LAKEPORT — Portions of Library Park in Lakeport are now reopen in the latest local change to coronavirus restrictions.
The City of Lakeport announced Friday that the public can now use some areas of the park, while others remain closed.
“The lakefront area between Third Street and the north end of the Fifth Street parking area can now be used by the public for fishing and other outdoor recreational activities,” the city’s public works director, Douglas Grider, wrote in a statement.
“The main portion of Library Park between First and Third Streets remains closed due to ongoing construction improvements and other factors including bathroom closures,” he added. “We are working to reopen this portion of Library Park as soon as possible.”
In addition, in accordance with countywide shelter-in-place orders, the public boat ramps throughout the park remain closed, a map of the area provided by the city indicates.
The still-closed portion of the park includes the recently-updated playground as well as the park’s gazebo.
Construction began in February and is ongoing in a project to replace a damaged seawall at Library Park. Concrete for the seawall has been poured and an adjacent promenade has been developed, according to a recent online post by the city.
City council may apply for COVID-19 relief grant
During a Lakeport City Council meeting Tuesday, city leaders will consider submitting an application for state and federally Community Development Block Grant funds meant to provide relief under the federal CARES Act, which was passed in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram notes that the city is estimated to be eligible for up to $70,681 in such funding, which would add to—not replace—the city’s regular CDBG funding for the coming year.
Tuesday’s public hearing will cull ideas from the public and city leaders on what to use the grant funding for.
City staff is proposing to use the monies to upgrade the kitchen facilities at the new Lakeport Community Center, which was obtained by the city last year and is located in the old Bank of America building on North Main Street.
“With the purchase of some basic commercial kitchen equipment this site could easily be utilized to support the many ongoing COVID-19 local community efforts already underway which are making sure that our local residents in the greatest need continue to have access to food during this ongoing pandemic,” Ingram writes. “The City is considering entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lakeport Homeless Shelter, Lake County Public Health Office and possible additional community organizations to utilize this space in support of their COVID-19 related efforts.”
The city anticipates the CDBG funding to become available early this month, with a “very quick” turnaround for applications to be submitted.
The Lakeport City Council is meeting virtually due to shelter-in-place restrictions. Tuesday’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. To join the meeting online, follow this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1359917069095029262. To join by phone, call (877) 309-2074 or (415) 930-5229, and enter the access code 620-529-293.
Please note that if you phone in without using the web link, you will be in “listen mode” only, and will not be able to participate or comment.
The City wants you to know that you can also submit your comments by email to virtualhost@cityoflakeport.com. To give the City Clerk adequate time to print out your comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit your written comments prior to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.
Please indicate in the email Subject Line “FOR PUBLIC COMMENT” and list the item number you wish to comment on. Comments that you want read to the Council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to Council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the Council prior to the meeting.
