Clear Lake council appoints two new planning commissioners after interviews

The Clear Lake City Council appointed Jack Smalley and Chris Inglis to the city’s planning commission on March 2 after holding public interviews with four applicants.

Council members conducted interviews in alphabetical order and then submitted ranked choices to the city clerk. The clerk summarized the rankings and the council moved, seconded and recorded a unanimous approval to appoint Smalley and Inglis. Mayor Perdock offered congratulations after the automated vote.

Jack Smalley, who told the council he serves as a county plans examiner and has been the county building official twice, said he holds multiple professional certifications including ICC and FEMA credentials and that he would rely on zoning ordinances and GIS to guide decisions. "You just have to buckle down and get through them," Smalley said when asked how he would prepare for long staff reports.

Chris Inglis, a certified financial planner who said he has worked with families and finances for four decades, described his experience listening to clients, drafting plans and studying municipal documents; he told council members he reviewed the city’s overall plan and the housing element. Inglis said he would "read everything" and ask questions to prepare for planning commission work.

Jamie DeWalt, a long-time local bank employee who has lived in Clear Lake about 25 years, and an absent applicant, Carlos Ramos, were also part of the process. DeWalt said she would approach the job by reviewing materials and asking questions, characterizing the role as a learning opportunity.

Council members praised the quality of applicants and encouraged other community members to apply for future openings. The council also thanked outgoing commissioner McCarrick for service.

The appointments are effective immediately; the council did not specify a swearing-in date for the new commissioners at the meeting.