Fort Jones Town Council
Regular Meeting
May 13, 2024
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
I, Carolin Hoefer, Customer Service Clerk, for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for the May 13, 2024 regular meeting of the Town Council was posted at the Town Hall, near the door of the Town Council Chambers, Ray’s Food Place, Ace Hardware, on the front window of the Fort Jones Post Office and on the Town’s website www.fortjonesca.org on May 10, 2024.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct. ______________________________________________________________________________ Carolin Hoefer, Customer Service Clerk
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:
The regular meeting of the Fort Jones Town Council was called to order in person by Mayor Mercedes Garcia at 6:01 p.m. In addition to the mayor, councilmembers present were Kathye Banks, Mark Eayrs, Julia Collie-Mason, and Alex LaRiviere.
Staff present: Chief Joseph Hess – F.J. Fire Department, Everett Hullquist – Public Works, and Deputy Clint Whitchurch – Etna P.D.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Garcia
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
A member of the public voiced concern about the mayor taking the minutes for the meeting in the absence of the Administrator/Clerk. They felt it was a conflict of interest.
DISCUSSION / REPORTS COORESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Police Department Monthly Report
A written report appears in the agenda packet.
B. Fire Department Monthly Report
A written report appears in the agenda packet. Chief Hess reported that a fuel pump was found for Rescue 1340. Since they are obsolete the department is looking into rebuilding the bad pump for a backup.
C. Public Works Monthly Report
A written report appears in the agenda packet. Everett stated that there is a meeting with Local Transportation Commission on the 14th to secure the project to chip seal Scott River Road.
A member of the public asked about the Fort Jones Pavement Project and about ADA regulations for the sidewalks.
D. Accounting Monthly Report
A written report appears in the agenda packet.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Public Comments: None
1. a) Approval of Minutes:
i. Regular Meeting April 8, 2024
ii. Special Meeting April 12, 2024
b) Ratification of Disbursements: April 1 through 30, 2024 c) Review Budget vs. Actual for July 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024 Motion: Eayrs moves to accept the consent calendar.
Second: LaRiviere
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nyes: None
Motion: Passes
DISCUSSION / REPORTS: ACTION ITEMS:
2. Automatic Mutual Aid Agreement between Cal Fire Siskiyou Unit and the Fort Jones Fire Department.
Public Comments: None
Discussion: Battalion Chief Jake Burgess from Cal Fire Siskiyou Unit reported that they would like to change some wording in the agreement they submitted. Suggested to table until next meeting.
Motion: Collie-Mason moves to table the agreement until the next meeting.
Second: Banks
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nyes: None
Motion: Passes
3. Horn Street Rehabilitation Project: Award Contract to Advantage Paving & Excavating, Inc Public Comments: None Discussion: Council engaged with staff.
Motion: Banks moves to award contract to Advantage Paving & Excavating, Inc for the Horn Street Project.
Second: Eayrs
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nayes: None
Motion: Passes
4. Fire Department: To Purchase a Holmatro PCT60 Combi-Tool w/2 Batteries, Charger, and Horizontal Mount.
Public Comment: None Discussion: Council engaged with staff.
Motion: LaRiviere moves to approve the purchase of the Combi-Tool with accessories.
Second: Eayrs
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, A. LaRiviere
Nayes: None
Abstain: J. Collie-Mason
Motion: Passes 4 to 1
5. Fire Department: To Purchase Rescue Rope Equipment and Upgrade Hardware.
Public Comment: None
Discussion: Question was asked by a councilmember on how many of the volunteers were rope rescue trained. Chief responded.
Motion: Eayrs moves to approve the purchase of the rescue rope equipment and upgrade the hardware.
Second: LaRiviere
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, A. LaRiviere
Nayes: None
Abstain: J. Collie-Mason
Motion: Passes 4 to 1
6. Move Employee Retirement Accounts from Mission Square to Stifel.
Public Comment: A member of the public was concerned about the wording in the agenda background for the reason the employee contributions had not been made. She felt that it might have been more of an administration issue instead of it being difficult to get a hold of Mission Square.
Motion: Collie-Mason moves to change retirement accounts over from Mission Square to Stifel.
Second: LaRiviere
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie Mason, A. LaRiviere Nayes: None
Motion: Passes
7. Glow Fest Sponsorship
Public Comment: None
Discussion: Banks informed the council that Mr. Alexander had canceled the Glow Fest do to permitting issues with the County.
Motion: Banks moves to table because the event has been canceled.
Second: LaRiviere
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nayes: None
Motion: Passes
8. Renew MOU for Vaccination Clinic and Public Health Services with Siskiyou County Public Health Department.
Public Comment: Member stated that Public Health Services are an important service to the town.
Motion: Banks moves to renew the MOU for the Vaccine Clinic and other Public Health Services with the Siskiyou County Public Health Department.
Second: Eayrs
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nayes: None
Motion: Passes
9. Proposal for City Clerk Training from California Clerk Administrative Services Public Comment: None
Motion: LaRiviere moves to accept proposal for city clerk training from California Clerk Administrative Services.
Second: Eayrs
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nayes: None
Motion: Passes
10. Negotiations for a Maintenance Agreement for the Fort Jones Pavement Project.
Discussion: It was explained to the public that this item was being put on hold because Caltrans will be coming to present this project at the meeting in June. They will go over the new proposed plans, explain what the maintenance agreements entail and answers questions. It was suggested that the business owners be advised of this meeting.
Motion: LaRiviere moves to table this item until the June meeting.
Second: Banks
Ayes: M. Garcia, K. Banks, M. Eayrs, J. Collie-Mason, A. LaRiviere Nayes: None
Motion: Passes
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION: None
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION: @ 6:50 p.m.
CLOSED DOOR SESSION:
Council met pursuant to Government Code §54956.9 (a)(d)(2) and Government Code §54957.1 1(3)(A) to discuss significant exposure to litigation – Public Works Employee RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: @ 7:07 p.m.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
Information was received from legal counsel. Council accepts settlement agreement to pay for past medical insurance.
STAFF COMMENTS: None
COUNCIL COMMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. The next regular town council meeting is scheduled to be held on June 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Attest:
______________________________
Cherie Stephen, Accounting Clerk
Approved:
______________________________
Mercedes M. Garcia, Mayor