County of Inyo

Public Comment

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

Co. Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Reports period.  Mr. George Milovich, Agricultural Commissioner reported that Inyo and Mono Counties have been designated as disaster areas in correlation with the drought which allows local ranchers to seek disaster relief through the USDA disaster relief efforts.  Ms. Leslie Chapman, Auditor-Controller, invited the Board to attend a workshop she is conducting with Special Districts on financial reporting and the budgeting process, on April 25, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center in Independence.

Sheriff/Training Equipment P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to declare San Diego Police Equipment as a sole-source provider of training equipment and authorize the purchase of Simunitions Training Equipment from San Diego Police Equipment in an amount not to exceed $3,870, plus tax and shipping.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Rd. Dept./Tree Removal

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, provided additional information regarding the removal of trees.  The County Administrator provided additional information explaining that the County Parks Department has planted over 2,000 trees over the past 10 years.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to authorize County personnel to remove the following trees: A) a large Sycamore tree in the County right-of-way at 225 E. Whitney Portal Road; B) an Elm tree in the County right-of-way at 130 E. Whitney Portal Road; C) an Elm tree in the County right-of-way across the street from 130 E. Whitney Portal Road; and D) an Elm tree in the County right-of-way at the southwest corner of Bush Street and Jackson Street.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Motor Pool/P.O. for Outfitting Van

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve a purchase order to Nielsen’s Equipment Maintenance in an amount not to exceed $2,452.45, for equipping a 2002 Chevy Astro van for the Juvenile Facility.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

CAO-Purchasing/ Safety Supplies P.O.

P.W./Hoerner Vigen Alliance Contract

The Public Works Director provided additional information and further justification for approving a new contract with the architectural firm doing the design of the new court facility.  Mr. Jewett explained that the contract, which was approved earlier this year by the Board, was the Department’s attempt to fast track the contract.  He explained that during the contract approval portion problems with the scope of work were identified which required a new contract.  He clarified that the financing portion of the contract has been made more specific using known costs.  In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Jewett explained that he was hoping to start the project within 8-10 months.  The County Administrator provided additional clarification on the start date, explaining that once the plans and specifications are finalized, the County would proceed with the development of financing options for the building.  He explained that the Court fines have continued to accrue and there is more money than originally estimated in this account to help pay for a portion of the building costs, but the remaining amount would need to be financed.  He went on to explain that as a result of the downgrading of the State’s bond rating the County’s rating would also be adversely affected through no fault of the County’s and that this would result in the financing rates being slightly higher.  Mr. Mendez indicated that once the plans were finalized the project would be presented to the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) who would in turn develop financing alternatives to be presented for Board consideration.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to A) amend the FY 2002-03 Acquisitions of Lands and Buildings - ACO Budget Unit 011301, by increasing estimated revenues in Criminal Justice Facilities (Revenue Code #4675) by $178,312 and increasing appropriations in Building Projects – Justice Court (Object Code #5641) by $178,312; B) rescind a Board action of January 21, 2003, which approved a contract between the County of Inyo and Hoerner Vigen Alliance for architectural services for the period of September 1, 2002 through December 31, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $248,575; and C) approve a contract between the County of Inyo and Hoerner Vigen Alliance for architectural services for the period of September 1, 2002 through December 31, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $292,789, and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Probation/Hager Contract

Mr. Toby Dickinson, Chief Probation Officer, provided additional information on the request to contract for Supervising Deputy Probation Officer services, explaining that as a result of an illness and the uncertainty of a return to work date, this contract was required to provide supervisory coverage.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bear to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Richard Hager for personal services as a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer for the period of March 1, 2003, through June 30, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $18,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

H&H/Misc./Fiscal Positions

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve a change in authorized strength by A) deleting one Fiscal Director position at Range 82 ($4,194 - $5,093); B) adding one Director of Program and Fiscal Evaluation position at Range 80 ($3,993 - $4,857) and one Fiscal Manager/Administrative Services position at Range 70 ($3,155 - $3,834); and C) authorize the recruitment and filling of the two new positions.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Motor Pool/Lease

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to ratify the Lease between the County of Inyo and Nikolaus Transportation, Inc. for the Motor Pool Repair Facility in Independence, in an amount not to exceed $12,000 for the period of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003; and authorize the County Administrator to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Motor Pool/ Vehicle Purchases

With regard to the request to purchase Motor Pool vehicles, the County Administrator provided the Board with the information regarding the maintenance of mileage costs associated with the vehicles identified to be replaced.  Additionally, Mr. Mendez provided the Board with information pertaining to the State Budget, explaining that as a result of more definitive information regarding budget cuts, he was amending the recommendation to authorize the purchase of only the two Sheriff’s Department vehicles, which were the CSI unit and the administration vehicle.  Supervisor Hambleton suggested that the vehicle purchasing schedule be pushed back six months in order to realize a greater than $300,000 savings to the General Fund this year.  Mr. Mendez clarified that he felt it was appropriate for the County to begin addressing the potential budget impacts associated with the State Budget crisis and to push the vehicle purchase schedule back six months, as recommended by Supervisor Hambleton, would result in the full amount being saved in the General Fund this year.  The Board and Mr. Mendez discussed the variety of ways in which the savings could be realized in General Fund budgets.  The Board, Staff and the Undersheriff went on to discuss the potential for purchasing the remaining patrol units, which were being requested by the Department, but not being recommended by the County Administrator.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to award the bid and authorize the purchase of the following from the low bidder, Eastern Sierra Motors:  four (4) full-size 4-door sedans (Police package) in an amount not to exceed $95,992.32, one (1) 3/4 ton cab & chassis with tow package in an amount not to exceed $18,854.10, and one (1) full size 4-door sedan (Police package - Admin.) in an amount not to exceed $23,847.23.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

CAO-Personnel/ Vacant Position

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to authorize the filling of a budgeted Purchasing Specialist position in the County Administrator’s Office.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Disaster Serv./ Grant Applications

The County Administrator provided additional information and further justification for the submittal of two grants to assist with the County’s Disaster Services efforts.  He confirmed to the Board that the Citizen Corps and Community Emergency Response Team Grant application was a formality and he had been informed earlier today that the County’s has been awarded the grant contingent upon the Board’s approval of the application.  Mr. Mendez reviewed the recommended uses for the grant funds in detail and at length. 

Resol. #2003-13 Citizen Corps Grant

On a motion by Supervisor Hambleton and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2003-13 was approved, authorizing the submittal of the grant application for the Citizen Corps and Community Emergency Response Team grant in the amount of $5,976, and authorize the County Administrator to sign all necessary grant documents; motion unanimously passed and adopted with Supervisor Arcularius absent. 

Disaster Serv./ EOP Grant

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to authorize the submittal of an Emergency Operations Planning Grant in the amount of $69,726, and authorize the County Administrator to sign all necessary grant documents.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2003, Board of Supervisors meeting.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams abstaining and with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including the upcoming Inyo First Five Strategic Plan Public Meeting, a LECC Meeting, the Cattlemen’s Association Dinner, the New Supervisors Institute Second Session, the CSAC Board Meeting, an EMCC Meeting and a Mental Health Board Meeting.

Adjourned

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 11:40 a.m., to 9:00 a.m., March 11, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.