Memorandum
Date: December 19, 2023
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Eddie "EJ" Crandell, District 3 Supervisor
Bruno Sabatier, District 2 Supervisor
Subject: Consideration of LG Sonic Proposal
Executive Summary:
On June 13, 2023 an item was brought to the Board of Supervisors introducing the LG Sonic technology to abate toxic algae blooms in Clear Lake, more specifically in the Clearlake and Clearlake Oaks arms of Clear Lake. These areas are known to have the highest levels of cyanobacteria and the highest accumulation of algae blooms around the lake.
Conversations with both LG Sonic and Water Resources has continued to try to bring a better offer and opportunity to the Board of Supervisors. In speaking with Water Resources, due to the project scope being the same as what was approved by the Blue Ribbon Committee, the scope of the project has not changed. 28 LG Sonic buoys will be located within the project scope to treat the lake for algae. 8 of those buoys would collect data to help Water Resources and other agencies better understand our lake and have earlier detection of cyanobacteria levels.
The cost for the project is still approximately $1,509,020 million for installation and purchase of all 28 buoys. However, a new negotiated term is being brought to the Board for discussion. LG Sonic has agreed to a three-year payment plan.
Year 1 - $754,510 / Year 2 - $399,215 / Year 3 - $399,215
In the unfortunate case that performance of the LG Sonic Buoys does not meet our expectations, instead of paying Year 3, we would give back the buoys except for the 8 buoys that collect data. This would be a loss of $752,925 over the course of two years.
If the LG Sonic buoys work as anticipated in reducing algae and algae blooms in Clear Lake, the buoys have a 15-20 year lifespan providing us a cleaner lake at a cost of approximately $75,451 - $100,601 per year. In comparison, the aquatic weed abatement contract we approve annually to pr...
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