County of Inyo

Public Comment

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

Introduction

Mr. Bob Hurd, Environmental Health Director, introduced Mr. Andrew Kirk, REHS Trainee in his department, to the Board. 

CAO-Purchasing/ Protective Gear P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to declare Lab Safety Supply as a “sole-source” provider for personal protective apparel and equipment, and authorize the purchase of personal protective apparel and equipment for use in responding to local bio-terrorism incidents from Lab Safety Supply, in an amount not to exceed $8,634.52, plus tax and shipping charges.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent. 

CAO-Purchasing/ Document Recorder P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to authorize the purchase of a Canon Digital Document Recorder, Endorser, Endorsing Stamp, Systems Analysis, and Network Consultation through the California State Multiple Award (CMAS) Contract from Canon USA, Inc., c/o American Filing Systems, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $7,995.50, plus tax, and the annual maintenance contract of $1,295, with an additional fee of 1.22% to be paid to the State of California for use of the CMAS Contract.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Motor Pool/ Vehicle P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to A) declare Perry Motors, Rotolo Chevrolet, Folsom Lake Ford, and Lasher Auto Center as non-responsive bidders; and B) award the bid for and approve the purchase of one 2002 Ford Taurus Sedan Wagon from the low bidder Eastern Sierra Motors, in an amount not toe exceed $19,292.36.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Motor Pool/ Recycling Machine P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to award the bid for and approve the purchase of a 134-A Air- Conditioner Recycling machine from Dave’s Auto Parts of Lone Pine, in an amount not to exceed $3,349.13.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-AODS/ Director Appointment

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to A) designate the Health and Human Services Department to administer the Inyo County Alcohol Program; B) re-affirm the appointment of Jean Dickinson, Assistant Director of Health and Human Services, as the Inyo County Drug Program Administrator; and C) re-affirm the appointment of Jean Dickinson as the Alcohol and Other Drug Services Administrator for Inyo County.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-Health Serv./Rural Health Clinic Agreements Terminated

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Mutual Agreements to Terminate, effective January 31, 2002, the following: a) the County Medical Services Program/Wellness and Prevention Grant Program Agreement between the County of Inyo and County Medical Services Program Governing Board for the term April 1, 2001, through March 31, 2004; b) the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Northern Inyo Hospital for the term of October 10, 2000, through March 31, 2003; c) the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Healthcare Financial Solutions for the term of August 1, 2001, through June 30, 2004; and d) authorize the Chairperson to sign the Agreements.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-Behavioral Hlth/Sanctuary Psychiatric Contract

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Sanctuary Psychiatric Centers for the provision of Mental Health placement services, increasing the Contract by $25,000 to a total amount not to exceed $50,000, for the period of July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

P.W./Millpond Playground Equipment Plans and Specs

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Plans, Special Provisions and Bid Documents for the Millpond Recreation Area Playground Project, and authorize the Public Works Director to advertise for bids for the project.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Assessor/ Bertholf Contract

Supervisor Dorame questioned the Assessor on the specific duties performed under this Contract.  Mr. Lanshaw explained that the contract provides appraiser assistance with Assessment Appeals for the CR Briggs Appeal and a Coso Appeal should one be filed.  Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Harold W. Bertholf, Inc. for assessment appeal assistance services, for the period of January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of FY 2002/03 Budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Rd. Dept./Pipe P.O.

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, amended the request for the purchase of culvert pipe, by asking the Board to declare Brown’s Supply as the sole-source provider for the culvert pipe.  Mr. Jewett explained that Brown’s Supply was the only company in the area who could supply this material and that there is a need to get the pipe installed as quickly as possible in order to move forward with the Fort Independence Road Project.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to declare Brown Supply as the sole-source provider of culvert pipe and approve the purchase of 360-feet of 18” and 100-feet of 24” culvert pipe from Brown’s Supply in an amount not to exceed $6,494.30.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Planning Dept./ Public Notice Requirements

Mr. Chuck Thistlethwaite, Planning Director, presented the Board with his recommendations regarding a County policy for public notice requirements.  Mr. Thistlethwaite reviewed the Staff Report and the recommendations in detail, providing a critique of the survey of what other counties require.  In his review, Mr. Thistlethwaite explained that he was recommending for both Zoning and Subdivision Application Public Hearing Notices and for CEQA Documents that for areas zoned for less than one-half acre minimum parcel size that notices be mailed to all property owners within 300 feet and for areas zoned for one-half acre or greater minimum parcel size that notices be mailed to all property owners within 1,320 feet (one-quarter of a mile).   Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to direct staff to develop and return for the Board’s consideration a resolution establishing a “Public Notice Policy for Zoning and Subdivision Application Public Hearings and Notice for CEQA Documents,” establishing that all property owners within 300 ft. of property zoned for less than one-half acre minimum parcel size will be notified and that all property owners within 1,320 ft. (one-quarter mile) of property zoned for one-half acre or greater minimum parcel size will be notified.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

P.W.-Bishop Airport/Windsock P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to ratify the emergency purchase of an externally lighted wind cone and assembly from Siemans Airfield Solutions in an amount not to exceed $2,434.68, including sales tax.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2002, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Hambleton abstaining and with Supervisor Lent absent.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2002, Board of Supervisors Meeting, correcting page 4 from Technical Committee to Technical Group.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2002, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Fish & Game/ Friends of Sierra Trout

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve a $1,500 expenditure from the Fish & Game Fine Fund to the Sierra Trout Foundation (Friends of Sierra Trout), to pay for the remaining debt on the “catch and release” training film, and for the design and printing of handouts that will describe proper methods of releasing trout alive.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:03 a.m., reconvening at 10:15 a.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Lent. 

P.W./L.P. Phase I/Independence Phase 2 Water System Improvement 

Mr. Jewett, Public Works Director, provided additional information and further justification for the request for approval of the Contract for the Lone Pine Phase 1/Independence Phase 2 Water System Improvement Project.  Supervisor Dorame queried Mr. Jewett on the total amount of pipe to be used for the Lone Pine Project, explaining that he remembered a larger amount of pipe being replaced than is accounted for in the information provided by Mr. Jewett.  The Chairperson suspended the discussion on this item to allow Mr. Jewett the time to get a response to Supervisor Dorame’s questions.  

Org./Coalition Sunset Ad Campaign

Ms. Toni Jepson, of the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce and representing the Coalition of Chambers, addressed the Board to provide additional information, further justification and response to questions from the Board regarding the proposed Sunset Magazine Ad Campaign.  Ms. Jepson indicated that the Coalition would be approaching other organizations such as the BLM, the Forest Service and CURES, for help in funding the remainder of the ad campaign as originally proposed for twelve ads.  The Deputy County Administrator reviewed the County Administrator’s recommendations contained in the Agenda Item, reiterating the CAO’s request that the ads promote the County’s campgrounds.  The Board and Ms. Jepson discussed the CAO’s Funding Conditions b) in detail and at length.  Dr. Craig London, Bishop Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Board to support the Coalition’s request and to provide additional information on the context of the ads and how it would relate to promoting the County’s campgrounds. Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the funding for the Sunset Magazine Ad Campaign in the amount of $16,394 as recommended by the County Administrator in his March 12, 2002, Agenda Request Item, amending the CAO’s “Proposed Funding Conditions” item b) by eliminating the condition that the Chambers incorporate the Sunset Magazine Advertising Campaign with their own efforts.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Planning Dept./

Wireless Communications Facilities Ordinance

The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 11:35 a.m., on a proposed ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, adding Chapter 18.76, entitled ‘Regulation of Wireless Communications Facilities,’  the Inyo County Code and Repealing Ordinance No. 1039” to establish regulations for the siting of wireless telecommunications towers, antennas, and ancillary facilities in the unincorporated portion of the County.  The Planning Director, Mr. Chuck Thistlethwaite, reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations concerning the adoption of an ordinance regulating wireless communications facilities in Inyo County.  Mr. Thistlethwaite responded to questions from the Board explaining that there are currently 14 separate applications from 7-8 applicants for wireless communications facilities pending in the Planning Department.  He explained the process that would be utilized to determine if a facility has been abandoned and discussed the 110% provision.  A representative of American Towers addressed the Board to question the need for the 110% provision, explaining that he felt it was a property owners right to decide if he wanted to have a facility closer to their dwelling.  Mr. Thistlethwaite explained that the 110% provision was included to address the matter of public protection and safety.  Mr. Sam Wasson, Keeler Resident, addressed the Board to support the adoption of the ordinance, saying he felt this was a good ordinance.  Supervisor Dorame requested a clerical correction to the ordinance indicating that “of” in the second to the last sentence of item D on page 14 be removed.  There being no one else wishing to speak to this issue, the Chairperson closed the public hearing at 12:35 p.m.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) find the ordinance concerning regulations for wireless communications facilities to be an action taken by a regulatory agency for protection of a natural resource and of the environment and to be exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Sections 15307 and 15308, respectively, of the CEQA Guidelines; B) waive the first reading of the proposed ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, adding Chapter 18.76, entitled ‘Regulation of Wireless Communications Facilities,’ to the Inyo County Code and Repealing Ordinance No. 1039,” and C) schedule 10:05 a.m., March 19, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence, as the time, date and place for the enactment.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

P.W./L.P. Phase I/Independence Phase 2 Water System Improvement

Mr. Jewett addressed the question from Supervisor Dorame regarding the total amount of pipe to be replaced in the Lone Pine Town Water System.  He explained that the original amount of pipe to which Supervisor Dorame was referring had been a preliminary estimate in response to the Boyle Report and the County had always had issue with the amount of pipe.  Mr. Jewett explained that the complete Plans and Specifications for all phases of the Lone Pine Town Water Project reflect the correct amount of pipe to be replaced and that this amount corresponds to the amount reflected in the information he provided to the Board today.  Mr. Jewett also explained that as the County learned more about the systems through its operations of the systems, the County was able to better ascertain exactly where the fire hydrants are and what the fire flows are, reminding the Board that during the preliminary discussions regarding the Town Water Systems and the Boyle Report, verification of the information contained in the report was difficult. Mr. Jewett assured the Board that the amount of pipe reflected in his documentation is correct and indicated that he would keep the Board apprised of the amount of pipe replaced in future reports.  Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to A) award the bid to and approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Sierra Cascade Construction of Palmdale for the Lone Pine Phase 1/Independence Phase 2 Water System Improvement Project, Alternate B, in an amount not to exceed $381,814.30, and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained; and B) authorize the Public Works Director to sign all Contract Change Orders, to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 2042 of the Public Contract Code.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:40 p.m., to reconvene at 1:40 p.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Lent.

Board Members and Staff Reports 

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including a detailed report on the NACo Conference, a Big Pine Ditch Meeting, meetings with constituents on the wilderness proposals, a Prop 10 Meeting, and an Arts Council Meeting.  The Deputy County Administrator announced an Electronics Recycling program which is being implemented at the landfills.  Mr. Hamilton also announced that with the passage of Proposition 40, Inyo County could expect to realize $1.2-million from the measure.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 3:45 p.m., to convene in closed session to discuss Agenda Item No. 20.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957)– Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Title:  County Counsel.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 5:05 p.m., to reconvene in open session to receive a report on closed session.  County Counsel reported there were no items discussed in closed session which were required by law to be reported on in open session. 

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 5:05 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., March 19, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.