1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday April 27, 2026
Members of the Etna City Council met on the 27
th day of April 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
Council members Brandon Fawaz, Jason Deppen, Mayor Cliff Munson, Matt Eastlick, and John Stacher were present.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Audience member Jim Pindell presented information about building an assisted living center for senior citizens in the area. Pindell provided a Statement of Need to the Council and has spoken to several community members throughout the valley that are supportive of this plan, which is currently at the feasibility phase.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting March 23, 2026
b. Invoice Approvals
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Fawaz seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
4. Public Hearing: Collier Hotel Conditional Use Permit Mayor Munson opened the Public Hearing.
City Planner Richard Tinsman gave a background on the use permit application which would allow for residential use at the Collier Hotel. Councilmember Fawaz is the applicant and has stepped down from the dais.
Brandon Fawaz spoke to the Council and audience as the property owner. Fawaz explained that the building has been used as a single-family residence and the potential buyer would like the use to be restored. Fawaz also spoke about the current layout of the hotel being more suited for a house rather than a hotel.
Mayor Munson asked for public comments and there were none. Mayor Munson closed the Public Hearing. Fawaz recused himself from Council deliberation.
Councilmember Eastlick made a motion to make the finding that the proposed project would not have a significant adverse effect on the environment and that we adopt the recommended CEQA exemptions. Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen
2 Councilmember Deppen made a motion to adopt the Resolution 2026-007 making the recommended findings and conditionally approving the Collier Hotel use permit.
Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen
Councilmember Fawaz returned to the dais.
5. Current Business:
a. Discuss/Approve the Taco Truck Utilizing the Space at the City Park Five Days a Week from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve. More discussion.
Councilmember Deppen amended his motion - any business can use the park, Fawaz seconded the motion. More discussion.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
b. Discuss/Approve E&S Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. to Provide City Engineer Services for a Monthly Retainer of $500
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Mayor Munson seconded.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
c. Discuss/Approve Marble Rim Gallery Painting Rental Portion of Exterior of City Hall and Options to Provide a Second Emergency Exit Mayor Munson complimented the gallery of the exterior painting of City Hall.
Councilmember Stacher discussed the option of placing an alarm on the middle door that separates the gallery space and City Hall. City Attorney Andrew Jared shared comments that the city is responsible for making improvements but is not required to.
Jared recommended the Council have an architecture engineer take a look at the space and get it signed off for a proper egress path. More discussion about whether the city is obligated to provide a second exit that is being required by the gallery’s insurance.
Cora Brownell from the gallery explained that there is an existing door that has been covered. Jared recommended that someone with expertise look at the existing door to sign off on removing the panel. Councilmember Deppen asked who will pay the costs. More discussion. The City Council made a recommendation to ask our City Engineer to look at the space and the existing door that has been covered.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to have E&S Engineering provide the Council with guidance of a second emergency exit not to exceed $750.00.
Councilmember Fawaz recommended the gallery explore other insurance companies.
More discussion. Motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
Discuss/Approve All Work in Quote 1 and Approve Additional for Incidentals for Ambulance Repairs up to $28,000
3 Public Works Director Dan Burbank gave a background on this item. This ambulance was recently purchased and is need of repairs. Councilmember Deppen shared more details about the situation with the ambulance. More discussion. The quotes are through Deala’s garage. Attorney Jared reminded the Council that anything over $5,000 requires a second quote. More discussion. The Council directed staff to obtain a second quote. Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve after a second and third quote has been reviewed. Councilmember Fawaz recommended that the motion reflect approving the $17,000 estimate that is proposed because the rig broke down with unknown issues and was taken to a shop to diagnose it and then was taken apart and at that point it became unfeasible to drive to another shop because it was in pieces. More discussion.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to accept the quote of $18,564.98 under Dan’s recommendation due to emergency breakdown and unforeseen repairs.
Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
6. Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short provided a written report and stats in the Council packet. Chief Short also reminded the Council about the rodeo parade coming up.
Public Works Director Dan Burbank had nothing to report. Councilmember Stacher commented about the fire trucks being sold. Discussion about the filter plant project.
Fire Chief Jake Deegan provided a written report in the Council packet.
Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood provided a written report in the Council packet.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick had Mayor Munson give an update about the progress on the audits. Mayor Munson spoke with City Auditor Charles Pillon.
Mayor Munson reported he attended a LOLA meeting.
7. City Council Statements and Requests:
None.
8. Closed Session:
a. Public Employment (Pursuant to Government Code §54957)
1. Lifeguards & Asst. Pool Manager
2. Firefighter
3. Police Officer
City Council unanimously approved hiring the lifeguards and asst. pool manager contingent on passing the required trainings.
City Council unanimously approved the hire of a firefighter, and police officer.
4 b. Conference with Labor Negotiations (Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6)
1. City Negotiator: Josh Short, Chief of Police
Employee Organization: Police Officers Association
Staff and the Attorney are continuing to work on this item. 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
Staff and the Attorney are continuing to work on this item. d. Conference with Labor Negotiations (Unrepresented Employee)(Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6)
1. City Negotiator: Pamela Eastlick, City Clerk
Discussion – no reportable action.
e. Pending Litigation – Conference with Legal Counsel (Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9)
1. Name of Case: Virdell v. City of Etna (25CV13558)
Staff gave the Council an update, no reportable action. f. 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
Staff gave the Council an update, no reportable action.
9. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 7:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk