LAKEPORT — The City Council passed a resolution Tuesday declaring the city would serve as the successor agency to the Lakeport Redevelopment Agency (RDA).
“It gives the city a bit of control although not a lot,” Community Development Director Richard Knoll said during the special meeting at City Hall.
The California Supreme Court upheld state lawmakers” ability to abolish local redevelopment in a decision issued Dec. 29. The successor agency would be involved in winding down the affairs of the Lakeport RDA, Knoll told the council.
The process to make sure the Lakeport RDA”s debts are paid off, its assets liquidated and all property taxes are properly redirected “is likely to be time consuming and complex,” according to Knoll.
Staff indicated to the council that it”s not entirely clear how RDAs statewide are supposed to go about dissolving. “There”s a lot of unknowns,” City Manager Margaret Silveira said.
Among the undetermined issues are what happens to current RDA funds, assets and outstanding projects.
The council unanimously approved the resolution electing the city to serve as the successor agency.
Councilman Bob Rumfelt said he felt it would be important for the council to “stay united” on all matters related to redevelopment.
Knoll added that staff plans to have more discussions about the dissolution with the council, including during next week”s regular meeting.
