County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, met in regular session at the hour of 9:02 a.m., on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, in the Board of Supervisors Room, County Administrative Center, Independence, with the following Supervisors present:  Chairperson Ted Williams presiding, Linda Arcularius, Susan Cash, Jim Bilyeu, and Richard Cervantes.  Supervisor Bilyeu provided the Invocation, and Supervisor Cervantes led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Chairperson announced the public comment period and there was no one from the public wishing to address the Board. 

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.  Mr. John Treacy, Treasurer-Tax Collector, updated the Board on the status of the collection for secured property taxes. He informed the Board that the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District is running at little bit more than 30% delinquency, which exceeds the County’s 3% threshold.  Mr. Treacy reviewed the options available to the Board, including the possibility of discontinuing the TEETER Plan for the District.  He explained that he was not recommending that option at the present time because historically delinquent taxes are collected when properties are sold at auction, which is the ultimate step for properties in arrears on property taxes.  Sheriff Lucas updated the Board on the occupancy status at the Jail, as well as on the Deputy recruitment efforts. 

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:15 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present to discuss Agenda Item No. 17.  PERSONNEL [Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957].  Public Employee Appointment, Title:  Director of Water Department.  The Chairperson recessed closed session at 9:30 a.m., to reconvene in open session with all Board Members present.

The Chairperson and County Counsel announced that with regard to Agenda Item No. 17. PERSONNEL [Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957] - Public Employee Appointment, Title:  Director of Water Department, the Board of Supervisors has hired Thomas Brooks as the Director of the Water Department, at the starting salary of $7,200 per month, beginning October 31, 2005, contingent upon the approval by the Board of Supervisors of a Contract setting forth the terms and conditions of employment.

Mr. Vern Lawson, Cartago Resident, addressed the Board to present and discuss his request that the Board A) enforce the provisions of County Ordinance 18.78.310 and 18.78.160 as it pertains to a violation in the Cartago area, and B) address the conditions of the roads in the Town of Cartago.  He gave the Board additional background on his request and presented additional information.  He informed the Board that a neighbor of his is violating the zoning ordinance by keeping animals on a property that is not properly zoned.  He expressed a variety of concerns including possible ground water contamination from the animal waste and a fence that exceeds fencing height requirements.  Mr. Lawson went on to address a second concern in his area, which was the lack of road maintenance.  Ms. Leslie Klusmire, Planning Director and Ms. Adena Fansler, Planning Technician, provided further information regarding the County’s enforcement authority and to review zoning definitions and requirements.  Mr. George Milovich, Agricultural Commissioner, and Mr. Ron Chegwidden, Acting Public Works Director, addressed the Board to provide further information and clarification on keeping animals on private property and on road conditions in the Cartago area.  Ms. Klusmire informed the Board that the Planning Department is pursuing enforcement on the violations and if the corrections are not made it will be turned over to the District Attorney.  The Board and Staff continued to discuss Mr. Lawson’s request, with the Board thanking Mr. Lawson for bringing his concerns forward and assuring Mr. Lawson that the Planning and Zoning Ordinance is being enforced, as identified by the County’s Planning Staff.

Resol. #2005-54/ Correctional Officers Comp.

On a motion by Supervisor Bilyeu and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No. 2005-54 entitled “Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Rescinding Resolution No. 2005-23 and Continuing the Increase in Compensation for Correctional Officers,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted. 

Transit/Vehicle P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to award the bid for and authorize the purchase of two Ford Escape 4WD vehicles from the low bidder, Eastern Sierra Motors of Bishop, in an amount not to exceed $41,842 plus tax.  Motion carried unanimously.

Auditor/County Cost Plan Preparation Contract

Auditor/Mandated Cost Claim Prep. Contract

Sheriff/Ammo

P. O.

Rd. Dept./Tree Removal

Planning/BLM Land Tenure

The Board and Staff discussed the information presented by the Planning Department regarding the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Tenure issue at length and in detail.  Several Board Members expressed their concern with and non-support of the draft letter, which was submitted by Staff.  Mr. Scott Kemp, Independence Resident, expressed his concern with the information, which was provided saying that he felt more information was needed regarding the map.  Mr. Kemp also suggested that a private landowner be added to the subcommittee reviewing this.  Mr. Joe Polini, BLM Acting Field Manager, addressed the Board to provide additional information, indicating that he too felt the BLM might have moved forward too quickly.  Supervisor Cervantes requested a list of the Collaborative Planning Committee Members as well as the names of those sitting on the subcommittee for land tenure run by the BLM.  The Board requested that the Planning Department draft a resolution on the mapping issues relative to the BLM Land Tenure, to be brought back for the Board’s consideration.

Ag. Comm./2004 Crop Report

The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. George Milovich, presented and discussed the 2004 Inyo Mono Crop Report.

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to authorize the Interim-Library Director to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Inyo County Library and Inyo County Superintendent of Schools for the purpose of funding the acquisition of early childhood literacy materials for the Big Pine and Lone Pine libraries.   Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to A) increase the authorized strength of the Transit Program by adding one BPAR Dispatcher position (16-29.99 hours/week) at Range 50 ($11.86/hour); B) authorize filling one BPAR Dispatcher position at Range 50 through an open recruitment process; and C) modify the hiring freeze and authorize the filling of one Transit Driver position at Range 43 ($1,750 - $2,128).  Motion carried unanimously. 

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and Latir Energy Consultants for Yucca Mountain Project consulting services, for the period of July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006, in an amount not to exceed $61,200; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.  Motion carried unanimously.

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including an update on the Visitor Center’s Grand Opening, Lone Pine efforts to get the Southern Inyo Hospital Measure passed, a sharing of CSAC information and a copy of the “Code of the West” for the Board’s review. 

The Chairperson recessed open session at 11:45 a.m., to reconvene in closed session to discuss Agenda Item No. 16.  CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6] Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits, Employee Organization - ICEA - Negotiator - County Administrator. 

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 11:55 a.m., to reconvene in open session to receive a report on closed session.  County Counsel reported there were no further items discussed in closed session, which were required by law to be reported on in open session. 

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 11:56 a.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2005, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.