This story has been updated regarding the closed session.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – In its first meeting of 2014 the Lakeport City Council will discuss appointing its members to various boards and committees, get an update from staff on social media outreach efforts and consider submitting a grant application to upgrade park facilities.
The council will convene for a closed session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss receipt of a claim under the Tort Claims Act or other written communication threatening litigation from former City Attorney Steve Brooks before the open session begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Items for consideration include appointment of council members to various commissions, boards and committees for Lakeport Fire Protection District, Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lakeport Main Street Association, League of California Cities, Lake County/City Area Planning Council, Invasive Species Task Force Committee and the Lakeport Unified School District committee, among others.
The council also is expected to adopt a resolution appointing representatives to vote on behalf of the city at the League of California Cities, Redwood Empire Division Business meetings and at Division Legislative Committee meetings.
In other business, Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton will give the council an update on the city's social media outreach efforts.
During a February 2013 strategic planning session the council identified opportunities including enhancing the city's social media presence through the use of the city's Web site, www.cityoflakeport.com ; its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CityofLakeport ; and through Twitter, @CityofLakeport .
“Improving our social media presence was one of the strategies identified to enhance the level of communication with our residents,” Britton said in his written report to the council.
He noted that the city's social media efforts began in earnest in July, “and since that time we have seen a large increase in the amount of total (Facebook) page 'likes' and the increase in the level of engagement with our residents.”
On Tuesday, City Manager Margaret Silveira will take to the council an application to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development for a Housing Related Parks Grant.
Silveira's report to the council explained that, based on affordable housing units created either by new construction or a substantial remodel – in this case, the new Bella Vista Senior Complex on Martin Street – the city is eligible for $77,400 in noncompetitive grant funding.
“Staff is recommending the use of these funds for preliminary engineering for non-treated irrigation water supply for Westside Park, and implementation,” wrote Silveira, noting that in November 2012 Ruzicka Associates gave city staff a proposal for a preliminary engineering report for such a water supply for the park.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the council's Dec. 17 meeting; warrant registers dated Dec. 12 and Dec. 18; approval of a professional services agreement with Adams Ashby Group LLC for USDA loan and grant administration; and approval of an agreement for professional services with Community Development Services.
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