County of Inyo

Board of Supervisors

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. Ms. Mary Roper, Clerk-Recorder, updated the Board on the upcoming election schedule, explaining that the Presidential Primary is scheduled for February 5, 2008, the local primary is scheduled for June 3, 2008 and the Presidential General is scheduled for November 4, 2008. Sheriff Bill Lutze updated the Board on the Prison and Jail Reform proposal, confirming that the alternative to house State inmates locally is now off the table. Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, updated the Board on Health Care Reform.

BofS/Wilkinson Building Permit

Mr. Gavin Wilkinson, Lone Pine Resident, provided additional information regarding his problems obtaining a permit to begin construction of a driveway on his 20 acre piece of property near Lone Pine. The Board and Mr. Wilkinson discussed the issue in detail and at length. Mr. Ron Chegwidden, Public Works Director, explained that the permitting requirements being placed on the project are a result of Mr. Wilkinson project plans and specifications. Mr. Chegwidden explained that the County was only requiring those items specified by law. Ms. Jan Larson, Senior Planner, in response to a query from the Board regarding the 20’ width requirement, explained that the 20’ width requirement for the driveway was as a result of state code, which dictates a 10’ right-of-way for emergency vehicles in both directions. The Board requested that Staff and Mr. Wilkinson work together to determine what is required in order for the permitting process to proceed and asked Staff to keep them informed.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 10:05 a.m., to reconvene in open session at 10:20 a.m., with all Board Members present, except Supervisor Arcularius.

BofS/Sierra Ceramic Mural Project Mural Donation and Placement

Ms. Colleen Randolph and Ms. Betty Cameron, Students and Ms. Patty Holton, Instructor, provided additional information and further justification for the donation and placement of the Sierra Ceramic Mural Project’s mural on a County facility. They explained that the Project’s mission is to place the mural at a place where many people have access to view it, most especially school aged children, thus the recommendation to place it on the wall at the Bishop Library. They provided detail about the mural, explaining that it will be 8 ft. x 13 ft., it will be installed by a professional tile installer, it will encompass approximately 416 tiles, and the mural will depict the natural environment of the various areas of the County. Mr. Kevin Carunchio, Deputy County Administrator, suggested an alternative that the mural be installed at the Interagency Visitor’s Center in Lone Pine. He noted that with over two million visitors a year, the location would definitely meet the goal of greatest access. Mr. Carunchio also explained that the Public Works Department has notified him that the proposed wall at the Bishop Library may not be able to sustain the installation of the mural. He went on to explain that while the wall is not presently scheduled for repair and maintenance, it’s condition is such that housing the mural at that site may be questionable. The Board Members individually and collectively supported the Mural and its placement on a County facility. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to accept the donation of the mural from the Sierra Ceramic Mural Project and direct representatives of the Mural Project and the Deputy County Administrator to work with Public Works to identify a suitable location for placement of the mural. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

CAO-Title III Funding Allocation

The County Administrator briefly reviewed the proposed uses for this year’s Title III funds. Supervisor Cervantes identified an additional need for funds to complete the clean up of the Lone Pine Reservation. Mr. Juliff explained that with the completion of the Community Wildfire Project Plan, there would be grant opportunities for that project.

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to take the following actions for the proposed uses of Title III – HR2389 Forest Service Special Projects Funds for Fiscal Year 2006/2007: A) confirm that the appropriate notice of a 45-day comment period on the intended uses for FY 2006/2007 HR 2389 Forest Service Special Project Funds was published; B) take comment from all interested parties on the proposed uses which are: (a) $36,381.50 for Forest Related Educational Opportunities by the Inyo County Office of Education for their Outdoor Science Education Program at the Bernasconi Education Center in Big Pine; (b) $12,127.17 for search and rescue activities on federal lands paid for by the County; (c) $19,500 for an Inyo County Community Wildfire Protection Plan by Anchor Point Group LLC; and, (d) $4,754.34 for a grant program for fire prevention and County planning for fire safety councils throughout the County”; and C) take action to approve the intended uses Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Org./B.P. C of C GIS Contract Amendment

Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Grants-in-Support Contract between the County of Inyo and the Big Pine Chamber of Commerce amending the scope of work and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Sheriff/Vehicle Bid

Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Brown to A) declare Rotolo Chevrolet as a non-responsive bidder; B) award the bid for and approve the purchase of a 2008 Ford Escape 4x4 XLT from Eastern Sierra Motors as the low bidder, in an amount not to exceed $19,194.19; and C) award the bid for and approve the purchase of a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox 7 passenger all wheel drive mini-van from Perry Motors in an amount not to exceed $25,676.83. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

BofS/Olancha Cartago Expressway Support.

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the letter to Assemblyman Bill Maze supporting the alternative for the Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) Program funding of the Olancha/Cartago Expressway Project and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

HHS-First 5/Cash State Appt. Support

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the letter supporting Supervisor Cash’s appointment to the State Children and Families/First Commission; and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

BofS/State Park Buffer Zone Opposition

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve the letter to Assemblyman Bill Maze opposing AB 576 which is urgency legislation to establish a 5-mile buffer zone around the Allensworth State Park to disallow existing and planned uses of the property; and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors Meeting of A) March 20, 2007 and B) March 27, 2007. Motion carried unanimously, with Supervisor Arcularius absent.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including a meeting with BLM on the trash generated at Dumont Dunes, various constituent meetings, a Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery Construction meeting, a LORP access meeting with DWP, and a Big Pine Civic Club Meeting.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 11:10 a.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.