LAKEPORT — The city council meets tonight at 6 p.m. at city hall to file status of the new Clear Lake Foundation?a group that aims to protect and improve Clear Lake, adopt a salary increase of 2.3 percent for Lakeport Police Officers and adopt a National Incident Management Systems program in order for the city to comply with Homeland Security requirements.
City officials will also address a new sewer ordinance that will require implementation of a Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program to eliminate FOG related sewer spills?when grease and fats clog pipes causing backups?a state requirement that must be in place in the city by Nov. 2, 2009. The City of Lakeport Municipal Sewer District will consider adoption of an ordinance enabling fees. If the ordinance is approved a second reading will be scheduled for March 4.
City staff, led by Utilities Superintendent Mark Brannigan, held three public workshops, listening to real estate agents and business owners who gave input about wording of the draft ordinance, resulting in a final draft that is being presented today. According to staff reports, the proposed ordinance incorporates required language from the EPA and California Plumbing Code, and “includes public input when appropriate.”
FOG fines can be issued to any user who is identified as the source of a sanitary sewer blockage and/or overflow. The pending resolution establishes fines for violations of the FOG program. For minor violations, fines range from a first offense of $50 for failure to submit records to $1,000 for a fourth offense failure to pump grease and submit records. Major violation fines range from $500 for a source of minimal sewer blockage to a fine of $25,000 for a maximum source of sanitary sewer overflow.
In other agenda business, the council will discuss how to move forward with approving a schedule to ensure compliance with Lakeport Disposal”s existing garbage franchise agreement with the city. For more than two months city officials have negotiated franchise agreement issues they say are not being met by the company, including franchise fees. City staff set a time table for fees the company needs to pay.
“The city council wanted all the increases right away for the city, for the Butchers (the family that owns Lakeport Disposal) it gives them time to get bills paid, before they pay a higher franchise fee rate,” City Manager Jerry Gillham said, speaking of the time table that will be reviewed tonight.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
