Steeped in a background of AI and technology, city of Clearlake Mayor David Claffey the last four years has worked with Clearlake city staff to make government more efficient and leverage new tools as they emerge, and together crafted the city’s first AI policy.
In his profession, he looks at how enterprises with 10,000+ people can solve their operational problems. “Running a city is a different playing field, but the skills needed to solve problems are the same. I put importance in health and recreation for our community, so I recognize the value of our parks is beyond a pretty centerpiece.”
Acknowledging a past troubled city, Clearlake has slashed crime rates the last several years. “We’ve had two innovative chiefs of police in Andrew White and Tim Hobbs, the latter of whom he had the pleasure in approving he noted. “They put our city on a promising path, but we must target the drivers of crime,” he said.
Yet pedestrian safety is still an issue. When he became mayor, a first action expanded their Traffic Safety Committee. “The Lakeshore Drive corridor is a priority target and bringing more walkability to our downtown area through that project. We’ve been working closely with Caltrans to mitigate pedestrian access to Highway 53 and to implement safety measures walking that road at night, including walking paths and a potential overpass.”
Traffic isn’t a big problem, but they’re taking steps to improve transportation. The city plans to resurface 18 miles of road this year. Over the last five years, the number of improved roads will top 53 miles. “That is huge for a city of our size,” he said. “The planned transit hub in the southern part of the city should not only improve local bus service but also open up new regional options for travel inside and outside Lake County. We also have been working closely with Caltrans to mitigate pedestrian access to Highway 53 and implement safety measures for those who walk that road at night, with walking paths and a potential overpass.”
Regarding recruitment of police officers, Clearlake has a fully staffed police department for the first time in many years, Claffey noted. “Our goal is to offer the best compensation for our officers in Lake County, better than comparable roles in the Sherriff’s department or in Lakeport, he said. “But it demonstrates a commitment to a safer city and giving our department the resources they need to serve.”
Meanwhile, Clearlake embraced cannabis early and has integrated several operators into its business community. The biggest challenge for cannabis is state regulation and sagging market demand. Code enforcement has cracked down significantly on illegal grows. “Cannabis will be part of Lake County for the long haul, so encouraging legitimate cannabis should be a priority,” he said. Yet he recognizes the trafficking of fentanyl/opioids is a nationwide problem. “City police and partnerships between regional and state law enforcement is key, Claffey said. “Providing rehabilitation is a reasonable approach to a problem that is gigantic in scope.”
Concerning homelessness, the city and county have worked together. “We continue to support Adventist Health and the Hope Center, a 20+ bed low barrier interim housing program located in Clearlake, for those looking for help,” he added. While resources are limited, collaboration between the city and agencies engaged is essential.
Clearlake now provides a resource officer for Konocti Unified School District, they’ve resurfaced and realigned roads in school areas to make them safer, partnered on a daycare facility for school and city staff, and are moving with policies to reduce underage access to tobacco. “We’re making conditions better to focus on improving education,” he stressed.
Clearlake has the state-sponsored Blue Ribbon Committee to study ways to reduce conditions that promote algae growth and have helped launch initiatives like the Middle Creek Restoration Project.” I was a supporter of Supervisor Sabatier’s plan to bring LG Sonic technology to Lake County, and we are grateful to the Board of Supervisors for approving that pilot program recently. Clearlake has launched smaller pilot projects, targeting Austin Beach and Thompson Harbor to improve water,” Claffey said. “But this is a complex, ecological problem.”
“Our city inherited a lot of problems when it formed: dirt roads, a fractured water network, crime and lax zoning, and had little in resources,” said Claffey. “We’ve seen substantial change. Our police department has never been stronger, our roads are being paved, we have agreements to begin developing our airport into a commercial and medical hub. We have a great field of candidates this election. If we all share that mentality, then Clearlake will be a better place regardless of who wins.”
