Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Debris Cleanup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clearlake council adopts interim ordinance enabling state-led fire debris, hazard-tree removal
Summary
The Clearlake City Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 257-2021, allowing state-led cleanup of fire debris and hazard trees from the Clearlake fire; staff described right-of-entry options and outreach plans, while at least one speaker urged oversight of CalRecycle’s cleanup methods.
The Clearlake City Council voted to adopt an interim ordinance to allow state-led removal of fire debris and hazard trees after the Clearlake fire.
Unidentified staff told the council there are two options for property owners: "sign a right-of-entry form that allows the state to come in and do the cleanup, really at no cost to them," or hire a private contractor to perform cleanup under state guidelines. The staff member said the right-of-entry form is new, came from CalRecycle's legal team and is under review by the city attorney. The staff also said any insurance payments property owners are eligible to receive would be recouped and returned to the state to cover cleanup costs.
The ordinance under consideration, numbered 257-2021, is described in the meeting as an interim ordinance implementing requirements for fire debris and hazard-tree removal resulting from the Clearlake fire. Councilwoman Overton moved to adopt the ordinance "read by title only," and Councilman Russ seconded the motion. The council approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript records "All in favor? Aye," but does not provide a numerical vote tally.
Council members and staff discussed outreach logistics before the vote. Staff estimated that their contact list covered about 80% of residents and said they would reconcile that list with environmental health records and Red Cross rosters. Council members and volunteers said they had helped reach additional residents. Staff emphasized the goal of getting property owners to provide signed rights of entry; staff said obtaining owner consent is the critical legal step, though having both owner and tenant sign is preferred to reduce the risk of disputes over personal property removal.
At least one speaker raised concerns about CalRecycle's prior cleanup practices, saying that in past operations "corner stakes and survey markers were cleaned along with it" and expressing worry that aggressive cleanup could leave hazards such as pools where houses used to be and could slow rebuilding. The speaker urged city oversight of any CalRecycle-led work.
The council then moved into a closed session after completing the ordinance vote. The clerk reported no public commenters on Zoom during the public-comment opportunity.
The ordinance adoption clears the way for the city and state cleanup partners to begin acquiring rights of entry and proceed when CalRecycle is ready, subject to the city attorney's final review of the paperwork and further outreach to property owners.
