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, April 18, 2006, in the Board of Supervisors Room, County Administrative Center, Independence, with the following Supervisors present:   Chairperson Susan Cash presiding, Linda Arcularius, Ted Williams, Jim Bilyeu, and Richard Cervantes.   Supervisor Bilyeu provided the Invocation, and Supervisor Cervantes led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment

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

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.   Mr. Chuck Hamilton, Deputy County Administrator, announced that a Waste Tire Amnesty event would be held April 21-22, 2006 at the Bishop-Sunland and Lone Pine landfills.   Mr. Art Maillet, District Attorney, notified the Board of two situations, which have arisen in his department, which will prove expensive to the County.   One is that a change in venue had been granted in the Bengochia murder trial and the other is that the Drug Task Force has lost 1/3 of it’s program grant funds which equates to losing one agent and one secretary.   He commented on how just these two items illustrate how important passage of the TOT Ballot Measure is to the public safety of the County’s citizens.

COA-Planning/ Workshop LTWA land releases

The Chairperson recessed open session at 9:05 a.m., to convene in a workshop with the County Administrator to receive a presentation on and discuss the Long Term Water Agreement (LTWA) 75-acre land release.   The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 10:10 a.m. to reconvene in open session with all Board Members present.

Ord. 1112/Bishop   Fire District Zone Reclassification Training Site

On a motion by Supervisor Williams and a second by Supervisor Bilyeu, Ordinance 1112, entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Approving Zone Reclassification No. 2004-05/Bishop Fire District and Amending the Zoning Map of the County of Inyo by Reclassifying a 2.6-acre Site Located Immediately North of the Bishop Sewage Treatment Plant from Open Space, 40-acre minimum (OS-40) to Public (P); was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:23 a.m., to reconvene in open session at 10:30 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Forest Serv./Title III Grant Funds 2 nd Round Allocations

The County Administrator reviewed the County process for awarding Title III Fire Prevention and Planning Grant monies, explaining that the forthcoming recommendation is a result of the second request for proposals.   He explained that the recommendation to award the Mammoth Lakes Fire Safe Council funds for the Inyo/Mono County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, was significant in that the Plan will assist both counties in their fire safe planning efforts.   He explained that both of the proposals submitted by the Alpine Volunteer Fire Fighters and the Round Valley Volunteer Fire Department were hindered by the organizations’ inability to enter into contracts with the County because they have not yet been official formed.   Supervisor Arcularius requested that the County Administrator notify both of these groups of why there requests were not considered and provide information which will help them be considered in the future.   Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to A) award $9,683.20 of $24,014.20 FY 2005-06 Forest Reserve Funds – Title III Fire Prevention and County Planning grant monies to the Mammoth Lakes Fire Safe Council; and B) approve a Contract between the County of Inyo and the Mammoth Lakes Fire Safe Council for Inyo/Mono County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) in an amount not to exceed $9,683.20 for the period of April 18, 2006 through June 30, 2006; and authorize the County Administrator to sign the Contract when finalized, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.   Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Cervantes absent.

Disaster Serv./ Motorola Base Radio P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to A) declare Motorola the sole-source provider of Motorola 50 watt mobile ”base” radios, and required accessories and authorize the purchase of 5 Motorola XTL500, VHF, 50-watt mobile “base” radios and required accessories from Motorola in an amount not to exceed $12,214 plus tax and shipping; and (b) declare ComSerCo Communications, Inc., a sole-source provider of base antenna and required accessories and authorize the purchase of base radio antennas and required accessories from ComSerCo in an amount not to exceed $11,905.58 plus tax and shipping.   Motion carried unanimously.

Disaster Serv./ ComSerCo Repeater P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to declare ComSerCo Communications, Inc., the sole-source provider of the Motorola MTR2000 Repeaters and accessories and authorize the purchase of a MTR2000 Repeater with required accessories from ComSerCo Communications in an amount not to exceed $12,001.84 plus tax and shipping.   Motion carried unanimously.

Disaster Serv./ Computer Logistics Computer P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to declare Computer Logistics Corporation a sole-source provider of computer equipment and software and approve the purchase of three IBM Thinkcentre Intel Pentium Processors, monitors and software, including a firewall from Computer Logistics in an amount not to exceed $17,293 plus tax and shipping.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W.-No. Inyo AP Adv. Comm. Appointment

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to appoint Mr. Paul Baldwin to the Northern Inyo Airport Advisory Committee, to complete an unexpired four-year term ending December 1, 2006.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Statham Hall Re-Roofing Bid

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the Plans and Specifications for the Statham Hall Re-roofing Project and authorize the Public Works Director to advertise and bid the Project.   Motion carried unanimously.

Rd. Dept./2005-06 Fed. Apprt. Exchange

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the 2005-2006 Federal Apportionment Exchange Program and State Match Program Agreement, with the California Department of Transportation in the amount of $673,353 plus a State match of $100,00 for a total amount of $773,353; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Support of AB 2840 Protect Against Higher Car Insurance Rates

Supervisor Arcularius briefly discussed the recommendation for the Board to support AB 2840 which is bipartisan legislation introduced to limit the ability of the Insurance Commissioner to change the rating factors for establishing auto insurance rates.   Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to (a) join the Coalition “Californians AGAINST Higher Insurance Rates” by authorizing the completion and submittal of the “sign-up” form to support AB 2840; (b) approve the letter to Assemblymember Juan Vargas Chairperson of the Assembly Insurance Committee supporting AB 2840 which will require a study before changes to auto rating factors can go into effect; and (c) support Supervisor Arcularius’ representation and testimony at the April 26, 2006, hearing in Sacramento before the Assembly Insurance Committee on this legislation.   Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Dig Alert Proclamation

Supervisor Cash provided additional information concerning the importance of the local DigAlert Program.   Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to   approve the proclamation commemorating the 30 th Anniversary of DigAlert.   Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2006-28/ Ag Resource Advisory Board

The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. George Milovich, briefly reviewed the resolution forming the Agricultural Resource Advisory Board, requested that a minor correction be made in the 4 th paragraph on the second page, change the number of members from 7 to 9.   On a motion by Supervisor Bilyeu and a second by Supervisor Arcularius, Resolution No. 2006-28 entitled “Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Establishing an Agricultural Resource Advisory Board for the County of Inyo,” was approved as amended: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

HHS-EMS/ Ambulance Serv. Contracts

Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, reviewed the request for the Board to consider recommendations for ambulance providers in various areas of the County.   She relayed a request by American Medical, one of the responders, for the Board to delay action on the item until they have had the opportunity to review the rating criteria.   The Board indicated that the bidder’s review of the criteria would not affect the Board’s ability to render a decision in this matter and chose to proceed.  

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to A) accept recommendations from the Emergency Ambulance Service (EMS) Request for Proposals (RFP) review panel; B) direct Health and Human Services to move forward with contract negotiations as follows:   Operating Area 1 (Bishop) to Symons Emergency Specialties, Inc., Operating Area 4 (Lone Pine) to Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department; and Operating Area 5 (Olancha) to Olancha Cartago Fire Department; C) find that the proposals for Operating Area 6 (Little Lake) were non-responsive; and D) authorize the Director of Health and Human Services to negotiate with Progressive Ambulance, Inc., dba Liberty Ambulance, as a sole-source provider for ambulance service for Operating Area 6 (Little Lake).   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Supervising Custodian Position

Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to A) approve a change in authorized strength by creating and adding a Supervising Custodian position at Range 50 ($2,247 - $2,729) and deleting one Building and Maintenance Worker II position at Range 54 ($2,461 - $2,993) and B) waive the hiring freeze and authorize the recruitment and filling of a Supervising Custodian position at Range 50.   Motion carried unanimously.

Integ. Waste/ Comm. Hauling Minimum Rate

The Board and the Deputy County Administrator, Mr. Chuck Hamilton, discussed the concept of establishing a minimum rate for residential and commercial trash hauling services. Mr. Hamilton explained that this item is being brought back for discussion at the direction of the Board.   The discussions included: (a) how the proposed rate was established; (b) that the free enterprise system would establish the rates; (c) the impact of unfair competition; (d) whether the minimum rate was needed to protect revenues; (e) the possibility of establishing a scale system at the landfills; and (f) what other counties in the JTPA are doing with regard to setting minimum rates.   Mr. Dale Comentofski of Preferred Septic addressed the Board to talk about minimum and maximum rates.    The Board Members indicated individually and collectively that they were not in favor of establishing a minimum rate for commercial waste hauling and requested that the Deputy County Administrator research how and why a maximum fee schedule is set for the program.

BofS/League of Women Voters Meeting

The County Administrator introduced the invitation by the League of Women Voters for the Board of Supervisors to participate in the League’s General Membership Meeting.   Mr. Juliff explained that the item before the Board was brought at the request of the League because of Brown Act concerns.   He explained that due to these concerns there were limitations on the individual Board Members’ ability to participate.   The Chairperson queried the individual Supervisors on who was planning on attending the meeting.  Supervisors Arcularius and Williams indicated they were planning on attending, with Supervisors Cash, Bilyeu and Cervantes indicating they were not.   The Chairperson explained that because only two members would be attending, there were no Brown Act concerns and therefore no need for action by the Board on the invitation.

Fish & Game/ Expenditure for One-Half Sec. Salary

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to ratify and approve an expenditure from the Fish and Game Fine Fund in the amount of $100 per month effective November 1, 2005, to pay one-half of the monthly rate to be paid to the Secretary of the Inyo-Mono Fish and Game Advisory Commission, to be paid based on the submittal of monthly invoices to the Inyo County Auditor.   Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings as follows: A) April 4, 2006 Regular Meeting and B) April 5, 2006 Special Meeting.   Motion carried unanimously.

Org.-Wild Iris/ FESG Program Support

Ms. Georgan Stottlemyre, Executive Director of Wild Iris, addressed the Board to provide additional information and further explanation on the request for County support of their FESG application.   Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to   approve the Certification of Local Approval form for Wild Iris’ Emergency Shelter Program for their Federal Emergency Shelter Grant (FESG) Program application; and authorize the Chairperson and the County Administrator to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:00 p.m. to reconvene in open session at 1:00 p.m., with all Board Members present.

Water Dept./ Green Book Revision Update

The Water Director, Mr. Tom Brooks, presented a progress report on the preparation of revisions to the Long Term Water Agreement (LTWA) technical attachment titled “Green Book.”

Water Dept./ Annual Operations Plan

The Board and Staff discussed the 2006-07 Annual Operations Plan proposed by the Department of Water and Power.   The Board reviewed the draft response to the plan making minor changes including (a) deleting the last sentence in the last paragraph on the first page, (b) deleting the first sentence in the first paragraph on the second page; (c) include a reference to the need to find long-term mutual understanding of issues and (d) include a reference that the spreading of water by the lessees benefits the natural beauty of the Valley. Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to consider the proposed 2006-2007 Annual Operations Plan and authorize the submittal of a letter conveying the County’s policy concerning spreading of excess water in the 2006-2007 runoff year as amended and authorize the Water Director to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week including a Eastern Sierra Council of Government meeting; an upcoming report on the concept of a Regional Transit Authority, Inyo Associates meeting, the Interagency Visitors Center grand opening schedule, the status of the Lone Pine Film Museum project, a tour of the Pump Back Station, including a notification by Supervisor Bilyeu that he has brokered for the County the donation to the County of the construction trailers once the construction of the Pump Back Station is completed, with a request by the Board that the County Administrator send a letter thanking them for the donation, a Northern Inyo Airport Advisory Committee meeting, and an upcoming Bishop City Council meeting where the City Council will consider adopting a resolution supporting the County’s TOT Ballot Measure.

Adjournment

The Chairperson noted that there was no closed session scheduled for today’s meeting and adjourned the meeting at 2:37 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2006, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.