CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will address interrelations during a workshop to be held in a public forum at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at Clearlake City Hall.
The workshop will be facilitated by Kelseyville attorney Steve Brookes, who agreed to provide his services at no charge to the city.
All five members of the council said Thursday that they did not have any personal connection with Brookes, who formerly served as the city of Lakeport's attorney.
The purpose of the workshop stems from issues raised in August in regard to then-Mayor Jeri Spittler.
Spittler was unseated as mayor on Aug. 23, with the council citing issues that included disrespect for fellow council members, difficult working conditions and the failure to follow protocol.
Spittler – who had said during the August discussion that preceded her removal as mayor that she felt she was being picked apart by other members of the council – expressed concern about the matter being held in open session.
She asked if the workshop would be “another roasting of Jeri Spittler” or if everybody's actions would be addressed.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson, who was providing the staff report to the council in the absence of City Manager Joan Phillipe, said the discussion does not meet the requirements of the Brown Act to authorize a closed session discussion.
Swanson said when the council meets in its capacity to discuss items other than personnel, real estate or litigation, it must conduct its business in open session available to the public. Mayor Joyce Overton and Councilmember Joey Luiz offered similar comments.
Councilmember Gina Fortino Dickson pointed out that Brookes' services are being offered as a facilitator not a mediator.
She said therefore it's her understanding that the workshop will be conducted in such a way as to provide a “means to work cohesively through how to communicate and work better together.” She said individual attacks should not be a subject of the workshop.
Citizen Chuck Leonard, who is a former city council member, called it the worst idea he'd ever heard.
He suggested the council “bury” the issue and move, telling the council, “You're all adults.”
Email Denise Rockenstein at
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