LAKEPORT — The Lakeport City Council elected one of the youngest mayors, James Irwin, 28, Tuesday with a 3-2 vote.
Irwin said, “Thanks guys” before he switched chairs with former mayor Ron Bertsch.
“To be honest, I don”t feel that young,” Irwin said explaining that he”s always had older friends.
Irwin said he will continue to push for Measure I funds to be spent on roads rather than general fund expenses although he doesn”t think the mayor holds much more power than other council members.
Councilmen Bob Rumfelt and Roy Parmentier voted for Parmentier.
The council unanimously elected Rumfelt as mayor pro tem.
Irwin then appointed council members to the many boards on which they serve and moved to the items on the agenda.
The council voted 3-2 to adopt an ordinance that bans the recreational use of off-road motorcycles and other off-road vehicles in the city limits. Irwin and Councilwoman Suzanne Lyons dissented.
About 10 people told the council they either supported the ordinance because they”re bothered by off-road vehicle noise or they opposed the ordinance because they use the vehicles.
“It”s not just one person sitting next to a house that has a motorcycle,” Gary Smades said. “It”s not just one person. It”s a lot of people.”
David Meek Jr. suggested both sides form a committee to work out a solution.
“This is about keeping me from allowing my little girls to ride across my lawn,” Meek said.
“Your girls riding up and down the driveway won”t be a problem unless there”s a complaint,” Rumfelt said.
Lyons supported the idea of forming a committee, she said.
Redevelopment director Richard Knoll gave the council a report on the city”s status of its contract with RAU and Associates for the downtown improvement project phase two. Representatives from Lake County design firms complained about the way the council decides on construction design firms. The council and staff agreed to revisit the issue of how the city chooses design firms and whether it can take cost into account.
The council voted 3-2 to select Quincy Engineering of Sacramento to prepare the Lakeport Boulevard-South Main Street intersection study.
The Redevelopment Agency staff identified a few vacant properties the city could buy to possibly donate to Habitat for Humanity.
Council members unanimously voted to allocate Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund money to Lakeport police.
The council also unanimously voted to support a county alternative energy and energy efficiency financing program.
Council members agreed to help create a fireworks committee to implement Measure C.
Two panels will interview 10 candidates for city manager Jan. 11, acting city manager Kevin Burke said.
The city, Lakeport Main Street Association and Chamber of Commerce gave the first prize for the holiday decorating contest to Tiffany Bussard and Jared Bussard, who live on Central Park Avenue. Flowers by Jackie won first prize for the commercial category. The first-place winners received a $300 check. Inspirations Gallery and Tracy Stephens won second place and $100 each for their categories.
Council members agreed to allow the No Name Car Club Car Show for June 4 and June 5.
Lyons and Bertsch will continue to sit on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Parmentier will stay on the Lakeport Fire Protection District. Rumfelt and Irwin will serve on the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Lakeport Main Street Association will keep Bertsch.
Bertsch and Irwin will serve on the Lake County/City Area Planning Council. Irwin will continue on the County of Lake Solid Waste Management Task Force. The Lake County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority will keep Rumfelt and Lyons. Rumfelt will continue as the Animal Control/SPCA liaison.
Lyons will serve on the Clear Lake Advisory Subcommittee, the Local Agency Formation Commission and the Invasive Species Council. Parmentier will continue on the Lake County Airport Land Use Commission and the SB 621 Indian Gaming Funds Committee.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5626, ext. 37.
