Fort Jones City Council
Regular Meeting
February 12, 2024
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
1, Joshua Stanshaw City Clerk for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for the February 12, 2024 meeting of the City Council was posted in City Hall, near the door of the City Council Chambers, Ray's Food Place, Outside Frontier Hardware, Fort Jones Post Office and on the City's website www.fortjonesca.org on February 9, 2024.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
The regular meeting of the Fort Jones City Council was called to order in person Mayor Garcia at 7:01 PM.
Roll Call: Mark Eayrs, Alex LaRiviere, Julia Collie-Mason, Kathye Banks, Mercedes Garcia Also present: Joshua Stanshaw, Evertte Hulquist, Josh Short, Joseph Hess (@7:20 PM) Mayor Garcia led the flag salute.
Public Comment:
Kesident stated that during the night at unpredictable times someone is beating on the side of his house and that it's been going on several years. The resident does not have cameras and the person(s) doing this are gone by the time he gets up and outside. Per Chief Short there have been no other complaints of this happening elsewhere in town. Chief Short stated he would see if any neighbors had cameras that could possibly pick up any of this activity.
Discussion/Reports: Non-Action Items:
A} Community Gardens
The community gardens provided a written presentation and Elmar present for additional comments. The community gardens have held a contract for the last 14 years and is wanting to extend contract. Elmar stated that there has not been much assistance in maintaining the gardens, that he's been the one primarily doing the maintenance and upkeep. Elmar agrees there is a need to bring in new people for involvement and there are lots of opportunities for youth and children.
Council Member LaRiviere asked when is someone there and Elmar stated that hard to say exactly when someone is there. Elmar has the same contact information as with Gerry. Mayor Garcia asked if anyone had a copy of old agreement? Council Member Collie-Mason will be contact with board.
B} County Transportation Commission
Melissa Cummins was present to give a presentation on the local transportation commission. Ms.
Cummins provided an overview of what the commission does and the projects that are funded by the commission.
C} Public Works Monthly Report
Public Works provided written report and Everette was present to answer questions. Mayor Garcia asked about the difference between 2.2 million gallons pumped and 2 million gallons sold. Everette stated that the difference is due to losses in the system, such as leaks.
D) Administrator Monthly Report
Joshua Stanshaw provided a written report and was present to answer questions.
E} Police Department Monthly Report
Chief Short provided a written report and was present to answer questions. Chief Short stated that new regulations impact parking and visibility in crosswalks. Officers have been issuing citations and have noted there is increased traffic in the valley. Illegal U-turns continue to be an issue with Chief Short noting that nearly half the citations are for illegal U-turns. Michelle DeCausemaker question about an individual that appeared to be homeless and was seen with sleeping. Chief Short stated that his officers are aware of this individual and that citizens are quick to call. Council Member Collie-Mason asked if there had been any reports or complaints about dogs in the area of Oak Mill Drive. Chief Short stated that there hadn't been any specific reports; however, there is an increase of dogs in town and that they likely are coming from out of the area or from cars of people passing through.
F} Fire Department Monthly Report
Chief Hess provided a written report and stated that the report detailed both monthly and the annual calls for 2023.
Consent Calendar:
a. Special Meeting Minutes January 26, 2024
b. Ratification of Disbursements: January 1 through 31, 2024 c. Review Budget vs. Actual for July 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024 Discussion:
Mayor Pro Tem Banks noted the minutes for the meeting on January 26, 2024 should be changed to state it was a special meeting.
Motion: Council Member Eayrs motioned to accept the minutes with changes.
Second: Council Member LaRiviere seconded the motion.
Ayes: Eayrs, LaRiviere, Collie-Mason, Banks, Garcia
Nayes:
Absent:
Abstain
Motion:
Discussion/Reports: Action Items:
2. Discuss, review, and act on Fire Chief Position Description and Salary Discussion:
The changes to the Fire Chief position description and salary enable the Fire Chief to manage the department and respond to calls more effectively. Reclassifying the position as Exempt requires the salary to be no less than double the current minimum wage, per California Labor Code.
Public Comment: None
Council Member Eayrs asked how this would work with strike teams. Administrator Stanshaw stated that strike team assignments would be broken out in the payroll system to account for the difference.
Motion: Council Member Collie-Mason motioned to approve the changes and salary.
Second: Council Member Eayrs seconded the motion.
Ayes: Eayrs, LaRiviere, Banks, Garcia
Nayes:
Absent:
Abstain: Collie-Mason
Motion:
3. Discuss, review, and act on MOU With Scott Valley Fire, Etnafire and Fort Joens Fire. a. Hose and Nozzle
b. SCBA
Discussion:
Public Comment: None
Chief Hess explained that there are two different MOUs one for SCBA and one for hose and nozzles. They are in the same grant but different categories. Mayor Pro Tem Banks asked how the SCBAs were divided among the departments. Chief Hess detailed that of the SCBAs received Scott Valley Fire received 12, Etna Fire received 8 and Fort Jones Fire received 8.
Chief Hess then explained the need for the hose and nozzle MOU. This will help ensure that all the department have the appropriate equipment, noting that Scott Valley Fire in particular does not have large diameter hose.
Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Banks motioned to approve both MOUs.
Second: Council Member Eayrs seconded the motion.
Ayes: Eayrs, LaRiviere, Banks, Garcia
Nayes:
Absent:
Abstain Collie-Mason
Motion:
4. Discuss, review, and act on Request for Proposals
a. On-Call Planning Services
b. On-call Hearings officer
Discussion:
Planning Services Public Comment: None
Administrator Stanshaw stated that the request for proposal is non-binding, and that the Town is under no obligation to accept any proposal or enter any contracts. Finding a planning service would enable the Town to manage property issues and permitting processes more effectively.
Hearings Officer Public Comment: None
Chief Short stated the City of Etna has had success with using a receivership program through the courts, where the courts manage the process. Utilizing a hearings officer may require a change in ordinance depending on how the term "agent" is defined.
Planning RFP Motion: Council Member Collie-Masson motioned to approve the RFP.
Planning RFP Second Council Member LaRiviere seconded the motion.
Ayes: Eayrs, LaRiviere, Collie-Mason, Banks, Garcia
Nayes:
Absent:
Abstain
Motion:
Hearings Officer RFP Motion: Council Member Eayrs motioned to approve the RFP.
Hearings Officer RFP Second Council Member Collie-Mason seconded the motion.
Nays: Bays, LaRiviere, Collie-Mason, Banks, Garcia
Absent:
Abstain
Motion:
Adjourned to Closed Session at 8:38 PM.
4. Conference with Legal Council - Ongoing Litigation Govt Code Section 54956.9 (d) (4) - Pinassi
Return From Closed Session 8:49 PM
Report on Closed Session: No action taken; Legal Counsel provided final disposition on the case.
STAFF COMMENTS:
None
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
The meeting adjourned 8:50 p.m. The next regular Town Council meeting is scheduled to be held on March 11, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Attest:
w, To wn Administrator & Clerk
Approved:
merude M. Sarat
Mayor Mercedes Garcia