CLEARLAKE— The Clearlake City Council took action Thursday to clarify the scope of the Measure V oversight committee with a resolution.
This came after the council voted 4-1 at its March 4 meeting against expanding the role of the committee which was created to review tax revenue appropriations for road maintenance and improvements. The council voted unanimously Thursday to waive the first reading of the ordinance clarifying the committee’s responsibilities.
The resolution states that the committee will not give direction to city staff about Measure V projects’ “scope or maintenance activities” and will not have a formal role in reviewing construction documents.
Ray Silva, an oversight committee member, told the council that he didn’t receive additional details he had sought from city staff. He also asked that members get materials two weeks ahead of meetings.
“The information that’s provided to the committee hasn’t been thorough or comprehensive,” Silva said. “I would challenge the council to look at the pre-meeting information provided to the committee to see what you think.”
City Manager Alan Flora said he “vehemently disagreed” with the notion that city staff didn’t provide enough data.
“Not only did it include a summary of major spending categories of not only Measure V but also our gas tax revenue (and) a general ledger account that included every single transaction from the Measure V fund,” Flora said.
Councilmember David Claffey said he didn’t think the committee should provide direction to city staff but that it should have access to information it wanted related to the Measure V projects.
Councilmember Russ Cremer said he trusted in the competency of city staff and added that the general public would soon have improved access to city documents with a new web platform. Cremer said he fully supported the resolution as written.
The council also heard an update on the Hope Center which provides services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Beds quickly filled up once the center opened its doors in December, said Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth, Hope Center manager.
Approximately 80% of participants self-identified as having a mental health disorder and 61% of participants self-identified as having a mental health disorder and substance use disorder.
“What Hope Center has sought to do is to find people who are presently experiencing homelessness but who really want to change that and they’re willing and able and ready to work on the social determinants to their health and sustainable housing,” said Kimbell-Auth. “The case management that we provide is truly an integral part to the work that we’re doing.”
