City Administrator Dale Neiman said the council had adopted two ordinances last year that imposed a one-year moratorium on the facilities opening in the city. The current moratorium expires on Nov. 4.
City staff had been working on zoning ordinances to handle dispensaries but this past spring they stopped because Proposition 19, on the ballot this November, would make such regulations moot if it passes, and the city didn't want to waste staff time, Neiman said.
Neiman said staff wants to extend the moratorium for a year to see if Proposition 19 passes and, if it does, to see what to do next. There will be no changes for the three dispensaries currently in operation in the city, he added.
He said there were some proposed language changes for the document, some of them relating to technical language coming from Lower Lake attorney Ron Green, who has been active in commenting on marijuana-related rules within the city.
Only two community members offered comment, both suggesting that the moratorium shouldn't go beyond 60 or 90 days.
With Vice Mayor Joyce Overton absent, the council voted 4-0 to approve the ordinance's first reading. Mayor Judy Thein said the final reading will come back at a future meeting, at which time they will reopen public comment.
The council next moved to an issue held over from a previous meeting, discussion of applying for grant funds to replace the Redbud Park pier, which Neiman said has become a liability concern.
The city filed a grant application with the state for $821,081 to improve the park's boat launching facility, Neiman said.
The city also can apply for a $180,000 Water Conservation Board grant to rebuild the 362-foot-long pier, but the grant would require a commitment for a 50 percent match. Neiman suggested using tax exempt bond proceeds from redevelopment.
Clearlake Public Works Director Doug Herren told the council that the pier's boards are so old that they're splintering and people are getting hurt.
“That pier has been there for a long, long, long time,” he said.
Councilman Roy Simons, who for many years worked in construction, insisted there was a less expensive way to repair the pier rather than completely replacing it. He suggested that it could be replaced with good quality redwood for about $20,000.
Councilman Curt Giambruno supported completely replacing the pier and putting in new steel pilings.
Herren worried that if the council didn't take action to replace the structure he would have to rope it off.
Simons wanted to see plans and specifications for the work. Councilman Chuck Leonard replied that it would be foolish to go out and get engineering on a project before they have the grant to do it.
Leonard then moved two resolutions – one for the city, one for the redevelopment agency – committing matching funds to rebuilding the pier. Both resolutions passed 3-1, with Simons voting no on each.
In other news, the council approved budget amendments to the 2009-10 budget, as a new budget has yet to be accepted.
Neiman said city staff had done an excellent job of controlling expenditures and came in under budget by “a substantial amount.” Still, five general fund departments had exceeded their budgeted amount last fiscal year and the amendments were needed to cover the resulting deficits.
The deficits that were covered by the action included the following departments: city clerk, $5,541; city administrator, $4,762; code enforcement, $32,395; animal control, $58,854; public works, $4,050; Public, Education and Government channel, $2,636.
In his general report to the council, Neiman said City Engineer Bob Galusha is working on paperwork for $130,000 in sidewalks for Burns Valley School.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson sought the council's direction on meeting dates in November, when both scheduled meetings fall on holidays – Nov. 11, Veterans Day, and Nov. 25, Thanksgiving.
Traditionally they cancel the Thanksgiving meeting, said Swanson. She said the council needed to move the month's first meeting to a new date, which they did, setting it for Nov. 12.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
