CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will hold public hearings to consider updates to the city’s ordinances regarding marijuana cultivation and dispensaries.

The council will meet for a closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, to discuss labor negotiations, a liability claim and a case of existing litigation before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chamber at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The public hearings on Thursday are for the introduction and first readings of updated ordinances regarding medical marijuana dispensary regulations and personal personal marijuana cultivation.

Reports to the council from City Manager Greg Folsom said the changes now are in response to the changes in state law that occurred last year, specifically, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act approved by voters in November.

The Clearlake Planning Commission considered the two proposed updated ordinances at its March 21 meeting and is recommending the council approve them, according to Folsom’s report.

Folsom said the commission found that both ordinances are consistent with the city’s general plan and are necessary to prevent negative impacts associated with marijuana cultivation.

In other business, the council will hold public hearings related to making energy-related improvements at city facilities. One hearing will consider findings and approve financing terms, and the second will be for adopting certain findings and approving an energy service contract with Aircon Energy Inc.

On Thursday the council also will present proclamations declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month and the week of April 9 to 15 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting for March 8; request for approval regarding the disposal of used police vehicle surplus; request for approval regarding sale of firearms to sworn Clearlake Police officers; approving the issuance of refunding bonds to refund the outstanding bonds of the dissolved Clearlake Redevelopment Agency; consideration of resolution clarifying the numbering the ordinances dealing with telecommunications towers, shopping carts and marijuana cultivation; award of a professional engineering services contract for the Dam Road Extension Project.

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