The City Council of Clearlake convened on December 7, 2023, to address several key agenda items, including leadership nominations, city management updates, and community development initiatives.

The meeting commenced with a nomination for the position of mayor, where a council member expressed strong support for the current mayor, highlighting their thoughtful leadership. Following this, a voice vote was conducted, resulting in a unanimous decision to retain the current mayor in their role. Subsequently, Councilwoman Joyce Overton was nominated and unanimously approved as vice mayor, marking a significant leadership transition within the council.

City Manager reports were a focal point of the meeting, with updates on various ongoing projects and initiatives. The city is anticipating the conclusion of a direct tax sale in January, with final notices sent out to property owners. The council was informed about a recent lawsuit involving the Koi Nation, where the city received a favorable oral ruling from the judge, affirming the city's position.

The City Manager also discussed potential increases in impact fees for development, which will require council approval in the future. An evacuation shelter exercise conducted by the county was mentioned, emphasizing the city's commitment to emergency preparedness.

Additionally, the Danco subdivision project, which has faced delays due to tribal discussions, is set to move to the planning commission for consideration on December 18. The council is hopeful for progress on this project, which aims to facilitate housing development.

The City Manager announced plans to return to City Hall on January 2, 2024, with the first day of operations scheduled for January 3. This move follows renovations aimed at improving city facilities.

In a notable public health update, the city received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health regarding syringe exchange programs, agreeing to the city's request to prohibit such exchanges in Clearlake and Lakeport for the duration of the agreement.

Lastly, the City Manager shared insights from the Clear Lake Hitch Summit, highlighting the collaborative efforts of state agencies and tribes to address environmental concerns. Notably, there has been a resurgence in the hitch fish population, attributed to high water levels that may have facilitated the movement of fish into Clear Lake.

The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism regarding the city's direction and ongoing projects, with the council looking forward to further developments in the new year.