Memorandum
Date: February 25, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Stephen L. Carter, Jr., Assistant County Administrative Officer
Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: (a) Consideration of Priorities for FY 2026 Community Project Funding; and (b) Discussion and Direction to Staff on Which Priorities to Further Pursue for Potential Submittal to Congressman Thompson
Executive Summary:
On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the County received a Letter from Congressman Mike Thompson inviting Community Project Funding requests. As with the FY 2025 cycle, the letter noted Final Guidance from the Appropriations Committee had not been developed, and that remains the case. Congressman Thompson is asking that priorities be submitted by end of day (Friday) March 7, 2025.
Staff reached out to County Department Heads and others seeking input on projects that could be granted priority for the County’s FY 2026 submittal(s).
Past successful submittals have generally been well-established, community supported projects (e.g., Armory Repurposing Project, Middle Creek Restoration Project, update to the Full Circle Effluent Pipeline Project Feasibility Study, the Kelseyville Sidewalk Project, and Clearlake Burns Valley Sports Complex/Recreation Center, including a joint request from the County, both Cities).
As noted in the attached Letter, “Members of Congress are limited to submitting 15 Community Project Funding requests,” responsive to needs across the entirety of their Districts. There is no guarantee all requests submitted will be funded, and strong local support for projects is frequently pivotal in the Committee on Appropriations’ competitive evaluation process. Congressman Thompson’s Letter further advises, “this year’s environment will be especially challenging,” so it is critical only the highest priority projects are submitted for consideration.
In total, three project concepts were submitted in response to Administration’s inquiries. For all projects detailed here, collaboration with Congressman Thompson’s staff will ultimately be needed to determine the most appropriate subcommittee fit, and those determinations will drive additional considerations.
(1) The South Lakeport Water Line Project ($7,211,500), The South Lakeport Regional Water Resiliency & Fire Protection Project (Project) is a cooperative intergovernmental effort between the City of Lakeport and County of Lake. This Project proposes to extend City of Lakeport municipal water service to a currently unserved County of Lake jurisdictional corridor along South Main Street to Soda Bay Road, terminating at Manning Creek, and includes a crucial loop line going west under Highway 29 to connect with an existing main on Parallel Drive. Spanning approximately 8,000 linear feet of water main, 58 two-inch services, 16 hydrants, and 4 fire services, this Project aims to significantly enhance regional water infrastructure and resiliency. This project presents future opportunities for interties with the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians Tribe and County of Lake Special Districts, setting the stage for a consolidated and robust regional water system. Further details are included in attachments to this Agenda Item.
(2) The Reentry Housing and Workforce Development for those returning from incarceration in Lake County, California, Project ($5,000,000) seeks funding to develop individual living space for at least 20 justice-involved individuals and engage those eligible in local workforce development initiatives, potentially including North Coast Opportunities’ (NCO’s) BUILD and Home Hardening programs. Your Board will recall $5,000,000 in Community Corrections Partnership funds have already been dedicated to this project; the total project cost is anticipated to be $24,000,000. Further information on this project and Letters of Support from Lakeport Police Department, Lake Family Resource Center, and NCO are included in the attachments to this Agenda Item.
(3) The Lake County Healthcare Education Innovation and Simulation Center (Education and Simulation Center) ($3,000,000) is a planned $8.75 million workforce development facility near Sutter Lakeside Hospital. It includes three components: SPARK, offering 4th-8th graders healthcare career exposure through simulations, tours, workshops, and mentorships; a healthcare career pathway for high school students and adults, integrating CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs, work experience, adult training, and professional development; and community outreach, featuring CPR/parenting classes, collaboration space for partners, and health resources. Sutter Health has committed to a 10-year lease. Partners include all Lake County school districts, medical systems, adult education institutions, workforce organizations, and local government. Funding includes $200,000 from Redwood K16 Collaborative for CTE curriculum, $500,000 annually (plus $100,000 in-kind) from Konocti Unified School District for CTE programs/staffing, and applications for $964,573 (Redwood Region Rise Catalyst Fund), $1.5 million (Sutter Health CHNA Workforce Development Grant), and future EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance support.
The deadline for submittals is Friday, March 7, 2025. Staff asks that your Board consider which of these projects should be further vetted for potential submittal as Community Project Funding Priorities.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
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☒ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☒ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Direction to staff regarding which of these projects should be further vetted for potential submittal for Community Project Funding, or alternative direction, as needed.