County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Mr. Tom Mulvihill, General Manager of the Indian Wells Water District, updated the Board on aquifer testing on two Olancha properties, which are being conducted by the Water District. 

County Dpt. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Mr. Bob Hurd, Director of Environmental Health, updated the Board that the State OES has notified counties that debris from the Space Shuttle could be found in California and maybe in Inyo County.  The County Administrator provided additional information on the Country’s emergency response process as it pertains to the recent Homeland Security upping the County’s alert status.  Mr. Mendez confirmed that in conjunction with other County notification processes the Emergency Alert System would also be used.  In response to a question from Supervisor Dorame, Mr. Mendez indicated that he agreed that it was time to update the County resident’s on the types of emergency things they should have on hand in case of a terrorist emergency.

E. Health/Animal Control Workshop

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 9:35 a.m., to convene in a workshop with Environmental Health personnel on Inyo County Animal Control Policies and Procedures.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 11:43 a.m., to reconvene in open session at 11:45 a.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Bear.

Motor Pool/Yucca Mnt. Vehicle

In response to a question from the Board, the Planning Director, confirmed that the purchase of a vehicle is an authorized use for Yucca Mountain funds.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to award the bid for and approve the purchase of one 4WD 5-passenger 4-door utility vehicle from Lasher Auto Center of Sacramento, in an amount not to exceed $22,599.10.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent.

CAO-Info Serv./ Verizon Agreement

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Verizon California, Inc., for local telephone service and related provided services (such as voice mail) for the period of January 21, 2003, through January 20, 2004, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent.

P.W./Plans for Gerkin Rd. Bicycle Lane

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the Plans, Special Provisions and Bid Documents for the Gerkin Road Bicycle Lane Project; and authorize the Public Works Director to advertise for bids for the project.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent.

Rd. Dept./Sam & Masumoto Easement Deed

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to accept the Easement Deed from Seichi Sam and Toshiko Masumoto to the County of Inyo for an easement for Road Purposes; and authorize the Chairperson to sign appropriate documents as required.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent.

Ag./Invasive Plant Management Grant

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the submittal of a grant application to the Center for Invasive Plant Management in the amount of $5,000 for the Eastern Sierra Weed Management Area; and authorize the Agricultural Commissioner to sign all necessary documents.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent.

E. Health/Monit-

ring Well Permits

Mr. Bob Hurd, Director of Environmental Health, and Mr. Randy Jackson, Inyo County  Hydrologist, provided additional information and further justification for the monitoring wells.  Supervisor Arcularius thanked Mr. Hurd and Mr. Jackson for their presentation and explained that while the policy to have the Board approve the well permits began sometime ago, it remains a valuable tool to keep the Board and the public updated on the number and placement of the wells.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve Monitoring Well Permits for seven monitoring wells located on LADWP land in the Lone Pine and Thibaut-Sawmill Wellfield areas of the Owens Valley.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:15 p.m., reconvening at 2:00 p.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Bear.

CAO-Budget/ Mid-Year Budget Review

The County Administrator reviewed the mid-year budget staff report and recommendations at length, explaining that the County’s revenue and expenditure projections were on target.  He provided the Board with additional actions, which were being requested.  Mr. Mendez provided additional information on his proposal to establish a new position to address economic development, explaining that should the Board direct him to bring the item back next week, it did not mean the Board was approving the position.  The Board and Mr. Mendez discussed having a monthly budget update, at least until the State budget is finalized and the shortfall impacts are known.  Mr. Mendez explained that he felt the Department Heads were doing a good job in controlling expenditures, and the Board and Mr. Mendez discussed the possibility of cutting-off purchasing now, with Mr. Mendez indicating that he did not think it was necessary at this time.  Ms. Leslie Chapman, Auditor-Controller, provided additional justification for the increase in travel and equipment expenditures in the Auditor’s budget.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to A) accept the 2002-2003 County Midyear Budget Report as presented; B) approve the specific budget amendments as recommended and amended by Staff; and C) direct that a monthly budget status report be presented to the Board.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including the LAFCO Meeting, constituent meetings, meetings in Tecopa and Shoshone, with Supervisor Dorame reporting that Chris Fairclaugh has resigned as the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce Director due to health issues, and Supervisor Arcularius announced that RCRC has added two new people to assist with Water and Governmental affairs issues. 

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 4:30 p.m., to reconvene at 6:30 p.m., at the City of Bishop Council Chambers, at 337 West Line Street, in Bishop, with all Board Members present.

Planning/Bishop Area Land Releases

Mr. Chuck Thistlethwaite, Planning Director, reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations regarding the Los Angeles-owned parcels that have been selected for release by the Bishop Area Land and Water Advisory Committee, correcting the total acreage referenced in the report from 59.63 acres to 60.63 acres. 

Mr. Rick Rennacker, Bishop Resident, requested the Board consider the parcel located at 725 Home Street for release.  Ken Lloyd, Bishop Land and Water Advisory Committee Member, addressed the Board to express his concerns with the changes from the Committee’s recommendations to Staff’s recommendations and supported the release of lands in Bishop for housing development.  Rex Allen,  Bishop Area Land and Water Advisory Committee Member, expressed a concern with the variance from the philosophy of the Committee to want lands for housing to Staff’s recommendations for lands for development.  Kathy Henderson, Bishop City Council Member, addressed the Board to support release of lands in the Bishop area because of the need for housing.  Mr. Mike Johnson, echoed Ms. Henderson’s sentiments, explaining that he felt the Inyo 2020 Forum had identified tourism and housing as a priority.  Mr. Mendez provided additional information and further explanation on the goals established by the Inyo 2020 Forum, which included economic development as a priority.  Mr. John Young, Bishop City Council Member, addressed the Board to also support the release of lands in the Bishop area for housing. 

Staff explained that in preliminary talks with City of Bishop Staff, there were a number of problems identified which made the release of lands in and near the City of Bishop a problem.  Mr. Thistlethwaite explained that per the Water Agreement, any lands released had to be serviced by sewer and water.  Mr. Thistlethwaite also referred to the Water Agreement in explaining why the release of the 75 acres identified for release in the County may not be legitimate for release in the City of Bishop, clarifying that the Water Agreement identifies a separate 26 acres to be released in the City of Bishop.

The Board, Staff and Members of the audience continued to discuss alternative sites for release near the City of Bishop.  Supervisor Bear explained that a part of the Rennaker parcel and the Yaney and South Street parcel are possibly being considered by the City of Los Angeles for future action and that she did not advocate utilizing portions of the 75 acres for release of lands which may already be positioned for release.  Mr. Daniel Steinhagen, Advocate for Low Income Housing, addressed the Board to support low-income housing development in the Bishop area, indicating that land was needed in order to accomplish this.  The Board, Staff and Members of the audience discussed a parcel at Yaney and Hanby, which is located adjacent to the City of Bishop, in the County and which was discussed but not recommended by the Committee.  Ms. Roberta Matlick, addressed the Board to strongly support release of lands in Bishop.  Bart Bird of Norm Bird and Sons, addressed the Board to caution that development of Laws lands is futile unless the water is restored to the area because of the dust situation.  The Board, Staff and Members of the audience continued to discuss total acreage and alternative sites for release.  In order to facilitate understanding of the areas being discussed Staff assigned the number 12 to the Yaney and Hanby lands and number 13 to the South Street lands. 

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to 

A) with regard to the recommended parcels inside the divestment areas in Laws, approve the parcels recommended by the Bishop Area Land and Water Advisory Committee, identified as Areas 4,5,6 and 8, and direct staff to move forward in conferring with LADWP regarding the release of these parcels and proceed with any necessary CEQA processes;

B) with regard to the recommended parcel outside the divestment areas in Type E vegetation in the Laws area, not approve the parcel recommended by the Bishop Area Land and Water Advisory Committee that is located in Type E vegetation, indicated as Area 3 on the Laws Map, and instead direct staff to move forward in conferring with LADWP regarding the release of the alternate parcel indicated as Area 10, and proceed with any necessary CEQA processes;

C) with regard to the recommended parcel inside the divestment area and inside the Bishop City limits, to not approve the parcel recommended by the Bishop Area Land and Water Advisory Committee that is located in the City of Bishop, indicated as Area 1 on the Bishop Map;

D) with regard to the parcel identified adjacent to the City of Bishop, on Yaney and Hanby, identified as Area 12, direct Staff to move forward with opening formal discussion with the City of Bishop to iron out the difficulties regarding the release of this land and if successful within 60 days to move forward in conferring with LADWP regarding the release of the property and proceed with any necessary CEQA processes; and

E) should Inyo County Staff determine that the negotiations with the City of Bishop have not resulted in the resolution of the appropriate issues regarding Area 12 property, within 60 days, direct staff to move forward in conferring with LADWP regarding the release of the alternate parcel indicated as Area 11, and proceed with any necessary CEQA processes.

 Motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 7:50 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., February 18, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.