How to resolve AdBlock issue? CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Key accomplishments in the city of Clearlake from the past year as well as plans and goals for the future were highlighted at the fourth annual “State of the City” this week.
The event was held on Wednesday evening in Austin Park.
The annual State of the City was instituted by former Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom as a way of sharing with the community how the city is striving to improve and what it has accomplished over the previous year.
Folsom left earlier this year to take the helm at Suisun City, so this was the first year Folsom’s successor, Alan Flora, oversaw the event.
The State of the City’s most notable change is that it moved from the Clearlake senior center to Austin Park, across from City Hall, where a big white tent was set up in the middle of the park.
Holding the event at Austin Park provided the opportunity to hold a groundbreaking for the major upgrades that will take place at the park over the coming year, with a new playground, band shell and dog park, along with new parking lots, lawn areas, irrigation and lighting among the key new amenities. Flora said the goal is to have the park improvements completed by May.
The event started with a Clearlake Police K9 demonstration in the area of the park that’s slated for the new dog park, along Olympic Drive near City Hall.
Officer Mark Harden put his K9 partner Zip through his paces, explaining his training and breeding and what he does – he specializes in apprehension – before letting him bite Officer Calli Batz, who had a large thick protective suit on. Zip enthusiastically bit into the protective suit as Batz – as the baiter – told him he was a good boy.
The crowd was then invited over near the park’s gazebo, where Clearlake Public Works staff demonstrated new road repair equipment in a pothole patching operation. The equipment is funded by the city’s Measure V road sales tax.
The groundbreaking for Austin Park then took place, with city council members and community leaders grabbing golden shovels and hefting some dirt to commemorate the occasion.
Collaboration, achievements highlighted
The event’s featured speakers shared a key theme, not just of achievement but how they are getting there, and that’s through collaboration and cooperation.
Clear Lake Chamber President Denise Loustalot, the city’s former mayor and a longtime local business owner, said the last four years in the city have been some of the best.
She said the chamber is now in its forever home, a redeveloped lakeside property which was made possible with the city’s help.
“I just think it’s been getting better and better every year,” she said.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he believes the city has turned a corner, citing the Austin Park project as an example.
Sabatier, who until he took his seat on the Board of Supervisors in January had been a Clearlake City Council member, said the city has brought back code enforcement which has resulted in major improvements, as has the addition of universal garbage.
Like Loustalot, he pointed to the importance of collaboration, crediting it for getting Measure V passed.
As a supervisor, he said collaboration is key, and he’s working with city leaders to make sure they have the resources they need. He called his work as a supervisor one of the biggest challenges of his life, but added that he loves it.
Sabatier also mentioned his effort to make sure tax auctions take place so the city can recoup unpaid taxes, pointed to the fully staffed Clearlake Police Department and the work to staff up the sheriff’s office.
“Let’s keep the collaboration going,” he said.
Mayor Russ Cremer highlighted road improvements funded by Measure V. Previously, he said the city had only been able to dedicate about $100,000 a year to road work. However, Measure V has made possible $4.7 million in repairs, new equipment and increased staffing in the three years it’s been in effect.
At the same time, the city has invested $6.5 million in capital projects such as Dam Road Extension and the civic center upgrades.
The council also recently approved a major upgrade to the animal shelter – adoptable animals also were featured at the event – and City Hall is undergoing upgrades, with solar upgrades being made on city facilities including the senior center, he said.
He recognized Adventist Health Clear Lake for its contributions. President David Santos had handed Cremer a check for $100,000 during the groundbreaking, with that money to go toward a new playground for the community’s children.
Cremer said during his remarks that the new version of Austin Park will be a focal point for the city, and that effort – along with cleanup along Lakeshore Drive – is meant to draw more investment and business, especially those geared toward the county’s tourism industry.
He said he, Flora and Sabatier have been meeting with developers who are interested in building new housing in the city.
It’s an exciting time in Clearlake, said Cremer, adding that he hopes to see it regain the spirit it had when he was growing up there.
Drop in crime reported
Police Chief Andrew White, who just marked his first year with the city, said he was gratified by the community’s support.
White said department priorities include engagement through social media, recruitment and retention, training and increased code enforcement. He outlined accomplishments so far, which included replacing the department’s outdated vehicle fleet, upgrading radios, improving the animal shelter, becoming a 911 public safety answer point and new Tasers and training.
In 2018, there was a 16-percent drop in violent crime and a 14-percent decrease in property crime, which followed previous years, he said.
White reported that statistics through the end of September show that the city is experiencing yet another crime decrease, this time totaling 13 percent.
He said the agency has significantly increased its proactive work in the community, thanks to additional staffing, with a 46-percent increase in traffic stops and arrests. They also regularly do special enforcement operations around the city which are based on crime trends and community input.
“We’re happy to be able to be responsive to the issues that have plagued our community and to try to make a difference,” White said.
He also noted that the council has enacted new ordinances to help with code enforcement, and is looking at the city’s rental inspection ordinance.
Flora, in his turn at the microphone, thanked White and other city staff, including City Clerk Melissa Swanson – noting he didn’t there is anyone more dedicated to the city – along with Finance Director Jill Martin and Consulting City Engineer David Swartz.
He went on to outline the city’s increased investment in infrastructure, community policing and code enforcement, all of which are shifting the needle. Clearlake, he said, is now leading by example.
Flora said the city is dedicated to leading change in the community, and driving transformation and revitalization. But all of that requires community support and a new approach.
“I ask you not to accept that negativity that is often associated with the city when you talk to people,” he said.
He offered thanks to Adventist Health; Councilman Dirk Slooten and his wife Karen, who have purchased commercial properties, fixed them up and rented them to increase the business property inventory; Citizens Caring For Clearlake, founded by Barbara Christwitz, which has undertaken a massive cleanup campaign in the city, including partnering with Clearlake Code Enforcement on some projects; and the Lake County Chamber, which has created a committee to help address the city’s image problems.
“The city cannot solve every problem,” said Flora, who called on everyone to join in making a difference any way they can.
“Are you committed to a new Clearlake? Today is the day we make the change,” Flora said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
