Clear Lake residents press council over shelter conditions; city manager orders investigation

Residents pressed the Clear Lake City Council on April 6 over what they called substandard conditions and lack of accountability at the city-contracted animal shelter, prompting City Manager Flora to order a formal, police-led investigation and immediate operational changes.

Jean Janich, a local resident, told the council that volunteers were being blocked from exercising dogs and that donated bedding and blankets were being discarded after single use. She alleged a Giardia outbreak that she said North Bay Animal Services had not treated and questioned the city’s ability to oversee roughly $370,000 in contracting costs: “How can the city council take the fiduciary duty and responsibility of how $370,000 is being spent if there is no accountability,” Janich said during the public-comment…