County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Mr. Richard White, representing the Death Valley and Independence Chambers of Commerce, presented the Board with the bronze award won by the County for its Cal Expo Exhibit and the first Independence Chamber of Commerce Visitors Guide.  Supervisor Hambleton read a letter he had received from Independence Resident John Hogan commending the Public Works Department on the water system upgrades.  The Board shared Mr. Hogan’s sentiments and commended the Public Works Staff for a job well done.

Water/Herbicide P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the purchase of 220 gallons of Garlon 4 herbicide from Target Specialty Products in an amount not to exceed $19,008, plus tax and 885 gallons of improved JLB Oil Plus, with dye, from Silverado Ranch Supply in an amount not to exceed $6,549 plus tax.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Rd. Dept./Truck Repair

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to ratify the purchase order to Luther Motors, Inc, in the amount of $2,385.36, for the emergency repair of a truck in the Shoshone District.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

P.W./Tennis Court Rehab Projects

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to reject the bids received for the Inyo County Parks and Recreation Tennis Court Rehabilitation Project and authorize the Public Works Director to re-advertise for bids for the project.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

H&H-Children & Families Comm./ Ordinance Membership

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to A) waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 2.50.060 of the Inyo County Code to increase the membership to seven members, to adjust the number of members to be drawn from certain categories and clarify existing language and B) schedule the enactment of this ordinance on September 3, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

H&H-Mental Hlth/ Board Appt.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to appoint Jean Herrington to the Mental Health Advisory Board to complete a three-year term ending June 30, 2005. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

H&H-Tobacco Prg./Fair Contract

Supervisor Hambleton asked for clarification on the funding for this tobacco prevention activity. Staff confirmed that this is Proposition 99 funding which is designated for tobacco program use.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair (18th District Agricultural Association) to provide for smoke-free zones, for the period of August 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $2,500, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2002/03 Budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

DA/DOJ Contract INET Operations

Ms. Janet Pool, District Attorney’s Office, requested a minor change in the Agreement be made and referred further explanation to the County Administrator.  The County Administrator presented the Board with a memorandum explaining the reasons for the change.  He asked that in light of the information regarding a discrimination claim that section 8B be changed to reflect a yes response instead of no.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Lent to approve the Agreement between the County of Inyo and the Department of Justice to allow Inyo Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET) to continue to participate in asset forfeiture sharing and comply with the Federal guidelines as amended; and authorize the County Administrator to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Planning-Yucca Mnt./Latir Energy Consultants Contract

Mr. Andrew Remus, Yucca Mountain Coordinator, provided additional information and further justification for the Contract with Latir Energy for program development.  Mr. Remus explained that the minor increase in the Contract over last year’s amount is to fund an additional trip, by the consultant, to Inyo County to update the Board on Yucca Mountain Program activities.  Moved by Supervisor Lent and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Latir Energy Consultants for program development, for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $32,000, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2002/03 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Resol. #2002-50/ Prop. 41 Funding

Ms. Beverly Harry, Clerk-Recorder, provided additional information and further justification to submit an application for Proposition 41 funding for modernization of voting equipment.  She explained that in order for the County to qualify for this funding, a resolution needed to be submitted to the State.  She went on to say that while she is not recommending modernizing the County’s voting system at this time, should in the future there be a mandate that the equipment be updated, through this resolution the County would be eligible for the funding.  The Board and Ms. Harry went on to discuss the state of the current voting equipment used in the County, as well as the matching funds which would be required if the Prop 41 funds were to be used to update the equipment.  On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Lent, Resolution No. 2002-50 was adopted, approving the Application of Funding Consideration to be submitted to the Voting Modernization Board pursuant to Proposition 41 and authorize the County Clerk to sign the application; motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Clerk-Elections/ Ballot Discount Payment

Ms. Harry, Clerk-Recorder, provided additional information on the request to prepay a portion of the printing costs for the upcoming general election in order to obtain a 3% discount.  She informed the Board that a slight change had occurred in the Contract which removed the “liability insurance” coverage which had been required in the past.  She explained that in conversations with the vendor, Sequoia, they had informed her that because the insurance costs had escalated and were excessive the requirement had been omitted from the Contract.  Ms. Harry went on to explain that Sequoia had indicated to her that none of their other clients were concerned with the omission of the clause.  The County Administrator provided additional clarification, explaining that Sequoia was certified by the State and he felt the risk to the County was minimal.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Lent to authorize the prepayment of $15,000 to Sequoia Voting Systems for one-half of the estimated printing costs for the November 5, 2002 General Election, in order to gain a 3% discount on the total printing costs.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Auditor/Property Tax Rates

The Chairperson announced that the request for a resolution setting the property tax rates for FY 2002-03 per California Government Code Section 29100, had been pulled from consideration and would be rescheduled for next week.

Resol. 2002-51/ DSA Disability

On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Lent, Resolution No. 2002-51 was adopted, making findings and determinations required by Government Code Section 21156 concerning incapacitation and disability of an employee; motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

BofS/Minutes

The request for approval of the minutes of the August 13, 2002, Board of Supervisors Meeting, was pulled from consideration.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:00 a.m., reconvening at 10:15 a.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Dorame.

Senior/Big Pine Convalescent Hospital

The Public Works Director, Mr. Jeff Jewett, provided a brief history of the facility.  He provided information on the one RFP received by the County on the development of the site.  He explained that what the County received had been a “concept” proposal rather than an actual proposal for a development project.  He reviewed the possible options available regarding this property, suggesting that Staff be directed to work with the responder to get more detailed project information, while continuing to explore other alternatives.  The County Administrator recommended that the Staff also be directed to bring back a detailed discussion with the Board regarding the disposition of a variety of the County owned lands, which, in his estimation, are non-producing assets.  Supervisor Hambleton commended Big Pine Resident, Mr. Mike Carrington, for his help in keeping the Big Pine Care Facility property watered and mowed.  The Board concurred with Staff and directed Staff to get more information on the proposal presented in response to the RFP for the lease and development of the former Big Pine Care facility and to bring back a discussion regarding the future disposition of this property and other property owned by the County.

 Board Members and Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including the LTC Meeting, and the RCRC Meeting.  The County Administrator notified the Board that due to the holiday, County offices other than those of the 24-hour operations would be closed on Monday.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:45 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Dorame, to consider Agenda Items No. 16.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits –  Employee Organization - ICEA - Negotiators - County Administrator and Personnel Analyst; and No. 17.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits –  Employee Organization - Elective Officials Assistant Association (EOAA) - Negotiators - County Administrator and Personnel Analyst.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 11:45 a.m., to convene 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