LAKEPORT — Lakeport is slated to “reconsider” its denial of hosting BoardStock, according to the posted agenda for its upcoming Tuesday meeting.
Community outcry at the idea of hosting BoardStock”s youthful, extreme sporty following and the effect that might have on the city combined with the city”s need to focus its staff”s energy elsewhere brought the discussion to a screeching halt at a March 20 meeting.
The decision was not unanimous among the council members, with Jim Irwin opposing the decision to deny the event. Councilman Robert Rumfelt started out open to the event and ultimately voted against it after hearing from Acting City Manager Richard Knoll of the need for more time devoted to getting out from under the cease-and-desist order on its sewer system. Mayor Pro Tem Buzz Bruns was absent, and the motion to drop BoardStock passed 3-1.
The apparent division in the council was echoed in the three community input sessions held on the matter. Promoter Rob Stimmel said he asked for one year, after which an informed decision about whether or not to continue the event in Lakeport could be made.
Stimmel said he was asked by Mayor Roy Parmentier and other city officials to move the date from its original mid-August spot to an as-yet undetermined date in September, outside of peak fire and tourism seasons.
While Stimmel noted that the move to September would “no doubt” reduce his proceeds, he had previously hosted the event in Stockton during that timeframe. The move to August two years ago was to accommodate Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa”s scheduling needs, he said.
Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells said when he met recently with Stimmel and other city officials, he noted again the cost to the Lakeport Fire Protection District to provide emergency services. Although Wells didn”t have a cost estimate, he said Stimmel had changed his tone and expressed openness to footing the bill.
Knoll will bring the item for discussion before the council Tuesday, and will ask that a public hearing be scheduled for May 1.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
