LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council has approved an application for Proposition 68 funds to build a new lakeside park, one of the key components in the city’s lakefront revitalization plan.
The council on Tuesday gave unanimous support to a resolution that gives staff the go ahead to submit the application to the state for Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant Funds for the new park the city proposes to build at 800 and 800 N. Main St., the former site of Natural High School.
The discussion begins at the 22:00 minute mark in the video above. The staff report starts on page 42 of the agenda packet shown below.
The voter-passed Proposition 68 authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds meant for projects that extend from local and state parks to flood protection, water infrastructure, environmental protection and habitat restoration.
Associate Planner Dan Chance told the council that since the council adopted the lakefront revitalization plan, staff has been hoping to get financing to move it to the next level.
“This is the next step for a major part of this project,” he said.
The city has hosted a series of public workshops since the spring in order to gather input on what community members want in a new park, leading up to finalizing a list of amenities and a conceptual plan at a June 28 meeting.
The top concept has an amphitheater, lawn, picnic tables and barbecue grills, bathrooms, concession area, basketball court, ninja gym, splash pad, a large shelter area, an area for a potential future boathouse, a boat ramp and parking, as can be seen in a design shown on this page and in the staff report.
The city has been working with the firm Public Health Advocates to put the grant together. He said the proposal was before the council to get confirmation that city leadership supports it.
Chance said the proposal would include acquisition of the Natural High School property, the details of which haven’t been worked out yet. The property belongs to the Lakeport Unified School District.
“We are very close to getting something on paper for that,” he said.
City Manager Margaret Silveira’s written report to the council said the district intends to give the city a letter this month outlining its intent to support Lakeport’s grant application for the development of the new park on the former Natural High, subject to the completion of required Education Code regulations and procedures.
That letter is expected to indicate either the district’s intent to sell the property or “provide other suitable agreement with the City to allow the development of the proposed park lands at this site.”
Chance asked the council to adopt the resolution supporting the grant application, which must be submitted before Aug. 5.
He said the timeline for developing the park runs over the next two to three years.
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina asked when the city should hear back on its application. Silveira said notification is expected in December.
Councilman Kenny Parlet asked if the property purchase is reimbursable. Silveira said it will be included in the final application.
Parlet asked how much the project will cost. Silveira estimated that it will cost $4.6 million to develop the park, not including land acquisition.
She later told Lake County News that property negotiations are still under way with the school district and so a price for the lakeside property hasn’t been finalized.
During the Tuesday night discussion, Councilman George Spurr asked when the city would have something from the school district about the property. Silveira said the district expects to get the city a document by July 30. She said the city has been working with the district all along, and appreciates their efforts.
Councilwoman Mireya Turner said people were sharing a lot of ideas during the public input process. “This is a very good end result.”
Silveira said Public Health Advocates is working with 10 other communities on their Proposition 68 grants, and the company told city officials that they were impressed with Lakeport, as it has the most community engagement they’ve seen.
Turner said the area where the new park is proposed is very important to the community.
Chance noted that there were “very intense conversations” about the project.
Turner moved to approve the grant application, with multiple seconds offered and the motion approved 5-0.
On Tuesday the council also approved a proposal from The Retail Coach for a retail recruitment and development plan; approved new murals for downtown; authorized a written report regarding delinquent water and sewer accounts; selected Spurr as the voting delegate, Turner as the first alternate and Mayor Time Barnes as the second alternate for the League of California Cities annual conference in October in Long Beach; met new employees; honored departing police Lt. Jason Ferguson; and presented a proclamation committing to join the Energy Upgrade California initiative’s efforts to take action to save energy, and to conserve and preserve natural resources.
Updates from Lisa Kaplan of the Middletown Art Center about the RESTORE project and the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee on its Business Walks outreach program were postponed to a future meeting.
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071619 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd