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 January 16, 2007, in the Board of Supervisors Room, County Administrative Center, Independence, with the following Supervisors present:   Chairperson Jim Bilyeu presiding, Linda Arcularius, Susan Cash, Beverly Brown, and Richard Cervantes.   Supervisor Cervantes provided the Invocation, and Supervisor Arcularius led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period.   Ms. Eva Poole-Gilson addressed the Board regarding her proposal to use the Big Pine Care facility property as an art institute and museum, which would showcase local artists.  

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.   Sheriff Bill Lutze provided a “cold weather” update, explaining that the County had not experienced any major events as a result of the recent cold snap.   The Sheriff went on to inform the Board of a proposal by the Governor to place prison inmates with three year or less terms in county jails throughout the State.   Sheriff Lutze briefly identified several of the potential detrimental impacts of this plan on Inyo County.   Supervisor Arcularius explained that she was planning on requesting that this issue be added to the County’s Legislative Platform when it is discussed later today.   Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, added concerns with the proposal from a Health and Human Services aspect.   Supervisor Cash invited the Sheriff and the Health and Human Services Director to join her in a CSAC teleconference on this issue later this month.  

Forest Serv./Rt. Designation

Representatives of the U.S. Forest Service updated the Board on the Forest Service’s Route Designation Project, which is being conducted for the Inyo National Forest.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 9:55 a.m., to reconvene at 10:00 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Sr. Prgm./MOU for Bishop Senior Center

Mr. Charles Broten, Director of the Inyo Mono Senior Program, provided a brief history of the relationship between the City of Bishop, the County of Inyo and the Bishop Senior Recreation Center, Inc. for the operation and maintenance of the Bishop Senior Center.   The Board and representatives of the group discussed the facility, with the Board thanking all those involved for their dedication to the County’s seniors and to the facility.   Supervisor Arcularius noted that the next item to be considered by the Board would be the repainting of the exterior of the building.   Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Bishop Senior Recreation Center, Inc., the County of Inyo, the City of Bishop and the Inyo Mono Area Agency on Aging updating the original 1985 Agreement regarding the Bishop Senior Center, and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

Resol. #2007-10/ Honoring Bishop Sr. Rec. Center Group

On a motion by Supervisor Cash and a second by Supervisor Brown, Resolution No. 2007-10 was approved commending and thanking the Bishop Senior Recreation Center, Inc., Board Members and volunteers past and present for their support of the Bishop Senior Center: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Sr. Prgm./Bishop Sr. Center Exterior Paint Project

Supervisor Arcularius reviewed her request to have a portion of this year’s Deferred Maintenance Budget allocated to repainting the exterior of the Bishop Senior Center.   Mr. Ron Chegwidden, Public Works Director, provided additional information regarding the project, explaining that the estimate for the exterior work is $15,000 and confirming that there are sufficient unexpended funds in the budget to cover this cost.   Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cash to direct the Public Works Department to develop the plans and specifications for a Bishop Senior Center Exterior Paint and Trim Project to be returned for approval by the Board of Supervisors.   Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Committee Assignments

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the 2007 Board of Supervisors committee assignments as recommended by the Chairperson, Supervisor Jim Bilyeu.   Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Info Serv./ Verizon Agreement

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Agreement with Verizon for local telephone service and related services (such as voice mail) for the period of February 26, 2007 through February 26, 2008, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

Coroner/Medtox Contract Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the County of Inyo and Medtox Laboratories, Inc., for toxicological services, increasing the toxicological fees and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

Coroner/Orange County Forensic Services Contract

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Orange County for forensic services for the period of February 1, 2007 through January 31, 2012, at a current per autopsy rate of $1,912.78, to be adjusted annually, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

County Counsel/ Liebersbach et al Contract Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement between the County of Inyo and Liebersbach, Mohun, Carney and Reed for the provision of legal services for the period of September 2, 2005 to the completion of the Save Round Valley Alliance v. County of Inyo lawsuit, increasing the contract by $5,000 to an amount not to exceed $45,000 and authorize the Chairperson to sign.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./MHA Environmental Consultants Contract

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to ratify and approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and MHA Environmental Consulting, Inc., for continued environmental consulting services for the Laws Railroad Restoration Project, Riverside Bridge Replacement Project, and additional state and federally funded public works project, in an amount not to exceed $78,000, for the period of January 16, 2007 through December 31, 2007, 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.

CAO-Leg. Platform

The Board and County Administrator discussed the Legislative Platform as presented.   Supervisor Arcularius requested the following additions be made: (a) support for RS 2477 and the public’s right to access public lands; (b) support the efforts of RCRC and CSAC to protect counties from impacts associated with proposed State prison reform that may require housing State prisoners with three year or less terms in county jails; and (c) support legislators’ efforts to address identified local State highway safety needs in our communities.   Supervisor Cash asked that the request to watch for changes to current video franchising requirements be removed because the legislation has already been passed.   Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to adopt the 2006-2007 Legislative Platform for the County of Inyo as amended to include the noted changes.   Motion carried unanimously.

CAO-Econ. Dev./ County State Capitol Display

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to authorize Kathleen New, Director of the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce, to access the County’s display in the State Capitol building for the purpose of inspection and taking measurements and authorize the Chairperson to sign the County Display Case Authorization Form required by the State Department of General Services.   Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Mental Hlth./ MHSA & CCS Plan Approval

Dr. Gail Zwier provided additional information and further justification for the proposed expenditures to outfit Wellness Center sites in the County.   The Board thanked the Department for the additional information.   Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to A) accept the approved Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Community Services and Supports (CCS) Plan; and B) amend the FY 2006-07 MHSA Budget Unit 640663, by increasing estimated revenue in State Grants (Revenue Code #4498) by $425,972 and increasing appropriations in expenditure codes as recommended by Staff by $425,972.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W. Eastern Sierra Engineering Contract

Supervisor Beverly Brown announced that because her nephew works for the firm to be considered in this item, she was recusing herself, and left the meeting.   Mr. Ron Chegwidden, Public Works Director, explained that because of staff shortages and the requirement to have engineering services on many projects, he was requesting a contract with an outside firm.   He provided the Board with a revised copy of the contract fee schedule asking that the not to exceed amount of the contract be increased to $175,000.    Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to A) amend the FY 2006-07 Public Works Budget Unit 011500, by increasing estimated revenue in Planning and Engineering Fees (Revenue Code #4654) by $175,000 and increasing appropriations in Professional and Special Services (Object Code #5265) by $175,000; (4/5’s vote required) ; and B) approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Eastern Sierra Engineering, Inc., for the provision of engineering services for the period of January 16, 2007 through December 31, 2007, in an amount not to exceed $175,000, 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, on a four-to-zero vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Cash, Bilyeu and Cervantes voting yes, and with Supervisor Brown absent.   At the conclusion of this item, Supervisor Brown returned to the meeting

P.W./Big Pine Care Facility Project Negotiation

Supervisor Jim Bilyeu announced that because he had a friendship with one of the applicants for the use of the Big Pine Care Facility property, he was recusing himself, and left the meeting.   Mr. Ron Chegwidden, Public Works Director, briefly discussed the recommendation to proceed with negotiations with Freedom Ranch for the Big Pine Care Center.   He explained that he was recommending that the negotiation team include Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services and Chief Probation Officer Jim Moffett.   Ms. Eva Poole-Gilson addressed the Board to reiterate her position, which she stated during public comment, that the property be used to house an art museum and center.   Supervisor Arcularius asked that a 4 th item be added to possible options, which would be to have a Board discussion regarding any subsequent RFPs.   Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to direct the Public Works Director to form a negotiation team and open negotiations with Freedom Ranch for the proposed lease of the Big Pine Care Center and add a 4 th alternative to the Agenda Request Form, to have a Board discussion regarding any subsequent RFPs.   Motion carried unanimously, on a four-to-zero vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Cash, Brown, and Cervantes voting yes, and with Supervisor Bilyeu absent.   At the conclusion of this item, Supervisor Bilyeu returned to the meeting.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2007, Board of Supervisors Meeting.   Motion carried unanimously, on a four-to-zero vote, with Supervisors Arcularius, Cash, Bilyeu and Cervantes voting yes, and with Supervisor Brown abstaining.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including an Arts Council Meeting, the Inyo Associates Death Valley Meeting, a Northern Inyo Airport Advisory Committee Meeting, a LTC Meeting, and an announcement that Caltrans will be unable to install the “no jake brake noise” signs, recently requested by the Board because of pending litigation against the State.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 11:50 a.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2007, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.