LAKEPORT — At the city council meeting Tuesday, a “first-ever” business plan gained approval of the council. The plan is the outcome of many staff hours and three public goal-setting meetings.
The plan would include a measurable, yearly action plan, a balanced budget and a policy-approved strategic long-term master planning system.
It includes five areas of emphasis and projects that “our ideal city shall be known for” according to staff reports. Goals include a downtown marina, no areas of blight, increased tourism, a balanced budget and monitoring wastewater capacity for the city.
The business plan has been broken down into departments that will be in charge of meeting the goals. Priorities were applied to each goal and a due date assigned to staff members. The due date will coincide with council meetings.
“For example, on Feb. 16, if there isn”t an agenda item for a goal that has that due date, this is your mechanism for determining if we”re doing what you directed us to do,” City Manager Jerry Gillham said as he addressed the council.
In addition, after hearing several community members” complaints regarding an ordinance imposing stricter regulations on carports in Lakeport, the council moved to approve the new ordinance.
The new ordinance will allow one 400 square foot metal carport or one 300 square foot fabric carport per lot. Lakeport resident Bonny Goselin read aloud the council”s oath of office, saying that it was their obligation to allow citizens the right to do what they want on their property.
In other business, the council halted a motion to pass a cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase of 2.5 percent for Lakeport Disposal, the garbage disposal company the city has a franchise agreement with. There are 10 issues the city has with the company, and councilman Jim Irwin cast the sole opposing vote against approving the COLA. “I think we should get this figured out first,” Irwin said.
A meeting will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. between the city and Lakeport Disposal in order to come to a resolution. The issues include an impasse regarding payment of a 10 percent franchise fee the city is owed, and whether or not to require the company pay franchise fees to the city for its separate recycling business.
In miscellaneous reports, City Attorney Steve Brookes reported that he has talked with a property owner about the possibility of the city purchasing a portion of water-front land adjacent to Natural High School and Dutch Harbor.
“That would be for potential use as a promenade,” Brookes said. The property is less than one acre and is comprised of a strip of land including the tree-flanked shore popular with dog-walkers at Natural High. A lake-front promenade is one of the city”s goals.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
