LAKEPORT – The Lakeport City Council will discuss lifting a hiring freeze in order to hire a part-time park ranger to help enforce invasive species prevention rules when it meets this coming Tuesday, March 2.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda and associated staff reports can be downloaded at www.cityoflakeport.com/departments/docs.aspx?deptID=88&catID=124 .

Chief of Police Kevin Burke is asking the council for an exemption from the city's hiring freeze in order to allow the hire of a part-time park ranger.

Burke's report to the council explained that his department has a budgeted nonsworn park ranger position that recently became vacant.

The ranger position would conduct invasive species outreach and education, enforce the local

invasive special protection program and other ordinances at Library Park, Burke's report said.

The position is budgeted at $20,000 a year, according to Burke. While not hiring it would result in some savings, Burke said it also would result in decreased services.

Also on Tuesday, convening jointly as the council and the redevelopment agency, members will approve pass-through payments to affected local taxing agencies and consider a request from Bud Harper to purchase his property at 1190 S. Main St., which is the location of the Lakeport Garage, for an asking price of $385,000.

They'll also receive and file update a status report on the improvement project at 562 S. Main St., and review a request from Robert Schall of the Gateway Business Park, located at 751 through 975 Bevins, for reimbursement of a number of development fees that he paid to the city.

The council will consider approving an application from the Firth Family Partnership, owners of The Kitchen Gallery, for a $50,000 business stabilization loan over a five-year term at 3.25 percent interest. The store is scheduled to open in a new location at 301 N. Main, the former location of Café Victoria.

Under public presentations, the council is expected to approve Application No. 2010-07 for the Lake County Chamber of Commerce for the ESPN/BASS Tournament to be held March 15-21 at Library Park, with closure of the Third Street ramp to public use.

The council also will hold a closed session to discuss ongoing negotiations for filling the city manager position. City Attorney Steve Brookes confirmed last week that the city has made a conditional job offer to Margaret Silveira, currently the city manager of Gustine, as Lake County News has reported.

Also in closed session, the council will discuss property negotiations for Green Ranch.

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