CLEARLAKE – Clearlake City Council members were unanimous – and generous – in their praise Thursday night of interim City Administrator Dale Neiman, and approved removing the “interim” from his title to make his hire permanent.

Neiman joined the city the first week of January on an interim basis.

His past experience includes 25 years in community development, he said Thursday Night. Of that time, he spent 17 years working for the City of Fortuna, serving nine years spent as that city's manager. He left Fortuna in 2002 and spent time doing redevelopment consulting before coming to Clearlake.

At the time of his initial hire, the council enacted a 60-day trial period before making a decision on whether to hire Neiman permanently.

Both Mayor Judy Thein and Neiman said at the time would allow he and the council time to determine if he was a good fit. Neiman also said at the time that the trial period would give them time to finish his salary negotiations.

The contract that Neiman and the council agreed to will pay him $120,000 annually during a four-year contract, with raises and contract renewal at the council's discretion.

Early on, Thein had cited his redevelopment experience and professional abilities as a reason the city chose Neiman.

Shortly after Neiman came on board in January, Thein said of the city's search for a permanent administrator, “In my personal opinion, we have been up to bat several times. I think we finally hit that ball!”

Before voting on his appointment Thursday, Thein and the rest of the council gave Neiman definite signs of support and confidence.

"I think Dale has been a find for us," said Councilman Chuck Leonard, who said he appreciated Neiman's constant communications with council members in an effort to keep them informed. “I think he's well worth the money we're going to pay him. I hope we can keep him for  8 or 10 years."

Councilman Curt Giambruno agreed. "He's been phenomenal for us," he said, adding that Neiman has so far helped the city with issues that Giambruno doesn't believe anyone else could have resolved.

“I think in time we could teach him to do the job," joked Councilman Roy Simons.

Joyce Overton, adding to comments by fellow council members, pointed out that Neiman has already saved the city large amounts of money through his efforts, and said the city is led by department heads that compose “probably the best team the city has ever seen."

Thein, who herself was a city staff member before joining the council, said she's seen many city administrators come and go. “Finally, we have found our leader,” she said.

Supervisor Jeff Smith lauded the council's decision, saying in Neiman they had found a “diamond.”

He said he and Neiman have been working together and discussing approaches to local issues. Smith said there is now an “excellent working relationship” between the city and county.

“You guys have got something you've deserved for a long time,” he said.

He added he wished that interim Community Development Director Irwin Kaplan and interim Police Chief Larry Todd could stay on longer (both of those men are retirees who can only work a certain length of time).

“You've got a team in the City of Clearlake that can't be matched anywhere,” said Smith.

Leonard moved to approve Neiman's contract, with Overton seconding. The unanimous vote was followed by applause from the council and audience for Neiman.

Thein said to Smith after the vote, “Jeff, you have your Kelly Cox, we have our Dale Neiman,” referring to the county's capable and talented administrator.

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