CLEARLAKE — Following nearly a month of anticipation, the public finally learned the future of the Clearlake Redevelopment Agency. Picking up on a discussion that began on June 7, the agency, seated as a panel of three, voted to extend the Redevelopment Plan for an additional 10 years.
According to City Administrator Dale Neiman, extension of the plan represents an approximate $40 million in future revenues between the city and the agency over the next 41 years.
The agency entertained a nearly three hour discussion on the item on June 7 after which it was continued in order to comply with state law in that action cannot be taken prior to seven days following response to written comments received. The item was intended to resume on June 24; however, due to a medical emergency Councilmember/agency member Roy Simons was unable to attend. The item was continued to the following Monday but again Simons could not attend and it was rescheduled for June 1.
The majority of those speaking at the June 7 meeting directed their comments directly toward Simons, imploring him to support the extension. The June 1 discussion was similar.
Throughout his tenure on the council/agency Simons has voiced strong opposition to the way the RDA was operated in the past and often questions Neiman”s recommendations for future use. “I”m not against the amendment,” Simons said just prior to casting his vote. “All I want to see is that it is done in accordance with the law.”
Fellow council/agency member Chuck Leonard voiced agreement with Simon”s statement. “I totally agree with Roy. Things have to be done by the rules,” he said. “I believe the people of this city deserve progress.”
Mayor/agency chair Judy Thein said that she believes that the leadership for proper operation of the agency is in place. “I say all of us work together and we”ll build our city,” she said.
No one, including those from the public, city staff and fellow council/agency members dispute Simons” assessment. However, many have voiced faith in the present representatives in that the agency can be operated properly under their guidance.
“I”m a strong supporter of you continuing this agency and running it properly from here on out,” Andy Rossoff, attorney for Clearlake Housing Now said. “This city needs so much the redevelopment agency is the means to acquire some of what you need? It is the responsibility of this council and staff to make this work and if you don”t you”ve simply given up.”
Local realtor Dave Hughes urged Simon”s not to throw the agency out the window, which he said would devastate the community. “I believe there is overwhelming support in this community to extend this plan.”
Several offered similar comments with the exception of two speakers, Estelle Creel and Alice Reece, who both spoke against extending the plan.
According to Neiman, 92 percent of the speakers at the June 7 meeting spoke in favor of extending the plan while 8 percent spoke in opposition. He said by hand vote, 96 percent of those present conveyed support while four percent opposed.
Prior to beginning Thursday”s discussion, which Thein said will not be taken into official record as the public hearing portion was closed on June 7, Neiman said that citizens circulated petition in which 357 signatures were accumulated in support of the extension. Many in attendance on Thursday wore bright-colored badges stating “Vote Yes.”
Vice Mayor Joyce Overton and councilmember Curt Giambruno recused themselves from the discussion because they both own property located within the RDA Project Area, which creates a conflict of interest.
The final public comment was offered by Tommy Vallott, who demanded Simons apologize to the city administrator as well as those who may have been offended by a comment made by Simons earlier in the meeting. Simons, in responding to Joey Luiz”s urge to promote employment opportunities for younger people, asked Luiz, who works for Shannon Ridge Winery, what he suggested. Simons then added words suggesting that a person must speak Spanish in order to pick grapes.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
