County of Inyo

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Ms. Arlene Grider, Independence Resident, thanked the Board for their sponsorship of the Sierra Business Council Conference and to report on the Commander’s House Beautification Project, which was a roaring success and involved a large number of community volunteers.  Mr. Bill Michael, Library and Museum Director, commended the community for the beautification project and the level of community involvement.  Ms. MaryLou Priest, Field Representative for Assemblyman Bill Maze, thanked the Board for the invitation to attend today’s meeting and promised to carry the Board’s message regarding the VLF backfill back to the Assemblyman.

County Dept. Reports

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

HHS-Mental Hlth Workshop

The Chairperson announced that the workshop, which was scheduled for 1:30 p.m., with Mental Health personnel regarding On Call services, had been cancelled at the request of the Department.

HHS-IHSS Program Workshop

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:20 a.m., to convene in a workshop with Mental Health personnel and members of the County’s In-Home Supportive Services Program Advisory Board regarding the In-Home Supportive Service Program and other Adult Services.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 10:25 a.m.

CAO-Budget Workshop

The Chairperson convened the workshop at 10:45 a.m., with all Board Members present, to receive an update from the County Administrator regarding the impact of Vehicle License Fee (VLF) if not backfilled.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 12:30 p.m., to reconvene in open session with all Board Members present.

HHS-Hlth. Serv./EMS Dec.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the “Declarations of Intent Not to Apply” for the FY 2003/04 Emergency Medical Services appropriations; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Hlth. Serv./ Rural Health Funds Dec.

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the “Declarations of Intent Not to Apply” for the FY 2003/04 Rural Health Services Funds; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-First 5 Comm./

Appointments

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to appoint Ms. Martha Mendez and Ms. Lara Anderson to the Inyo County Children and Families Commission (First 5 Commission), to complete three year terms ending December 5, 2006 and December 1, 2006, respectively.  Motion carried unanimously.

P.W.-Town Water System/Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to amend the FY 2003/04 Independence Water System Budget Unit 152101 by increasing estimated revenue in Water Service (Revenue Code #4801) by $23,028; and increasing appropriations in Internal Charges (Object Code #5121) by $6,000, Maintenance of Structures (Object Code #5199) by $5,000, Professional & Special Services (Object Code #5265) by $10,500, and General Operating (Object Code #5311) by $1,528.  Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Starlite Lease

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to A) find that certain County-owned property in the Community of Starlite Estates is not required for County use; B) approve the Lease Agreement for that property with the Starlite Community Services District at no charge for the purposes of constructing a community services building; and C) approve the term of the lease from July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2043 (40 years), and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:45 p.m., reconvening at 1:35 p.m., with all Board Members present.

HHS-Children Serv. Council IMACA Contract

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the contract between the County of Inyo and IMACA for one-time funds to provide Child Abuse prevention activities, in the amount of $4,700; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2003-74/ Rescinding Impasse

The County Administrator explained that the actions being requested regarding personnel were the conclusion of the negotiation/mediation process.  He thanked the members of both negotiating teams, expressing his pleasure that a mutually acceptable personnel package was finally agreed upon.  Supervisor Arcularius took the opportunity to share her personal thoughts regarding the employee package, which was being presented, explaining that she felt the Board and the County had acted fairly and in the best interest of the employees represented by ICEA.  She expressed her disappointment that the Board’s actions were portrayed as being unfair and reiterated her belief that this was a fair and equitable benefit package for the represented employees. 

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2003-74,  entitled “Resolution Between the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Rescinding Resolution 2003-46 Declaring Impasse with the County of Inyo Employees’ Association;” was adopted:  motion unanimously passed and adopted.

CAO-Personnel/ MOU Approval

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Inyo and the Inyo County Employees’ Association (AFSCME Local 315) for the period December 9, 2003 thru June 30, 2005.  Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2003-75/ PERS on PERS

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2003-75,  entitled “Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Paying and Reporting the Value of Employer Paid Member Contributions” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Resol. #2003-76/ Employer-Employee Relations

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2003-76,  entitled “A Resolution of the Board Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Establishing Policy and Procedure for the Administration of Employer-Employee Organization Relations” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Resol. #2003-77/ Non-Represented Employees

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2003-77, entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Setting Salary, Terms and Conditions of Employment for Non-Represented Employees Employed in the Several Offices or Institutions of the County of Inyo, and Rescinding Resolution 2003-48” was adopted:  motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Integ. Waste/BLM Disposal Fee Waiver

Mr. Chuck Hamilton, Deputy County Administrator, provided additional information regarding the request from BLM for the County to waive solid waste disposal fees at the County landfills.  In response to questions from the Board he explained that last year’s calculations reflect that BLM paid Inyo County approximately $200 in solid waste fees.  Mr. Robert Gracey, Independence Resident, addressed the Board to oppose the waiver of the solid waste fees.  The Board expressed concerns with setting a precedent by waiving the fees.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to deny the request from the Bureau of Land Management to waive required Solid Waste disposal fees at Inyo County landfills.  Motion carried unanimously.  At the conclusion of the item, Mr. Hamilton informed the Board that he would notify the BLM of the Board’s action.

Resol #2003-78/ EMPG Grant

On a motion by Supervisor Williams and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No. 2003-78 was adopted requesting Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG) funding, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which authorizes the submittal of the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2004 EMPG application and authorizes the County Administrator to sign the application and related documents, including the Assurances/Certification form: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

P.W./Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) amend the FY 2003-04 County Budget by increasing appropriations in Deferred Maintenance Budget Unit 011501, Other Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $1,612 from unappropriated reserves; and B) approve the purchase order to Service Master of the Eastern Sierra for flood treatment services, in an amount not to exceed $1,612.  Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Budget Amendment

Mr. Jewett, Public Works Director, provided additional information and further explanation on the request to amend the State Funded Road Projects.  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Williams to amend the FY 2003-04 State Funded Road Projects Budget Unit 034601 by increasing estimated revenue in State Other (Revenue Code #4499) by $726,621 and increasing appropriations in Road Project #1 (Reservation Roads) (Object Code #5701) by $40,497; and Road Project #18 (Knight Manor) (Object Code #5718) by $686,124. Motion carried unanimously.

Planning/Clark Contract

Ms. Leslie Klusmire, provided additional information and further justification for contracting for the preparation of the Housing Element.  She explained that due to miscommunications from the State regarding requirements of small counties to comply with the Housing Element, numerous California counties, including Inyo County, would be out of compliance as of December 31, 2003.  She went on to explain the sense of urgency to comply because until the County meets the Housing Element requirement, the County will be unable to certify projects are in compliance with the General Plan.  Ms. Klusmire also explained that the current workload and staffing concerns, along with the immediacy to have the project completed, have resulted in the request to contract with Ms. Andrea Clark for the preparation of the Housing Element.  Ms. Klusmire highlighted that the insurance requirements are being waived because Ms. Clarke is preparing the document, while the County will be responsible for the accuracy and certification of the Housing Element, thereby limiting the liability risk of the Contract.  Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and L.A. Clark Consulting, for preparation of the Housing Element in an amount not to exceed $4,950; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously.

Planning-Yucca Mnt./Certification

Mr. Andrew Remus, Yucca Mountain Coordinator, reviewed the Staff report and recommendation regarding the certification that the County expended Yucca Mountain funds in accordance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, as amended, and the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2003.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Hambleton to certify that the funds provided to Inyo County as an affected unit of local government under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, as Amended, have been expended in accordance with the provision of that Act, and the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2003; and authorize the submittal of the certification, as executed by the Board, to the U.S. Department of Energy.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Minute Approval

Supervisor Arcularius asked that the last sentence in the last paragraph on the first page of the November 25, 2003, minutes, be corrected to read “…other options in order to the reduced the cost of this contract.”  Moved by Supervisor Hambleton and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2003, Board of Supervisors Meeting, as amended.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisors Arcularius, Bear, Hambleton and Dorame voting yes, and with Supervisor Williams abstaining.  

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 3:10 p.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, to discuss Agenda Item No. 20.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization - Elected Officials Assistant Association (EOAA) - Negotiators - County Administrative Officer & Personnel Analyst.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 3:50 p.m., to reconvene in open session to receive a report on closed session. 

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. 

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 3:50 p.m., to 9:30 a.m., December 16, 2003, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.