County of Inyo

Public Comment

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

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Dr. Susan Holgate, Director of Health and Human Services, read into the record a thank you letter from the Big Pine Fire Chief, thanking the Board for the EMS funding.  Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, notified the Board that the Sierra Wings Restaurant located at the new Bishop Airport Terminal Building, opened its doors this weekend.  Mr. Andrew Remus, Yucca Mountain Project Coordinator, updated the Board on recent meetings relating to Yucca Mountain.  In order to facilitate further discussion on the Yucca Mountain issues, the County Administrator indicated that an item would be agendized in the future.  The County Administrator provided a brief update on the status of the State budget and VLF funding. 

Introduction

Mr. Art Maillet, District Attorney, introduced Mr. Bryan Kim, Deputy District Attorney, to the Board.

Post Agenda/ Little Lakes Restoration Support Letter

The County Administrator provided additional information and further justification for a post agenda item regarding support for the Upper Little Lakes Restoration Wildlife Conservancy Grant.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to find that the request for support of the Upper Little Lakes Restoration Project arose after the Agenda for the February 4, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting was posted and there is a need to take action on this item prior to the next regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors Meeting, therefore, this item is added as Agenda Item No. 20A.  Motion carried unanimously.

Library/Joint Use Library Concept for Big Pine

Mr. Bill Michael, Museum/Library Director, provided further information and explanation on the Joint Use Library concept for the Big Pine Library.  Mr. Michael thanked Bonnie McGee of the Friends of the Big Pine Library, for her help and assistance in bringing this concept to acceptance.  He explained briefly that the concept would be to utilize the location where the “burnt out” building is located on the Big Pine School Property, that there would be a segregation of usage for students and the public, and that he was envisioning using grant funds, school insurance funds, and the County funds for the facility.  The Board congratulated the Community of Big Pine for their efforts and support of a joint project.  Supervisor Hambleton acknowledged and also thanked Bonnie McGee for her help and assistance, indicating that he was looking forward to the new facility, and acknowledging that the solution presented for a new Big Pine Library Facility also helped the Big Pine Fire Department with their efforts to expand into the current Library location.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to endorse in principle the creation of a Joint Use Library for the Big Pine Unified School District and the County of Inyo and direct Staff to determine the feasibility of a Joint Use Library and to work with School District staff to draft a joint use agreement for such facility.   Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Info Serv./ Pitney Bowes Equipment Leases

Mr. Brandon Shults, Information Services Director, responded to questions from the Board, explaining that the smaller piece of equipment was a back-up machine and it could not handle the normal mail processing demands of the County.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Agreements between the County of Inyo and Pitney Bowes for the lease of U.S. mail processing equipment and equipment services in an amount not to exceed $50,580 and $7,860, for a 5-year period, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Parks/Millpond Entrance Sign P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve a purchase order to Maverick Sign Company in an amount not to exceed $2,855.38 for the fabrication of an informational entrance sign for Millpond Recreation Area.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Purchasing/ All Terrain Vehicle P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to award Bid No. 2002-08 for and approve the purchase of an all terrain vehicle for Mosquito Abatement per Staff recommendations.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-WIC/ Supplemental Nutrition Program

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and the State of California Department of Health Services for the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) for the period of October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2005, in the amount of $958,422; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff’s Dept.- Srch & Resc./ Winch P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to declare Pine Pig Rescue as a sole-source provider of search and rescue equipment and authorize the purchase of a Paillaredet Base Winch, crank gear, stabilization frame and storage box from Pine Pig Rescue in an amount not to exceed $4,399 plus tax.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-Misc./ Bishop Plaza Lease

With regard to the leases for the Bishop Plaza and the Water Department, Supervisor Hambleton asked if the Water Department could be relocated to the Big Pine Care Facility, thereby saving almost $50,000 in Water Department rent payments and off-setting the cost of maintenance for the Big Pine Care facility.  Supervisors Bear and Williams expressed concern Health and Human Services Department leases and relocating health and human services away from the target population.  The Board and Staff continued to discuss the viability of relocating some of the Bishop County offices to the Big Pine Care facility.  The County Administrator indicated that he would include the concept of County Office space in Staff’s feasibility study of the Big Pine Care facility.  The Board and Mr. Mendez reviewed the time-line for presentation of the feasibility study, with the County Administrator indicating he was preparing the report to coincide with his commitment of 6 months, which he made at the Big Pine portion of the January 7, 2003, Board of Supervisors meeting.  The Board and the County Administrator discussed the termination clauses of the lease agreements, with Mr. Mendez, confirming there were usually 30-day cancellation policies. 

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the renewal of the lease between the County of Inyo and the Parsons Family Trust for office space at 1351 Rocking W Drive (Bishop Plaza) at the rate of $3,910.40 per month for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets and authorize the Health & Human Services Department Fiscal Director to provide written notice exercising the option to renew the lease.  Motion carried unanimously.

Water Dept./ Lease

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the renewal of the lease between the County of Inyo and Harry and Brenda Wilson for Water Department Office at 163 May Street, at the rate of $4,459 per month for the period of January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets and authorize the Water Department to provide written notice exercising the option to renew the lease.  Motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff/Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Funding

The Sheriff reviewed the recommended uses for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funding.  The Chairperson opened the public hearing to consider the proposed uses at 10:30 a.m.  There was no one from the public wishing to address the issue, and the Chairperson closed the public hearing at 10:31 a.m.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to amend the FY 2002/2003 County Budget by (a) increasing estimated revenues in the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Budget Unit 621098, County Contribution (Revenue Code #4562) by $4,191 and increasing appropriations in Office & Other Equipment >$1,000 (Object Code #5232) by $8,100 and Travel Expense (Object Code #5331) by $33,811 and (b) decreasing estimated revenue in Sheriff General Budget Unit 022700 Reimbursed Expenses (Revenue Code #4961) by $35,000 and decreasing appropriations in Travel Expense (Object Code #5331) by $35,000; and authorize the purchase of fifteen (15) SP50 handheld radios including accessories from the sole-source provider, Motorola, in an amount not to exceed $8,100, plus tax and shipping.  Motion carried unanimously.

Senior/MAA/TCM Program Fees

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Butte County for MAA/TCM participation fees, increasing the FY2002/2003 fees by $672, to an amount not to exceed $726; and authorize the LGA Coordinator to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Integrated Waste/ Budget Amendment

The County Administrator explained that the identification of the Acquisitions-General Budget  was incorrect and asked the Board to consider the motion by decreasing General Fund.  Mr. Mendez explained that while General Fund is being used for this expenditure the very real likelihood exists for the money not being required.  He explained that over the past several years, the Integrated Waste Program has not required the entire amount of General Fund revenue estimated in their budget.  He explained this was a result of higher fee collections and tighter control of expenditures.  He continued by saying that the identification of the revenue source is required to maintain the balanced budget.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to amend the FY 2002/2003 County Budget A) by decreasing appropriations in General Fund Contingencies Budget Unit 087100, Contingencies (Object Code #5901) by $37,000; B) by increasing appropriations in the General Revenues and Expenditures Budget Unit 011900, Operating Transfers Out (Object Code #5801) by $37,000; and C) in Solid Waste Budget Unit 045700, increase estimated revenue in Operating Transfers In (Revenue Code #4998) by $37,000 and increase appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $37,000.  Motion carried unanimously.  At the conclusion of the motion, the County Administrator informed the Board that the Contingencies balance prior to this action was $397,333, which is a little bit more than was expected because of encumbrances being released. 

CAO-Sr. Prgrm./ P.W./Vacancies

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to authorize the filling of the following vacant budgeted positions: A) in the Senior Program, one part-time Cook’s Assistant for Lone Pine; and B) in Public Works - Local Transportation Commission (LTC), one Administrative Secretary I.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-Behavioral Hlth./Summitview Child Treatment Center

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Summitview Child Treatment Center for the provision of mental health placement services for the period of December 5, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $22,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./ Material Testing Contract

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, provided additional information and further justification for the material testing contract.  Mr. Jewett and the Board discussed the possibility of, in the future, granting authorization for ancillary contract approvals, when project approval is given.  The County Administrator provided a review of the procurement process, explaining that when the new Purchasing Ordinance is presented for approval he would expect the discussion of contract approvals to happen at that time.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Kleinfelder, Inc. for the provision of material testing services for County road resurfacing projects for the period of October 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $50,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously.

VSO/Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to amend the FY 2002/2003 Veterans Service Office Budget Unit 056600 by increasing estimated revenue in Sheriff AB443 (Revenue Code #4486) by $1,440 and increasing appropriations in Office Equipment (Object Code #5232) by $1,440.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Minute Approval

Supervisor Dorame requested clarification of the word “restraining” in the County Department Report section of the minutes, with the Clerk correcting the word to “refraining”.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting, as corrected.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Support Letter Upper Little Lakes

The Chairperson and Fifth District Supervisor, Michael Dorame, provided additional information on the request for support for a Wildlife Conservancy Grant for the Upper Little Lakes Restoration Project, providing a brief history of the project.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the letter of support for the Upper Little Lakes Restoration Project for a Wildlife Conservation grant; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 11:30 a.m., reconvening at 11:40 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Board Members and Staff reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including an upcoming CSAC Meeting, the Standing Committee Meeting, an upcoming LAFCO Meeting, constituent and department head meetings, Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner, an RCRC Board Meeting, the Mentor Appreciation Dinner, and upcoming meetings in Tecopa and Shoshone.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 12:10 p.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, to discuss Agenda Items No. 21.  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. 22.  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 Administrative Officer & Personnel Analyst.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 12:45 p.m., 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. 

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed open session at 12:45 p.m., to reconvene at 6:40 p.m., with all Board Members present. 

Planning Dept./ Independence Land Releases

Ms. Andrea Clark, Resource Management Coordinator, reviewed the staff report and recommendations regarding the Los Angeles-owned parcels that have been selected for release by the Independence Land and Water Advisory Committee; the Los Angeles-owned parcel selected by the Big Pine Land and Water Advisory Committee that is located in the Big Pine Northeast Regreening Project; the proposed sports complex on the Independence Eastside Regreening Project and related well analysis; and the 282-acre Manzanar land exchange.  The Clerk advised the Board of a petition received today from the residents of East Market Street in Independence, regarding the alley.  Ms. Clark notified the Board that through previous action the Board had excluded this area from the Regreening project, thereby facilitating the residents’ ability to purchase the easement for the alley.

The Board, staff and members of the audience addressed the staff recommendations in detail and at length.  The following members of the audience addressed the Board:  Loralee Cole, Arlene Grider, Robert Mannat, Robert Gracey, Rich White and Nancy Masters.  During the discussion, Supervisor Hambleton discussed the staff recommendations for the sports complex and 4-H stables-corrals, indicating his desire to support the community’s efforts.  Staff explained that in order for the County and the City to proceed with the required environmental assessment and documentation a clearly defined project description was needed, which was why staff was recommending the proponents be given a deadline date for submission of the description.  With regard to the recommendation to provide staff additional time in which to develop recommendations for the 282-acre land release, the County Administrator explained that the reason for postponing action on the item was because there were a myriad of ancillary items, which needed to be addressed, such as general plan designations, etc., prior to this release moving forward.  Supervisor Hambleton thanked staff for their efforts on the 282-acres, indicating that he was looking forward to this being brought forward in the near future.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to, with regard to land inside the divestment areas, approve the parcels recommended by the Independence Land and Water Advisory Committee that are located inside the divestment areas and do not have E/M conflict as identified in Appendix A, category II of the staff report, and direct staff to move forward in conferring with LADWP regarding the release of these parcels and proceed with any necessary CEQA processes.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to, with regard to the release of land inside the Independence Eastside Regreening Project, not approve the parcels recommended by the Independence Land and Water Advisory Committee that are located in the Independence Northeast Regreening Project as identified in Appendix A, category I of the staff report, and direct staff to move forward in conferring with LADWP regarding the release of the alternate parcels identified in Appendix A, category III of the staff report and proceed with any necessary CEQA process.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to, with regard to land outside the divestment area, direct staff to evaluate and consider areas 4B and 5, as recommended by the Independence Chamber of Commerce, for release under Section XV.C of the Agreement titled Additional Sales, recognizing that it is possible that this process may not occur until after the 75-acre release has been satisfied.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to, with regard to the release of land inside the Big Pine Northeast Regreening Project, not approve the parcels recommended by the Big Pine Land and Water Advisory Committee that are located in the Big Pine Northeast Regreening Project, Area 2 and 12 as indicated on Appendix C to the staff report, and direct staff to move forward in conferring with LADWP regarding the release of the alternate parcel identified as Area 15 on Appendix C, and proceed with any necessary CEQA processes.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to, with regard to the E/M well and irrigation, direct staff to request LADWP proceed with installing the new E/M well and irrigate approximately 2/3 of the westerly portion of the acres identified as the Independence Eastside Regreening Project, identifying the remaining 1/3 acreage as lands for a community supported sports complex and possibly a 4-H stables-corrals area.  Motion carried unanimously.

The Board, staff and audience discussed in detail and at length the proposed development of a Sports Complex and the 4-H stables-corrals on a portion of the land identified in the Independence Eastside Regreening Project.  The staff explained the need to have the project description finalized in order to proceed with environmental documentation and requested the Board set a specific date for the final project description to be submitted to staff, with staff cautioning that it may be difficult to identify “the stable area” as an equal or better than the current regreening project.  Supervisor Hambleton expressed his desire to provide as much leeway to the proponents in order to not “shut the door” on the project.  Supervisor Arcularius explained that should the community “exhaust all avenues” for assistance with the project, that she wanted to also provide the proponents with a small window of opportunity to readdress the Board with regard to the County’s involvement.  The Board, staff and members of the audience discussed the County’s proposed involvement in the project with the County Administrator explaining that he was not envisioning the County being involved in the operations and maintenance of the sports complex at any level.   Mr. Mendez highlighted those items, which would need to be addressed should the County be involved, including budgeting constraints, staffing and the County, with regard to liability issues, being the “deep pocket.”

Supervisor Arcularius reiterated her desire to assist the community in their sports complex efforts, asking that should the Board provide a deadline date for the project description, that the latitude be given should the community be unable to meet the deadline, that they could identify the problems, justify the delay and approach the Board for an extension.  Supervisors Bear and Williams addressed their concerns with the County’s involvement with a sports complex, agreeing with the County Administrator regarding the unforeseen impacts to the County.  Supervisor Dorame indicated that while he supported the community in their efforts to garner a sports complex, he too had deep concerns with the County’s ability to take on any responsibility for the sports complex.    

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to, with regard to the development of a sports complex,

(a)  direct staff to request LADWP assist the ball field proponents in constructing the ball fields on the remaining easterly 1/3 acreage of the regreening project site within a year; 

(b) direct the project proponents to develop a plan acceptable to the County and LADWP, including a complete project description, the identification of the entity that would lease the area proposed for the sports complex and, if a part of the project description, the 4-H/stables-corrals area, establishment of the entity or organization that would develop, maintain and insure the proposed areas, and provide a funding plan to support the project;

(c)  establish June 1, 2003, as the deadline for the submission of the project description to the County; and

(d)  direct the proponents, to exhaust all avenues for project support and should they be unable to meet the June 1, 2003, project description deadline, to return with explanations as to why the delay and request for an extension, including alternative project proposals if appropriate.  Motion carried on a four-to-one vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear, Williams and Hambleton voting yes, and with Supervisor Dorame voting no.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 9:20 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., February 11, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.