County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period and there was no one from the public wishing to address the Board.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Ms. Jan Larsen, Planner, provided additional information on the upcoming public hearing regarding General Plan Amendments, which will correct language concerning water connections and net acreage.

HHS/Workshop on Safe & Drug Free Schools

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:10 a.m. to convene in a workshop, with all Board Members present, to receive an update from Health and Human Services Staff on the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 9:30 a.m., to reconvene in open session at 9:35 a.m., with all Board Members present.

HHS-Misc./Lone Pine Office Lease

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Lease between the County of Inyo and Donald Christenson, M.D. for the property located at 380 Mt. Whitney Drive, in Lone Pine, at the rate of $2,300 per month for the period of July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2004/05 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Misc./ Bishop Office Space Lease

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Lease between the County of Inyo and Connie and Michael Layne Trust for the property located at 162 Grove Street, in Bishop, at the rate of $5,400 per month for the period of July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2004/05 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W.-So. Inyo Airport Comm. Appointments

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to appoint Ms. Beverly Vander Wall, Mr. Robert Gracey and Mr. Michael Barns to the Southern Inyo Airport Advisory Committee to complete 4-year terms ending June 1, 2008.   Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./ Cascade Software Agreement

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Cascade Software System, Inc., for the provision of software maintenance and support services for the Road department’s Cost Accounting Program, in an amount not to exceed $8,970.24, for the period of July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2004/05 budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./Stewart Valley Roads

The Chairperson and the other Members of the Board welcomed the audience members who had traveled from Stewart Valley and Southern California to participate in the discussion regarding Stewart Valley roads.  Mr. Walter Rudolf and Mr. Richard Perry, representing the Stewart Valley Estates Lot and Home Owners Association and Architectural Control Committee, addressed the Board to identify their concerns with the condition of the roads in and around Stewart Valley Estates, and to request that the County maintain the roads.  Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, addressed the Board to provide additional information on which entities are responsible for the repair and maintenance of certain roads, as well as the conditions of the roads identified by Mr. Rudolf and Mr. Perry.  Mr. Jewett explained that he had assessed the roads in question and at the present time was not recommending the County accept these roads into our maintained mileage system.  The Board, Staff, and Members of the Audience continued to discuss the Stewart Valley roads.  At the request of the Public Works Director the Board took a short recess at 10:15 a.m., reconvening at 10:50 a.m., with all Board Members present.  The Public Works Director presented the Board with a list of options and alternatives regarding the roads in the Stewart Valley area, which included requiring that the roads be brought up to County standards.  The Board directed the Public Works Director to research the various options available to the County and return at a later date with a more detailed report on those options and alternatives for the Board’s further consideration.

P.W./Airport Fees

Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations regarding the proposed fees to be charged at the local airports.  Mr. Jewett requested that the original recommendation for hanger rentals be reduced to $160 per month. The Board and Mr. Jewett briefly discussed the proposed fees.  Ms. Alice Lloyd and Mr. Rex Allen, Eastern Sierra Airport Hanger Lessees and Northern Inyo Airport Advisory Committee Members, addressed the Board to object to the proposed hanger rent increase and provided the Board with and supported alternative rates.  Mr. Ken Lloyd, Bishop area resident, also opposed the proposed increases.  The Board, Staff and audience members discussed the proposed rates in great detail and at length. Several Board Members supported the continued use of General Fund dollars to subsidize the airports.  The County Administrator clarified that at the present time, it is the direction of the Board that general fund dollars not be used to subsidize the airports.  He went on to explain that upcoming budget recommendations would follow that directive.  He explained that should the Board decide during the budget hearings to change the policy and/or direction, it would be adjusted, as normal, based on the Board’s identifying the funding source.  Supervisor Arcularius indicated that she was not supportive of the recommended hanger rental fee of $160 and suggested the lower amount of $130.  Supervisor Williams concurred with Supervisor Arcularius.  The Board and Staff went on to discuss the proposed fire base fee and whether the proposed fees should be applicable at all affected County airports, with the Board concurring that the fees should be countywide.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to direct Staff to move forward with the proposed fee increases reducing the hanger rental fees to $130 per month and the remaining fees as recommended and to have the fees apply at appropriate airports countywide.  Motion carried on a four-to-one vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Williams, Hambleton and Dorame voting yes, and with Supervisor Bear voting no.  

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 1:30 p.m., reconvening at 2:50 p.m., with all Board Members present.

Probation/Bar-O- Boys Ranch Contract Limit

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the increase in the not to exceed amount of the Contract between the County of Inyo and the Bar-O-Boys Ranch of $9,838.71 to a total not to exceed $29,440, for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004.   Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/CSAC

The County Administrator reported there were no budget issues nor CSAC related issues to discuss this week. 

BofS/Support of AB 2280 (Cogdill)

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the letter to State Senator Roy Ashburn, requesting he support AB 2280 (Cogdill) for the protection of funding for fish hatcheries when the Senate considers the bill; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Support of AB 2690 (Hancock)

Mr. Robert Ennis of Lone Pine addressed the Board to urge the County’s support of AB 2690 (Hancock) emphasizing the importance of volunteers in small communities.  The County Administrator explained that he had been unable to find out exactly which State agency had actually made the ruling regarding wages for volunteers and requested that the reference in the letters to the Department of Labor Relations be changed to reflect simply a State ruling.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the letters to Assemblywoman Loni Hancock and Assemblyman Bill Maze, supporting AB 2690 (Hancock), with the noted change, which would specify that the required payment of prevailing wage on public works projects does not apply to work performed by volunteers; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Forest Serv./Rainbow Group Gathering Impact Grant

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bear to authorize Staff to apply for U.S. Forest Service Grant funding, if necessary, which may be available to assist a county in dealing with the ramifications of the Rainbow Family Living Group’s congregating in the Inyo National Forest; and authorize the County Administrator to sign all required documentation to facilitate the grant.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the minutes of the May 25, 2004, Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 3:30 p.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board members present, to discuss Agenda Items No.16.  PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8) - Conference with Real Property Negotiator - Property APN18-090-01, County Road, Big Pine, CA - Agency Negotiator - Department of Public Works - Negotiating Parties - County of Inyo and Quality of Life Association - Under Negotiation - Price and Terms; 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; No. 18.  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. 19.  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 5:20 p.m., to convene in open session, with all Board Members present. The Chairperson asked for 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. 

Post Agenda/

Reagan Day of Mourning

The County Administrator requested the Board consider placing a Post Agenda item regarding the possibility of declaring Friday, June 11, 2004, a paid County holiday to coincide with the President and Governor making similar degrees.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to find that the need to make a decision regarding a County day of mourning in honor of President Ronald Reagan arose after the Agenda for the June 8, 2004, Board of Supervisors Meeting was posted and there is a need for the Board to take action on this item prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting, therefore, this item is added as Agenda Item No.  14A.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Personnel/ 6-11-2004 Paid Leave Day

The County Administrator provided additional information regarding the request to consider declaring Friday, June 11, 2004, a County Day of Mourning to coincide with the President declaring a National Day of Mourning for President Ronald Reagan.  The Board and Staff discussed giving the County workforce the day off, with County Counsel providing further explanation regarding how this might be accomplished.  The Board and Staff continued to discuss the pros and cons of declaring a County Day of Mourning and granting the employees a day-off with pay.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to direct that should the State of California offices be closed on Friday, June 11, 2004, in memory of President and past California Governor Ronald Reagan, the County of Inyo will declare that day as a paid County Day of Mourning, direct that all non-essential County offices be closed and direct the County Administrator to take the appropriate actions to facilitate this declaration.  Motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., June 15, 2004, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.