CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Commendations honoring the heroic acts of several police officers began the Clearlake City Council's first meeting of the new year on Thursday.
A presentation and request for monetary support regarding the warming center and other city business was also addressed.
Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen recognized five of the department's officers for their actions above and beyond the call of duty.
“It's pretty unique we're going to have five commendations here tonight,” Clausen said after expressing his pride in having the opportunity to recognize a number of his officers.
The heroics of officers Elvis Cook and Travis Parsons were called into action in a life-threatening, winter lake rescue in December.
The officers responded to an area past Clearlake Park based on a report of distress calls being heard. They arrived to find a man in the water whose boat had capsized. Additional resources were dispatched; however, an extended time of arrival was expected on the marine units.
Clausen said at this point, the situation was raised to a life-saving level. He said the officers acted quickly and effectively to obtain a nearby row boat and were successful in retrieving the man amid the adverse winter conditions of the lake. He said their actions were brave and selfless.
“They saved this man's life. Without their actions, the result would have been different,” Clausen said.
In the heat of the moment in another incident, officers Chris Reagan and Michael Carpenter jumped into action using not their police skills, but rather their firefighting skills.
Clausen said in December a wildland fire ignited and was causing a threat to a nearby business. With the Lake County Fire Department stretched thin with the fire and other calls for service in the district, the officers took immediate action, fighting the blaze with garden hoses and the fire extinguishers in their patrol vehicles.
“They ruined a couple of uniforms but they saved some structures and possibly some lives with their actions,” Clausen said.
The chief became teary-eyed and emotional in presenting his final commendation of the evening.
He spoke of the expectations of a police officer and those the officer has for the job. He said it not uncommon for the quick actions of all emergency responders to be called upon and that he is continually impressed with their valor.
Officer Michael Dietrick was 35 days on the job when his training was called into action. The September incident involved the life-threatening assault of a fellow police officer.
Clausen commended the young officer in his ability to act quickly and efficiently in the situation. “His actions possibly saved our officer's life,” Clausen said. “He was able to communicate effectively the needs to get emergency medical responders and back up there.”
The council thanked the officers for their selfless actions with standing ovations.
Council discusses warming center, housing element
The council heard a presentation by Gloria Flaherty, executive director of Lake Family Resource Center, regarding the homeless warming center.
Flaherty was there to request a financial contribution of $1,000 from the city. Ultimately, the council directed staff to provide for consideration of the request when the mid-year budget review is discussed. Flaherty indicated that consideration at such time would not adversely effect the program.
The warming center provides overnight shelter for displaced residents of the area in a temporary location obtained through community contributor Dennis Darling, owner of Foods Etc.
The program relies on donations to operate including its staffing costs, which Flaherty said amount to about $15,000 for operation through Feb. 28.
Flaherty said the citizens in the entire Lake County community have been inspiring with donations from food to blankets and monetary contributions amounting to $7,800.
Councilwoman Jeri Spittler, who is involved in the project, added commendations for area grocery stores, which she said provided the majority of the food items. “This project is propelling the good in this community,” she said, adding that grocery stores from Clearlake to Middletown are contributing to the program.
An increase in calls for police services at the site of the shelter was addressed. Flaherty said she recognized and acknowledged the increase in calls and that measures have been taken to mitigate the problems.
“As the issues are being brought to our attention, we are doing our best to address them,” she said.
Spittler said she also recognized the increase in calls; however, she said it is likely those calls would still have occurred in another location occupied by the homeless.
All members of the council expressed support and appreciation for the program before providing direction to staff.
In other business, the council awarded a contract to Price Consulting Services, one of two bids received for updating the city housing element (2014 to 2019) as mandated by the state. The expense is not to exceed $25,455 and includes an expense of $4,940 for optional tasks.
City Manager Joan Phillipe said the additional expense is to address needed amendments to the city's zoning ordinance that were committed to in the last housing element update but not completed as well as some changes in state law.
Price Consulting Services' bid was $7,045 lower than its competitor's, which did not include expense for the optional task.
Phillipe said failure to comply can result in having to update the housing element more frequently than if a certified element is in place. Additionally, she said failure to have a state-certified element precludes the city from applying for Community Development Block Grant funds.
Also on Thursday, the council conducted a first reading of an ordinance amending the city's purchasing system ordinance to provide for local vendor preference. The amendment limits the maximum bid amount for consideration to $100,000.
“By supporting local business, we are giving our community the support it needs to sustain itself,” Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson said, adding the city will see a return with taxes and wages remaining in the city.
The council also terminated a declaration of emergency previously enacted as a result of windstorms on Nov. 21 and 22.
Phillipe said Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta is currently preparing a final report on the storm to be submitted to the Office of Emergency Services. She said the report will be provided to the council upon its completion.
Mayor Denise Loustalot made her committee appointments for the term, including representative to the League of California Cities Redwood Empire Division. Council member Joey Luiz will serve as the appointed representative while Loustalot will serve as the alternate.
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