mandatory Findings of Significance. II. BASIS FOR THE APPROVAL The Planning Commission found that the proposed project meets all of the codified requirements contained within the Lake County Zoning Ordinance and state cannabis regulations. III. APPEAL ANALYSIS The Appeal (PL-26-12) of the January 8, 2026, Planning Commission decision was filed by the applicant in a timely manner on January 12, 2026. The appellant has raised concerns specific to substantive CEQA violations and inadequate environmental review, land use incompatibility, general welfare, and reservation of rights. The appeal application (PL-26-12) is included in Exhibit B. Issues raised by the appellant and Staff's response to each of the issues is provided below. Substantive CEQA violations and inadequate environmental review for Water Resources and Hydrological Impacts, Traffic Impacts and Emergency Evacuation, Inadequate Biological Study, Failure to Comply With Fire Safety Standards, Land Use Incompatibility, Threat to Organic Certification (pesticide drift), Inadequate Buffers, Absence of Engineered Odor Controls, Inadequate Setbacks and Conflicts with Residential Use, and Prime Farmland Incompatibility 1. Water Resources Putah Creek, a perennial Class I watercourse, traverses the northernmost section of the property from west to east. Additionally, Crazy Creek, an intermittent Class II watercourse, flows from west to east through the northwest portion of the site and joins Putah Creek. Several unnamed intermittent Class III watercourses also run from south to north, ultimately feeding into Putah Creek. All setbacks from watercourses have been identified. 2. Hydrological Impacts The site is enrolled with the California Water Resources Quality Control Board's General Order and the applicant has submitted of a Notice of Applicability dated October 31, 2020, or prior, as required under Lake County Zoning Ordinance, Article 27, Uses Generally Permitted. A Hydrogeologic Assessment was prepared by Hurvitz Environmental Services Inc. According to the Assessment, the proposed cultivation operation has an estimated annual water use requirement of approximately 49.2 acre-ft/year. The recharge rate is estimated to be approximately 793.2 acre-ft/year. The Report concluded that the site can sustainably produce the water needed to meet the Project demands. The Drought Management Plan identifies Best Management Practices per the State Water Resources Control Board's Cannabis General Order to conserve water resources during normal times and in times of drought. The project consultant and the certified Hydrogeologist, Lee Hurvitz of Hurvitz Environmental Services, Inc. provided information that Putah Creek and the project's well do not have direct interference, as further discussed within the assessment. The irrigation well is located approximately 230 feet from the current Putah Creek channel. The radius of pumping influence suggests that groundwater well use would not have a direct effect on stream flow at this distance. This project does not involve water rights or surface water diversion. 3. Traffic Impacts and emergency evacuation access The internal traffic analysis conducted indicated an average of 24 daily trips, with up to 40 trips during peak seasons, which does not meet the CEQA threshold of 110 or more trips to necessitate a detailed traffic study. A formal traffic study was not recommended for this project, in accordance with CEQA guidelines. Staff was directed to reach out for agency comment to the fire district, who deferred to Lake County Sheriff's Office and Office of Emergency Services (OES). OES responded to the request for comment (Exhibit A9) and is summarized below. OES does not conduct or certify evacuation capacity, clearance times, or traffic modeling, and is not able to determine whether a specific project would or would not affect evacuation performance along Grange Road. OES does provide input related to operational awareness, preparedness, and workplace safety, particularly for projects located along evacuation routes or in hazard-prone areas. Evacuation routes are incident-specific. While Grange Road may function as an evacuation route under certain conditions, how and when it is used depends on the type of incident, conditions at the time, and direction from the Sheriff's Office. There is no single, fixed evacuation pattern that applies to all scenarios. Conditions of Approval were amended by the Planning Commission prior to project approval at the January 8, 2026, hearing to include a condition from Lake OES as a result of the agency comment received. 4. Biological Surveys The Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration includes mitigation measures specific to biological resources; as identified within the biological surveys and agency comment received during the review period. According to the CEQA analysis, impacts relating to Biological Resources would be reduced to Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures BIO-1 through BIO-5. These mitigation measures are reiterated within the projects Conditions of Approval (Exhibit A3) The following assessments were analyzed in accordance with CDFW, USFWS, and CNPS requirements and provided for analysis. * Biological Assessment Natural Investigations Company, Inc. G.O. Graening, PhD and Tim Nosal, MS dated March 3, 2021. o Consulting biologist Tim Nosal, MS. conducted a reconnaissance-level field survey on February 8 and 9, 2021. * Botanical Survey Natural Investigations Company, Inc. G.O. Graening, PhD, Tim Nosal, MS, and Kevin Downing, June 7, 2021 o Tim Nosal, MS., February 8 and 9, 2021; Kevin Downing; April 21, 2021, and June 3, 2021. 5. Failure to comply with Fire Safety Standards The site is situated within a moderate fire hazard severity zone and features relatively flat terrain. Historically, the site has been used for animal grazing and agricultural purposes. As part of the project, fire mitigation measures will be implemented in accordance with Public Resource Code (PRC) �4290 and �4291 Fire Safety Standards, including road width requirements, appropriate turnarounds, gate access, defensible space creation, and the installation of water tanks designated for fire suppression. Internal gates and roadways will meet the requirements of PRC �4290 and will be equipped with a Knox box to ensure rapid access for emergency responders. 6. Threat to Organic Certification (Pesticide Drift) Article 27, Uses Generally Permitted of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance identifies uses, design standards, and other regulatory criteria that each project must adhere to are important considerations. Pesticide use in Lake County falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Department of Pesticide Regulation, with oversight at the local level by the Agricultural Commissioner. The applicant has included a Pest Management Plan as part of their Property Management Plan. On May 28, 2021, the Agricultural Commissioner provided agency comments noting that the operator must obtain a pesticide operator identification number in order to purchase and apply pesticides. Additionally, the operator must acquire a private applicator certificate to train employees involved in pesticide application. It is not uncommon for conventional and organic farmed properties to exist side by side. However, pesticide applicators have a responsibility when making applications to not allow products to drift or to continue making an application when the weather conditions would favor potential drift. The operator (and all employees who are applying pesticides) are required to obtain a pesticide permit and recommends a private applicator certificate (PAC). Additionally, the project's Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration addresses pesticides within mitigation measures which are reiterated within the project's Conditions of Approval. 7. Absence of engineered odor control Odor management for outdoor commercial cannabis canopy is addressed through minimum setback requirements from property lines (100 feet) and offsite residences (200 feet). The applicant plans to dry cannabis within Harvest Storage & Staging engineered membrane structures for seasonal use. The structures do not include the use of air filtration equipment due to being temporary in nature. The structures will be erected in July of each year and deconstructed each December. The intent is for there to be little to no evidence during the winter and spring seasons of the cultivation activities that occurred during the summer and fall of the previous year. No permanent foundations for these structures are proposed. Odor control measures are mandated for permanent greenhouse structures located within the Farmland Protection Zone. Since the project involves outdoor cultivation under full sun, the use of odor filtration equipment is not required. The site has been used for cattle grazing previously and will continue to support grazing for future use. This is consistent with the neighboring cattle farm. Odors from traditional agriculture are not quantified. 8. Inadequate setbacks and conflicts with residential use The closest off-site residence is approximately 1,000 feet from the project site, while a secondary residence is approximately 900 feet away. The proposed location of the cannabis canopy exceeds the 200-foot setback requirement for off-site residences as specified in Article 27.11 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance. 9. Prime Farmland Incompatibility/ Inadequate Buffers The Project will utilize approximately 40 acres (2.5%) of the total 1,627-acre property. The remaining land will continue to be used for grazing and agricultural purposes. The proposed outdoor commercial cannabis cultivation activities are agricultural in nature such as planting crops and harvesting product, and align with existing land use patterns, surrounding uses, and applicable zoning regulations. Lake County Ordinance 3103 offers additional protections to lands within the Farmland Protection Zone (FPZ) by establishing development standards and setback requirements. Specifically, outdoor cannabis cultivation is not permitted within any FPZ or within a 1,000 foot buffer of FPZ lands. Within the FPZ, mixed-light commercial cannabis canopy, within permanent structures, must be equipped with odor filtration. The Lake County Board of Supervisors has not designated the project area or neighboring parcels as a Farmland Protection Zone (FPZ). The nearest FPZ land is situated in the Lower Lake area along State Highway 29, approximately 10 miles (as the crow flies) from the project site. Conclusion. CDD Staff must analyze projects for conformance with existing code requirements and regulations. As summarized above and discussed in detail throughout January 8, 2026, Planning Commission Memorandum and associated documents, the project meets all required regulations related to development and siting, is also consistent with the General Plan and Middletown Area Plan. Staff recommends the Board deny the appeal, upholding the Planning Commission's approval of the project. Findings for approval are provided below; Conditions of Approval are included in Exhibit A3. IV. MAJOR USE PERMIT FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL The Review Authority shall only approve or conditionally approve a Major Use Permit (LCZO Section 51.4, Major Use Permits) if all of the following findings are made: 1. That the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the use applied for will not under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such proposed use or be detrimental to property and improvements in the neighborhood or the general welfare of the County. The proposed use of commercial cannabis cultivation is a permitted use in the "A" Agriculture zoning district upon issuance of a Major Use Permit pursuant to Article 27, Sec. 21-27, Sec. 27.11 Table B of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance. The project scope complies with the minimum regulatory requirements set by the local ordinances to address the health, safety, morals, comforts, and general welfare of those working or residing near the proposed use. The project meets or exceeds all required setbacks for the use, including distance to nearby sensitive receptors. Prior to the applicant operating or constructing any structure(s), the applicant shall obtain the necessary permits and licenses from the appropriate federal, state, and/or local government agencies. Additionally, the CDD would conduct annual compliance monitoring inspections during the cultivation season to ensure compliance with the County's ordinances, the approved Property Management Plan, mitigation measures, and Conditions of Approval. 2. That the site for the project is adequate in size, shape, location, and physical characteristics to accommodate the type of use and level of development proposed. The proposal is for 19.6 acres outdoor commercial cannabis canopy area. The Lake County Cannabis Ordinance allows for discretionary use of cultivation on Agriculture zoned property when the project meets the applicable size and locational criteria and standards. Specifically, the County requires 20 acres for each acre of outdoor cannabis canopy to be grown. The project proposes utilizing four parcels, for a total of 1,627-acres to cultivate 19.6 acres of outdoor canopy within a 34-acre cultivation area. 3. That the streets, highways and pedestrian facilities are reasonably adequate to safely accommodate the specific proposed use. The project site is accessible via Grange Road, a County-maintained paved road from State Highway 29. Construction activities are expected to result in a minimal increase in traffic, primarily involving small vehicles for construction, maintenance, and regular deliveries on a weekly and/or monthly basis. The cultivation site is situated approximately five miles from Middletown and approximately seven miles from Lower Lake, which are the nearest population centers and likely residential areas for employees. Up to twenty employees are likely during peak harvest times, with an average of twelve employees working during construction (site preparation), and during non-peak harvest times. A total of two weekly deliveries would result from non-employees. The estimated trips per day for the proposed project are between 12 and 24 during normal operation, and up to 40 trips per day during construction, which is expected to occur over a four-to-six-week period. As discussed further in the Initial Study (Exhibit A5) the project would not generate or attract more than 110 trips per day; therefore, it is not expected for the project to have a potentially significant level of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Impacts related to CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3. subdivision (b) would be less than significant. The applicant proposes interior roadway improvements in accordance with PRC 4290 Road Standards. 4. That there are adequate public or private services, including but not limited to fire protection, water supply, sewage disposal, and police protection to serve the project. The project site will utilize a permitted onsite groundwater well and twenty 5,000-gallon water storage tanks for irrigation and fire suppression. The project parcel(s) are served by Pacific Gas & Electric, the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection CAL FIRE, and the South Lake County Fire Protection District. The applicant is required to adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, mitigation measures, and conditions of approval intended to ensure adequate site. The project was routed to all the affected public and private service providers (including Public Works, Special Districts, Environmental Health, PG&E) for comment and review; no adverse comments were received and there are adequate public utilities and services available to the site. 5. That the project is in conformance with the applicable provisions and policies of this Code, the General Plan and any approved zoning or land use plan. The cultivation of commercial cannabis is a permitted use within the Agriculture zoning district upon securing a Major Use Permit according to Article 27.11 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance. Additionally, although the Lake County General Plan does not have any provisions specifically for commercial cannabis, both the General Plan and the Middletown Area Plan have provisions for economic development, water resources, cultural resources, agricultural resources, and land use compatibility. The proposed cultivation area is not located within a Cannabis Exclusion Zone and complies with the minimum setbacks and development standards. See Project Analysis section of this Staff Report for a detailed discussion of the consistency with the General Plan and Zoning Code. 6. That no violation of Chapters 5, 17, 21, 23 or 26 of the Lake County Code currently exists on the property, unless the purpose of the permit is to correct the violation, or the permit relates to a portion of the property which is sufficiently separate and apart from the portion of the property in violation so as not to be affected by the violation from a public health, safety or general welfare basis. There are no known violations of Chapters 5, 17, 21, 23, or 26 of the Lake County Code on the project property. 7. The proposed use complies with all development standards described in Chapter 21, Article 27, Section 1.i. As described in the Zoning Ordinance Consistency section of the Planning Commission Staff Report, the project meets all Development Standards, General Requirements and Restrictions as specified within Article 27.11(at) of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance. 8. The applicant is qualified to make the application described in Chapter 21, Article 27, Section 1.ii.(g). The applicant has passed a 'live scan' background check and is qualified to undertake a commercial cannabis cultivation activity subject to approval of this use permit. All employees of this project will also be required to pass a 'live scan' background check. The application complies with the qualifications for a permit described in Chapter 21, Article 27, Section 1.ii.(i). V. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommend the Board of Supervisors: Deny the Appeal (PL-26-12), upholding the Planning Commission's approval of Major Use Permit (PL-25-13) for (UP 21-15) and Initial Study (IS 23-13), subject to the findings in the Memorandum dated April 21, 2026, and Conditions of Approval (Exhibit A3). Sample Motions: Appeal Denial (PL-26-12) I move that the Board of Supervisors deny Appeal (PL-26-12), upholding the Planning Commission's approval of Major Use Permit (PL-25-13) for (UP 21-15) and adoption of Initial Study (IS 21-13) and direct staff to prepare Draft Findings of Fact.

On August 26, 2025, the Board adopted Resolution 2025-102 to approve the Development Agreement for the Guenoc Valley Mixed Use Planned Development Project. The Lake County Zoning Ordinance, Article 69.8 states that if the Board of Supervisors approves a Development Agreement, it does so via ordinance. The Development Agreement has completed the other required criteria of Article 69, including a recommendation of approval by the Planning Commission. However, the correct the process of approval of the Development Agreement is via Ordinance. As such, on October 7, 2025, the Board rescinded the Resolution and approved the first reading of the Ordinance (No. 3153) on October 7, 2025, by unanimous vote of the Supervisors present (Chair Crandell Absent). The ordinance was amended to add the encouragement from the Board to the Developer to continue to work with the Callyomi County Water District regarding the Districts purchase of a portion of the offsite well site and the District's operation of a well thereon pursuant to the existing term sheet between the Developer and the District. This encouragement was also added to the Development Agreement as Section 12.5. The Board approved the second reading of the Ordinance on October 21, 2025 (Exhibit A). Since adoption of the Ordinance, the Development Agreement was not executed within the specified timeframe of 10 days after approval, and modifications from the Applicant and CDD are requested. These include date corrections and modifying the timeframe in which the agreement is executed and recorded, for consistency with the Government Code. On April 14, 2026, the Board held a public hearing to consider an amended ordinance. At Counsel's direction, the Board continued the item to a date and time certain of April 21, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. to allow additional text and formatting modifications to the ordinance, in accordance with Government Code regulations. The Draft Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 3153 and the Development Agreement for Board consideration are included in Exhibit B, and the redline version is included in Exhibit C. Findings for Approval of Development Agreement (as Amended) Per Zoning Ordinance Section 21-69 of the Lake County Municipal Code, Staff finds the amended Development Agreement: 1. Is consistent with the objectives, policies, general land uses and programs specified in the general plan and any applicable specific plan or community plan. 2. Is compatible with the uses authorized in, and the regulations prescribed for, the zoning district in which the real property is located. 3. Will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare. 4. Will not adversely affect the orderly development of property or the preservation of property values.

1. Staff recommends the Board approve the first reading of the ordinance, to be read in title only. 2. Staff recommends the Board advance the ordinance to the next available agenda.

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, Lake County Special Districts was made aware of a sewer spill coming from a compromised force main pipeline near Robin Lane and Pond Road in the City of Clearlake. Once the affected area was repaired and cleaned up, water tests from 151 sites were collected to understand the status of the water in the wells of affected properties and gain greater understanding of the water table (approximately 517 total water samples completed as of February 5). As data was gathered, the footprint of the emergency was adjusted to promote public health and safety. The Incident Command team has been active in seeking mid-and-long term solutions to ensure community members have access to safe water. The Incident Command team has engaged in a number of strategies including installing water tanks, providing water, purchasing filtration systems, installing filtration systems, and testing water samples. In February, in an effort to streamline process and effectively track costs, your Board approved alteration of the payment structure which authorized the Disaster Response and Recovery fund (Fund 110) to make payments. Your Board also approved an increase in the amount allotted to the Robin Lane Sewer Spill response from $750,000 to $1,750,000. Initial emergency response has been concluded, and the Incident Command has been focused on long-term solutions. Now that emergency response invoices have been processed and existing costs are more able to be forecasted, our initial estimate of final costs has been revised to $2,000,000. Therefore, we are requesting your Board authorize Cancelling an additional $250,000 in reserves from Fund 110 (Budget Unit 1920 Disaster Response and Recovery), and increase appropriations into account 719.28-30 (special departmental expense / supplies and services) by $250,000.

Offer the resolution.

As members of your Board will be aware, Section 1113 of Public Law 106-554 (106 H.R. 5666) (2000), authorized the Administrator of General Services to convey to Lake County, California, without consideration, all rights, title, and interest of the United States to such portion of the Coast Guard LORAN Station Middletown as has been reported to the General Services Administration (GSA) to be excess property, consisting of approximately 733.43 acres (an area surrounding what was, at the time, the still-operating station building, itself). Enactment of this law culminated expressed interest of the County of Lake in acquiring the property for an Emergency Operations Center, which began in or around 1996. While no initial payment was required by Public Law 106-554 in consideration of the value of the property, conveyance to the County would have carried certain conditions (see Appendix D, Section 1113, attached), including the following: 1) That the County (at its own cost) conduct a survey to determine, "The exact acreage and legal description of the property... and any easements or rights-of-way reserved by the United States..." (a June 19, 2008, Letter from the United States General Services Administration, GSA, providing requirements for said survey, is likewise attached, for your review and public inspection); 2) That the "County and the Coast Guard enter into an agreement with the Administrator under which the County [would be] required to..." build and maintain firebreaks, construct a fence separating the property conveyed to the County from the area of the LORAN Station, itself. The fence was to be constructed with materials provided by the Coast Guard Commandant, but all other costs were to be borne by the County; and 3) The Administrator would have retained the option to revert ownership of the property to the Federal government, should the County sell, convey, assign, or exchange all or a portion of the property, for example, or conduct commercial activities without approval. Because these conditions would have carried considerable County cost, your predecessor Boards did not elect to pursue transfer of the property. Ultimately, in August of 2016 (Letter attached), the Lake County Board of Supervisors authorized the County Administrative Officer to send a letter to the GSA, to inform that office the County did not intend to acquire the property, noting "the County [had] no specific plans for use of the property." Subsequent to the County's decision not to pursue transfer of the property surrounding the LORAN Station, Middletown Rancheria expressed their interest in acquiring the property, noting it was part of their original aboriginal territory, and their willingness to fulfill the conditions imposed by the GSA, submitting a Letter to the Board of Supervisors in November 2024 (a similar letter had been sent in 2014, attached). In December 2024, Congressman Mike Thompson affirmed his intent to support transfer of the 1,200-acre site to Middletown Rancheria; his letter referenced the fact the County of Lake had decided not to acquire the property. In early 2025, staff informed Supervisor Helen Owen (in whose District the property is situated) of the request from Congressman Thompson for the County to facilitate acquisition of federally-owned property surrounding the LORAN station by Middletown Rancheria. Supervisor Owen expressed a desire to conduct further research into this matter. Given the potential complexity, Administrative Office staff recommended Supervisor Owen bring forth a request for use of staff time in excess of 8 hours to assist with research. During the Board of Supervisors' Regular Meeting of April 15, 2025, Supervisor Owen ultimately voiced a preference to conduct research on her own. On March 18, 2026, the County Administrative Office received notice (attached) the U.S. General Services Administration intended to declare surplus all property surrounding the LORAN Station, including the parcel on which the now-decommissioned LORAN Station sits. In this Letter, GSA asked whether the County, "would like to change their acquisition stance," and requested a response by May 15, 2026. For clarity, GSA is seeking County input on the 733-acre area previously authorized for transfer by Public Law 106-554; the LORAN Station building, itself, is not included in that parcel. Staff is seeking your Board's direction, as a whole, on this matter. Potential Direction to staff could be to prepare a letter to the GSA re-affirming your predecessor Board's 2016 Letter, or alternative direction, based on your Board's consensus.

Direction to staff.