The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The full agenda and staff reports for the meeting can be downloaded at www.cityoflakeport.com/departments/docs.aspx?deptID=88&catID=102 .
City Utilities Director Mark Brannigan will ask the council for direction on how to address community members' concerns about Pacific Gas & Electric's new wireless SmartMeter devices.
Last month both Board of Supervisors approved an urgency ordinance imposing an installation ban, directed staff to research legal action to stop the meters being installed and sent a letter to state leaders in support of AB 37, which would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to offer consumers an opt-out alternative, as Lake County News has reported.
A few weeks later, the Clearlake City Council took the same essential actions, minus directing staff to sue, with Council member Judy Thein stating that all the county's local governments needed to stand together on the matter.
The Big Valley Rancheria Tribal Council also has reportedly banned the devices on its lands.
At its March 15 meeting, the Lakeport City Council directed Brannigan to agendize its own discussion on the matter.
Brannigan's report refers to PG&E's proposal, submitted at the CPUC's direction last month, to offer its own opt-out proposal. PG&E's plan would charge customers upfront and ongoing fees in order to service the devices.
Because the CPUC has exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of public utilities, Brannigan noted in his report to the council, “legislative actions by the City of Lakeport to stop the installation of SmartMeters will likely be unenforceable, but there are actions that the City can take in support of citizen concerns.”
He's suggesting four options: issuing letters to legislators and governor in support of AB 37; passing a resolution declaring the council’s position pertaining to SmartMeters and related equipment and demanding a halt of the installation of SmartMeters for those customers who don't want the devices; imposing an ordinance instituting a moratorium on the installation of SmartMeters and related equipment in the city; or taking no action and monitoring AB 37.
Community Development and Redevelopment Director Richard Knoll also will give the council an update on the S. Main Street annexation.
Also on Tuesday's agenda, Supervisor Anthony Farrington and Quincy Engineering will give the council an update on the South Main Street Project, and new Lakeport Police Officer Joseph Eastham and new police volunteer Greg Scott will be introduced to the council.
Under redevelopment agency business, the council – sitting as redevelopment agency board members – will consider approving owner participation agreements with Thomas and Lorie Nieto for façade improvements at 125-127 N. Main St. and with Bob and Toni Funderburg of RA Funderburg Inc. for façade improvements at Lakeport Tire and Auto, 1901 S. Main St., and will get a report regarding the status of redevelopment.
The council will consider authorizing City Manager Margaret Silveira enter into a contract with the firm HDR for a water and sewer rate study, and Public Works Director Doug Grider will take to them an application for the Lake County Farmers’ Finest Farmers Market to be held on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 1 through Sept. 28, with staff recommended modifications.
Other items on the agenda include a proposed resolution restricting parking on a portion of 15th Street, the results from the consultant selection board on the Parallel Drive Water Main Extension Project and providing direction to staff regarding contract negotiations, a budget amendment, and a proposed resolution and agreement with the Franchise Tax Board to participate in the City Business Tax (CBT) Program.
The council will hold a closed session to discuss labor negotiations with the Lakeport Employees Association and conduct a performance evaluation of Silveira.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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