CLEARLAKE, Calif. – This week the Clearlake City Council will hold the second reading on an ordinance governing taxis and for-hire vehicles in the city and get an update on a new city visitor center.
The public portion of the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The council will convene at 5:30 p.m. for a closed session to discuss a case of litigation, James
Smiley Harris vs. City of Clearlake.
At the start of the meeting, the council will present a proclamation recognizing March as Black History Month.
Staff will take to the council the second reading of an ordinance regulating taxi cabs and other vehicles for hire and adoption of fees.
The council had held an initial reading last October. Since that time city staff has had discussions with local cab company representatives. They also invited all local taxi owners operating in the city to come to a Feb. 5 workshop, but no one came, according to Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen.
Proposed fees are $125 for an operator’s permit, $75 for a driver permit and $25 per vehicle for a vehicle permit, Clausen reported.
The council can either accept the ordinance as is, or add in a section requested by a community member that would prevent work on the vehicles taking place in the right-of-way.
The council also will receive an update on the Highlands Park visitors center building, located at 14295 Lakeshore Drive.
Public Works Director Doug Herren’s report to the council explained that asbestos and lead paint were found in parts of the building, which triggered the need for a licensed abatement crew to come in and remove the materials.
The council also will consider a resolution authorizing City Manager Joan Phillipe to take actions to preserve the standing of the Community Development Block Grant rehabilitation loans.
There are nine such loans out of compliance, two of which are subject to a tax lien sale by the county, according to Phillipe’s report. The proposed resolution “gives authorization to the city manager to take necessary actions on the two to protect the city’s interest.”
Mayor Jeri Spittler also will make her appointment to the Clear Lake Advisory Committee.
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.
021413 Clearlake City Council - Taxi Cab Ordinance by LakeCoNews