Fort Jones Town Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2026
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING AGENDA
I, Corinne Guidi, Town Clerk, for the Town of Fort Jones, hereby certify that the agenda for the January 12, 2026regular 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.fortjone ca.org on October 10, 2025.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the forgoing istrue 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 at 6:31pm. In addition to the mayor, councilmembers present were Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedes Garcia, Alex LaRiviere, and Paula Johnson.
Staff present: Josh Short - Fort Jones/Etna Police Department Chief, Everett Hullquist - Public Works, Joseph Hess - Fire Chief and Interim Administrator, Corinne Guidi - Town Clerk MOMENT OF SILENCE: for Doug LaMalfa, Led by Mayor DeAndreis PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor DeAndreis
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No Comment
DISCUSSION/ REPORTS COORESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Police Department Monthly Report:
Short presented the monthly report and call logs, noting a productive year for both dispatched and unlogged service calls. After successful holiday events, Chief Short introduced Office Buell to the council. The department noted a rise in severe domestic violence cases involving strangulation and significant bodily injury. These cases, handled by Officer Martin and a specialized expert nurse serving Etna and Fort Jones, were praised by the District Attorney. The D.A. recommends implementing this nursing partnership county-wide across Siskiyou County.
Additionally, Officer Buell has been actively ticketing drivers exceeding 80 mph and is addressing the speeding concerns on Forest Mountain raised on Facebook. Officer Martin is also collaborating with the D.A. and probation office on truancy issues, and the department hasissued citations for a recurring loose dog in town.
Public comment: A request was made for a definition of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) regarding the consolidation of valley services.
Council Discussion: Mayor DeAndreis inquired if Chief Short attended the OES meeting at Siskiyou Telephone regarding consolidation.Joseph Hess noted that another meeting is scheduled, but progress is stalled until the end of May due to a lack of available grants. The consolidation aims to merge Police, Fire, and Ambulance services for the Valley. Mayor DeAndreis requested an update and a short report on OES meetings, suggesting the town handle smaller consolidating issues outside of formal meetings where possible. Chief Short requested that council representatives attend the next meeting and post the details on the Town website. E.
Hullquist inquired about meeting funding, noting that residents pay property and state taxes for these services.
B. Fire Department Monthly Report:
Monthly report and call logs appear in the agenda packet. Chief Hess verbally expanded on the report and questions from the council. The department responded to 505 calls.
Council discussion: Regarding the Scott Valley consolidation group, Chief Hess clarified that the group has no official title yet and is currently referred to as the "Consolidation Working Group."
C. Public Works Report:
Engineers are discussing the wastewater plant and soliciting bids from four to five applicants for environmental services. An environmental assessment is required to remain eligible for federal CDBG grants. The wastewater plans are 60% complete; the "big triplex" will include a rack screen, lined ponds, and a percolation/evaporation system. On January 21, the Water Quality Board will discuss the waste discharge report (WDR). There is concern that the board has not set limits on nitrogen release. The plant intends to accept solid waste and sludge from the county; providing this service locally (rather than hauling to Anderson) reduces costs for septic pumping.
Additionally, the town applied for a grant to replace the master water meter with an electronic version providing real-time flow data.
Council discussion: A. LaRiviere asked about operational timelines and heavy rainfall protocols. E.
Hullquist stated that septic acceptance would pause when Moffett Creek is flowing. M. DeCausemaker confirmed there will be a dumping fee, managed through a separate account.
D. Administration/Accounting Report:
No report in packet. Verbal was given by Interim Town Administrator J.Hess Disbursement is part of the consent calendar. The town is waiting for a contract from MNS that meets specific needs; once signed, MNS will begin gathering documents and contacting loan holders. Currently, MNS works remotely from Santa Barbara. RFPs for a new Administrator are being issued. A Customer Service Clerk hired in December resigned after one week; the town is reviewing previous applicants. Accounting updates were provided by J. Hess and Mayor DeAndreis, noting that Hunt has completed the bulk of the reconciliations. Accounting J. Hess and Mayor DeAndreis have been having talks with Hunt, who has done the bulk of the reconciliation.
Council Discussion: Mayor stated that Quentin Gaddy came to talk and set up a committee and sent out RFP's and some good candidates for the CDBG. P. Johnson, thanked the committee, and Admin J.Hess
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Staff comment: E. Hullquist inquired about why the payables show 0 dollars in direct deposit.
Public Comment: None
Council Member M. Garcia informed us that there were minor errors in the previous meeting minutes and to be corrected after the meeting. M. DeCausmaker is not OK with Item C, the budget vs actual. Mayor DeAndreis continued the discussion. M. DeCausmaker stated she has no issue with item B, move to accept item B. Approval of Minutes i. Regular Meeting December 08, 2025
ii. Special Meeting December 22, 2025
b.) Ratification of Disbursements: December 01, through 31, 2025 c.) Review Budget vs Actual July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025 Motion: M. DeCausmaker moves to accept approval of minutes A(i.ii.) only.
Second:P.Johnson
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, P. Johnson Nays: M. Garcia and A. LaRiviere
Motion: Passes
Motion: M. Garcia to accept Item B
Second: A. LaRiviere
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M. Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays:
Motion: Passes
Motion: A. LaRiviere to accept Item C for review only
Second: M. Garcia
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M. Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays:
Motion: Passes
DISCUSSION / REPORTS: ACTION ITEMS:
1. Review and discuss proposed draft Wellhead Protection Ordinance The Interim Town Administrator recommends that the council review the proposed ordinance, discuss and give directions to staff.
Public comment: Protect our water.
Council Discussion: J. Hess commented that this is a rough draft and will still have to go to Attorney Andrew L. Jared for review before its final. Mayor DeAndreis wantsthe ordinance to go to Tawnee Praiswater for review.
Motion: No action taken; direction to staff
2. Cola Adiustment
Public comment: None
Council Discussion: E. Hullquist suggested a 5% start for Cost-of-Living Adjustments. J. Hess noted that for the last two years, employees only received Social Security matching, following three years of no increases. Mayor DeAndreis suggested postponing this until a new Administrator is hired but noted COLA should be a regular budget item. A suggestion was made for a 2.8% increase now, with follow-up in six months. Attorney A. Jared should come back at a later date: analysis is not enough information for a resolution. The salary schedule, step and column analysis and revision needs to happen.
Motion: P.Johnson motion to accept the 5% Cola. After further discussion P. Johnson withdrew the motion. P.Johnson then proposed a motion to table the item for next meeting for further analysis
Second: M. Garcia
Ayes (Roll Call): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays: None
Action: Motion passes unanimously
ADJOURN TO CLOSED DOOR SESSION:
7:40pm
A.LaRiviere left the meeting at 8:42 after becoming ill.
CLOSED DOOR SESSION:
No reportable action taken. Direction was given to staff.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Mayor DeAndreis stated that she attended the CalCities Conference. J. Hess Interim Administrator reminded everyone that the LOLA dinner was Wednesday in Yreka with City Selection Meeting prior to the regular meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:24p.m. The next regular town council meeting isscheduled to be held on February 9, 2026 @ 6:30pm.
Attest:
Corinne Guidi Town Clerk
Approved:
Madeleine DeAndreis, Mayor