[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6426316,"mediaKeyId","5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6","parentId",5892425,"title","Clear Lake City Council rejects resolution to join Sonoma Clean Power after geothermal and local-control concerns","audioSeconds",3326,"startMs",2704000,"endMs",6030000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6&start=2704&end=6030","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6/thumbnail_2704000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6426316/Clearlake/Lake-County/California/Clear-Lake-City-Council-rejects-resolution-to-join-Sonoma-Clean-Power-after-geothermal-and-local-control-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426316-2de11b40a361f6de0ced3cc78690be48/orig.mp4?Expires=1776041461&Signature=f6XL0h9akQAA6XgbtDHBL518-ER-xogF91flx-qVK3Ls5YLGeSjH7Vq~LEMVfjkGGXHAkbjcNpWvrMrLu371Ry3tbAI0mtpp6RFSiHMppHn5eqTLASCDS5bQnJFTU-UqwlAvMGpvRvDA6WoJUpaTAaj-RRW~VxANbkUnOA0FI6nkoeFadHCWafzMP0SsQ307HMWTpxzfRGBgYERlDAExAE5GkKh9f2rM1YBDZqUrxEyd~A5icUj9-Vw8J4o6A3lPGeI00As~xksNzFXYgOLysEBvdHZuGkBtxN5N60~tZJ397c4Zlx0QO4UKmzzxWaoL2Gauud9pbN3RfKDloSv17A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clearlake","date","2025-10-03T03:05:48Z","article","The Clear Lake City Council voted against a resolution to request that Sonoma Clean Power Authority act as the community choice aggregator (CCA) for the city, rejecting the measure on a 3-2 vote Tuesday night.

The resolution, numbered 2025-34 in the packet, would have asked Sonoma Clean Power to implement its CCA program within Clear Lake, enabling the city to buy electricity on behalf of its residents and businesses through Sonoma Clean Power rather than defaulting wholly to PG&E. The council vote failed after several council members said unanswered questions about geothermal development and local control outweighed projected rate savings.

City Manager Flora summarized prior outreach and noted Sonoma Clean Power had already presented to the council in July and at a joint meeting with Lake County and Lakeport earlier in the week. Jeff Cyphers, introduced as a Sonoma Clean Power representative, and Brian Barnacle, identified as the authority’s board chair and a Petaluma council member, spoke to council members about the agency’s programs, the so-called GeoZone process for evaluating geothermal projects and the potential for lower retail rates. Cyphers said the GeoZone is “a process for engaging the public” and not a specific project, developer or map and that any geothermal development would come only after local community input.

Public comment was extensive and largely skeptical. West Baker of Lower Lake urged a no vote, saying geothermal drilling risked contamination from hydraulic fracturing and warning developers could drill horizontally “under the lake.” Sterling Wellman and other speakers argued Lake County’s geothermal resources should be developed under local control or via county-run projects rather than through Sonoma Clean Power. Norman Kimes and Margaret Garcia also urged caution, citing limited local control and the need to consult tribes and local stakeholders.

Council members expressed a mix of positions. Council member Downey and Council member Wilson said they were uncomfortable joining without clearer assurances on what projects would look like and stronger tribal consultation; both voted no. Council member Hooton also voted no, citing uncertainty. Mayor Kramer and Vice Mayor Slotin voted yes. Vice Mayor Slotin said the agency had shown it could deliver lower bills and resources and stressed that residents could opt out during the enrollment window; opponents said opt-outs and future permitting do not address long-term land-use or water concerns.

The motion to approve the resolution was made by Vice Mayor Slotin and seconded on the record by another council member. The clerk announced the motion did not pass, with Mayor Kramer and Vice Mayor Slotin voting in favor and Council members Downey, Hooton and Wilson voting against.

The rejected resolution would have placed Clear Lake on a timetable for Sonoma Clean Power to act at its November board meeting; with the vote failing, no formal step toward joining the Sonoma Clean Power JPA will occur at this time. Sonoma Clean Power representatives told the council they plan further outreach and engagement but said nothing in the meeting would remove the need for local permitting and environmental review for any future projects.

Council discussion and public testimony emphasized three recurring points: (1) uncertainty about what geothermal development might entail on or under local land and water resources; (2) desire for direct, early tribal consultation and stronger local control over siting and permitting; and (3) interest from some residents in potential rate savings and regional clean-energy programs. The council did not direct staff to return with a revised timeline or follow-up steps at the meeting.

Votes at a glance
Resolution 2025-34 — Request Sonoma Clean Power Authority act as community choice aggregator and implement CCA program in the city: failed, 2 yes (Kramer, Slotin) — 3 no (Downey, Hooton, Wilson).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Workshop/Regular Meeting October 2, 2025 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","After presentations from Sonoma Clean Power officials and more than an hour of public comment, Clear Lake city council voted 3-2 against a resolution to request Sonoma Clean Power act as the city’s community choice aggregator.","taxTitle","Clearlake, Lake County, California","taxId",79398,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426305,"Clear Lake council rescinds approvals for 18th Avenue hotel and road project to comply with court order",251,6091000,6342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6&start=6091&end=6342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6/thumbnail_6091000.jpg","/articles/6426305/Clearlake/Lake-County/California/Clear-Lake-council-rescinds-approvals-for-18th-Avenue-hotel-and-road-project-to-comply-with-court-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426305-3f249cac867b713e6f8669b3598b692a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776041461&Signature=jXMQIdczNaGixQrCJTKz9eRASBeBEaOdfJRGMnHWtYJWA~UAEakJkkKf7VKkqCGzFi66MNymozc4npqr-nBbXAq7bYb6NTuwrtJyo3Im1IfsTNmcwNW1olHvA7qWqg2Qb0Q6xVBI8-OrlMEu-Z2~2vQwJiL9VCi5bH8C8oC7Zz5hGpl-3Gm6DB43dbMc~yaCB9ygjh-CgdMziK6noBgR5PtxAsME-aTLJiqCVS30JVd4SLQi95BUGAwuFGzg4Lx6KO929C2b-jDllhd6Ng8l4nitVZTcPSGWjjHYDK2i1eWckfvBoiQ0S8pCzTgBuEMDCp6Xqrg-XtB5NaDM3VzUQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clear Lake City Council unanimously voted to rescind approvals for the Eighteenth Avenue extension and an associated hotel development to comply with a Superior Court order that found deficiencies in the project’s environmental review.

The council approved Resolution 2025-35, which rescinds the City’s mitigated negative declaration (IS 2022-06) and “all related project approvals” for the Eighteenth Avenue extension and hotel project as required by a peremptory writ of mandate issued by the Superior Court of California, County of Lake. City staff said the action is necessary to comply with the court’s order and avoid contempt proceedings.

City Manager Flora told the council the rescission is a procedural step to obey the court’s ruling. She said it does not prevent future action on the project but that any subsequent approvals would need to correct the environmental-review deficiencies identified by the court. A council member asked whether rescinding the approvals affected future planning; staff replied the action simply acknowledges the court’s ruling and would not itself decide later policy.

During public comment, Margaret Garcia asked whether the court order was a CEQA matter; staff confirmed CEQA issues were part of the litigation and directed the public to the appellate opinion for details.

The motion to adopt the rescission resolution was made by Vice Mayor Slotin and seconded by Council member Wilson. The clerk announced the motion passed unanimously.

The council did not direct staff to reopen new environmental review at the meeting. Staff said compliance with the court order was the immediate priority and that further steps on project redesign or new review would be handled separately.

Votes at a glance
Resolution 2025-35 — Rescind the mitigated negative declaration IS 2022-06 and related approvals for Eighteenth Avenue extension and hotel project: passed unanimously (5-0).","The city unanimously rescinded prior approvals for the Eighteenth Avenue extension and hotel project after a court found the prior environmental review was deficient under CEQA.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426296,"Clear Lake council updates fee schedule: rental registration, encroachment and event-deposit changes approved",465,6358000,6823000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6&start=6358&end=6823","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6/thumbnail_6358000.jpg","/articles/6426296/Clearlake/Lake-County/California/Clear-Lake-council-updates-fee-schedule-rental-registration-encroachment-and-event-deposit-changes-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426296-e03d302a08ef53e6899178773564b6ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1776041461&Signature=OspSKTCTztbTckSVaTKaojxdTxTi23eNbyWm9UCVSchRnU3ZVhuyFCmnzqzNPYkHGGhT9K2DkK8a73CcPW4boIBtBcBS4QAB3kObc394A2HKLf~GBQlEXSFidGKHRg109csOiLJVfHs9Hhhi4QuJyWb3OEcqlwt4oUA8oldED3mtdxq4VMzNjWovRuyz~JeS3la6tZbWsAjltBj7Jglrg9PQQY0OoSYIbL8Qc3iLdHgM5AFxTOgTp4A1DPhLAIA0Ol6G3IFC4L0peLX4ZUhag4XycEyZbVwhQi5OWyRaiVd2oI06Q4WdUAVxPFvu8A6J6wzsdp-ejuoVMvNRfLhx2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clear Lake City Council voted unanimously to adopt changes to the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 fee schedule, approving adjustments to rental-registration fees, late-fee and penalty language, encroachment-permit rates and event/facility deposits.

City Manager Flora summarized four categories of proposed changes: updated fees tied to the recently revised rental-registration program; clarifications and additions for late fees and penalties charged on unpaid city invoices; expanded and clarified encroachment-permit fees (including a new option for square-foot-based fees and an annual blanket encroachment permit for routine utility work); and several recreation-event and facility fee adjustments, including a staff-recommended reduction of facility security deposits to $100 to lower barriers to reserving public venues.

Flora said rental-registration fees had not been updated since about 2008 and that encroachment work sometimes requires inspections — for example after paving — that the city currently lacked explicit inspection fees for. The staff report also described demand for an annual blanket encroachment permit that would allow utilities and recurring maintenance work to proceed under city standards without a separate permit for each small job.

Council discussion touched briefly on the deposit change: city staff and recreation staff reported the larger deposits (previously as high as $500) were rarely used to cover damages and were a barrier for some community users; staff recommended lowering all facility deposits to a uniform $100 and returning to council if the lower deposit proved insufficient in practice. Vice Mayor Slotin moved approval; Council member Downey seconded after amending the motion to include the deposit change. The council adopted Resolution 2025-36 with a unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance
Resolution 2025-36 — Adopt updated FY 2025–26 fee schedule (rental registration, late fees, encroachment permits, event/facility deposits): approved unanimously (5-0).","The city adopted updates to the FY 2025–26 fee schedule, revising rental-registration fees, clarifying late-fee policy, adding encroachment permit options and reducing facility deposits to $100.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426293,"Clear Lake receives animal-shelter update as residents press council on thrift store, volunteer and funding concerns",1012,682000,1694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6&start=682&end=1694","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5892425-2836ad9ba78277106c439cd62ea044f6/thumbnail_682000.jpg","/articles/6426293/Clearlake/Lake-County/California/Clear-Lake-receives-animal-shelter-update-as-residents-press-council-on-thrift-store-volunteer-and-funding-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426293-9283ffd1fbb3893c5d1cc3a9ae6ecb45/orig.mp4?Expires=1776041461&Signature=U6pXKqaXTNshoiKt8jhZ1cvtQ8E7L6xwxnb4nTu7fZlniatTgFLt8q4F3WdxNLxgkEgQRKpQHLiqAOflxlzW1HKznWUXn43UayGpI4UmLdTWrUZaU29TSYZ8vmOmTpYO0GBOGnghLnVm4LFVCPdjpw4bKSR1lyXyhIsL254DrxQM6tJ~Bfg8kAi85mU9nd3V3TfOeO3JR8WeXC2XyAsBYBtJ909SpSNGFQN7~cEFbBopkRDDQdcO9OK7E7734y-Ba2fGgF3XBln70iiyn8KLza8OYEJeenkkTEgfsM1H6mzbr7z1U0zOCkTorJAQrjOzIC9GN2fcit~JOGePFKpNrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a monthly update on animal-care activity and shelter statistics, and residents used the public-comment period to press the council on local animal-rescue operations and allegations circulating on social media about a community thrift store.

A speaker identified in the transcript as an animal services lieutenant reported the shelter’s October-to-date intake and outcomes: 282 dogs had entered the shelter and 260 had left, with 47 sent to rescue groups, 188 returned to owners and 34 adopted; two dogs were euthanized, yielding a 98.84 percent release rate, the lieutenant said. Current shelter population was given as 69 dogs (57 adults and 12 puppies). The presentation also included enforcement and clinic activity: 34 citations, 50 microchips implanted, roughly 211 free vaccinations provided at clinics, and a range of spay/neuter counts.

Public speakers during the general comment period focused heavily on local animal-rescue work. Kathy Plowman, who identified herself as working daily for local animals, disputed social-media allegations that volunteers or the thrift store misused funds. Plowman said volunteers and local staff spend their own time and money caring for animals and cited a recent example in which someone named Mark spent about $1,600 to save a single dog. Jim Hackett described operating constraints for the thrift-store effort and requested clearer lines between city business and private disputes. Several speakers urged the council to help community organizations and to clarify procedures for complaints.

City Manager Flora and staff directed speakers with specific questions to follow up with the city manager’s office for more detailed responses. The council did not take a formal vote or adopt new policy during the public-comment period; the animal-care request-for-proposals (RFP) was noted by staff as open, with proposals due at the end of the month.

The animal-services presentation and the public comments show continuing community reliance on volunteer-run rescue operations and public concern about transparency, funding and the capacity of the local shelter. Council members acknowledged the comments and signaled staff follow-up rather than immediate policy action.

Ending: Staff said the animal-care RFP is open and that updates on possible shelter contracts and services will be shared when proposals are received and evaluated.","City staff reported shelter intake and outcome statistics; public commenters urged better support for animal services and pushed back on online allegations about the local thrift store and rescue volunteers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clear Lake City Council rejects resolution to join Sonoma Clean Power after geothermal and local-control concerns

Clear Lake council rescinds approvals for 18th Avenue hotel and road project to comply with court order

Clear Lake council updates fee schedule: rental registration, encroachment and event-deposit changes approved

Clear Lake receives animal-shelter update as residents press council on thrift store, volunteer and funding concerns