1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday June 23, 2025
Members of the Etna City Council met on this 23
rd day of June 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:
Laurie Sweezey presented a $500 donation from --- for the pool.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting May 27, 2025
b. Invoice Approvals
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to accept the Consent Calendar, Mayor Munson seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson
Abstain: Deppen, Fawaz
4. Public Hearing:
a. City of Etna Possible Application for Funding Under the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program – Review CDBG Eligible Activities and Collect Residents’ Views on Housing and Community Development Needs Mayor Munson opened the Public Hearing at 6:37 pm.
Brandy Caparaso from Great Northern gave a background on the item. The total request amounts to $550,000. Great Northern will conduct an income survey hoping to show that Etna is a low to moderate income area to expend CDBG Program Income Cash on Hand. The income survey will take approximately one year, and the grant needs to be received first. More discussion.
Mayor Munson closed the Public Hearing at 6:52 pm
5. Current Business:
a. Discuss/Approve Subrecipient Agreement Between the City of Etna and Great Northern Services for Community Development Block Grant Housing and Rehabilitation Services and Income Survey
Councilmember Gilmore made a motion to approve the subrecipient agreement between the City of Etna and Great Northern Services for the Community 2 Development Block Grant Housing and Rehabilitation Services and Income Survey.
Councilmember Stacher seconded. Councilmember Fawaz requested amending the motion to include pre-award expenditure of $30,000 for the survey – if grant is not awarded. More discussion.
Councilmember Gilmore added to the motion that the city accepts the subrecipient award as long as the exploration of the City’s standing with the State allows us to submit an application that will be found in good standing. Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Fawaz
Abstain: Deppen
Gilmore requests a list of the grants that are currently open. b. Discuss/Approve City of Etna Family Fun Event at the Etna City Park – Determine Date, Time, & Participants
Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood explained the event. Arrwood would organize the event. More discussion. Mayor Munson would like to see the cost of the event.
Councilmember Gilmore made a motion to accept this in theory and that a budget for the event will be presented. Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
c. Discuss/Approve 4th of July Fireworks at the Ashcraft Little League Field Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to approve, Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
d. Discuss/Approve Combining the Ambulance and Fire Departments No action taken.
e. Discuss/Approve Audit Engagement Letter from Charles W. Pillon, C.P.A.
Confirming the Understanding of Services for the City of Etna for the Years Ended June 30, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick explained that the 2020/2021 audit is almost complete and work has been started on the 2022/2023 audit. More discussion on timeline of audits to be completed. Councilmember Fawaz moved to approve the contract with Charlie as outlined in the packet. Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
f. Continued: Discuss/Approve Final 2024/2025 Budget
Discussion on Friends of the Pool (FOP) donations and accounting for the 2024/2025 pool season contribution. City Council and staff went through all contributions received from FOP. More discussion.
3 Councilmember Gilmore asked when a budget was approved that increased our deficit spending. Clerk Eastlick explained that the deficit increase was due to a mistake in the DOJ budget. Discussion on expected revenue that has not been received yet. Councilmember Fawaz commented on costs being allocated appropriately to the restricted funds. More discussion.
Fawaz made a motion to approve the 24/25 budget by minute order to continue city operations and for the discussion with Fort Jones to happen and the results of that discussion to come back before us at the next meeting to be addressed in our budget.
Clerk Eastlick asked about COLA and step increases. More discussion. Fawaz commented that when the budget gets approved and it is cleaned up the pay increases will be retroactive. Councilmember Deppen seconded. Fawaz restated the motion to go forward with a minute order to allow us to operate a status quo going forward into the next fiscal year without a new adopted budget, we are going forward as usual, there will discussions with Fort Jones and a presentation regarding the PD will come back to the Council, then we will adopt a budget next meeting and it is intended that the pay raises will be retroactive. More discussion. Mayor Munson called for a vote.
Ayes: Stacher, Gilmore, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
g. Discuss/Approve 2025/2026 Budget
No action taken.
6. City Council Statements and Requests:
Councilmember Gilmore would like to speak to the City Attorney regarding salaried employees and if they can work more than 40 hours a week. Also, needs to speak with him regarding the pool. More discussion.
Police Chief Josh Short spoke about receiverships and the City Attorney is planning to meet with both City Councils from Fort Jones and Etna.
7. CLOSED SESSION:
a. Public Employment (Pursuant to Government Code §54957)
1. Ambulance Department – Driver
The City Council approved hiring a driver for the ambulance department.
8. Adjournment:
There being no further business Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk