1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday June 22, 2026
Members of the Etna City Council met on the 22nd day of June in person and TELECONFERENCE (Zoom). Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Fawaz 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, Matt Eastlick, and John Stacher were present. Mayor Cliff Munson was absent.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
Audience member Che’usa Wend shared concerns regarding the Police Chief and asked about how the public’s comments and/or complaints are being handled if at all.
Audience member Jay Martin commented about not receiving requested recordings of certain council meetings. Martin also shared concerns about minors drinking alcohol during the music festival.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting May 26, 2026
b. Minutes of the Special Meeting June 1, 2026
c. Expense Approvals Report
d. (Renumber Resolution 2026-007 to 2026-009) A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Establishing Position and Payrate Step for the Lieutenant of the Etna Police Department
e. Resolution 2026-011 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Calling and Giving Notice of a General Municipal Election to be Held on November 3, 2026 and Requesting Consolidation of this Election with the Statewide Election
f. Resolution 2026-012 – A Resolution Adopting a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-27 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Eastlick seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
Pool Department Report: Pool Manager Caitlin Bennett gave a brief report on how things are running at the pool. Swimming lessons have doubled this year in comparison to last year. Bennett thanked the Council for hiring additional lifeguards to help with staffing needs.
4. Current Business:
a. Swear in New Etna Police Officer Eric Dowling
Police Chief Josh Short and Officer Eric Dowling were not present at the meeting.
No action taken.
2 b. Discuss/Approve Out of Area Service Agreement to Extend Water and Wastewater Service Outside City Limits
City Planner Richard Tinsman was on Zoom and gave a background on this item.
Tinsman explained the process. Councilmember Stacher asked about development and road maintenance. Councilmember Deppen made a motion to make the finding that the extension of water and wastewater service, as proposed, does not have the potential to have a significant adverse effect on the environment and is not subject to CEQA. Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-010 approving the extension of water and wastewater service to APN 023-100-130, and that we direct staff to submit the application to LAFCO for an out of area service agreement.
Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
c. Discuss/Approve Main Street Rehabilitation Project Contract Awarded to R.B.
Aldrich Construction in the Amount of $565,495.00 Funded by STIP City Engineer Jose Hernandez gave a background on this item. Discussion regarding timing of Pacific Power undergrounding project on Main Street. Councilmember Stacher made a motion to award the contract. Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
d. Discuss/Approve Morning Lap Swim $30.00 a Month Per Person Discussion on number of people interested and feasibility. Councilmember Stacher made a motion to engage in a trial run of morning lap swim at $30.00 per month per person with the provisions that the swimmers work with the pool manager with an agreeable schedule and that the financial outcome will be at a breakeven or net gain.
Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
e. Discuss/Approve Compensating Lifeguards that Teach Swim Lessons $1.00 Extra Per Hour
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
f. Discuss/Approve Allowing Use of Safe and Sane Fireworks at the Little League Park for July 4th
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
3 Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
g. Discuss/Approve OES Salary Survey
Fire Chief Jake Deegan shared with the Council the OES Salary Schedule that has been approved by OES. Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
h. Discuss/Approve City Check Signatures
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick explained that the new software allows for the checks to be cut with signatures pre-printed on them. Council is in agreement to allow for payroll checks to be printed with signatures on them, not Accounts Payable.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz
5. Department Reports:
Clerk Eastlick gave a brief report and reminded the Council about the November 3rd election.
Eastlick would like to schedule a special meeting for the budget.
Fire Chief Jake Deegan gave a brief report about the SAFER grant.
6. City Council Statements and Requests:
Councilmember Stacher expressed frustration with the Council about being accused of doing things that he didn’t do, especially in a public forum.
7. Closed Session:
a. Conference with Labor Negotiations (Unrepresented Employee)(Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6)
1. City Negotiator: Andrew L. Jared, City Attorney
Position: Ambulance Director
No reportable action taken.
b. Personnel Matters (Pursuant to Government Code §54957(b))
1. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal Release
No reportable action taken.
c. Public Employment – Appointment (Pursuant to Government Code §54957)
1. City Administrator/Manager
No reportable action taken.
8. Adjournment:
4 There being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Fawaz adjourned the meeting at 7:36 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk