skip

Local Government

The City of Lakeport is defined as a general law class of city. A general law city is governed by California State law and by locally-adopted ordinances. Of California's 478 cities, 370 are considered general law cities. The remaining 108 are chartered cities governed by the city charter, local ordinances, and some State laws.

Incorporated in 1888 , Lakeport is Lake County's oldest town. However, Lakeport's history dates back at least another 40 years to the Gold Rush Era of the 1840s. Miners coming and going through Northern California gold fields began passing through Lake County as early as 1847. At the conclusion of the Gold Rush, many miners returned to the County to settle permanently.

With attractive farmland, temperate climate, and an abundant water supply, pioneers began staking their claims at the northeast end of Clear Lake in the 1850s. Among them was William Forbes, credited by County historians as being the “father” of Lakeport. Forbes was the first person in the County to settle in what would eventually become Lakeport. Mr. Forbes, along with partner James Parish, founded the first business in Lakeport—a blacksmithing and wagon making shop. Forbes and other early Lakeport merchants are listed in the 1867 Pacific Coast Business Directory . He also became the town's first undertaker and served as the local postmaster for a number of years.

In 1867, the original County courthouse burned to the ground in a fire that was later attributed by many to be arson. Shortly after, the County seat was moved to the south of the County in Lower Lake. In a series of hotly contested events that followed this move, the County seat was eventually returned back to Lakeport by a vote of the people in 1871. The 1870 Federal Census includes interesting information about Lakeport's early residents, including details about occupations, birthplaces and personal net worth.

According to McKenney's District Directory of 1878-1879 , Lakeport was " the most desirable residence town that has ever presented itself to our observation." The Directory linked above includes a detailed census of the town, including approximately 280 residents and numerous businesses. The directory includes many familiar names as numerous streets and roads in the Lakeport area bear the names of these early pioneers including Ackley, Boggs, Forbes, Hendricks, Renfro, Russell, Tunis, Starr, and Spurr.

By 1888, Lakeport had grown from the first settler, William Forbes, to a town of about 700 residents with an estimated 500 people living in the outlying areas. The downtown area of Lakeport had also grown to include a drug store, general store, bakery, restaurant, and a saloon. In all, 35 businesses operated in the town, with three doctors and several dentists and attorneys holding practices in Lakeport as well.

On April 30, 1888, Lakeport officially became an incorporated town by a vote of 154-8. Lakeport remained the only incorporated town/city in Lake County until 1980. Up until March 1952, Lakeport continued to operate as an incorporated town when Ordinance No. 327 was passed declaring the community a city.

More Lake County History Resources:

• Lake County Historical Society
• Lake County Library / Genealogy & Local History
• Lake County, CA Genealogy
• Lake County, CA GenWeb Project

Lakeport California

The City of Lakeport in beautiful Lake County is located in the heart of Northern California's wine country just north of the San Francisco Bay Area. Lakeport is located along the west shore of Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in California. Clear Lake is 68 square miles, offering premier boating and fishing experience. There is no shortage of other fun activities: hiking, biking, antiquing, off roading, camping, bird watching, excellent restaurants, breweries, and wine tasting are some of the local activities. With over 30 wineries and 9,000+ acres of vineyards Lake County is one of the fastest growing winemaking regions in America.

Lakeport is located at 39.0430° N, 122.9158° W at an elevation of 1,355 feet above sea level.

Lakeport Government

Lakeport is a full-service, general law city under the council manager form of government. The City is led by a five-member City Council , elected at-large which provide policy direction to Lakeport's City Manager .

Lakeport is an incorporated city and county seat of Lake County . In the California State Legislature, Lakeport is in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Mike McGuire , and in the 4th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Cecilia Aguiar-Curry . Federally, Lakeport is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mike Thompson .

Lakeport Demographics

• 2.7 square miles within City Limits
• 5,134 Residents ( 2018 estimate )
• $43,588 Median Household Income
• 2,518 Housing Units

Housing Demographics

There were 2,395 housing units at an average density of 748.8 per square mile (289.1/km²), of which 1,198 (59.8%) were owner-occupied, and 804 (40.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 5.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%. 2,661 people (56.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,955 people (41.1%) lived in rental housing units.

Household Demographics

The 2010 United States Census reported that Lakeport had a population of 4,753. The population density was 1,486.0 people per square mile (573.8/km²). The 2018 population estimate from the California Department of Finance is 5,134.

The 2010 Census reported that 4,616 people (97.1% of the population) lived in households, 11 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 126 (2.7%) were institutionalized.

There were 2,002 households, out of which 563 (28.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 803 (40.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 260 (13.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 110 (5.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 177 (8.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 16 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 665 households (33.2%) were made up of individuals and 328 (16.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31. There were 1,173 families (58.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.93.

The population was spread out with 1,031 people (21.7%) under the age of 18, 352 people (7.4%) aged 18 to 24, 1,033 people (21.7%) aged 25 to 44, 1,384 people (29.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 953 people (20.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The racial makeup of Lakeport was 3,932 (82.7%) White, 46 (1.0%) African American, 147 (3.1%) Native American, 99 (2.1%) Asian, 5 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 337 (7.1%) from other races, and 187 (3.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 799 persons (16.8%).

Climate

Lakeport, as well as all of the Clear Lake area, has hot, mostly dry summers and cool, wet winters. Its climate can be classified as hot-summer Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen climate classification system .

Climate statistics:

• The average January temperatures are a maximum of 53.4 °F (11.9 °C) and a minimum of 31.5 °F (−0.3 °C).
• The average July temperatures are a maximum of 94.4 °F (34.7 °C) and a minimum of 53.0 °F (11.7 °C).
• There are an average of 77.5 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher
• There average of 75.5 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C).
• The record high temperature was 112 °F (44 °C) on August 10, 1971, and September 13, 1972.
• The record low temperature was 9 °F (−13 °C) on December 9, 1972.
• Average annual precipitation is 28.36 inches (72.0 cm).
• Average of 66 days with measurable precipitation.
• The wettest year was 1973 with 44.50 inches (113.0 cm).
• The driest year was 2013.
• The most precipitation in one month was 19.62 inches (49.8 cm) in February 1986.
• The most precipitation in 24 hours was 5.43 inches (13.8 cm) on December 10, 1937.
• Snow is relatively rare in Lakeport, but common in the surrounding mountains.
• Average annual snowfall is 1.0 inch (2.5 cm).
• The most snow in one month was 15.0 inches (38 cm) in January 1937.

Responsibilities of the City Clerk's Office:

• Acts as the records center for official actions of the City Council
• Produces agendas, minutes, and public hearing notices
• Oversees the City's Records Management Program
• Maintains the Municipal Code
• Attests and notarizes City documents
• Serves as Clerk of the City Council and Secretary of the City of Lakeport Municipal Sewer District and the Successor Agency to the Former Lakeport Redevelopment Agency, as well as the City's various Committees and Commissions.
• Administers municipal elections in cooperation with the Lake County Registrar of Voters
• Acts as the filing officer for campaign and economic interest statements required by the Political Reform Act
• Custodian of the City seal
• Providing public access of records for review by the community

The City Clerk administers the Oath of Office for the City Council and staff and maintains custody of the official City seal.

DUTIES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
The City Council for the City of Lakeport is comprised of five council members. The City Council adopts goals and policies which set the direction for the City. The Council also approves and adopts the City's Financial Plans, General Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan.

For the implementation of policies, the Council provides direction to the City Manager during Council meetings. In addition to appointing the City Manager and City Attorney, the Council is responsible for appointing members of City Commissions, Committees, and Boards.

In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings, Council members serve as committee members/liaisons on various agencies and committees, including the Lake County/City Area Planning Council, the Lake County Solid Waste Management Task Force, the Lake County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority, the SB 621 Indian Gaming Funds Committee, and the Local Agency Formation Commission.

MEETINGS
City Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Regular Council meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 225 Park Street. The public is invited to attend all Council meetings.

Agendas and Minutes

TERMS
The City Council is elected to staggered four-year terms. There is an election each November of even numbered years with either two or three seats up for election. The Council selects a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem from among its members to serve a one-year term. The Mayor presides over the Council meetings.

COUNCIL GOALS FY 2018-19
The current fiscal year 2018-19, we are enhancing our public safety and continuing street repairs and paving. Our focus is service delivery, economic vitality, and improving quality of life.

The City Council has set its sights on these goals through its budget . It has established objectives to enhance our participation in regional economic development activities; improve the safety, health, and security of its citizenry; and bolster service delivery by enhancing the City's commitment to its people.

During the Council-Management strategic planning and goals setting session in March 2018, new City objectives for the 2018-19 budget were developed. They include the following and are presented in order of strongest support by Council:

1. Public Safety – staffing/operations/surveillance cameras
2. Road improvement – paving/equipment/staffing
3. Complete flood recovery projects
4. Create opportunities to provide small businesses with training, such as sales/marketing and growth
5. Completion of the South Main Street/Soda Bay Road annexation
6. Complete solar array project
7. Replace aging patrol vehicles
8. Economic development; such as Wi-Fi for downtown areas