CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council is set to discuss a new ordinance prohibiting scavenging from dumpsters and other receptacles, and will consider making three appointments to the Clearlake Planning Commission.

The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

On Thursday staff will introduce the ordinance prohibiting scavenging, with a second reading and adoption proposed for March 23.

Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Hobbs’ report to the council explains that the city currently doesn’t have an ordinance that restricts or prohibits scavenging.

“Every day in Clearlake, numerous people scavenge through dumpsters, trash and recycling receptacles, often leaving trash on the ground after looking for recyclable materials,” Hobbs wrote.

He said police on a daily basis contact or respond to calls involving individuals consuming alcohol in public and causing disturbances, and many of them get the money to buy alcohol from scavenging recyclables.

Hobbs said scavenging activities contribute to visible trash throughout the city. He said research that more than 20 cities in California have such ordinances, and they’ve reported a positive impact including an overall reduction in crime and an increase in tourism.

The proposed ordinance is based on a review of those other ordinances around the state, he said.

In other business on Thursday, the council will consider appointments to fill three planning commission seats that have terms that expire as of March 11.

One seat was left vacant by Commissioner Cheryl Hutchinson’s resignation in December, and the other seats currently are held by Carl Webb and Russell Cremer.

City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explains that the vacancies were advertised and three applications were received.

Cremer, who was appointed to the commission just under a year ago, has applied for reappointment, as has Webb, who has served on the commission for 16 years. The third application was submitted by Richard Bean, the retired pastor of Clearlake Church of the Nazarene.

Also on Thursday’s agenda, the council will present a proclamation declaring March 2017 as March for Meals Month, and consider an update to the Clearlake Police Department patch, a mayor appointment of an alternative representative to the Abandoned Vehicle Authority and the creation of a standing marketing 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 council meetings on Feb. 16 and 23; and approval of job classifications for the positions of support services technicians and animal control officer.

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