County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

Public Comment

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

County Department Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period. Mr. Pat Cecil, Planning Director, reported on a Planning Director’s Conference he had attended and updated the Board on efforts to recruit a Planner. Mr. Marvin Moskowitz, Director of Environmental Health, gave the Board copies of the State’s Public Health Department’s FY 2006-07 Annual LPA Evaluation Report and the Inyo County Owens Valley Plaque Activity Report for 2006-07. Sheriff Bill Lutze informed the Board that his Department is in the process of moving into the new Sheriff’s Substation Facility in Lone Pine. Ms. Linda Anisman, Director of Child Support Services, informed the Board that the most recent State mandated computer conversion has been successfully completed and that the Inyo-Mono Regional Program remains in the top 10 programs in the State based on a Federal evaluation of the Program. Mr. Jon Klusmire, Museum Administrator, gave the Members of the Board a copy of the new Museum Calendar and announced where the calendars are available. He also notified the Board that a Basket and Native American Exhibit is being permanently placed in the vacant exhibit hall at the Museum and that the Museum will be the headquarters for the Inyo Council for the Arts event ticket sales. Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, reported on a California Welfare Director’s Meeting she had attended.

HHS-Hlth. Serv./ AIDS Consortium Contract Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement between the County of Inyo and the State of California for AIDS Consortium-Ryan White CARES Program, for the period of April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2010, increasing the grant by $47,871 to a total not to exceed $207,711, contingent upon the Board’s approval of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Behavioral Hlth./Drug Court Grant

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to acknowledge State award of a Comprehensive Drug Court Implementation Grant in the amount of $25,491 for the period of January 1, 2008 through December 30, 2008, and authorize the Alcohol and Drug Administrator, Ms. Linda Benson, to sign the Notice of Grant Award. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./ Office of Ed Painting P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve a purchase order to Don Rizzo Painting for the painting of the interior of the former County Office of Education Building in Independence, in an amount not to exceed $8,200. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./B.P. Substation Lease

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to ratify the lease between the County of Inyo and Jack Stout for Sheriff’s Department office space located at 180-A North Main Street, in Big Pine, at the rate of $529 per month for the period of February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./ Stantect Consulting Contract

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Stantec Consulting, Inc., for the provision of underground utility location services for the period of February 19, 2008 through December 31, 2008, in an amount not to exceed $40,000, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Public Works Director to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Eastern Sierra Engineering Contract

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve Amendment No. 2 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Eastern Sierra Engineering for engineering services, increasing the Contract amount by $53,000, for a total amount not to exceed $274,000, for additional engineering design services for the Ed Powers and Red Hill Road Improvement Project and the Lone Pine Airport Improvement Project and for construction assistance during construction of the Pleasant Valley Dam Road and Mill Creek Road/Mustang Mesa Improvement Project; and authorize the Public Works Director to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Fehr & Peers Transportation Planning Contract

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Fehr and Peers Transportation Consultants for transportation planning services, extending the term of the Contract to December 31, 2008 and increasing the Contract by $23,661, for a total amount not to exceed $60,661, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff/Ammo P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to declare Dooley Enterprises, Inc., as a sole-source provider of ammunition and approve the purchase of ammunition from Dooley Enterprises as recommended by Staff in an amount not to exceed $15,836, including tax and shipping. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Lease for Office Space at 230 West Line Street

In response to a question from a Board Member, the Public Works Director, provided additional information on the lease for the office space at 230 West Line Street, in Bishop. He explained that this was the old Belle Vou Spa location. It is approximately 6,000 sq. ft., that the terms of the lease are very favorable 80 ¢ a sq. ft., a nd at the present time it has not been determined which County offices may be located at the site. Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to a pprove the lease between the County of Inyo and the Core Trust for County office space at 230 West Line Street in Bishop, at the rate of $2,952 per month for the period of March 1, 2008, through February 28, 2011, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Lease for Office Space at 163 May Street

The same questions were asked regarding the lease at 163 May Street, in Bishop, as the previous item. The Public Works Director advised the Board that this is where the Inyo County Water Department offices are currently located. He explained that the facility is approximately 8,100 sq. feet, that this lease cost per sq. ft. is also very favorable to the County at 94¢ a sq. foot, and that it is yet to be determined which County offices may be located/relocated to the location. The County Administrator explained that this lease and the previous lease provide for the greatest flexibility in terms of the County’s negotiating position renewal of existing leases, which is currently going on. He also explained that should negotiations for the current leased facilities be successful, both of the leases discussed today, will be utilized to provide the additional office space identified by several of the Departments delivering services in the Bishop area. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve the lease between the county of Inyo and Harry J. and Brenda Wilson for County offices located at 163 May Street in Bishop, for the period of March 2, 2008 through February 28, 2011, at a rate of $5,300 per month, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff/COPS Monies Public Hearing and Expenditure.

The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 9:30 a.m., to take input regarding the intended use for the “Citizen’s Option for Public Safety” (COPS) monies during FY 2007-08. Sheriff Bill Lutze reviewed the proposed uses for the funds. There being no one from the public wishing to address this issue, the Chairperson closed the public hearing at 9:35 a.m. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to A) accept and approve the use of COPS monies for overtime in Sheriff’s Safety Budget Unit 022710 and Jail Safety Budget Unit 022910 for FY 2007-08; and B) approve the use of COPS monies for equipment in the Sheriff General Budget Unit 022700 and Jail General Budget Unit 022900 for FY 2007-08. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Cervantes absent. Prior to the discussion beginning on this item, Supervisor Cervantes left the meeting, and returned after this item was concluded.

P.W./Big Pine Care Facility

The Public Works Director, Mr. Ron Chegwidden, briefly chronicled the saga of the Big Pine Care Center. He explained that four RFP’s had been issued without success in finding a suitable tenant for the facility. He reviewed the Staff’s recommendations regarding options for the facility, which included, demolishing the building; another round of RFP’s; selling the facility; or utilizing it for County purposes, i.e. office space or a law enforcement training site.

Supervisor Bilyeu noted his concern with the continuing deterioration of the facility as well as the need to secure the site to limit liability. He asked about the recent diesel spill at the site, with the Public Works Director explaining what had happened and the ramifications of the spill as far as the cleanup. Supervisor Bilyeu expressed a desire to see the building demolished rather than to have it continue to be left in an abandoned and deteriorating state. In response to a question from the Board regarding the status of the propane tanks still being maintained on site, Mr. Chegwidden explained that the larger tank is operational and used to heat the well pump house and the smaller one is empty. Mr. Butch Hambleton, a Big Pine resident and the former Fourth District Supervisor, expressed his support for the community’s participation in deciding the disposition of the facility. He explained that in conversations with many people in Big Pine he has learned that over the years and as attempts to find a use for the facility have failed the people he spoke with have changed their mind and are supporting the removal of the building, and securing the site as open space. He offered an alternative to rehabilitating the building explaining that if office space is required, modular units could be placed at the site as needed.

The Board and Staff discussed the recommended alternatives, including (a) the need for cost estimates to rehabilitate the building to use it for County office space; to demolish the building; and for the clean up of the diesel spill; (b) which offices might be moved to the location, since there is a need to maintain offices in Bishop where the services are rendered; (c) the various methods of securing the facility and the relative costs; (d) the need to have an appraisal of the property before making a decision on its disposition; (e) the fact that the parcel the facility sits on is used for several different purposes; and (h) the ability to expand the Animal Shelter.

The Board also discussed the Financial Advisory Committee’s (FAC) involvement in appraisal recommendations and concern with spending a large amount funds to temporarily secure the building when a long-term solution could be to demolish the building. The Board and Staff continued to discuss the disposition of the Big Pine Care Facility with the consensus of the Board being and direction to Staff to (a) temporarily secure the building to limit the County’s exposure to liability, possibly through the placement of motion detectors inside the facility; (b) have the FAC make recommendations regarding the appraisal of the property; (c) obtain cost estimates for the clean-up of the diesel spill and the demolition of the building; and (d) to develop a proposal regarding expanding the animal shelter; and further direct Public Works to report back on these items in a month.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:30 a.m., to reconvene at 10:40 a.m., with all Board Members present.

BofS/PUC Letter Opposing 760 Area Code Change

Supervisor Bilyeu briefly reviewed the request to send a letter to the PUC reiterating the County’s position opposing a 760 area code change locally. Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Brown to A) approve of a letter to the Chairman of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), reiterating the County’s position that the 760 area code not be changed in Inyo County; and authorize the Chairperson to sign; and B) provide copies of the letter to the Governor, our State Representatives, Mono County Board of Supervisors, the City of Bishop, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and the Inyo County Chambers of Commerce to request they also oppose a change in the 760 area code in the Eastern Sierra. Motion carried unanimously.

Ord. 1133 Suspends Zoning for Restoration of Non-Conforming Structures

On a motion by Supervisor Bilyeu and a second by Supervisor Cervantes, Ordinance 1133 that temporarily suspends the provisions of Inyo County Code §18.78.280 (Nonconforming buildings - Restoration) and 18.78.250 (Nonconforming buildings – Changes), for replacement of nonconforming residences destroyed by the Inyo Complex Fire, was approved: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Parks Workshop

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:45 a.m., to convene in a workshop, with all Board Members present to receive an update from Parks and Recreation Staff on the Parks website. The Chairperson recessed the workshop at 10:55 a.m., to reconvene in open session with all Board Members present.

Forest Serv./Rt. Designation Update

The County Administrator updated the Board on meetings with Forest Service officials to develop a collaborative process for Route Designation issues. He gave a brief background on the issues of collaboration and the coordination processes. He provided the Board Members with a draft of a letter composed by County Counsel that he is proposing the County send to the Regional Forester requesting an extension in the timeframe for the project necessary for coordination to occur regarding the Forest Travel Management Plan (Route Designation). He also provided the Board with a copy of the Inyo Forest Supervisor Jim Upchurch’s proposal for collaboration on Travel Management planning.

The Board and Mr. Carunchio discussed the items contained in Mr. Upchurch’s communiqué, including the short timeframe being proposed for the meetings; the choice of conveners; the people suggested to participate in the convener panel; the lack of representation on the panel by the Inyo County Board of Supervisors, the Mono County Board of Supervisors, and the City of Bishop (noting that the Town of Mammoth Lakes is represented to the exclusion of the others); the “purpose” notation that the panel is representative of the various stakeholders; and that the Forest Service will use the agreements reached by this small group of people as the community consensus alternative for the DEIS. The Board and Mr. Carunchio continued discuss the letter with the Board authorizing the letter and noting a couple of minor changes. The Board also asked Staff to advise the Forest Service of the Board’s willingness to have Supervisor Cash, participate in the process.

CAO-Tourism Marketing Contract Scope of Work

The County Administrator explained that two scopes-of-work, versions A and B, had been developed for the marketing and tourism contract. Version A is the scope as directed by the Board leaving the “public relations” component of the proposal in tact; and, Version B is the one developed as a result of a meeting with the Chambers of Commerce in which they had wanted the “public relations” component of the proposal moved to the separate independent public relations contract, and the money redirected to support web and advertising activities. The Board and Mr. Carunchio discussed the two recommendations. Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to accept Version B as the scope of work for the tourism and marketing services contract. Motion carried unanimously.

Schools/Election Consolidation

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to order the consolidation of the Inyo County Board of Education Trustee Election for two trustee positions with the State’s Direct Primary Election scheduled for June 3, 2008. Motion carried unanimously.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including various constituent meetings, an LTC Meeting, the LORP ceremonies for the annual pulse flows, a Big Pine Civic Club Meeting, and an update on ESTA’s efforts to recruit an Executive Director.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:05 p.m., to reconvene at 1:05 p.m., in closed session, with all Board Members present.

Closed Session

The Board met in closed session to discuss and take action as required on Agenda Items No. 21. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR [Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6] - Instructions to Negotiators re: wages, salaries and benefits - Employee Organization: ICEA - Negotiators: County Administrator Kevin Carunchio and Labor Relations Administrator Sue Dishion; No. 22. 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: County Administrator Kevin Carunchio and Labor Relations Administrator Sue Dishion; 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’ Association (LEAA) - Negotiators: County Administrator Kevin Carunchio and Labor Relations Administrator Sue Dishion.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 1:25 p.m., to reconvene in open session, with all Board Members present, 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.

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the second “public hearing” segment of this agenda, and read a letter into the record from the Mom’s Club of Bishop, thanking the County employees for their generous donations of food, supplies and two checks to support the Club’s activities to support our local service men and women.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting in memory of Ms. Jane Bright, a long-time Independence Resident and the wife of former Fourth District Supervisor Keith Bright. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2008, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.