LAKEPORT, Calif. – A new sprint boat race event that debuts on Clear Lake late in the spring received the go-ahead for use of city property and staffing from the Lakeport City Council at its meeting last week.
Jack Long of Clearlake Motor Sport Enter LLC is proposing to hold Lakeport Sprint Boat Grand Prix event set June 2 through 4 just off Library Park.
City staff went to the council at its Feb. 7 meeting to ask for authorization to use city property and resources for the event, with a proposal for the promoter to reimburse the city for costs.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said he had met with Long, along with Public Works Director Doug Grider and Lt. Jason Ferguson, to discuss the event and requests for city assistance.
Some of what Long is asking for includes street closures and traffic control, and temporary fencing, and support from police and Public Works staff, according to Rasmussen’s written report.
Because the event is new and has some complexity, “We do have some concerns,” said Rasmussen, particularly regarding the costs that the departments may face in providing event coverage.
Rasmussen’s report included an estimate for police and Public Works costs for staffing. Policing – including up to six officers at regular and overtime rate and dispatch – could run more than $10,000 while four Public Works staff at regular and overtime rates is estimated at more than $5,200.
The city also is requiring the promoter to meet with the Lakeport Fire Protection District to create an emergency response plan for fire and emergency responders; locate a suitable helicopter landing
zone for life flight; obtain a $5 million insurance certificate; and submit press releases regarding street closures with staff approval prior to submission.
City Manager Margaret Silveira said the city spends a lot of money to bring in festivals for economic development, and she wanted to make sure the boat race had a successful first year.
Long told the council that event planning is going well, with sponsorships ahead of where he was anticipating. He said he thinks the event is going to be “pretty solid.”
City council members voiced their support for giving Long a 50-percent discount on the costs for offering city services in order to help the boat races get off to a good start. Long said that was encouraging, as the first year is always the toughest.
The council voted 5-0 to authorize the event with staff recommendations.
In the days following the meeting, the sprint boat event’s Web site and Facebook accounts launched, as Long had told the council they would.
In other action at the Feb. 7 meeting, the council voted unanimously to issue new bonds and fund prior ones for the Municipal Sewer District No. 1, South Assessment District- 91-1, Series 1993 bonds issued in April 1993 in the aggregate amount of just over $5.1 million.
Silveira said it will results in a lower rate on sewer bills for properties in the district with assessments.
The council also approved the city’s debt management policy and a resolution authorizing signatories to the city’s checking, payroll and investment funds accounts; and updated the Mechanic I/II classification and authorized staff to fill the vacant electrical mechanical controls supervisor position with a full-time mechanic.
Public Works Director Doug Grider also received council authorization for the purchase of a badly needed new lift station pump. The city will spend a little over $27,500 for the new pump, which will replace one that has Grider said has been built repeatedly but has now been determined to be beyond repair.
Councilman Kenny Parlet lauded Grider’s crew for working to make the most of city resources, and rebuilding and repairing equipment when possible.
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Lakeport City Council approves sprint boat race application, bond refinancing
- Elizabeth Larson
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