County of Inyo

 The Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, met in regular session at the hour of 9:12 a.m., on Tuesday, August 10, 2004, in the Board of Supervisors Room, County Administrative Center, Independence, with the following Supervisors present:  Chairperson Carroll “Butch” Hambleton presiding, Linda Arcularius, Julie Bear, Ted Williams and Michael Dorame.  Supervisor Butch Dorame provided the Invocation, and Supervisor Ted Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Mr. John Klusmire of the Inyo Register, addressed the Board to correct a misprint in his article about the increase in the TUT.  Mr. Klusmire explained that the increase had inadvertently been identified as 1% instead of the 1/2% and informed the Board that a correction would be made.  Supervisor Arcularius took the opportunity to clarify remarks attributed to her in a recent article regarding the LORP EIR/EIS.  She explained that when she discussed the delays regarding this project that she was not implying that the delays were only attributable to DWP.  She went on to say that all parties, including the County, the environmental groups and the MOU signatory groups have all contributed to the delays. 

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

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Maternal Child Health (MCH) Allocation Funding between the County of Inyo and State of California, for public health services in the amount of $498,108 for fiscal years 2004-2007, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2004-05 Budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign the MCH Policy Compliance and Certification Funding Form.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Wild Iris, for one-time funds to provide child abuse, bullying and youth violence prevention and intervention services, programs and/or activities in Inyo County, in an amount not to exceed $9,500 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.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve of Amendment No. 4 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and the State of California, for HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Programs, increasing the grant by $6,000 to a total amount of $216,700, for the period of July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2004, and authorize the Chairperson sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the final amended Negotiated Net Amount multi-year contract for alcohol and drug services with the State of California, in an amount not to exceed $516,327, for FY 2003-04; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

The County Administrator provided additional information regarding the recommendation for award of the FY 2004-05 printing bid.  He explained that the 2% 10 day discount language was considered in the pricing analysis and that it is very feasible for the County to pay in a timely manner in order to gain the discount terms.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to award Bid No. 2003-14, Printing for 2004-05 FY, to Community Printing and Publishing and authorize purchase orders to be approved for various County Departments to order printing from this bid for FY 2004-05.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Jean Dickinson, the Director of Health and Human Services, provided information regarding the letter to Employers’ Training Resource, explaining that after conversation with Supervisor Arcularius she was recommending that the letter be amended to request that Inyo County’s allocation be increased.    Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the letter to Employers’ Training Resources in Bakersfield, communicating the need to locate another provider in Inyo County for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program and amended to include a request for an increase in Inyo County’s allocation, and authorize the Chairperson to sign.

Chief Probation Officer, Jim Moffett, provided additional information, further justification and responded to questions regarding the California Youth Authority (CYA) contract.  Mr. Moffett provide an explanation on why and when the charges for CYA had been implemented and discussed the parameters of placement in the CYA.  On a motion by Supervisor Dorame and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No. 2004-36 was adopted, authorizing the Chief Probation Officer to sign the contract between the County of Inyo and the California State Department of Youth Authority, for the period of July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

The County Administrator reviewed the Staff recommendation regarding the Argument in Favor of Measure O, the TOT Rate Increase, explaining the recommendation that the Board waive their priority for placement of the argument in favor of a community based argument if one is forthcoming.  The Board discussed the argument, amending the opening statement to add the word “..not generally affect the…”  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to  approve the “Argument in Favor of Measure O” as amended to include the word generally in the first sentence, to be placed on the November 2, 2004, ballot, which will ask the voters to approve a rate increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax; authorize the Board Members signatures on the argument; waive the Board’s priority preference under the elections code; and direct the County Administrator to work with the Clerk-Recorder regarding the inclusion of this argument on the ballot.  Motion carried unanimously.

Argument in Favor of

Measure U Continued

The County Administrator briefly reviewed the recommendation regarding the Argument in Favor of Measure U, explaining that two arguments had been presented and Staff preferred the first argument.  Supervisor Williams presented an alternative argument for the Board’s consideration. The Board and Staff discussed the Staff’s preferred argument, with the Board providing editorial changes, including rearranging the first paragraph so that the sentence addressing the $20 million property tax shift was moved to the beginning and to be highlighted, that solid waste disposal be referred to a “dumps” for easier clarification and the addition of the reference to the ending date of the legislation from Supervisor Williams’ alternative.  The Board took a brief recess, at 10:10 a.m. to provide Staff the opportunity to make the Board’s changes and provide an amended version for the Board’s further consideration. The Board reconvened at 10:25 a.m., with all Board Members present to further consider the revised version of the Argument in Favor of Measure U. 

In response to a question from the Board regarding the fiscal analysis of the proposed rate increase the County Administrator provided the Board with a copy of the Auditor’s draft.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the preferred “Argument in Favor of Measure U,” as amended, to be placed on the November 2, 2004, ballot, which will ask the voters to approve a rate increase in the Transactions and Use Tax of 1/2%; authorize the Board Members signatures on the argument; and direct the County Administrator to work with the Clerk-Recorder regarding the inclusion of this argument on the ballot.  Motion carried unanimously.

The Deputy County Administrator, Mr. Chuck Hamilton, reviewed the proposed ordinance to increase solid waste disposal fees and implement a gate fee.  He explained that this ordinance will only take effect should the voters not approve the TUT rate increase.  The Board reiterated that this action is being taken at the present time in order to provide the voters with sufficient information regarding the new rates in order to make a decision on whether they want increased fees or they want an increase in sales tax that will end in six years.  On a motion by Supervisor Dorame and a second by Supervisor Williams, Ordinance No. 1086, entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Repealing Inyo County Ordinance Numbers 958, 1023, and 1031 and Establishing and Increasing Solid Waste Disposal Fees” which will only increase solid waste disposal fees should the voters fail to approve an increase in the Transactions and Use Tax (TUT) rate at the November 2, 2004, General Election was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Mr. Dan Beets, Transportation Planner in the Public Works Department, reviewed the Bishop Airport Master Plan.  On a motion by Supervisor Bear and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No. 2004-37 was adopted, officially designating the Bishop Airport Master Plan (BAMP) as the planning document necessary to provide direction for the development and operation of the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (ESRA) through the year 2020: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Supervisor Arcularius reported on a State Fish and Game Commission Meeting, which she had attend in Bridgeport, at which Assemblyman Cogdill had made a presentation on fish hatcheries and the need to secure funding for future operations.  She reported on the Status of the Sierra Nevada Framework responses, indicating that RCRC would be monitoring and responding as appropriate and that she would keep the Board informed as to the outcome.  Supervisor Arcularius also updated the Board on a variety of other state issues, including the Sierra Nevada Conservation legislation, SB18 which could affect CR Briggs exploration opportunities, and the California Performance Review.  Supervisor Williams reported on a Furnace Creek Road meeting, and a Meeting on the Forest Services’ route inventory project. Supervisor Bear informed the Board that the County had received multi-year augmented funds for First 5 programs.  She also provided information on the Arts Council’s First Annual Art Walk. 

County Counsel announced that Agenda Items No.  17.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Title - Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA) - Negotiator - County Administrative Officer & Personnel Analyst; and No. 18.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Title - Law Enforcement Administrators’ Association (LEAA) - Negotiator - County Administrative Officer & Personnel Analyst, were being pulled from consideration and the Board would not be meeting in closed session.

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 11:20 a.m., to 9:00 a.m., August 17, 2004, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.