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Clearlake City Council lacks quorum, reschedules meeting
- Details
- Written by: Denise Rockenstein
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The regular meeting of the Clearlake City Council Thursday was rescheduled due to lack of a quorum.
Mayor Denise Loustalot said two absences were planned while a third councilmember fell ill earlier that day.
That meant only Loustalot and Councilwoman Jeri Spittler were available for the meeting, falling one member short of the needed three-fifths quorum.
Clearlake City Clerk Melissa Swanson reported that the meeting was rescheduled to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall.
An item concerning development of county-owned property for a veterans housing project that appeared on Thursday's agenda will be discussed at a later meeting yet to be determined.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
City of Clearlake gets a new Christmas tree
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- Written by: Denise Rockenstein
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Christmas has come early in the city of Clearlake with a gift from a local nursery that will light up everyone's holiday this season.
A new Christmas tree was planted Monday in the northern picnic area at Austin Park as replacement of the dead pine removed by Public Works on Friday.
The new tree – a blue spruce – was donated by Nottingham Nursery & Garden Supply on Old Highway 53 in Clearlake.
The city had intended to purchase the tree. However, nursery owners Jim and Donna Muhic said business was so good last week that they wanted to donate it.
“Don't thank us,” Jim Muhic said. “Thank the community.”
The tree, which is about 7- to 8-feet tall, is between eight to 10 years old, Jim Muhic said.
He said once it is established, it will grow at a rate of about a foot a year.
While it is officially a blue spruce, he said the species grows full and wide and is commonly known as “Fat Albert.”
Additionally, Donna Muhic said the particular species has a high resistance to the boring beetles she said are common in the area.
Public Works Director Doug Herren said it is unclear what killed the city's former Christmas tree, which had been planted about 10 years ago.
Initially, a lack of water was thought to be the cause, but Herren said when the mound that the tree stood on was removed, the soil was moist.
Public Works crewman Clay VanHousen said the root structure of the tree was minuscule and that it toppled over with ease when removed.
A square metal post with holes in it was sunk next to the new tree, at VanHousen's suggestion, to better provide nutrients to the roots.
Muhic offered to supply the crew with his exclusive mixture of nutrients to help ensure the tree's good health.
Two additional trees are planned for removal at Austin Park.
Herren said the two cottonwood trees in the north corner at Lakeshore and Olympic drives present hazards to the public as they are brittle and cracked, and have lived to their life expectancy.
The city recently reestablished its Park and Recreation Committee, which Herren said will address the replanting of trees in Austin and other city parks.
“They will look at it strategically for optimum use and enjoyment of our parks,” he said.
The location of the new tree is near the typical location of the announcer's booth for the city's Christmas parade, which is followed by the annual tree-lighting ceremony.
Herren said the new location, which also is closer to the gazebo where pictures with Santa take place, will better accommodate those holiday festivities.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
Clearlake City Council to discuss veterans housing project concept, warming center proposal
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will discuss a proposal for a veterans housing project and a request to allow a city property to be used as a warming center this winter.
The council will convene in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, to discuss existing litigation and public employee discipline, dismissal and release before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m., in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Council members will consider and discuss conceptual approval of the development of county-owned property at 15837 18th Ave. for the development of a veterans housing project.
Supervisors Jeff Smith and Anthony Farrington are asking the council to discuss the proposal regarding the property, which the county wants to donate to the nonprofit Veterans Resource Center of America to provide affordable veterans housing, according to City Manager Joan Phillipe's report.
Phillipe said it's anticipated that funding for the project will come from Proposition 41, which voters passed in June to provide for veterans housing.
At the same time, the council will consider waiving fees for any required amendments to the general plan or zoning designations that might result from the project.
Also on Thursday, the council will discuss a request to use city-owned property at 14061 Lakeshore Drive for a warming center.
Phillipe's report to the council said Councilwoman Jeri Spittler made the request at the Oct. 23 meeting to have the discussion about the building.
The building is red-tagged and it would be “cost prohibitive” to bring it to a usable standard, Phillipe said.
The Konocti Unified School District also has reported that the bus stop in front of the building is one of its largest stops for morning pickup of students.
In addition, the building is set to be sold under the dissolution of the former Clearlake Redevelopment Agency, Phillipe said.
“There have been several requests to use the building but because the building is red-tagged and in the condition that it is combined with the fact that the property is ultimately to be sold, those requests have not been pursued,” according to Phillipe.
The council also will discuss a lease agreement with the Konocti Unified School District for property located at 4700 Golf Ave., which the district wants to use for a school facility; consider directing the city manager to negotiate an agreement with Price Consulting Services to prepare a zoning code update, including a design review manual, for a fee not to exceed $85,000; look at a property tax administrative fee release and settlement agreement between the city and the county of Lake; introduce and hold the first reading of an ordinance relating to the 2013 speed zone study; and get a status report on the Redbud Thompson Harbor Project.
Items on the consent agenda – considered to be noncontroversial and accepted as a slate with one vote – include warrant registers; a status report on the updated housing element; approval of the holiday meeting schedule; minutes of the July 10, July 21, July 24, Aug. 14, Aug. 28, Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 9 and Oct. 23 meetings; and consideration of Resolution No. 2014-25, approving a temporary streets closure for the annual Christmas parade and tree lighting on Dec. 6.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
City of Lakeport seeks applicants for commission and committee openings
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport is accepting applications for several positions on commissions and committees.
The available positions are three members for the Lakeport Planning Commission, two members for the Park and Recreation Commission and six members of the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, also known as LEDAC.
These appointments will be effective in January 2015.
The Lakeport Planning Commission consists of five members who serve four-year terms.
The commission currently meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Qualified applicants must be residents of the city of Lakeport.
The Lakeport Planning Commission reviews matters related to planning and development and is the city council’s advisor on land use planning matters.
The commission considers such things as the general plan, rezoning, use permits, subdivisions, architectural and design reviews, planning policy matters and interpretations.
The Park and Recreation Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the city council in matters pertaining to city parks and recreation.
Commissioners also cooperate with the planning commission and civic organizations to advance the sound planning of new recreation areas and facilities.
They recommend, from time to time, policies on city recreation facilities to the city council for consideration and approval.
The Park and Recreation Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month at 4:15 p.m.
The term for membership on this committee is two years. Applicants must be residents of the city of Lakeport.
The role of LEDAC is to develop ideas and strategies for the promotion of economic development through business retention, recruitment, attraction and creation.
LEDAC meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m.
It consists of up to 11 members who either live, work, shop or do business in the city of Lakeport. This includes Lake County residents who live in unincorporated areas of the Lakeport trade area.
The term for membership on this committee is two years.
Membership on these commissions and committees is voluntary.
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please contact City Clerk Janel Chapman at 707-263-5615, Extension 12, or by e-mail at
Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, and appointments will be scheduled for the Lakeport City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
