County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Ms. Robert Matlick addressed the Board to invite the Board to the “Good Ole Days” Celebration to be held on July 26, 2003, at the Laws Railroad Museum from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Ms. Leslie Chapman, Auditor-Controller, informed the Board that the year end close was concluded successfully and thanked her Staff and commended Information Services Staff for their help and assistance.  The County Administrator explained that the early close will provide better fund balance information for the budget preparation, which he said is vital this year as a result of State budget uncertainties.  Mr. Mendez added, in response to a question, that he expects to have a report on State Budget impacts next week, which will include recommendations on how the County should proceed.  Mr. Mendez explained that depending upon the potential impacts identified, he may recommend the County suspend all obligations except for payroll.  Mr. Mendez also explained that should it become necessary to stop spending, he would expect to sit down with each Department Head to determine which services, contracts, and purchases could be suspended in order to present an overall picture of the situation for the Board’s consideration.

Post Agenda/ Closed Session Negotiations w/ Chief Probation Officer Candidate

The County Administrator viewed the request for the Board to consider a post agenda item, for  closed session negotiation with the Chief Probation Officer Candidate.  He explained that at the time the interview was conducted the Agenda for today’s meeting had already been posted and there is a need for the Board to fill the vacancy as quickly as possible for the well being of the Department, confirming that there is some urgency in moving forward.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to find that the need for a closed session item for a  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Title - Chief Probation Officer – Negotiators – County Administrator or his designee, arose after the Agenda for the July 1, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting was posted, and there is a need to take action on this item prior to the next regularly scheduled Meeting, therefore, this item is added as Agenda Item No. 19A.  Motion carried unanimously.

Parks/Pahrump Disposal Contract for Tecopa Hot Springs

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Pahrump Valley Disposal for waste transfer from Tecopa Hot Springs Park and Campground, for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $9,504, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2003/04 Budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Parks/Bishop Waste Disposal  Waste Transfer Contract North County

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Bishop Waste Disposal for waste transfer from Parks and Campgrounds located from Independence north, for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $17,815.50, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2003/04 Budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Parks/Bishop Waste Disposal Waste Transfer Contract South County

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Bishop Waste Disposal for waste transfer from Parks and Campgrounds located from Independence south, for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $8,775, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2003/2004 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Parks/Preferred Septic Vault Toilet Pumping Contract

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Preferred Septic for vault toilet pumping services, for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $5,960, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2003/2004 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

E. Health/Idexx Labs. P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to declare IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. as a sole-source provider of certain water testing laboratory supplies for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004 and authorize the purchase of water testing supplies as recommended by Staff from IDEXX Labs through a blanket purchase order in an amount not to exceed $19,063.  Motion carried unanimously.

E. Health/ Fennimore Chemicals P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to declare Fennimore Chemicals, Inc., as a sole-source provider for certain mosquito abatement chemicals and supplies for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, and authorize the purchase of chemicals and supplies as recommended by Staff from Fennimore Chemicals through a blanket purchase order in an amount not to exceed $27,747.80.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-Hlth. Serv./ Nurse Practitioner Contract

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Lois Alexander for the provision of services as Nurse Practitioner, for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $3,251, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2003/2004 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-Behavioral Hlth./Devereux Contract

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Devereux California for the provision of mental health services for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $40,000, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2003/2004 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-Behavioral Hlth./Symons Emergency Specialties Contract

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Symons Emergency Specialties, Inc., for the provision of emergency transportation services for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $20,000, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2003/2004 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./Blanket P.O. for Repair & Maintenance

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve blanket purchase orders to vendors as recommended by Staff and in amounts not to exceed those recommended by Staff to facilitate equipment repair and maintenance.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Personnel/ Holgate Contract Amendment

Supervisor Arcularius remarked that she was unable to support Susan Holgate’s Contract Amendment because it was giving a benefit that other employees were not getting and it is an item that is still under negotiation.  Supervisor Hambleton concurred with Supervisor Arcularius’ position, echoing her comments.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve Amendment No. 1, to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Susan G. Holgate for provision of personnel services as Director of Health & Human Services amending Attachment B, Schedule of Fees; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried on a three-to-two vote, with Supervisors Bear, Williams and Dorame voting yes, and with Supervisors Arcularius and Hambleton voting no.

Ord. 1069/ Assessor Salary Increase

The County Administrator explained that the request to adopt an ordinance increasing the Assessor’s salary was the final step in the ordinance adoption process, and confirmed that the Ordinance would take effect on August 16, 2003.  On a motion by Supervisor Hambleton and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Ordinance 1069, entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Amending Section 2.88.040 of the Inyo Code to Increase the Salary for the Assessor,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Auditor/Surplus Auction

The Auditor-Controller, Ms. Leslie Chapman, responded to questions from the Board, confirming that appropriate public notice will be published.  The County Administrator also confirmed that the sale of surplused equipment was streamlined as a result of Board’s actions to modify the Fixed Asset policy.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to A) declare certain personal property as identified by Staff as surplus; B) authorize the transfer of this property to other public entities and non profit organizations per Government Code Section 25365; C) approve the sale of the remaining items through public auction; and D) authorize the pubic auction to take place at the Building and Maintenance yard located at 136 S. Jackson, in Independence on July 25, 2003.  Motion carried unanimously.  

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including Caltrans scoping meetings on the Alternate Bishop Route and the Black Rock 4-Laning Projects, Dr. Susan Holgate’s Retirement Party, the Red, White and Blue Dinner, and the Conflict Resolution Training.  Supervisor Arcularius announced that the Junio Livestock Auction would be taking place on Saturday Night, July 12^th as opposed to the traditional Sunday morning auction and encouraged everyone to come out and support the kids.  Supervisor Williams asked everyone to practice caution and be extra careful with the safe and sane fireworks in light of the extremely dry conditions.  Supervisor Bear announced that the presales for the Millpond Music Festival is at a 91% increase over last year and recommended that people buy their tickets early in order to take advantage of the reduced price.  Supervisor Dorame announced that it was his pleasure to be taking part in the Community of Independence’s Fourth of July Parade, by marching in the VFW’s Color Guard.  The County Administrator informed the Board the Mutual Gains process has begun between the County and the City of Los Angeles.  He explained that an outside facilitator is working with the Technical Staff on the development of recommendations for an interim 3-year pumping plan for the Owens Valley.  Mr. Mendez said that the interim plan would provide the time needed to enable the County and the City of LA to perform some needed evaluation and assessment studies in order to make decisions on long range pumping levels.  Mr. Mendez clarified that he, Mr. Gewe, Mr. James and Mr. Coufal would not take part in the process, that it was not a public forum, that it was an attempt to establish a consistent course of action for the presentation of recommendations from the Technical Staff to those needing to make decisions, whether it be Department and/or County Administration or the Governing Bodies. 

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:15 a.m., to convene in closed session with all Board Members present to discuss Agenda Items No. 16.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Appointment - Title - Planning Director; No. 17.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Appointment - Title - Chief Probation Officer;  No. 18.  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; No. 19.  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. 19A.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Title - Chief Probation Officer – Negotiators – County Administrator or his designee.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 3:40 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. 

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 3:41 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., July 8, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center in Independence.