1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday July 27, 2026
Members of the Etna City Council met on the 27th day of July 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:
None.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting June 22, 2026
b. Minutes of the Special Meeting July 1, 2026
c. Minutes of the Special Meeting July 14, 2026
d. Expense Approvals Report 7.13-7.21
e. Resolution 2026-014 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Establishing a Live Scan Background Check Requirement for Volunteer Firefighter Applicants
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to approve, Councilmember Eastlick seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
4. Current Business:
a. Swear in New Etna Police Officer Eric Dowling
Mayor Cliff Munson swore in Officer Dowling.
b. Presentation: Pacific Power System Strengthening Projects No action taken.
c. Discuss/Approve Event Application for Etna PAL/Scott Valley Skatepark Project Fundraiser
Nathan Chismar representing the Scott Valley Skatepark requested Council approval to hold an event on September 12th at the park. This event is a PAL associated event.
Chismar gave a background on their fundraising efforts and also requested a letter of support from the city.
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to approve the support letter.
Councilmember Fawaz seconded, and the motion passed.
2 Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
d. Discuss/Approve City of Etna Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Program Guidelines
Brandy Caporaso from Great Northern Services presented an update to the program guidelines for Council to review and make any other changes. Discussion regarding the application process and the CDBG loan committee involvement. Councilmember Fawaz made a motion to approve the CDBG Guidelines as presented.
Councilmember Deppen seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
e. Discuss/Approve 2026/2027 Budget
(Mayor Munson moved the Department Reports before item “e”.) City Clerk Pamela Eastlick presented the Council with the 2026/2027 budget.
Discussion regarding the lieutenant position switching from full-time to part-time.
The budget reflects a 2.8% COLA increase in addition to a step increase.
Councilmember Stacher asked about the increase in vehicle fuel & oil line items for the police department.
Councilmember Fawaz questioned the math on the personnel budget for the lieutenant position. Clerk Eastlick explained that the way the budget stands there is not enough funding to fund the additional police officer position, and the EMT/Firefighter full-time position.
Councilmember Fawaz would like to see a summary page of all the funds and breakdown of the General Fund. Discussion regarding the Fort Jones police budget.
Clerk Eastlick explained that if the lieutenant switched from full-time back to halftime there would be enough funds to cover the vacant police officer position.
Discussion about cutting positions. Councilmember Stacher asked about the audits.
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve the budget as it stands and to revisit at the regularly scheduled meeting in October. More discussion.
Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson, Deppen, Fawaz
Discussion.
5. Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short provided a written report and stats in the Council packet. Chief Short also reported that there have been an increase in scams and they are researching funding options for another spay/neuter clinic in the area.
Public Works Director Dan Burbank gave a brief report. He has received several applications for the open position in his department and is planning on doing interviews around August 10th.
3 Mayor Munson read the ambulance report.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick gave a brief report.
Mayor Munson reported about the LOLA dinner that was hosted by Etna in the park.
6. City Council Statements and Requests:
7. Closed Session:
b. Personnel Matters (Pursuant to Government Code §54957(b))
1. Employee Performance Evaluation: City Attorney
The Council directed staff to send out an RFP for attorney services.
8. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Fawaz adjourned the meeting at 9:03 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk