CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday to discuss the process for filling the vacancy resulting from Mayor Nick Bennett’s resignation.

The council will meet beginning at 3:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

On Thursday night, Bennett – who has served on the council since May 2016 – announced he was resigning due to health issues and moving to South Dakota, as Lake County News has reported.

“I would like to thank my fellow council members and city staff. It has been truly an honor to serve our community,” Bennett said.

On Monday, the council will discuss what City Manager Alan Flora said are the two available options – appointing a successor, as the council has done over the past several years, or put the vacancy up for special election.

“We are saddened to see Mayor Bennett step down from the council. He served the public for decades as a member of law enforcement and, in his retirement, chose to continue service to his community as a member of the city council. We wish him well as he takes the next journey in his life,” Flora said.

The council also will consider appointing a new mayor and, if needed, a vice mayor if the current vice mayor, Russ Cremer, moves up in leadership.

The council also will hold a closed session to discuss the city’s litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

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