County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Mr. Bob Hurd, Environmental Health Director, introduced Ms. Jeannie Taylor, South Region OES Coordinator who was here attending the Unified Command Meeting. 

Public Works/1^st

Reading of Map Modification Ord.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to waive the first reading of an ordinance adding Section 16.56.015 to the Inyo County Code to allow for modification of a recorded Tract Map, Parcel Map or Final Map; and schedule December 10, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence, as the date and place for the enactment.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:17 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present except Supervisors Lent and Dorame, to address Agenda Items No. 5.  CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING/ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) – One Case - Irrigation of Laws Ranch Dispute between LADWP and County of Inyo, Adjudication of Dispute Pursuant to the Long Term Water Agreement entered June 1997 as Stipulation and Order of Judgment, Inyo County Superior Court, Case 12908; No. 6. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING/ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a)(c) – One Case - LORP Pumpback Station Dispute between LADWP and County of Inyo, Adjudication of Dispute Pursuant to the Long Term Water Agreement entered June 1997 as Stipulation and Order of Judgment, Inyo County Superior Court, Case 12908; No. 7.   CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING/ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a)(c) – One Case - Big Pine Dispute between LADWP and County of Inyo, Adjudication of Dispute Pursuant to the Long Term Water Agreement entered June 1997 as Stipulation and Order of Judgment, Inyo County Superior Court, Case 12908; No. 8.  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. 9. 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) - Negotiator: County Administrative Officer & Personnel Analyst.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 10:10 a.m., to reconvene in open session, with all Board Members present except Supervisors Lent and Dorame.

Planning-Water/ Independence Regreening Project

Mr. Greg James, Inyo County Water Director, Mr. Chuck Thistlethwaite, Planning Director, and Ms. Andrea Clark, Resource Management Coordinator, provided additional information and further explanation on Staff’s recommendation for the Independence Eastside Regreening Project, the land releases associated with the Long Term Water Agreement, the Manzanar Land Exchange and the establishment of a process for the release of lands.  The Assistant Clerk read into the record letters from Mr. Jason Warren and Ms. April Zrelak, and the preface of a petition signed by 42 people all concerning the items under discussion.  

Mr. Rich White, Ms. Arlene Grider, Mr. Steve Howe, and Ms. Loralee Cole, Independence Residents, addressed the Board to support the recommendation that the Regreening Project be changed to allow residential development and ball fields, as well as development of the Manzanar Land Exchange parcel and the land releases as recommended the LWACs.  Mr. Jack Pound, Independence Resident addressed the Board to support the Regreening Project as identified in the Long Term Water Agreement.  Mr. Mannett, Independence Resident, addressed the Board to provide a brief history on the sports complex concept.  Mr. Dwight McNaughton, Developer, addressed the Manzanar Land Exchange, identifying his involvement in the acquisition and development of the 280 (282) acres.

Board, Staff and members of the audience discussed in depth, at great length, and from a variety of different perspectives, the issues regarding the items under discussion, which included: 

Throughout the discussion and at the conclusion of specific discussion items the Board took the following actions regarding Staff recommendations. The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:30 p.m., reconvening at 2:00 p.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisors Lent and Dorame to continue the discussion.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to, with regard to the area on North Clay Street and North Crocket Street (two residential lots of 50’ by 130’) direct Staff to address the release of these lots with the release of other lands per the Water Agreement and in conjunction with the process to be identified by the Board.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to, without changing the regreening project, direct Staff to evaluate a well on the site to supply the 30 plus acres with water for any of the project options identified and ask the community to submit the complete and detailed development, business and operational plans for the Sports Complex to Staff at least two weeks prior to the tentatively scheduled February 4, 2003, Independence discussion on the land releases.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve that the 0.6 acres on East Market Street to be occupied by the alley be excluded from the regreening project area, as part of the approval of a final plan for implementation.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to

A) direct Staff to work with DWP to verify the lands identified for release by the LWACs are available for release; and

B) schedule either Special Board Meetings or timed action items for Regular Board Meetings in

·                                  Big Pine on Tuesday, January 7, 2003, at 7:30 p.m., (after the 3:00 p.m., tour of the Convalescent Hospital);

·                                 Lone Pine on Monday, January 13, 2003, at 6:30 p.m.

·                                 Independence on Tuesday, February 4, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. and

·                                 Bishop on Tuesday, February 11, 2003, at 6:30 p.m.,

for the purpose of:

·                                 hearing the recommendations of the local LWACs

·                                 receiving staff recommendations regarding parcels for release

·                                 verifying the parcels of Los Angeles-owned land the County requests be released into private ownership

·                                 directing staff to move forward in conferring with LADWP on verified parcels, the schedule for release and the preparation of the necessary CEQA documents.

Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to direct Staff to (a) continue the assessment of the development possibilities of the entire 280-acre Manzanar Land Exchange parcel as one parcel; and (b) develop recommendations to be presented at the February 4, 2003, Independence Meeting to verify lands associated with the 75-acre release.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to direct Staff to include language in the General Plan Amendment to eliminate those policy statements which are deemed to be inconsistent with Board actions.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 3:30 p.m., to reconvene in closed session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisors Lent and Dorame, to continue discussions on closed session items previously identified.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 5:25 p.m., to reconvene in open session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisors Lent and Dorame.

Water Dept./ Instructions to Representatives

Mr. Greg James, Water Director, provided additional information regarding the items to be addressed at the upcoming Standing Water Committee Meeting.  Mr. James reviewed Staff’s recommendations regarding the Big Pine Ditch System.  He explained that the alternative, which was approved by the Board for another well at Reynolds Road to provide water for the project, while it was an alternative, originally proposed by the Department, the Department ultimately rejected it.  He went on to explain that they have made an offer of $400,000 to the Community of Big Pine to mitigate for not supplying water to the Ditch System.  He went on to say the Department has also offered to supply water to the Ditch System by diverting 500 acre feet per year from Klondike.  Mr. James elucidated the Staff’s recommendation that the County seek further clarification on the options being proposed by DWP for the Big Pine Ditch System.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve Staff’s recommendation regarding the Big Pine Ditch System.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.  Mr. James went on to explain Staff’s recommendation regarding the proposal for the re-irrigation of the Laws Ranch area.  He explained Staff is recommending that the process begin to amend the Long Term Water Agreement with a minor map change, which will identify current Type E vegetation as Type A and identify  vegetation in other areas of Laws as Type E.  Mr. James explained the exact process, which will be followed to accomplish Staff recommendations.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve Staff’s recommendation regarding the re-irrigation of the Laws Ranch area.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Lent and Dorame absent.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 6:00 p.m., to reconvene in closed session with all Board Members present, except Supervisors Lent and Dorame, to continue discussions on closed session items previously identified.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 6:45 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 6:45 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., December 10, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.