County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Ms. Joy Melgard, Bishop Resident and Northern Inyo Airport Advisory Committee Member, requested funding support in the amount of $500 for her registration and attendance at the Ninth Annual Aviation Forecast Conference.  Ms. Melgard indicated that she would be attending the Conference even if the Board of Supervisors did approve her request for funding.  The Chairperson informed Ms. Melgard that the Board could not take action during public comment and indicated that he would talk with the County Administrator on bringing this item back in the future for consideration by the Board.

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Mr. Chuck Hamilton, Deputy County Administrator, informed the Board that a Household Hazardous Waste event was going to be conducted this Saturday at the Bishop-Sunland Landfill from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  Ms. Leslie Klusmire, Planning Director, reported on a recent trip to Washington, D.C., regarding the Yucca Mountain Project.  Ms. Klusmire also invited the Board to take a tour of the well drilling site at the Death Valley Water Monitoring Program site.   Ms. Klusmire also informed the Board that the Planning Department has completed its first EIR, which was written in its entirety by the Planning Staff.  Mr. Jeff Jewett, Public Works Director, reported on the status of rural airport allocations with the FAA and the State. 

Mr. David Grah, Acting Planning and Program Director, Caltrans District 9, updated the Board on what he has identified as possible consequences of reorganization within Caltrans if the recommendations in the Governor’s California Performance Review Report are implemented.

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:50 a.m., to convene in a workshop, with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Bear.  The Board met in a workshop with the Public Works Director and Staff regarding the Public Works projects, prioritization and staff workload.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 11:00 a.m., reconvening in open session at 11:10 a.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Bear.

The County Administrator briefly commented on and reviewed Staff’s recommendations regarding the Eastern California Museum Railroad Center Project.  Mr. Bob Enis of the Carson and Colorado Railway, Inc., provided additional information, further clarification and the suggestion that the Board move forward with the project by making a motion to approve the project with the proviso that the project not incur any unreimbursed costs to the County.  He went on to explain that if it does appear that the project incur any such costs, then the item will need to be returned to the Board for reconsideration.  Mr. Enis also provided further clarification on “donation credits.”  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to, approve the Eastern California Museum Railroad History Center Project, contingent upon the project not incurring any unreimbursed costs to the County and if it does appear that the project will  incur any such costs, then the project will be returned to the Board for reconsideration; and further direct A) the Public Works Department to complete a TEA Application and authorize the County Administrator to sign the Application; B) that Staff forward the TEA Application to the Local Transportation Commission (LTC) for approval; and C) the County Administrator to enter into (a) lease negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for the property for the museum and (b) negotiations with the Eastern California Museum Railroad History Center to develop an agreement for the operations, maintenance and management of the museum.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent. 

Ord. 1088/Fees for Commercial Photography on County Property

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Williams, Ordinance 1088  entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Establishing Fees for Commercial Filming and Photography on County Roads, Facilities, and Property,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Bear absent.

Ord. 1089/ Tecopa Hot Springs Concessionaire  Fee and Operation Authorization

Ms. Barbara Price and Mr. Brad Goans from Tecopa addressed the Board to oppose the ordinance.  On a motion by Supervisor Dorame and a second by Supervisor Williams, Ordinance 1089  entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Adding a Section to Chapter 12.16 of the County Code, which Chapter is Entitled ‘Roads and Parks,’ to Provide that, During the Term of Any Agreement Between the County and a Concessionaire for the Operation of the Tecopa Hot Springs Park, the Fees and Rules Governing the Use of the Park Shall be Those Established by the Concessionaire,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Bear absent.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) remove the existing COP Trustee, US Bank, and appoint Union Bank of California as successor COP Trustee; B) direct the County Treasurer to execute, on behalf of the County Board of Supervisors, the documents prerequisite to the removal of the existing Trustee and to the naming of Union Bank of California as the County’s successor COP Trustee; and C) direct the County Treasurer to remit to Union Bank of California the newly negotiated annual Trustee fee from the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s 2004-05 departmental budget.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent. 

Moved Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to authorize the recruitment and filling of a vacant Account Technician I position at Range 55 ($2,263 - $2,751.)  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent. 

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the lease between the County of Inyo and the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for property utilized for Dehy Park, for the period of November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2009, at the annual rate of $500; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent. 

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Dorame, Resolution No. 2004-48 was approved, rescinding Resolution #92-85 and adopting an Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure and Designating a Coordinator: motion unanimously passed and adopted, with Supervisor Bear absent.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meetings of A) September 7, 2004, B) September 14, 2004, C) September 21, 2004, and D) September 28, 2004.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Bear absent. 

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, include a RCRC legislative update, the Indian Gaming Commission meeting, dedication ceremonies for the Big Pine 4-laning project, an Independence Civic Club Meeting and with the County Administrator reporting on a Health Services announcement of a shortage of this year’s flu vaccine and that he will be meeting with Mayor Hahn’s Deputy regarding the easement issues. 

The Chairperson recessed open session at 2:35 p.m., to convene in closed session with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Bear to discuss agenda items No. 14.  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. 15.  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 closed session at 3:35 p.m., to convene in open session to receive 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. 

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 3:35 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 12, 2004, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.