LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council held its final meeting of the year on Thursday evening, with business that included accepting the November election results and selecting its new leadership for 2023.
At the start of the meeting, Councilwoman Joyce Overton presented Mayor Dirk Slooten with a plaque for his service as mayor over the past two years.
Slooten said he was honored to have served the city as mayor.
Later in the meeting, City Clerk/Administrative Services Director Melissa Swanson presented Resolution No. 2022-75, which accepts the results of the Nov. 8 municipal election, which was consolidated as part of the general election.
“This afternoon we received the certification from the Registrar of Voters, which you have before you,” Swanson said.
She said there were 6,981 registered Clearlake voters for this election with 2,784 ballots cast, for a 39.88% turnout.
In the city council election, Slooten and Councilman Russ Cremer ran unopposed for reelection.
Swanson said Cremer received 1,604 votes and Slooten, received 1,515 votes.
There were no qualified city treasurer candidates, she said. The council is expected to appoint City Manager Alan Flora to fill that post once again.
Swanson said it was appropriate for the council to adopt the resolution seating Cremer and Slooten, after which she would administer the oath of office.
Councilman David Claffey moved to approve the resolution, Overton seconded and the council voted 5-0.
Swanson then administered the oath of office to both men.
After they were sworn in and returned to the dais, the council selected its leadership for the coming year.
Overton moved to select Vice Mayor Russell Perdock as the next mayor, which Cremer seconded and the council approved unanimously.
Slooten followed up by nominating Claffey, who is in his first term, as vice mayor. Cremer also seconded that motion, which received another unanimous council vote.
“I want to thank everybody. I think we’ve had a very successful year this year,” said Slooten. “We’ve gotten all kinds of projects going,” and appointed several new department heads.
Cremer thanked Slooten for his efforts, including many that took place behind the scenes to push forward projects. Those include the commercial development at the former airport, which Cremer said he believes is further along than it’s ever been.
In other business, the council authorized an amendment to the Clearlake Police Officers Association memorandum of understanding to modify the salary amounts, adopted Resolution 2022-74 to approve and implement the Cannabis Equity Program and approved Resolution No. 2022-73 to provide grant funds to Chelsea Investment Corp. for its affordable housing development at 15837 18th Ave.
With Thursday night’s meeting being the last council meeting of the year, as well as the last meeting for Police Chief Andrew White before he leaves for his new job in Martinez in January, the council thanked him for his service.
Overton praised him for his leadership of the police department and the training he introduced, which she said was “above and beyond anything we’ve ever done.”
“You’ve shown us what a great leader looks like,” said Claffey.
Cremer said he’s still in denial that White is leaving, and thanked him for his work, including also filling the finance director job and bringing the city’s technology into the 21st century.
Perdock thanked him and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Slooten said white made both the city and the police department better.
Flora said there will be a farewell reception for White on Monday, Dec. 19, at City Hall.
Slooten wished the community a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year before adjourning the meeting, which ran just under and hour and a half.
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Reelected Clearlake City Council members take oath of office, council selects 2023 leadership
- Elizabeth Larson