County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Supervisor Bear took the opportunity to thank everyone for their offers of help and expressions of sympathy, explaining that her 99-year-old grandmother had passed away last week.  Supervisor Bear went on to provide additional information and the chronology of both Measures A and B, explaining that she was concerned about the misinformation which is being put out regarding these measures.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Mr. George Milovich, Agricultural Commissioner, provided information regarding federal legislation, which may provide funding for local agricultural programs.

Emergency Serv./EAS Plan Application

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the submittal of an FCC Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan application, under the Rural Utilities Service Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program for the Inyo/Mono local areas, and authorize the County Administrator to sign all pertinent documents on behalf of the County.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Purchasing/ Ammo P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to award Bid No. 2003-13 and approve the purchase of ammunition for the Sheriff’s Department from Dooley Enterprises in an amount not to exceed $9,540 plus tax.  Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./Tree Removal

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to authorize County Road Department personnel to remove one tree in the road right of way at the corner of 250 South Jackson and Payne Street, in Independence.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Support Letter for Rural Transportation Act

The County Administrator provided additional information and further explanation on the letter requesting Congressman McKeon to support the Rural Transportation Act, explaining that the item was brought back at the request of the Board.  Mr. Mendez informed the Board that the letter would also be provided to NACo.  Supervisor Arcularius confirmed that Congressman McKeon’s office had indicated that the Congressman is not currently a co-sponsor of the legislation.  Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the letter to Congressman Buck McKeon requesting he co-sponsor and support the Rural Transportation Act (HR 3743); and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Letter Opposing Insurance Regulation Change

The County Administrator provided additional information regarding the letter to the California Insurance Commissioner opposing a regulation change, which would eliminate “location” as a rating factor for setting automobile insurance rates.  Supervisor Williams questioned the word “and” in the first sentence of the last paragraph.  He asked that the sentence be revised and made into two sentences in order to more forcefully portray the County’s position.  Supervisor Dorame asked for further clarification on how the change would affect local automobile insurance rates.  County Counsel provided the clarification by explaining that larger jurisdictions would be able to provide cheaper repair rates and more economical health care than the rural jurisdictions, thus making urban localities rates less expensive should the location factor be eliminated.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the letter to State California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi opposing the regulation change to eliminate “location” as a rating factor in setting automobile insurance rates, as amended; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Assessor/PAMS Pro Software Licenses

The Assessor provided additional information and further justification for the purchase of three additional software licenses for the property management system.  Mr. Lanshaw explained that the office currently uses three licenses and the additional three would provide for more efficiency in his office.  The County Administrator clarified that under normal circumstances the Assessor’s request would be reasonable, reminding the Board that due to impending budget impacts from the State budget crisis, it is not business as usual.  The Board, the Assessor and the County Administrator discussed the pros and cons of the purchase at this time.  Supervisor Hambleton reiterated the County Administrator’s comments that it is not business as usual.  He went on to say that the Board had established a plan to address potential fund balance reductions and felt it was imperative to follow the plan and not impact the estimated salary savings by allowing departments to use these funds.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to deny the request by the Assessor to purchase three software licenses for the Visual PAMSPro property management system in an amount not to exceed $5,000 each; approve the purchase of one license for the Visual PAMSPro draw program in an amount not to exceed $1,000; amend the FY 2003/04 Assessor Budget Unit 010600, by decreasing appropriations in Salaried Employees (Object Code #5001) by $1,000 and increasing General Operating Expense (Object Code #5311) by $1,000; and direct that the FY 2004/05 Assessor budget include for further consideration the purchase of three PAMSPro licenses.  Motion carried on a four-to-one vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear, Williams and Dorame voting yes, and with Supervisor Hambleton voting no.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:25 a.m., reconvening at 10:35 a.m., with all Board Members present.

BofS Ordinance Rescinding Board’s COLA

The Board Members reiterated their support for the 2% COLA reduction of their individual salaries.  Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to waive the first reading of an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the Inyo County Board of Supervisors, State of California, Amending Section III of Inyo County Ordinance 1072 and Subdivision A of Section 2.04.040 of the Inyo County Code Decreasing the Compensation for the Members of the Board of Supervisors” and schedule the enactment for 10:05 a.m., March 9, 2004, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.  Motion carried unanimously.

P.W.-ESR Airport/Fuel Price and Ramp Fees

The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 10:40 a.m., to consider a proposed ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Establishing a Formula for Setting the Price of Aviation Fuel Sold at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, Establishing Transient Commercial Operator Ramp Fees to be Charged at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, and Repealing Inyo County Ordinance No. 1029.”  The Assistant Clerk read into the record a letter from Alice Lloyd of the Northern Inyo Airport Advisory Committee supporting the ordinance and the letter was accepted into the record as Exhibit A.  Mr. Jeff Jewett reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations in detail and at length, highlighting specific areas of the ordinance.  Mr. Ken Lloyd, Bishop area resident, addressed the Board to support the ordinance.  The Chairperson closed the public hearing at 11:00 a.m.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to waive the first reading of the ordinance and schedule the enactment for 10:05 a.m., March 9, 2004, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.  Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2004-03/ LEA Grant Application

On a motion by Supervisor Williams and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No. 2004-03 was adopted, authorizing the submittal of the LEA Grant Application EA 15 for funding in the amount of $17,700 to the California Integrated Waste Management Board and authorize the Director of Environmental Health to execute on behalf of the County all necessary applications, agreements and amendments for the purposes of securing LEA grant funds: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

HHS-Inyo First 5/ Prof. Dev. Pgrm. Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bear to amend the FY 2003/04 County Budget as follows:  A) establish the Professional Development Program Budget Unit 643004; B) in the newly established Professional Development Program Budget increase estimated revenues in State Grants (Revenue Code #4498) by $7,500 and Other Agencies (Revenue Code #4599) by $15,000; and increase appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $22,500; and C) in Children and Families Commission Budget Unit 643000, increase appropriations in Grant Contribution (Object Code #5538) by $15,000.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Inyo First 5/ School Readiness Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to amend the FY 2003/04 County Budget as follows: A) establish the School Readiness Budget Unit 643002; B) in the newly established School Readiness Budget increase estimated revenue in State Grants (Revenue Code #4498) by $135,663 and Other Agencies (Revenue Code #4599) by $100,000 and increase appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $235,513 and General Operating Expense (Object Code #5311) by $150; and C) in Children and Families Commission Budget Unit 643000, increase appropriations in Grant Contribution (Object Code #5538) by $100,000.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Inyo First 5/ Oral Health Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to amend the FY 2003/04 County Budget by A) establishing the Oral Health Initiative Budget Unit 643006; and B) in the new established Oral Health Initiative Budget increase estimated revenue in Other Agencies (Revenue Code #4599) by $81,295 and increase appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $81,295.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Behavioral Hlth/Charis Youth Center Contract

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Charis Youth Center for the provision of mental health placement services for the period of December 8, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $28,500; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Behavioral Hlth/Victor Treatment Center Contract

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Victor Treatment Centers, Inc., for the provision of mental health services for the period of January 8, 2004, through June 30, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $27,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Inyo First 5/ L.P. School District School Readiness Contract

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and the Lone Pine Unified School District for School Readiness Program services, in the amount of (a) $42,000 for FY 03/04, (b) $28,750 for FY 04/05, (c) $30,063 for FY 05/06; and (d) $31,441 for FY 06/07, in a total amount not to exceed $132,254, for the period of February 17, 2004, through February 16, 2008, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

Water Dept./ Budget Amendment

Mr. Doug Daniels, Water Department, provided additional information and further clarification on the request to amend the Local Ground Water Assistance Act Budget Unit.  He asked that the request be changed to reflect a total amount of $15,547, which includes the last interest payment, and also to eliminate the recognition of the revenue, which is already accounted for in fund balance.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bear to amend the County Budget to include the Local Groundwater Assistance Act Grant Budget Unit 621800 and increase appropriations in expenditure codes as recommended by Staff by $15,547; and B) ratify Amendment #1 to the Local Groundwater management Assistance Act of 2000 (AB303) Agreement, extending the term of the Grant from June 25, 2001 to June 30, 2004; and ratify the Water Director’s signature on the document.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2004, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously, on a four-to-zero vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Williams, Hambleton and Dorame voting yes, and with Supervisor Bear abstaining.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding weeks, including an IMAAA Board Meeting, a Tecopa Meeting; a Fish and Game Advisory Commission Meeting; a CSAC Board Video Conference Meeting; an update on Arts Council events; a LAFCO Meeting; an upcoming Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery Meeting; and an LTC Meeting.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:15 p.m., reconvening at 1:30 p.m., with all Board Members present.

Closed Session

County Counsel reported that Agenda Item No. 21A. PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957)– Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Title:  Director of Planning, was being pulled from consideration at the request of the Department.  The Chairperson recessed open session at 12:15 p.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present to discuss

Agenda Items No. 20.  PENDING LITIGATION - Conference with Legal Counsel (Existing Litigation) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) - Jaxon v. County of Inyo, Inyo County Superior Court Case No. 24260; and No. 21.  REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (Conference with Real Property Negotiators) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 - Property - Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (Bishop) - Negotiating Parties - City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and County of Inyo - Negotiations - Price and Terms.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 3:20 p.m., to reconvene in open session to receive a report on closed session.  County Counsel reported that with regard to Agenda Item No. 20.  PENDING LITIGATION - Conference with Legal Counsel (Existing Litigation) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) - Jaxon v. County of Inyo, Inyo County Superior Court Case No. 24260, the Board in a unanimous vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear, Williams, Hambleton and Dorame voting yes, directed that the County not file an appeal in the matter. 

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 3:20 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., March 9, 2004, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.