CLEARLAKE, Calif. – After deciding last month to establish a policy allowing invocations – or prayers – at the start of meetings, the Clearlake City Council this week will discuss a resolution establishing policy for the practice.
The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, to discuss employee discipline, dismissal and release before convening in open session in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At its Aug. 28 meeting the council unanimously agreed to proceed with putting in place a mechanism to allow for opening its meetings with prayer, as Lake County News has reported.
The proposed resolution notes that no one will be required to participate, the chance to lead the prayers will be offered voluntarily by an eligible member of the clergy or city religious leaders on a rotating basis, there is no compensation, and no prior review or involvement in preparing the prayer.
In other business, the council will consider adopting a resolution opposing Proposition 47, which would reduce the classification of most nonserious and nonviolent property and drug crime from felonies to misdemeanors, and make up to 10,000 felons eligible for early release.
The council also will discuss reestablishing the Clearlake Parks and Recreation Commission and will ratify the mayor's appointment to fill Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson's remaining term on the Lake County/City Area Planning Council.
Items on the consent agenda – considered to be noncontroversial and accepted as a slate with one vote – include warrant registers, consideration of accepting for filing the 2014 local agency biennial notice regarding amendments to the conflict of interest code and minutes of the Aug. 13 Lake County Vector Control District meeting.
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