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 Department Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period. Mr. Pat Cecil, Planning Director, updated the Board on the WEMO process and the efforts to update the County’s General Plan. Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, informed the Board that after the last HHS Newsletter was published, in which there were congratulations offered for the CalWorks numbers, there was a significant decline in the job category. She explained that the unemployment rates for the Country are 4.9%, the State - 5.9% and Inyo County the number has dropped to 6.2%, and that the decline may effect the federal CalWorks penalty calculations. She informed the Board that she will be monitoring this situation and keep the Board apprised. The Museum Administrator, Mr. Jon Klusmire, invited the Board to attend the upcoming Friends of the Museum pot luck. Mr. Klusmire also reported on a collaborative training program, which is being sponsored by the County on museum software. The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. George Milovich, reported on water estimates and the upcoming mosquito abatement season. He also reported that the Sierra Nevada Conservancy grant application is looking very positive to be awarded. Mr. Milovich also informed the Board the rural counties funding for the pesticide program is being doubled. Mr. Ron Chegwidden, Director of Public Works, reported on the impact of the recent LORP flushing flows on the County’s culverts and pipes, saying that there was less impact then originally anticipated. He also reported on the Big Pine Care Facility diesel spill, informing the Board that soil and water samples are preliminarily indicating that the contamination is confined to a small exterior portion of the soil where the leak occurred.

Senior Prg./ Vehicle Purchase

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to approve the purchase of one 2008 4x4 Ford Escape Utility Vehicle from Eastern Sierra Motors in an amount not to exceed $18,865; and authorize the Motor Pool Manager to sign all purchase documents. Motion carried unanimously.

Motor Pool/Vehicle Purchase

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to award the bid to and approve the purchase from Eastern Sierra Motors of four Crown Victoria sedans w/Admin Police Package; one Crown Victory sedan w/Police Package, three Escape Utility vehicles, two Fusion sedans, one 3/4-ton 4x2 regular cab truck, and one 3/4-ton 4x2 extra cab truck, in the amount of $252,405.73. Motion carried unanimously.

Ag Comm./E.S. Weed Mgm. Area MOU

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cash to approve the revised and updated Memorandum of Understanding for the Eastern Sierra Weed Management Area; and authorize the Agricultural Commissioner and Interim Water Director to sign. Motion carried unanimously.

CSS/Change in Authorized Strength

Ms. Linda Anisman, Director of Child Support Services, provided additional information and further justification for the request to change authorized strength in the CCS Department by adding an Account Technician position. She explained that because of the recent change in the State’s CCS program there is a need for fiscal support.

Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Brown to approve a change in authorized strength in the Child Support Services Department by (a) adding one Account Technician Series, I, II, and III; (b) authorizing the filling the position through a closed departmental recruitment at Step I - Range 55 ($2,770 – $3,367); Step II - Range 59 ($3,030 – $3,693), or Step III - Range 61 ($3,184 - $3,867) depending upon qualifications of candidate, and (c) deleting one position that is vacated as a result of the recruitment. Motion carried unanimously.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2008 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Fish and Game/ Eastern Sierra Wildlife Expenditure

Moved by Supervisor Brown and seconded by Supervisor Cash to approve an expenditure from the Fine Fund in the amount of $2,000 to be paid to the Eastern Sierra Wildlife Care for the care of orphaned, sick and injured animals and birds, contingent upon the submittal of verification of expenses. Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 9:25 a.m., to reconvene in open session at 9:30 a.m., with all Board Members present.

Planning/Rt. Designation Update

Mr. Pat Cecil, Planning Director updated the Board on coordination with the U.S. Forest Service regarding its Route Designation process for the Inyo National Forest. The Board and Staff discussed the first collaboration meeting, which is scheduled for tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including an announcement that ESTA has hired a new Executive Director, a report on the Cattlemen’s dinner, the Early Opener in south County, the Lion’s Club Speech Contest, information regarding recent “cattle rustling” activities in Inyo and Mono counties, a Western Counties Alliance presentation, and a report from the CAO regarding the possibility of the County acquiring a surplus building from Northern Inyo Hospital.

CAO-Mid-Year Budget

The County Administrator reviewed in detail the County Mid-Year Financial Report. He congratulated the Department Heads and their staff for their efforts in maintaining a balanced budget. He thanked his Budget Analyst, Ms. Randi Chegwidden and the Auditor-Controller, Ms. Leslie Chapman for their assistance. The Board and Mr. Carunchio discussed the status of this year’s budget, including possible impacts to next year’s budget as a result of the State’s actions to balance the State Budget. Mr. Ron Chegwidden, Public Works Director, responded to questions from Supervisor Cash regarding the status of his Department’s projects and the corrective action plan which was submitted to the CAO. The Board and the CAO continued to discuss the mid-year budget actions being recommended. Moved by Supervisor Cash and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to A) accept the FY 2007-08 County Mid-Year Financial Report as presented; B) approve the specific budget action items and recommendations discussed in the report and represented in the Attachments A & B to the Report; C) approve the following: (a) a change in the Public Works authorized strength by creating a Lead Airport Technician position at Range 56 ($2,836 – $3,444) and authorize the filling of this position through a closed department recruitment; and (b) a change in authorized strength in the Eastern Sierra Weed Management Budget and Owens Valley Mosquito Abatement Project Budget by deleting one full-time Account Clerk position at Range 47 ($2,304 - $2,802) and adding one full-time Account Technician position at Range 55 ($2,770 - $3,367) and authorize the recruitment and filling of the Account Technician position at Range 55; D) stress savings in order to maximize year-end Fund Balance by continuing to take a critical and careful look before filling position vacancies and approving use of contingency funds. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Comment

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

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 11:35 a.m., to reconvene in closed session at 1:00 p.m., with all Board Members present.

Closed Session

The Board met in closed session to discuss and take action as appropriate on Agenda Item No. 12. PERSONAL [Pursuant to Government Code §54957] – Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Title: Director of Public Works.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 2:00 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 2:00 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.