CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will discuss an agreement with a developer, reconvening and expanding the city's marijuana ad hoc committee and an assessment of the city's energy usage.

The council will meet for a closed session regarding anticipated litigation at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The meeting will start off with the presentation of two proclamations – recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month – and an update from City Clerk Melissa Swanson on the city's plans for its Halloween Trick or Treat Party.

On Thursday's agenda is a public hearing for the consideration of a development agreement between the city and Orosco Development No. 19 LLC for the property located at 15885 Dam Road.

In August the Clearlake Planning Commission recommended to the council the approval of the agreement, which has an 18-month term and would require the company to pay the city $50,000 to cover city road improvements.

The property had formerly been the proposed site of a Fresh and Easy supermarket, but that company went into bankruptcy, according to a report from city officials.

Orosco Development No. 19 LLC, based in Monterey, is proposing to build a large commercial retail center on the property with a single tenant. During a meeting last month, a company representative said several national big box retailers had indicated interest, but a tenant hadn't yet been determined.

In other business, the council will review a preliminary assessment by Aircon Energy of energy usage at certain city facilities in an attempt to save the city money.

Finance Director Chris Becnel's report to the council notes that management is concerned that most of the HVAC equipment at both City Hall and the community center “is significantly past its useful life and is very inefficient by today's standards,” and so could be costing the city money.

By upgrading equipment and pursuing a solar project, Becnel estimated the city can have a net savings of nearly $1.7 million over 25 years.

In other business, the council will consider new appointments to the city's marijuana ad hoc committee, which staff is recommending be reconvened to review and make recommendations for amendments to the city's dispensary and marijuana cultivation ordinances.

City Manager Greg Folsom's report on the item explains that there are several issues that it would be helpful for the ad hoc committee to discuss.

Those include the ordinance's effectiveness and potential ramifications of what Folsom said is the likely passage this November of Proposition 64, which would legalize recreational use of marijuana.

He said there also are “several ambiguities” in the city's dispensary ordinance that have come to light and need to be cleared up, with that document also needing to be reviewed with respect to Proposition 64.

The committee's membership currently includes Keith Ahart, Liz Byrd, Dan Griffin, Dave Hughes, Pete Loustalot, Vince Metzger and Willie Sapeta, all of whom are not city staffers, along with Mayor Russ Perdock and Vice Mayor Bruno Sabatier, Folsom said.

“Since changes to the ordinances would potentially impact the three dispensaries, staff will invite all three dispensary owners to participate,” said Folsom.

He said staff also suggests that the council direct the planning commission to appoint two of its members to the committee, “since any changes will likely go through the Planning Commission as land use issues.”

Also on Thursday, the council will consider adopting environmental review guidelines which were recommended for approval to the council by the planning commission last month.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the June 23, June 30, July 14, July 28, Aug. 11, Aug. 25 and Aug. 31 council meetings; and consideration of resolutions for employer-paid member contributions for the Middle Management Association, the Clearlake Police Officers Association and the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association.

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