County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period and there was no one from the public wishing to speak.

Planning-Yucca Mnt./WIP Trip

Mr. Andrew Remus, Yucca Mountain Coordinator, reported on the recent tour of the WIP high-level repository in New Mexico, which he and Supervisor Dorame had made.  The County Administrator, Mr. René Mendez, updated the Board on recent information concerning the State budget.

Introduction

Ms. Sally Cline, Public Administrator/Public Guardian, introduced her Deputy, Ms. Tina Hersley, to the Board.

Org./D.V. CofC Additional CalExpo Reimbursement

The County Administrator provided a brief history of the County’s involvement in the CalExpo Exhibit, explaining that he was not supporting the Death Valley Chamber’s request and recommending that the Board direct Staff to evaluate a possible increase for future exhibits in next year’s budget.  Ms. Toni Jepson, Death Valley Chamber of Commerce, provided additional information and further justification for the request by the Chamber of the reimbursement of $2,724.75 for additional expenditures incurred by the Chamber for this year’s Cal Expo Exhibit.  Mr. Rich White, Independence Chamber of Commerce, supported the reimbursement of the additional expenses.  Both Ms. Jepson and Mr. White supported the recommendation that the CalExpo prize money be reimbursed to the individual Chamber responsible for the Exhibit in addition to the $10,000 budgeted each year.  The Board, Staff and representatives from the Chambers of Commerce continued to discuss the County’s involvement with the CalExpo Exhibit, the impact and ramifications to the Chambers, and the need for increased funding for the continuation of CalExpo Exhibits.  The group also discussed the specific wages identified by the D.V. Chamber for reimbursement, with Ms. Jepson providing detail that the $1,800 identified in wages was actually, $540 for overtime and the balance being straight-time.  The Board Members expressed their concerns with setting a precedent of paying additional expenses incurred, which were not originally identified in the CalExpo Exhibit budget.  The County Administrator recommended to the Board that a budget adjustment be a part of a motion, since the prize money has not been factored into the budget.  County Counsel reminded the Board that any action encompassing a budget change would require a 4/5’s vote.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton, to, without precedent, provide funding in the amount of $2,724.75, minus the overtime amount of $540, to the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce to cover additional CalExpo expenses, direct the County Administrator and the Auditor-Controller to make the appropriate budget amendments, and revisit the issue of CalExpo expenses at sometime in the future to minimize future budget overages.   Motion failed on a three-to-one vote, with Supervisors Bear, Hambleton and Dorame voting yes, with Supervisor Arcularius voting no, and with Supervisor Lent absent.

Supervisor Arcularius indicated that in light of the vote on the previous motion, she would be willing to compromise.  She said she was comfortable with the $540 on the overtime wages and with paying for the additional transportation expenses because the Death Valley Chamber has further to go than other Chambers.  At the conclusion of her remarks, the Chairperson, Supervisor Arcularius, asked for a new motion.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to, without precedent, provide funding to include $540 for overtime and $912.54 for transportation costs, for a total “rounded-up” amount of $1,500 to the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce to cover additional CalExpo expenses, revisit the issue in the future to address minimizing future budget overages, and authorize the County Administrator and Auditor-Controller to make the appropriate budget changes.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Ord. 1060 Modification to Maps

On a motion by Supervisor Hambleton and a second by Supervisor Bear, Ordinance 1060 was adopted, adding Section 16.56.015 to the Inyo County Code to allow for modification of a recorded Tract Map, Parcel Map or Final Map: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Water Dept./ Budget Amendment

The County Administrator requested a change in the figures associated with the request by the Water Department for an amendment to the LORP/EPA budget unit.  He asked that the revenue figure in Federal Grants be changed from $125,915 to $127,915 and the appropriation amount in Professional Services be increased from $42,205 to $85,010.  Mr. Greg James, Water Director, responded to questions from the Board.  He explained that (a) the work was delayed due to disputes with DWP and was no fault of the Contractors,  (b) the full payment of this contract would be made through grant funding, (c) that the entire amount would be applied to the County’s portion of the LORP Project, and (d) that the costs are reimbursable expenses.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to A) amend the 2002/2003 LORP/EPA Fund Budget Unit 621101 by reducing the appropriation in Contribution from LADWP (Revenue Code #4563) by $42,905, by increasing the appropriation in Federal Grants (Revenue Code #4555) by $127,915, and by increasing appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $85,010; and B) approve the Amendment to the Contract between the County of Inyo and URS Corporation for environmental consulting services, increasing the Contract amount by $85,010 to an amount not to exceed $459,610 and extending the term of the contract from June 30, 2003 to June 30, 2004; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meetings of October 22, 2002, November 5, 2002, and November 18, 2002.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Lent absent.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meeting of November 12, 2002.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear abstaining and with Supervisor Lent absent.

At the request of the Clerk of the Board the minutes for the November 26, 2002, Board of Supervisors Meeting were pulled from consideration.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:37 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Lent, to discuss Agenda Items No. 8.  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. 9.  CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING/ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a)(c) – One Case - EIR/EIS Lower Owens River Project (LORP)  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. 10. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTIN LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) - Lane v County of Inyo, WCAB No. 0290055; No. 11.  CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(c) – One Case - Decision Whether to Initiate Litigation; No. 12.   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. 13.  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; and No. 14.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Appointment - Title: Director of Health & Human Services.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 2:30 p.m., to convene in open session to receive a report on closed session. County Counsel reported that with regard to Agenda Item No. 14. PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Appointment - Title: Director of Health & Human Services, the Board, in a unanimous four-to-zero vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear, Hambleton and Dorame voting yes, and with Supervisor Lent absent, appointed Ms. Jean Dickinson as the Director of Health and Human Services Department upon the position becoming  vacant due to the retirement of the current Director, and subject to negotiating a contract to be finalized in January, 2003.  

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 2:30 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., December 17, 2002, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.