**CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.etnaca.com**
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday June 12, 2023
Members of the Etna City Council met on this 12th day of June, via TELECONFERENCE.
Mayor Cliff Munson called the meeting to order and lead in the flag salute to the United States of America.
Roll Call
Councilmembers Brandon Fawaz, Mayor Cliff Munson, Charnna Gilmore, and John Stacher were present. Councilmember Jason Deppen was absent.
Oral Comments from the Public on Non-Agenda Item
None.
Mayor Munson moved the Closed Session item up after Discuss CDBG Program Income Money.
Consent Calendar
• Minutes of the Regular Meeting May 22, 2023
• Accounts Payable Check Register
Councilmember Stacher moved to approve the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Fawaz seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Fawaz, Munson, Gilmore, Stacher
Council/Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short provided a written report in the packet. Chief Short gave the Council a handout created by Detective Mendes that describes the internal investigation process.
Public Works Director Dan Burbank reported that the pool is doing well, and he has received several compliments. He is working on the big leak that is on Collier in front of the elementary school, City Engineer Morgan Eastlick will be involved with the repair.
Ambulance Director Teri Arrwood provided a written report in the packet.
Fire Chief Alan Kramer thanked Dan and Jed for repairing Engine 1414 in time for the pump testing. All the SCBAs have been serviced. Chief Kramer also mentioned that they had three fire calls.
City Clerk Pam Eastlick reported that she has been busy working on the budget and thanked everyone for meeting with her. Eastlick also mentioned that the City has $185,000 in “work credits” from Pacific Power which is specifically for undergrounding electric. Eastlick is researching undergrounding Main Street. City Engineer Morgan Eastlick has been working with Pacific Power. Councilmember Stacher added that the streetlights will be on the City Hall side of the street and will be decorative. More discussion.
**CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.etnaca.com** Audience member Rick Kramer commented about leaving the polls on Main Street for its historic look. Stacher replied that the polls eventually will need to be replaced due to age.
Councilmember Gilmore mentioned the LOLA meetings and the influence that resulted in the pool grant, and the Avery Theatre receiving a grant as well.
Mayor Munson mentioned that the Blue Grass Festival will be coming back in 2024.
This will be a PAL fundraiser event.
Current Business:
Discuss/Approve Denny Bar Event Application. Lance Banks from Denny Bar provided a map for review and requested Council approval for the Trails End Music Festival for the first weekend of August. This will be like the Far North Music Festival. Councilmember Fawaz moved to approve the Denny Bar Event Application, Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Fawaz
Discuss Update on Museum Project. Brandy Caporaso from Great Northern explained what the bid process would look like for the Museum Project. Since this is federal funding, it will need to be a prevailing wage project. Councilmember Fawaz disagrees with the prevailing wage since the initial quote for the project was $40,000. Fawaz is not in favor of using $120,000 in CDBG PI money to go towards the Museum. Further discussion. Councilmember Stacher wants the Museum electrical fixed asap. The City Council gave directions for Caporaso to start the bid application and bring the scope of work back to the Council to review. More discussion about windows and other upgrades that should be included in the project. Caporaso explained that it will probably take about two months to complete the application and hopefully submitted by August. The project can probably start by next summer.
Discuss CDBG Program Income Money. No action taken.
Discuss/Approve 2023-2025 Museum Lease Agreement. The City Council unanimously approved the Museum Lease Agreement.
Closed Session:
• Pursuant to Government Code Section §54956.9 – Existing Litigation Hughes v.
City of Etna
Mayor Munson reported out of closed session and explained that the Council unanimously agreed to accept the settlement.
Discuss/Approve Council Commissions and Assignments. The council reviewed the commissions and assignments and made recommendations and changes. Mayor Munson moved to approve the updates. Councilmember Deppen is the Fire Commissioner, Councilmember Stacher is public works and parks. Councilmember Fawaz seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Discuss/Approve Fort Jones Police Contract. Chief Short and Eastlick recently met to review and update the PD contract for Fort Jones. The new contract number is $225,000 and will be for another three years with language added to reflect any changes or increases with **CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.etnaca.com** insurance numbers. Councilmember Stacher moved to approve accepting the new contract number. Stacher amended his motion to accept the current contract with the new financial numbers for the 2024 budget. Councilmember Fawaz seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Fawaz, Munson, Gilmore, Stacher
Discuss/Approve COPS Money Purchases. Chief Short presented the Council at the last regular meeting with a list of purchases for approval. Chief Short provided a per year cost for specific items for review along with some items being able split with restricted water/sewer funds for shared department use. More discussion on Conex boxes and the need for them.
Councilmember Gilmore made a motion to approve COPS money purchases per Chief Short’s recommendation. Councilmember Fawaz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Items two through nine were approved. Chief Short will provide purchase orders to City Hall within two weeks.
Discuss/Approve Current Purchase Policy. Mayor Munson moved to approve going back to the purchase policy that was approved in June of 2021. Discussion on credit card usage.
Comments from the audience and staff (unable to hear.) Councilmember Stacher seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Discuss/Approve Etna Ambulance 2023 DHC Public Provider Intergovernmental Transfer Program for Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Services Contribution.
Ambulance Director Teri Arrwood gave a background on this item. Eastlick explained that 1/3 of the cost to participate in this program for reimbursements will cost the city $20,000. When there is Medicaid transport, they will only pay a specific amount regardless of what the cost of the transport was. Councilmember Gilmore recommended tabling this item. Councilmember Fawaz expressed interest in the program but would like more feedback from the program. Item tabled until more information is received.
Discuss/Approve Opening a Business Account at Dollar General. Councilmember Fawaz moved to approve, Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Discuss/Approve City of Etna Salary Schedule. Mayor Munson directed Eastlick to make the salary schedule reflect that department head’s salaries will increase when minimum wage increases. The increase will be double the minimum wage for that year. Discussion on creating an extra position that could fulfill tasks in multiple departments. It would be a shared position among multiple departments. The Council would like to bump the Public Works Director up. Councilmember Gilmore moved to approve the 2023/2024 Salary Schedule with the change of Public Works Director being bumped to C at $32.89/hour. Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed. Mayor Munson requested to see an updated salary schedule with the changes.
Confirm Pay Rates for the Pool. Eastlick presented the Council with a written document that shows the pay rate policy so there is no confusion each year. Mayor Munson made a motion to accept the clarification of the lifeguard pay. Councilmember Stacher seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Fawaz, Munson, Gilmore, Stacher
**CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.etnaca.com** Discuss/Approve Fee for Street Closure Events. Mayor Munson proposed that a fee schedule be established for all city uses and a fee should be charged for street closure events.
Councilmember Gilmore requested to see the current city fee schedule. Discussion regarding future events and community enrichment. Chief Short commented that parades require more from city staff than music events that require a street closure. Item tabled.
Discuss Update on City Manager Position. Mayor Munson explained that there is a possible candidate that is interested in the city manager position. Munson recommended setting up a committee with two council members and start the interview people. Munson is hoping that he can start July 1st. Council members Gilmore, Fawaz, and Stacher will coordinate together.
No further action taken.
Ayes: Fawaz, Munson, Gilmore, Stacher
CORRESPONDENCE:
CITY COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REQUESTS:
Councilmember Gilmore requested increasing the hourly rate for ambulance volunteer drivers. Gilmore also requested the employee contract for outside assignments be reviewed at the next meeting.
Eastlick updated the Council on the LOLA Dinner scheduled for July 12th. Denny Bar will be catering for the event and will coordinate with them to figure out a cost per plate.
Eastlick explained what the LOLA Dinner is about.
Councilmember Fawaz requested the ambulance fees be on the agenda for the next meeting or the one after. Arrwood will provide the agenda request for the meeting in July.
Eastlick will have the budget on the agenda for the next regular meeting. Gilmore prefers to see the whole budget other than in sections.
Adjournment
There being no further business Mayor Munson adjourned the open meeting at 9:52 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk