LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council met the city's newest police officer, recognized children who participated in a drug education coloring contest and approved an agreement relating to the operation of the county's cable access television station on Tuesday.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen introduced Jason Fisher, his agency's new officer, who was hired at the end of the department's recent extensive testing process.
“We're proud to have him on our department,” said Rasmussen.
Fisher, his wife Jeannine and their two children – a son and daughter – live in Napa, Rasmussen told the council.
Rasmussen said Fisher is a veteran of the US Army, and served in the 127 Military Police Company in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Fisher is now in the US Army Reserve, serving in the 341st Military Police Company out of Mountain View.
Fisher was sworn in a few weeks ago, Rasmussen said, but appeared before the council on Tuesday for a badge pinning ceremony.
In presenting Fisher with his badge, Rasmussen said, “This badge belongs to the public. It’s a symbol of public trust to be carried and worn by you, as long as you hold true to what it stands for.”
Fisher's wife then pinned on his badge, telling him she was proud of him, and noting his heart for service and his integrity.
Mayor Martin Scheel welcomed Fisher, thanking him for his service to the country and now for his service to the city.
Fisher then joined Rasmussen in recognizing students from Lakeport Elementary School who participated in the city's drug education Halloween coloring contest for grades kindergarten through third grade.
Rasmussen said they handed out prizes to the winners on Friday. First place winners received new scooters, while second and third place winners were given gift cards from Lakeport Cinema 5.
He said prizes were funded by drug asset forfeiture funds, as well as donations from Lake County News and Main Street Bicycles.
Winners are:
– Kindergarten: first place, Sofia Cavello; second place, Alex Avalos; third place, Nolan Buffalo.
– First grade: first place, Russell Davis; second place, Hayden Brown; third place, Maddison Sullivan.
– Second grade: first place, Faith Ann Mcintire; second place, Luis Alvarado Corona; third place, Isabel Jiminez.
– Third grade: first place, Kaliann Woodson; second place, Sylvia Holguin; third place, Rosalee Lazo.
Scheel, a member of the committee that judged the winners, congratulated the children. “The judging was really tough.”
In other business, the council received and filed a report from acting City Clerk Kelly Buendia regarding the city's requirements under the Maddy Act.
Buendia said that law requires that on or before Dec. 31 of each year, the legislative body prepare a list of all regular and ongoing boards, commissions and committees that it appoints.
Typically each fall staff brings to the council a list of vacancies that will occur in the upcoming year, Buendia said.
The list Buendia presented to the council showed that in 2016 two terms will end on the Lakeport Planning Commission, two on the Parks and Recreation Commission and six on the Lakeport Economic development Advisory Committee.
Buendia said city staff are set to begin recruiting for the positions through press releases, postings on social media and the city newsletter.
She said they plan to get the city's Traffic and Safety Committee back on track again after it lapsed. The terms for the last four of its six positions expired last year.
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina moved to receive and file the report, which the council approved 5-0.
Also on the agenda was an agreement between Lakeport, the city of Clearlake and the county of Lake for the operation of the local public, educational, governmental cable television – or PEG – channel.
City Manager Margaret Silveira said the agreement calls for the channel to be supervised by a five-member board, three of whose members are appointed by the cities and the county, with the board to appoint the two seats to be held by the general public.
Under the agreement, the county provides $15,000 for the station's operations, with Clearlake committing $8,000 in in-kind support – staff, facilities, insurance and operating expenses – and Lakeport to provide $2,000 on an annual basis.
Scheel, who was appointed to the PEG Board last year, noted, “It's a different PEG now than it was a few years ago,” acknowledging the issues the station has faced.
With the station now collecting funds for a 1-percent franchise fee on Mediacom customers, Scheel said the goal is to install equipment in the city council chambers to enable live broadcasts of meetings.
Mattina moved to approve the agreement, which the council approved 5-0.
The council also held a closed session discussion regarding negotiations for a property at 916 N. Forbes St. before the regular meeting convened. Scheel said there was no action to report out of that closed session.
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