County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period. Supervisor Cervantes addressed the Board to comment on yesterday’s Budget Hearings. He clarified his position on the north/south County division previously alluded to by him and rejected the inference that he is promoting any division. He also reiterated his concern regarding the services being provided to the Fifth District.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period. Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, reported that the SACPA Trust has $300,000 remaining in it after the reserve was returned to the State. The Water Director, Mr. Tom Brooks, and the Deputy County Administrator, Mr. Kevin Carunchio, reported on their meeting with the Director of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, on Friday, explaining that the meeting was very positive and they expect to proceed with seeking Conservancy grants for the LORP Recreation Plan and a grant for preplanning efforts for a Regional Water Management Plan. Mr. Brandon Shults, Director of Information Services, updated the Board on the Network and Financial System Upgrade projects. Mr. Shults took the opportunity to commend his Staff for the outstanding work they have performed on getting these projects up and running, and Supervisor Arcularius requested, that when the projects are completed, that Mr. Shults bring his Team before the Board, so that they too could offer their thanks.

P.W./Indy Airport Improvement Project

Mr. Ron Chegwidden, Public Works Director, presented the Board with Staff’s recommendations regarding the award of the contract for the Independence Airport Improvement Project. He reviewed the recommendations, providing additional information and clarification and responded to questions from the Board. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to award and approve the Contract for the Independence Airport Improvement Project to Bales Engineering Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $278,892,50, authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained, and authorize the Public Works Director to execute all other Contract documents, including Contract change orders to the extent permitted by Public Contract Code §20142 and other applicable law. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./ESRA Taxiway Project Bid Rejection

Mr. Chegwidden, Public Works Director provided further clarification on the recommendation that the Board reject all the bids received on the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport Taxiway Improvement Project. He explained that the low bid exceeded the estimate for the reduced scope of work by almost 40% and when you add the contingencies it exceeds the budget by $350,000. He explained that in conversations with the FAA they had requested the County to return the grant funds for this project, with the commitment that the FAA would fund a subsequent grant next year for the work. He explained that the new Federal process requires the County to bid the project, with the FAA issuing a grant to cover the bid amount. Mr. Chegwidden went on to discuss the process whereby the County can apply for additional grant funds to offset 50% of the matching requirements on this grant. In response to a question from Supervisor Cash, Mr. Chegwidden confirmed that the project should begin in early Spring of next year. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to reject all bids received for the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport Taxiway A, F, H, and Apron Improvement Project. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./State AIP Grant for Matching Funds

The Public Works Director, explained that this request for a resolution authorizing the application for a State AIP Matching grant, was for the ESRA Taxiway Improvement Project which the Board had taken action on previously to reject the bids, and as such this item is no longer needed and pulled the item from consideration.

CAO/Personnel/ ESTA Contracts for Account Tech and Driver Services

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to ratify and approve the agreements between the County of Inyo and the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority for account technician services and driver services for the period of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, and authorize the Chairperson to sign contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

District/Mt. Whitney Cemetery District Appointment

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to appoint Mr. Glen Fowler to the Mt. Whitney Cemetery District Board of Trustees, to complete an unexpired four-year term ending May 1, 2008. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W.-CSA 2/ Committee Appointment

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to appoint the following to the CSA 2: A) Mr. Robert Caddoo to complete an unexpired three-year term ending April 13, 2011 and B) Mr. Hugh Cornett and Mr. Wayne Winch to complete unexpired three-year terms ending April 13, 2009. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./P.V. Dam Road Plans & Specs

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the plans and specifications for the Pleasant Valley Dam Road Improvement Project and authorize the Public Works Director to advertise for bids for the project. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./L.P. Sheriff’s Office and Library Reroofing Contract

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to award and approve the Contract for the Lone Pine Sheriff’s Office and Library Re-roofing Project to Davis Moreno Construction, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $30,873, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of a FY 2007-08 budget, authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained, and authorize the Public Works Director to sign all other contract documents, including change orders, to the extent permitted pursuant to Public Contract Code §20142 and other applicable law. Motion carried unanimously.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including reviewing the budget documents in preparation for the Budget Hearings which were conducted yesterday, a Children’s Services Council meeting, a Bishop City Council Meeting, an upcoming Mental Health Advisory Board Meeting, and several constituent meetings.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:00 a.m. to to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, to discuss Agenda Items No. 11. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(a) – Sierra Club v. City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Inyo County Superior Court Case No. CVPT-05-347969 (III); No. 12. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(a) – Little Lake Ranch, Inc. v. Inyo County Planning Commission; County of Inyo; Inyo County Planning Department; Inyo County Board of Supervisors; and Does 1 through 50, inclusive , Inyo County Superior court Case No. SICVPT 07-43080; No. 13. 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, Labor Relations Administrator Sue Dishion, Chief Probation Officer Jim Moffett, Deputy County Administrator Kevin Carunchio ; and No. 14. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6) – Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits – Employee Organization – Inyo County Probation Peace Officers Association (ICPPOA); Negotiators – CAO Ron Juliff, Labor Relations Administrator Sue Dishion, Chief Probation Officer Jim Moffett, Deputy County Administrator Kevin Carunchio. The Chairperson recessed closed session at 12:45 p.m., to reconvene at 1:30 p.m., with all Board Members present, to continue closed session discussions.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 1:45 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 adjourned the regular meeting at 1:45 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 28, 2007, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.