Rich Mellott — Staff reporter
LAKEPORT — The City Council voted unanimously to revise the mobile catering business ordinance to allow vendors who meet a certain criteria more flexibility and leeway at its meeting Tuesday at City Hall.
In a session that lasted about a half hour, the council approved the new ordinance that expands the time limit allowed to park in one place from one to two hours, and gives vendors an opportunity to apply for a waiver for longer hours, which the council can approve or deny depending on whether the vendors meet a criteria based on special circumstances, public health and safety issues, among other guidelines.
The council also approved an application fee of $200 for any waiver request.
The meeting was shortened by the postponement of a scheduled presentation by Scott De Leon, director of Lake County Water Resources. The council will likely hear De Leon”s report on “lake bed management” at its next meeting on July 16.
In other business, the council voted unanimously to deny Zumba instructor Melissa Maberry”s request to hold free-of-charge classes at the gazebo in Library Park.
“If we allow this, there”ll be 200 or 300 other requests” for similar waivers, councilman Kenneth Parlet said, alluding to the city ordinance that prohibits the sales, advertising or other distribution of promotional materials at the park.
Parlet, acknowledging he might be perceived as the “bad guy” on the council for speaking out, called the request “a serious can of worms.”
But the rest of the council agreed it”s a can of worms that”s not worth opening.
City staff introduced to the council two summer interns from Mendocino College — Anjanette Correia, who is working in administrative services, and Bryan Cochrane, who is helping in the business department.
In the staff and council comments portion of the meeting, planning services manager Andrew Britton and police chief Brad Rasmussen told the council of plans to inform and educate residents about the new marijuana cultivation ordinance, which goes into effect in about two weeks.
Rich Mellott is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. He can be reached at 263-5636, ext. 14, or rmellott@record-bee.com.
