CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday gave its support to proposed upgrades to the city’s youth center, and also agreed to waive permit fees on the city-owned building.
The youth center is located at 4750 Golf Ave. The city is leasing the building to the Lake Community Pride Foundation, which took over operations after the Lake County Community Action Agency folded a year ago.
Interim City Administrator Joan Phillipe said the lease requires the council approve any renovations of the building and that the normal permitting process be followed. The document didn’t specifically allow for a fee waiver.
Phillipe said the cost for the building permits and the plan check for upgrading the office space, kitchen and making the restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act is $440. An encroachment permit for required parking upgrades will cost another $300 to $400.
She said the council could waive the permit fees, but Phillipe asked that the council members make specific findings to prevent the creation of a precedent.
In the suggested motion Phillpe proposed that the fees be waived with the finding that it is a city-owned building “and will provide recreational activities to the community’s youth that the city cannot otherwise provide.”
Councilman Curt Giambruno asked about the permit fees. Phillipe said the fees cover the actual costs of providing the permit services.
“I think this is a good thing,” said Council member Judy Thein, adding it showed support for the city’s youth.
She asked Council member Joyce Overton – who is on the youth center board – if kitchen equipment donated from a restaurant that closed five years ago would be used for the renovation. Overton said yes, that the equipment was in storage.
Dr. Bill MacDougall, a foundation member, told the council, “We’re about to embark on something really special in Lake County.”
He said it will be a community effort to renovate the center. “We have a building we’ve had some success with. It needs some help.”
The renovations will be supported by a grant from the Redbud Healthcare District, MacDougall said.
The foundation also plans a large fundraiser in the form of a hot air balloon festival called “The Sky’s the Limit” in May 2013, he said.
In addition, MacDougall said the foundation plans to have recreation programs for youth started this summer. “That will be something very special for this community.”
MacDougall said he’ll be calling on retired educators for help in offering summer art and music programs in an effort to provide programs not just for Clearlake but for all of Lake County.
He said the community should take care not just of its elders but of its youth, and he thanked the council for caring about children.
“They don’t have a voice. We need to be their voice,” he said.
Giambruno asked about plans to include a shower in the renovations. Overton confirmed that a shower is being installed, along with a washer and dryer. She said coaches and teachers had stated a need for a shower, and it was explained that the shower was a requirement of the grant.
Vice Mayor Jeri Spittler moved to approve the improvements and waive permit fees for the current and future upgrades. Thein offered a second with an amendment that included the suggested findings to avoid precedent.
Because of her position on the youth center board, Overton recused herself from the vote, which was 4-0.
Youth center supporters will have a cleanup day on Saturday at the center beginning at 10 a.m., and plan to start renovations on Saturday, March 24.
The youth center also has a new Web site, http://www.clearlakeyouthcenter.org/ , and plans to set up a PayPal account for an online fundraiser.
Donations also can be mailed to the Lake Community Pride Foundation-Youth Center, in care of Joyce Overton, 13710 Arrowhead Road, Clearlake CA 95422.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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