CALIFORNIN
Fort Jones Town Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2025
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
I, Corinne Guidi, Town Clerk, for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for the November 10, 2025 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 November 7, 2025.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct.
Corinne Guidi, Town Clerk
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:
The regular meeting of the Fort Jones Town Council was called to order in person by Mayor Madeleine DeAndreis. In addition to the mayor, councilmembers present were Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedes Garcia, Alex LaRiviere, and Paula Johnson.
Staff present: Josh Short - Fort/Etna Police Department Chief, Everett Hullquist - Public Works, Corinne Guidi - Town Clerk, and Joseph Hess - F.J. Fire Chief and Interim Town Administrator PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor DeAndreis
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
Mayor DeAndreis at this time introduced Corinne Guidi, for those that didn't know her, as the Town Clerk.
CLOSED SESSION:
A. Public Employee Employment (Government Code Section §54957) - Public Works Employee REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
No reportable action
DISCUSSION / REPORTS CORESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Police Department Monthly Report:
No report in agenda packet. Chief Short gave a verbal report stating that Officer Martin is working with the Sacramento Sheriff's Department in the Cyber Crime Unit for area's Etna, Fort Jones, and Yreka. Officer Martin will be submitting a report with updated information. Property tax is taking care of the cyber-crime.
Officer Buell is back and "hammering" main street as the traffic has become worse with an increase in traffic violations. The department is looking into solutions for traffic violations on main street. Also, problematic houses in town are no longer problematic.
Christmas parade is coming up.
Public comment: None
Council discussion: Council discussion continued covering the cyber-crime, a request by Mayor DeAndreis for a report from Officer Martin, and possible education in the schools or Town Hall.
B. Fire Department Monthly Report:
A written report appears in the packet. Chief Hess also gave a verbal stating that calls involving fires are slowing down, but there is an increase in traffic accidents. The department has been talking with the Etna High School and are looking into starting programs for fire and medical classes. Shasta College has a bridge program that may possibly cover some of the student costs.
Public comment: None
Council discussion:
Mayor DeAndreis asked how many students were in the CPR class. Chief Hess responded "The whole senior class." Terry Attwood being the teacher.
C. Public Works Monthly Report:
A written report appears in the packet. E. Hullquist gave a verbal report informing the council that the backup generator is getting wired in, the chlorinator is hooked up and a test run will be done on Wednesday.
He also gave an update on the Geotechnical drilling at the East site. The engineers came back stating they found a layer of clay by the creek, and they can't place the pond there but is suitable on the other side. He also mentioned that staff time, for the sewer grant, is being reimbursed for the first time, possibly due to the lapse in knowledge that this could be done.
The Town's American flag was replaced. Garcia asked how the flag was disposed of. E.
Hullquist said that it was burnt honorably.
Public comment: None
Council discussion:
LaRiviere asked if environmental impact reports have been done on the projects, we have upcoming for HUD pay if needed.
Administration/Accounting Report:
A report was not present in the agenda packet. Interim Admin. Hess gave a verbal report stating that he has met with an accounting firm. He is waiting on a contract from them for no more than $25,000.
Public Comment: None
Council Comment:
DeCausmaker inquired about how far back have the accounts not be reconciled DeAndreis asked if the accounting firm could possibly take over payroll as well.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Public Comment: None
Mayor DeAndreis informed us that there are errors on the previous meeting minutes that need to be corrected. Interim Administrator Joseph Hess commented that the errors can be corrected individually after the meeting.
Council Discussion:
M. DeCausmaker commented about the October 13t minutes that discussed the transfer of money from one bank account to another by Council Member M.Garcia. This discussion was removed from the minutes. M. DeCausmaker and M. DeAndreis requested to reinstate that discussion back in the minutes; and report made by M. Garcia. A. LaRiviere commented that he felt that Garcia's actions were valid and no report is needed. M. Garcia defended her actions and stated that she did nothing wrong in this matter.
Interim Administrator J. Hess explained that to his knowledge the town's protocol was followed and that this situation was under administrator Stephen's purview.
Approval of minutes:
a.) Special Meeting: September 8, 2025
b.) Regular Meeting: September 8, 2025
c.) Special Meeting: September 10, 2025
d.) Special Meeting: September 22, 2025
e.) Special Meeting: October 13, 2025
f.) Regular Meeting: October 13, 2025
g.) Special Meeting: October 28, 2025
Motion: A. LaRiviere moves to accept the consent calendar with the necessary changes that were discussed per council and that M. Garcia doesn't need to give a report.
Second: Council Member P Johnson
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, P. Johnson, M. Garcia, A. LaRiviere Nays: None
Motion: Passes
DISCUSSION / REPORTS: ACTION ITEMS:
1. Second reading of the Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 18.56:
Flood Damage Prevention, Finding Exempt from CEQA,
Public comment: None
Council Discussion:
Mayor DeAndreis asked E. Hullquist to explain the main changes in the ordinance.
Motion: LaRiviere moves to waive full reading of the ordinance and introduce for second reading by title only An Ordinance of the Town of Fort Jones Amending Chapter 18.56 "Flood Damage Prevention" of the Fort Jones Municipal Code, attached as Exhibit A, repealing and replacing adding Chapter 18.56 "Flood Damage Prevention" of the Fort Jones Municipal Code, and finding such action exempt from CEQA.
Second: M. Garcia
Ayes (Roll Call): M. DeCausemaker, M. DeAndreis, P. Johnson, M. Garcia, A. LaRiviere Nays: none
Action: Motion passes unanimously
2. Review and approve amended 25/26 budget for Law Enforcement Growth Allocation Public comment: None
Council Discussion:
Mayor DeAndreis asked for clarification to what the allocation was for. Chief Short explained what the growth allocation is used for, which is for frontline law enforcement. The money allotted this year is $101,536.61. This is about a 9% increase over last year's amount.
Motion: A. LaRiviere moved to amend and approve the 25/26 budget for Law Enforcement Growth Allocation.
Second: P. Johnson
Ayes (Roll Call): A. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays: None
Action: Motion passes unanimously
3. Discussion and possible action to approve the purchase of a new utility truck from Yreka Motors for no more than $90,000.00.
Public comment:
A citizen said to "Go for it! We can't have Everett breaking down out there." Council Discussion:
A. LaRiviere wanted to know what the reason is to buy this truck now. He stated that we need to wait until the accountant comes back with the amount in the bank to allocate the purchase of the truck.
Interim Town Administrator J. Hess commented that there is money in the accounts, but the money needs to be put in the right accounts. He would also like to request that if this item gets approved for future purchase it doesn't need to be presented to council again after the accountant comes back with the figures.
Motion: M. DeCausmaker moves to approve the purchase of a truck for public works pending that the accountant says the funds are available and that the item does not need to come back to council, the Administrator can make the purchase.
Second: P. Johnson
Ayes (Roll Call): M. DeCausemaker, M. DeAndreis, P. Johnson, Nays (Roll Call): M. Garcia, A. LaRiviere
Action: Motion passed 3 to 2
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
M. DeCausemaker said that she was sorry for being aggravated with Mercedes (Garcia).
M. DeAndreis said that she will be gone from Nov 19th to Dec 3d and that she appreciated the work that everyone does. She also wants to point out that she has a lack of training running meetings; and appreciates the council assists,
P. Johnson commented that she felt that we need to treat each other better as we must work together to do what is best for the town.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m. The next regular town council meeting is scheduled to be held on December 8, 2025 @ 6:00pm.
Approved:
Madeleine DeAndreis, Mayor