1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday January 27, 2025
Members of the Etna City Council met on this 27
th day of January in person and
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, Charnna Gilmore, and John Stacher were present.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Audience member Scott Sheeran shared concerns about crosswalks not being identified well enough around town.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Special Meeting January 6, 2025
b. Invoice Approvals
Mayor Munson noted a correction to the minutes. Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Fawaz, Stacher, Munson, Gilmore, Deppen
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick swore in Mayor Munson.
4. Current Business: (Mayor Munson rearranged the agenda items) a. Discuss/Approve to Allow Etna High School to use the Pool Parking Lot During the School Year to Help Alleviate Congestion on Howell Street The principal of Etna High School, Joy Isbell, requested approval to utilize the pool parking lot to help with congestion in the area throughout the day. More discussion.
Police Chief Josh Short commented on the congestion issues. Councilmember Gilmore made a motion to approve the high school using the pool parking lot for extra parking for the remainder of the 24/25 school year with terms agreed by the school and city staff. Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen
Abstain: Fawaz
b. Public Hearing – Adopt Resolution 2025-003 Establishing an Underground Utility District
Mayor Munson opened the public hearing at 5:52 pm. Mayor Munson gave a background on this project.
2 City staff and the Council discussed fund allocation for this project and timing with the Main Street rehab project. Mayor Munson asked for comments from the public.
Michael Shafer commented about his property having an AG well and he is concerned about losing power to his well. The Council will not require additional expenses from property owners.
Mayor Munson closed the public hearing at 6:08 pm.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Gilmore seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
c. Discuss/Approve Purchase of Security Cameras for the Museum Councilmember Stacher explained that there has been attempted theft of the kerosene at the museum. The City Council tabled this until the museum project is completed.
The city has placed a lock on the kerosene tank. (Requested addition to the minutes from regular meeting February 24, 2025.)
d. Discuss/Approve Quote from Old Etna Tree Service of $6,750 for City Tree Removal
Public Works Director Dan Burbank gave a background on this item. Burbank is working on obtaining more quotes. No action taken.
e. Discuss/Approve Purchase of Sewer Level Measurement, Overflow Alarm, and Tracking System for $17,200 (Taxes not Included) from Fund 21 – Sewer Improvement Fund
Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to approve the Gierlich Mitchell quote identified as 042324.MCRMR1 and to include appropriate shipping and taxes as required. Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
f. Discussion – City Employee Use of Private Amazon Accounts for City Purchases City Attorney Andrew Jared gave clarification on action items vs. discussion items on the agenda. Councilmember Gilmore made a motion to direct Pam (City Clerk) to set up a city Amazon account, so employees do not use their personal Amazon accounts.
Councilmember Fawaz seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
Mayor Munson requested an update to the purchase policy. g. Discussion – City Council Position Statement Regarding AB263 Councilmember Stacher requested the city send a letter opposing AB263 as permanent legislation having to do with water use curtailments becoming permanent.
More discussion. City Attorney Jared provided additional clarification on whether 3 cities can take a position on certain legislation. Additional discussion. The assembly bill is very early in the legislative process. No action taken. h. Discussion – City Council Position on Becoming a Member of the Scott Valley Water Alliance
City Council and staff discussed whether there would be any biases being involved in certain community groups. No action taken.
i. Discussion Quarterly Budget Update
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick presented the Council and staff with an updated 24/25 quarterly budget. Eastlick put a transfer from the Ambulance revenue to the general fund and split it between the pool and general Fund. $20,000 went to the pool fund, and $10,000 to the general fund. Eastlick explained that the Ambulance is a general fund activity, so it can transfer excess revenue to the general fund. Eastlick also shared concerns with the pool fund deficit.
Another issue coming up is the DOJ audit that Eastlick and Chief Short are working on. The DOJ grant will not cover any expenses related to a position other than straight salary. This will have a negative impact on the general fund in the future once the audit is complete. Eastlick will provide an update at a later meeting.
Discussion regarding transferring the ambulance revenue to other general fund departments.
Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood commented that she understands the excess revenue must be transferred to other departments. Arrwood asked when the deficit spending will come to an end so she will be able to hire a second person for her department.
Councilmember Fawaz would like to better understand what activity is driving the deficit spending/poor performance areas.
Discussion regarding police department budget.
City Council and staff discussed scheduling a budget workshop. An updated budget will be provided at the April 28th meeting. Councilmember Gilmore recommended scheduling the budget workshop before the regular meeting.
5. Department Reports: (Tabled)
6. Closed Session:
a. Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(1) Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
1. SCGA02113 – Kaug, Hawj Soobleej v. City of Etna
b. Pursuant to Government Code §54957(b) Personnel Matters – Evaluation of Performance
1. Maintenance Worker
4 The City Council gave direction to staff for item “a.” No reportable action for item “b.”
7. Adjournment:
There being no further business Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 7:37 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk