Board Minutes - October 25, 2005

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 9:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 25, 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 provided the Invocation, and Supervisor Cash led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment	The Chairperson announced the public comment period. Ms. Kathleen New of the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Lynne Alemeda of Spellbinder Books in Bishop, addressed the Board to encourage the Board to proceed rapidly regarding the implementation of the Housing Task Force recommendations. They explained that the Task Force had worked very hard to develop the recommendations and they did not want the County to lose the momentum begun by the Task Force. Supervisor Arcularius explained that during Budget Hearings the Board took action to begin the process to update the zoning code and that Planning is scheduled to bring back a discussion on the recommendations sometime in late November or early December. Supervisor Arcularius requested that today’s meeting be adjourned in memory of Robert Vaulet, a long-time County employee and the retired Undersheriff who passed away last week.
County Dept. Reports	The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period. Ms. Linda Benson, Assistant Director of Health and Human Services, addressed the Board to relay a request made by the Director that the Board help monitor Medicaid cuts being proposed at the Federal level, which could seriously impact local case management services.
Water Dept./T. Brooks Contract	Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to approve the contract between the County of Inyo and Thomas A. Brooks for the provision of personal services as the Water Director at a salary of $7,200 per month, effective October 31, 2005, and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.
BofS/Introduction	Mr. Phil McDowell, Acting Water Director, introduced Mr. Thomas Brooks, the new Inyo County Water Director. The Board took the opportunity to welcome Mr. Brooks and convey their thanks to Mr. McDowell for filling in while the recruitment for the Water Director was conducted. Mr. Brooks thanked the Board for the opportunity the Board had afforded him.
Rd. Dept./Diaz Borrow Pit Lease w/DWP	Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to approve the renewal of Lease Agreement BL-1458 between County of Inyo and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for the Diaz Borrow Pit, for the period of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2010, at the rate of $500 per year, contingent upon the availability of funding and the Boards’ adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign contingent upon obtaining the appropriate signatures. Motion carried unanimously.
Resol. #2005-55/ NIMS Adopted	On a motion by Supervisor Arcularius and a second by Supervisor Cash, Resolution No. 2005-55 entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Adopting the National Incident Management System (NIMS),” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.
Planning/GIS Software P.O.	Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cash to authorize the issuance of a purchase order to Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) to purchase GIS software in an amount not to exceed $7,838.34 (plus tax) as follows: 1) upgrade from ArcView single use license to ArcEditor concurrent use license ($5,938.34) and 2) maintenance for 2 ArcView Licenses ($1,900). Motion carried unanimously.
Emerg. Serv./Prior Year Site Main- tenance Payment	The County Administrator briefly explained that because of the Contractor’s inability to provide certain contract requirements the invoices for prior year’s rental and maintenance on the repeater had not been paid. He confirmed that the work had been completed, that there is a new contractor providing the service so this situation should not occur in the future, and that the invoices need to be paid. Supervisor Arcularius asked that in the future, when Contingencies are being used, that the Board be provided with a Contingencies report showing the prior transactions and the balance. Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to 1) authorize payment to High Sierra Mobilefone/Communications in the amount of $2,106 for site rental invoices incurred during Fiscal Years 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, from Disaster Services Budget Unit 023700, Professional Services (Object Code #5291); 2) waive the contract insurance requirements for High Sierra Mobilefone/Communications maintenance contract for the period of July 1, 2003 through August 31, 2005; 3) authorize payment to High Sierra Mobilefone/Communications in the amount of $2,990 for maintenance services incurred during Fiscal Years 2003/2004, 2004/2005, and 2005/2006, from Disaster Services Budget Unit 23700, Professional Services (Object Code #5265) and 4) amend the FY 2005/06 County Budget as follows: increase appropriation in Disaster Services Budget Unit 023700, Site Rental (Object Code #5291) by $2,106 and Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $2,990 and reduce General Fund Contingencies Budget Unit 087100, Contingencies (Object Code #5901) by $5,096. Motion carried unanimously.
HHS-Misc./Filling Vacancies	Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cash to waive the hiring freeze and authorize the recruitment and filing of three existing budgeted vacant positions as follows: 1) one Office Assistant III/Lab Technician position at Range 50 ($2,056-$2,498); 2) one Account Technician I position at Range 55 ($2,308-$2,806); and 3) one Account Clerk I position, at Range 43 ($1,750-$2,128). Motion carried unanimously.
HHS-Mental Hlth. Serv./State Contract	Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to ratify and approve the Contract between County of Inyo and the State of California, Department of Mental Health for provision of County mental health services for the period of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006; and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously.
HHS-Hlth. Serv./ AIDS State Contract Amendment	Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve Amendment Number 1 to the Agreement between the County of Inyo and the Department of Health Services, AIDS Consortium-Ryan White CARES Program, increasing the grant by $18,616 for FY 2005/2006 and $18,616 for FY 2006/2007, for a total grant amount not to exceed $134,344, for the period of April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2007, contingent upon the Boards’ adoption of future budgets, and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously.
HHS-Misc./Filling Vacancies	Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Cash to waive the hiring freeze and authorize the recruitment and filling of A) one Case Manger position at the I, II, or III level, at Range 57 ($2,416-$2,935), Range 60 ($2,595-$3,151), or Range 64 ($2,846-$3,460), depending on qualifications; and B) one Health & Human Services Specialist at Range 53 ($2,204-$2,62). Motion carried unanimously.
HHS-Tobacco Pgrm./Fletcher Contract	Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to ratify the Contract between the County of Inyo and James E. Fletcher Ph.D., for the provision of Tobacco Control Program evaluation, in an amount not to exceed $10,500, for the period of September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2007, contingent upon the Board’s approval of future budgets; and authorize Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously.
Planning/LAFCO Contract	Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the contract between the County of Inyo and Inyo LAFCO and direct the Planning Department to provide staff services as outlined in the contract, and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously.
Recess/ Reconvene	The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 9:40 a.m., reconvening at 9:50 a.m. in open session, with all Board Members present.
Planning-Yucca Mt./NRC Presentation	The Board received a lengthy and detailed presentation by Mr. Reamer and other staff members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission updating the Board on issues pertaining to the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.
Forest Serv./Title III Allocation	Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the County’s proposed uses for HR2389 Forest Service Special Project funds as follows: A) approximately $35,000 for Forest Related Educational Opportunities by the Inyo County Office of Education for their Outdoor Science Education Program at the Bernasconi Education Center in Big Pine; B) approximately $11,500 for search and rescue activities on federal lands paid for by the County; and, C) approximately $23,500 for a grant program for fire prevention and County planning for fire safety councils throughout the County and approve the recommended grant program evaluation application and process, and direct staff to advertise for Request for Proposals (RFPs) for fire prevention and County planning activities for fire safe councils. Motion carried unanimously.
Sheriff/COPS Allocation	The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 10:55 a.m., to gather input regarding the intended use for the “Citizens Option for Public Safety” (COPS) monies received during FY 2005/2006. The Sheriff reviewed the proposed uses as outlined in the Staff Report. There being no one from the public wishing to address this issue, the Chairperson closed the public hearing at 10:57 a.m. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to amend the FY 2005/2006 Jail-CAD/RMS Project Budget Unit #022950 as follows: increase estimated revenue in Citizen’s Option – Public Safety (Revenue Code #4488) by $39,867 and increase appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $25,867, Office Equipment> $5,000 (Object Code #5669) by $12,000, and Office Equipment <$5,000 (Object Code #5232) by $2,000. Motion carried unanimously.
Resol. #2005-56/ Declaring Impasse	The County Administrator explained that at the conclusion of lengthy negotiations, the County had made their last best and final offer to the ICEA, who had, after a vote of the membership, turned it down. Mr. Juliff went on to explain that the next step in the process of concluding failed negotiations would be for one of the parties to declare impasse in order to move this to mediation. He went on to say that since the union had not moved forward, he was recommending that the County take the initiative to move the process forward by declaring impasse. On a motion by Supervisor Cash and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No. 2005-56 entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Declaring Impasse with the Inyo County Employees’ Association,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.
Resol. #2005-57/ Setting Terms of Conditions for Misc. Employees	The County Administrator explained that the union had chosen to not extend the MOU, which governed the salaries and terms and conditions of employment for those positions represented by the ICEA as the most recent round of negotiations proceeded. He explained that once the MOU had expired, and negotiations were unsuccessful with impasse being declared, the County Auditor had no authority to pay the employees. He also confirmed, in response to a question from Supervisor Cash, that the employees represented by ICEA were also in the position that they could not accrue vacation, sick leave or flex time, as well as the County would not be able to pay for their medical and retirement benefits. Mr. Juliff went on to say that the resolution continues the status quo and provides the County the needed authority to maintain those salaries, benefits and terms and conditions of employment set forth in the most recent MOU until the current negotiation process is concluded. On a motion by Supervisor Cash and a second by Supervisor Bilyeu, Resolution No. 2005-57 entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Setting Salary, Terms and Conditions of employment for Employees represented by the Inyo County Employees’ Association,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.
Sheriff/RIMS Software	Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to approve an agreement between the County of Inyo and Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. for the provision of computer aided dispatch and records management system (RIMS) software licensing, data conversion services, installation, training and one year maintenance/support for the period of October 3, 2005 to one year from rollout acceptance date, in an amount not to exceed $181,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign contingent on appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.
Sheriff/RIMS Hardware	Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to approve the purchase of computer hardware necessary to operate the RIMS System from Dell, a CMAS vendor, in an amount not to exceed $5,600 in conjunction with the Board’s approval of the Sheriff’s Office request for a Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System. Motion carried unanimously.
Water Dept./ Budget Amendment	Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to amend the FY 2005/2006 County Budget as follows: in a new Sierra Club V LA Court Project Budget Unit (number to be issued by the Auditor’s office), increase estimated revenue in DWP Contributions (Revenue Code #4562) by $115,000 and increase appropriations in Other Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $100,000, Travel and Lodging (Object Code #5331) by $10,000 and General Operating Expenses (Object Code #5311) by $5,000. Motion carried unanimously.
Water Dept./Salt Cedar P.O.	The request to approve the purchase of operational supplies for the Saltcedar Control Program in the amount of $4,842.77 from Bailey’s Supply was pulled from consideration at the request of the Department.
Water Dept./Salt Cedar Mngr. Decrease in Hours	The Saltcedar Control Project Manager provided additional information and further clarification on the request to have the Manager position downgraded to a CPAR. The Board and Staff discussed the potential impacts of this change, with Staff confirming that the Saltcedar budget will be slightly increased because of the addition of full-time seasonal positions. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to change the authorized strength within the Saltcedar Control Project by decreasing one full time Saltcedar Control Project Manager (40 hour/week) to a CPAR (30-39.99 hour/week) position. Motion carried unanimously.
Board Member and Staff Reports	The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including a discussion regarding the County’s legislative platform, and an upcoming COG meeting.
Closed Session	The Chairperson recessed open session at 11:30 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, to discuss Agenda Items No. 26. *PERSONNEL* – [Pursuant to Government Code §54957] Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Title: Chief Probation Office; No. 27. *CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR* [Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6] Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits, Title: Chief Probation Officer - Negotiators: Members of the Board of Supervisors as designated; and No. 28. *CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR* [Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6] Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits, Employee Organization: ICEA, Negotiator: CAO Ron Juliff.
Recess/ Reconvene	The Chairperson recessed closed session at 12:00 p.m., with the announcement that when the Board returned they would convene as the Board of Equalization and upon conclusion of that meeting, would reconvene as the Board of Supervisors. The Chairperson reconvened in closed session at 3:50 p.m., with all Board Members present to continue closed session discussions.
Report on Closed Session	The Chairperson recessed closed session at 4:40 p.m., to reconvene 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 announced that today’s meeting was being adjourned in memory of Robert Vaulet, retired Inyo County Undersheriff, and offered the Board’s deepest sympathy and condolences to the Vaulet family. The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., November 1, 2005, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center in Independence.

________________________________________ Chairperson, Inyo County Board of Supervisors

Attest: RONALD JULIFF
Clerk of the Board

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