Teacher Ed Zander, left, and his Gifted and Talented program students during their presentation to the Clearlake City Council on May 8. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

CLEARLAKE – A creative group of young people shared their vision of what Clearlake should look like with the City Council last week.

Pomo Elementary's Gifted and Talented Education Program went before the council at its regular Thursday night meeting.

Sixth grade teacher Ed Zander explained to the council that the children wanted to do an educational project that looked at improving the city in which they lived. So, using Legos – colorful plastic building blocks that are a favorite with youngsters – they set to work to build a model of their ideal vision of Clearlake.

The students brought pictures of it because, Zander said, the model is "gigantic" and couldn't be easily transported.

Each of the students took turns sharing with the council their concerns about the city – which differed little from the concerns the council has heard expressed by adults. Water quality, illegal dumping, rundown buildings and graffiti, and the need for paved roads and sidewalks all were listed by students as issues that needed to be addressed.

Another matter was the absence of enough fun things to do, according to the children.

The Lego model of Clearlake included a YMCA, two miniature golf courses, a bowling alley, water park, laser tag and plenty of opportunities to see movies.

The students then presented several questions to the council, beginning with a query about why the city doesn't have more kid-friendly places.

Council member Joyce Overton fielded that one, explaining that YMCAs are very expensive. She added that the city does have a youth center, the Hot Spot on Golf Avenue, which is open to all children

Students also asked – is the city planning to hire more police officers to make Clearlake safe for all?

Police Chief Allan McClain said the police department is seeking grants and volunteers in order to expand its services in the face of the city's tight budget.

In this fiscal year, the department lost four vacant officers' positions, said McClain. However, adult volunteer, cadet and officer trainee programs, along with an explorer post, can help make the city a better place, he said.

Asked about dealing with rundown houses and buildings, Vice Mayor Chuck Leonard urged the students to stay until later in the meeting, when the council took up several abatements.

The last question was why the city has a large number of child predators and convicts. Leonard suggested it was because the area is low income with cheaper rents. Overton added that, if someone is arrested here and sent to prison, they're released here afterward.

"You guys did a great job," Overton told the children as the presentation wrapped up.

Mayor Curt Giambruno reminded the students about Konocti Kids Day, planned for Saturday, May 17, at Austin Park. "It's designed for you guys to come to the park here and enjoy yourself."

PEG TV Channel 8 interim manager Allen Markowski shot a video of the Lego project that will be televised on the station.

Following the Lego presentation, McClain honored School Resource Officer Carl Miller, who was named the police department's officer of the year.

Miller was late due to a "wardrobe malfunction," said McClain. For his part, Miller was honest about the fact that he needed to staple himself into his shirt, which lacked a stop button, in order to get his tie on.

"It's very obvious you're a bachelor," said Leonard.

McClain presented Miller with a citation that Congressman Mike Thompson had authored and presented on his behalf in the House of Representatives.

"I love my job," Miller said.

Abatements move forward

Following a presentation by Terri Persons of the Lake County/Area Planning Council on Blueprint planning, the council approved administrative penalties on nine city properties that were not abated within the time required. Each of the nine was assessed a penalty of $2,500 each.

The council then voted unanimously to abate the property of Robert Rodriguez, where no effort had been made to clean up the property following abatement notices, said McClain. In addition, they approved assessments against two other properties that were abated.

Supervisor Jeff Smith, who regularly attends the council meetings, told the council he was encouraged by how the city is caught up on its abatement cases. He said he hopes it will send people a message that Clearlake is serious about improving.

"This is prime way to get your redevelopment dollars building up," he said, which will be accomplished by raising property values through cleanup efforts.

An item on the council agenda involving having to transfer funds from the revolving loan funds was postponed until May 22, said City Administrator Dale Neiman.

The fund, he explained, can't have more than $250,000 in it, he said. The Best Western recently had paid back a loan and that put the fund $134,000 over the limit.

That left the city in the position of needing to loan it or transfer it to the housing rehabilitation fund, said Neiman.

However, People Services on Lakeshore is making a loan application to purchase its building and that may take care of the fund overage, said Neiman.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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