County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Ms. Rennie Holland, representing the ICEA, read a letter requesting the Board to postpone the action regarding increasing the Board’s salary until after mediation is completed.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period and there were no reports forthcoming.

Introduction

The County Administrator introduced Mr. Ron Juliff, the new Deputy County Administrator/Economic Development Coordinator to the Board. 

Probation/M. Hannah Remembrance

The County Administrator read into the record the Board’s tribute to Mike Hannah commemorating his meritorious career as an Inyo County Probation Officer.  The Chairperson requested that the written memorial be sent to Mike’s family.

Planning/SAIC Contract Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement between the County of Inyo and SAIC changing the scope of work and changing “Table #1 Addendum Technical Disciplines, Rates, ODC’s per Original and Amendments” and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained; and B) amend the FY 2003-2004 Planning and Zoning Budget Unit 023800, by increasing appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $4,820.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

BofS/Request by Republican Women’s Group  Re: Measure A

The Chairperson opened the discussion on the request from the Inyo County Republican Women Federated that their resolution supporting Measure A be considered, that Measure A be placed in the Inyo County Code and followed as written.  Ms. Jane Bright of the Republican Women Federated, Ms. Beverly Harry, Clerk/Recorder, Mr. Jim Bilyeu and Ms. Nancy Masters of Independence, and Mr. Richard Cervantes of Lone Pine, supported the inclusion of Measure A in the Inyo County Code.  County Counsel provided the Board with copies of the information he provided to the Board when Measure A was first discussed in March of 1999.  The Board, Staff and members of the audience discussed the merits and drawbacks of Measure A being included in the Inyo County Code.  The Board Members expressed their personal points of view on Measure A and the codification request, with the Chairperson relaying the absent Supervisor Dorame’s sentiments regarding the request, specifically refuting those comments attributed to him, which are reflected in the Republican Women’s resolution.  Supervisor Arcularius supported Supervisor Dorame’s position with regard to the resolution, explaining that she felt the inclusion of those comments was inappropriate since Supervisor Dorame has refuted making the remarks.  She suggested that the comments be deleted from the resolution.  The Board, Staff and members of the audience continued to discuss Measure A, with Ms. Harry taking exception to the Board’s remarks regarding the applicability of Measure A as they relate to previous actions taken by the Board.  She highlighted the consolidation of the Veteran Service Office with the Sheriff, as an example of where she felt Measure A would apply.  The Board members disagreed with Ms. Harry’s estimation of the applicability of Measure A in that instance.  The Board Members expressed their amenability to looking at the codification language for the Measure.  After a continued lengthy discussion, the following motion was made.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to direct staff to prepare ordinance codification language for Measure A to be brought back for discussion and possible consideration by the Board.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Clerk/Payment Authorization

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to authorize the payment of $3,583.58 to PFA, Inc., for conversion of microfiche to electronic images.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

County Counsel/ Conflict Code Pioneer Cemetery

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to receive and approve the 2003 Conflict of Interest Code for Pioneer Cemetery District.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Closed Session

County Counsel notified the Board that Agenda Item No. 16.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Title -  Planning Director, had been pulled from the Agenda.  The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:35 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Dorame, to discuss Agenda Item No. 17.  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 12:15 p.m., to reconvene in open session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Dorame.

Ord. 1071/Salary Increase Elected Officials

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bear, Ordinance 1071 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,” was approved:  motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Dorame absent.

Ord. 1072/Salary Increase BofS

On a motion by Supervisor Williams and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Ordinance 1072  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,” was approved: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Dorame absent.  At the conclusion of this motion, Supervisor Bear excused herself and left the meeting due to travel.

Planning Dept./ Kirchnavy Zone Reclassification

The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 12:20 p.m., to consider a proposed General Plan Amendment from CBD “Central Business District” to RHM “Residential Medium-High Density” for two 5,000 square foot parcels, adjacent to each other located on the northwest corner of Jackson Street and Mountain View in the Community of Lone Pine and a proposed ordinance authorizing a Zone Reclassification on the same parcels from C-3-7,500-D (Administrative and Professional Offices - 7,500 square feet minimum - Architectural Design Control) to R-1-5,800 (One Family Residences - 5,800 Square Feet Minimum).  Mr. Courtney Smith, Planning Department, reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations regarding the General Plan Amendment and the Zone Reclassification, and at the end of his remarks requested that the Staff report be entered into the record and it was marked Exhibit A.  The Board and Staff discussed the proposed General Plan Amendment, with Ms. Leslie Klusmire, Planning Director, sharing her concerns with General Plan Amendments and spot zoning changes in commercial districts to allow residences to be built.  She explained that there were alternatives available, which could control General Plan Amendments and still facilitate some residential development on adjacent side streets.  The Board indicated their desire to discuss the available alternatives but were hesitant to continue without Supervisor Dorame participating in the discussion.  At 12:45 p.m., the Chairperson continued the public hearing to 10:05 a.m., September 23, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center in Independence.

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to continue to the September 23, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting, the request to adopt the Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact and certify that the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act have been met with respect to the Kirchnavy General Plan Amendment and Zone Reclassification and adopt a resolution entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Certifying the Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact Prepared Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Concerning and Approving General Plan Amendment No. 2003-03/Kirchnavy, and Zone Reclassification No. 2003-03/Kirchnavy; and to waive the first reading of an ordinance entitled “ An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Approving Zone Reclassification No. 2003-03/Kirchnavy and Amending Ordinance No. 943, the Inyo County Zoning Ordinance, by Reclassifying Two 5,000 Square Foot Pieces of Property Located at the Northwest Corner of East Mountain View Street and North Jackson Street in the Community of Lone Pine From C-3-7,500-D (Administrative and Professional Offices - 7,500 Square Feet Minimum - Architectural Design Control) to R-1-5,800 (One Family Residences - 5,800 Square Feet Minimum).”   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Bear and Dorame absent.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:45 p.m., to reconvene at 1:50 p.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisors Bear and Dorame.

BofS/National Constitution Week Proclaimed

Supervisor Arcularius asked that the proclamation declaring September 17, 2003, as Citizen Day and the week of September 17 through 23, 2003, as National Constitution Week be read into the record and that the proclamation be provided to the schools.  Supervisor Williams requested that in the quote from the Constitution the word “prosperity” be changed to “posterity.”  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to proclaim September 17, 2003 as Citizen Day and the week beginning September 17, 2003 and ending September 23, 2003, as National Constitution Week in Inyo County, as corrected.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Bear and Dorame absent.

Resol. #2003-54 Safety Net Full Payment Designation

On a motion by Supervisor Williams and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No. 2003-54 entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, for the designation of 15% to 20% of the Safety Net Full Payment Amount to be allocated to Local Projects” was adopted:  motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisors Bear and Dorame absent.

Forest Service Full Safety Net

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to reaffirm the use of the approximately $67,280 of HR 2389 Forest Service Special Project Fund revenues expected in Fiscal Year 2003-04, be divided equally between the Inyo County Office of Education and the County of Inyo for the following purposes: (i) to the Inyo County Office of Education for “Forest Related Educational Opportunities” (estimated at $33,640); and (ii) to the County of Inyo for “Search and Rescue” activities on federal lands paid for by the County (up to $12,000) and a grant program for “Fire Prevention” and “County Planning” ($21,640);  direct staff to bring back an amendment to the County Budget, once funding is received for the County uses; and set a 45-day “public comment” period, to begin September 20, 2003, and ending November 4, 2003; and direct the Clerk of the Board to publish the notice of public comment period.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Bear and Dorame absent.

CAO-Info Serv./ Alcatel Network

Mr. Brandon Shults provided additional information and further justification for the purchase of networking equipment from Verizon.  He explained that this equipment will be the anchor platform for supporting the strategy for future development of the County’s infrastructure and the first giant step in the development of the backbone.  He highlighted some of the areas, which will benefit in the long-run from this new equipment, including in-house email capabilities, security, video arraignments, and long distance phone service.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the purchase of Alcatel network switching equipment, installation, training and three year maintenance from Verizon, Inc., a CMAS vendor, in an amount not to exceed $56,250.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Bear and Dorame absent.

Resol. #2003-55/ Probation/Modifi- cation of Juvenile Justice Plan

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Williams Resolution No. 2003-55, entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Authorizing the Chief Probation Officer to sign and submit the County’s Comprehensive Multiagency Juvenile Justice Plan Modification” was adopted.  Motion unanimously passed and adopted with Supervisors Bear and Dorame absent.

Fish & Game/ Commission Appointment

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to re-appoint Mr. William Wright to the Inyo-Mono Fish and Game Advisory Commission to complete a four-year term ending July 1, 2007.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Bear and Dorame absent.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including an upcoming RCRC Meeting in Susanville, an Owens Valley Committee Meeting, and a Mental Health Board Meeting.  The County Administrator reported on the CDBG Grant kick-off meeting in Darwin, status of some of the County’s state funding, and reminded the Board of the Millpond Music Festival which is being held at Millpond this weekend.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson requested 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., October 7, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.