LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will consider extending a consulting agreement relating to development of the former Pearce Field airport property as a commercial center and discuss taking action against a voter initiative that is expected to have damaging effects on local governments.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
On Thursday, the council will consider amending the consulting agreement between the city and Margetich/Sutter Equities for services related to the development at the city’s former airport property.
Staff is asking for an additional 60 days on the contract, through April 30, at a cost of $10,000 per month.
City Manager Alan Flora’s written report to the council explains, “The agreement creates a partnership that will hopefully lead toward a master development agreement of the entire
property, but at this time focuses on determining retail interests and coordinating project planning efforts.”
He said the intent is to execute a purchase and sale agreement or option agreement by April 30.
“Based on the history of lack of action from developers on this site/project the City is taking a bit of a phased approach to determine ability, interest, and determination from a development partner. This type of agreement allows us to develop a relationship and trust prior to tying up the land. We are pleased with how things are progressing and recommend the Council authorize extending the agreement another 60-days, through April 30th,” Flora wrote.
In other business, the council will discuss possible action regarding Voter Initiative No. 21-0042A1, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, which would amend the State Constitution to change the rules for how the state and local governments can impose taxes, fees and other charges, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the measure “would lower annual state and local revenues, potentially substantially lower, depending on future actions of the Legislature, local governing bodies, voters, and the courts.”
The city staff report said the initiative is backed by major corporations and would have “far-reaching and yet undefined impacts to how local government, including the City of Clearlake functions,” including imperiling infrastructure funding measures and would make it difficult for the city to charge development fees.
Also on Thursday, the council will consider selling a vacant parcel at 3578 Redwood St. for $8,000, meet one of February’s adoptable dogs, and present proclamations declaring February as Black History Month and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; continuation of the declaration of local emergency Issued on Aug. 23, 2021, and ratified by council action on Sept. 16, 2021; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 18, 2021, and ratified by council action on Aug. 19, 2021; continuation of declaration of local emergency Issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action on March 19, 2020; continuation of authorization to Implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361; and minutes of the January 2022 meetings.
After the public portion of the meeting, the council will meet in closed session to discuss litigation against the county of Lake and Treasurer-Tax Collector Barbara Ringen and a case involving Alondra Rodriguez’s suit against the city.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Clearlake City Council to discuss consulting agreement, voter initiative
- Elizabeth Larson
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