County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Mr. John Treacy, Treasurer-Tax Collector announced the successful conclusion of this year’s tax billing process, with the completion of the mailing of the tax bills.  He presented each of the Board Members with their tax bills and indicated that the remaining bills were due to be mailed out on Thursday and Friday.  Mr. Treacy highlighted some of the new areas of the new tax bill system, including the capability to have messages from the Board imprinted into a field on the bills.   Mr. Benjamin Bonham, Lone Pine Resident, provided the Board with information regarding his Lone Pine property and related water right issues, expressing a desire to meet with Supervisor Dorame to discuss his concerns.  Supervisor Dorame indicated that he would meet with Mr. Bonham and provide a report back to the Board.

County Dpt. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, updated the Board on the Child Welfare Program.  She explained that she would be participating in her State association meetings to work on getting changes in funding because the program is currently 50% under funded.  The County Administrator reported on his trip to the Boyd Group Conference in Nashville, explaining that in the current economic climate it is going to be difficult to attract airline services to the area because the carriers are not willing to take any risks.  Mr. Mendez indicated that while it looked like tough times ahead he would continue to work on the development of air service into Inyo County, in small increments with no guarantees.  He explained that jets are replacing the turboprops, the small air carrier services are being phased out, and the outlook for the future of rural air services is looking bleak. 

H&H-First 5 Comm./Prgm. Presentation

Representatives of the Health and Human Services Department and the First 5 Commission, made a presentation on the Inyo County First 5 Program.  At the conclusion of the presentation, the Board offered their congratulations to the program on their success. 

Child Support Serv./Print N Mail Contract

The request  for the Board to A) declare Print N Mail, Inc. as a sole-source provider of printing, mailing and credit card payment services; and B) approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Print N Mail, Inc. for the provision of printing, mailing and credit card payment services, in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00, for the period of October 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004,  was pulled from the Agenda at the request of the Department.

Child Support Serv./Plan of Cooperation

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the Plan of Cooperation between the State of California Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Child Support Services and Eastern Sierra Child Support Services, for the period of November 1, 2003 through October 31, 2004, and authorize the Child Support Director to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-IHSS/Board Appointments

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to make the following appointments to the In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee to serve at the pleasure of the Board:  Jackie Howell to represent the provider category and Terrence Moffett Loneeagle to represent the recipient category.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./ESR and L.P. Airports/Auto Fueling Systems Upgrade

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to declare AirPetro Corporation a sole-source provider of automated fueling systems and authorize the purchase of the upgrade of the automated fueling systems from AirPetro, in an amount not to exceed $1,850.19 for the Eastern Sierra regional Airport, and $2,548.71 for the Lone Pine Airport.  Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./Federal Apportionment Exchange Agreement

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the 2002/2003 Federal Apportionment Exchange Program and State Match Program Agreement with the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $673,352, plus a State match of $100,000, for a total amount not to exceed $773,352; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2003-61/ Proclamation of Emergency Extending Coverage Dates

The County Administrator explained that when the original declaration of emergency was made the coverage was for the damage sustained during the storms from July 31, 2003 through August 2, 2003.  He said that as a result of additional damage sustained during the storms, which occurred August 19, 2003, through August 20, 2003, the County had to enact another  Resolution to encompass the entire timeline of the storms in order to qualify for OES reimbursement.  On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Williams, Resolution No. 2003-61 was adopted proclaiming the existence of a local emergency as a result of the heavy rains that lead to washouts, starting on July 31, 2003 and ending on August 20, 2003: motion unanimously passed and adopted. 

Resol. #2003-62/ Administrator Designation

On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Williams, Resolution No. 2003-62 was adopted, designating the County Administrator as the Director of Emergency Services to sign the necessary paperwork on behalf of the County of Inyo to obtain OES federal financial assistance: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 9:55 a.m., reconvening at 10:10 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Resol #2003-63/ Waste Hauling Permit for Area A

The Deputy County Administrator provided additional information and further justification to approve a solid waste collection/transportation permit to a new provider in the Waste Collection Area A.  The Board, Staff, and Mr. Dale Comontofski, the representative for the new hauler responded to questions from the Board.  Ms. Evelyn Nikolaus expressed her concern about increased vehicle traffic as a result of another provider being on the road.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) make the finding that the establishment of the maximum rate schedule for Waste Hauling Services Area A is exempt under CEQA guideline 15273; B) direct the Deputy County Administrator to file the Notice of Exemption as required by law; C) find that the public health, safety, welfare, convenience and necessity require the granting of the requested permit for Waste Collection Area A; D) authorize the Deputy County Administrator to issue a solid waste collection/transportation permit to the applicant for Waste Collection Area A, as recommended by Staff and subject to the conditions identified in the Staff Report; and E) approve Resolution No. 2003-63, which establishes the maximum rate schedule for Waste Collection Area A.  Motion carried unanimously.

P.W.-Town Water Systems/Proposed Rate Increase

The Public Works Director, Mr. Jeff Jewett, addressed the Board to provide additional justification for Staff’s request to take appropriate actions to increase the rates for the Laws, Independence, and Lone Pine Town Water Systems.  Mr. Jewett sited the increase in operating costs and that the rate structure does not meet the current need for capital improvement and ongoing maintenance reserves.  The Chairperson opened the public hearing, at 12:05 p.m., to consider an ordinance establishing new rates to be charged for water and water services supplied to the Town Water Systems in Laws, Independence and Lone Pine.  Members of the public who addressed the Board to oppose the increase were Rod Ayres, Richard Cervantes, Philip Baxter, Carl King, Nancy Masters, Marlene Cierniak, Mary Roper, Joe Ruiz, and Margaret Terry.  The Board, the noted members of the audience and Staff discussed the proposed rate changes, with many questions from the public being raised regarding Staff’s recommendation. At the conclusion of the discussion, Board Members expressed their desire to have more detailed information from Staff regarding the rates, to have more public input regarding the changes, and to request that additional public meetings be scheduled in each of the effected communities prior to the Board taking any further action regarding changes in Town Water System rates. The County Administrator reviewed the ordinance adoption process suggesting that the current track, which began with this public hearing be cancelled.  He went on to suggest that the Board direct Staff to bring back for discussion additional information regarding the Town Water Systems, at which time the Board could schedule public meetings in the effected communities, and at the conclusion of the public input and depending upon the Board’s direction, staff would begin the ordinance adoption process again.  The Chairperson closed the public hearing at 1:30 p.m.  Ms. Bennet Kessler asked that press releases be issued regarding a public hearing and/or public meetings.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to direct Staff to return with additional and more detailed information on the Town Water Systems, and issue a subsequent press release to notify the public of the discussion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 1:30 p.m., to reconvene at 2:40 p.m., with all Board Members present

Probation/Mono County Contract

Mr. Jim Moffett, Chief Probation Officer, responded to questions from the Board regarding the contract for placement of Mono County juvenile commitments in the Inyo County Juvenile Center. Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Mono County for placement of Mono County juvenile commitments in the Inyo County Juvenile Center at the rate of $85 per day per minor, for the period of July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Assessor/Price Contract

The Assessor, Mr. Tom Lanshaw, explained that Mr. Bret Price of the law firm of Price and Brumfield has lost his partner and is now operating as a sole-proprietor.  He asked that the Board authorize the reassignment of the current contract to Mr. Price who is currently handling the Coso appeals.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to ratify the assignment of the Contract between the County of Inyo and Price & Brumfield, LLC to the Law Offices of Bret L. Price, a sole proprietorship, and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

H&H-Social Serv./ Welfare Director Designation

Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, explained that there is a need to transfer the titles of County Welfare Director and County Health Executive from her predecessor to her in order to facilitate Program coordination with the State.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to appoint Health and Human Services Director Jean Dickinson as the County Welfare Director and County Health Executive.  Motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff/Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to amend the FY 2003/04 County Budget as follows: A) increase estimated revenue in Budget Unit #022700 - Sheriff-General (Object Code #4486) - AB443 Sheriff by $3,800.00 and increase the appropriation in Budget Unit #022700 - Sheriff-General (Object Code #5232) - Office and Other Equipment by $3,800.00; and B) declare Frank Wilbur Company of Fresno, CA, as the sole-source vendor for the purchase of updated software/hardware for the I.D. System, in an amount not to exceed $3,800.00, including sales tax and shipping.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the minutes of the September 23, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 3:13 p.m., to convene in closed session with all Board Members present to discuss Agenda Item No. 16.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR  [Pursuant to Government Code § 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 4:30 p.m., to convene in open session to receive a report on closed session.

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 4:30 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., October 21, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.