LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council on Tuesday night voted unanimously to accept from Bank of America the donation of its former branch building.
Bank of America closed the Lakeport branch, located at 500 N. Main St., at the end of 2017. However, it has maintained an ATM machine at the location.
City Manager Margaret Silveira took the donation to the council for approval.
“This is something I'm very excited about,” Silveira said, noting that the donation has been in the works about a year.
The donation of the building, which she said Bank of America has valued at $455,000, comes with a main stipulation of allowing the ATM to remain there, with the company to pay the city for the utilities to run it.
She said she’d hoped to have the final donation agreement and ATM lease to the council earlier, but a few minor issues were being worked out. “Their attorneys are doing a final review on it.
As soon as the donation documents are signed, it will go into escrow, which Silveira said is expected to be completed within three to four weeks.
She said that when she sent in a letter to the company asking for the donation of the building, the idea was to use it as a community center.
The city’s council chambers now constitutes one of the largest meeting spaces in the city, with nonprofits often using the room. She suggested the bank building could be used to benefit nonprofits, adding there will be future discussion on how to use the building.
Bank of America recently spent $100,000 to isolate the ATM from the outside, she said.
The city had planned to place solar panels in the City Hall parking lot, but Silveira said they are now looking at placing the panels at the bank building.
Council members and Silveira noted that the building fits into the area slated for lakefront revitalization, sitting as it does next to the Natural High School property. Silveira said it would definitely be connected and offer synergy to the projects in that area.
Business owner Nancy Ruzicka questioned the loss of property tax revenue and taking another business off of Main Street. “You really don't get nothing for nothing.”
Councilman Kenny Parlet said city staff deserved kudos for getting a critical location in the plan area donated.
“This is just one piece that we don't have to worry about now, and it's such an integral piece,” he said.
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina said the donation is very exciting, noting the city has needed an event center for a long time. “I think it will be a great economic development tool.”
Mattina thanked Silveira for pursuing the donation, adding that it feels like the city is on a roll.
Mayor Tim Barnes said it’s fantastic to take a vacant building on Main Street and use it. Councilman George Spurr agreed.
Silveira said Bank of America also is covering the closing costs. She was told by the real estate professional helping handle the transaction that Bank of America doesn’t normally make such donations.
Michael Green, who serves on the planning commission, said he was surprised in a pleasant way. He asked what part the building plays in the larger vision of the lakefront plan.
Silveira described the building as spacious with an open floor plan and kitchen space. “It's basically a big, open building,” she said, noting a city official looked it over and found that only minor upgrades are needed due to Americans with Disabilities Act rules.
“It's really a big open canvas for us to figure out what we want to do with that space,” she said.
Green asked if the building shifts the center of gravity on the emphasis of the lakefront revitalization plan. Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said no, that it’s within the plan’s nexus area.
“It does fit in very nicely with the lakefront plan,” Ingram said.
Parlet moved to approve receiving the building’s donation, which the council approved with a 5-0 vote.
Also on Tuesday, the council held a public hearing for the adoption of a resolution approving an application for funding and the execution of a grant agreement and any amendments for the 2018 funding year of the state Community Development Block Grant program.
Silveira said the city is seeking $650,000 to assist the second phase of the affordable housing project on Martin Street. She said that will fund offsite improvements, including sewer and sidewalks, adding the site is very expensive to build on because of the way it’s situated.
There is no cost to the city to submit the application, which has a Feb. 1 deadline. The council approved the application unanimously.
In other business, the council appointed Alan Flora to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board to a term effective Jan. 1 and expiring Dec. 31, 2022. Flora is a former county deputy administrative officer who now is the assistant city manager for Clearlake, where he also carries out financial director responsibilities.
Flora was recommended to the council by the ad hoc selection committee, which includes Mattina and Turner.
Spurr asked Flora if he intended to ask current and past firefighters about the district’s issues.
Flora said yes. “It makes sense to ask a lot of questions.”
On Tuesday night the Lakeport Main Street Association also presented awards to the winners of its holiday decorating contest.
Business winners were: first place, Main Street Bicycles; second place, Campos Casuals; and third place, Renee’s Cafe. Residential winners were: first place, Matthew Harrell; second place, Jeff and Jackie Hansen; and third place, Sandra Campos.
In other business, the council also approved Barnes’ appointments of council members as liaisons to various boards, committees and commissions; adopted a resolution appointing council members to vote on behalf of the city at the League of California Cities, Redwood Empire Division Business meetings and represent the city and vote at Division Legislative Committee meetings; approved the recognized obligation payments schedule for the period of July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, for presentation and adoption by the Countywide Oversight Board; and approved a mural at the Lakeport Fire Station by Ben Van Steenburgh.
Barnes said there was no reportable action out of the closed session, held ahead of the open portion of the meeting, to discuss anticipated litigation.
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