LAKEPORT — The Lakeport city council meeting saw the election of a new mayor and mayor pro tem. Former Mayor Pro Tem Buzz Bruns was elected as mayor. Councilman Ron Bertsch was elected as mayor pro tem.
Prior to switching seats with Bruns, Parmentier said, “I would like to thank everyone for sticking with me last year, I know I stepped on a few toes, but business is business,” Parmentier said.
The floor opened for public input, and Lakeport citizen Suzanne Lyons stepped up to the podium. “I”m wondering if the city has any plan to work with any of the other cities around the lake about the possibility of quagga mussels in the lake?”
City staff said they are working with Fish and Game to monitor for the mussels via quagga traps placed around the lake.
“That tells us whether or not we have them. We don”t have any signage letting us know about them,” Lyons said. “We do have some brochures about the quagga in the lobby,” said accounting technician Janet Tavernier.
City Manager Jerry Gillham said one of the goals of a new foundation called The Clear Lake Foundation will be to find ways to fundraise to prevent invasive species, such as the mussel. “Environmental concerns is the pre-eminent goal of this foundation, the goal is a call to action by the city. I think you”ve (the city) done very well on that,” Gillham said.
Janet Bruns, vice president of the Main Street Association, announced the winners of a contest for the best storefront Christmas decorations.
“The goal of this was to encourage the stores to decorate for Dickens (Christmas Market),” Bruns said. First place, with a $200 check went to The Kitchen Gallery. “If you haven”t gone by there you have to, it”s beautiful,” Bruns said. Second place was awarded to Sandy”s Interiors. Inspiration Gallery and Shari”s Secret Garden tied for third place. Councilman Bob Rumfelt suggested a public notice be made about a home and business decorating contest in the city, with judging taking place on Dec. 17.
Mayor Bruns said, “I think we really have a good-looking downtown, with all the lights and garlands.”
Gillham made an announcement about plans for a downtown transformation project taking place today at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. “We”ll be talking about what we want to do for a transformation project next summer. A graphic design artist will be bringing examples of facades.”
A portion of the old Nature”s Bounty store on Forbes and Sixth Street will be rezoned from high-density residential to professional office, and another ordinance was examined by the council to revise Lakeport”s zoning ordinance relating to carports.
“In May of last year the council took action to refer the carport standards to the planning commission to review what”s in place now, such as setback standards?and any other related applicable standards for garages and carports. The commission did vote two-to-three against the ordinance,” said Community Development Director Richard Knoll.
Parmentier asked why the planning commission voted it down. A member of the planning commission in the audience said, “One didn”t want carports allowed at all, and one wanted them set back from the house.” “So, essentially they wanted stricter requirements than this ordinance,” Knoll said.
Mayor Pro Tem Bertsch asked, “If you have a complaint, why do we need standards?” Some audience members clapped lightly in response to this question. Councilman Bob Rumfelt responded, “Almost every day I come by two carports?one is used as a storage shed, I consider it an eyesore?I think we need some standards.” Bonnie Goselin, a member of the audience, addressed the council on the issue of carports. “We all have different ideas of what is beautiful. For the city to determine aesthetics is not right, I think it”s overstepping your boundaries?the setback requirement just prevents people with little lots from having a carport. I think there should be an exemption clause.”
City Attorney Steve Brookes said, “Richard is correct that the safety and welfare includes aesthetics, what you want your town to look like is part of it, with respect to car ports or trash enclosures, as an example. Some of the goals for this is to have some certainty and preserve setbacks. Contact ewilson@record-bee.com.
