MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday September 25, 2023
Members of the Etna City Council met on this 25th day of September, via TELECONFERENCE.
Mayor Cliff Munson called the meeting to order and lead in the flag salute to the United States of America.
Roll Call:
Council members Brandon Fawaz, Jason Deppen, Mayor Cliff Munson, Charnna Gilmore, and John Stacher were present.
Oral Comments from the Public on Non-Agenda Items
None.
Consent Calendar:
• Minutes of the Regular Meeting September 11, 2023
• Minutes of the Special Meeting September 18, 2023
• Invoice Approvals
• Resolution 203-011 – Expedited Drinking Water Grant Funding Program Project Proposal Form Authorized Representative, City Clerk
Council member Stacher moved to accept the Consent Calendar in full, council member Gilmore seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Fawaz, Deppen, Munson, Gilmore, Stacher
City Council/Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short provided a written report with stats in the council packet.
Council member Fawaz asked about the Fort Jones PD Contract. City Clerk Eastlick explained that the contract is ready to be presented.
Public Works Director Dan Burbank reported that he has been working with City Engineer Morgan Eastlick working on updating representation for the grants. Burbank has been working on cleaning storm drains out, and PD vehicle repairs. Council member Gilmore requested that the pool cover get removed and put away.
Fire Chief Alan Kramer reported that the department has been awarded a FEMA grant with other fire departments in the valley to replace CBAs among other things. Chief Kramer has been working on RFPs from vendors, the cost of a CBA is about $9,000.
Ambulance Director Terri Arrwood provided a written report in the council packet.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick provided bank statements for review. Eastlick explained that the City has been maintaining and has not had to withdraw from LAIF. The City received an 8 million dollar grant to replace the filtration system and water lines on Highland St. Eastlick explained that because of this grant the City will not have to pull from reserve funds to help cover the water line replacement.
Council member Gilmore reported that Friends of the Pool and the City will be working on an MOU. Gilmore will be meeting on October 6th with FOP at the pool to look at several projects/tasks that have been requested to be completed.
Current Business:
Resolution 2023-012 – A Resolution Approving and Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and any Amendments Thereto From the 2021-2022 Funding Year of the State CDBG Program. Council member Gilmore made a motion, council member Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Fawaz, Deppen, Munson, Gilmore, Stacher
Discuss/Approve Partnering with Scott Valley Focus for Side Street Beautification Projects. Pam Merchant from Scott Valley Focus has been working on road cleanups between Fort Jones and Etna. Scott Valley Focus is proposing to provide the City with funds to hire out for weed eating and other various cleanup tasks throughout town. Discussion regarding vacant City owned lots throughout town. Mayor Munson requested the vacant city lot on Charles Street be on the next agenda for discussion. Council member Fawaz moved that the City of Etna form a partnership with the Scott Valley Focus Group for assisting on side street rehabilitation projects whereas the City’s financial responsibility shall be zero and the Scott Valley Focus Group shall be providing funds to cover such projects under direction of the City. Council member Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
Discuss/Approve 10% Ambulance Rate Increase for Etna Residents and 20% Increase for Non-Residents of Etna. Approve Resolution 2023-013 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Approving the Fee Schedule for Emergency Medical Services (Ambulance Rates.) Ambulance Director Arrwood provided a background on this item. Council member Fawaz asked how it is determined if someone is a resident of the City.
Council member Gilmore made a motion to accept Arrwood’s recommendation to increase the rates by 10% for Etna residents, and 20% for non-residents. Council member Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
Discuss/Approve Garland IT. Sean Garland from Garland IT provided information regarding IT compliance in the packet and answered questions. Garland IT is proposing a tiered three-year plan to get the City in compliance to pass a cyber liability audit if necessary. Council members Fawaz and Gilmore commented on specific costs. More discussion on the number of Microsoft licenses. Chief Short complimented on how responsive Garland IT is. Council member Fawaz made a motion to continue to contract with Garland IT for the remainder of this fiscal year. Discussion regarding the contract. The City Council amended the motion to that the City of Etna will continue to work with Garland IT, pay the IT bills, and collaborate on an updated contract. Fawaz recommends the City be educated on exactly what the City needs for IT and compliance. Gilmore seconded, and the motion passed. Garland is happy to meet with the council. Discussion on how often Garland IT must come on site, and the new police tasers.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Fawaz
No: Deppen
Discuss/Approve Fort Jones Police Contract. Clerk Eastlick and Chief Short met with City Attorney Carolyn Walker to discuss the FJ PD Contract. Walker clarified a few details in the contract specifically costs for the services that the City of Etna is providing to Fort Jones.
Chief Short emphasized the importance of coverage. Council member Fawaz moved to approve the Fort Jones Police Contract; council member Deppen seconded. Fawaz added that the breakdown of costs for IT in the contract be clearer going forward.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
Discuss/Approve Cell Phone Stipend for City Clerk. Council member Gilmore made a motion to approve, Deppen seconded. Chief Short recommended instead of a stipend to add her to the City’s plan. More discussion. Attorney Walker reminded staff that if it is a City phone it is subject to PRA. The stipend is $107.00 per month pre-tax. The motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
Discuss Grant Expenditure Report. City Clerk Eastlick did not get this completed.
Discuss/Approve Letter to Short Term Rental Operators that are not Registered with the City of Etna. Council member Gilmore moved to approve the draft letter. Council member Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Fawaz, Deppen, Munson, Gilmore, Stacher
CORRESPONDENCE:
CIIC Agenda for September 26, 2023 & CIIC August Minutes.
Siskiyou Telephone Letter of Support.
CITY COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REQUESTS:
There will not be a regular council meeting on October 9th due to it being a holiday.
Adjournment
There being no further business Mayor Munson adjourned the closed session meeting at 7:42 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk