County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  The County Administrator announced that Giovanni Santana, the young soccer player from Inyo County, had won the National Soccer Championship for his age division.

Introduction

Mr. Phil McDowell, District Attorney, introduced Mr. Mark Johnson, the new Deputy District Attorney.  

Fish & Game Workshop

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 9:12 a.m., to convene in a workshop with the Inyo-Mono Fish and Game Advisory Commission to discuss and provide direction to the Commission on the types of programs to be funded through the Fish and Game Fine Fund.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 9:35 a.m., to reconvene in open session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Lent.

Fish & Game/Fine Fund Expenditure

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve a $2,500 Fine Fund expenditure to assist with deer management activities through the costs of helicopter time for two projects in Inyo and Mono Counties and authorize the payment of these funds through warrant based upon certification of expenses by the California Department of Fish and Game.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Motor Pool/ Sheriff’s Unit Repair

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to ratify the repair of and approve a purchase order to Jim Allen’s Automatics for the repair of a transmission in a 1997 Ford Taurus Sheriff unit, in an amount not to exceed $2,219.98.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-Children’s Services Council/ Membership

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to A) set the total membership of the Council at eighteen persons; B) appoint additional member alternates to fill categorical slots as recommended by Staff; and C) set the quorum for the Council at ten.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-CalWorks/ Workforce Investment Board

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the Inyo Workforce Investment Board Bylaws as recommended by the Workforce Investment Board.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-CalWorks/ Workforce Investment Board Appointments

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to A) appoint the following people to the Workforce Investment Board to complete three year terms ending August 1, 2005: Norma Brandt, John Clair, Bill Draves, Bill Goodman, Vance Johnston, Dr. Robert Meador, Alan Pietrasanta and Mark Webb representing the business community; James Diaz representing the employment Development Department; Dee Odell representing Native American Employment and Training Programs; Daniel Stienhagen representing a community-based organization; Charles Potterville representing a Local Labor Organization; Sheri Snyder representing Inyo County Health and Human Services; and John Young representing Bishop City Council; and B) establish the number of IWIB members at 18.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Parks/Lone Pine Park Play Equipment

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) declare the bid received by Playgrounds by Design, Inc, for play equipment as non-responsive because it does not meet the specifications and reject the bid; B) award the bid for and authorize the purchase order for the construction of play equipment at Lone Pine Park to Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems, c/o Pacific Design Concepts and C) adopt the Notice of Exemption and certify the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act have been satisfied.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Integrated Waste/ Keeler Landfill Closure

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to reject the bids received on September 12, 2002, for the final closure of the Keeler Landfill; and authorize the Director of Integrated Waste Management to re-advertise the project.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Org./Bishop CofC/

Update

Mr. Joe DeAguero, Executive Director of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, updated the Board on the Chamber’s marketing program and the Visitor Bureau’s web site, traffic and requests.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:30 a.m., reconvening at 10:50 a.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Lent.

P.W.-Bishop Air-port-Roads/Budget Amendments

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to amend the Board Approved FY 2002/2003 Budget, as follows: (a) increase estimated revenue in the Bishop Airport Master Plan Budget Unit 631300, State Grants (Revenue Code #4498) by $1,221, and Federal Grants (Revenue Code #4555) by $9,790; and increase appropriations in Internal Charges (Object Code #5121) by $4,369, and Other Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $5,312; (b) decrease appropriations in the Congestion Relief Budget Unit 034602, Road Materials (Object Code #5309) by $50,000; and (c) increase estimated revenue in the Bishop Airport Terminal Construction Budget Unit 150102, County Contribution (Revenue Code #4562) by $34,336.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Transit/Driver Position

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to authorize the filling of two vacant budgeted BPAR Transit Driver, positions.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Library/Library Specialist Position

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to authorize the filling of a vacant budgeted BPAR Branch Library Specialist I, position.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Integrated Waste/ Equipment Operator Position

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to authorize the filling of a vacant budgeted full-time Solid Waste Equipment Operator position.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

P.W./Road Maint. Worker Position

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to authorize filling a vacant budgeted full-time Road Maintenance Worker I position.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

P.W./Seasonal Rd. Maint. Workers

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to authorize the filling of three vacant budgeted Seasonal Road Maintenance Worker positions.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

P.W./Civil Engineer Position

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to authorize the filling of a vacant budgeted Associate/Assistant Civil Engineer position.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Coroner/Ordinance Re Wage Increase

Supervisor Hambleton noted that the ordinance changing the Coroner’s salary from $1,017 to $1,250 per month, reflected a ratcheting salary, which was not the intent of the Board.  The County Administrator concurred, explained that he would make the necessary changes and requested that the item regarding the Coroner’s wage be pulled from consideration. 

Planning Dept./

Thistlethwaite Contract Amend.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Chuck Thistlethwaite for the provision of personal services as Director of Planning increasing the rate to $6,187 per month and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Resol. #2002-67/  Salary Resolution

On a motion by Supervisor Hambleton and a second by Supervisor Dorame, Resolution No. 2002-67, rescinding Resolution 2002-05 and fixing the compensation and/or terms and conditions of employment for appointed officials employed in the several offices or institutions of the County of Inyo, was approved: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Assessor/Salary Increase

The Assessor, Mr. Tom Lanshaw, provided additional information and further justification for the request to raise the Assessor’s salary from $5,460.58 per month to $6,100 per month.  The Board and Mr. Lanshaw discussed the duties and responsibilities of the Assessor, as well as the information contained in the backup documents provided by the Assessor.  The Board and the County Administrator discussed how elected officials’ salaries could be reviewed on a more consistent basis, in an effort to solve the issue of having to amend a County Ordinance every time an elected official’s salary changes.  Additionally, the Board queried Staff on their ability to make an elected official’s salary increase retroactive.  County Counsel, Paul Bruce, clarified that while the ability to make the salary retroactive is not available to the Board, they do have the ability to provide a lump sum payment for services rendered.  Supervisor Hambleton expressed a desire to, prior to considering the request to raise the Assessor’s salary, have the County Administrator develop a process for evaluating the salaries of elected officials.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to direct the County Administrator to conduct a comprehensive executive salary study and develop a process to address the salaries of elected officials to be returned for the Board’s consideration within the next 90 days.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:30 p.m., to reconvene at 2:20 p.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Lent.

Resol. #2002-68/ OJP State Domestic Preparedness Grant

On a motion by Supervisor Dorame and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2002-68,  supporting the 2001 OJP State Domestic Preparedness Grant in the amount of $83,947 and authorizing the County Administrator to sign the Application for Assistance for submittal of the State OES-Southern Region as a condition of the Grant, was approved; motion unanimously passed and adopted with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-IHSS/ Employer of Record Designation

Representatives of Community Service Solutions were introduced to the Board and responded to questions from the Board regarding specific In-Home Supportive Services, which will be provided.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) designate Community Service Solutions, a non-profit consortium, as the Employer of Record for Inyo County’s In-Home Supportive Services providers, and B) approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Community Service Solutions for Employer of Record Services for the period of November 5, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $88,363; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

H&H-Social Serv./ Change in Authorized Strength

Dr. Holgate provided additional information and further justification for a change in authorized strength by deleting a HHS Specialist position and adding a Social Worker position.  Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by  Supervisor Bear to approve a change in authorized strength by deleting one Health and Human Services Specialist at Range 53 ($2,119 - $2,577) and adding one Social Worker I, II or III position at either Range 61 ($2,550 - $3,098), Range 64 ($2,735 - $3,325) or Range 67 ($2,936 - $3,565) dependent upon experience and education of the successful applicant and authorize the recruitment and filling of this position.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Planning Dept./ SECOR International and Desert Ag Contract Amendments

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve A) amendment No. Two to the Agreement between the County of Inyo and SECOR International, Inc., for the provision of environmental review and processing services, increasing the Contract by $24,592, to an amount not to exceed $189,084; and authorize the Chairperson to sign; and B) amendment No. Three to the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Intermountain Slurry Seal, Inc., DBA Desert Aggregates for the provision of environmental review and processing services, increasing the Contract by $44,265, to an amount not to exceed $340,351 and changing the fringe benefits calculation percentage to 40% as recommended by Personnel; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Planning-Yucca Mountain/Program Update

Mr. John Gervers, Inyo County Planning Department Consultant, provided an update on issues pertaining to the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.  At the conclusion of the discussion Supervisor Dorame briefly left the meeting.

Planning-Yucca Mnt./Certification of Funds

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to certify that the funds expended by Inyo County through the Yucca Mountain Repository Assessment Office for County Fiscal Year 2001/2002 were for activities as defined by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as Amended, and the Energy and Water Development Act of 2002; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously on a three-to-zero vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear and Hambleton voting yes, and with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.  At the conclusion of the motion, Supervisor Dorame rejoined the meeting and Supervisor Bear briefly left the meeting.

P.W./Authority to Act

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to authorize Jeffrey S. Jewett, Inyo County Public Works Director, to act on behalf of Inyo County as the Contract Administrator for the Recreational Trails Program, Amargosa River Canyon Trail Project, in the event the funding is approved for the grant application.  Motion carried unanimously on a three-to-zero vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Hambleton and Dorame voting yes, and with Supervisors Lent and Bear absent.  At the conclusion of the motion, Supervisor Bear rejoined the meeting.

B of S/Minute Approval

At the request of the Clerk of the Board, the request for approval of the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meetings of A) September 24, 2002; B) October 1, 2002; C) October 8, 2002; and D) October 15, 2002, was pulled from consideration.

City of Bishop/ Election Services

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to authorize the County to provide election services as specified in the City of Bishop Resolution No. 02-10 for the General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Bishop on Tuesday, March 4, 2003.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 4:35 p.m., to convene in closed session with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Lent to discuss Agenda Items No. 26.  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. 27.  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 6:15 p.m., to convene in open session, to receive a report on closed session.  County Counsel reported that 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 6:15 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., November 12, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.