County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Ms. Danica Berner and Ms. Jan Almquist presented a letter to the Board asking the County to request an extension on the deadline to file protests on the Application by Joseph M. Keating to appropriate water for a hydroelectric plant affecting Pine Creek, Morgan Creek and Gable Creek.  The County Administrator informed the Board that Staff was planning to bring forth County recommendations regarding this issue next week.  In response to a question from Ms. Almquist, Mr. Mendez indicated that the Planning Department should be contacted regarding this issue.  Mr. Richard Wilder, Tribal Chairman of the Fort Independence Tribe, addressed the Board to request a waiver of fees for dumping trash at the Independence Landfill.  Mr. Wilder explained that the reservation had received grant funds for solid waste issues and the tribe had decided to assist the “elders” by transporting their trash to the landfill.  The County Administrator referred Mr. Wilder to the Deputy County Administrator, indicating that should Board action be needed to facilitate this request, Staff would bring a recommendation forward.  Mr. Mendez informed the Board that a state budget has been adopted and sent to the Governor.  He explained that because of this he was postponing bringing final budget adoption to the Board until September 24, 2002, in order to provide sufficient time to identify the impacts to the County’s budget. 

H&H-Mental Health W/S

The Chairperson announced that the workshop with Health and Human Services Staff on Mental Health Outcomes was being rescheduled to next week.

Child Support/ Merlin Information Services Contract

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Merlin Information Services for the provision of locate services in an amount not to exceed $3,000 for the period of September 1, 2002, through August 31, 2003, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2002-03 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

Ordinance 1054 Children & Families Commission

On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Ordinance 1054, 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, was enacted: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

H&H-Behavioral Hlth/Mono County Treatment Facility Contract

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and County of Mono for the provision of residential alcohol and drug treatment in an amount not to exceed $80,000 for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2002-03 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

H&H-Behavioral Hlth/College Hospital Contract

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and College Hospital/Costa Mesa for the provision of inpatient mental health care, including professional services in an amount not to exceed $20,000, for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2002-03 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

Road Dept./ Radio P.O.’s

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the purchase of six (6) mobile radios from Lasky Radio of Lone Pine in an amount not to exceed $3,092.38.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

Rd. Dept./Tree Removal

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the removal of two elm trees in the road right-of-way at 152 E. Payne Street, in Independence, by County Road Department Personnel.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

P.W./Alternate Route Feasibility Study

The Public Works Director, Mr. Jeff Jewett, provided additional information and further justification on the request to support a feasibility study on an alternate route for Highway 395 in the Bishop area.  Mr. Jewett clarified that there is no project or budget identified for the alternate route alternative.  He went on to say that the feasibility study was the initial step to identify the solutions for congestion relief in the Bishop area and explore the options.  He also explained that the feasibility study would help Caltrans identify concerns relative to alternate routes and provide clearer definitions of these concerns.  In response to a question regarding public input, Mr. Jewett, explained that the Caltrans process would provide for public input. Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to support the submittal of a Project Proposal Form to Caltrans requesting a feasibility study regarding an alternate route for Highway 395 in the Bishop area.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

District/Bishop Rural Fire Protection District Commissioner Appointments

Supervisor Bear, on behalf of herself and Supervisor Arcularius, thanked the applicants for participating in the interview process.  She explained that she and Supervisor Arcularius had conducted the interviews and that each of the candidates was well qualified and would be assets to the District.  She went on to say that at the conclusion of the interviews she and Supervisor Arcularius had reached agreement on the recommendations to be brought back to the full Board and they were Mr. John Symons, Mr. Howard Holland and Mr. Lloyd Anderson.  Supervisor Bear went on to say that in a conversation with a current member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, she had been informed that the Commissioner was not going to seek reappointment when his term is up later this year and encouraged Mr. Storey and Mr. Little to continue their interest in the Fire District by seeking appointment then.  Supervisors Hambleton and Dorame also thanked the applicants and expressed their delight in having such a qualified applicant pool.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to appoint the following to serve on the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners:  Mr. John Symons and Mr. Howard Holland to complete four-year terms ending July 1, 2006, and Mr. Lloyd Anderson to complete an unexpired term ending July 1, 2005.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

Grand Jury/ County Response

Supervisor Dorame noted a reference to the Assistant County Administrator on page 10 which he asked be corrected to reflect Deputy County Administrator.  Mr. René Mendez, County Administrator said that the reference was made by the Grand Jury and indicated that he would change the County’s response to address the correction.  The Board thanked Mr. Mendez and his Staff for a job well done in responding to the Grand Jury’s Report.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the letter to Judge Stout, Inyo County Trial Court, transmitting the County’s response, as amended, to the findings and recommendations in the 2001-2002 Grand Jury Final Report and authorize the County Administrator to sign the transmittal letter.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

Forest Service-COA-Gen./ HR2389 Special Project Fund

The County Administrator addressed the request to adopt a resolution identifying the use of the Safety Full Net Payment amount to be allocated to local projects from the HR2389 funds.  He explained that there is a requirement that the County identify the use of these funds on an annual basis.  He went on to explain that the schools had once again asked to share in the funds and that he was supporting the request.  Mr. Mendez asked, due to the extremely limited response to last year’s RFP for Fire Safety Council proposals, that the Board approve broadening the scope of the projects to be used for fire prevention and planning by expanding the field to include non-profit groups, home-owner associations and other community organizations who might be able to promote fire prevention education and safety.  Supervisor Dorame suggested that organizations and groups within the communities might be able to utilize some of this money to help educate the communities on the “safe and sane fireworks” issues.  The County Administrator indicated that this would be an appropriate use of the funds should a project be identified and presented. 

Resol. #2002-52/ Safety Net Full Payment Designation

On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Resolution No. 2002-52 entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, for the Designation of 15% to 20% of the Safety Net Full Payment Amount to be Allocated to Local Project,” was adopted; motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.  

Forest Serv.-CAO-Gen./ HR2389 Funds

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to reaffirm the use of the approximately $67,280 of HR 2389 Forest Service Special Project Fund revenues expected in Fiscal Year 2002-03 to be divided equally between the Inyo County Office of Education and the County of Inyo for the following purposes: (a) an estimated $33,640 to the Inyo County Office of Education for Forest Related Educational Opportunities; and (b) to the County of Inyo for (i) search and rescue activities on Federal lands paid for by the County (up to $15,000) and (ii) a grant program for fire prevention and County planning for Fire Safety Councils, non-profits, home owners associations and other community groups ($18,640); direct staff to bring back an amendment to the County Budget once the funds are received for the County uses; and set a 45-day Public Comment period beginning September 7, 2002, and ending October 22, 2002, and direct the Clerk of the Board to publish the notice of Public Comment period.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

H&H-In-Home Supportive Services Prog. Recommend-ations

Dr. Susan Holgate, Director of Health and Human Services, provided an in-depth and detailed review of the In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Board’s recommendations, regarding the In-Home Supportive Services Program and AB 1682 mandates.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the recommendations of the In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Board to meet the mandates of AB 1682 by establishing a non-profit consortium as the employer of record for IHSS providers, to include local representation in their service delivery and that the County continue to explore a small contract mode of service for special needs clients.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

Resol. #2002-53/ Tax Rates FY 2002-03

On a motion by Supervisor Hambleton and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2002-53 was adopted setting the property tax rates for FY 2002-03 per California Government Code Section 29100; motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisors Arcularius and Bear absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

The minutes of the August 13, 2002, meeting were pulled from consideration at the request of the Assistant Clerk of the Board.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2002, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

District/So. Inyo Fire Protection District Parcel Collection Fee

The County Administrator provided additional information and further explanation on the request by the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District for the parcel collection fee to be set at 1.5% for the next two years.  Mr. Mendez explained that the parcel collection fee is the amount each district pays the County for collection of special assessments for the District.  He also explained that the fee is normally $5.00 per parcel.  The County Administrator and the Auditor-Controller, Mr. George Holland, explained the difference between the parcel collection fee and the property tax administration fee, which covers the costs of the Auditor, Tax Collector and Assessors functions as they relate to the districts. The County Administrator clarified that the waiver of the fee would be appropriate and not precedent setting because this is a new district and the reduced collection fee would provide the District with some assurance of success as it starts up operations.  Mr. Mendez provided the Board with a brief history of other actions by Board’s in which waivers were granted, citing the most recent being a 4 year assessment by the Southern Inyo Hospital District in which the fee was waived.  In response to questions from the Board regarding the amount of the difference, the Auditor explained that the boundaries of the district encompass more parcels than any other district in the County and the $5 fee equates to about $13,000 and the 1.5% fee equates to about $1,300.  Mr. Holland provided additional information regarding the property tax administration fee.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve a 1.5% per parcel collection fee to be levied against SIFPD for collecting emergency services assessments for the next two years.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius and Lent absent.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including a Prop 10 Meeting, the LTC Meeting, and a situation which arose on Friday regarding opposing damaging legislation which would effect the CR Briggs Mining operation.  The the County Administrator provided the Board with a copy of the letter sent by the County opposing SB 483, and other information pertaining to SB 1828 and SB 483.

Closed Session. 

The Chairperson recessed open session at 11: 40 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisors Arcularius and Lent to discuss Agenda Items No. 17.  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; No. 18.  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; and No. 19.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employment - Title:  Director of Health and Human Services.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 12:30 p.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

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 12:30 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., September 10, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.