*AMENDED AGENDA* CITY
COUNCIL MIDYEAR BUDGET
WORKSHOP AND REGULAR
MEETING
Clearlake City Hall Council Chambers
14050 Olympic Dr, Clearlake, CA
Thursday, March 06, 2025
Closed Session 5:00 PM
Regular Meeting 6:00 PM
MINUTES
A. ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Russ Cremer
Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten
Councilmember Tara Downey
Councilmember Jessica Hooten
Councilmember Mary Wilson
B. 5:00 PM WORKSHOP
1. Midyear Budget Workshop
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to research raising certain city taxes.
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE: The City Council invites members of the clergy, as well as interested members of the public in the City of Clearlake, to voluntarily offer an invocation before the beginning of its meetings for the benefit and blessing of the City Council. This opportunity is voluntary and invocations are to be less than three minutes, offered in a solemn and respectful tone, and directed at the City Council. Invocational speakers who do not abide by these simple rules of respect and brevity shall be given a warning and/or not invited back to provide a subsequent invocation for a reasonable period of time, as determined appropriate by the City. This policy is not intended, and shall not be implemented or construed in any way, to affiliate the City Council with, nor express the City Council's preference for, any faith or religious denomination. Rather, this policy is intended to acknowledge and express the City Council's respect for the diversity of religious denominations and faith represented and practiced among the citizens of Clearlake. If a scheduled invocational speaker does not appear at the scheduled meeting, the Mayor will ask that the City Council observe a moment of silence in lieu of the invocation. More information about the City's March 06, 2025 Page. 2
invocation policy is available upon request by contacting the Administrative Services Director/City Clerk at (707) 994-8201x106 or via email at [email protected].
E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (This is the time for agenda modifications.) Motion made by Vice Mayor Slooten, Seconded by Councilmember Wilson.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
F. PRESENTATIONS
2. Presentation by Chief Hobbs to Detective Kelleher
3. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring March 2025 as March for Meals Month G. PUBLIC COMMENT: This is the time for any member of the public to address the City Council on any matter not on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City. The Brown Act, with limited exceptions, does not allow the Council or staff to discuss issues brought forth under Public Comment. The Council cannot take action on non-agenda items. Concerns may be referred to staff or placed on the next available agenda. Please note that comments from the public will also be taken on each agenda item. Comments shall be limited to three (3) minutes per person.
Ben Hiddle spoke regarding sustainable construction and solar power. He stated there is a solution to process the trash at the landfill with robotics.
James Hummel spoke regarding the brush fire hazards and properties that aren't cleared or taken care of. He stated his concern over the fire hazard.
Andrew Kirkendall spoke in support of Mr. Hiddle's idea of renewable energy.
H. CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council requests otherwise, or if staff has requested a change under Adoption of the Agenda, in which case the item will be removed for separate consideration. Any item so removed will be taken up following the motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Slooten, Seconded by Councilmember Downey.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
4. Approve Audit Contract with Van Lant & Frankhanel, LLP for a total of $34,750 Recommended Action: Approve contract
5. Consideration of Adoption of the 3rd Amendment to the FY 2024-25 Budget (Resolution 2024- 30) for Mid-Year Adjustments
Recommended Action: Approve Resolution No. 2025-08
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6. Minutes
Recommended Action: Receive and file
7. Warrants
Recommended Action: Receive and file
8. Continuation of Director of Emergency Services/City Manager Proclamation Declaring a Local Emergency for the Boyles Fire
Recommended Action: Continue declaration of emergency
9. Acceptance of Property Donation at 16393 3rd Avenue
Recommended Action: Approve acceptance and authorize the City Manager to sign the Certificate of Acceptance
10. Acceptance of Property Donation at 16182 10th Avenue Recommended Action: Approve acceptance and authorize the City Manager to sign the Certificate of Acceptance
11. Approve Allocation of Funding & Grant Agreement for CDBG DR Funding 2017/18 Disasters Recommended Action: Adopt resolution
12. Adoption of Fair Housing Policy; Resolution No. 2025-12 Recommended Action: Adopt resolution
I. PUBLIC HEARING
13. Public Hearing for CDBG Contract 17-MITPPS-21006-Code Enforcement Grant Closeout Recommended Action: Hold Public Hearing, receive public comment, approve Resolution No. 2025-06 accepting the completion of the Code Enforcement program under the State of California CDBG MITPPS initiative and authorizing the closeout of the program under the state contract No. 17-MIOTPPS-21006.
Mayor Cremer opened the Public Hearing at 6:36 p.m.
Margaret Garcia asked questions about the presentation.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Slooten, Seconded by Councilmember Wilson to close the hearing and accept the completion of the Code Enforcement program at 6:38 p.m.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
14. Authorization to Closeout CV-1 CDBG funding for the Senior Center Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to complete and submit the closeout City Manager Flora gave the staff report.
Mayor Cremer opened the Public Hearing at 6:44 p.m.
March 06, 2025 Page. 4
Margaret Garcia asked questions of staff.
Motion made by Councilmember Downey, Seconded by Vice Mayor Slooten to close the Public Hearing and authorize the City Manager to complete and submit the closeout.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
J. BUSINESS
15. Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding Street Lighting in the City Recommended Action: Direction to Staff
City Manager Flora gave the staff report.
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to research purchasing the street lights in the City's jurisdiction.
16. Consideration of Appointments to the Planning Commission Recommended Action: Interview applicants and appoint two planning commissioners, and reappoint Chair Fawn Williams, to terms of office ending March 2029 Director Swanson gave the staff report. The Council approved the reappointment of Chair Williams, and the appointment of Derek Couch and Ray Silva.
Moved by Councilmember Hooten, Seconded by Councilmember Downey.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
17. Consideration of Appointments to the Measure V Oversight Committee Director Swanson gave the staff report. Council Member Downey chose Brett Freeman.
Council Member Wilson chose Carlos Ramos. Council Member Hooten chose Dave Hughes.
Mayor Cremer appointed Supervisor Sabatier as Chair. Motion by Vice Mayor Slooten to approve, second by Council Member Wilson. All in favor.
18. Consideration of FY 2026 Community Project Funding Request to Congressman Thompson Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution 2025-09
City Manager Flora gave the staff report.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Slooten, Seconded by Councilmember Hooten.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
19. Update Regarding Lake County Sanitation District's Southeast System Governance Request Recommended Action: Receive Update
City Manager Flora gave the staff report. There was no action taken by Council on this item.
March 06, 2025 Page. 5
K. CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
M. CLOSED SESSION
(20) Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Case No. A169438; Koi Nation of Northern California v. City of Clearlake, et al., California Court of Appeal
(21) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4): (1 case)
N. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
There was no action taken in closed session.
O. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Melissa Swanson, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk