LAKEPORT – BoardStock's promoter is asking the Lakeport City Council to reconsider hosting the extreme sporting event this summer, an action the mayor has said will require Stimmel to pay for emergency and police services for the event.

Rob Stimmel's request is scheduled for consideration at Tuesday's council meeting.

On March 20, the council voted not to host the event.

The council cited a variety of reasons for the decision, including dedicating city staff to the event while dealing with a stringent state timeline regarding upgrades to the city's beleaguered sewer system.

The Lakeport Fire Protection District's position against the event, as well as local law enforcement concerns and two polarized community meetings also appeared to help the council decide against it.

However, Stimmel told Lake County News earlier this month that he was willing to change BoardStock's dates in order to keep his event in Lake County.

City Manager Richard Knoll's staff report for Tuesday's meeting includes Stimmel's application. In it, Stimmel asks the city to allow his use of Library Park, Park Street and surrounding parking lots and boat ramps on one of two September weekends – Sept. 19-23 or Sept. 26-30.

Knoll's report notes that Stimmel estimates that 8,000 people would attend the four-day event which features wakeboarding, wake surfing, water skiing, motorcycles and more.

“This is essentially the same event that was presented to and declined by the City Council on March 20,” Knoll states.

Knoll points out in the report that the city already has approved an event for the weekend of Sept. 21-23 that will take place in Library Park – the Western States Seaplane Festival. Seaplanes were in town Thursday to practice for a promotional event this summer.

Before the council can reconsider BoardStock, Knoll said Roberts Rules of Order requires that one of the council members who voted with the majority to decline the event must present a motion to reconsider the prior action.

City Clerk Janel Chapman sent letters dated April 9 to Sheriff Rod Mitchell and California Highway Patrol Commander Lt. Dane Hayward asking for their comments on Stimmel's application, as well as estimates of potential costs to their agencies, by April 27.

Mitchell said last month that his department incurred more than $53,000 in additional expenses – much of it overtime – while covering last year's BoardStock event, which then was held at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa. Hayward said his agency spent $23,000 for additional patrol and enforcement, not counting a helicopter used in the effort.

Chapman's letter notes that Mayor Roy Parmentier and Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells met with Stimmel and told him that they would only consider the event if he agreed to pay for law enforcement and other emergency services up front.

Previously, Knoll had stated that he was in favor of seeing the event come to Lakeport, because he felt it was a good fit for the community, as long as it was nonalcoholic, gated and carefully monitored.

However, he also has voiced concern that Lakeport's city staff already is stretched thin as it works to fulfill the requirements of a state cease and desist order against the city sewer system.

Knoll suggests that the council schedule a public meeting on May 1 and take public comment before making a decision.

The Lakeport City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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