LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council has approved the creation of a working group to consider the uses of the many properties owned by the city government.

At the council’s Sept. 17 meeting, the council unanimously voted for forming the group, which will make recommendations to the council on the city’s many properties and “provide a more strategic approach to maximizing the community benefits of city-owned lands,” City Manager Kevin Ingram said in his written report.

Ingram’s report also said the working group “will focus on reviewing proposed uses and leases and provide recommendations that align with the City’s broader goals for economic development, community well-being, and public space optimization.”

Ingram said that in recent months the city had received multiple requests from community partners regarding the potential use and enhancement of some of these sites. In one day about two to three months before the meeting, the city fielded three different calls about three or four different city-owned properties.

At that point, Ingram said it forced him to go back and look at a listing of all of the different agreements the city has for use of those properties, adding it’s a daunting list. That was the driver for moving forward with the working group proposal.

As examples of some of the city’s property agreements, Ingram pointed to what he considers the three most pressing projects that would benefit from the working group’s creation and its resulting input.

Those top projects include the Carnegie Library lease agreement between the city and the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center for use of the Carnegie Library. Ingram reported that the city is in the process of revising that lease for the establishment of an educational resource center. In his written report, Ingram acknowledged, “This project requires careful consideration to ensure that the use of the historic library meets the needs of both the community and our partner organization.”

There also is the city’s collaboration with the Westside Community Park Committee and local equestrian enthusiasts on a potential lease agreement for the use of portions of the 500-acre City of Lakeport Municipal Sewer District property along Highway 175 for an equestrian center and trails use.

The city also is actively seeking a developer to build a waterfront hotel on the city-owned Dutch Harbor property at 910 N. Main St. Ingram said it’s anticipated that the city will need to enter into a development agreement or similar lease arrangement as part of any future development at the site.

Ingram said a lot of staff hours go into the leases for these properties.

He said the idea behind the work group is that it would be a “first look group,” with the full lease agreements still going to the council for a final decision.

The city has an old lease agreement for the Green Ranch property, where its wells are located, that has been active for decades, with cattle grazing the land for weed control. Ingram said that property also can be added for consideration, as it’s probably time to modernize it and put it out for a request for proposals.

A year or so ago, the city overhauled its lease for the Yacht Club property at Library Park, Ingram said.

Ingram said the council could adopt the resolution that night and Mayor Michael Froio could move forward with appointing two members to it. Appointments to the working group would then be included with the other commitments up for appointment at the end of each year.

Aaron Hiatt, a general building contractor and local rancher, was one of those community members who has reached out to the city about leasing property. In particular, he’s interested in leasing the Green Ranch property.

“Local is very important in keeping businesses here,” said Hiatt, who has raised his children in Lake County.

He said he inquired many years ago about grazing his cattle at the city’s sewer ponds property but was told it was rented and unavailable. Based on his research, Hiatt said a Humboldt County resident has held the lease for 21 years. In that time, it has been up for auto renewal for 13 years, with no competition.

Hiatt suggested the city is getting little revenue and he hoped the agreement would be reviewed.

Ingram said he thinks Hiatt’s concern about the property would be right in line with the purpose of the working group.

Councilman Kenny Parlet apologized to Hiatt for the situation. He said city staff does so much but acknowledged that it’s “a big deal” for Hiatt.

Councilman Brandon Disney agreed that staffers have a lot on their plate. The list of agreements and properties is extensive and it’s easy to roll over agreements from year to year.

Councilwoman Stacey Mattina moved to approve the resolution establishing the advisory group, which Disney seconded and the council approved 4-0. Councilwoman Kim Costa was absent.

The group’s meetings are now reported to be underway.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.