1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday November 3, 2025
Members of the Etna City Council met on the 3
rd day of November in person and
TELECONFERENCE (Zoom). Councilmember Jason Deppen 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
Council members Jason Deppen, Matt Eastlick, and John Stacher were present.
Councilmember Brandon Fawaz, and Mayor Cliff Munson were absent. Council member Deppen chaired the meeting.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Audience member Troy Thurman, a long-time resident, gave a statement regarding the community not knowing what was on the agenda prior to the last meeting. Thurman believes that the draft General Plan will have a negative impact on the community and is opposed to the rezoning. Thurman also suggested that changing the Flood Plan is “naïve.” Thurman stated that the Public Hearing Notice is deceptive and vague. Thurman has spoken to many people in the community, and they are all opposed to any of the suggested changes.
Audience member Chad Tupman commented that the population of Etna cant all fit in the Council Chambers. Tupman is also against low-income housing, possibly being constructed behind his house. Tupman believes that the city should hire a City Planner that is more local.
Tupman also commented about his water bill quadrupling over the last few years and now he cannot drink the water from the tap. The state is too involved with the city’s water, and he is also concerned about the water use if the city grows. Tupman does not want the town to be ruined.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting September 22, 2025
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to approve, Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
b. Minutes of the Special Meeting October 7, 2025
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to approve, Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
c. Invoice Approvals
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to approve, Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
2 d. Adopt Proclamation in Support of the Importance of Early Literacy and the 18th Annual Read Across Siskiyou
Michelle Harris from First 5 Siskiyou gave a background on this item.
Councilmember Eastlick made a motion to adopt the Read Across Siskiyou Proclamation. Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
e. Resolution 2025-011 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Authorizing Investment of City of Etna Monies in Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF)
f. Resolution 2025-012 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Authorizing Signatories for the Mechanics Bank General Fund Account Councilmember Stacher made a motion to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar (items e & f.) Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
4. Public Hearing:
a. General Plan Introduction, Land Use Element, & Safety Element Updates – Adopt Resolution 2025-010 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Amending the General Plan Introduction, Land Use Element, and Safety Element, and Adopting the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan by Reference b. Zoning Code Update
Councilmember Deppen opened the Public Hearing. City Planner Richard Tinsman was on Zoom to provide information regarding the General Plan and Zoning Code Update. (There were technical issues)
Tinsman clarified that the General Plan and Zoning Code Update are two separate projects. Tinsman has been working for the City of Etna for 20 years and has lived in Siskiyou County for 21 years.
Tinsman addressed the community’s concerns and explained that the goal is to preserve the agricultural areas in town.
Councilmember Stacher asked about re-designating the Flood Plain into medium density residential. Tinsman explained that there are no medium density residential areas being proposed. The only change is about preserving open space and agriculture; it is not about increasing development potential. More discussion regarding SB 79.
Discussion about increasing water bills.
Councilmember Deppen closed the Public Hearing at 6:22 pm. 3 5. Current Business:
a. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 229 to Amend Title 14, Flood Damage Prevention of the Etna Municipal Code
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to adopt Ordinance 229 to amend Title 14, Flood Damage Prevention of the Etna Municipal Code. Councilmember Eastlick seconded. More discussion regarding tabling this item. Tinsman gave more information regarding the item. FEMA requires that the city’s ordinance satisfies federal standards.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
b. First Reading of Draft Ordinance 230 Amending Title 17, Zoning of the Etna Municipal Code
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to table this item. Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
c. Discuss Update on the Status of the Community Service District Proposal Process
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to table this item to the next meeting.
Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
d. Discuss/Approve Recommendation for Etna Fire Chief Position The city of Montague’s Mayor Pro Tem was present at the meeting and highly recommended Jacob Deegan for the position. Fire Chief Clint Whitchurch shared comments and is requesting to resign and recommended Deegan for the position.
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to accept Chief Whitchurch’s resignation and approve hiring Jacob Deegan at the next council meeting. Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
Councilmember Stacher thanked Clint Whitchurch for all the work he has done to improve the department.
e. Discuss/Approve Budget Amendment Accepting COPS Growth Allocation 2025/2026
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick gave a background on this item and requested approval to receive the addition of $1,537.00. Councilmember Eastlick made a motion to approve the COPS Growth Allocation 2025/2026. Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
f. Discuss/Approve Ambulance Replacement
4 Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood explained that the 2006 ambulance is no longer operational. Arrwood has been researching several different options for the Council to consider in the future. Clerk Eastlick spoke about fundraising ideas. More discussion. Councilmember Deppen would like more information presented at the next regular meeting. No action taken.
g. Discuss Update on Fire Strike Team Payments Received Staff gave a brief update. No action taken.
6. Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short was not present.
Public Works Director Dan Burbank had nothing to report.
Fire Chief Clint Whitchurch reported that Engine 1411 is being worked on at Deadwood.
Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood updated the Council on call volume throughout the valley. The department is not receiving any Medicare payments for transports due to the government shutdown. Arrwood has met with the high school to discuss classes/trainings to promote more involvement from younger people.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick updated the Council on the audit. Eastlick is hoping to have the audit complete by the end of the year. Eastlick reported that she has attended two SCORE meetings and the city will be getting a large assessment. Eastlick addressed the audience regarding increasing water bills. Councilmember Stacher commented on infrastructure costs and operating on a thin budget.
Councilmember Deppen requested that the last water/sewer rate increase be shared. Eastlick said she will provide the documents.
7. City Council Statements and Requests:
Water Rate Study.
8. Closed Session:
a. Public Employment (Pursuant to Government Code §54957)
1. Fire Department – Volunteer Firefighter
The City Council unanimously approved a new volunteer firefighter for the department.
9. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Councilmember Deppen adjourned the meeting at 7:01 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk