CLEARLAKE – The Clearlake City Council recently identified priorities for the next fiscal year. The council identified 13 items as top priorities for the next budget cycle.
Among the most important item is amending the Redevelopment Plan, which must be approved by the Redevelopment Agency by June 2010 in order to be valid under state law. According to City Administrator Dale Neiman, amending the Redevelopment Plan is worth between $14.0 and $15.0 million to the community. Amending the Redevelopment Plan is linked to adoption of the Housing Element in the General Plan because state law requires that the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) approve the Housing Element in order to adopt an amendment to the Redevelopment Plan.
Amending the Redevelopment Plan is fourth on the list while adopting the Housing Element is sixth. Other priorities were identified in the following order:
?Airport land sale ? Appraisal on the property has been completed and the Disposition and Development Agreement and 33433 Report are almost finalized. Once the documents are finalized, public hearings will be scheduled.
?Federal Stimulus street improvements ? The city is reportedly ahead of all other agencies on the North Coast in terms of being ready to bid the project. The city is awaiting CalTrans” approval in order to begin the bid process.
?2009-10 budget adoption ? Budget preparation is currently underway and is expected to come before the council for adoption in June or early July.
? Solid Waste Franchise Agreement ? According to staff, the franchise agreement has undergone minimal changes since its original adoption 27 years ago. The agreement must be amended to include the requirement for mandatory curbside collection and other important provisions. A draft agreement has been prepared, which is currently being reviewed by Clearlake Waste Solutions.
?Olympic Village loan ? The loan with Olympic Village needs to be finalized in order for the city to obtain affordability covenants, which will assist in obtaining HCD”s approval to amend the Redevelopment Plan.
?Labor negotiations ? Staff informed the council that Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between all three employee organizations have expired or will expire on June 30.
?Mandatory curbside collection ? According to staff, the state is requiring mandatory curbside collection by this summer. If the city fails to implement the program, it could result in fines of $10,000 per day for not meeting the state”s refuse reduction requirements.
?Developer Impact Fee ordinance ? Staff recommends the city consider adopting developer impact fees for street, drainage and recreation improvements to accommodate future growth.
?MOU with Konocti Unified School District for Homebuyer Program ? Staff is currently working with the school district to develop a MOU.
?Homebuyer guidelines adoption ? The final draft for the program has been completed; however, it must be reviewed by the city attorney prior to coming before the council for adoption.
The Rental Inspection Program was also discussed. Vice Mayor Judy Thein voiced a concern for a lack of personnel to carry out the program.
Councilmember Roy Simons also voiced a desire to include beautification of Lakeshore Drive among the priorities.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
