MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday May 13, 2024
Members of the Etna City Council met on this 13th day of May in person and via TELECONFERENCE (Zoom.) Mayor Cliff Munson called the meeting to order and led in the salute to the flag of the United States of America.
1. Call to Order:
a. Roll Call
Councilmembers Brandon Fawaz, Jason Deppen, Mayor Cliff Munson, and John Stacher were present. Councilmember Charnna Gilmore was absent.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood thanked the community and some high school students that helped in a training that took place recently.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting April 22, 2024
b. Invoice Approvals
c. Resolution 2024-004 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Calling and Giving Notice of a General Municipal Election to be Held on November 8, 2024, and Requesting Consolidation of this Election With the Statewide Election
(The General Election is November 5, 2024)
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Munson, Deppen
Abstain: Fawaz
4. Current Business:
a. Acknowledgment of the 2024 PCT Patch Design Winner.
Police Chief Josh Short gave a background about this project. The designs were created by local high school students. Lynn Karpinski is the computer graphic design teacher at Etna High School. Annabelle Yokael was the winner for the 2024 patch design that will be sold by local businesses. The City Council recognized Annabelle Yokael for winning the 2024 design competition. No action taken. b. Discuss/Approve Event Application Rockside Ranch 5k.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Fawaz seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
c. Discuss/Approve Agreement for Services Between the City of Etna and Great Northern.
d. Discuss/Approve Hiring AGT CPAs & Advisors for Pre-Audit Services.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick explained to the Council that City Auditor Charles Pillon is having concerns regarding the amount of work that needs to be done. AGT is offering pre-audit services and are interested in working with the City. The cost is $200/hour for up to 30 hours. Clerk Eastlick will be working with Pillon in collaboration with AGT. Councilmember Fawaz moved to approve, Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
e. Discuss/Approve Purchase of Pool Pump
Public Works Dan Burbank explained to the Council that the pool pump is in need of replacement. This will be a full replacement. Clerk Eastlick asked the representative of the Parks and Rec Grant if there could be a revision to the grant to include this purchase and she is waiting to hear back. The current pump is still functioning, and Director Burbank has concerns that when it goes out, they will not have something to replace it.
Andrew Jared City Attorney shared comments about the current purchasing policy.
Jared recommends updating and adopting the current purchasing ordinance. This item is tabled for the next regular meeting.
f. Discuss/Approve April Water Billing Water Usage Adjustments.
Director Burbank explained the challenges with reading meters during the winter months and with a good water year. The April billing gave an accumulative number over a span of months that reads were based on estimates. The option to offer water users would be a payment plan. Councilmember Fawaz commented that issues like this will be fixed with the new smart meters that are scheduled to be installed shortly.
More discussion about options to pay.
Councilmember Fawaz moved to approve that any customer that requests a delay of payment due to hardship, no justification of hardship needed, and they pay the amount of their 2023 April bill and have the excess amount owed amortized over the next three months. Clerk Eastlick clarified that the accounts will not be penalized.
Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
5. City Council Statements and Requests:
Councilmember Fawaz would like the Council to consider meeting regularly once a month instead of twice a month.
Fawaz asked about the community survey and asked if it could be sent to him.
Councilmember Deppen would like to have his city email working.
6. CLOSED SESSION:
a. Pursuant to Government Code §54957(b) Personnel Matters – Public Employment
1. Police Department: Police Officer ¾ Time Position
2. Public Works Department: Public Works Employee ¾ Time Position
The City Council unanimously approved item 1 and there was no reportable action for item 2.
7. Adjournment:
There being no further business Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 7:39 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk