The Clearlake City Council has decided to allow participation in a vision task force by all members of the public who had submitted applications. A total of 47 applications were received; the applicants will be divided into two groups in order to provide the council with recommendations on a variety of community concerns to be used for updating the city”s General Plan.
The objective of the Vision Task Force is to launch a community-driven process that will result in policy recommendations for the council”s consideration when updating the General Plan, which was originally prepared in 1982.
Overwhelming public response has resulted in the council”s decision to form two groups. One group will tackle such issues as land use, infrastructure and housing and the other will deal with issues such as education, youth activities and services to the elderly.
Interim Community Development Director Irwin Kaplan has scheduled an introductory meeting for both groups, to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Clearlake City Hall, at which time applicants will be divided into two groups according to their areas of interest.
Kaplan anticipates that the process will take approximately four to six months to complete with each group meeting every other week The meeting schedules will be posted and open to the public.
Councilmember Joyce Overton voiced a concern for allowing public representatives, such as council members, planning commissioners and county supervisors, to participate on the vision task force. Overton expressed that she would like to honor the council”s original decision and prohibit participation by members of the political community. “I don”t think political hats ever come off,” she said in explanation.
Vice Mayor Curt Giambruno agreed with Overton. “I kind of agree with Joyce; you don”t take off your hat and if you do somebody out there reminds you to put it back on,” Giambruno said.
Following further discussion, the council decided to allow participation by supervisors and commissioners but not by members of the city council.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
