CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will discuss an update to city skate park rules, an updated water franchise agreement, and whether the city clerk and treasurer positions should be elected or appointed.

The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

At the start of the meeting, the council will present a proclamation for March for Meals month.

City Manager Greg Folsom will take to the council the first reading of an ordinance amending the rules and regulations for the city-owned and operated skate park.

In order to be in compliance with state laws that offer public agencies that run skateboard facilities immunity when a “hazardous recreational activity” results in injury or damage to property or persons, the city must make some minor language changes, according to Folsom's report.

“Additionally, our current ordinance regulates the use of skateboards and bicycles by disallowing concurrent use of these types of recreational devices,” Folsom wrote. “This rule is not being adhered to and is causing a liability to the City by not being enforced. Staff is recommending removing this provision.”

He said there will be a cost to update the skate park signs accordingly, but it's not expected to be a significant amount.

The council also will consider adopting resolution 2015-10 declaring an intention to grant Golden State Water Co. a franchise to supply the city with water.

The company has had a franchise to supply water to Clearlake since before the city was incorporated in 1980. However, according to Finance Director Chris Becnel's report, the city and the company have agreed to modify the franchise agreement for the payment of a franchise fee to the city pursuant to Public Utilities code.

That fee, Becnel reported, shall be equal to 2 percent of the company's gross annual receipts. Becnel estimated that the franchise likely will generate $20,000 in new fees for the city annually.

In other business, the council will discuss whether the city clerk and treasurer positions should be elected or appointed, and if it should direct staff to prepare an ordinance regulating warming centers and refer it to the Clearlake Planning Commission for its recommendation.

Also on the agenda will be a public hearing to consider implementing fees on certain large credit card charges, the 2015 annual solid waste and recycling report, and consideration of a marketing ad hoc committee.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the Feb. 4 and 11 council meetings; minutes of the Jan. 13 Lake County Vector Control District meeting; consideration of the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 182-2016 prohibiting camping on private property; consideration of second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 183-2016 relating to animal control services; authorization for the mayor to sign letters to Assemblyman Bill Dodd and state Sen. Mike McGuire addressing the declining gas tax; and award of an engineering design services contract with Coastland Engineering for an amount not to exceed $162,852.

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