CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council is set to consider replacing the mayor over allegations of unprofessional conduct, and also will discuss a proposed animal control contract with a local nonprofit.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At the council's Aug. 8 meeting, which featured a lengthy discussion about a proposed marijuana ordinance, council members criticized Mayor Jeri Spittler for her treatment of them.
Council member Joyce Overton said Spittler needs to quit making accusations against other council members, and Councilman Joey Luiz called for a discussion regarding changing the council's leadership.
Both Luiz and Vice Mayor Denise Loustalot revealed they have refused to attend any more closed sessions if Spittler is present due to her abusive behavior.
City Manager Joan Philippe's report to the council for the Thursday meeting explains that the term of office for mayor and vice mayor is for a 12-month period commencing on Jan. 1 each year. The council had elected Spittler mayor late last year.
Philippe, in her report, offers a “possible option” in the form of scheduling a workshop session in roundtable format to try to address the issues that have arisen between the council members. She said the approach works best when using a facilitator.
She said that if there's an interest in this option, staff will work to schedule a workshop and find a no-cost facilitator.
“A community member has approached me with an offer to provide facilitation but in a situation like this, it may be better to use someone not familiar with or associated with city,” Philippe wrote.
Also on the agenda, the council will consider a proposed contract with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for animal control services in the city.
The city had been talking with Lake County Animal Care and Control about a new contract for services, which the city took over in 2009 in an effort to save money, according to Philippe's report.
Philippe said the SPCA of Clear Lake came forward to express its interest in being considered for the contract.
She said the SPCA has agreed to a three-year contract with the city, and would maintain field services in the first year.
The organization would provide full access to its premises as needed to drop off animals, offer veterinary service during regular business hours as well as two annual low-cost vaccination clinics in the city limits, provide licensing and maintain collected fees, and maintain a Facebook page and Web site for adoptions, Phillipe said.
In the contract's first year, the city would continue to maintain an animal control officer, according to Philippe's report.
The SPCA has agreed to charge $20,000 for partial services in the first year, compared to the $145,000 that Philippe said had been discussed in preliminary talks with the county.
The proposed agreement requires that the SPCA present a proposal to the city no later than the end of April 2014 for providing complete animal control services for the remaining two years of the contract, according to Philippe.
Philippe said the city has $129,000 budgeted for animal control in the coming year.
On the consent agenda – a slate of items usually considered noncontroversial and accepted on one vote – are warrant registers, minutes of the July 25 and Aug. 8 meetings, receipt of and response to the 2013-14 grand jury report, and a proclamation for Anni Garvin's 100th birthday.
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