Fort Jones Town Council
Special Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2025
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
I, Cherie Stephen, Town Administrator for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for the May 12, 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 May 9, 2025 by close of business.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct.
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 6:00 p.m. In addition to the mayor, councilmembers present were Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedes Garcia, Paula Johnson, and Alex LaRiviere by video in Santa Cruz, CA.
Staff present: Cherie Stephen - Town Administrator, Jessie Monday- Town Clerk, Everett Hullquist - Public Works, Chief Joseph Hass- Fort Jones Fire Department, and Chief Joshua Short - Etna/Fort Jones Police Department
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor DeAndreis
PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments.
DISCUSSION / REPORTS / CORRESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
1. Consideration of approval for Resolution 1138: Resolution Adopting a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Approved. Motion made by Garcia, seconded by LaRiviere. All Ayes.
2. Consideration of approval for Resolution 1139: Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Fort Jones to Approve the 2025 Meeting Calendar for the Regular City Council Meetings. Garcia states the Ordinance 02.04.010 subsection c states the resolution to amend the meeting times must be made in November or December of the previous year. Motion to approve the resolution made by DeCausmaker, seconded by Johnson. Ayes: Johnson, DeCausmaker, and DeAndreis. Naes: Garcia, and LaRiviere.
Motion passes.
3. Consideration of approval for Fee Structure for use of Public Spaces in Fort Jones. Garcia shows back in the minutes the ad hoc that was made for updating the fee schedule was Johnson and DeAndreis and Everett from Public Works. On the background it says DeCausmaker and DeAndreis met for this discussion. It was also said the council gave permission for the ad hoc to look at the fees for the building rental fees, not for the parks.
Mayor DeAndreis says she agrees about taking the parks out of the discussion because she did not realize the softball and baseball leagues had contracts with the Town. Mayor DeAndreis then asks staff what their opinions are. Chief Short says having people reserve the parks is a good idea because then the PD can be informed about the event. Everrett from Public Works says citizens pay taxes so they should have access to the parks for free. He also states the Town Hall should be free to the citizens because it never gets used anymore because people cannot afford it. It is explained that anyone can come into the park but if someone rents it from the Town, they then get the right to call staff to have anyone vacated that they don't want at their event. Clerk Monday asks if the parks are still included in the discussion because earlier it was stated that it was being taken out of the discussion. She also says the Scout Hall should be free until people realize it is available for use. Then we can charge for the Town Hall but give an alternative if they cannot afford it. Councilmember LaRiviere moves to table this item. We need more clarification about the baseball contracts and this item needs to be reviewed and reworded with all the information. Seconded by Garcia. Direction given to staff to make application for Scout Hall rental. Motion amended by Johnson to Table item with removal of park rental and direction to make Scout Hall application. Seconded by DeCausmaker. All Ayes.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m. The next regular town council meeting is scheduled to be held on May 12th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Attest:
Chesi Atephen
Cherie Stephen, Town Administrator
Approved:
Mattersa
Madeleine DeAndreis, Mayor