CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council and community members gathered on Thursday to bid farewell to City Manager Greg Folsom, with the council voting later in the evening to appoint Folsom’s assistant city manager as his successor.
Alan Flora received the council’s unanimous vote to become the next Clearlake city manager, effective March 28.
Flora, who has held both the city’s assistant manager and finance director job this past year, is a former county of Lake deputy administrative officer and also worked for the county of Mendocino as its assistant chief executive officer. He recently was appointed to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
Folsom, who joined the city in June 2015, begins his new job as city manager of Suisun City on April 2.
“While I am going to miss being city manager of Clearlake, I can’t think of a better successor than Alan Flora,” Folsom said following the meeting. “Alan has been a leader in this county for many years and I believe he will continue the positive momentum that we have built in Clearlake over the last few years.”
Honors for popular city manager
Ahead of Thursday’s council meeting, an hour-long farewell reception for Folsom – complete with a big cake featuring the city of Clearlake logo – was held at City Hall.
Folsom – wearing one of his signature colorful ties, a bright green one for St. Patrick’s Day – received well wishers including business and nonprofit leaders, residents, other local officials and friends.
When the meeting got under way, the council presented a farewell proclamation to Folsom. The entire council came down off the dais to stand with Folsom in front of the audience for the reading.
Mayor Nick Bennett started off by reading a message from Ed Robey, a former city council member and county supervisor. In his congratulatory message, Robey said he’s observed every city manager since the city incorporated in 1980. “Greg Folsom is without a doubt the best city manager we've ever had.”
Bennett then read a proclamation that noted Folsom’s many achievements, poked playful fun at his “infamous red pen” and recognized his work to diligently spearhead projects – some of which he didn’t take credit for due to his humility.
A representative from Sen. Mike McGuire’s office also presented a proclamation honoring Folsom on behalf of both McGuire and Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.
Bennett also offered appreciation to Folsom’s wife, Georgianna, for her support of her husband in his work for the city.
Folsom recounted he and his wife coming to their first council meeting nearly four years ago, when his contract was being considered, and listening as a community member asked what was wrong with Folsom and why would he want to come to Clearlake.
But Folsom came anyway, a decision he indicated was a good one. “The last four years were just the best of my life being city manager here,” he said, choking up.
He lauded his staff and said he’s had the best city councils; he said those councils are the reason the city is doing so much better. Folsom said he was the right guy, at the right place, at the right time with the right council.
It was a year ago that Folsom hired Flora, who initially served as finance director, later adding assistant city manager to his title.
“One of the best decisions I've made as city manager has been bringing Alan on,” said Folsom, adding that Police Chief Andrew White was another great hire.
Flora came forward with another presentation. He said the staff had given Folsom a big red pen they had all signed. “We just appreciate everything you've done for this city.”
He then gave Folsom a large framed portrait of himself. “I hope you get the recognition that you deserve because of what you’ve done here,” Flora said, adding, “Don’t forget about us.”
Folsom hugged his staff and then, after a pause, said, “All right, go away,” with everyone returning to their seats.
During public comment, former mayors Russ Perdock and Denise Loustalot both praised Folsom for his leadership, noting that he had gotten to the city just before the series of devastating fires that hit the county began.
Even so, Folsom rose to the challenge. Loustalot said he led the city, staff and community calmly and safely, and is leaving the city in a much better place.
Council approves Flora’s proposed contract
Attorney Paul Coble of the firm Jones and Mayer, which provides city attorney services to Clearlake, filled in at Thursday night’s meeting for City Attorney Ryan Jones.
Coble went over the basics of Flora’s proposed employment contract, which gives Flora a beginning monthly salary of $11,808.33 per month – which totals $141,699.96 annually – plus $400 per month for vehicle and cell phone expenses.
The contract’s other provisions follow Folsom's city manager contract, Coble said.
Flora’s contract is for a three-year term, with two additional years possible. Coble said that with Flora starting at a lower salary that Folsom – whose salary is $151,000 annually – there would be an overall net savings annually to the city's general fund plus short-term savings since he’s continuing as city finance director.
Loustalot, speaking to the council as the Clear Lake Chamber president, former mayor and a business owner, said that when she was on the council they didn’t have the luxury of having someone in the assistant city manager position, ready to step in.
She said she’s worked with Flora. “Knowing the direction the city is going, he's already in place, he's an easy fit” – and a good fit, she added.
Councilman Dirk Slooten, who is a neighbor of Folsom’s, recounted a conversation with him some time ago about needing to have his replacement ready if he left. And he did just that.
“I'm sure Alan is going to be a heck of a city manager, too,” Slooten said.
Councilman Russell Cremer said Flora “has certainly proven himself over the past year,” and that he and Chief White have brought the city into the 21st century with their knowledge of technology.
Councilwoman Joyce Overton said Flora was also lucky to have been trained by now-retired Lake County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox, who was well known for his budgeting acumen.
Overton said she expects more out of Flora than Folsom. “He set the bar high and I expect you to jump over it,” she said, adding, “I think you're going to do a fabulous job.”
Bennett said the sum total of Flora’s experience is impressive, that he has brought new information and technology to the city, and creates the best financial reports he’s seen in decades of working in government.
Councilman Phil Harris told Flora that the entire council and staff will support him and be there to make him successful. He added that he’s excited to see where the city is going.
“You’ve got big, big shoes to fill,” Harris said.
“I’m definitely the young, improved version of Greg,” Flora joked.
Cremer moved to approve the contract, with multiple council members offering the second. The vote was 5-0.
“Thank you for your support,” Flora said after the vote.
Folsom commended the council on a fine choice in making Flora the next city manager.
“You've done just a fantastic job for us over the last four years,” Cremer told Folsom, adding that he’s been the face of Clearlake.
Cremer also credited Folsom for giving the city back its credibility.
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.
031419 Clearlake City Council - Proposed city manager contract by LakeCoNews on Scribd