1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday May 26, 2026
Members of the Etna City Council met on the 26
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
Council members Brandon Fawaz, Jason Deppen, Mayor Cliff Munson, Matt Eastlick, and John Stacher were present.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Cora Brownell from the Marble Rim Gallery thanked the Council for their support.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting April 27, 2026
b. Minutes of the Special Meeting May 7, 2026
c. Invoice Approvals
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to approve, Councilmember Deppen seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
4. Current Business:
a. Presentation and Acknowledgment of the 2026 Etna Travel Patch Winners Lynn Karpinski, computer graphics teacher at the high school presented the travel patch winners. No action taken.
b. Discuss/Approve 2026-2029 Fort Jones Police Contract Police Chief Josh Short gave a background on this item. The contract reflects a 3% increase. Discussion on whether the 3% increase is sufficient and determining total contract price. Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve the 2026-2029 Fort Jones Police Contract in the amount of $260,199. Deppen motion died.
Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to adopt the Police Contract with the City of Fort Jones for $260,199 to be inserted on page six, the removement of Attachment A, and the contract represents a 3% annual increase. Deppen seconded. More discussion on total contract price. Mayor Munson called for a vote.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
c. Discuss/Approve Annual Ambulance Rates Adjustment per Resolution 2025-004 Section 2 Effective July, 2026. Adopt Resolution 2026-008 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Approving the Fee Schedule for Emergency Medical Services (Ambulance Rates Annual)
2 Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood gave a background on this item.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed. More discussion about the rates.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
d. Discuss/Approve Options to Replace/Purchase a New Ambulance – Provide Staff with a Purchase Price Range, Review Quotes, and Determine the Best Option Director Arrwood requested guidance from the Council on purchasing a new ambulance. Arrwood recommends selling one of the aging ambulances and purchasing a newer ambulance. Discussion regarding repairs being done on the newest ambulance, and each type of ambulance the city currently owns. No action taken.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
e. Discuss/Approve Salary Schedule Correction Provide Clarification City Attorney Andrew Jared recommended this item be placed at a closed session for the next meeting.
f. Discuss/Approve Employee Dental & Vision Benefits
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick presented rates for dental and vision benefits for city employees. The coverage is up to ten employees. More discussion. Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve vision benefits for up to ten employees at $1,600 annually. More discussion on how much benefit the employees are getting.
Deppen’s motion died for lack of second. Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to approve the plan as presented. Councilmember Deppen seconded. Councilmember Stacher disagreed with the life insurance benefit included. Fawaz agreed and added that this is for employees only and if they add family, it is the employee’s expense.
Discussion about volunteers and defining employees. Fawaz added that employees are defined as 50% FTE or more and include fire and ambulance volunteers. Mayor Munson clarified the motion to include moving forward with this to meet the July 1st start date but bring back the specifics that are defined better. Councilmember Eastlick seconded. More discussion.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
g. Discussion: Staff to Research Parks & Rec Grant Funding Councilmember Stacher gave a background on this item. Stacher explained that the swing at the park became out of commission. The State is preparing to release round 5 parks and rec grant funding; staff would like to research this grant opportunity further. Discussion about commissioner roles and contacting city employees.
Attorney Jared gave more clarification. Discussion about the pool pump. No action taken. Chief Short informed the Council that PAL has taken over the softball field down at the Pleasure Park.
h. Discuss/Approve Employment Agreement with Josh Short as Chief of Police 3 City Attorney Jared gave a background on this item. There is change to the agreement to clarify that it is a three-year term and the City participates in Social Security but not State Disability Insurance. Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve with changes regarding Social Security. Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
Deppen requested that the effective date of March 8th be added. i. Discussion: Review City of Etna Policies Relating to Drought The city will send out informational letters to the community explaining the recent curtailment and encourage outdoor watering to cease. More discussion.
5. Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short discussed issues with speeding and pedestrians. Chief Short mentioned policies relating to Pedestrian Safe City etc.
Fire Chief Jake Deegan had nothing to report.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick reported on cash flow while there is an eight-million-dollar water project. Clerk Eastlick also updated the Council about the software conversion project, and preparing for the budget. Clerk Eastlick also reported that they will begin the salary survey.
6. City Council Statements and Requests:
Councilmember Fawaz commented that not having a manager and relying on the City Attorney to handle city manager duties the Council is not able to provide the proper oversight.
7. Closed Session:
a. Public Employment (Pursuant to Government Code §54957)
1. Lifeguard
City Council unanimously approved hiring a lifeguard.
b. Conference with Labor Negotiations (Unrepresented Employee)(Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6)
1. City Negotiator: Andrew L. Jared, City Attorney
Position: Chief of Police
No reportable action taken.
8. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 7:41 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
4 Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk