CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council has appointed Mike Vandiver to serve an unexpired term on the Clearlake Planning Commission.
Vandiver was selected from among a field of five candidates during Thursday's regular meeting at Clearlake City Hall.
The term, which was made vacant with the resignation of Albert Bernal, ends March 11, 2015.
The council conducted public interviews, asking each of the candidates a series of questions related to their knowledge of the position.
The planning commission is to hear and act upon land use applications; act as the advisory board for the city in connection with the administration of the Subdivision Map Act of the state and the city's subdivision regulations; act in an advisory capacity to the council on zoning, general plan and other land use matters; and perform the duties of a planning commission as prescribed by the state of California.
Candidates interviewed at the council meeting included Vandiver, who is a general contractor; Russell Cremer, farmer/management consultant; and Dirk Slooten, land surveyor business owner.
Additional applicants unable to attend Thursday's meeting included Mark Burkdoll, a clinical laboratory scientist; and Jack T. Gingles, a retiree who is a former planning commissioner for the city of Calistoga.
Members of the council expressed difficulty in choosing from among what they referred to as an impressive field of candidates.
Ultimately, the council selected Vandiver, recognizing his increased involvement in the community. After its last planning commission appointment, the council had suggested those applicants who hadn't been selected should increase their efforts in the community.
“Last time, one thing we said was, 'Get involved.' I'm swaying toward (Vandiver) right now,” Councilman Joey Luiz said.
Councilwoman Jeri Spittler said she would like to see the appointment of Slooten, who said he has been a permanent resident of the area for the past couple of years.
“I like his demeanor and his resume,” she said, adding, however, that she would support the majority selection of the council.
Mayor Denise Loustalot, recognizing a tough decision, said, “I want to see someone with heart for community and someone who knows where we've been and where we want to go in the future.”
Vandiver was appointed with a 4-0 vote.
Councilwoman Joyce Overton recused herself because of her role as volunteer executive director of Lake County Youth Services; Vandiver serves as a member of that organization's board.
Vandiver also has been actively involved in efforts supporting recent and current tax measures proposed in the city.
The Clearlake Planning Commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Commissioners receive a monthly stipend of $25.
Planning commissioners are required to file, as public record, periodic statements of economic interest disclosing interest in real property, businesses and investments and sources of income in compliance with requirements of the Political Reform Act.
In other actions, the council approved a donation request of $250 in support of the inaugural Lake Leadership Summit, which was held Friday at Marymount California University in Lucerne.
The summit was designed for local business leaders, owners and entrepreneurs who want to develop and grow their businesses as well as grow Lake County.
City Manager Joan Phillipe said the contribution was consistent with the city's economic development priority goal.
Phillipe and Spittler both were in attendance at the summit the following day.
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