LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council will look at a proposal to launch a redevelopment-funded commercial loan program when it meets this week.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Staff reports and the full agenda can be downloaded at http://www.cityoflakeport.com/departments/home.aspx?deptid=88 .
In Lakeport Redevelopment Agency business, the council – sitting jointly as the agency board – is expected to approve a resolution to create and implement a commercial rehabilitation loan program.
City Redevelopment Manager Richard Knoll is asking the council to consider the program after he said the owner of the Vista Point Shopping Center on Lakeport Boulevard – Matt Riveras – asked the city for a loan to begin the first phase of the center's rehabilitation.
“In order to consider such a request, there is a need to create the Commercial Rehabilitation Loan program. This can be done by adopting the attached Agency Resolution and draft guidelines,” Knoll wrote in his report to the council.
Knoll is suggesting using up to $300,000 in tax increment funds annually for the program.
“Staff has been in contact with our Redevelopment Attorney who has concurred that development of such a loan program is permissible under California law,” Knoll's report explained. “Staff has also done research of other Agencies in California and found examples of loan program guidelines.”
He said that loan programs of any kind involve risk, and “there are uncertainties currently surrounding redevelopment in California.”
But Knoll also noted, “There is significant blight at the Vista Point shopping center which needs to be cleared. According to the shopping center owner, there is a lack of market rate financing available.”
Under council business, the council will appoint three members to the Parks and Recreation Commission effective immediately, with the terms to expire at the end of this year. They'll also appoint two members to the committee whose terms also will begin as soon as they're appointed with the expiration at the end of 2012.
The council also will make appointments to the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee effective this March 1 and ending March 1, 2015.
Acting Finance Manager Dan Buffalo will ask the council to adopt the second amendment to the city policy on expense and use of public resources.
He'll also seek the council's authorization for City Manager Margaret Silveira to execute a contract addendum to a master service agreement with US Bank to participate in the CAL-Card program.
City Engineer Scott Harter will take to the council a proposal for additional parking on Parallel Drive and ask council direction on the plan.
The council will hold a closed session to discuss property negotiations for 50 Fifth St., negotiations with the Lakeport Employees Association and Lakeport Police Officers Association, and a performance evaluation of City Attorney Steve Brookes, who was arrested last week for driving under the influence, as Lake County News has reported.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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