Fort Jones City Council
Regular Meeting
August 14,2023
I, Adam Cox, Interim Town Administrator for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for the August 14,2023 Regular Meeting of the Town Council was posted at City Hall near the door of the Town Council Chambers, at Ray's Food Place, at Scott Valley Family Resource Center, at the Post Office, Outside Ace Hardware and on the Town's website, wrarw.fortjonesca.org on August Ilth, 2023.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Adam Cox, Interim Town Administrator
ROLL Call
The regular meeting of the Fort Jones Town Council was called to order in person by Mayor Mercedes Garcia aI7:00 pm. In addition to Mayor Mercedes Garcia, Council Members present were Kathye Banks, Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, and Alex LaRiviere.
Also present: Interim Town Administrator Adam Cox, Public Works Employee Everett Hullquist, and Fire Chief Joseph Hess.
Mayor Garcia led the flag salute.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
. Brenda Mendenhall (Chair of Fort Jones Museurn) expressed concems about the museurr board no longer having signature authority on a city-owned checking account. o Bill Beckwith expressed concerns about hiring a new city administrator and the lack of a negotiated contract with Etna PD.
. Michelle DeCausmaker expressed concern over the council agenda being filled with errors and had several comments about the public works job description. She thinks we should donate to the pool and also maybe the 4-H or Girl Scouts. She was upset how quickly the council got rid ofthe parks grant.
o Madeline Ayres spoke about the recent economic development committee meeting facilitated by the USDA, specifically about some of the opportunities available to increase housing stock.
DISCUSSION / REPORTS / CORRESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Police Deparlment Monthly Reporl: The written report appears in the August Council Packet.
4 B. Fire Department Monthly Report: The written report appears in the August Council Packet.
Fire Chief Hess shared that the new engine fi'om Ben Lomond Fire has now been picked up. The Chief is looking into fire prevention up Moffett Creek.
C. Public Works Monthly Reporl: The written report appears in the August Council Packet. the well level is at24 feet and that he discussed the upcoming meeting with Cal-Trans.
D. Town Administrator's Report: Adam Cox gave a verbal report, Updates on the pre-audit work, grant monies and other activities were provided.
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. 2. a)Approval of Minutes: Special Meeting June 29,2023 b) Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting July 10,2023
c) Ratification of Disbursements: July 1 through 31
d) Review Budget vs. Actual for July 1,2022 through June 30, 2023 There was a question about when the final budeet would be passed and Town Administrator Cox replied that it is scheduled for a future meeling. Mavor Garcia mentioned a chanse on the J^tflV 10 meeting. minutes to ghow that.at the qnd.it-was a'town employee who asked d'bout COLA raises and it was not the council that asked.
Moves: Banks
Seconds: Eavrs
Ave: all
Nb:
DISCUSSION / REPORTS: ACTION ITEMS:
3. Fire Chief Job Description
The mayor explained that this did not need another vote and just came back to council to see if all changes has been sufficiently made. There were no comments.
4. Town Caretaker Job Description
- Banks mentioned that a driver license be required along with minimum age of 18. $oves: Eqyrs.moved to adopt the description with the suggested changes.
Seconds: Banks
Ave: all
Nb:
Motion passes
5. Public Works I Job Description
The mayor explained that this did not need another vote and just came back to council to see if all changes has been sufficiently made.
6. Class A License School for Public Works Supervisor
5 The Mayor stated that this item was tabled at the last meeting pending final budget. Unless there is new information this should not be on the agenda. No new information was presented.
7. Horn Street Rehabilitation Project Plans and Bidding Authorization Moves: Banks to adopt the plans and specifications'and authorize bidding of this project Seconds: Collie-Mascin
Ave: all
Nb:
Motion passes
B, Etna Police Department Contract
- This item will be tabled until an updated contract has been received by Etna.
Moves: Collie-Mason moves to table item
Seconds: LaRiviere
Ave:all
Nb:
Motion passes
9. Annual Donation to Etna Pool
- Town Administrator Cox and Mavor Garcia explained that this item is on the asenda to ensure the Fort Jones Council wants to iontinue supoorting the Etna Pool at a cost of,55000.
Discussion ensued ;egaqding the sepa.rate 520,000 fbrks Pe-r Capita grant funds that Fort Jones forwarded to Etna foiphysiEal upgrades to thei pool.
Moves: Banks to approve the donation of 55000 for FY 2023-24 Seconds: Collie-Mdson
Ave: all
Nb:
) Motion passes
10. Town Website Update
- There was discussion of the news features of a PayGov website for the Town. goves; Ban[s moves to approve the website upgrade.
Seconds: LaRiviere
Ave: all
Nb:
Motion passes
1 1. Salary Schedule
- The.mayor described. the requirement.that the council approve tqWn salaries publicly.
Everett Hullouiit asked whv his oosition wasn't listed on the saldrv schedule and the mavor ' explai4ed.fhbt he wogld fall gnder Public Works L even though hi6 current salary alread'yi exfeeds all the steps for the Public Works 1 position.
lloves: Ban[s moves to adopt the salary schedule.
Seconds: LaRiviere
Ave: all
Nb:
Motion passes
12. Ordinance and Policy Committee
5 - The mavor exolained that she sooke to the Town Attornev to eet direction on reestablishing th6 Ordihance and Policy Committee by appointing riotin! members.
Moves: Banks moves to re-establish the committee as an Ad Hoc committee and appoint new lnembgrs.Tr_evor Eastlick, Mercedes Garcia, Kathye Banks and Lacey Gemaehlich, Seconds: LaAilfup tr+yrS t*
Aye:all
No:
Motion passes
13. Surplus Equipment
- Everett explained the state and usefulness of the equipment.
Moves: Eayrs moved to put both vehicles up for sale
Seconds: L'aRiviere
Ave: all
Nb:
Motion passes
14. Statewide Parks Grant
- The mavor read the item backeround: discussion ensued about what the dollars can be used for and if thev could be used to rEhabiliiate existine oarks. Town Administrator Cox responded that thi's oarticular srant can onlv be used fof establishment of new oark soaces and notfor existing loqations. MotiFn made by Banks te return the.grant money to the Stdte and further q uesti6ns/d iscussions f rom a u d ierice mem be rs ensued l' Moves: Banks Seconds:.LaRiviere ^ 'M
ftl: #,tffigSlMercedes Garcia, (atLyc Bonlcr, Ale; L" Riuiere ' - Motion passes
STAFF COMMENTS:
Town Administrator Cox announced that this would likely be his last meeting as he will be on vacation for the September meeting and there will hopefully be a new Town Administrator by the October meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
Council Member Banks spoke about a special trash collection program coming up at the landfill in Yreka.
Council Member Collie-Mason asked why more money couldn't be spent on speeding the audits up and the mayor explained that it was not a matter of money but of time and ability by the auditing firm.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION: (This is the time.for community members to bring up items they wish to discuss regarding the closed session item only) None.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION:
The Council adjourned to closed session aI8:37 pm
CLOSED SESSION:
7 The Council met pursuant to Section 5a95a.5@) of the Government regarding the Public Ernployee Appointment for the Town Clerk/Town Administrator.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION:
The Council returned to open session at 9:09 pm.
SED SESSION:ANY TAKEN BE IN
SESSION
Mayor Garcia reported that direction was given to staff.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm. The next Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled to be held on September 11,2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Attest:
Adam Interim Town Administrator
Approved:
i%,,,j*-7r1,
Mayor Mercedes Garcia "/,,n
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