LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Lakeport City Council held a public hearing for the city's housing element report, agreed to surplus several vehicles and approved a new policy to quickly respond to proposed legislation.
At the start of the meeting, Mayor Kenny Parlet honored one of his predecessors, Arlin Pischke, who served two terms on the council from 1982 to 1990, serving twice as mayor. Pischke died following a brief illness on April 27.
As Pischke's widow, Rose, his daughter Karyn Rasmussen and granddaughter Savannah Rasmussen looked on from the audience, Parlet read an excerpt from Pischke's obituary.
Parlet then asked for a moment of silence in memory of Pischke, who up until recently had continued to make occasional appearances at council meetings, whether to support grandchildren receiving awards or to weigh in on important city issues.
Moving into the meeting's business, the council agreed to add an application for an upcoming bass tournament to the agenda as an urgency item due to the immediate need to consider it. Council members unanimously approved the application.
During public comment, Christina Basor, wife of Lakeport Police Officer Gary Basor, asked the council to give special attention to the city's police force, with officers working long shifts due to staffing issues.
Parlet acknowledged the council is aware of the issues but that they could not respond to matters raised during public comment, which are not agendized for council discussion.
Lake County Department of Public Works and Water Resources Director Scott De Leon gave the council an update on Measure L, a half-cent sales tax for projects to improve the health of Clear Lake that will be on the June 3 ballot.
The council also held a brief public hearing to approve the 2013 Housing Element Progress Report, and directed staff to submit the report to the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Public Works Director Mark Brannigan's proposed resolution to declare seven surplus vehicles – including three trucks, a tractor, a scooter, a trailer and a backhoe – was approved. He said his department is working to complete a big cleanup this spring.
City Clerk Janel Chapman took to the council a resolution for a legislative policy that would clearly outline the city's position “on priority issues and matters that impact the City’s ability to operate effectively, while allowing the consideration of additional legislative and budget issues that arise during the legislative session,” according to her written report.
Chapman explained to the council that the city often gets requests from the League of California Cities to support or oppose legislation. “These come in and they need to be acted on quickly,” Chapman said, explaining that in some cases city staff doesn't have the time to bring the issues to the entire council.
The new policy, she said, would set down guidelines and allow city staff to write letters to support or oppose legislation for the mayor's signature. According to the policy, if the mayor is not available, the position letters could be signed by the mayor pro tem or the city manager.
City Manager Margaret Silveira added that the policy would be based on the League of California Cities platform.
Councilman Marc Spillman said he opposed the idea, wanting such letters to be considered by the full council. Mayor Pro Tem Martin Scheel said that Chapman can't email the documents out to the council without violating the Brown Act.
Parlet called the legislative policy “a brilliant tool” that allows the city to move quickly on proposed legislation. He said he wanted more generic language around funding mechanisms in bills.
Silveira said the policy language has been vetted by the League of California Cities and emphasizes local control. The policy can be seen in the council packet below, pages 45 to 51.
Chapman said the entire council would get copies of the letters that go out.
Spillman said he felt they were giving up their rights to vote on these issues and governing “by fire not light.” Councilwoman Stacey Mattina responded that the council frequently doesn't meet in time to respond to requests for times to send out letters.
Spillman insisted that it was better to take the time to look at things, and doesn't want his name behind something he hasn't reviewed. “I really have an issue with that.”
Parlet asked what line item in the policy concerned Spillman, who replied that he didn't like a blanket agreement, adding that he felt some of it could be very arbitrary.
“I like the policy,” said Councilman Tom Engstrom.
Scheel said he liked it too, and had a lot of faith in the League of California Cities. He said he serves on the league's legislative committee, which is constantly working to stay on top of legislative issues. Scheel recounted getting a call from a league staffer late one evening asking for support for a bill.
“I'm comfortable with the league and how they operate,” said Scheel, who added that he understood Spillman's concerns.
Mattina suggested Spillman attend League of California Cities meetings to see what is going on, explaining that the group is very supporting of Lakeport. “I don't know what we would do without that group.”
Parlet also lauded the league, and said he liked the policy platform and that it would be good to be able to refer to it.
Silveira said the league approves its platform annually, and she can send it out to the council so they know of the changes.
Of the legislative policy document presented to the council, Parlet said, “I could not have been more impressed with it.”
Scheel moved to adopt the policy, with Engstrom seconding. The council voted 4-1, with Spillman voting no.
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