LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council will discuss options for the continued operation of the Westshore Pool and get an update on the Downtown Improvement Plan.
The council will meet in closed session to consult with Lakeport Police on a threat to public services or facilities beginning at 5 p.m. before convening in public session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
During public presentations, the Government Finance Officers Association will present a certificate of recognition for budget preparation to city Finance Director Dan Buffalo.
The new Public Works Department secretary and Finance Department intern also will be introduced to the council.
Public Works Director Mark Brannigan will go to the council to seek staff direction regarding the future operation of the Westshore Pool, particularly the Channel Cats' intended use of the pool beginning next February and what action to take with regard to the repair of the pool pump and motor.
Brannigan's report notes that the Lakeport Unified School District has not been contributing to the operation and maintenance of the pool under an agreement between the city and school district.
That agreement places the cost of operating the pool between March and June for school classes and programs, as well as for training and competitive swimming, on the school district. However, the city has been having to carry the costs of operating the pool around the year, Brannigan explained.
He noted that at the council's March 5 meeting, staff received direction “to operate and maintain the pool and pay all costs associated with opening the pool for this season, in hopes that the
School would begin participating per the pool agreement next year.”
The report said that the Channel Cats are planning to begin school swim team training in February.
“There is a lot of work that this club does to prepare for the season, and staff would like to get Council direction in regards to continuing to pay the costs to open the pool, as well as the operation and maintenance of it during the time that the School, under contract, is obligated to maintain the pool,” Brannigan wrote.
On Nov. 6 city staff found that the pool's pump motor was broken. Brannigan's staff currently is researching the cost for replacement. Brannigan said the equipment must be replaced to obtain a permit from the Lake County Environmental Health Department, which is needed before anyone can use the pool.
He said an email request was sent to Lakeport Unified Superintendent Erin Hagberg's office on Nov. 12 to ask if the school would participate in sharing the costs associated with repairing the pump.
Options Brannigan suggested include drafting a memo of understanding between the Channel Cats and city for the use of the pool during the months outside of the city’s obligated operational timeframe; the city opens the pool for the summer season, June through August.
The swim team also can seek an MOU with the school district or the council could direct staff to continue talks with the school about cost sharing, he said.
Also on Tuesday, City Engineer Scott Harter will present an update on the second phase of the Downtown Improvement Project.
Harter's report notes that the scope of the project – which has been reduced – focuses on Main Street, includes sidewalks that are 2 feet wider, adds trees and tree grates, relocates the streetlights when the sidewalks are widened, and provides for patterned intersections, crosswalks and street reconstruction.
The city has $2 million for the project's remaining engineering and construction. Harter said the design consultant will be at the meeting.
In other news, Buffalo will present to the council the fourth quarter financial report.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances and minutes of the council's Nov. 5 meeting.
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