LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) – Amidst the initial phase of heavy construction work along the Hwy 99 corridor, Live Oak City Council is doing their best to cut local businesses a break. At the June 19^th council meeting, council members added and amended ordinances lowering sewer rates for small daycares, warehouses, services stations, bars and restaurants. Reductions in charges had to be planned carefully as not to violate the rate covenant with the State Water Board, but overall commercial rates will see a $25,000 decrease. Once the ordinances take effect, bars and restaurants can expect an average charge of $183.21 per month, a savings of $231.82. Small daycares, service stations (less than 2,500 sq. feet without kitchens) and warehouses can expect a monthly rate of $68.80.

The City of Live Oak plans to enter into an agreement with the State of California to share maintenance and some operational costs of lighting, traffic signals and other elements pertaining to the street-scaping project along Hwy 99. Traffic signals anticipated at Elm St/Hwy 99, Pennington Rd/Hwy99 and Kola St./Hwy99 would be a 50/50 split shared cost, while most other lighting costs would see the state pay for 66 2/3% of the cost and the city the remainder.

Among some of the numerous items on the agenda, council members approved the 2019-2020 budget. An overall tightening of the belt was seen in areas like the General Fund and Administration sections, while extra padding was added to departments such as Economic Development. Council implemented multiple changes, for example, reducing funds from the Mural Project by $10,000, contributing those funds to the Chamber of Commerce instead. Other changes included a $50,000 increase for traffic devices in the street lighting fund department and setting aside nearly $798,000 for the Hwy 99 utility relocation projects.

Council heard a request from the property owner Reggie Singh of the Garden Glen Subdivision which if developed, would be the site of 170 new homes. Singh requested a mitigation fee reduction of $7,806 per home, to attract developers to site, referencing that the reduction would reduce the fees to be more in line to what the developer KB Homes paid per lot. Even with the reduction, Live Oak stands to recoup revenue through other ongoing revenues such as property taxes, franchise fees and more.

Other items of action saw a vote of no-confidence held in respects to councilmember J. Thiara. Councilmember Thiara was removed from his committee and board assignments and all requests for reimbursement for travel and events were discontinued. Council members reviewed the current board/committee assignments and considered replacements for those that Thiara previously set on.