LAKEPORT — The City Council approved a resolution Tuesday during its regular meeting to regulate sewer rates for business owners.
The resolution would provide more freedom and less cost to business owners by allowing them to have 10 units, instead of the previously allowed eight, before rates go up. With the adoption of the resolution the city stands to lose more than $16,000 in incoming fees that will impact the sewer reserves, Public Works Director Mark Brannigan said.
His recommendation to adopt the resolution came during a council meeting last month. Under previous ruling, private citizens paid a flat rate for sewage, but fees for business owners who owned more than eight units would increase.
“I”m not in favor of losing $16,000,” councilman Kenneth Parlet said, “but basically what your doing is picking the pocket of commercial users that aren”t necessarily putting water into the sewer system. So it”s money that you”re getting that you really don”t rightfully deserve.”
In other business, Lake County Water Resources Director Scott De Leon presented a report on the weed and algae abatement project for the Lakeport shores project.
The project is set to go out for bid soon and two contractors are being considered. About 207 surface acres are expected to abated of weed at a cost of about $274,000, De Leon said.
The project was allocated about $1.3 million in 2011, of which $500,000 was spent the first year, but the necessary abatement proved to be more than anticipated.
De Leon said a big part of keeping weeds from causing problems for boaters is maintenance.
“It”s like mowing the lawn, you have to keep mowing the lawn,” De Leon said.
The council also moved to cancel its scheduled Aug. 6 meeting to participate in the America”s National Night Out Against Crime community block party.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen presented a brief report on Fourth of July operations, in which he thanked the Clearlake Police Department, the California State Parks department, the Lake County Sheriff”s Office, California Highway Patrol, California Fish and Wildlife and the Lake County Probation Office for coordinated efforts during the festivities. There were no major incidents during celebrations, Rasmussen said, mostly because of the abundance of officers on duty.
“The resources certainly insured that public safety was cared for throughout the entire event,” Rasmussen said.
Isaac Brambila is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 ex. 37 or ibrambila@record-bee.com
