- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Clearlake City Council appoints McCarrick as new planning commissioner
The council voted unanimously to appoint Erin McCarrick to the vacancy that resulted when longtime commissioner Nathalie Antus resigned from the five-member commission last month.
McCarrick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Colorado.
After receiving her undergraduate degree, McCarrick worked in politics and in nonprofits for 10 years in North Dakota and South Dakota.
She then came to California, where she completed a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the University of San Francisco.
After receiving her graduate degree, McCarrick moved to Lake County to facilitate local hiring and outreach for the Valley and Clayton fires, according to her application.
She is a consultant and owner of two cannabis businesses: Clearlake Ventures, based in Clearlake, and Cara Farms, based Potter Valley.
The two other applicants who the council interviewed on Thursday evening were David Goolsbee, who has a background in architecture and design builds, and has been a designer, builder and contractor for 35 years, and Fawn Williams, who worked in the mortgage industry before opening her own business in which she makes custom western horse show clothing.
The three candidates were asked to leave the chambers and then were brought in one at a time to be questioned by the council.
In explaining her qualifications, McCarrick said she is a quick learner who realized how much there is to learn.
At the same time, she said she understands what it takes to go through the city’s planning department as well as the importance of codes and ordinances.
Asked about how she would view projects that might raise personal concerns, she said she thought it was important to be objective, to look at a project’s fit and impacts.
Councilwoman Joyce Overton thanked McCarrick for applying for the planning commission again – in January, she had sought the seat left vacant when Dirk Slooten was elected to the council last year – before asking her about her vision for the city.
McCarrick said she supported creating a community for families, and one with plenty of events, that is active, vibrant and safe.
She said Clearlake can be its own island in Lake County, with residents wanting to have places to shop and things to do there.
McCarrick also told the council that she had talked to current planning commissioners in order to understand what they do.
During public comment, cannabis business owner Chris Jennings spoke in support of McCarrick, telling the council that it was time to move forward and bring on people who can see outside the box.
Clearlake resident Sheryl Almon also offered her support for McCarrick, who she said has learning and energy, and a way of looking at the city in a better and different way.
The three commission candidates were again asked to leave the room while the council members ranked their choices on forms.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson then tabulated the results: McCarrick was the choice for council members Phil Harris, Joyce Overton and Dirk Slooten, while Mayor Russ Cremer had voted for Fawn Williams. Councilman Russell Perdock was absent from the meeting.
After Swanson read out the voting results, the candidates were welcomed back into the chambers so she could announce the results.
Slooten moved to appoint McCarrick, a motion Harris seconded and the council approved 4-0.
After the vote, McCarrick rose from her seat to shake hands with Goolsbee and Williams.
Cremer thanked all three for stepping up to apply for the commission seat. “I think you all have qualities that this city needs.”
He congratulated McCarrick and again thanked Goolsbee and Williams.
The Clearlake Planning Commission meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers at City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
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