Fort Jones City Council
Regular Meeting
September 12, 2022
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
I, Rachel Agron, Deputy City Clerk for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the genda for the September 12, 2022 meeting of the City Council was posted outside City Hall, at the Post Office, in front of Ray's Food Place, outside Scott Valley Family Resource Center, outside Ace Hardware, inside of Wash 'n' Dry Gulch, and on the City's website www.fortjonesca.org on September 9, 2022.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Rachel Aaron
Rachel Agron, Deputy City Clerk
ROLL Call
Kathye, Michelle, Mercedes, Bill. Absent: Mark.
The regular meeting of the Fort Jones City Council was called to order in person by Mayor Michelle DeCausmaker at 7:00 p.m. In addition to Mayor Michelle DeCausmaker council members present were Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia, and Bill Beckwith. Mark Gepford was absent.
Also present: City Administrator Karl Drexel, Deputy City Clerk Rachel Agron, Police Chief Josh Short, Fire Chief Joseph Hess, and Public Works Person Everett Hullquist.
Mayor Michelle DeCausmaker led the flag salute.
Public Comment:
Willie Munson asks whether there are any updates regarding the maintenance and expansion of the fire road on the hill east of town. He expresses concerns in light of the severe fire season. Fire Chief Joseph Hess shares that the new battalion chief at Cal Fire is very interested in cleaning up fire breaks. The Fire Chief anticipates a collaborative effort to clean up this and other fire breaks in the fall and winter.
Discussion/Reports: Non-Action Items:
AJ Police Department Monthly Report
Police Chief Josh Short provides a written report in the packet. He reports that the department has been assisting on the Mountain and Mill fires. He was in attendance at the Road Safety Workshop on August 29 and feels that the crosswalk in front of Five Marys needs to be changed somehow. He reports that there was a hit and run on Main Street involving that crosswalk on Thursday, September 8. No one was injured.
Michelle DeCausmaker remarks that Don Johnson recently fell off the curb by Five Marys and sustained a head injury. Karl suggests reporting the incident to Caltrans.
C) Code Enforcement Report
Code Enforcement Officer Kelly York was absent. Police Chief Josh Short reports that he got a bid for the work necessary to bring the old motel up to code. The abatement is set to take place 30 days after the September 8" court date. The Council discusses the condition of the old deli on Main Street.
B} Fire Department Monthly Report
Fire Chief Joseph Hess provides a written report in the packet. He reports that the Fire Department responded to 51 calls in the month of August. The department spent two weeks assisting with the McKinney Fire north of town, then sent Engine 1312 in for routine maintenance. In the month of September, the department has spent 24 hours assisting on the Mill Fire on the 1st and 2nd days of the incident. Fort Jones Fire is pursuing a contract with Cal Fire that will provide payment for the water being taken from Fort Jones hydrants. The Fire Association was awarded a grant for public communication. The Fire Department was awarded a grant from the State of California to replace the radios that were not replaced last year. The Council and Fire Chief speculate about how much of our water is being used to fight fires.
DJ Public Works Monthly Report
Everett Hullquist provides a written report in the packet. The well level, which is reported at 30 ft. in the packet, has since risen to 26 ft. More water meters have been replaced. Public works has been trimming foliage back from signs. Oil and batteries have been changed in various vehicles. Everett reports that Cal Fire has used about a hundred thousand gallons per day since the meter was installed at the fire hydrant. He speculates that without the fires, water usage would have been average for this time of year. Everett is expecting word on the 16th regarding an emergency backup generator grant and will sit for two certification tests during the next month. Willie Munson expresses concerns about the cement slab on the corner of Newton St. and Mathews St., which he thinks is hazardous.
EJ City Administrators Report
City Administrator Karl Drexel provided a written report in the Council packet.
Consent Calendar:
a) Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting August 8, 2022
b) Ratification of Disbursements: August 1 through August 31, 2022 c) Approve Payables for Sept 2022
d) Receive and Review YTD P&L
Mercedes Garcia moves to accept the Consent Calendar and Bill Beckwith seconds the motion.
AYES: Kathye Banks, Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedes Garcia, Bill Beckwith NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Mark
Motion passes
Discussion /Reports: Action Items:
2. Review and Approve Resolution 1112 for 50/50 Volunteer Fire Department Capacity Program grant with Cal Fire for new radios
Fire Chief Joseph Hess explains the grant.
Bill Beckwith moves to adopt Resolution 1112 and Mercedes Garcia seconds the motion.
AYES: Kathye Banks, Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedes Garcia, Bill Beckwith NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Mark
Motion passes
3. Review and Approve Agreement with County for the Cities Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program
Kathye Banks asks for clarification on project. Karl Drexel explains the agreement.
Kathye Banks moves to approve the Agreement with the County for the Cities Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program. Bill Beckwith seconds the motion.
AYES: Kathye Banks, Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedes Garcia, Bill Beckwith NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Mark
Motion passes
4. Review and Approve the Fort Jones Policy for Volunteer Services Deputy City Clerk Rachel Agron notes that President of the Friends of the Fort Jones Library Betty Petry called earlier in the day to point out a typo in the document. On page two of the Agreement, the word "serves" should read "services." Mercedes Garcia notes that on the first page of the Agreement under Policy B2, the word "County" ought to be changed to "Town."
Mercedes moves to approve the Fort Jones Policy for Volunteer Services with the amendments described above. Kathye Seconds the motion.
AYES: Kathye Banks, Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedes Garcia, Bill Beckwith NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Mark
Motion passes
5. Update on Liens and Pinassi Property
Karl provides an update. A potential receivership is being discussed. There are $35,000 in fines on the property, but no liens have been filed.
6. Discuss and Approve the purchase of a Town Laptop - Banks Michelle DeCausmaker says that as an office supply, a laptop doesn't need to be approved by the Council. Karl Drexel reminds the Council that he can approve the purchase of office supplies.
7. Update on Interviews and Candidate information for City Administrator's job - Garcia
Mercedes updates the Council on the three interviews that have been conducted by the committee. The committee hopes to come to a decision by the end of the week after contacting references. Discussion follows. Julie Morgan asks clarifying questions.
Michelle suggests tabling the discussion until January after the new Council has assumed their seats.
ADJOURNMENT: The next Fort Jones City Council Meeting is scheduled to be held on October 10, 2022,
at 7:00 p.m.
Attest:
rachel agron
Kachel Agron, Deputy City Clerk
Approved:
Mayor Michelle DeCausmaker