LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport City Council members on Tuesday approved moving forward with a right-of-way abandonment to assist the Soper Reese Theatre's renovations, received a report on potential uses for the city's historic Carnegie Library and approved a lease with the Westside Community Park for the caretaker's home.

Interim City Engineer Mark Akaba went to the council with the proposal to begin the proceedings on the right-of-way abandonment on Martin Street, next to the Soper Reese Theater.

The council agreed to initiate proceedings and schedule a public hearing on abandoning a 5.4-foot strip of right-of-way along the south side of the theater and along one block of Martin Street.

Last July, theater Executive Director Mike Adams had gone to the council to ask for support for the plan, which would allow renovations – including a 750-square-foot addition that would include new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathrooms and a ramp – to go forward.

Martin Street, an arterial street, is 60 feet wide with its right-of-way, said Akaba. Vacating the strip of right-of-way would leave 54.6 feet, which is below the 60- to 66-foot right-of-way range required by city code.

However, he said the loss of such a small amount of right-of-way wasn't an issue for staff, despite the reduction making the street a substandard width.

Because of the street's current configuration, improvements and traffic volumes, the small reduction in the right-of-way doesn't appear to be a significant issue and shouldn't affect traffic, according to Akaba.

It also was noted that the block of Martin Street in question is the only area along the street that currently has the specified 60 feet of right-of-way.

On Nov. 12, the Lakeport Planning Commission found that the proposal didn't conflict with the general plan transportation element.

City Councilwoman Stacey Mattina said that, if the rest of the road would have been wider, it would have been an issue. “I don't think it makes any difference at all.”

Referring to the theater expansion plans Adams previously shared with the council – including an art-deco style exterior featuring an outdoor stage and ornate marquee – Mayor Martin Scheel said, “The final result is going to be pretty amazing.”

Mattina moved to approve beginning the proceedings to vacate the portion of right-of-way and holding a public hearing, which the council approved 5-0.

Council receives library reuse plan

Wilda Shock of the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, or LEDAC, presented to the council the Carnegie Library Reuse Feasibility Study, which has been under way since last April.

San Francisco-based firm Garavaglia Architecture completed the study, which was paid for by a $5,000 grant that the Lakeport Main Street Association pursued and an additional $5,000 match from the city.

“You have received a very comprehensive report,” said Shock, who went over the timeline of work, going back to last spring, when the consultants visited the building and “crawled through every nook and cranny” of the 97-year-old library, including the attic.

Shock said the council was being asked to accept the report and direct city staff on next steps.

She said LEDAC was suggesting that the council hold another public session to get public input. However, even before doing that, she said the city needs to decide what kind of lift or mechanical equipment can be installed to provide public access to the second floor.

While the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, Shock said there is leeway to make the needed upgrades.

Regarding the request to seek more public input, Shock explained. “There may be some folks out there who may be willing to take on doing something with the building once it's accessible to the public.”

Councilman Marc Spillman asked about the process of narrowing down potential uses for the building. Shock said there could be one use or several which wouldn't be mutually exclusive.

Spillman noted how surprised he had been that the building didn't have more damage.

“It's held up amazingly well,” said Shock.

She said it would be wonderful if something could happen with the building by the time of its centennial in 2018.

Shock said LEDAC members have noted in their study of the subject that many Carnegie Library buildings across the United States are now being used as art centers, in conjunction with meeting space.

“I think we need to hear from our local community and see who has ideas,” she said.

Carolyn Ruttan, a founding member of the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center, said the group wants to have the building as an educational center.

Scheel said the report gives the city some guidelines to follow. He said there will be some limitations due to resources.

Referring to a picture in the report that showed that library when it was first built – sitting all by itself in what is now Library Park – Mattina said, “You realize it's such a treasure.”

Mattina moved to accept the study and direct staff to coordinate a workshop, with Spillman seconding and the council voting 5-0.

Caretaker lease approved; council gets fiscal report

In other business, the council accepted a master lease with the Westside Community Park nonprofit for the existing residence on the park property.

The nonprofit intends to lease out the home at a reduced rate to a person who will help take care of the property.

“Having someone out there would be very beneficial,” said Public Works Director Mark Brannigan.

City Manager Margaret Silveira said there are planned repairs at the residence, which will be carried out by the Lakeport Kiwanis and the city, plus volunteers.

Also on Tuesday, Finance Director Dan Buffalo presented the comprehensive annual financial report for the year ended June 30, 2014.

“I am happy to report that we were on target with our budget estimates,” Buffalo said.

He said revenues – including sales tax and property tax – are up, with the general fund having a $388,000 budgetary surplus.

Buffalo said water and sewer operations and maintenance budgets are up 14.4 and 21.5 percent, respectively, with the city strengthening its capital reserves.

The council also approved the recognized obligation payment schedule for the city's redevelopment successor agency for the period of July 1, 2015, as presented by Buffalo.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.