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The council will gather for a 5 p.m. workshop on the downtown improvement project before convening for the regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The full agenda and staff reports for the meeting can be downloaded at www.cityoflakeport.com/departments/docs.aspx?deptID=88&catID=102.
City Attorney Steve Brookes will present to the council a proposed resolution to impose a temporary moratorium on the installation of SmartMeters and related equipment “in, along, across, upon, under and over the public streets and other places within the city.”
The city's proposed action follows the adoption of similar moratoriums by the Lake County Board of Supervisors and the Clearlake City Council in March, as Lake County News has reported.
The wireless metering devices have become the focus of a growing grassroots movement that raises issues of health and safety, overbilling and personal rights.
Last month, council members voted to have staff bring back a moratorium proposal, although they acknowledged that the California Public Utilities Commission – which holds ultimate authority on the installations under the Public Utilities Code – hasn't supported such moratoriums and indicated that it won't.
Along with the moratorium, the council will consider adopting other measures also taken by the county and city of Clearlake, including a proposed resolution supporting the passage of AB 37, which would require the CPUC to offer customers an opt-out option, and letters to legislators and the governor supporting the bill.
Another items of concern in the city that the council will take up is the proposed design and placement of the new Lakeport courthouse, which will be built at 675 Lakeport Blvd.
Late last month, Supervisor Anthony Farrington went to the Board of Supervisors about his concerns over the early phases of design and placement, with the state preferring a “north scheme” that would have the building situated so that it would rise 10 feet above the Vista Point overlook, where the Lake County Chamber of Commerce is headquartered.
State officials have said the project is in its very early phases and both design and placement haven't yet been finally decided.
The council will consider directing staff to prepare a response to the Administrative Office of the Courts requesting that the agency take into consideration in its design and placement the Vista Point overlook's significance and potential impacts on residents and visitors of the new building obstructed the view.
The council also will consider adopting a resolution directing the Community Development Department and Lakeport Planning Commission to initiate action regarding an amendment to the
transportation element of the general plan related to the courthouse project with a view to adding it to the 2011 Community Development Department Work Program.
Also on the council agenda is the proposed approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Administrative Office of the Courts and the city of Lakeport regarding right-of-way access to the 675 Lakeport Blvd. site. As part of that action, council members would direct staff to continue to investigate the feasibility of a new street through the subject property.
Other items on the agenda include a presentation by new Lake County Public Works Director Scott De Leon – who for the last year has worked as Water Resources director – regarding summer activities on Clear Lake; the CALED PAS Report on the city of Lakeport; and the approval of the acquisition of the tax default lots at 410-420 Forest Drive, merging of the properties and entering into an agreement to donate the merged property to United Native Housing Development Corp. for development of an affordable housing unit.
In other business the council will consider a hiring freeze exemption to hire a new utilities operator; an application for Proposition 84 grant funding and hiring of a consultant; is expected to authorize the Lakeport Police Department to apply for the United States Department of Justice 2011 COPS hiring program grant for one officer position; and will hold a public hearing regarding adoption of revised CDBG Program income.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss a case of anticipated litigation, the Green Ranch property negotiation and negotiations with the Lakeport Employees Association and Lakeport Police Officers Association.
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