Fort Jones City Council
Regular Meeting
March, 13, 2023
I, Rachel Agron, City Clerk for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for the March 13, 2023 Regular Meeting of the City Council was posted at City Hall near the door of the City Council Chambers, at Ray's Food Place, at Scott Valley Family Resource Center, at the Post Office, Outside Ace Hardware and on the City's website, www.fortjonesca.org on March 9, 2023 I declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Rachel Agron, City Clerk
ROLL Call
The regular meeting of the Fort Jones City Council was called to order in person by Mayor Mercedes Garcia at 7:00pm. In addition to Mayor Mercedes Garcia, Council Members present were Kathye Banks, Mark Eayrs, and Julia Collie-Mason.
Also present: City Clerk Rachel Agron, Public Works Supervisor Everett Hullquist, Fire Chief Joseph Hess, and Police Chief Joshua Short, and Code Enforcement Office Kelly York.
Mayor Garcia led the flag salute.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Tom Menne expressed concern about the illegal U-turns taking place on Main Street and would like to see action taken.
Susie Lamarr described two near-misses she had in the crosswalk in front of 5 Marys. She went on to ask whether Moffet Creek would be cleared to prevent flooding. Everett Hullquist reported that he has already reached out to Fish and Game, who will be sending a Game Warden to show the Town what can and cannot be removed from the creek.
Tori Hall complained of speeding on Newton Street.
DISCUSSION / REPORTS / CORRESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Police Department Monthly Report
A written report was provided in the Council Packet. Josh Short reported on the high volume of calls the department has been experiencing. He reported that Officer Martin has been doing "a phenomenal job" and that the department is preparing to issue conditional offers to two additional officers. Kelly York provided an update on the Gwinn house. At his court date, Ted Gwinn pleaded no contest and was fined. The case was then closed. Officer York suggested that the Town restructure its code enforcement so that violations can be handled internally by Council hearings.
Town of Fort Jones • 11960 East Street • Fort Jones, CA 96032 • 530 468-2281 B. Fire Department Monthly Report
A written report was provided in the Council Packet. Fire Chief Joseph Hess explains the work he has been doing alongside Cal Fire and the Northern California Resource Center to create a shaded fuel break on the ridge east of Town and to clean up local properties. Fort Jones is providing support with the paperwork, while Cal Fire will provide most of the labor. Fire Chief Hess informed the Council that he had recently submitted several grant applications and continues to work on more.
City Clerk Rachel Agron noted that the Town will need to budget for matching funds in the coming fiscal year.
C. Public Works Monthly Report
A written report was provided in the Council Packet. Public Works Supervisor Everett Hullquist informed the Council of his approaching D-2 test and upcoming Cross Connection training. Everett has been updating our Sanitary Sewer System Plan to comply with new requirements. He continues to submit drought reporting and noted that the Town pumped 600,000 gallons that were unaccounted for in the month of February, and 400,000 unaccounted for gallons in January. He explained that the discrepancy may have arisen as a result of how long it takes to read the meters (~5 days) and the fact that the well is being read last.
D. Economic Development Report
A written report was provided in the Council Packet. City Clerk Rachel Agron reported that the Shasta Stories Listening Session on March 4* was a success, especially in light of how frequently residents have expressed that any economic development effort should include historical preservation.
E. City Administrator's Report
City Administrator Adam Cox could not be present to provide a verbal report due to extreme weather conditions.
F. Council Vacancy
Mayor Mercedes Garcia explained the circumstances of the Council seat vacancy and invited residents who would like to join the Council to submit letters of interest. Residents were directed to Rachel Agron for questions.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items listed on the consent agenda are considered routine and may be enacted in one motion.
Any item may be removed for discussion at the request of the Council or the Public.
1. a) Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting February 13th ", 2023 b) Ratification of Disbursements: January 1 through February 28, 2023 c) Approve Payables for February 2023
d) Review Budget vs. Actual for July 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023 Councilmember Kathye Banks moves to adopt the consent calendar with the amendment that the meeting on February 13th was a regular meeting, and that Adam Cox had reported that there were at that time ~$50,000 in past due water bills. Mark Eayrs seconds.
AYE: Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia NO: None
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
Town of Fort Jones • 11960 East Street • Fort Jones, CA 96032 • 530 468-2281 DISCUSSION / REPORTS / CORRESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
2. Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
Michelle Harris of First 5 Siskiyou explained the program. Councilmember Julia Collie-Mason moves to accept the proclamation as written. Mark Eayrs seconds.
AYE: Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia NO: None
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
3. CLASS Investment Account
Councilmember Mark Eayrs moves that a percentage of Town funds to be determined by Adam Cox be placed in a California Liquid Assets Security System account. Councilmember Julia Collie-Mason seconds.
AYE: Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia NO: None
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
4. Seasonal Firefighters Salary Schedule
Councilmember Mark Eayrs moves to make two Seasonal Firefighter positions available at the rate of $200/day. Councilmember Kathye Banks seconds.
AYE: Mark Eayrs, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia
NO: None
ABSTAIN: Julia Collie-Mason
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
5. Appoint an Alternate to the Regional Solid Waste JPA Councilmember Mark Eayrs moves that he be appointed as the Town's Alternate for the Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority. Kathye Banks seconds.
AYE: Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia NO: None
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
6. Adoption of New Municipal Code.
Councilmember Kathye Banks moves to introduce and adopt Ordinance 2023-1. Councilmember Mark Eayrs seconds.
Town of Fort Jones • 11960 East Street • Fort Jones, CA 96032 • 530 468-2281 AYE: Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia NO: None.
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
Councilmember Kathye Banks moves to waive the first reading of Ordinance 2023-1. Julia Collie-Mason seconds.
AYE: Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia NO: None.
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
7 Stipend for Council Members
Councilmember Kathye Banks moves to introduce and adopt Ordinance 2023-2. Councilmember Mark Eayrs seconds.
AYE: Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia NO: None.
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
Councilmember Mark Eayrs moves to waive the first reading or Ordinance 2023-2. Councilmember Kathye Banks seconds.
AYE: Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia NO: None.
ABSENT: Amy Stacher
Motion Passes.
STAFF COMMENTS:
Rachel Agron notes that the new Customer Service Clerk is set to begin work the following day. Josh Short thanks Mercedes Garcia for all the work she has put into updating the Municipal Code and says that it will be a big help to code enforcement.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
Councilmember Julia Collie-Mason asks for an update on the Central Park grant. Rachel Agron informs the Council that the grants are on hold until the Town's audit is complete.
Mercedes Garcia notes that the Ordinance Policy Committee will begin meeting again soon and is looking to fill 1-2 seats. Members are not required to live within Town limits. She directs interested parties to contact Rachel Agron.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:14 p.m.
Town of Fort Jones • 11960 East Street • Fort Jones, CA 96032 • 530 468-2281 The next Fort Jones City Council Regular Meeting is scheduled to be held on April 10, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
Attest:
Rachel
Rachel Agron, City Clerk
Approved:
Mercedis M. Sarca
Mayor Mercedes Garcia
Town of Fort Jones • 11960 East Street • Fort Jones, CA 96032 • 530 468-2281