Clearlake council recognizes volunteers, proclaims Human Trafficking Awareness Month and hears recreation update

Clearlake — The City Council opened the meeting with presentations recognizing longtime community service and local programs.

Mayor read a proclamation remembering retired Judge Richard Freeborn, citing his long service in local justice roles, community breakfasts he organized and volunteer work with local Boy Scout troops. Friends and family in attendance offered brief remembrances and indicated plans for a memorial in March.

The council also recognized volunteer contributions to the police department, naming volunteers including Chaplain Elizabeth Kelly, Ross Barto, Jean Guinn, Tara Guinn and Johnny Burr, and acknowledged staff milestones such as five and 15-year service awards.

The council proclaimed January 2023 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Clearlake and invited Lake Family Resource Center representatives to outline planned activities. Blanca, the center’s human trafficking and family advocate, summarized outreach: banners at two locations, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day events, a radio show on Jan. 19, CHP training, distribution of trafficking magnets to law enforcement and a coffee-sleeve campaign with local businesses. She said the grant begun in 2020–21 has served 36 clients and delivered over 2,700 services to date.

Recreation staff delivered a second-quarter update on events and programs, reporting modest positive revenues from the Circus ($1,755), Movies in the Park ($222) and Breakfast with Santa ($772.88). The director described partnerships with the Clearlake Chamber, KUSD (school district) and Lake County Wine Alliance, plans for Junior Giants, a tentative comedy night fundraiser and ongoing youth center remodel work.