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.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  The County Administrator updated the Board on the Governor’s May Revise budget, saying that it appears to be a valid attempt to address the problems.  He went on to explain that preliminarily is looks like there is an attempt to relieve mandates in correlation to budget reductions.  Also Mr. Mendez said that the VLF trigger would probably be pulled, which will most likely result in legal action being initiated and eventually a ballot measure being placed before the voters.  Mr. Mendez explained that further analysis of the Governor’s budget would be provided during third-quarter review.  Mr. Andrew Remus, Yucca Mountain Coordinator, provided an update on upcoming activities associated with the Yucca Mountain Project.

CAO-Personnel/ Leave of Absence

For IMAAA Employee

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to authorize a leave of absence without pay for a period of up to 90 days beginning May 12, 2003, through August 11, 2003, in accordance with Article 808(a) of the Inyo County Personnel Rules and Regulations.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Motor Pool/ Sheriff Vehicle Cab & Chassis Installation

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to award the bid for and approve the purchase and installation of a new utility body on the cab and chassis purchased for the Sheriff’s Office Investigator’s Unit from California Truck Equipment in an amount not to exceed $5,358.86.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

P.W.-Bishop A/P/ Name Change & Market & Dev. Report & Recommendations

The County Administrator provided a brief synopsis of the report on the Scheduled Air Service Market Report for the Bishop Airport.  He provided additional information and further explanation on the recommendations regarding the continued development of the Bishop Airport.  Mr. Mendez explained that as a result of the findings the recommendation to change the name of the airport to improve location identification was being requested.  Mr. Mendez and the Board discussed a variety of items relative to the development of the Bishop Airport, including expanding the “regional airport” concept, engaging in on-going partnerships with the community and developing community awareness and support, the need to identify and meet short-term and long-term safety requirements, identifying and targeting the users, obtaining grant funding to subsidize on-going efforts, and coordination with the City of Bishop, the Town of Mammoth Lakes and the County of Mono in development of the “regional airport” concept.  Supervisors Bear and Arcularius supported  utilizing the COG to begin the discussion process with the other local governmental entities.  At the conclusion of the discussion, Supervisor Arcularius asked about the landscaping for the terminal building now that the demolition of the old buildling has been completed.  Supervisor Bear explained that the Airport Advisory Committee has formed an Ad Hoc Committee of their members to make recommendations and offered to coordinate with the group.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to:

 ·                                accept the Scheduled Air Service Market Report for the Bishop Airport;

 ·                                 change the name of the Bishop Airport to the “Eastern Sierra Regional Airport;”

 ·                                 approve recommendations contained in the Staff Report regarding on-going efforts to                         attract a commuter airline to the Bishop Airport;

 ·                                 direct Staff to schedule a COG Meeting in order to begin discussions with the City of                    Bishop, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and the County of Mono on the regional airport                    concept; and

 ·                                 thank Supervisor Bear for volunteering to work with the Ad Hoc committee on the                    landscaping issues relative to the new Bishop Airport Terminal Building. 

Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:20 a.m., reconvening at 10:35 a.m., with all  Board Members present, except Supervisor Dorame.

Ord. 1064/Amend Tract Map #137

On a motion by Supervisor Williams and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Ordinance No. 1064 entitled  “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Approving Amendment No. 1 to Tract Map No. 137, Increasing the Buildable Area of Lot 3, and Providing an Access Easement Across Common Property as Indicated in Exhibit A,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Planning/Indy Sports Complex

The County Administrator provided a brief history on the request for a portion of the Independence Regreening Project to be changed in order to facilitate a sports complex and reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations.  The Acting Planning Director, Ms. Andrea Clark, reviewed the actions taken with regard to the Independence Regreening Project, which included a letter being sent to DWP to request they proceed with the regreening of 2/3’s of the property identified as the Independence Regreening project, the request that DWP postpone action on the easterly 1/3 of the property, approximately 7 acres, in order to facilitate a change in the project to include a sports complex and direction to the proponents to identify an entity to assume the lease and the liability insurance for the project. 

Mr. Robert Mannatt and Mr. Chris Riesen, proponents for the sports complex, explained that they had been unsuccessful in getting either the Owens Valley School District or a variety of local service organizations to agree to assume the lease and the liability coverage, which was being required in order for the project to proceed.  They requested that the County lease the property from DWP and assume the liability coverage for the project.  Mr. Riesen and Mr. Mannatt explained that the proponents are in the process of forming a non-profit organization, which they hope will be the group to assume long-term responsibility for the sports complex.  They went on to explain that they were requesting the County’s assistance with the lease and the insurance in order to protect and secure the project and to enable the environmental process to proceed without delay.  The County Administrator and the Acting Planning Director provided additional information regarding the County’s involvement in the project. 

Mr. Mendez explained that he felt the project was “doable” but qualified that his recommendations were based on minimizing the County’s liability and expense.  Ms. Clark provided further detail on the environmental process and documentation, which is required for the project.  The Board Members, Members of the Audience and Staff discussed the project in detail and at length, including the long-term project responsibility, the need to maintain equal or better mitigation than what was originally proposed for the area where the sports complex will be located, the possibility of having the Independence Community Service District take the necessary actions to allow them to assume the lead agency designation, which would entail an election, the CSD’s ability to obtain insurance through CSAC Excess Insurance, the possibility of the County assuming an “interim” lead agency role as a short-term solution, in order for the EIR process to proceed while the formation of the non-profit is being finalized and the CSD election is held, and potential impacts to the project should these actions not result in an entity emerging to assume the lead agency role for the project. 

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to direct Staff to:

 ·                                   evaluate the pros and cons of the County becoming the sponsoring entity for the                     Independence Sports Complex on an interim basis in order for the CEQA process to                     move forward;

 ·                                   review the processes for accepting this responsibility and, for relinquishing the site in                     the future;

 ·                                   request formally that the Independence CSD take action to consider a resolution to                     expand their powers to include the Sports Complex as a part of its responsibility;

 ·                                   write a letter to the City of Los Angeles Department of Water & Power keeping them                     informed of the actions of this Board; and 

 ·                                   report back to the Board when this information has been gathered.

Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor  Dorame absent.

CAO-Forest Serv./Fire Prev. Planning Grants

The County Administrator provided additional information and further clarification on the request to award Fire Prevention and County Planning Grants to two Fire Safety Councils.  The Assistant Clerk read into the record a memorandum from Supervisor Dorame to the Board of Supervisors supporting the $10,000 award to the Lone Pine Fire Safe Council.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) award the Fire Prevention and County Planning Grants to the following and authorize the County Administrator to sign contracts, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained, (i) the Eastern Sierra Regional Fire Safe Council in the amount of $15,000 and (ii) the Lone Pine Fire Safe Council in the amount of $10,000; and B) amend the FY 2002-03 Office of Disaster Services Budget 023700 by increasing estimated revenue in Federal Forest Reserve (Revenue Code #4521) by $34,347 and increasing appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $25,000.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Assessor/Salary Increase

The Assessor provided additional information on his request for a salary increase.  The County Administrator responded to questions regarding the Adjustment Policy.  Supervisor Hambleton indicated that he was supportive of an adjustment, but at a 9% rate or $5952 per mo.  Supervisors Arcularius and Bear indicated they would support an increase to the same level as the Treasurer/Tax Collector and Auditor/Controller at $5835 per month.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) direct staff to initiate the ordinance process to increase the Assessor’s salary from $5460.58 per month to $5835 per month and B) approve the Elected and Appointed Officials Compensation Adjustment Policy.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor  Dorame absent.

Rd. Dept./Plant Mix Asphalt P.O.

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, provided additional information and further justification for the purchase of plant-mixed asphalt surfacing materials.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to A) award the bid and approve the contract for the purchase of Plant-Mixed SC3000 Asphalt Surfacing Materials from Granite Construction Company in an amount not to exceed $104,125; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained; and B) amend the FY 2002-03 Road Budget 034600 by increasing appropriations in Road Materials (Object Code #5309) by $104,125.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor  Dorame absent.

Sheriff/Radio Donation

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bear to a) declare Sheriff’s mobile and portable radios of various makes and associated equipment, as defined by Staff, are no longer used and are surplus; b) waive the requirements of Sections 3.08.080 and 3.080.090 of the Inyo County Code and authorize the transfer of these radios and associated equipment to law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other public agencies, as identified in CGC 25365, at no cost; and c) authorize the Sheriff to destroy any remaining radios which are not transferred to other County Department or as authorized above.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor  Dorame absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams abstaining and with Supervisor  Dorame absent.

District/Tecopa Cemetery

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to appoint Mr. Clifford Kenny to the Tecopa Cemetery District Board to serve at the Pleasure of the Board.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor  Dorame absent.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed open session at 12:15 p.m., reconvening at 1:45 p.m., in a workshop,  with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Dorame.

Forest Service Workshop

The Board met with representatives of Inyo National Forest  and the Bureau of Land Management on fire management issues.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 2:30 p.m., to reconvene in open session with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Dorame.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding weeks, including the Annual RCRC Conference in Napa, a Washington, DC trip for Yucca Mountain, the upcoming Arts in the Park event, a First Five Commission Meeting, and the Collaborative Planning Meeting.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 2:50 p.m., to convene in closed session with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Dorame, to discuss Agenda Item No. 15.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Title: Acting Planning Director.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 5:00 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 5:00 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., May 27, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.