Fort Jones City Council
Regular Meeting
October 10, 2022
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
Hardware and on the City's website www.fortjonesca.org on October 7, 2022.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Celeste MCFAM
Celeste McFall, City Clerk
ROLL Call
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, Bill Beckwith Mercedes Garcia, and Mark Gafford.
Also present: City Administrator Karl Drexel, City Clerk Celeste McFall via Zoom due recent surgeries, Fire Chief Joseph Hess, Police Chief Josh Short and Public Works Supervisor Everett Hullquist.
Mayor Michelle DeCausmaker led the flag salute.
Public Comment:
Julie Morgan expressed her thanks to three women who work at Mountain Crest Gardens who saved boxes for her upcoming move.
Discussion/Reports: Non-Action Items:
A) Police Department Monthly Report
Police Chief Josh Short provided a written report. He also noted that CalTrans has been more responsive to his concerns regarding safety issues. A representative from CalTrans is slated to visit Fort Jones soon to view the subject areas firsthand. Mayor DeCausmaker asks to be invited to that meeting. Council member Beckwith asks if there is a reason that he is seeing more CHP in the Valley. Police Chief Short responds that CHP is back up to previous staffing levels and so there is more presence, which he had previously requested.
B} Code Enforcement Report
Code Enforcement Office Kelly York provided a written report.
C) Fire Department Monthly Report
Fire Chief Joseph provided a written report. He elaborated to say that it had been a busy month and that the department had assisted at the Mill Fire in Weed. He thanked the Volunteer Fire fighters who went on four calls while the rest of the department was at the Mill Fire. He noted that alliance talks with the Etna and Scott Valley Fire Departments had resumed. He predicts that the collaboration will create exciting opportunities such as joint trainings and large grant opportunities.
DJ Public Works Monthly Report
Everett Hullquist provided a written report. Mayor DeCausmaker asked him to read the extensive report so that those in the audience could hear what all the Public Works Dept. had done in the past month.
E} City Administrators Report
City Administrator Karl Drexel did not provide a written report, having been extremely occupied with the HCD application process, working with Accounting Clerk Samantha Hess on the audit, the Water System grant and assisting office staff due to Celeste McFall's absence.
Consent Calendar:
1 a). Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting September 12, 2022. b). Ratification of Disbursements: September 1 through September 31, 2022 c). Approve Payables for October 2022
d). Receive and Review YTD P&L
Mercedes Garcia moves to accept the Consent Calendar with the note that in the September 12, 2022 minutes, under item 7 that there was no motion, no vote to table the item, as it was a discussion and not an action item. Mark Gepford seconds the motion. Motion passes.
AYES: M. DeCausmaker, M. Garcia, K. Banks, W. Beckwith, M. Gepford NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT:
Discussion/Reports: Action Items
2. Presentation from SCED on Quarterly Update
Heather Dodds and Quinton Gaddy reported on the programs SCED provides to Fort Jones, as well as the other incorporated cities in Siskiyou County who have Memorandums of Understanding with the agency.
Highlights include:
• Discover Siskiyou
• Photo and Video Library
Event Marketing Program
• $3000 awards
Siskiyou Farm Co.
Discussion follows and the date, for both the Closed Meeting and Special Meeting of October 20, 2022 at 3 p.m. is selected.
Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Celeste McFall, City Clerk
Approved:
Mickle De Consulter
Mayor Michelle DeCausmaker
Quinton Gaddy has been assisting Fort Jones with the HCD income program. Fort Jones has a reserve of program income that, instead of returning to the state, it has opted to provide othe infrastructure to the town. He is instrumental in liaising with the state, which has unfortunately had much turnover in that position. He feels confident the person in the position currently will stay and provide positive assistance.
3. Discuss possible ordinance regarding shipping containers on residential property (number, size, color, etc.)
Different options are provided for the council's consideration. During COVID a committee had been formed to address the subject, but was unsuccessful. It is decided to ask the new board to pick up the issue in January 2023.
4. Review Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training Report (CPBST). The report is the product of many hours of work, surveys, research and workshops spearheaded by council members and staff assisted through grants from various non-profit organizations. The CPBST is available in the City office for the public. The information compiled will be used in upcoming transportation projects.
5. Review the Branding Summit Report. The report is the product of many hours of work, surveys, research and workshops spearheaded by council members and staff, with assistance through grants from the Rural Communities Assistance Corp. The report is available in the City office for the public. The information compiled will be utilized in upcoming Economic Development projects.
6. Update on Liens and Pinassi Property (Marble View Motel).
City Administrator Karl Drexel provides an update on the situation, noting that at the last court hearing, the judge ordered the owner to obtain a contractor's report assessing the scope and cost to bring the property up to code. Included in the information is Meyer's Constructions report, which details the necessary work with an approximate price of $500,000.
Town of Fort Jones' attorneys would like to have a Closed Meeting with the council to brief not only the Pinassi Property, but also other properties which the Town currently has liens on.
This meeting must take place before November 3, 2022 which is the date of the next court hearing.
STAFF COMMENTS:
None
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
Mark Gepford wants to know why his water bill sometimes has two months of charges, instead of one month. He is directed to speak to the office staff.
Mercedes Garcia requests a Special Meeting of the City Council to address the topic of Hiring a City Administrator.