County of Inyo

Public Comment

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

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report Period.  The County Administrator informed the Board of a situation, which has arisen between the military and the BLM over the jurisdictional authority for the Coso Geothermal operations in Inyo County.  Mr. Mendez explained that currently the County receives property taxes from the operations which are currently under the authority of the Military.  He said the County’s ability to continue to collect these property taxes would not change should the BLM control the operations.  He also explained that the County receives geothermal royalties as a result of the portion of the Coso operations which is located on BLM lands and should the entire operations come under the BLM purview, there may be an increase in royalty payments to the County, but that cannot be substantiated until more information is obtained regarding how the proposed change is being recommended.  Mr. Mendez explained that through his research he has determined that the private sector is driving this movement for change and indicated that he would continue to monitor and research the situation in order to make a recommendation for a County position.  Supervisor Arcularius provided additional information on the matter, explaining that during the NACo Western Regional Conference, a request had been made of her, from a Kern County Supervisor, for Inyo County to support a Kern County position opposing a change in the jurisdiction.  Supervisor Arcularius indicated that she had informed the Kern County Supervisor that Inyo County was not currently prepared to take a position because there were too many unknowns at the present time, that the impacts to Inyo County had to be identified and analyzed and recommended that Kern County contact Inyo County Administrator, René Mendez, to develop a possible joint position paper for recommendation to the NACo Board during their conference in July.  Supervisor Arcularius, went on to explain that the NACo deadline for submitting resolutions for the Annual NACo conference was June 10, 2003.  Mr. Mendez clarified that through his discussion with the County Administrator of Kern County, he had determined that Kern County has not taken an official position on the jurisdicational issues and that this was a District issue for the Supervisor.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:25 a.m., to convene in closed session with all Board Members present, to discuss Agenda Items No. 3.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Appointment - Title:  Director of Planning; No.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization - Elective Officials Assistant Association (EOAA) - Negotiators - County Administrator and Personnel Analyst; and No. 5.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization - ICEA - Negotiators - County Administrator and Personnel Analyst.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 12:45 p.m., to reconvene at 1:30 p.m., with all Board Members present to continue closed session discussions.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 4:40 p.m., to convene 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.