County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.  Supervisor Cash remarked on a letter to the editor regarding the restaurant lease at the Bishop Airport.  Supervisor Cash clarified that the letter was misleading in that the current leaseholder has signed a lease in which they had agreed to keep the restaurant open 7 days a week.  She indicated that she was working with the leaseholders and the Public Works Director to see if there was a solution to the leaseholder wanting to change the terms of the lease.  She explained that she was willing to help work through these problems within the scope of the RFP process. Supervisor Cash also explained that while she is willing to look at alternatives, she is unwilling to consider changes in the scope of the lease that would compromise the integrity and fairness of the original RFP process.  Supervisor Cervantes commented on the Homewood Canyon residents’ efforts to find ambulance service to that area, as well the current situation regarding the Olancha School.  Supervisor Bilyeu asked Staff to look into having the CDF crews clean up the Big Pine Care Facility property, explaining that his Big Pine constituents have conveyed their concern to him that the facility is rapidly deteriorating. 

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to declare Motorola a sole-source provider of the MT2000 hand-held radio systems and authorize the purchase of fourteen MT2000 hand-held radio systems with accessories from Motorola, for the Office of Disaster Services, in an amount not to exceed $30,101.42 plus tax.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to waive the hiring freeze and authorize a closed promotional recruitment and filling of an Office Assistant III/Lab Technician position at Range 50 ($2,056 - $2,498).  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, provided additional information and responded to questions from the Board.  Ms. Dickinson requested the Board change the term closed promotional to open promotional, because the term closed in this context would limit those able to apply to only those in the State Merit System.  Several Board Members clarified that they were unwilling to authorize the filling of any vacancy that may occur as a result of this recruitment, explaining that they would expect any vacant position be brought before the Board for justification and approval prior to filling. 

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to waive the hiring freeze and A) authorize the recruitment and filling of two vacant budgeted Eligibility Worker positions at a I step, Range 56 ($2,363 - $2,870) or a II step, Range 58 ($2,474 - $3,009) depending on qualifications; and B) approve a change in the authorized strength by adding one Office Manager position at Range 54 ($2,252 - $2,739) and authorize an open recruitment and filling of the Office Manager position.   Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to waive the hiring freeze and A) approve a change in the authorized strength by deleting one Account Technician II position at Range 59 ($2,532 - $3,078) and adding one Planning Technician series position and B) authorize the recruitment and filling of a Planning Technician at a step I, Range 58 ($2,474 – $3,009) or step II, Range 62 ($2,717 - $3,304) depending upon qualifications.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) amend the FY 2004-05 Sheriff General Budget Unit 022700 by increasing estimated revenue in Sheriff AB443 (Revenue Code #4486) by $6,106 and Civil Fines (Revenue Code #4671) by $12,604 and increase appropriations in Vehicles (Object Code #5674) by $18,710; and B) authorize the purchase of one 2005 Ford Taurus from the low bidder Eastern Sierra Motors in the amount of $18,710.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

The County Administrator briefly reviewed the request for the Board to nominate a Board Member to serve on the BLM Central California Resource Advisory Council.  Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to nominate Supervisor Ted Williams as Inyo County’s candidate to an appointment on the BLM Central California Resource Advisory Council.  Motion carried unanimously.

The Chairperson continued the public hearing, at 10:05 a.m., on the consideration of the Levy of Assessment for proposed Mosquito Control and Disease Prevention Assessment for the Owens Valley Mosquito Abatement Program and to hear and accept the tabulation of ballot results from the County Clerk for the proposed Assessment.  The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. George Milovich, reviewed the results of the ballot measure.  The Chairperson announced the public input portion of the public hearing and there was no one from the public wishing to comment on this assessment.  The Chairperson closed the public hearing at 10:20 a.m.  On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Bilyeu, Resolution No. 2005-24 was adopted, approving Engineer’s Report Confirming Diagram and Assessment and Ordering Levy of the Mosquito Control and Disease Prevention Assessment: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cash to ratify the Agreement between Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a Professional Corporation, for the provision of legal services related to employment relations matters, in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for the period of April 15, 2005 through December 31, 2005, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2005-06 Budget; and authorize the Chairperson to sign contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.   Motion carried unanimously.

The Clerk requested that the minutes of the April 26, 2005 Board of Supervisors Meeting, be corrected to reflect clerical changes on page 4, paragraph one.  Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to approve of the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meetings of A) April 19, 2005, and B) April 26, 2005 as corrected.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:25 a.m., reconvening at 10:35 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Admin. Serv./ Utility Franchise

The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 10:35 a.m., on a proposed ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the Inyo County Board of Supervisors Granting to Valley Electric Association, Inc., Its Successors and Assigns, a Non-Exclusive Franchise for the Use of County Rights of Way to Transmit and Conduct Electricity in the County.”  The Deputy County Administrator, Mr. Chuck Hamilton, reviewed the Staff Report and recommendations.  There being no one from the public wishing to address the Board, the Chairperson closed the public hearing at 10:36 a.m.  Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to waive the first reading of the ordinance and schedule the enactment for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2005 in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.  

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:40 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present to discuss Agenda Items No. 17.  PERSONNEL [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957] - Public Employee Appointment – Title:  Director of Public Works; No. 18. PERSONNEL   [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957] - Public Employee Appointment - Title:  Director of Water Department; No. 19.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR  [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Title:  Director of Water Department – Negotiators: Members of the Board of Supervisors as designated; No. 20. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR  [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization:  ICEA - Negotiators:  CAO Ron Juliff and Chief Probation Officer Jim Moffett; No. 21. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re:  wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization:  Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA) - Negotiators:  CAO Ron Juliff and Chief Probation Officer Jim Moffett; No. 22.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re:  wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization:  Elected Officials Assistant Association (EOAA) - Negotiators:  CAO Ron Juliff and Chief Probation Officer Jim Moffett; and No. 23.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re:  wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization:  Law Enforcement Administrators’  (LEAA) - Negotiators:  CAO Ron Juliff and Chief Probation Officer Jim Moffett.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 11:05 a.m., to reconvene in a workshop.

Transit Prgm./ Governance Study Workshop

The Board conducted a workshop with representatives of the Transit Program and LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. on the findings of Phase I of the Inyo/Mono County Transit Governance Study.   The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 12:10 p.m., reconvening at 12:15 p.m., with all Board Members present. 

P.W./Land Holding Policy Workshop

The Board conducted a workshop to discuss the criteria for the proposed land holding policy.  The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 1:15 p.m., to reconvene in open session with all Board Members present.  The Board directed Staff to work with the Financial Advisory Committee to further develop and make recommendations to the Board regarding the implementation of Land Holding Policy.   

Recess/

Reconvene

Board Members and Staff Reports

Supervisor Arcularius reported that she and the County Administrator would be traveling to Sacramento for Legislative visits with RCRC.  Supervisor Arcularius informed the Board the County’s support for the Cogdill Bill as amended was being made a part of the RCRC information to our legislators.  She explained that the amended bill provided funding for the fisheries program rather than just the hatchery program.  Supervisor Arcularius also informed the Board that she would be traveling to Sacramento tomorrow to attend her first Sierra Nevada Framework meeting.  Supervisor Cervantes informed the Board that he had been talking with the Chambers of Commerce in his area regarding reinventing the TOT increase in order to generate much needed revenue.  Supervisor Bilyeu reported that the Big Pine Ditch project is underway.  Supervisor Williams reported on the Special Meeting held last week in Las Vegas regarding Yucca Mountain Repository Affected Unit of Local Governments (AULGs) funding.  Supervisor Cash reported on a Children and Families Commission training she had attended in Hollywood last week, noting that retired Supervisor Julie Bear was one of the panelist at the Conference and that Inyo County was very well represented.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 2:15 p.m., to convene in closed session to continue discussions on previously identified closed session Agenda Items.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 7:15 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.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 7:15 p.m., to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2005, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.