County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period and there was no one from the public wishing to speak. 

Introduction

The Chairperson announced that the introduction of Ms. Karen Christensen, Tobacco Control Specialist in the Health & Human Services Department, was being postponed due to illness.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 8:10 a.m., to convene in closed session with all Board Members present to discuss Agenda Items No. 3.  PERSONNEL [Pursuant to Government Code §54957] - Employee Appointment  - Title: Director of  Environmental Health and 4. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re:  Wages, salaries and benefits - Title:  Director of Environmental Health - Negotiator:  Member of Board of Supervisors as designated.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 11:15 a.m., to reconvene in open session with all Board Members present.

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced a second public comment period.  Mr. Robert Lupton of the Department of Energy, introduced himself to the Board.   Mr. Mark Bagley representing the Sierra Club expressed their concerns with delays by DWP in beginning the EEM projects identified in the Long Term Water Agreement. 

Integrated Waste/ Grinder Repair Parts

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the purchase of repair parts for the Integrated Waste Management tub grinder from Southwest Wear Parts Co., Inc., in an amount not to exceed $2,874.55.  Motion carried unanimously.

Integrated Waste/ Repair of Compactor Engine

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Bob Scharz Equipment Co., Inc., dba Heavy Equipment Parts Company for the repair of a landfill compactor engine in an amount not to exceed $8,880; authorize the Chairperson to sign; and authorize the Auditor-Controller to make a 50% payment in the amount of $4,440 to initiate the repair.   Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-Children Services Council/ Membership and Appointments

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to A) set the total membership of the Children’s Services Council at twenty-three (23); B) establish the quorum at 12 members; C) make appointments to the Council as recommended by Staff; and D) appoint Mr. Toby Dickinson, Deputy Executive Director for 2001-2002.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-Behavioral Hlth/SAMHSA Renewal Grant

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the submission of the revised renewal application for the SAMHSA Federal Block Grant for FY 2001/02 in the amount of $160,239.  Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./Color Plotter Purchase

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to authorize the purchase of a color plotter from DLT Solutions of Herndon, Virginia, through the State CMAS contract system, in an amount not to exceed $5,456, plus tax and delivery.  Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2001-71/

Trona-Wildrose Rd. Project

Ord. #1049/ Grand Jury Travel Reimbursement

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Lent, Ordinance No. 1049, entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California Amending Section 2.92.045 of the Inyo County Code Increasing the Fees, and Clarifying Travel and Mileage Reimbursement for Members of the Inyo County Grand Jury,” was enacted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Planning Depart./ General Plan Update

The Chairperson continued the public hearing at 11:35 a.m., to consider the Final Program Environmental Impact Report and Final Inyo County General Plan.  The Planning Director, Mr. Chuck Thistlethwaite reviewed the Staff Report in detail and presented new maps delineating the recommended changes for designations of EEM lands being recommended for the General Plan Update.  Mr. Thistlethwaite explained that the EEM lands which were not identified by the Land and Water Advisory Committees for release were now designated as “Agricultural or Open Space,” thereby reducing the amount of EEM Lands which carry a “residential” designation.  He went on to explain that the land in the Laws Area which was identified by the Bishop Land and Water Advisory Committee for release and which have been identified as “Type E Vegetation” are now being designated as “Agricultural or Open Space,” and that lands identified in Big Pine and Independence for land release by the Land and Water Committees would remain “Residential High of Medium Density.”    Mr. Mark Bagley representing the Owens Valley Committee and the Sierra Club, presented, and read into the record, a letter identifying the groups concerns with EEM lands being designated for land release.  Mr. Thistlethwaite and Mr. Bagley reviewed and discussed the proposed maps, with some items of discrepancy being noted.  The Chairperson asked Staff to review the maps and present any changes after the lunch break.  The Chairperson recessed the public hearing at 12:20 p.m., stating that the Board would be conducting a working lunch in closed session and reconvene at 1:30 p.m.

Closed Session

and No. 22.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re:  Wages, salaries and benefits - Title:  Director of Child Support Services - Negotiator:  Member of Board of Supervisors as designated.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 1:30 p.m.

Planning Dept./ General Plan Update

The Chairperson reopened the public hearing on the General Plan Update at 1:43 p.m., with all Board Members present.  The Planning Director presented revised maps showing the designation for the EEM Project lands, reiterating that that the EEM Project lands identified by the Big Pine and Independence Land and Water Committees for possible land release remained with “residential” designation; that the EEM land in the Laws Area, identified by the Bishop Land and Water Advisory Committee for land release had been identified as Type E Vegetation and could not be considered for land release and was now being designated “Agricultural or Open Space” and the other EEM Project lands were now being identified as “Agricultural or Open Space.”  Mr. Bagley reiterated the Owens Valley Committee and the Sierra Club’s position that all EEM lands identified in the Long Term Water Agreement should be identified as “Agricultural or Open Space.”  Supervisors Dorame and Lent concurred with this position.  They supported the EEM Project lands designations as “Agricultural or Open Space.”   Supervisors Arcularius, Bear and Hambleton expressed an alternative view, explaining that the Long Term Water Agreement not only addresses EEM Projects but also addresses land release.  They expressed their desire to see the recommendations of the Land and Water Committees for land releases to be considered.  Supervisors Lent and Dorame concurred that the recommendations of the Land and Water Commission for land releases should be considered but not at the expense of the EEM Projects.  Ms. Nancy Masters, representing the Owens Valley Committee, expressed her support of having all EEM lands, including those identified for land release, designated “Agricultural or Open Space.”  The Chairperson closed the public hearing at 2:15 p.m.  The Board and Staff continued to discuss the recommendations for land designations in the General Plan Update, with Supervisors Dorame and Lent supporting EEM lands being designated “Agricultural or Open Space” and with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear and Hambleton supporting the Staff recommendations for the designations.   

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to accept Staff recommendations and designate the EEM lands identified by the Long Term Water Agreement as “Agricultural or Open Space,” except as follows: (a) land identified in the Laws Area for release should now be shown as “Type E Vegetation” and designated “Agricultural or Open Space;” (b) land identified for EEM Projects in Big Pine and for land release will retain the designation “Residential – High Density” and include a map note as recommended by Staff; and (c) land identified for EEM Projects in Independence and for land release will retain the designation “Residential – Medium Density.”  Motion carried on a three-to-two vote, with Supervisors Arcularius Bear and Hambleton voting yes, and with Supervisors Lent and Dorame voting no.

Resol. #2001-72/ Final General Plan

The Planning Director reviewed the proposed resolution certifying the Final Program Environmental Impact Report and adopting the Final General Plan.  Supervisors Dorame and Lent asked for clarification on the Resolution, page 2, fifth paragraph dealing with the designations for the EEM project lands identified for land release, with Staff explaining that the paragraph delineates actions taken by the Planning Commission.  Upon further questioning on the paragraph, the County Administrator responded that since Supervisors Lent and Dorame did not support Staff’s recommendation for land designations with regard to EEM Projects, they should vote no on this motion.  On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Resolution No. 2001-72 was adopted, certifying the Final Program Environmental Impact Report and adopting the Final General Plan; motion passed on a three-to-two vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear, and Hambleton voting yes and Supervisors Lent and Dorame voting no.

Rd. Dept./TEA Funding and County Support for Carson & Colorado Railway, Inc.

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director and Executive Director of the LTC, provided additional information on the status of TEA funding in Inyo County.  He explained the difference between programming the funding and obligating the funding, saying that if the money is not obligated within an appropriate amount of time the County may loose a portion of the funding.  He provided an example of this saying that due to delays in the InterAgency Visitor Center Expansion Project the County will loose approximately $109,000 of TEA Funding.  The Board asked Mr. Jewett to work with the State to resolve the issues so that the County does not lose this money.  The County Administrator reviewed the request from the Carson & Colorado Railway, Inc., for support of their plan to have a railway museum in Independence.  He explained that at the present time the Railway group is not prepared to submit the financial and budget analysis of the project and without that information it is not possible for Staff to make a recommendation regarding the project.  He also explained that he felt it was important, in light of the information provided by Mr. Jewett, that prior to the Board taking action on support of any more TEA Projects that the Board set the criteria for evaluating the projects, especially those presented from outside of the ones presented as County projects.   Mr. Bob Enis of the Carson & Colorado Railway, Inc., addressed the Board to explain that the request before the Board may be premature, but he was hoping that the Board could give the group an idea of whether they are interested in pursuing the idea of a Railway Museum in Independence.  Mr. Enis reviewed the group’s request in detail, explaining the involvement required for each of the recommendations.  The County Administrator reiterated his recommendation that the Board conduct a workshop to give direction on establishing a rating criteria for TEA Projects Mr. Rich White of the Independence Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Nancy Masters of the Independence Civic Club addressed the Board to support the project.  The Board thanked Mr. Enis and the supporters of the Carson & Colorado Railway project for their attendance at today’s meeting and directed the County Administrator to schedule a workshop with the Board for January 15, 2002 to discuss criteria for evaluating future requests for TEA funding.  Supervisor Arcularius left the meeting explaining that she was traveling to Sacramento for a RCRC Meeting. 

Senior Program/ Medi-Cal Reimbursement

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Agreement between the County of Inyo and the California Department of Health Services for the purpose of receiving Medi-Cal reimbursement for the period of July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2004, in the amount of $77,000; and authorize the MAA/TCM Coordinator to sign on behalf of the County.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

P.W.-Senior/B.P. Care Facility

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to A) find that the convalescent hospital operated by Big Pine Care, Inc., is not a “County facility” as the term is used in the Health and Safety Code Section 1442.5, because the County transferred all management and control thereof to the Corporation in 1992 and, in any event, that the convalescent-related health care needs of the indigent residents of the County will continue to be met after the closure of the Big Pine Convalescent Hospital due to the concurrent opening of a new convalescent facility in Bishop; B) declare the Big Pine Convalescent Hospital facility as surplus and no longer need for County use; C) direct the Public Works Department to prepare and make offers to lease the property in accordance with and to the entities described in Government Code Section 54222; and D) direct the Public Works Department to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of the Big Pine property for consideration and possible adoption by the Board, in accordance with Government Code Section 25515.2(f) in the event the property is not leased to a public agency.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

DA/Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to amend the FY 2001/02 District Attorney Budget 022400 by increasing estimated revenue in Citizens Option for Public Safety – COPS (Revenue Code #4488) by $4,500 and increasing appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $4,500.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

DA/Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to A) amend the FY 2001/02 District Attorney Budget 022400 by increasing estimated revenue in Trial Court Fines (Revenue Code #4214) by $2,400 and increasing appropriations in General Operating (Object Code #5311) by $900 and Office Equipment (Object Code #5669) by $1,500.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Resol. #2001-73/ Direct Deposit Services

On a motion by Supervisor Hambleton and a second by Supervisor Dorame, Resolution No. 2001-73 was adopted, supporting the implementation of direct deposit services for CalWORKS recipients; motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Org./Interagency Visitor Center

Mr. Ed Pittman, Project Coordinator for the Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center Expansion Project, provided the Board with a brief history and update on the status of the project.  Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Lent to approve the letters of support of the Visitor Center’s TEA Grant to the Inyo and Mono Local Transportation Commissions.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Report on Closed Session

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 4:20 p.m., to 10:05 a.m., Tuesday, December 18, 2001, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.