1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday March 23, 2026
Members of the Etna City Council met on the 23
rd day of March 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, and Mayor Cliff Munson were present.
Councilmembers Matt Eastlick and John Stacher were absent.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
None.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Special Meeting February 4, 2026
b. Minutes of the Special Meeting February 10, 2026
c. Minutes of the Regular Meeting February 23, 2026
d. Minutes of the Special Meeting February 26, 2026
e. Invoice Approvals
Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Deppen seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
4. Current Business:
a. Discuss and Adopt Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative Proclamation Michelle Harris from First 5 Siskiyou presented the Proclamation to the Council and the audience. Harris also shared that they have recently expanded serving children up to age 18. Mayor Munson read the Proclamation.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to adopt the Proclamation, Councilmember Fawaz seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
b. Discuss/Approve Resolution 2025-005 Accepting the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report and Approve the Submittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Initiative (LCI)
City Planner Richard Tinsman (Zoom) was present and gave a brief background on this item.
2 Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-005 Accepting the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report and Approve the Submittal to HCD and the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Initiative. Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
c. Discuss/Approve Resolution 2026-006 – A Resolution Approving an Application of Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendments Thereto from the 2024 Funding Year of the State CDBG Program City Clerk Pamela Eastlick gave a background on this item.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-006 – A Resolution Approving an Application of Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendments Thereto from the 2024 Funding Year of the State CDBG Program. Councilmember Fawaz seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
d. Discuss/Approve Etna Farmers Market Event Application to Host Events on Main Street Every Second Wednesday in June, July, August, and September The Etna Farmers Market would like to host events on Main Street; they reached out to Police Chief Josh Short to discuss the logistics of the street closure.
Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to approve the event application with the stipulation that the message board has proper signage in the appropriate spots.
Councilmember Deppen seconded. Public Works Director Dan Burbank shared that Main Street is scheduled for repaving in June/July. The motion passed.
Ayes: Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
e. Discuss/Approve 4
th Annual Trails End Music Festival Event Application for June 19th & 20th
Trinity Davis from Denny Bar gave a background on this item. Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to approve the event application with proper signage in place.
Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
f. Continued Discussion Creating a City Planning & Building Inspection Department
Mayor Munson is still gathering information about this item and would like to postpone this item to a later meeting.
g. Discuss/Approve Days of Operation for the Pool
Discussion regarding the pool being open or closed on Saturdays and putting a survey out to gather community input. No action taken.
3 h. Discuss/Approve the Police Department, Public Works, Ambulance, and Fire Department Transitioning from Verizon to AT&T FirstNet and Starlink Mini Chief Short gave a background on this item explaining that other emergency service agencies are transitioning or researching other options for better coverage in rural areas. This transition will include public works, fire, police, and ambulance departments. More discussion about service on strike teams and in areas with no service, and budget.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Fawaz seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
5. Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short provided a written report in the Council’s packet.
Fire Chief Jake Deegan had nothing to report.
Public Works Director Dan Burbank provided a written report in the Council’s packet.
Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood provided a written report in the Council’s packet.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick had nothing to report.
Mayor Munson reminded staff that personal opinions should not be expressed on city social media pages.
6. City Council Statements and Requests:
None.
7. Closed Session:
a. Public Employment (Pursuant to Government Code §54957)
1. Ambulance Department – Volunteer (1)
City Council unanimously approved the ambulance volunteer. b. Conference with Labor Negotiations (Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6)
1. City Negotiator: Josh Short, Chief of Police
Employee Organization: Police Officers Association
c. Conference with Labor Negotiations (Unrepresented Employee)(Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6)
1. City Negotiator: Andrew L. Jared, City Attorney
Position: Chief of Police
d. Pending Litigation – Conference with Legal Counsel (Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9)
4 1. Name of Case: Virdell v. City of Etna (25CV13558)
e. Anticipated Litigation – Conference with Legal Counsel (Pursuant to Government §54956.9)
1. Receipt of Claim for Damages Pursuant to California Government Code §910
Claimants: Jay A. Martin and Shannon L. Martin
Closed session items “b-e” were tabled to the next regular meeting.
8. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 7:48 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk