County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Mr. Marty Fortney, Aberdeen Resident, addressed the Board.  He informed the Board about a situation he had just become aware of, where there is a proposal regarding closure of the Baker Creek area in Big Pine in an effort to protect the habitat of the Yellow Billed Cuckoo.  Mr. Fortney explained the importance of the area to the economics of the County and the Big Pine area in that it is a major recreational area and that the proposal is to close the area to all access.  Mr. Forney requested that the Board take official action to respond to the proposal.  Supervisor Arcularius explained that she had been following the proposal and that the first comment period was for preliminary comments.  She explained that it was her understanding that a second comment period will be initiated prior to any determination being made. 

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, reported on a Welfare Directors Association meeting she had attended.  Mr. Chuck Hamilton, Deputy County Administrator, notified the Board that there would be a Household Hazardous Waste event held at the Lone Pine Landfill on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and that the gate fees would be waived for those disposing of only household waste.  Mr. Andrew Remus, Yucca Mountain Coordinator, updated the Board on the possible continuation of grant funding for water studies in the Death Valley area.

Emerg. Serv./ Enviroguide Contract

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Enviroguide for the provision of Emergency Management Consulting in an amount not to exceed $12,760 for the period of October 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously.

Emerg. Serv./ Enviroguide Contract Amend.

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve Amendment #2 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Enviroguide amending the scope of work and schedule of fees for Awareness Training and Exercise Development services; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Info Serv./ Verizon Contract

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Agreement with Verizon for local telephone service and related provided services (such as voice mail) for the period of February 25, 2005 through February 26, 2006, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

Integ. Waste/ Local Task Force Appointments

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) appoint the following to serve on the Local Task Force to serve at the pleasure of the Board: Chuck Hamilton, Bob Mayhugh, Doug Brown, Chris Nottenkamper, Dale Komontofski and Andrew Kirk and B) adopt the Local Task Force By-laws as submitted.  Motion carried unanimously.

Integ. Waste/ Solid Waste Collection Permits

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) approve the issuance of a 2005 Solid Waste Collection/Transportation Permit to Bishop Waste Disposal, Inc./Sierra Disposal (Areas A and B respectively), Preferred Septic and Disposal (Areas A and B), Benz Sanitation (Areas C and F), Pahrump Valley Disposal (Areas D and E), and M. P. Environmental (Area G) to operate in Inyo County and B) authorize the Deputy County Administrator to sign the permits.  Motion carried unanimously.

Motor Pool/ Surplus Vehicles

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) declare the vehicles and equipment as identified by Staff as surplus and B) authorize the sale of the surplus vehicles through the auction process.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Personnel/ LEAA MOU

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005, Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Inyo and the Law Enforcement Administrator’s Association (LEAA) and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Personnel/ Jean Dickinson Contract

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Jean Dickinson for the provision of personal services as the Health and Human Services Director, increasing the monthly salary from $6,928 to $7,244, effective December 16, 2004, and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.   Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2004-62/ Appt. Officials Salary

On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bear, Resolution No. 2004-62 entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Rescinding Resolution 2004-58 and Setting Salary and/or Terms and Conditions of Employment for the Appointed Officials Employed in the Several Offices or Institutions of the County of Inyo,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

CAO-Purchasing/ Satellite Phones

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to award Bid No. 2004-03 for and authorize the purchase of nine satellite phones with one year prepaid service, and accessories from Comtech Communications in an amount not to exceed $15,598, plus tax.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Purchasing/ Intellitrack Check Software

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to declare N Code Systems, Inc., a sole-source provider of the Intellitrack Check In/Check Out Software and accessories and approve the purchase of the software, including installation, training and support from N Code Systems, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $8,500, plus tax.  Motion carried unanimously.

County Counsel/ Local Agencies Conflict Codes

County Counsel/ County Dept. Conflict Codes

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to receive and approve the 2004 Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Reports from Inyo County Departments as recommended by Staff.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Soc. Serv./ Stern Consulting Contract

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Stern Consulting for fiscal consulting services, for the period of December 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005, in an amount not to exceed $15,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Soc. Serv./ Safe & Drug Free Schools Program Curriculum Materials

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to declare Channing-Bete as a sole-source provider for facilitator guides and training materials for the research-based curriculum targeting parents of adolescent children and authorize the purchase of Parents Who Care,  a parenting curriculum for the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program from Channing-Bete in an amount not to exceed $4,000.   Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2004-63/ Rolling Green & Knight Manor Notice of Compl.

P.W./Demo of Burned Home at B.P. Care Facility

District/Bishop Rural Fire Comm. Appointment

With regard to the request for an appointment of a Bishop Fire Commissioner, Supervisor Williams offered his thanks to retiring Commissioner Lefty Irwin for his 12 years of service to the Fire District.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to appoint Mr. Robert Winzenread to the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District Board of Commissioner’s to complete an unexpired term ending July 1, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Alt. Vice Chair

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to appoint Supervisor Ted Williams as an alternate Vice Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors for the purpose of conducting Board of Supervisors meetings beginning January 1, 2005, as necessary.  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO/Leg. Platform

The Board and Staff discussed the proposed 2004-05 Legislative Platform.  The Board discussed additions to the platform which included Health and Human Services issues identified by the Director regarding legislation pertaining to reporting by financial institutions of financial elder abuse; that the Sierra Nevada Conservancy language be added to the Planning and Land Use Item 1; that the Summary Discussion portion of the Agenda request be amended to include NACo; and that under the Transportation and Public Works section add the transportation of high level nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain on Route 127.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to adopt the 2004-2005 Legislative Platform for the County of Inyo as amended.  Motion carried unanimously.

Disaster Serv./ Avalanche Monitoring Contract

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) approve a purchase order for Avalanche Monitoring Services to Snow Survey Associates in an amount not to exceed $3,000; and B) Amend the FY 2004-05 Disaster Services Budget Unit 023700 by increasing appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $3,000 and reduce appropriations in Contingencies General Budget Unit 087100, Contingencies (Object Code #5901) by $3,000. Motion carried unanimously.

Integ. Waste/ Waste Haulers Franchise Fees

The Board and Staff discussed recommendations regarding increasing the annual franchise fees charged to permitted waste haulers operating in Inyo County.  The Board directed Staff to draft the ordinance to be further considered by the Board in the future. 

Workshop/ Regional Housing Assessment

Senior Pgrm./ Linkages Counselor

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to authorize the filling of the Linkages/MSSP Senior Services Counselor IV position, at Range 69 ($3,141 - $3,814).  Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Personnel/ Sheriff Salary Increase

At the conclusion of the following motion, Supervisor Arcularius requested Staff include in the Mid Year Budget Review an analysis of reinstating the 2% COLA for the Department Heads for Board consideration.  Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to waive the first reading of an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Amending Section 2.88.040 of the Inyo County Code to Increase the Salary for Certain Elected County Officials, Excluding Members of the Board of Supervisors” and schedule 10:05 a.m., January 4, 2005, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence as the time, date and place for the enactment.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Library/Law Library Filing Fee Increase

The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 10:20 a.m., to consider a proposed resolution increasing the Law Library Filing Fees.  Mr. Bill Michael, Library/Museum Director reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations for increasing the Law Library Filing Fees.  There was no one from the public wishing to comment on this recommendation.  The Chairperson closed the public hearing at 10:25 a.m.

Resol. #2004-64/ Law Library Filing Fee Increase

On a motion by Supervisor Williams and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No.    2004-64 was adopted increasing the Law Library Filing Fees:  motion unanimously passed and adopted. 

Workshop/Closure of Public Roads on Federal Lands

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:25 a.m., to convene in a workshop regarding the County policy for the process for noticing the proposed closure of public roads on federal land where roads are clearly under the jurisdiction of other entities (not County roads).  The Chairperson recessed the workshop and the regular meeting at 10:55 a.m., to reconvene at 12:30 p.m., in closed session, with all Board Members present.

The Board met in closed session to discuss Agenda Item No. 38.  PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957)– Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Title: County Administrative Officer.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 1:49 p.m., to reconvene in open session, with all Board Members present.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the installation and use of VITA income tax software on the Auditor-Controller’s laptop computer.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve letters to A) the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Director Margaret Chu requesting affirmation of County authority to use Yucca Mountain Oversight funds for participation in the NRC licensing proceedings and B) Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and Congressman Buck McKeon updating them on County participation in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Yucca Mountain licensing proceeding, as presented by the Department.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Dorame to approve the certification that 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 provisions of that Act, and the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2004, and authorize the Chairperson to sign and for the submittal to the U. S. Department of Energy.   Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Williams to adopt the proposed FY 2005 Yucca Mountain Assessment Office Workplan.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) amend the Deferred Maintenance Budget Unit 011501, by increasing appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $4,100, (4/5’s vote required); B) approve the emergency repairs to the Bishop Senior’s facility; and C) authorize the issuance of a purchase order to David Jarvis Construction in an amount not to exceed $4,100 for the repairs.  Motion carried unanimously.

The Board and Staff discussed the property to be leased to the Olancha CSD, with the Board directing that this property be removed from the list of County property available for sale.  Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to A) find that certain County-owned property in the Community of Olancha is not required for County use; B) approve the Lease Agreement for that property with the Olancha Community Services district at no charge, for the purposes of expanding fire services and operations; and C) approve the term of the lease from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2044 (40 years) and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Bear and seconded by Supervisor Williams to A) waive the hiring freeze and authorize the recruitment and filling of two vacant Deputy Sheriffs positions and two Correctional Officer positions; B) amend the authorized strength by adding two full-time Deputy Sheriff positions at Range 64 ($3,203 - $3,902) to be funded by Sheriff’s AB443 Rural Counties monies currently in Trust #502709 and C.O.P.S. funding in Sheriff Trust #500103 and authorize the recruitment and filling of these new positions; and C) approve Career Ladder movement of two Correctional Officers from Range 56 to Range 59, effective December 16, 2004.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Dorame and seconded by Supervisor Bear to waive the hiring freeze and authorize the recruitment and filling of one Records Clerk position at Range 51 ($2,104 - $2,552) and one Correctional Officer position at Range 52 ($2,152 - $2,615).  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meeting of  November 30, 2004, Special Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Retiring Supervisors Bear, Hambleton and Dorame provided their final report, thanking their fellow Board Members for their support and friendship over the past 12 years for Supervisor Bear and 8 years for Supervisors Hambleton and Dorame, with Supervisors Arcularius and Williams offering well wishes and thanks to the retiring Supervisors.

The Chairperson requested 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 2:45 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., January 4, 2005, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.