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, September 19, 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 Cervantes 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 Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period.   Ms. Jean Dickinson, Director of Health and Human Services, updated the Board on several issues, which will affect the Department.   She informed the Board that the new minimum wage law, which was signed by the Governor, would affect the wages of local IHSS workers.   She also informed the Board that an injunction had been granted by a Judge to stop impending changes to the SACPA Program.   She went on to explain that the injunction was issued because opponents brought a lawsuit to stop the changes because the law was voter passed and any changes would need to be approved by the voters.   Ms. Dickinson explained further that based on comments by the Judge it appears he is agreeing with that concept and indicated that she would keep the Board informed has this proceeds through the Courts.  

The Auditor-Controller, Ms. Leslie Chapman, took the opportunity to respond to a memorandum from the Treasurer-Tax Collector, Mr. John Treacy, informing the Board that she had invited Mr. Treacy to participate in today’s discussion, and noting that he was not in attendance.    She explained that the memorandum was written in such a manner, that she felt it was important for the public and the Board to be informed as to the duties and responsibilities of her office.   She went on to inform the Board that she is currently in the yearly State auditing and reporting requirement periods which are time-consuming and, if not timely filed, carry large fines.   She also explained that she had been spending a great deal of time working as a part of the County’s budget team to support the submittal of a timely and accurate County Budget for the Board’s approval.   After her preliminary remarks, Ms. Chapman addressed the specific questions asked by the Treasurer-Tax Collector.   She explained that some of the money identified by the Treasurer has already been factored into her calculations for the fund balance; therefore, it is unavailable to be accounted for again.   She also explained that she and the Treasurer have a disagreement on whether a portion of the money identified is even available to be spent, because it involves trust funds from partial tax payments which she feels cannot be spent, because of laws concerning acceptance of partial tax payments.   She went on to explain that she is waiting until the large cabling portion of the Financial Systems Project is completed, which is expected in the next couple of weeks, at which time she expects to recoup the greater amount which is available to the County.   The Board thanked the Auditor-Controller for her information and supported the efforts of a peer elected official to set their priorities as they see fit for the duties to which they are elected.   The County Administrator also commented on the memorandum from Mr. Treacy, explaining that when he received his copy he immediately conferred with the Auditor-Controller and concurred with her explanations.  

Mr. Tom Brooks, Water Director, updated the Board on activities pertaining to the Green Book Revisions.   He explained that staff is working on technical evaluations and scheduling a Technical Group Meeting, and as such he would be providing the official report in October.   The Assistant County Administrator, Mr. Chuck Hamilton, informed the Board that there would be a Household Hazardous Waste Event conducted at the Lone Pine Landfill this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.    

Org.-Wild Iris/ Domestic Violence Proclamation

Representatives of Wild Iris, explained about the upcoming events that will be conducted throughout the local communities to highlight the need for everyone to be aware of domestic violence and its impact on those both directly and indirectly affected by domestic violence.   Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.   Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./ESRA Access Rd. & Dehy Park Materials Testing

The Public Works Director, Mr. Ron Chegwidden, provided and reviewed Staff’s recommendation to award the Contract for materials testing for the ESRA Access Road and Dehy Park projects to the low bidder, Sierra Geotechnical Services, Inc.   Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Williams to award the bid and approve the Contract for materials testing services for the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport Access Road Construction Project and Phase I of the Dehy Park Improvement Project to Sierra Geotechnical Services in the amount of $22,000; and authorize the Chairperson to sign contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained.   Motion carried unanimously.

Parks-Tecopa Sewage Disposal Fee

The Deputy County Administrator, Mr. Chuck Hamilton, briefly reviewed the history of the Tecopa Sewage Lagoon and the fees charged for sewage disposal.   The Board and Mr. Hamilton discussed the sewage fees and possible options to increase the fees in order to generate revenue for the County.   Mr. Hamilton confirmed that since the fees are part of the concessionaire contract that any changes in the fee structure would require amending the Contract.   The Board discussed the revenue, which would be generated by an increase.   The Board also briefly discussed the continuing issues with the sewage lagoon, with the consensus of the Board being that until it is decided how to proceed with the sewage lagoon, changing the fee structure for sewage disposal is premature.   The Board thanked Staff for bringing forward this discussion, and indicated they expected to pursue alternatives to address the sewage lagoon, in light of the information received that the lease for an alternative location for the lagoon was not proceeding because of a lawsuit concerning the property.  

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Williams to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2006, Board of Supervisors Meeting.   Motion carried unanimously.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board Members reported on their activities during the preceding week, including thanks to merchants and those who donated to the County’s RCRC Gift Basket, an Eastern Sierra Council of Governments meeting, the Big Pine Fire Department BBQ, Inyo Associates Meeting, an Olancha Fire Department meeting, a report on the Millpond Music Festival, the upcoming Sierra Nevada Conservancy Meeting, and acknowledgement of and well wishes to retiring Public Works Employee, Lew Crispin, and announcement that Inyo County will be accepting the keys to a fire truck being donated by the Town of Mammoth Lakes to be stationed at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 10:25 a.m., to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2006, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.