CLEARLAKE — The Clearlake City Council passed the city”s 2011-12 Fiscal Year budget on Thursday. In separate action the council entertained a first reading of an ordinance to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
The council passed a budget that provides for the hiring of three additional police officers; the re-hiring of a laid-off maintenance worker for Public Works and additional senior maintenance worker.
The primary topic of debate among members of the council was whether or not to budget the position of finance director as full time. The position is currently be filled by a part time employee. Ultimately, the council voted to pass the budget as proposed with funds for the position budgeted at full time. However, it will be left to the new city administrator, when hired, to determine if the position warrants a full time or part time employee.
Council members Judy Thein and Curt Giambruno spoke in opposition of budgeting for full time employment. Thein said she thought it would be more prudent to commit the funds to secure the third officer”s position, which former Interim City Administrator Steve Albright said could be effected by budget decisions yet to be made at the state level with particular concern for future of the redevelopment program.
Other members of the council were in agreement that the position should be budgeted for full time employment; however, keep position filled as part time for the time being. “I feel the same way as Joey (Luiz),” Councilwoman Jeri Spittler said. “When we came in, it was all scrambled up. Funds were commingled; it was a mess.”
Mayor Joyce Overton said she supports staff”s assessment. “Staff feels it should be full-time. I trust my staff.”
Thein indicated that she wanted to continue the budget item to thoroughly review the completed document, which has entertained some changes throughout the budget process. Continuing the item had the potential of pushing budget adoption out to July 14 or further. Such an action would have delayed the hiring of any new police officers. Thein and Giambruno ultimately voted along with the rest of the council passing the budget unanimously.
The council heard the first reading of an ordinance to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. The latest debate in the issue has been number of dispensaries allowed in the city and location. The number of dispensaries allowed will remain at three; Spittler and Luiz pushed for an increase. The increase was not supported by the remaining members of the council. The ordinance states a fourth can be added when the population of Clearlake reaches 20,000. The ordinance states the three initial dispensaries can remain at current locations regardless of the zoning district. Any new dispensaries (or relocation of an existing one) may locate in a C-4 (light industrial) zone district by right or in a C-2 (commercial) zone district by use permit.
Luiz said that he adamantly opposes the requirement for a use permit, the action passed unanimously.
