LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – At their last meetings of 2019, the city councils for Clearlake and Lakeport chose their leadership for the coming year.
The Clearlake City Council took action at its meeting Thursday while the Lakeport City Council met for the final time on Tuesday.
At its meeting, the Clearlake City Council voted unanimously to approve having Russell Cremer continue as mayor with Dirk Slooten to remain vice mayor for calendar year 2020.
Councilwoman Joyce Overton moved to keep the leadership the same, noting that the yearly changes sometimes get to her and that Cremer hadn’t had a full term as mayor.
Councilman Phil Harris seconded the motion. There was no public input and the council approved the motion 5-0.
Cremer thanked his fellow council members. “Hopefully we’ll make you proud going forward.”
The terms of service for the Clearlake mayor and vice mayor are for a 12-month period commencing Jan. 1.
“It has been an honor serving the community as mayor and I look forward to continuing leading the council’s vision for the city in 2020,” Cremer said in a followup statement.
“I look forward to working again in the upcoming year with Mayor Cremer and Vice Mayor Slooten and the rest of the council to build upon the successes of 2019 and make Clearlake’s 40th year of incorporation a year to remember,” said City Manager Alan Flora.
On Tuesday, the Lakeport City Council voted to install George Spurr as mayor for the new year.
Tim Barnes, the outgoing mayor, nominated Spurr, who was elected unanimously.
Spurr in turn nominated Kenny Parlet as mayor pro tem, a motion which also received a unanimous vote.
As Spurr and Barnes switched seats, Councilwoman Stacey Mattina told Barnes, “Thank you, you did a great job.”
Also on Tuesday, the Lakeport City Council approved appointments to several city committees and commissions, including the following:
– Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee (four-year terms): Pam Harpster, Andy Lucas and Laura Sammel.
– Parks and Recreation Committee: Jen Hanson, Ben Moore and Cindy Ustrud.
– Lakeport Planning Commission: Jeff Warrenburg.
– Lakeport Fire Protection District: Andy Lucas.
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