Fort Jones Town Council
Special Meeting Minutes
February 19,2025
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
1, Cynthia Keno, Customer Service Representative for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for the February 19, 2025 special meeting of the Town Council was posted at the Town Hall, near the door of the Town Council Chambers, Ace Hardware, on the front window of the Fort Jones Post Office and on the Town's website www.fortjonesca.org on February 18, 2025 by close of business.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct.
Kuro
Cynthia Keno, Customer Service Representative
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:
The special meeting of the Fort Jones Town Council was called to order in person by Mayor Madeleine DeAndreis at 1:00 p.m. In addition to the mayor, councilmembers present were Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedies Garcia, and Alex LaRiviere. Paula Johnson was absent.
Staff present: Cherie Stephen- Town Administrator, Jessie Monday- Town Clerk, Chief Joshua Short - Etna/Fort Jones Police Department, Kelly York- Etna/ Fort Jones Animal Control/ Code Enforcement Officer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor DeAndreis
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No comment.
DISCUSSION / REPORTS / ACTION ITEMS:
1. Discussion/ possible action of rehoming of vicious animal- Chief Short says at the last meeting Mr. Whittaker was given stipulations to keep his dog from getting euthanized.
Mr. Whittaker has been very communicative with him. Mr. Whittaker has a brother, Adam, that lives in Lake Shastina. Adam knows the dog very well and will take the dog to his house. The dog has been cleared of rabies. All vaccines and neutering is being offered through the Mt. Shasta humaine society that the dog is currently being held. The dog cannot be released without getting rabies vaccine. Councilmember Garcia asks what the liability to the Town is for letting the dog live in another place knowing that it bites people. Attorney Jared says that it's unclear. It depends on the facts of the hypothetical case. The Town Administrator and Attorney can make an agreement. In the agreement the council would like to have stated the dog must go to a different home outside of Town limits, dog must be registered in new area, a release of liability, a defensive amenity agreement with new owner. Will bring agreement back to council at next meeting of February 21 at 12:30 PM. Motion made by LaRiviere to direct Attorney Jared to draft the agreement. Seconded by Garcia. All Ayes.
2. Consideration of approval for replacement of Duplex Sewage Lift Station Control Panel.
Public Works Hullquist presenting. Did not know there was certain laws about getting bids for jobs. Recommends the council accepts the bid from Whipple Electric because they will let Public Works work with them to learn how to fix the problem if it arises again. Attorney Jared says that accepting this bid goes against California law. You must have a purchase order and give every business the same information for the job. Plus, you can't have bid splitting, must be registered with the Department Industrial Relations (DIR), and must pay prevailing wage which is not mentioned on any bids presented. As far as staff helping with the job the Town would then take liability if anything were to happen. Mayor DeAndreis says that this bid needs to be accepted before the control panel fails and we have a sewage spill. Councilmember Garcia asks Public Works if the control panel can last till next meeting. Hullquist says yes. Motion made by Garcia to move this agenda item to next meeting while the bids are amended to follow California law.
Seconded by LaRiviere. All Ayes.
3. Consideration of approval for a feline spay/neuter clinic by Essex's Veterinary. Jaime Essex presenting. Wanted to check in with council to see what their vision was for a spay/ neuter clinic this year. A couple of years ago the old council was suppose to put it in the budget and was never done so Essex's Veterinary had to hold a fundraiser and have a non-profit help with the cost. That is not an option this year. The Town would need to pay for the clinic. ACO York says put a good dent in the feral population but will not solve the problem. Suggests a voucher program for cat owners. Mayor DeAndreis asks how much the clinic cost the last time. Answer was $4200 for 165 females and 100 male cats.
Councilmember LaRiviere suggests the Twon uses the $1500 in the budget to give the community vouchers to get their animals fixed. Mayor DeAndreis suggests to find a grant, get all of the logistics from the public and business owners and get donations.
Jaime says Purr Angels will trap feral cats in the target areas to control the feral cat population and the voucher program for the rest. Motion made by Garica for Essex's to schedule a clinic with the Clerk's Office to see when the hall will be available. Seconded by LaRiviere. All Ayes.
4. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance to Provide for Cooperative Purchasing and to Provide for Informal Bidding Procedures Pursuant to California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting (CUPCCA) Resolution to Adopt CUPCCA Procedures; and Finding Such Action Exempt from CEQA. Attorney Jared presents. Gives a brief summary of the resolution. The resolution number will be given after the approval from council. Councilmember Garcia asks if the resolution can be approved now and Public Works can fix the control panel that was previously mentioned. Attorney Jared answers yes. The ordinance must have two readings 5 days apart and does not go into effect for 30 days. Council waives full reading and introduce for first reading by reading of title only, an ordinance adding Chapter 3.12 to the Fort Jones Municipal Code addressing Purchasing Procedures, and finding such action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Motion made by DeCausmaker, seconded by LaRiviere. All Ayes.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 3:29 p.m. The next regular town council meeting is scheduled to be held on March 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Attest:
Approved:
Madeleine adur
Madeleine DeAndreis, Mayor