It’s Lakeport’s turn to vote on those new state wildfire hazard maps that add to the acreage in the city considered at high risk. The maps show 60 acres in Lakeport in the highest risk designation–until now, there was no property in that category. Other communities have been taking up the maps as basically a formality. The Cal Fire designations can’t be changed unless it is to put land into a higher risk category. There have been a few public comments about the maps, mainly that the designation could mean higher insurance premiums and changes to real estate sales disclosure agreements. In other business at this week’s meeting, plans for a police operation targeting illegal fireworks from June 17th to July 17th are on the agenda. The city is expecting a big crowd. It will be all hands on deck for the Lakeport PD with mutual aid from surrounding communities and backup from the Lakeport Fire Protection District. City staff says even though the city allows safe and sane fireworks sales, illegal fireworks are a significant problem, with a significant risk to the community. The meeting is tomorrow at 6 PM at City Hall.
We had a taste of what’s to come for the next couple of months with last weekend’s mini heat wave, and the state has announced a new grant program to deal with rising temperatures. 47 communities, including Middletown in Lake County, will share a 32 million dollar grant program to reduce the impact of extreme temperatures with improved infrastructure and assistance programs for those at highest risk. Locally, North Coast Opportunities Inc. and the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians will get 2.3 million dollars for their Cooling and Heating Homes with Innovative Low-Impact Living” or CHHILL program. It will help seniors and those with chronic health conditions, install solar-powered air conditioning, and increase community heat resilience. Governor Newsom’s office says it’s a unique and aggressive way to keep people safe when the temperature soars.
Ukiah is hosting a meeting to talk about an annexation plan under consideration. The city says it will outline the reasons behind it and what it means for residents, property owners, and the community in general. According to the city’s website, the acquisition of adjacent land is important for future city growth and an improvement in the quality of life. The meeting is on Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center
