1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Members of the Etna City Council met on this 27
th day of May 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
Mayor Cliff Munson, Charnna Gilmore, and John Stacher were present. Council members Brandon Fawaz and Jason Deppen were absent.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Audience member Jeff Fowle requested the Council to mark their calendars for June 3rd, 4th, and 5th for the high school baseball playoffs.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting April 28, 2025
b. Minutes of the Special Meetings May 5th & 12th, 2025 c. Invoice Approvals
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to accept the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Gilmore seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson
4. Public Workshop:
a. City of Etna General Plan & Zoning Code Updates
City Planner Richard Tinsman was on Zoom and gave a background for the project and was available for questions.
Audience Member Jeff Fowle shared comments regarding the County’s General Plan update.
5. Current Business:
a. Continued: Discuss/Approve Drafting a Letter of Support from the City of Etna to Bring On-Farm Irrigation Efficiencies and River Restoration Improvements to the Upper Portion of the Scott River Watershed
Audience member Jeff Fowle, who is a member of Farmers Ditch, shared comments in support for this project. Fowle also explained the project in detail. More discussion. Preston Harris from Scott River Watershed explained the project as well.
Audience member Tom Smith is an effected landowner of this agreement and requested the Council to not write a letter of support.
Audience member Carl Hammond shared comments regarding the project. 2 Councilmember Stacher made a motion to write a letter of support for the project, Councilmember Gilmore seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson
b. Discuss/Approve Draft Resolution 2025-008 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Establishing Parks & Recreation Fee Schedule Councilmember Stacher asked about the costs associated with park when it is reserved. Public Works Director Dan Burbank recommended increasing the price for showers to $10.00. More discussion. The Council increased the park reservation fees to $100 for half the park, $150 for the whole park, $10 for camping and showers.
Councilmember Gilmore made a motion to approve the fee schedule with the changes, Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson
c. Discuss 3rd Quarter 2024/2025 Budget Through April, Approve Recommended Changes
The City Council and staff discussed the budget in detail. Councilmember Stacher recommended tabling this to the next meeting since there are only three councilmembers present. More discussion. Mayor Munson moved to approve adjusting the budget with the other requests and adopt the amended budget on May 27th. Councilmember Stacher seconded.
City Attorney Andrew Jared commented about not having a clear document with final changes. Jared recommended brining back the budget with the changes for final approval at the next regular meeting.
The motion was amended to adopt the changes and bring the budget back for approval at the next regular meeting. Councilmember Stacher seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Munson
No: Gilmore
d. Discuss 2025/2026 Budget Preparation Plan
Mayor Munson requested the budget be balanced and a 5% cut across the board. City Clerk asked the department heads to give her budget requests before June 15th.
6. Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short gave a brief report. The department has been busy Public Works Director Dan Burbank reported that they have been busy with the pool. Tiles are chipping away and need to be replaced before the next pool season to pass inspection by the County. The pool is ready to open next week. They recently had a wastewater inspection that went well, Burbank is hopeful for funding for future projects. 3 Fire Chief Clint Whitchurch gave the Council an update on equipment. Engine 1411 is ready for strike teams. Whitchurch gave the report for the ambulance department. Teri has been working on comp claims. Whitchurch also noted that the ambulance department is operating in the black. More discussion about grants.
7. City Council Statements and Requests
Councilmember Stacher requested information regarding an income survey to receive CDBG money. Stacher asked about skateboarding at the park and possibly putting signs up at the park.
8. CLOSED SESSION:
a. Public Employment (Pursuant to Government Code §54957)
1. Fire Department – Volunteer Firefighter
The City Council approved hiring a volunteer for the fire department.
9. Adjournment:
There being no further business Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk