On Nov. 4, City Administrator Dale Neiman announced he was leaving in the wake of the election of Jeri Spittler and Joey Luiz to the Clearlake City Council, as Lake County News has reported.
That same day, Clearlake Police Chief Allan McClain announced his retirement at month's end after 30 years in law enforcement, three and a half of which have been spent in Clearlake.
Last Thursday, Spittler and Luiz were sworn in and seated on the council, and took part in their first closed session discussion, which focused on interim police chief and interim city administrator appointments.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson said Monday that there was no reportable action out of the closed session regarding the interim city administrator appointment.
However, she said the council emerged with one decision – that of putting Lt. Craig Clausen in the interim police chief spot.
Clausen, who was promoted to lieutenant in March 2007 by then-interim Police Chief Larry Todd, will oversee the department while the council focuses on the interim city administrator post, McClain said Monday.
McClain said the council hasn't given him any direction yet on proceeding with a police chief recruitment.
“The focus at this point is trying to get an interim city administrator in place,” he said.
He said the council has directed him to go through the League of California Cities' listing for interim managers. The League of California Cities is now helping the city set up interviews with candidates.
McClain said he has told the council that he believes the police department can run through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends in June, without having to replace the chief's position.
“That gives the council time to find a new city administrator and see where we stand financially,” he said.
He said it also will allow the council time to decide if it wants to recruit a chief from within, do a larger external recruitment or pursue a contract with the Lake County Sheriff's Office for policing services.
“It gives them the time to make informed decisions and go forward with what's in the best interest of the city,” he said.
In an interview last month Joyce Overton, who last Thursday was elected mayor, said she planned to bring forward a discussion about contracting with the sheriff's office rather than having a city police department.
McClain said in a previous interview that, based on his experience as sheriff in Kings County, contracting for police services would be an expensive option that would not yield better results for the city.
Over the weekend a Facebook page titled “Keep Clearlake Police Department” formed in response to Overton's proposal.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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