LAKEPORT, Calif. – On the 96th anniversary of the Lakeport Carnegie Library's opening, the Lakeport City Council will consider a proposal to negotiate a contract with an architectural firm for a feasibility study to determine a new and best use for the building.
The council will meet for a closed session regarding employee negotiations beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The council will convene in open session at 6 p.m.
On the agenda is a proposal to authorize city staff to negotiate a professional services contract and scope of work with Garavaglia Architecture Inc.
The firm would prepare a feasibility study for determination of the highest and best uses of the historic Lakeport Carnegie Library, located at 200 Park St.
Meeting documents indicate the contract amount shall not exceed $10,000. Another $2,500 is budgeted for project coordination and miscellaneous expenses.
The building, opened as a library on Feb. 18, 1918, acted as a library until a new library was opened in the city in 1985, at which point the building was turned over to the city's ownership, according to a report to the council.
It has served in a number of capacities over the years – including a meeting place for the Lakeport City Council and community groups, government offices and the University of California, Davis Clear Lake field office and lab.
Now, the city wants to find a new and best use so the building can be reopened to the public.
Thanks to the efforts last year of the Lakeport Main Street Association, the city has received a $5,000 Hart Family Fund for Small Towns grant which, along with $5,000 in matching funds from the city, will be used to pay for the feasibility study.
In January, a consultant selection committee convened and unanimously selected Garavaglia Architecture Inc. of San Francisco from among three proposals, according to a report to the council from the Carnegie Library Consultant Selection Committee.
City documents indicate that the goal is to complete the feasibility study by the middle of this year, with the “repurposing” of the building to be complete by the end of 2015.
“At that time we envision a beautifully restored facility that is open to the public, in constant use, producing enough rental income to cover operating expenses, and contributing to the economic vitality of the downtown district,” the selection committee's report said.
Also on Tuesday, the council will conduct a public hearing and adopt an ordinance adding Chapter 17.39 to the Lakeport Municipal Code related to the establishment of density bonuses and other affordable housing incentives.
In other business, the council will considering approving the housing program inspector contract between the city and Robert Fogelstrom, approve the professional services agreement and development reimbursement agreement for the Safeway fuel center project, adopt a resolution to reaffirm the necessity of AB 1600 development impact fees, approve the professional services agreement with Total Compensation Inc. for actuarial services and authorize the city manager to enter into a professional services agreement with Utility Safety Services for CalOSHA compliance services.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances, minutes of the regular Feb. 4 meeting, the Feb. 5 warrant register and approval of the application submitted by Clear Lake Performing Arts for its Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival, to be held in Library Park on June 21.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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