County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

Public Comment

Prior to the public comment period, the Chairperson announced some agenda changes, and explained that Supervisor Arcularius was absent because she was attending the U. S. Forest Service’s Centennial Congress in Washington, D.C.  Supervisor Cervantes called for a point of order and asked that the Board consider making the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair and also the Committee appointments.  The County Administrator and County Counsel explained that the Board during their last meeting in December had instructed that the Chair appointments be postponed until the second meeting in January.  Mr. Mendez and Mr. Bruce also provided information on the findings, which are required in order to consider post agenda items.  The Board and Staff discussed the appointment issues, with the consensus of the Board being that they would wait until there was a full Board present before considering appointments.  The Chairperson went on to announce the public comment period.   Mr. Brad Goans, Tecopa resident, welcomed the new Board Members.  Mr. Wayne Carpenter, the Executive Director of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, introduced himself to the Board. 

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Ms. Leslie Klusmire, Planning Director, announced that the Crystal Geyser EIR had been released.  She went on to provide meeting schedules and comment period deadlines.  Ms. Klusmire also informed the Board about an RS2477 Workshop, which is scheduled for the first meeting in February.  The County Administrator updated the Board on the Avalanche Reporting Program for the Aspendell and South Fork areas.

The Chairperson announced that Agenda Item No. 3., a request from the Stewart Valley Estates Home Owners Association for a discussion regarding the road situation in Stewart Valley was postponed at the request of the Association, and that it would be rescheduled for next week.  

Resol. 2005-01/ Fed Aid Pgrm. Supplement

Water Dept./ Office Space Lease Extension

Supervisor Bilyeu questioned the possibility of relocating the Water Department into the recently vacated Office of Education Building in Independence, which belongs to the County.  He indicated that the relocation would result in approximately $60,000 in savings to the County.  The County Administrator provided information regarding potential uses for that office space and suggested that the Board direct Staff to bring this item back in the next couple of weeks and include an analysis of the costs for the relocation.  The County Administrator explained that the relocation would require the County to meet and confer with the Employees Union because of the change in permanent working location.  Supervisor Cash requested that Staff include in their analysis the possibility of utilizing some of the Water Department office space to house other County Department Staff.  The Board directed that the request by the Water Department for approval of the one-year lease extension for the office space be continued to the January 18, 2005, Board Meeting and further directed Staff to provide a cost analysis for relocating the Water Department to Independence and for using the current facility to house not only the Water Department but also other County Staff located in the Bishop area.

Planning/Planning Commission Appointments

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to appoint to the Inyo County Planning Commission: A) Mr. Richard White, representing the Fourth District to complete a four-year term ending January 4, 2009; and B) Mr. Paul Payne, representing the Fifth District to complete a four-year term ending January 4, 2009. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Emergency Serv./ EOP Approval

Supervisor Cash indicated that she had been unable to get to Independence to review the Emergency Operations Plan and explained that she was reticent to approve a 600-page document, which she had not read.  The County Administrator indicated that he would provide the Board Members with copies, and suggested that the request for the Board to adopt the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and approve the Weapons of Mass Destruction Annex to the EOP Plan be continued to next week.  The Board concurred and directed that this item be reagendized.

Public Defender/ Buchanan Contract for Campbell Services

The County Administrator provided additional information on the request to approve a contract for Public Defender Services.  He explained that because of a recent Public Defender resignation there was a gap in coverage.  He also clarified that the contract was actually with the Law Offices of Douglas Buchanan who was supplying the Public Defender services of Ms. Victoria Campbell.  Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Douglas Buchanan for Public Defender Services, for the period beginning January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2006, with two one-year renewal options, in an amount not to exceed $70,000 per year, with an annual 2% cost of living increase; and authorize the County Administrator to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Planning/Contract Amend. Intermountain Slurry

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to A) approve Amendment Number Five to the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Intermountain Slurry Seal, Inc., to increase the Contract by $4,222, to an amount not to exceed $344,579; and authorize the Chairperson to sign; and B) amend the FY 2004-05 Planning and Zoning Budget Unit 023800, by increasing estimated revenue in Services and Fees (Revenue Code #4819) by $4,222.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

P.W./Statham Hall Roof Repair

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:05 a.m., to reconvene at 10:15 a.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Arcularius.

Planning/McLaren Ranch Advisory Vote Results

Prior to the Board’s consideration of the McLaren Ranch Advisory Measure, Supervisor Williams, Vice-Chairperson presiding as Chairperson, asked Supervisor Cash to assume the duties of Chairperson for this item in order to provide him the opportunity to make the motion.  Supervisor Cash agreed and chaired the discussion on the Advisory Measure.  The Planning Director provided further information and explanation on the results of the McLaren Ranch Estates Advisory Measure regarding the change in land use designation and zoning to change minimum lot size from one half acre to one acre.  Ms. Klusmire explained that the Board’s action would only be to initiate the process and went on to provide a review of the time-lines for the process.  The County Administrator informed the Board that Supervisor Arcularius had requested that he relay her support for initiating the process.  Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to, as a result of the 80% majority of property owners wishing a change in the RVL land use designation and current zoning, direct Staff to process an amendment to the General Plan and zoning for the McLaren Ranch Estates area to increase the minimum lot size from one half acre to one acre.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.  At the conclusion of this item, Supervisor Williams assumed the duties of Chairperson. 

P.W./Mazourka Canyon Controlled Access

The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 10:33 a.m., on the Controlled Access Highway Agreement proposed on Route 395 near Independence from 2.9 Km south of Mazourka Canyon Road to 0.3 Km south of Mazourka Canyon Road.  The Public Works Director reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations.  There being no one from the public wishing to address this issue, the Chairperson closed the public hearing at 10:34 a.m.  Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to approve the Controlled Access Highway Agreement between the State of California and County of Inyo; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Chairperson asked for Board Member and Staff Reports.  There were no reports forthcoming.  The Chairperson went on to again welcome the new Board Members.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 10:35 a.m., to 9:00 a.m., January 11, 2005, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.