That was the decision at the council's meeting March 16.
Public Works Director Doug Grider gave the council the update on projects funded by Measure I, the city's half-cent sales tax.
He also reported that the second round of stimulus funding is coming. “We've been notified to start preparing for it, which we are.”
Mayor Jim Irwin suggested using a portion of the $200,000 intended for upcoming street work to engineer a big project in order to be eligible for stimulus funding, but added, “I like the idea of getting some roads fixed now,” pointing to 11th Street.
Grider told the council that, according to the city's pavement management plan, High Street is up this year for work, with 11th Street on deck for next year, but that they could flip the two projects if they wanted to do so.
Ultimately, however, the council left the streets in the original order and set aside money for the on the shelf project.
Grider told Lake County News in a later interview that within the next month he expects to start advertising for an engineering firm to work on a project to fill in three gaps along Main Street.
Those gaps in new road work – as well as curbs, gutters and sidewalks – exist between major projects, such as the S. Main Street project, which was funded by Measure I and a more than $1 million drainage and overlay project funded by Measure I and Indian gaming funds, and the work to be done by the downtown improvement project, he said.
Another piece of the project will stretch from Armstrong to wherever the downtown project stops, and the other side of it, from Fourth or Fifth down to Clear Lake Avenue, he said.
Also at last Tuesday's meeting, Community Development and Utilities Director Mark Brannigan reported to the council that the county's Public Services Department is still working to decommission the transfer station site on Bevins.
At one point the county had suggested they might want to continue using the site for storage, but that was no longer the case.
He said they're taking structures and equipment in shutting down the facility. “They're vacating the premises as we speak.”
Brannigan said the city next needs to decide what it wants to use the property for in the future. He pointed out that it's located in an area not far from new courthouse and Mendocino College project sites, and it's a perfect time for the city to start looking at highest and best uses for the property.
Brannigan said the building on the site belongs to the city.
During the meeting, City Clerk Janel Chapman administered the oath of office to new Lakeport Police Officer Amanda Coffman.
Coffman graduated from the police academy about six months ago and holds a grant-funded position within the department, said Police Chief Kevin Burke.
Brannigan also gave the council a report on the Vista Point shopping center buildings, which came to the point of enforcement with the city's building department in 2008.
The buildings have a large portion of missing roof. A permit was taken out to replace that roof but that didn't happen, said Brannigan. “It just isn't going anywhere,” he said, noting the frustration of the staff, council and general public regarding the condition of a location at a main entrance into the city.
“It's not the pride that we would like to see there obviously,” said Brannigan.
“That' the understatement of the night,” said Irwin.
Earlier that day a building inspector went to the site, with Brannigan reporting that the man was able to get through the fence and to an electrical panel. He said they were planning to send a letter about access, the electrical panel and structural concerns to the receivership for the buildings, the lease for which – not the land itself, which is owned separately – is in foreclosure.
If nothing happens, “We'll take it from there,” said Brannigan.
City Attorney Steve Brookes said the three parties in the lawsuit involving the foreclosure action were in productive talks as of two weeks ago. “That's the thing that will make it happen,” Brookes said.
Local developer Bill Irwin – father of Mayor Jim Irwin – gave a brief presentation in which he proposed working with the city on an affordable income housing project. The mayor recused himself from the discussion and left the room while it took place.
The council also decided to hold off on hiring any new job candidates through a special Lake County Social Services program until Silveira arrives.
In other news, Kevin Burke, the city's police chief and interim city manager, took the opportunity to remove “interim city manager” that was taped to his name plate and reported to the council that the new city manager, Margaret Silveira, will report for her first day of work on April 5.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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