County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Mr. Steven McNeal of the Indy Development Group, L.L.C., requested information on the plans for the Tecopa Hot Springs and expressed an interest in responding to the RFP for a concessionaire.  The County Administrator indicated that he would make sure that Mr. McNeal was provided a copy of the RFP once it is finalized.  Mr. Mendez provided a brief update on the status of the Hot Springs operations and plans to develop an RFP for a concessionaire.  He explained that the County has been approached by a couple of people who are interested in taking over the operations of the facilities.  He assured the Board that while Campground and Hot Springs activities may be turned over to a concessionaire, the County’s presence in the area would remain through the library, senior and health and human services activities.

H&H-IHSS/ Employer of Record Contract Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Community Services Solutions for In-Home Supportive Services Employer of Record services, increasing the Contract by $6,284 to a total not to exceed $94,647; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously.

BLM Presentation

Mr. Bruce Shaffer, Associate District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management, updated the Board on BLM activities relative to Inyo County.

D.V. National Park Presentation

Superintendent James Reynolds, Death Valley National Park, updated the Board on Park activities and projects.  Mr. Reynolds responded to a question from Supervisor Hambleton regarding the completion of the Big Pine to Scotty’s Castle Road, indicating that at the present time the Park was not interested in proceeding with the project.  He explained that constraints on budget and manpower, as well as concerns with public access to the “dunes” area were the driving factors in this decision.  Supervisor Hambleton explained that with the monetary support from the Federal Government, he would like to continue to work with the Park Service to pave this road.

Furnace Creek Inn Presentation

Mr. Cal Jepson, General Manager of Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort, updated the Board on resort activities and projects.  He reviewed occupancy numbers and projections, and the outlook for domestic visitation during the upcoming summer season.

Death Valley Chamber of Commerce

Toni Jepson of the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce, announced that the Shoshone Museum and the Death Valley Chamber have combined resources to hire a new Executive Director to oversee both operations.  Ms. Jepson updated the Board on Chamber activities and advised that the Coalition will be making recommendations for projects in the near future.  She announced a fund raising event, which was raffling off a weekend at the Del Coronado in San Diego, asking the Chairperson, Supervisor Dorame to draw the winning ticket at the conclusion of the Board Meeting.  

CR Briggs Presentation

Messrs. Ken Mann and Chris Echert of CR Briggs Corporation, updated the Board on the Corporation’s activities, highlighting the operations and explorations in a slide presentation.  Mr. Mann also identified potential legislation which if passed could result in no further exploration for the Corporation.  Supervisor Arcularius indicated that she would work with Mr. Mann and RCRC’s John Hoffman to address the issue.

Planning-Yucca Mtn./Hydrology Update

Mr. Michael King and Dr. John Bredehoeft of the Hydrodynamics Group provided a detailed presentation on the County’s research program to explore potential hydrologic connections between Yucca Mountain and the County of Inyo water resources.  Mr. Fisk, NPS Hydrologist, also provided information regarding upcoming demands on desert water resources as a result of increased growth in Pahrump.

D.V. Chamber Drawing

The Chairperson drew the winning ticket in the Death Valley Travel Raffle, announcing the winner as Shirley Harding.

Recess

The Chairperson recessed the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Reconvene

The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 9:20 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at the Tecopa  Community Center, in Tecopa, California, with Supervisors Dorame, Arcularius, Bear, Williams and Hambleton present.  Supervisor Dorame provided the invocation and Supervisor Bear led the Pledge of Allegiance.

So. Inyo Fire Protection

Mr. Larry Levy of the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District, provided an update on District activities and announced a vacancy on the Board, soliciting applications for appointment.

Post Agenda/ Support of Troops

Supervisor Arcularius announced that she had been informed on Saturday that a group of people in the Bishop area were preparing packages to be sent on Monday, March 31, 2003, to the men and women from Inyo County who were serving in the United States Armed Forces.  She asked that the Board consider a post agenda item to approve a resolution, to be drafted by Staff, to be included in the packages.  The County Administrator reviewed the findings, which are required for a post agenda item, indicating that he felt the Board had sufficient findings to add this item to the agenda.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to find that the need to take action on a Resolution supporting the men and women from Inyo County serving in the United States Armed Forces arose after the Agenda for the Annual Death Valley Meeting was posted and there is a need for the Board to take action on this request prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting, therefore, this item is added as Agenda Item No. 11A.  Motion carried unanimously.

District/So. Inyo Fire Protection Ambulance Donation

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to declare the Board’s intention to, at their April 15, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting, A) declare Ambulance VIN S36ZHJG4800, Inyo County Asset #4797 is no longer used by the County of Inyo and declare the ambulance surplus/scrap; B) declare the donation of the ambulance to the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District serves a public purpose; C) donate the ambulance to the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District and D) direct the Clerk of the Board to publish the appropriate notification of these impending actions.  Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2003-17/ Support for Troops

Supervisor Arcularius explained that she was asking the Board to approve a resolution to be drafted by Staff to be included with the packages to be sent to the men and women from Inyo County who are serving in the United States Armed Forces.   She explained that the group had published the names of those individuals in the Bishop area currently serving, and responded to a request from Mr. Brian Brown, indicating that every attempt would be made to get the names of all Inyo County people currently serving in the military.  Supervisor Hambleton explained that as a Veteran himself, he understood the importance of letting our men and women who are serving know they are remembered.  Supervisor Williams explained that while he supported the troops, he had concern with listing the names on the Resolution, because someone may be missed and also expressed some concern with adopting a resolution that he had not seen.  Supervisor Bear explained that she wanted to support those people serving, without making a statement about any military action, which may be taking place.  Supervisor Dorame echoed Supervisor Hambleton’s comments, being a Veteran himself, and acknowledged those Veteran’s who were in the audience.

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Hambleton, Resolution No. 2003-17, was adopted, to be drafted by Staff, supporting the Inyo County men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces:  motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Public Comment

The Chairperson opened the public comment period.  Ms. Jennifer Vierick, of the Southeast Inyo Children’s Council and the Friends of Tecopa Hot Springs, Inc., read into the record, letters from the respective groups concerning items of concern in the southeastern part of the County.   The Board, Staff and members of the audience discussed a variety of concerns, including Coroner coverage, the disposition of the Hot Springs and the possibility of a concessionaire being brought in, the location of waste bins for the local cleanup project, and the sewage ponds at the Campgrounds. 

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the Annual Death Valley Meeting at 11:05 a.m.