1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday February 24, 2025
Members of the Etna City Council met on this 24
th day of February 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 Jason Deppen, Mayor Cliff Munson, Charnna Gilmore, and John Stacher were present. Councilmember Brandon Fawaz arrived shortly after roll call.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Roz Squair representing the Friends of the Etna Library asked about the covered Stage bus stop.
Dawn Schott commented on hiring a full-time position split between the ambulance and fire department. Schott spoke about Fort Jones fire contracts being updated and the City of Etna should do the same and shared concerns about the current state of equipment being old and needing to be replaced soon. Schott also expressed concerns about burnout of the ambulance director without having extra help.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting January 27, 2025
b. Minutes of the Special Meeting January 27, 2025
c. Invoice Approvals
Councilmember Charnna Gilmore requested an addition to the regular meeting minutes to add “that a lock has been placed on the tanks.” Gilmore asked if the 448 Main Street power bill was for one month and asked about the city attorney invoice.
City Attorney Andrew Jared gave explanation of the last invoice.
Councilmember Jason Deppen asked about the Mitchem Planning invoice.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, councilmember John Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
4. Current Business:
a. Discuss/Approve Every 15 Minutes Event to be Held in March.
Etna High School seniors requested approval from the Council to hold this event which will require Howell Avenue closure. The event is scheduled for the morning of March 19th. Councilmember Charnna Gilmore made a motion to approve this request, Councilmember Jason Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
2 b. Discuss/Approve Storage Building at the Library.
Roz Squair explained that the library is running out of space and needs a building for storage and asked for recommendations on where to place the building. More discussion on where to place the building. No action taken. c. Discuss/Approve Adding a Fee Rate of $1,925 for Advanced Life Support (ALS) Dry Run to Our Current Ambulance Rate Schedule.
Ambulance Director Teri Arrwood explained that this rate fee being added to the schedule will allow billing for services during an emergency such as the Shelly Fire.
Councilmember Brandon Fawaz made a motion to approve, Councilmember Charnna Gilmore seconded, and the motion passed.
Fawaz asked why the ambulance was not assigned to the Shelly Fire incident.
Arrwood said it was due to lack of personnel that were able to be fully staffed at the incident.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
d. Discuss Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Fire Chief Clint Whitchurch spoke about insurance rates increasing. More discussion regarding local response. There will be an ordinance regarding this presented at the next meeting for a first reading. City Attorney Andrew Jared explained that the State set these fire hazard levels, and the city cannot opt out of what the State has set.
There are new rules pertaining to new homes being built with fire resistant materials because of the recent LA fires. City Clerk Eastlick added that this is going to effect people with new building permits.
e. Discuss/Approve Advertising for Parks and Recreation Culture Position.
The City Council discussed the pool manager position. Councilmember Brandon Fawaz made a motion to approve advertising for the pool manager reverting to the prior year job description for the pool manager. Councilmember Charnna Gilmore seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
f. Discussion/Approve Advertising for Lifeguard Positions.
Councilmember Charnna Gilmore made a motion to advertise for lifeguard positions.
Gilmore asked about the interviews and lifeguards logistics. Councilmember John Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
g. Discuss/Approve Advertising for City Manager/Grant Writer Administrator Position.
Council member John Stacher Council and staff if this position is necessary.
Discussion regarding hiring for the position and the need to have someone handle personnel issues and updating or municipal codes. City Clerk Pamela Eastlick 3 commented on personnel issues. Mayor Cliff Munson commented on management styles. Councilmember Brandon Fawaz commented on fiscal issues, positions not being filled in public safety, and the budget. Fawaz does not support advertising for this position until there is a better understanding of the city’s financials and thinks that this topic should be discussed every month. City Attorney Andrew Jared explained the issues with the “commissioners” system that the city uses. Jared recommends having a layer between the council and staff with a city manager/administrator. No action taken.
h. Discuss/Approve City Tree Removal – Three Quotes.
Councilmember Jason Deppen made a motion to approve Layton Tree Removal, Councilmember Charnna Gilmore seconded, and the motion passed. More discussion on what funds to pay for the service out of.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
i. Discuss/Approve Restructuring City Attorney Contract.
Attorney Jared presented the Council with a restructured contract with rates that are more in line with the City of Etna’s needs. Councilmember Stacher made a motion accepting the new rates in the contract. Councilmember Brandon Fawaz seconded.
Councilmember Charnna Gilmore asked if there was an expiration date to the contract. Jared explained that these rates are effective as of March 1st and the contract can be adjusted, if necessary, there is a 3% annual rate increase, and the contract has no expiration and is an at-will agreement. Mayor Munson called for a vote.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
5. Department Reports:
Police Department had nothing to report.
Public Works Director Dan Burbank had nothing to report. Councilmember Stacher thanked the department for repairing a flooding issue to one of the houses in town.
Ambulance Director Teri Arrwood provided a written report in the Council’s packet.
Arrwood added that one of the ambulances needed some mechanical repairs and is back in service. Arrwood is working on a grant opportunity. Arrwood thanked Dawn Schott for her comments during public comment period. More discussion regarding the mechanical issue with the ambulance.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick gave a brief report regarding the audits.
Mayor Cliff Munson reported that the city owned buildings were appraised and he had to sign a letter to go back to SCORE.
Councilmember John Stacher asked about the Public Records Request from Transparent California.
Councilmember Brandon Fawaz requested that the County Transportation Plan be on the next agenda. Fawaz expressed concerns with a round-about being constructed in Etna by 4 Dotty’s. Fawaz recommends the Council and staff be fully engaged in this plan. Mayor Munson explained that the Transportation Committee has had various meetings across the County and gave an update. Inside of town there were talks about designating a pedestrian city, and discussions relating to crosswalks. More discussion. Fawaz also commented on contractual positions and asked whether the requested position for the ambulance could be a contract position for the City.
6. Adjournment:
There being no further business Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk