**CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.etnaca.com**
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday May 23, 2022
Members of the Etna City Council met on this 23
rd day of May, via TELECONFERENCE and
IN PERSON. Mayor Jaime Tarne called the meeting to order and led in the Salute to the Flag of the United States of America.
Roll Call
Councilmembers Mitch Trost, Cliff Munson, Brandon Fawaz and Mayor Jaime Tarne were present in person. Councilmember Charnna Gilmore was present via Zoom.
Oral Comments from the Public on Non-Agenda Item
Mary Kay Herold would like the council to consider purchasing the vacant lot at 419 Main Street with CDBG money so that it can continue being a useful space for the community.
Consent Calendar
• Minutes April 25, 2022
• Financial Transactions April 2022
• Resolution 2022-013 Notice of Election
• Resolution 2022-014 Conflict of Interest Code
Councilmember Fawaz requested it be noted that he voted “no” against the firework ban.
Councilmember Gilmore requested to make a correction to the minutes to reflect that she is requesting to view department head reviews, and the cost of adding the PAL vehicle to city insurance of $150.00 – the cost to be reflected in the minutes.
Mayor Tarne called for a motion to accept the Minutes for the April 25th meeting, and the financial transactions for April 2022. Councilmember Trost made the motion, Mayor Tarne seconded.
Ayes: Trost, Tarne
No: Munson, Gilmore, Fawaz
Councilmember Munson moved to approve Resolution 2022-013 Notice of Election, Trost seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Trost, Munson, Tarne, Gilmore, Fawaz
Councilmember Gilmore asked what precipitated this coming to council on a consent calendar. City Clerk Kris Hargrove explained that she received notice from the State that we needed to update.
Councilmember Munson moved to approve accepting Resolution 2022-014 Conflict of Interest Code. Mayor Tarne seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Trost, Munson, Tarne, Gilmore, Fawaz
**CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.etnaca.com** Councilmember Munson made a motion to accept the Minutes of April 25, 2022, with the noted corrections, Fawaz seconded. Gilmore requested that the minutes be included in the next council packet.
Ayes: Trost, Munson, Tarne, Gilmore, Fawaz
Council/Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short provided a written report in the council packet and gave a brief verbal report. Chief Short informed the council that there may be shifts available through the sheriff department to help with coverage. The interviews for the additional PD officer have been completed and the candidate will be presented to the council for approval in the future. There will be a celebration parade for the high school baseball and softball teams for winning the divisional sectional championship.
Public Works Director reported that he has been very busy with the pool. Hydrant caps have been ordered. When things slow down with the pool, he will be working on replacing signs.
Councilmember Munson reported that there have been discussions about purchasing one of the lots from Mr. Hendricks and the option does not seem to be feasible at this point. Chief Short added that the price of the property increased substantially.
Ambulance Director Brooklyn Tupman provided a written report in the council packet.
City Clerk Kris Hargrove reported that the contract pre-auditor has started working and she will be updating the council throughout.
Mayor Tarne reported that the pool will be officially open June 13th. Tarne has been meeting with CALRecycle discussing new laws that require food waste to be recycled. Tarne will bring more information on this topic at a later meeting. Tarne has been working with Kris on COVID money reporting requirements.
Councilmember Gilmore asked how it is being reported using the COVID monies to help offset the approved 21/22 budget deficit. Tarne explained that information comes from the Department of Treasury and their concern is cities that have received more than 10 million dollars. The reporting involves detailing what the money was spent on. Clerk Hargrove explained that the reporting is for what has been spent and the city has only received half of it.
Councilmember Fawaz explained that pursuant to Robert’s Rules of Order for Consent Calendars they are for items that are routinely addressed. The Notice of Election and Conflict of Interest Code would be considered as Current Business as they are not something that comes up more than once a year, or routinely. Fawaz requested to view what the city has for liability insurance for the council, and he would like a copy of the city’s hiring policy. Fawaz would also like to see the department head evaluations. Clerk Hargrove will check with Margaret Long, City Attorney.
**CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.etnaca.com** Councilmember Gilmore reported that the Clean Up Day was a success, the mattress collection doubled from last year. Gilmore will be requesting more financial support from the city for this event in the future. Gilmore explained the survey report that is included in the packet and the city will need to start considering implementing the city’s drought conservation plan. Gilmore stated we are in drought conditions and will provide updates.
CURRENT BUSINESS:
Discuss/Approve accepting the LTF Claim. Clerk Hargrove requested approval for accepting the Local Transportation Fund Claim. Councilmember Munson moved to approve accepting the LTF Claim, Trost seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Trost, Munson, Tarne, Gilmore, Fawaz
Discuss/Approve Strike Team Contract and Reimbursement Rates. Clerk Hargrove explained that there have been four workshops and the main topic of discussion was the cost of the vehicle for strike team services. Gilmore asked what is being done with the generated revenue. Hargrove explained that the revenue goes to the General Fund. Councilmember Fawaz does not agree with the vehicle cost figure. Ambulance Director Tupman provided input.
Gilmore would encourage the council to consider the money that is made from strike team assignments be put in another fund other than the General Fund. Councilmember Munson recommended putting a number in the “TBD” column for Police Officer 1 & 2 at $12.00. Chief Short stated that the county can be difficult to work with when it comes to reimbursements.
Clerk Hargrove will change “TBD” to what was actually paid. Munson moved to approve the Strike Team Contract and Reimbursement Rates, Trost seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Trost, Munson, Tarne, Gilmore
No : Fawaz
Gilmore asked if all the department heads had an opportunity to provide input on the MOU between the City of Etna and Strike Team Employees. Gilmore would like language added to the contract that the City will do due diligence and invoice correctly so that employees that must wait until they are paid is within reason. Clerk Hargrove explained that the department heads for ambulance and fire submit the paperwork for reimbursement. Hargrove will add the language. Mayor Tarne moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Etna and Strike Team Employees with the suggested edits and additional language, Fawaz seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Trost, Munson, Tarne, Gilmore, Fawaz
Discuss/Approve Deed Restriction for Prop 62 Pool Solar Grant. Clerk Hargrove explained the deed restriction stating that the property cannot be sold for 30 years needs approval to receive the Prop 62 funding for the pool solar. Councilmember Fawaz moved to approve having the Deed Restriction signed and submitted to receive Prop 62 funding, Trost seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Trost, Munson, Tarne, Gilmore, Fawaz
CORRESPONDENCE:
**CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.etnaca.com** DSA Letter. Chief Short explained that the Siskiyou County Deputy Sheriffs Association submitted a letter included in the packet for council consideration.
CITY COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REQUESTS:
Councilmember Gilmore requested adding a section on the agenda to reflect future agenda items and/or requests.
Gilmore encouraged continued public input for the CDBG money that the June 6th workshop is scheduled for.
Gilmore updated the council on the water grant, and she has been working on the contract for the grant and would like to discuss approval for a project manager for this grant soon.
Adjournment
There being no further business Mayor Tarne ended the closed session and adjourned the meeting at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk