Fort Jones Town Council
Regular Meeting
September 11, 2023
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
1, Carolin Hoefer, Customer Service Clerk, for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for he September 11, 2023 regular meeting of the Town Council was posted at the Town Hall, near the doo of the Town Council Chambers, Ray's Food Place, outside Ace Hardware, on the front window of the Fort Jones Post Office and on the Town's website www.fortjonesca.org on September 8, 2023.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct. 1 Carolin Hoefer, Customer Service Clerk
ROLL CALL:
The regular meeting of the Fort Jones Town Council was called to order in person by Mayor Mercedes Garcia at 7:00 p.m. In addition to the mayor, councilmembers present were Kathye Banks, Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, and Alexander LaRiviere.
Staff present: Chief Josh Short - Etna P.D., Chief Joseph Hess - F.J. Fire Department.
Note: Public Works Employee Everett Hullquist and Interim Town Administrator Adam Cox not present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Garcia
Note: A moment of silence was taken after the pledge of allegiance in memory of 9-11.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Madeleine Ayres: Gave an economic development report from the meeting that was held on the 7th of Sept. Several members of the public attended. They discussed the audits, pickleball, First Friday, losing our bookkeeper, and housing - what can or cannot be done. In general, herself and the public are upset about the audits and feel that we need to be more transparent.
Kevin Hullquist: Wants to know where we are at with audits and wants more transparency about them; wants a status update on a hearing officer - we need to get one; disappointed about giving back the parks grant; LOLA meetings - why was he not notified of the last one; agenda packet needs to be out earlier; consulting fees on payables - where is this money going? Bill Beckwith: Wants to know about consulting fees, what is this for and who is it going to; Budget - we need the budget done, he thinks we are operating illegally; he feels we are scaring off employees.
DISCUSSION / REPORTS CORESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Police Monthly Report
Written report in packet; verbal report - talked about U-turn problems and how they dealing with problem; updated public that the police contract is at the attorney's office to ensure legality; explained to the public that a hearing officer does not need to be paid if time is volunteered; offered ride a longs to anyone who wanted to do so.
B. Fire Department Monthly Report
Written report in packet; verbal report - department was assigned to the Head Fire; the new engine is now in service; engine 1312 caught on fire in the pump depart - no one hurt; council member LaRiviere asked how the strike team worked and Chief explained.
C. Public Works Monthly Report
Written report in packet - Everett Hullquist not present; Kevin Hullquist, from the audience, explained that someone has been driving through the triangle park and that someone broke glass down at the Paul Garrison Pavilion - it was all over the grass.
D. Administrator Monthly Report
Adam Cox not present, no written report submitted.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. a) Approval of Minutes:
i. Special Meeting May 16'h, 2023
ii. Regular Meeting August 14th, 2023
ili. Special Meeting August 29th, 2023
b) Ratification of Disbursements: August 1 through 31, 2023 c) Review Budget vs. Actual for July 1, 2023, through August 31, 2023 Note: Item C was removed from consideration by the mayor because that report was not submitted.
Motion: Banks moves to accept the consent calendar with the following corrections to the August 14th, 2023 regular meeting minutes.
Corrections as follows:
a. Present at meeting: Change Chief Josh Short as not being present (he was sick) b. Public Comments: Add to comments for Michelle DeCausmaker that she thinks we should donate to the pool and maybe the 4-H or Girl Scouts. She was upset how quickly the council got rid of the parks grant.
c. Fire Dept Report: Add that Chief is looking into fire prevention up Moffett Creek. d. Public Works Report: remove that "Audience members note....". Put in that the well level is at 24 feet and that he discussed the upcoming meeting with Cal-Trans. e. #6 Class A License: 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. f. #9 Pool Donation: Correct the motion so that it states the price of $5000. g. #12 Ordinance Committee: Correct the motion so that it states the committee is re-established as an Ad Hoc committee.
h. #13 Surplus Equipment: Add the motion "Eayrs moved to put both vehicles up for sale" i. #14 Parks Grant: Since we had a "no" vote, list who were "yes" votes Second: LaRiviere
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nyes: None
Motion: Passes
DISCUSSION / REPORTS: ACTION ITEMS:
2. Accounting Clerk Job Description and Job Posting
Discussion: No discussion
Motion: Banks moved to accept the job description as written and to post the job for hire.
Second: Collie-Mason
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nayes: None
Motion: Passes
3. Museum - Board of Directors
Discussion: No discussion
Motion: Collie-Mason moved to accept the Fort Jones Museums new board of directors.
Second: Eayrs
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nays: None
Motion: Passes
4. Ray's Advertising Banner
Discussion:
Julia Collie-Mason explained that the CEO of Rays came through town and noticed that the banner was gone. He is hoping that a new one can be put in its place. It was brought to our attention from a member of the public said that all signs were taken down in 2016, or around there for clean-up and never put back up. Council discussed making standard advertising fees and then getting back to Ray's.
Motion: Banks moved to turn matters over to the policy/ordinance committee to make fees for advertisement banners.
Second: LaRiviere
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nays: None
Motion: Passes
5. FJ Website Updates
Discussion:
Sherry Glendenning does not like the yellow smiley face on the top heading. She wants other pictures. council suggested she get the pictures herselt and submitted them to the office for possible usage Michelle DeCausmaker wants the current picture of the town hall building on the website Other input was removing the chicken, cats, dog section or at least moving it to ordinances.
No action taken on this item. Updates and discussion only.
STAFF COMMENTS:
Chief Josh Short gave an update for code enforcement stating the complaint about employees of the Chevron living in an RV on the property is fixed; Violation letters for address 101 Butte Street have been sent out; EJ Motel has had some court dates - they are waiting on Adam for directions.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Garcia requested a special meeting for the approval of the final budget; to discuss replacement of a fire engine; Essex spay/neuter project. Meeting was agreed upon by all members for the 18th of Sept at 6 pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. The next regular town council meeting is scheduled to be held on October 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Attest:
Adam Cox, Town Administrator
Approved:
Meredu M. Savo
Mercedes Garcia, Mayor