County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Mr. Chuck Hamilton, Deputy County Administrator, informed the Board that the County has been awarded the Sierra Nevada Cascade Grant for Dehy Park in the amount of $416,584.  Mr. Joe DeAguero, the new Executive Director for the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, introduced himself to the Board.  Mr. René Mendez, County Administrator, informed the Board that a local youth, Jiovanni Santana, would be competing in the Pepsi sponsored Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Dribble, Pass & Score national competition, as one of four finalists in 12-14 year old Division 12-14.  The Board directed staff to prepare a letter for the Chairperson’s signature congratulating Giovanni. 

Integ. Waste/ Amendment to ESJPA Contract

For Keeler Monitor Wells

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) adding two additional groundwater monitoring wells at the Keeler waste disposal site, increasing the Contract amount by $14,175 to a total not to exceed $179,576; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent

Parks/Baker Creek Lease

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Lease between the County of Inyo and the Department of Water and Power for the property used for Baker Creek Campground for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2007, at the rate of $360 per year for 2003 and $500 per year thereafter; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Ord. 1057/Date for Reassessed Value

On a motion by Supervisor Dorame and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Ordinance 1057 entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Amending Section 3.28.050 A. of the Inyo County Code to Make January 1, Rather Than March 1, the Date Used to Determine Whether the Reassessed Value of Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity is Utilized for Tax Liability Purposes in the Fiscal year Subsequent to the Damage or Destruction,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Resol. #2002-61/Dec. 1 Date for Filing Budget w/State

On a motion by Supervisor Dorame and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Resolution No. 2002-61 was adopted, permanently setting December 1 as the date by which the County’s completed budget must be filed with the State Controller and the Clerk of the Board: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-Health/ Bioterrorism Response Plan

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Public Health Preparedness and Response to Bioterrorism Plan; and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Certification Form III-1.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

P.W.-Bishop A/P/ Demo Project Neg. Declaration

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the Bishop Airport Demolition Project.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Resol. #2002-62/ Bishop A/P Demo Project

On a motion by Supervisor Dorame and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Resolution No. 2002-62 was adopted certifying the approval of the Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the Bishop Airport Demolition Project and to certify the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act have been satisfied; and authorize the demolition of the buildings at the Bishop Airport per plans and specifications to be considered at a later date. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

E. Health/Well Permits Keeler Landfill

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve two new monitoring well permits for the closure monitoring of the Old Keeler Landfill.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Rd. Dept./Rd. Project Discussion

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Road Commissioner, presented the results of his investigation regarding the allegations by Western Stabilization that the County’s “cold foamed asphalt” specifications for Homewood Canyon and Nine-Mile Canyon Road Projects are not in compliance.  Mr. Jewett explained the process being used and confirmed that the product being accepted does meet County specifications.  County Counsel presented a memorandum from his office, also addressing the allegations of non-compliance and confirming the County’s position with regard to the award of the contract for the projects.  Representatives of Western Stabilization, the entity leveling the complaint and Pavement Recycling Systems, the subcontractor performing the work, addressed the Board to provide justification and further information for their “cold foam” process and their positions regarding these two projects.  Supervisor Dorame thanked Staff for the thoroughness of their investigation, conveyed to the Road Commissioner, his and his constituents’ thanks for a job well done on the Homewood Canyon Project.  The Chairperson explained that there is no action being requested of the Board, and thanked Mr. Jewett and the representatives of the two companies for the information. 

Parks/Bishop Waste Contract North County

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Bishop Waste Disposal for the transfer of solid waste from County Campgrounds and Parks in north County, for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $8,200; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Parks/Bishop Waste Disposal South County

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Bishop Waste Disposal for the transfer of solid waste from County Campgrounds and Parks in south County, for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $16,650; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Parks/Bishop Waste Disposal Vault Pumping

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Bishop Waste Disposal for vault pumping at County campgrounds, for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $6,250; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Parks/Pahrump Valley Disposal

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Pahrump Valley Disposal for the transfer of solid waste from Tecopa Hot Springs Park and Campground, for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $10,254; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Emergency Serv./Fire Safe Council Grant Award

The County Administrator provided additional information and further explanation on the recommendation to award the County’s last year’s Forest Service Safety Net amount to the Eastern Sierra Regional Fire Safe Council per the County’s state position for use of these funds.  Mr. Mendez and the Auditor-Controller also provided additional information on the reasons why last year’s amount ended up in the General Fund balance.  The County Administrator reported that after the transfer of this $16,700, the General Fund Contingencies balance would be $386,298.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to A) award a Fire and Prevention and County Planning Grant to the Eastern Sierra Regional Fire Safe Council, in the amount of $16,700, and authorize the County Administrator to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained; and B) amend the FY 2002/03 County Budget as follows - reduce Contingencies Budget Unit 087100, Contingencies (Object Code #5901) by $16,700 and increase appropriations in the Office of Disaster Services Budget Unit 023700, Other Professional Services (Object Code #5265)  by $16,700.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2002, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously on a three-to-zero vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear and Hambleton voting yes, with Supervisor Dorame abstaining and with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-Families Comm./Input for Strategic Plan

Supervisor Bear provided a brief overview of the results of the survey conducted by the Children and Families Commission.  She provided additional information to the Board regarding the types of things the Commission is looking for from the Board and suggested, because of the need for several members of the dais to travel, that the item be continued to next week in order for the Board to provide input for the Strategic Plan on challenges affecting health, safety, growth and learning of children ages 0-5 years and their families in Inyo County.  The Board concurred with Supervisor Bear’s suggestion and continued further discussion on the item to next week.

Ord. 1058/Use Fees for Tecopa

On a motion by Supervisor Dorame and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Ordinance No. 1058  entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Establishing Fees for the Use of the Tecopa Hot Springs Park by Groups Larger than Fourteen Persons,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Capital Asset Leasing Corp.

The Chairperson recessed the regular Board of Supervisors Meeting at 10:45 a.m., to convene as the Capital Asset Leasing Corporation, with all Board Members present except Supervisor Lent.  The Chairperson, at the conclusion of the Capital Asset Leasing Corporation Meeting, reconvened the regular meeting at 11:05 a.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Lent.

Water Dept./
Indy Regreening Project

Ms. Loralee Cole, Independence Resident, reviewed her request for the Board to change the Independence Regreening Project identified in the LA/Inyo Long Term Water Agreement.  Ms. Cole, cited stagnate population figures, declining school enrollment, the absence of housing, the need for growth; and a need for a place for the children of Independence to play, as her reasons for bringing this request forward.  She presented the Board with a petition signed by Independence Residents and a letter from Sally and Perry White agreeing with her request.  She said that the Regreening Project is located in an area, which is contiguous with the town of Independence, accessible to sewer and water facilities and ideal for housing and ball field development. 

Mr. Robert Gracey, Independence Resident, addressed the Board to concur with Ms. Cole’s request and to ask the Board to also move forward on the release of lands identified in the Long Term Water Agreement and the 280 acres identified for release as a result of the Manzanar transfer.  Ms. Treva Loyd, Robert Mannatt, Rich White, representing himself and the Chamber of Commerce, and Arlene Grider, Independence Residents, addressed the Board to support the changing of the Regreening Project to provide growth opportunities and allow for the development of the land.  The Assistant Clerk read into the record, at the request of Supervisor Hambleton, a letter from April Zrelak, Independence Resident, opposing any change in the Project. 

Supervisor Hambleton referenced a letter, which had been received by the Board from the Owens Valley Committee and the Sierra Club opposing any change to the existing Regreening Project.  He explained that he was having difficulty with the “same” Sierra Club, who is spearheading and supporting the process for putting millions of acres of public land in California into Wilderness, informing the Board through their letter regarding the Independence Regreening Project, that they do not recognize a process for changing the Long Term Water Agreement or the Regreening Project.  Supervisors Hambleton and Dorame expressed their desire to support the residents’ concept for their communities throughout the Valley.  Supervisor Hambleton requested that this item be referred to Staff for a complete and thorough analysis of how to proceed with the request to change the Independence Regreening Project and also the land releases. 

The County Administrator explained that in the past while land releases were identified there has never been a discussion on the method of acquisition.  He went on to request that the direction from Board be comprehensive and include, but not be limited to the following: (1) a thorough review of the process for changing an EEM Project identified in the Long Term Water Agreement, including an in-depth analysis of the ramifications of such an action; (2) the review and analysis of the method of acquisition for any changes and/or land releases; (3) the compliance and/or requirements to comply with CEQA for any changes and/or land releases; and (4) address the zoning issues associated with the proposed actions.

The County Administrator gave further details on his concept of the Board’s direction, explaining that he would like to have the Staff’s report and recommendations presented at either the November 26 or December 2, 2002, Board Meeting and reviewed the Departments and Staff who would probably be involved with the report.  The Chairperson requested that Ms. Cole provide the County Administrator with a finalized request for the change in the Regreening Project, identifying exactly what areas are to be changed. 

The Chairperson also requested that Staff’s report include a map of the Regreening Project and the proposed areas of change, so that all parties are on the same page.  Supervisors Hambleton and Dorame also expressed their pleasure in seeing this issue addressed, explaining that identifying methods for acquisition for land releases will help resolve similar issues in other areas of the County, as they arise.  At the conclusion of the discussion the Board Directed Staff to return on either November 26, or December 2, 2002, with Staff recommendations regarding changing the Independence Regreening Project and other land releases as recommended by the County Administrator.  Supervisor Hambleton also took the opportunity to notify those Independence residents in the audience of the County’s receiving the Sierra Nevada Cascade Grant for the Dehy Park Project

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 12:10 p.m., to convene in closed session to discuss Agenda Items No. 20.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization: ICEA - Negotiators: County Administrator and Personnel Analyst and No. 21.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re:  wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization:  Elective Officials Assistant Association (EOAA) - Negotiators:  County Administrator & Personnel Analyst.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 12:45 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 12:45 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., October 15, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.