The City Council of Clearlake convened on November 7, 2024, to address several pressing issues, including property abatement appeals and updates on local fire hazard assessments.

The meeting began with a discussion led by the city attorney regarding the abatement process for 19 properties deemed in violation of city codes. Property owners were given the opportunity to appeal the abatement orders. The council emphasized that this was a chance for owners to present their cases, with the potential for a compliance inspection to determine if properties could be removed from the abatement list.

One property owner, Apolo, spoke about his efforts to clean up a property he purchased at a tax sale. He requested additional time to complete the necessary work, citing weather conditions as a potential hindrance. Council members expressed support for his efforts but indicated that they would likely deny the appeal to keep the abatement process moving forward. The council noted that if Apolo could demonstrate compliance within a month and a half, the city would not proceed with abatement.

Another property owner, Gary Souza, explained a unique situation regarding a property he believed he no longer owned due to a previous sale. He indicated that he had recently learned of the abatement notice and was in the process of securing a local contractor to address the property's issues. The council members discussed the need for clear communication and documentation regarding property ownership and compliance.

After hearing from the property owners, the council voted unanimously to deny the appeals for the abatement orders, allowing the city to proceed with the necessary actions to address the properties in question.

In addition to property issues, the council received an update from the city manager regarding fire hazard severity zones. The state is currently reviewing these zones, which could significantly impact Clearlake, particularly areas identified as high fire threat zones. The council acknowledged the importance of this issue and indicated that further discussions would be necessary as the state releases its proposed changes.

The meeting concluded with a brief mention of infrastructure updates, including improvements to emergency access routes in the city. The council remains committed to addressing both property compliance and safety concerns as they move forward.