Lakeport approves grant application for restroom repairs

>> The Lakeport City Council approved a grant application for $184,073 to replace the restrooms located near the First Street and Third Street Boat Ramp Facilities during its Tuesday meeting.

These restrooms were installed over 30 years ago and are unrepairable according to city officials. The plumbing parts are out of date and to re-plumbing them would not be worth the cost since the buildings are deteriorating, officials noted. Lakeport Public Works Director Doug Grider said these would be the last two bathrooms in the Library Park area in need of replacement.

“I have to give credit where credit is due, Ron Ladd actually found this grant and it is rather unique because it does not have a 50 percent match like other grants from the Division of Boating and Waterways,”

Grider said.

Grider added that the grant application is already completed and the approval from city council to submit was all that was needed.

If the city receives these funds it would allow for the demolition and replacement of the two restrooms with pre-cast concrete restrooms similar to the one adjacent to the Fifth Street Boat Ramp.

The only cost to the city will be to provide in-house labor and equipment valued at $11,750. Ron Ladd from Lakeport’s Public Works Department said they have not given a timeline on the grant and when the city would receive the funds if their application is accepted.

In other council business, the city has moved the public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the next council meeting due to the CDBG program not releasing its notice of available funding.