CLEARLAKE, Calif. – At its meeting this week the Clearlake City Council will discuss the Brown Act as it relates to public comment given during certain portions of council meetings.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The main item of business is a followup discussion regarding a Brown Act-related question brought up at the council's April 25 meeting.
A community member had wanted to respond to City Manager Joan Phillipe's verbal report at the meeting, which it was said at the time was not a discussion item and that the Brown Act provision for public comment didn't seem to apply. However, Phillipe said she would inquire with the city attorney.
In a report for the council's Thursday night meeting, Phillipe explained that the city attorney was apprised of the issue and agreed that staff's response was generally correct, however, “because the reports do actually appear on the agenda as a place holder of sorts, that arguably there is a right for the public to make comment.”
Phillipe said the city attorney recommended changing the agenda to make city manager and council member reports one agenda item and provide opportunity for public comment after all of the reports have been given.
In other business on Thursday, Police Chief Craig Clausen will present a citizens commendation.
Items on the consent agenda include minutes of the Feb. 28 and March 14 and March 28 council meetings; the second reading of Ordinance No. 2013-160, which amends Chapter 2, Section 2-1.2 of the code as it relates to council member salaries; receipt of notice of a rate increase from Clearlake Waste Solutions, effective July l, 2013; receipt of notice of rate increase from Mediacom; receipt of notice from Lake County Vector Control regarding mosquito spraying; receipt of notice from Lake County Water Resources regarding aquatic plant management on Clear Lake for the 2013 season.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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