Fort Jones Town Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 13, 2026 @ 6:00pm
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 6:30pm. In addition to the mayor, councilmembers present were Michelle DeCausmaker, Mercedes Garcia, Alex LaRiviere, and Paula Johnson.
Staff present: Everett Hullquist - Public Works, Joseph Hess - Fort Jones Fire Chief and Town Administrator Silvia Vanderlinden, Corinne Guidi - Town Clerk Staff Absent: Josh Short - Fort Jones/Etna Police Department Chief PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor DeAndreis
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
NCREC: Larry Alexander the grant and will be working with Cal Fire early final environmental project clearness with meeting with Chief Hess and Cal Fire.
Town Clerk: Introduced: Taylor Gombos to council as he is hired asthe Town of Fort Jones Customer Service
Mary LaMarr: Resident -want to make sure that Larry Alexander was talking about the area behind the building.
DISCUSSION/ REPORTS COORESPONDENCE: NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Police Department Monthly Report: absent Chief Short Public Comment: Chief Hess added that Chief Short was absent from the meeting and advised that RX drop off box Fort Jones and Etna for drop box. There are drop-off boxes at the Police Departments Office in Fort Jones and in Etna for everyone within Scott Valley and flyers for the Rx drop box will be given to the Town Hall office for disbursement also to place on the Town Web Site.
Council Discussion: Mayor DeAndreis was happy and would like that on the website when it becomes official. Mayor is also encouraging a ride along with Chief Short just for all of us to gain insight firsthand into the law enforcement day-to-day operations.
B. Fire Department Monthly Report:
There have been multiple escaped burns piles already this year. One was in Town and several out in the valley. Even though we may have moisture, this is a reminder that a fire will start even if it's wet. Larry Alexander got the grant for his company (Northern California Resource Center) for the removal of vegetation on the east side of town and up and around the water tanks, for a total of 345 acres, which includes along the slope. Larry's company has been working with Cal Fire and Fort Jones Fire Department for 2 ½ years with this grant. Everett was inquiring what will they be doing with the down trees. Larry explained that they would be thinning down the trees and removing the ones that fell. 6 to 8 inches landowner if bigger firewood program if they don't want the wood. Everett wanted to know ifNCRC will be clearing the area around the water tanks and how they will be dealing with the down trees that exist.
Council discussion: Mayor DeAndreis wanted to know what contractor Larry Alexander is using for the clearing. Will you be hiring the people with big. If the fire that got away in town was that on a bum day and to describe how it got out of control. Chief Hess stated that the homeowner did everything he was supposed to do. But the fire started under the ground and ignited the tree's roots, and his neighbor was the one who called.
Public Comment: Mr. Larry Alexander stated that he will be using local people to assist with the project. The water tank area will be cleared and the removal of down trees depending on the size of the trees that are down. Also Mr. Alexander will be working with each landowner to make sure they are ok with the removal and at times it only becomes a landscaping issue.
C. Public Works Report:
Multiple pieces of equipment break down the mower isn't working right; the flusher truck broke and then replaced the starter. The flusher truck is working now. Weed and grass at the Little League Park trying to keep up with that. Test on the transmission of the mower is being looked at.
Public Comment: Mary LaMarr asked if there was a way to get public funding for new equipment.
Council discussion: Mayor DeAndreis $23,000.00 Scott River on the same piece of road and same work chip seal and they charge $350 for the striping.
D. Administration/Accounting Report:
Working on the budget on finances and the health of the Town and the CDBG Loans block grants loans and public records. We also hired a Customer Service person for the office. Some exciting news that the town is going to celebrate its Anniversary 155th town of incorporation on March 16th, 2027.
Council Discussion: Mayor DeAndreis asked ifthere was a report on the roof. Silvia, Town Administrator, replied that the matter will be moving forward on May 11th since there was a procedure issue.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Staff comment: E. Hullquist inquired about why the payables show O 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 iii, the budget vs actual. Mayor DeAndreis continued the discussion. M. DeCausmaker stated she has no issue with item ii, move to accept item ii. Approval of Minutes i. Regular Meeting February 9, 2026
ii. Regular Meeting March 9, 2026
iii. Special Meeting March 23, 2026
iv. Ratification of Disbursements: September 2025, October 2025, November 2025, December 2025, January 2026 and February 2026
v. Approval of Temporary Use Permit for Glow Fest 2026 at REC, 11236 CA-3 Fort Jones on May 14-16, 2026
vi. Approval of Council support in the amount of $1,000 for the Glow Fest
vii. Approval of support in the amount of $1,700 to the Lions Club for the May clean Up Event
Motion: M. Garcia accepts the minutes February 9, March 9th and March 23rd with minor corrections (Item i) minutes •
Second: A. LaRiviere
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, P. Johnson, M. Garcia and A. LaRiviere Nays:
Motion: Passes
Motion: M. Garcia to accept (Item ii) Ratification of Disbursements September 2025, October 2025, November 2025, December 2025, January 2026 and February 2026 Second: A. LaRiviere
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M. Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays: M. DeCausmaker
Motion: Passes
Motion: A. LaRiviere to accept (Item iii) for review only the (consideration) approval of temporary use permit for the Glow Fest 2026 at REC, May 14-16, 2026 Second: M. Garcia
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M. Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays:
Motion: Passes
Motion: M. Garcia accepts (Item iv) Approval of Council support in the amount of $1,000 for the Glow Fest 2026
Second: M. DeCausmaker
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M. Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays
Motion: passes
Motion: M. DeCausmaker to accept (Item vii) Approval of support in the amount of $1,700 to the Lions Club for the May Clean Up Event
Second:P.Johnson
Ayes (roll call vote): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M. Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays:
Motion: Passes
Public comment: Mary LaMarr wants to know ifthere are people to help with the clean-up.
Staff comment: Silvia Vanderlinden stated that the dates of the Clean-up Event will be given on May 11th at the next meeting.
DISCUSSION / REPORTS: ACTION ITEMS:
1. Staff recommends that the City Council approves a budget process for FY 2026-2027 budget for the Town of Fort Jones. Such process would include items a,b,c.
Item a: To consider adopting on June 8th, 2026 (by Resolution) a status quo budget for the FY 2026-2027 with a 5% increase for services, materials and payroll.
Item b: Council to hold a Priority Setting Session on May 11, 2026 (prior to the Council Meeting) inviting the community participation and sharing of priorities.
Item c: After the Priority Setting session, direct staff to review feasibility and cost out the top items and based on council direction, staff and financial resources implemented via budget amendments.
Public comment: none
Council Discussion:
Motion: A. LaRiviere motion to accept and approve the budget process for FY 2026-2027 Budget for the Town of Fort Jones that will include: Items A, Band C.
Second: M. DeCausmaker
Ayes (Roll Call): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays: none
Action: Motion passes unanimously
2. Fire Chief recommends that the council review and approve the quote for SnapTite tire attack hose approximately $1,000 Public comment: None
Council Discussion
Motion: M. DeCausmaker motion to accept Fire Chief recommendation for the council review and approve the quote for the Snap-Tite fire attack hose approximately $1,000.
Second: A. LaRiviere
Ayes (Roll Call): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Nays: None
Action: Motion passes unanimously
3. Adoption of the attached Resolution approving the Town's FY 26-27 SB 1 Project List for submission to the California Transportation Commission (CTC), to maintain eligibility for annual Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funding as required by SB 1
Public comment: none
Council Discussion:
Motion: M. Garcia motion to approve the adoption of the attached Resolution approving the Town's FY 26-27 SB 1 Project List for submission to the California Transportation Commission (CTC), to maintain eligibility for annual Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funding as required by SB 1
Second:P.Johnson
Ayes (Roll Call): M. DeAndreis, M. DeCausmaker, M Garcia, P. Johnson, A. LaRiviere Action: Motion passes
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
May 11th Community Park funding 4 years in the making. Expect good community involvement ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35p.m. The next regular town council meeting isscheduled to be held on May 11, 2026 @6:30pm.
Attest:
Corinne Guidi Town Clerk
Approved:
Madeleine DeAndreis, Mayor