*AMENDED AGENDA* City Council Midyear Budget Workshop and Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingClearlake, CA · March 6, 2025
Minutes
*AMENDED AGENDA* CITY
COUNCIL MIDYEAR BUDGET
WORKSHOP AND REGULAR
MEETING
Clearlake City Hall Council Chambers
14050 Olympic Dr, Clearlake, CA
Thursday, March 06, 2025
Closed Session 5:00 PM
Regular Meeting 6:00 PM
MINUTES
A. ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Russ Cremer
Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten
Councilmember Tara Downey
Councilmember Jessica Hooten
Councilmember Mary Wilson
B. 5:00 PM WORKSHOP
1. Midyear Budget Workshop
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to research raising certain city taxes.
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE: The City Council invites members of the clergy, as well as
interested members of the public in the City of Clearlake, to voluntarily offer an invocation before
the beginning of its meetings for the benefit and blessing of the City Council. This opportunity is
voluntary and invocations are to be less than three minutes, offered in a solemn and respectful tone,
and directed at the City Council. Invocational speakers who do not abide by these simple rules of
respect and brevity shall be given a warning and/or not invited back to provide a subsequent
invocation for a reasonable period of time, as determined appropriate by the City. This policy is not
intended, and shall not be implemented or construed in any way, to affiliate the City Council with,
nor express the City Council's preference for, any faith or religious denomination. Rather, this policy
is intended to acknowledge and express the City Council's respect for the diversity of religious
denominations and faith represented and practiced among the citizens of Clearlake. If a scheduled
invocational speaker does not appear at the scheduled meeting, the Mayor will ask that the City
Council observe a moment of silence in lieu of the invocation. More information about the City's
March 06, 2025 Page. 2
invocation policy is available upon request by contacting the Administrative Services Director/City
Clerk at (707) 994-8201x106 or via email at mswanson@clearlake.ca.us.
E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (This is the time for agenda modifications.)
Motion made by Vice Mayor Slooten, Seconded by Councilmember Wilson.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten,
Councilmember Wilson
F. PRESENTATIONS
2. Presentation by Chief Hobbs to Detective Kelleher
3. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring March 2025 as March for Meals Month
G. PUBLIC COMMENT: This is the time for any member of the public to address the City Council on any
matter not on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City. The Brown Act,
with limited exceptions, does not allow the Council or staff to discuss issues brought forth under
Public Comment. The Council cannot take action on non-agenda items. Concerns may be referred to
staff or placed on the next available agenda. Please note that comments from the public will also be
taken on each agenda item. Comments shall be limited to three (3) minutes per person.
Ben Hiddle spoke regarding sustainable construction and solar power. He stated there is a solution
to process the trash at the landfill with robotics.
James Hummel spoke regarding the brush fire hazards and properties that aren't cleared or taken
care of. He stated his concern over the fire hazard.
Andrew Kirkendall spoke in support of Mr. Hiddle's idea of renewable energy.
H. CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature
and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a
member of the Council requests otherwise, or if staff has requested a change under Adoption of the
Agenda, in which case the item will be removed for separate consideration. Any item so removed will
be taken up following the motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Slooten, Seconded by Councilmember Downey.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Hooten,
Councilmember Wilson
4. Approve Audit Contract with Van Lant & Frankhanel, LLP for a total of $34,750
Recommended Action: Approve contract
5. Consideration of Adoption of the 3rd Amendment to the FY 2024-25 Budget (Resolution 2024-
30) for Mid-Year Adjustments
Recommended Action: Approve Resolution No. 2025-08
March 06, 2025 Page. 3
6. Minutes
Recommended Action: Receive and file
7. Warrants
Recommended Action: Receive and file
8. Continuation of Director of Emergency Services/City Manager Proclamation Declaring a Local
Emergency for the Boyles Fire
Recommended Action: Continue declaration of emergency
9. Acceptance of Property Donation at 16393 3rd Avenue
Recommended Action: Approve acceptance and authorize the City Manager to sign the
Certificate of Acceptance
10. Acceptance of Property Donation at 16182 10th Avenue
Recommended Action: Approve acceptance and authorize the City Manager to sign the
Certificate of Acceptance
11. Approve Allocation of Funding & Grant Agreement for CDBG DR Funding 2017/18 Disasters
Recommended Action: Adopt resolution
12. Adoption of Fair Housing Policy; Resolution No. 2025-12
Recommended Action: Adopt resolution
I. PUBLIC HEARING
13. Public Hearing for CDBG Contract 17-MITPPS-21006-Code Enforcement Grant Closeout
Recommended Action: Hold Public Hearing, receive public comment, approve Resolution No.
2025-06 accepting the completion of the Code Enforcement program under the State of
California CDBG MITPPS initiative and authorizing the closeout of the program under the state
contract No. 17-MIOTPPS-21006.
Mayor Cremer opened the Public Hearing at 6:36 p.m.
Margaret Garcia asked questions about the presentation.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Slooten, Seconded by Councilmember Wilson to close the
hearing and accept the completion of the Code Enforcement program at 6:38 p.m.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember
Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
14. Authorization to Closeout CV-1 CDBG funding for the Senior Center
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to complete and submit the closeout
City Manager Flora gave the staff report.
Mayor Cremer opened the Public Hearing at 6:44 p.m.
March 06, 2025 Page. 4
Margaret Garcia asked questions of staff.
Motion made by Councilmember Downey, Seconded by Vice Mayor Slooten to close the
Public Hearing and authorize the City Manager to complete and submit the closeout.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember
Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
J. BUSINESS
15. Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding Street Lighting in the City
Recommended Action: Direction to Staff
City Manager Flora gave the staff report.
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to research purchasing the street lights in
the City's jurisdiction.
16. Consideration of Appointments to the Planning Commission
Recommended Action: Interview applicants and appoint two planning commissioners, and
reappoint Chair Fawn Williams, to terms of office ending March 2029
Director Swanson gave the staff report. The Council approved the reappointment of Chair
Williams, and the appointment of Derek Couch and Ray Silva.
Moved by Councilmember Hooten, Seconded by Councilmember Downey.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember
Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
17. Consideration of Appointments to the Measure V Oversight Committee
Director Swanson gave the staff report. Council Member Downey chose Brett Freeman.
Council Member Wilson chose Carlos Ramos. Council Member Hooten chose Dave Hughes.
Mayor Cremer appointed Supervisor Sabatier as Chair. Motion by Vice Mayor Slooten to
approve, second by Council Member Wilson. All in favor.
18. Consideration of FY 2026 Community Project Funding Request to Congressman Thompson
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution 2025-09
City Manager Flora gave the staff report.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Slooten, Seconded by Councilmember Hooten.
Voting Yea: Mayor Cremer, Vice Mayor Slooten, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember
Hooten, Councilmember Wilson
19. Update Regarding Lake County Sanitation District's Southeast System Governance Request
Recommended Action: Receive Update
City Manager Flora gave the staff report. There was no action taken by Council on this item.
March 06, 2025 Page. 5
K. CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
M. CLOSED SESSION
(20) Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.9(d)(1): Case No. A169438; Koi Nation of Northern California v. City of Clearlake, et al.,
California Court of Appeal
(21) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Initiation of litigation
pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4): (1 case)
N. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
There was no action taken in closed session.
O. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Melissa Swanson, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk
Agenda
*AMENDED AGENDA*
CITY COUNCIL MIDYEAR BUDGET
WORKSHOP AND REGULAR
MEETING
Clearlake City Hall Council Chambers
14050 Olympic Dr, Clearlake, CA
Thursday, March 06, 2025
Workshop 5:00 PM
Regular Meeting 6:00 PM
The City Council meetings are viewable in person in the Council Chambers, via livestreaming on the
City’s YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTyifT_nKS-3woxEu1ilBXA) or “Lake
County PEG TV Live Stream” at https://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCountyPegTV/featured and the
public may participate through Zoom at the link listed below. The public will not be allowed to provide
verbal comment during the meeting if attending via Zoom. The public can submit comments in writing
for City Council consideration by commenting via the Q&A function in the Zoom platform or by sending
comments to the Administrative Services Director/City Clerk at mswanson@clearlake.ca.us. To give
the City Council adequate time to review your comments, you must submit your written emailed
comments prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
AMENDED AGENDA
MEETING PROCEDURES: All items on agenda will be open for public comments before final action is
taken. Citizens wishing to introduce written material into the record at the public meeting on any item
are requested to provide a copy of the written material to the Administrative Services Director/City Clerk
prior to the meeting date so that the material may be distributed to the City Council prior to the meeting.
Speakers must restrict comments to the item as it appears on the agenda and stay within a three minutes
time limit. The Mayor has the discretion of limiting the total discussion time for an item.
Pursuant to Senate Bill 1100 and the City Council Norms and Procedures, any member of the public
making personal, impertinent, and/or slanderous or profane remarks, or who becomes boisterous or
belligerent while addressing the City Council, staff or general public, or while attending the City Council
meeting and refuses to come to order at the direction of the Mayor/Presiding Officer, shall be removed
from the Council Chambers or the Zoom by the sergeant-at-arms or the City Clerk and may be barred
from further attendance before the Council during that meeting. Unauthorized remarks from the
audience, stamping of feet, whistles, yells, and similar demonstrations shall not be permitted by the
Mayor/Presiding Officer. The Mayor/Presiding Officer may direct the sergeant-at-arms to remove such
offenders from the room.
March 06, 2025 Page. 2
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA) REQUESTS
If you need disability related modification, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in this meeting, please
contact Melissa Swanson, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk at the Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic
Drive, Clearlake, California 95422, phone (707) 994-8201, ext 106, or via email at mswanson@clearlake.ca.us at
least 72 hours prior to the meeting, to allow time to provide for special accommodations.
AGENDA REPORTS
Staff reports for each agenda item are available for review at www.clearlake.ca.us. Any writings or documents
pertaining to an open session item provided to a majority of the City Council less than 72 hours prior to the
meeting, shall be made available for public inspection on the City’s website at www.clearlake.ca.us.
Zoom Link:
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://clearlakeca.zoom.us/s/87620196049?pwd=aZbzNBFH5FhS3GL74ev5qAsAwC6QEV.1
Passcode:581645
Phone one-tap:
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Join via audio:
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March 06, 2025 Page. 3
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Webinar ID: 876 2019 6049
A. ROLL CALL
B. 5:00 PM WORKSHOP
1. Midyear Budget Workshop
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE: The City Council invites members of the clergy, as well as
interested members of the public in the City of Clearlake, to voluntarily offer an invocation before
the beginning of its meetings for the benefit and blessing of the City Council. This opportunity is
voluntary and invocations are to be less than three minutes, offered in a solemn and respectful tone,
and directed at the City Council. Invocational speakers who do not abide by these simple rules of
respect and brevity shall be given a warning and/or not invited back to provide a subsequent
invocation for a reasonable period of time, as determined appropriate by the City. This policy is not
intended, and shall not be implemented or construed in any way, to affiliate the City Council with,
nor express the City Council's preference for, any faith or religious denomination. Rather, this policy
is intended to acknowledge and express the City Council's respect for the diversity of religious
denominations and faith represented and practiced among the citizens of Clearlake. If a scheduled
invocational speaker does not appear at the scheduled meeting, the Mayor will ask that the City
Council observe a moment of silence in lieu of the invocation. More information about the City's
invocation policy is available upon request by contacting the Administrative Services Director/City
Clerk at (707) 994-8201x106 or via email at mswanson@clearlake.ca.us.
E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (This is the time for agenda modifications.)
F. PRESENTATIONS
2. Presentation by Chief Hobbs to Detective Kelleher
3. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring March 2025 as March for Meals Month
March 06, 2025 Page. 4
G. PUBLIC COMMENT: This is the time for any member of the public to address the City Council on any
matter not on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City. The Brown Act,
with limited exceptions, does not allow the Council or staff to discuss issues brought forth under
Public Comment. The Council cannot take action on non-agenda items. Concerns may be referred to
staff or placed on the next available agenda. Please note that comments from the public will also be
taken on each agenda item. Comments shall be limited to three (3) minutes per person.
H. CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature
and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a
member of the Council requests otherwise, or if staff has requested a change under Adoption of the
Agenda, in which case the item will be removed for separate consideration. Any item so removed will
be taken up following the motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
4. Approve Audit Contract with Van Lant & Frankhanel, LLP for a total of $34,750
Recommended Action: Approve contract
5. Consideration of Adoption of the 3rd Amendment to the FY 2024-25 Budget (Resolution 2024-
30) for Mid-Year Adjustments
Recommended Action: Approve Resolution No. 2025-08
6. Minutes
Recommended Action: Receive and file
7. Warrants
Recommended Action: Receive and file
8. Continuation of Director of Emergency Services/City Manager Proclamation Declaring a Local
Emergency for the Boyles Fire
Recommended Action: Continue declaration of emergency
9. Acceptance of Property Donation at 16393 3rd Avenue
Recommended Action: Approve acceptance and authorize the City Manager to sign the
Certificate of Acceptance
10. Acceptance of Property Donation at 16182 10th Avenue
Recommended Action: Approve acceptance and authorize the City Manager to sign the
Certificate of Acceptance
11. Approve Allocation of Funding & Grant Agreement for CDBG DR Funding 2017/18 Disasters
Recommended Action: Adopt resolution
12. Adoption of Fair Housing Policy; Resolution No. 2025-12
Recommended Action: Adopt resolution
March 06, 2025 Page. 5
I. PUBLIC HEARING
13. Public Hearing for CDBG Contract 17-MITPPS-21006-Code Enforcement Grant Closeout
Recommended Action: Hold Public Hearing, receive public comment, approve Resolution No.
2025-06 accepting the completion of the Code Enforcement program under the State of
California CDBG MITPPS initiative and authorizing the closeout of the program under the state
contract No. 17-MIOTPPS-21006.
14. Authorization to Closeout CV-1 CDBG funding for the Senior Center
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to complete and submit the closeout
J. BUSINESS
15. Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding Street Lighting in the City
Recommended Action: Direction to Staff
16. Consideration of Appointments to the Planning Commission
Recommended Action: Interview applicants and appoint two planning commissioners, and
reappoint Chair Fawn Williams, to terms of office ending March 2029
17. Consideration of Appointments to the Measure V Oversight Committee
18. Consideration of FY 2026 Community Project Funding Request to Congressman Thompson
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution 2025-09
19. Update Regarding Lake County Sanitation District's Southeast System Governance Request
Recommended Action: Receive Update
K. CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
M. CLOSED SESSION
(20) Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.9(d)(1): Case No. A169438; Koi Nation of Northern California v. City of Clearlake, et al.,
California Court of Appeal
(21) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Initiation of litigation
pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4): (1 case)
N. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
O. ADJOURNMENT
POSTED: March 3, 2025
March 06, 2025 Page. 6
BY:
Melissa Swanson, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk
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