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The City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St., Lakeport. A 5 p.m. staff workshop will be held to discuss the city's business plan update and conduct a mid-year budget review.
The first major piece of business for the council Tuesday will be a public hearing on an appeal filed by Scott Schellinger of the Santa Rosa-based Schellinger Brothers, builders of the Parkside Subdivision Project next to Westside Community Park, of a Dec. 10 Lakeport Planning Commission decision.
Schellinger asked the commission to approve a revision to the subdivision, which would result in a through-street being replaced by a bridge with a cul-de-sac at 1297 Craig Ave., 1226 Wrigley St. and 1227 Wrigley St.
The 95-lot subdivision, scheduled to be built in three phases, is in phase one, with 14 homes of 35 built, according to city documents. Phase one also includes the development of Wrigley Street, originally to extend from Westside Road and connect to Craig Avenue, requiring construction of a bridge over Forbes Creek.
The reason for the request, according to a report by Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton, is that after the subdivision application was approved an elderberry tree was found within the creek area where the bridge would need to be built. The project's biological assessment failed to discover the tree.
While city staff concluded the change was in conformance with city ordinances, the commission denied Schellinger's revision request in a 3-2 vote, citing concerns over having the subdivision limited to a single entry at Westside Park Road and the lack of documentation about the elderberry tree's impact on bridge construction.
Redevelopment audits, proposed property purchases up for consideration
In other business, the council – sitting jointly as the Lakeport Redevelopment Agency – will hear a presentation on the Redevelopment, Housing and Economic Development Department's 2008 Annual Report, financial audit for 2007-08, the State Controller's Report, the Housing and Community Development Department Report and the draft Redevelopment Agency Five-Year Implementation Plan.
The audit report shows that, as of June 30, 2008, the Lakeport Redevelopment Agency had $6.6 million in assets and $5.6 million in liabilities, for total net assets of approximately $965,824.
Also in redevelopment business, council members will consider a report from city Redevelopment Manager Richard Knoll concerning redevelopment acquiring several city-owned properties – Dutch Harbor, Bevins Street, the fire and police stations, Third Street to Natural High and "possibly others," according to Knoll's report.
"The agency has the ability to actively manage their development, participate financially in their development, and get them on the tax rolls producing tax increment revenue," Knoll's report says.
The sales also would generate funds for the city's general fund and could help fund programs such as the city's Business Stabilization Loan Program, which offers local businesses working capital – loans of between $15,000 and $75,000, with interest set at 1 percent of the original loan amount – during times of economic downturn, according to Knoll.
That will be important for local businesses, which Knoll said are suffering due to the economic climate.
While Lakeport won't see any federal bailout money, "Nonetheless, there are business entities here that are in real trouble and may go bankrupt and/or close their doors," said Knoll, noting that the city depends on these local businesses for general fund revenue.
"Business closures could have a devastating impact on the community in a number of ways," he said.
Other redevelopment business will include an update on Bruce Shimizu of Clearwater Homes' proposed Avalon Housing Project on Berry Street. Shimizu is asking for $713,000 to fund property acquisition.
However, Knoll's report on the project said it would be "inappropriate" to commit the money. He said staff believes Shimizu needs to perform in moving through the entitlement process, and the agency also doesn't have sufficient funding currently available. Knoll is suggesting the agency commit to a $257,000 loan to fund land carry and predevelopment/entitlement expenses.
Dr. Alan Sampson, who wants to develop a medical clinic and office building on 11th Street, also is asking the agency for financial assistance for right-of-way improvements on Pool Street, even though the project is not within the redevelopment project area.
Knoll's report suggests offering no more than $30,000 and arranging a payback agreement for the city to reimburse the redevelopment agency from property tax revenue generated from Sampson's improved property. He said the right-of-way improvements will improve pedestrian safety and circulation.
Lake monitoring, police funds also on agenda
Under council business, council members are expected to approve and authorize Mayor Ron Bertsch to sign an agreement with the county of Lake to adopt the mercury and nutrient total maximum daily load monitoring and implementation plan.
They also will discuss the proposed transportation impact mitigation fee program, approve the memorandum of understanding for the "golden handshake" early retirement program and set a date for a Brown Act workshop.
Kevin Burke, the city's police chief and interim city manager, will ask the council to receive and allocate Supplemental Law Enforcement Services funds for this fiscal year in the amount of $100,000. The funds, according to a report from Burke, are to be used for "front line municipal police services."
In City Council communications, the formation of and appointments to the Senior Advisory Committee, Measure J Committee and Student Liaison Committee will be carried out.
The council also will hold a closed session for a performance evaluation of Burke as interim city manager, consideration of an employee disciplinary issues and property negotiations for 1473 Martin St.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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