- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lakeport City Council to consider COVID-19 emergency declaration, discuss broadband plan
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
City officials said the meeting is going on as normal.
On the agenda is a city emergency declaration in response to concerns about COVID-19 made by City Manager Margaret Silveira on Friday, as Lake County News has reported.
So far, no cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by novel coronavirus, have been confirmed in Lakeport or in Lake County as a whole, officials said. However, city and county officials have gone forward with emergency declarations in order to be positioned for state and federal assistance should it be required.
Also up for discussion on Tuesday is the proposed adoption of the Lake County Master Broadband Plan as prepared by the Upstate California Connect Consortium and CSU Chico, Geographical Information Center.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram’s report to the council explains, “Rural areas such as Lake County have lagged behind more urban areas in the provision of broadband and/or high speed internet service. Bridging this divide has been a high priority for many civic and governmental organizations throughout the County. The completion of a broadband feasibility study is
noted specifically as a key improvement element within the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.”
He said Lake Economic Development Corp. has partnered with the Upstate California Connect Consortium and the California State University, Chico, Geographical Information Center to develop the Lake County Master Plan.
“The plan aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape of broadband services for residential and business customers, as well as recommendations for improving broadband coverage and service speeds, developing and implementing local government policies that can ease and support broadband infrastructure deployments, and improving broadband service adoption,” Ingram said.
He said a key element to the plan is the development of an accurate baseline of existing broadband and internet service in Lake County.
In other business, the council will consider adopting a proposed resolution approving the city’s project list for funds generated by SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, in fiscal year 2020-21.
Public Works Director Doug Grider’s report to the council said the city is expected to receive $90,770 in fiscal year 2020-21.
“Staff proposes that the anticipated funds for fiscal year 2020-21 be utilized and dedicated to the Second Street Rehabilitation Project. This project includes the reconstruction of a section of Second Street between North Main Street and Park Street along with the replacement of curb, gutter and sidewalk to meet current ADA standards,” Grider wrote.
He said funds from last year will be added to this year’s funds in order to increase available funding for the project. “Any remaining monies will be dedicated to miscellaneous roadway maintenance and rehabilitation activities citywide.”
If approved, the council would direct staff to submit to the California Transportation Commission.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on March 3; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; approval of the Application 2020-011 with staff recommendations, for the 2020 Child Festival to be held in Library Park April 18, 2020; receipt and filing the communication letter and CAFR for year ended June 30, 2019; adoption of the proposed resolution to reaffirm the necessity of AB 1600 development impact fees; introduction of the proposed amendments and revisions to the Lakeport Municipal Code adopting the 2019 California Building Code and removing references to obsolete building codes and schedule a public hearing for April 7, 2020.
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031720 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd