County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Supervisor Hambleton took the opportunity to thank the County Administrator and Staff for the successful conclusion of this year’s budget process, noting that his goal of preserving jobs was met.  The other Board Members joined Supervisor Hambleton in the congratulations. 

Ms. Annette Denning, Owens Valley Booster Club, updated the Board on the Summer Youth Work Program, highlighting the numbers of youth which had been hired this summer, thanking the three Booster Club Members, Lita Shepard, Kelly Reade and Debbie Hogan, who came up with the idea of a summer work program, and presented the Board with a $1,500 check to support the continuation of the program. 

Judge Dean Stout, Presiding Judge of the Inyo County Superior Court, welcomed the new Probation Officer, James Moffett, and took the opportunity to emphasize the recently approved MOU between the Courts and the County for the joint governance of the Probation Officer, expounded on the merits of the agreement. 

Mr. Rich White, representing the Independence Chamber of Commerce, presented the Board with copies of the most recent Independence Visitors Guide.  Changing hats, Mr. White, went on to represent the Coalition of Chambers of Commerce, displaying the tee shirts, which will be worn by those manning the County’s Cal Expo Exhibit at the State Fair.  Mr. White also took the opportunity to share newspaper articles from a 1940 Independence Newspaper highlighting the County’s State Fair efforts.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Ms. Leslie Chapman, Auditor-Controller, introduced Ms. Virginia McLeod, explaining that Virginia who is best known by the County Family as our “payroll clerk” is retiring after 28 years of service to Inyo County.  She took the opportunity to thank Virginia for her help and assistance and most especially for postponing her retirement to help in the transition, when the newly elected Auditor-Controller began her duties.  Ms. Chapman went on to highlight one of the vital projects that Virginia had recently concluded which resulted in streamlining a state audit mandate.  Ms. Chapman also acknowledge and thanked the Information Services Staff, especially Ms. Annette Denning, for their assistance and help in working with Virginia to achieve the timely and successful conclusion of the project.  The Board Members thanked Virginia for her support and a job well done and wished her a great retirement.

Ag Comm./ Annual Crop Report - Equipment Demo

The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. George Milovich, introduced the following members of his Staff to the Board: Nicole Brown, Nate Reade, Carlos Paz, Robin Conklin and Bob Pierce.  Mr. Milovich reviewed the Annual Crop report in detail and at length, and at the conclusion of his remarks, at 10:15 a.m., the Board stepped outside the building to observe a demonstration of a few of the pieces of equipment used in the course of performing the duties of the Agricultural Department, i.e, the weight truck and mosquito abatement equipment.  The Chairperson called the meeting back to order at 10:35 a.m., with all Board Members present. 

Planning-Res. Mngmt./Rd. Closures Comment Period

Mr. Rex Allen, representing the Advocates for Access to Public Lands (AAPL), addressed the Board to ask that the County formally request the Forest Service to extend the comment deadline for the plan to close two roads in the White Mountains, Furnace Creek Road and Birch Creek Road, from September 1, 2003, to January 1, 2004.  Mr. Allen provided additional information and further justification for the request.  Supervisor Williams clarified that he was able to ascertain that the deadline for comments only applied to the Furnace Creek Road closure and that he had been unable to determine if there were any deadlines for Birch Creek Road.  Mr. Paul McFarland, representing the Friends of the Inyo's, addressed the Board to provide additional information and clarification on why further delays to the road closures may allow for more damage to the riparian areas the road closures are intending to protect.

 The Board, the County Administrator and members of the audience continued to discuss a variety of issues relating to road closures in general and more specifically with the two proposed road closures.  The Board discussed the proposed inequities in the notices that refer to the closure of Birch Creek Road without providing specific details on the closure.  Additionally the Board discussed the reasons for the request for an extension, highlight the fact that the County’s resource management coordinator position is currently vacant and the County is also in the process of bringing a new Planning Director up to speed on local issues.  The Board also expressed a desire to meet with the Forest Service and other governmental agencies, in a workshop setting, regarding  on-going road closure policies. 

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to direct staff to send a letter to the Forest Service requesting an extension of the deadline for comments regarding the road closure of Furnace Creek Road, and any potential or future deadlines for the closure of Birch Creek Road, to January 31, 2004; and further direct that an invitation be extended to the Forest Service, the local BLM Office, the BLM Ridgecrest Office and any other governmental agencies involved in the closure of roads, to participate in a workshop with the Board, in the near future, focusing on internal road closure policies.  Motion carried unanimously.

Integ. Waste/ ESJPA Contract

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve A) the Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) Contract for consultant services for FY 2003-04, in an amount not to exceed $297,413, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2003/2004 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign and B) the Indemnity and Insurance Agreement between the County of Inyo and California Waste Associates and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./First Aid Kits P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to declare FA2000 a sole-source provider of first aid kits and authorize the purchase of 77 first aid kits from FA2000 in an amount not to exceed $2,182.95 plus applicable taxes and freight charges.  Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./ AutoDesk Subscription

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the purchase of an AutoDesk subscription from DLT Solutions, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $2,088 plus applicable taxes.   Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:05 p.m., reconvening in open session at 1:05 p.m., with all Board Members present.

County Counsel/ Great Basin Contract

Supervisor Williams asked how requests for expanded services would be paid for.  County Counsel responded that an amendment to the Contract would need to be approved should cost for services exceed the contract limit.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District for County Counsel’s Office to provide certain legal services to the District during the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, for the sum of $12,500; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Rolling Green & Knight Manor Rd. Project

Regarding the Rolling Green Terrace and Knight Manor Road Project, Supervisor Williams asked if the funding for this project was still available in light of the fact that money for the Dehy Park and Laws Railroad Projects had been deleted from the State’s budget.  Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, provided additional information, confirming that this funding has been set aside.  Supervisor Hambleton acknowledged that this project is important to the people who live in Rolling Green and Knight Manor and one, which he has been anticipating for a long time.  He then took the opportunity to thank staff for their diligence in bringing this project forward.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to  approve the Plans and Specifications for the Rolling Green Terrace and Knight Manor Subdivisions Street Improvement Project; and authorize the Public Works Director to advertise for bids for the project.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Testimony on California Desert Conservation District

Supervisor Dorame provided the Board with a draft of his written testimony for the hearing before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands on August 18, 2003.  He explained that his oral comments would be a 5 minute synopsis of the written testimony.  He went on to discuss in detail the different areas his testimony focuses on, such as Surprise Canyon, Homewood Canyon and Saline Valley Road.  He showed the Board a variety of maps, which highlighted the areas he was addressing. 

The Public Works Director provided more current information regarding flood damage and the emergency repair of Saline Valley Road and the County’s ability to access the Waucoba Borrow Pit.  Mr. Jewett explained that while the Park Service has authorized the County to access the borrow pit for emergency road repairs, they have placed such restrictions on access to the pit that it is impossible for the County to utilize it.  He went on to say that his staff is continuing to work with the Park Service to gain the needed access in order to effectuate the repairs, qualifying his remarks by explaining that should sufficient access to the materials pit not be granted cost to repair the road will increase significantly as a result of the County having to transport the materials.  

Supervisor Williams proposed some minor changes, explaining that he felt a couple of statements are subjective and unable to be confirmed.  He also indicated a desire to see the emphasis on local control identified in a couple of areas of the document, changed to an emphasis on local input.  Supervisors Hambleton and Arcularius concurred with the testimony as it was presented.  They said that they did not feel changes were needed, supporting Supervisor Dorame’s autonomy in what is to be provided.    Supervisor Bear agreed with Supervisor Williams concerns, expressing her desire to see that whatever County situations and/or concerns are identified that they can be substantiated.  

The Board and Staff continued to discuss the proposed testimony.  At the conclusion of the discussion Supervisor Dorame changed Page 6, Paragraph 2, the last line as follows: “The group remaining at the table then took the opportunity to changed the…”   The Chairperson then asked the Board for a motion regarding the testimony.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the testimony to be given by Supervisor Dorame before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands on the California Desert Conservation District, at a hearing on August 18, 2003, as presented, and granting Supervisor Dorame the discretion to make changes as he sees fit.  Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2003-45/ Local Emergency

The County Administrator provided additional information and further clarification on the request for the Board to ratify his declaration of a local emergency as a result of flood damage to roads in the southern portion of the County, which will exceed $1,000,000 to repair.  He explained that one of the reasons a jurisdiction can declare an emergency is because the costs of repair are excessive.  He also explained that in preliminary discussions with the State Office of Emergency Services he was led to believe that the County’s determination of the existence of a local emergency is very valid.

Mr. Jewett, Road Commissioner, notified the Board that a damage assessment team from the State Office of Emergency Services is currently “on the ground” touring the areas to determine the extent of the damage.  He indicated that he would keep the Board apprised of the situation as it progresses.  The County Administrator also explained that a future item would be brought before the Board declaring the emergency over. 

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Williams, Resolution No. 2003-45 was adopted proclaiming the existence of a local emergency as a result of the heavy rains that led to washouts on Inyo County roads beginning on July 31, 2003, and ending August 2, 2003: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Disaster Serv./ Homeland Sec. Grant Funds

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the submittal of an application for FY 03 State Homeland Security Grant Program funding under the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness and authorize the County Administrator to sign the application and related documents on behalf of the County.  Motion carried unanimously.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 2:45 p.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present to discuss Agenda Items No. 13.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Appointment - Title:  Director of Environmental Health; No. 14. 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. 15.  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; No. 16.   CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization - Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA) - Negotiators - County Administrator and Personnel Analyst; and No. 17.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization - Law Enforcement Administrators’ Association (LEAA) - Negotiators - County Administrator and Personnel Analyst.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 4:55 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 4:55 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., August 19, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center in Independence.