County of Inyo

Public Comment

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

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Ms. Jean Dickinson, Assistant Director of Health and Human Services and Ms. Tamara Pound, Health Services Director, updated the Board on the County’s smallpox vaccination program.

BofS/Laws Railway Project

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:25 a.m., to convene in a workshop, with all Board Members present, to receive a presentation from the representatives of Laws Railway Project, who provided an update on the recent project to relocate the Tinnemaha Bridge.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 9:50 a.m., to reconvene in open session, with all Board Members present.

CAO-Personnel/ Leave of Absence

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve a request for a leave-of-absence without pay for up to 90 days from February 16, 2003, through May 17, 2003, in accordance with Article 808(a) of the Inyo County Personnel Rules and Regulations.   Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2003-08/ Notice of Completion

On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Williams, Resolution No. 2003-08 was adopted, accepting the improvements and authorizing the recording of a Notice of Completion for the Homewood Canyon Road Rehabilitation Project:  motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Resol. #2003-09/ Notice of Completion

On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Williams, Resolution No. 2003-09 was adopted, accepting the improvements and authorizing the recording of a Notice of Completion for the Old Sherwin Grade Resurfacing Project:  motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Resol. #2003-10/ Notice of Completion

On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Williams, Resolution No. 2003-10 was adopted, accepting the improvements and authorizing the recording of a Notice of Completion for the Bishop Airport Asbestos Abatement Project: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Road Dept./ Culvert Access L.P. Road Yard

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the License Agreement between the County of Inyo and the City of Los Angeles for permission to access, construct and operate a drainage culvert across the LADWP owned land upon which the County’s Lone Pine Road Yard is located in the amount of $500 per year for the period of January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2007, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff’s Dept./ Ballistic Vest P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to declare Adamson Industries of Costa Mesa, California, as a sole-source provider of ballistic vests and authorize the purchase of 11 Second Chance Monarch 6^th Generation Summit Level II replacement vests and 1 Second Chance Monarch 4^th Generation replacement ballistic panel cover from Adamson Industries in an amount not to exceed $7,855, plus tax and shipping.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Economic Development Program and Deputy CAO Position

The County Administrator reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations regarding the establishment of a County Economic Development and Marketing Program and staffing the new program with a Deputy County Administrator position.  Mr. Robert Gracey, Independence Resident, addressed the Board to support the Staff recommendation.  The Board and Staff discussed the staffing alternatives addressed in the Staff Report.  The individual Board Members strongly supported the recommendations, explaining that it was their desire to see the County take a proactive approach to economic development to help relieve some portion of the County’s dependency on State and Federal revenues.  The Board Members expressed their desire to see the County compete for not only tourism dollars, but for other revenue sources generated through expanded development opportunities.  The Board and Staff went on to discuss the potential impact on the “resource issues,” should the program be reassigned.  The County Administrator explained that since both the economic development and resource management issues are closely related in Inyo County, he felt it was the natural evolution for the resource management program.  He went on to explain further that he felt both programs would be enhanced by the reassignment of the resource management program.  The County Administrator clarified that while he was recommending a reassignment of the resource management activities to his office, he was not, at this time, recommending a reduction in staffing in the Planning Department, where the program is currently located and staffed.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) approve the establishment of an economic development and marketing program, as defined, under the direction of the County Administrator; B) to maximize existing resources, provide the needed administrative support to create a successful economic development program, and to enhance the existing Natural Resources Program: (a) reassign the Natural Resource Management Program to the County Administrative Officer;  (b) approve a change in authorized strength by adding a Deputy County Administrator/Economic Development Program Coordinator at a Range 82 ($4,194 to $5,093) to the County Administrator’s Office and authorize the recruitment and filling of the position; and C) authorize the County Administrator and Auditor-Controller to make the necessary budget adjustments to appropriate budgets using Contingencies, to facilitate the reassignment and increased costs associated with the new position.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 11:20 a.m., reconvening at 11:30 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Auditor Workshop

The Chairperson recessed open session at 11:30 a.m., to convene in a workshop with the Auditor-Controller on the audited financial statement.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 11:55 a.m. to reconvene in open session, to immediately recess.  The Chairperson reconvened in open session at 1:40 p.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Williams, who had excused himself from the remainder of the meeting just prior to the lunch break, explaining that he was traveling to Sacramento to attend the second session of the CSAC New Supervisors Institute.  

E. Health/ Monitoring Well Permits

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Monitoring Well Permits for the construction of 3 monitoring wells on DWP leased land at the former DKR Lease, 292 South Main Street, Bishop, California, for the monitoring of any residual petroleum contamination that may remain on the site in accordance with Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board directives.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

P.W./Tennis Court Rehabilitation Project Contract

With regard to the Tennis Court Rehabilitation Project, Supervisor Arcularius asked that the schedule of the work be announced and posted, in order to keep the public informed as to the status of the project.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to award and approve the Contract for the Inyo County Tennis Court Rehabilitation Project to Saviano Company, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $83,881.30, authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained and authorize the Public Works Director to execute all other contract documents, including change orders to the extent permitted by Public Contract Code Section 20142 and other applicable law.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Resol. #2003-11/ Investment Authority

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2003-11 was adopted, to delegate the investment authority to the County Treasurer: motion unanimously passed and adopted with Supervisor Williams absent.

Treasurer/ Investment Policy

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Inyo County Treasury Investment Policy as submitted.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meetings of January 28, 2003 and February 4, 2003.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Sheriff’s Dept./ Vacant Position

The County Administrator asked that additional clarification be provided in the motion to reflect approval to fill any other vacancies, which may occur as a result of Department promotions in fill the vacant Sergeant’s position.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to authorize filling in the Sheriff’s Department one full-time vacant budgeted Sergeant’s position, and further authorize the filling of any other positions which may become vacant as a result of the recruitment for the position.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

H&H/Vacant Position

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to authorize the filling of one full-time vacant budgeted Account Technician I position in the Health and Human Services Department.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Child Support/ Vacant Position

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to authorize the filling of one full-time vacant budgeted Child Support Officer I position in the Child Support Services Department.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Resol. #2003-12/ Program Grant

On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Resolution No. 2003-12 was adopted, approving the application for the 2003-2004 California Arts Council State-Local Partnership Program Grant: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Announcement

County Counsel announced that Agenda Item No. 20. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Title: Director of Health and Human Services - Negotiator - Member of the Board of Supervisors as designated, was being pulled from consideration and would not be discussed in closed session.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 2:10 p.m., to convene in closed session with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Williams, to address Agenda Item No. 19.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Title: Director of Health and Human Services.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 3:00 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 3:00 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., February 25, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.