CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week unanimously approved a contract with a new city manager.
Greg Folsom, who currently works for the county of Riverside, will start work on June 15, giving him a few weeks to work with retiring City Manager Joan Phillipe, who will leave the city on June 30 after three and a half years in the job.
The three-year contract the council approved gives Folsom a $110,000 annual salary and establishes annual performance reviews.
Folsom introduces himself at the start of the video of the council meeting, featured above, and he speaks to the council beginning at the 16:35 mark in the video.
Current City Manager Joan Phillipe introduced Folsom to the council at the Thursday night meeting.
“I'm extremely proud and honored to be here today. I'm very excited about this opportunity,” Folsom told the council, and thanked Phillipe for her assistance in the “very lengthy” hiring process.
Folsom shared his background, explaining that he began working in government in 1992, starting as a loan officer with the Small Business Administration. In that capacity, he made disaster loans, working with the public and businesses.
He then went on to work for the city of Stockton for nearly 20 years. There, he worked in the city manager's office on economic development and redevelopment issues.
From Stockton, Folsom went to Riverside County, where he has been in charge of economic development and workforce development, and serves on the city of Menifee's planning commission.
“I'm looking forward to bringing that experience here,” said Folsom, adding that the also hopes to bring jobs and new resource to the city.
He added that he also is looking forward to working with the city and the council to move Clearlake forward.
Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson thanked him for making the trip up for the meeting.
She acknowledged it was a lengthy hiring process, noting the council began months ago working on finding Phillipe's successor.
“The candidate that we selected was thoroughly vetted,” she said.
Fortino Dickson added, “I have full faith and confidence in what he brings to the table.”
She said Folsom brings with him skills and abilities to help them take the city where they want it to go.
“We really felt like Mr. Folsom brought the right attitude with him. And that's one thing you cannot train when you're hiring an employee, it's the attitude,” said Fortino Dickson, adding that they believe Folsom is the right fit for the community.
“I think we all feel the same way, that we've made a very good choice for our community,” said Councilwoman Joyce Overton.
She pointed out that there were a number of people in addition to the council who assisted with the interview and selection process.
According to Phillipe's report to the council, the council was assisted in the interviews by Clearlake Planning Commission Chair Carl Webb, District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith, Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen, City Clerk Melissa Swanson, Public Works Director Doug Herren, Sheriff Brian Martin and retired County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox.
Mayor Denise Loustalot also welcomed Folsom to the city.
“Mr. Folsom did stand out to each and every one of us as an extremely, highly qualified candidate for what we are looking for as far as our goals and objectives,” said Loustalot.
Councilman Russ Perdock moved to approve the contract as submitted, with Councilman Bruno Sabatier seconding and the council voting 5-0.
The vote received a round of applause, and Loustalot noted that she was happy but also sad, referring to Phillipe's coming retirement.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Clearlake City Council approves contract with new city manager
- Elizabeth Larson
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