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, November 14, 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 Arcularius led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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.   Ms. Rennie Holland, Yucca Mountain Analyst, updated the Board on the Program and an upcoming AULG meeting scheduled for November 30, 2006.   Mr. Rick Delmas, Farm Advisor, informed the Board that his replacement had been name and announced that Ms. Yvonne Wood would assume the duties as the Farm Advisor beginning January 2, 2007.   Mr. Delmas also informed the Board that he and his wife would be staying in Inyo County as he resumes his retirement.   The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. George Milovich, reported on the Ag Commissioners Conference and updating the Board on his Department’s activities.   The County Administrator reported that he has scheduled telephone screenings of two candidates for Planning Director.  

Integ. Waste/Tub Grinder Clutch Assembly P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to ratify the purchase of a clutch assembly for the Waste Management wood material tub grinder from Dave’s Auto Parts of Lone Pine, in the amount of $3,459.48 and authorize payment in that amount.   Motion carried unanimously.

Planning Comm./ Appointment Term

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to authorize the correction of the January 14, 2003 Board Order appointing the Third District Planning Commissioner to a four-year term ending December 31, 2007 to a four-year term ending December 31, 2006.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Bell Road Access Offers of Dedication

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to A) approve Parcel Map No. 371; B) accept the Offer of Dedication for 60-foot right of way for Bell Access Road as reflected on the map; and C) direct the Public Works Director to file a Quitclaim Deed for the 40-foot wide access easement conveyed to Inyo County for public road purposes.   Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-IHSS/Min. Wage Increase

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the minimum wage increase for the Inyo County In-Home Supportive Services home care providers and approve the In-Home Supportive Services Program Public Authority/Nonprofit Consortium Rate Form (SOC 449) and DHS (Department of Health Services) Approved Rate Workshop as recommended.   Motion carried unanimously.

Planning-Yucca Mt./Budget Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to amend the FY 2006-07 Death Valley Lower Carbonate Aquifer Monitoring Program Budget Unit 620700 by increasing estimated revenues in Federal Grants (Revenue Code #4555) by $400,000 and increasing appropriations in Professional Services (Object Code #5265) by $400,000, contingent upon the appropriate approvals being obtained and receipt of funding from the Department of Energy.   Motion carried unanimously.

Planning-Yucca Mt./Lang Exploratory Drilling Company Contract

Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and Lang Exploratory Drilling Company, Inc., for well drilling and construction services for the period of November 20, 2006 through June 8, 2007, in an amount not to exceed $730,095, and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained and supplemental and continued U.S. Department of Energy funding of the Death Valley Lower Carbonate Aquifer Monitoring Program.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Termination of Radio Translator

The Public Works Director, Mr. Ron Chegwidden, provided additional information and further clarification on the request to terminate the Radio Translator Licenses for Stations K240A0 and K252CE.   The Board and Staff discussed the possibility of renewing the licenses for the purpose of reselling them, including (a) the resale value of the asset, (b) the cost to pursue renewing the licenses and (c) the ability of the County to privatize the licenses.   Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to authorize the termination of the Radio Translator Licenses for Station K240A0 and K252CE.   Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 9:50 a.m., to reconvene at 10:00 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Ord. 123/ Elected Officials Salary Increase

On a motion by Supervisor Williams and a second by Supervisor Bilyeu, Ordinance No. 1123 entitled “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Amending Section 2.88.040 of the Inyo County Code to Increase the Salary for Certain Elected County Officials, Excluding Members of the Board of Supervisors,” was adopted: motion unanimously passed and adopted.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 10:01 a.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, to discuss Agenda Items No. 12.   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, and Personnel Analyst Sue Dishion; No. 13. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING/ANTICIPATED LITIGATION [Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(a)(c)]. Two Cases  - A) 2006-10 Annual Operations Plan Dispute between LADWP and County of Inyo, Adjudication of Dispute Pursuant to the Long Term Water Agreement entered June 1997 as Stipulation and Order for Judgment, Inyo County Superior Court Case No. 12908; and B) Drought Recovery Policy Dispute between LADWP and County of Inyo, Adjudication of Dispute Pursuant to the Long Term Water Agreement entered June 1997 as Stipulation and Order for Judgment, Inyo County Superior Court Case No. 12908; and No. 14.    PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) – Public Employee Performance     Evaluation – Title:   Director of Public Works. The Chairperson recessed closed session at 11:00 a.m., to reconvene at 11:05 a.m., with all Board Members present except Supervisor Williams, to continue discussion on those closed session items previously noted.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 12:15 p.m., to reconvene in open session at 1:00 p.m., with all Board Members present.

Water Dept./ Standing Comm. Mtg. Agenda

Mr. Tom Brooks, Water Director, updated the Board on the results of a recent Technical Committee Meeting and went on to discuss those items proposed to be discussed during the upcoming Inyo/LA Standing Committee Meeting.   Those items discussed included placement of discussion regarding the Drought Recovery Policy and the Interim Management Plan, as well as the scheduling of future joint meetings and an update on the release of the 75 acres and the yellow-billed cuckoo project and the status of the LORP post-implementation negotiations.   Mr. Brooks indicated that he would incorporate the items discussed today and present a final recommendation for items to be included on the Inyo/LA Standing Committee Meeting Agenda during next week’s meeting.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including constituent meetings, a meeting with a party interested in the Big Pine Care Facility, notification to our Federal representatives that the County of Inyo is suing the Federal Government regarding RS2477 road right violations, and a combined and individual thank you from the Board Members to those voters who supported the TOT Ballot Measure which was approved by the voters in the November 7, 2006 election.  

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 1:45 p.m., to reconvene in closed session, with all Board Members present to continue discussions on those closed session items previously noted.   The Chairperson recessed closed session at 3:20 p.m., to reconvene at 3:25 p.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Williams.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 5:30 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 5:30 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2006, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.