County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period and Mr. Harry Peterson, a McLaren Area Resident, addressed the Board regarding a proposed amendment to the General Plan.  Mr. Peterson gave the Board a copy of a letter he had presented to the Bishop Creek Water District, citing concerns the local water quality should the amendment be adopted.  Mr. Peterson also asked the Board to conduct local meetings in the McLaren area regarding the impact of the General Plan Amendment, asking that their District Representatives on the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission participate in discussions with their constituency in order to learn how proposed changes will affect their constituency. 

Mr. Mike Prather, Lone Pine Resident, presented the Board with a copy of the new Bird Trail Map, which identifies bird watching opportunities throughout Inyo and Mono counties.  Mr. Prather thanked the volunteers who made this map possible and highlighted the economic impact that birdwatchers bring to the areas they visit.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Ms. Leslie Chapman, Auditor-Controller, updated the Board on current auditing projects, which are being conducted.  She also updated the Board on the status of the appraisal of the County’s assets for the compilation of the first GASB Financial Statement.  Ms. Chapman indicated that she would keep the Board informed on the results.

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, informed the Board that Governor Davis has agreed with the County’s declaration of an emergency with regard to the recent flooding in the southeastern portion of the County.  He notified the Board that the final cost assessment for the damages was put at $1.45 million.  He explained that with the concurrence from the State, steps are put in place to allow the County to recoup up to 75% of the cost to repair the roads through the State disaster funds.  He also explained that the State has submitted the County’s declaration to the Federal Government and should they agree with the Governor the County would then qualify for reimbursement of approximately 88% of the cost to repair eligible roads, which were damaged, through FEMA funds.  He informed the Board that approximately $1.2-million of the repair costs would be eligible for Federal money.  Mr. Jewett went on to explain that should both the Federal and State disaster funds materialize the County would only be required to cover between 3-4% of the repair costs. 

CAO-Purchasing/ Camping Fee Envelopes

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to award Quote #8-2003 for camping fee envelopes to the Hanigan Company in an amount not to exceed $2,997.50 plus tax.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Motor Pool/South Third Street Lease

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the lease between the County of Inyo and the City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power for the .47 acres located on South Third Street in Bishop which is utilized for vehicle parking and storage for a five year period beginning May 1, 2003, through April 30, 2004, in the amount of $360 per year and in the amount of $500 per year for the remaining term of the lease through April 30, 2008; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Resol. #2003-53/ Gann Limit

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2003-53 was adopted, approving the annual Gann Limit calculation performed by the Auditor-Controller: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Williams absent.

H&H-Behavioral Health/Mono Co. Contract AODS Treatment Facility

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and the County of Mono for the provision of residential alcohol and drug treatment for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $100,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

H&H-First 5/ Program Evaluation Contract

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Kern County Children and Families Commission for program evaluation services for the period of September 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $30,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

P.W./Tree Removal

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the removal of three sycamore trees located in the County right of way at 502 South Lakeview in the community of Lone Pine.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

P.W./B.P. Street Light Project

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the plans and specifications for the Big Pine Street Light Relocation Project and authorize the Director of Public Works to advertise for bids for the project.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Workshop/HHS Mental Health Crisis Intervention

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:30 a.m., to convene in a workshop with representatives of the Health and Human Services Department to learn about Mental Health Crisis Intervention processes.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 11:20 a.m., to reconvene in open session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Williams.

Rd. Dept./Lubken Canyon Rd. Project

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, presented the Board with Staff’s recommendation for award of the contract for the Lubken Canyon Road Rehabilitation Project.  He asked that the contract be awarded to the low bidder RVC Roadway Construction, Inc., in the amount of $214,866.70.  Mr. Jewett confirmed that the correct roadway marker which is reflected in the Agenda Request Item as “…to 0.7 mile west…” should actually be 01.7 miles.  In response to a question regarding the width of the roadway and the inclusion of bike paths for road projects, Mr. Jewett, explained that the preference for road width is 32 to 40 ft; that Lubken Road, due to the topography and the terrain and because it is a mountain road, it will be 20 feet; and the cost estimate to include bike lanes would be approximately 25% more.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to award and approve the Contract for the Lubken Canyon Road Rehabilitation Project to RVC Roadway Construction, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $214,866.70; authorize the Chairperson to sign contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute all other contract documents, including contract change orders, to the extent permitted by Public Contract Code 20142, and other applicable law.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Planning/Resource Sierra Nevada Comments

The County Administrator reviewed the request for the Board to provide direction on the County’s comments to the Sierra Nevada Framework Draft SEIS, explaining that the deadline for the responses is this Friday, September 12, 2003.  Supervisor Arcularius reviewed the information she had garnered from RCRC’s efforts and their response.  She highlighted her concerns with identifying the socio economic concerns and the delineation of defense and threatened zones, asking that the County ask that the plan provide for a consistent Fire Management Plan.  The County Administrator suggested that the County respond by supporting RCRC’s comments, highlighting the specific concern of defense and threatened zones and re-emphasizing the County’s Inyo 2020 goals as they are explained in the County’s previous documents addressing other wilderness and resource management issues.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to direct Staff to draft a letter for the Chairperson’s signature commenting on the Sierra Nevada Framework Draft SEIS which supports RCRC’s comments on the Draft SEIS, and identifying the established Inyo 2020 Goals and to give Inyo County’s perspective with regard to the defense and threatened zones and a consistent application of the Fire Management Plan.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

CAO-Personnel/ Ordinance BofS Compensation

The County Administrator confirmed that the action to change the compensation of the Board of Supervisors does not take effect until 60 days after the adoption of the ordinance.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to waive the first reading of an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the State of California Amending Section 2.88.040 of the Inyo County Code Increasing the Compensation for Members of the Board of Supervisors” and schedule September 16, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence, as the date and place of the enactment.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

CAO-Personnel/ Ordinance Elected Officials Compensation.

The County Administrator confirmed that the action to change the compensation for the other elected officials excluding the Board of Supervisors would not take effect until 30 days after the adoption of the ordinance.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to waive the first reading of an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Amending Section 2.88.040 of the Inyo County Code to Increase the Salary for Certain Elected County Officials, Excluding Members of the Board of Supervisors” and schedule September 16, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center in Independence, as the date and place of the enactment.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the minutes of the Budget Hearings of August 4 & 5, 2003.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame abstaining and with Supervisor Williams absent.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the minutes of the August 26, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Williams absent.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board reported on their activities during the preceding week including, a Big Pine Civic Club Meeting, an LTC Meeting and a report on Millpond ticket sales.  The County Administrator notified the Board that he would be traveling to Darwin to conduct the kick-off meeting for the CDBG Grant Program for the upgrade of the Darwin water system.  Mr. Mendez reminded the Board that while the County does not have control of the project, they are responsible to ensure that every dime of the grant funds are spent appropriately.   The Chairperson announced that the Board would break from lunch, convene at the Eastern California Museum for the scheduled tour at 1:30 p.m., and at the conclusion of the tour the Board would be adjourned.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 11:45 a.m., to reconvene at the Eastern California Museum, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Williams.

Museum Tour

Mr. Bill Michael, Museum Director, led the Board on a guided tour of the Eastern California Museum, highlighting new, expanded and changed exhibits.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 1:40 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., September 16, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.