County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Ms. Rennie Holland of the Mesa Community Service District invited the Board to attend the Round Valley Forum.  Sheriff Dan Lucas, addressed the Board to express his support of the Board and to strongly disagree with the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s recent memorandum.  Assistant County Counsel, Allen Berrey, asked for consideration of a Volunteer Program where employees could convert sick time to volunteer time.

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report Period.  The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. George Milovich, informed the Board of a bird in the Bishop area which tested positive for West Nile, reminding everyone to be careful and use precaution when outdoors.

Museum/Bishop Library Fire Alarm

Representatives of the Friends of the Bishop Library, Staff and the Board discussed the status of the installation of the fire alarm at the Bishop Library.  The Board directed the Public Works director to send a letter to the Friends of the Library updating them on the status of the project and to provide copies of the letter to the Board Members.  Supervisor Arcularius also suggested that a working group be formed with the Friends of the Library to find options to move the project along.  She suggested that she, Supervisor Bear and the County Administrator be a part of this working group.  The County Administrator indicated that he would follow-up on the working group concept.  The Board directed that this item be returned by the second Board Meeting in October for further consideration by the Board. 

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:40 a.m., to convene in a facilitated workshop, with Staff, and members of the public to continue exploring the roles, responsibilities and organizational framework of the Water Department. 

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 12:15 p.m., reconvening in open session at 1:30 p.m., with all Board Members present.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the lease agreement between the County of Inyo and L.P. Pederson for office space rent at 162 E. Line Street, Suite “G” and “H”, Bishop, California, in an amount not to exceed $1,629 per month for the period of December 1, 2004 through November 30, 2007 contingent upon the Boards adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to authorize Supervisor Arcularius to participate on one of the panels of the regional Centennial Forum celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the Forest Service, and authorize the County to cover one-half of the travel expenses.  Motion carried unanimously.

The request for the Board to ratify and approve the following:  A) Amendment Number Six of the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Quad Knopf, Inc., consultants, increasing the amount payable under the contract by $71,573 to an amount not to exceed $339,326;  B) Amendment Number Seven of the Agreement between County of Inyo and Pacifica Development, Inc. for the provision of environmental review and processing services, increasing the amount payable under the contract by $136,526 to an amount not to exceed $556,939; and authorize the Chairperson to sign both amendments contingent upon obtaining appropriate signatures; and C) Amend the FY 2004/2005 Planning and Zoning budget unit 023800 by increasing estimated revenue in Services and Fees (Revenue Code #4819) by $136,526 and increase appropriations in Professional and Special Services (Object Code # 5265) by $71,573, was pulled at the request of the Department.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to ratify and approve the contract between the County of Inyo and LAFCO to provide staff services for the period of July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005 and authorize Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meeting of August 17, 2004.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the temporary closure of a portion of Locust Street between Lakeview and Mt. Whitney Streets in Lone Pine, from 8:00 a.m., to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 18, 2004.  Motion carried unanimously.

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including a Foundation of Excellence function, the LAFCO Conference, and with Supervisor Hambleton updating the Board on a discussion he had with LA Water Commissioner Dominick Rubacalva in which Mr. Rubacalva expressed his desire to help the County obtain a 20 year lease for the County airports if the County would give DWP more water.  The Board directed that an item regarding this information be placed on next week’s Agenda for discussion.  The County Administrator informed the Board that Fort Independence has applied with the Governor’s Office for a gambling compact. 

The Chairperson recessed open session at 2:05 p.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Bear who had left prior to the Board convening in closed session, to discuss Agenda Items No. 10.  CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) - Coso Energy Developers v. County of Inyo, Fourth District Court of Appeal Case No. E034051; Inyo County Superior Court Case No. CVCV-01-28756; No. 11.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) - Public Employee Appointment - Title:  Director of Environmental Health; No. 12.  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. 13.  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.

The Chairperson recessed open session at 4:51 p.m., to receive a report on closed session. County Counsel reported that there were no items discussed in closed session, which were required by law to be reported on in open session.

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 4:51 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., September 21, 2004, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.