CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Clearlake City Hall Council Chambers
14050 Olympic Dr, Clearlake, CA
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Closed Session 6:00 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
C. 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 invocation policy is available upon request by contacting the Administrative Services Director/City Clerk at (707) 994-8201x106 or via email at [email protected].
D. 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
E. PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of March's Adoptable Dogs
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F. 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.
David Thompson spoke about a speeding issue in his neighborhood. He lives on Lakeshore Drive near the gooseneck. He was referred to staff.
Another citizen stated the issue continues and has brought video to the police department.
Alice Reece spoke regarding the Highlands Water rate increase due to what Highlands Water has stated the lawsuits between them and the City.
G. 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 Councilmember Downey, Seconded by Councilmember Hooten.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
2. Minutes of the February 12, 2025 Lake County Vector Control District Board Meeting Recommended Action: Receive and file
3. Minutes
Recommended Action: Receive and file
4. Continuation of Director of Emergency Services/City Manager Proclamation Declaring a Local Emergency for Winter Storms
Recommended Action: Continue declaration of emergency
5. Continuation of Director of Emergency Services/City Manager Proclamation Declaring a Local Emergency for the Boyles Fire
Recommended Action: Continue declaration of emergency
6. Warrants
Recommended Action: Receive and file
H. PUBLIC HEARING
7. Discussion and Consideration of Ordinance No. 279-2025, an Amendment to Section 9-4 of the Clearlake Municipal Code Regarding Residential Rental Registration and Inspection March 20, 2025 Page. 3
Recommendation: Introduce the Ordinance and Hold a First Reading, Read by Title Only, and Schedule Second Reading and Adoption at a Subsequent Council Meeting.
City Manager Flora and Associate Planner Taylor gave the staff report.
Mayor Cremer opened the public hearing at 6:47 p.m.
Mary Benson spoke against adoption of the ordinance.
Katie Evans spoke against adoption of the ordinance.
August Schmidt spoke against adoption of the ordinance.
Dave Hughes spoke against adoption of the ordinance.
Kayla Erkenbrack spoke against adoption of the ordinance.
Margaret Garcia spoke against adoption of the ordinance.
Spiro Lagooses spoke against adoption of the ordinance.
Council took no action on this item.
8. Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to Fees for the Rental Housing Unit Inspection and Registration Program.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-11
This item was tabled for future discussion.
I. BUSINESS
9. Discussion and Consideration of Pilot Project with Konocti County Water District Regarding Implementation of the City's Fire Hydrant Inspection & Testing Ordinance (Ord. 275-2024) Recommended Action: Direction to Staff
City Manager Flora gave the staff report.
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to continue with the pilot project.
J. CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
K. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Vice Mayor Slooten asked for and received consensus to review the cannabis ordinance fee structure.
L. CLOSED SESSION
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(10) 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
(11) Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Case No. CV-425596: City of Clearlake v. Highlands Mutual Water Company, et al., Lake County Superior Court
(12) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Title: City Manager
M. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
There was no action taken in closed session.
N. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Melissa Swanson, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk