Clearlake >> An agreement between Clearlake and E. A. Robey & Company will allow events at Austin Beach, as well as a fleet of non-motorized vessels for public use.
“This will allow for profit and non-profit activities and events to happen at the park and the beach for at least the next 100 years,” Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom said. “The current council policy allows for events to happen at Austin Park but not Austin Beach.”
There has been a long misunderstanding of activities and organizations allowed at the park and beach due to a “reverter clause” that was attached after a legal decision back in 1973, the year the area was signed over to the county. This clause would return the property back to the previous owners if it was used for any purposes inconsistent with a public beach.
Because of this, the city council developed a policy that prevented non-profit or profitable activates on the beach. Concerns over the clause over the years kept this decision in place, as the council weighed the possibility of losing the freedom of the beach.
Yet the president of E.A Robey & Company, Inc., Ed Robey said he has never had a problem with the beach being used for non-profits or profit organizations, just as long as the beach remained open to the public.
“This is something that is kind of on my bucket list and I’m glad it’s finally getting taken care of,” Robey said. “I’m just very happy to do this and I am glad it’s going to remain a public facility and I think this is a good deal and I plan to be back here in 100 years to check on it.”
With the beach open for more options, Clearlake Council Member Joyce Overton said this will allow the community to have events and help further bring the city together and improve its image.
“I do want to commend Mr. Robey for finally clearing this up for us. Since I have been on council, this has always been just a nightmare fight,” Overton said. “We will be able to help continue to do actives for our city and for non-profits and for profits.”
With the Quitclaim Deed in place, the council will update their policy and be able to host events and support organizations without worrying about the clause, first by signing an agreement with the Pedal and Paddle Rental Enterprises.
This organization received the council’s approval for a license agreement to set up and allow the rental of their vessels.
The agreement will be for this summer only at $250 a month and will provide non-motorized boats for the public to rent and use. They will be operating their business until the end of October, Thursday through Tuesday once they get started.
Council Member Phil Harris said he would like to see classes come out of this so those who don’t know how to use certain vehicles can learn how to properly.
“This concept that brings attention to our beach is everything we want so I am very supportive of this,” Harris said. “The sky is the limit.”
