BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

                                                                         JANUARY 17, 2006

 

                                        

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convene in Regular Session at 9:02 a.m.  Chairman Pyle asks for public comment and no comments are received.  County Clerk Nagel announces the Closed Session items and the Board recesses to Closed Session at 9:03 a.m. for:  conference with Legal Counsel:  Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Government Code section 54956.9(b)(3)(C):  Claim of Renfro dated December 15, 2005; and conference with real property negotiator:  a)  Location - APN #101-150-13 Chestnut Street, Susanville;  b)  Negotiator - CAO John Ketelsen;  c)  Subject - Update.

 

Present in the Closed Session are Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Jack Hanson; County Counsel Craig Settlemire, County Administrative Officer John Ketelsen, Risk Manager Ron Vossler and County Clerk Theresa Nagel.  Closed Session is recessed at 9:28 a.m.

 

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors reconvenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 17, 2006, at 9:32 a.m.   Present:  Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Jack Hanson; County Counsel Craig Settlemire, County Administrative Officer (CAO) John Ketelsen and County Clerk Theresa Nagel.  Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Hanson.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION

The County Clerk announces the Closed Session dealt with: conference with Legal Counsel: 

 

Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Government Code section 54956.9(b)(3)(C):  Claim of Renfro dated December 15, 2005 - on a five to zero vote direction was given to reject the claim; and

 

Conference with real property negotiator:  a)  Location - APN #101-150-13 Chestnut Street, Susanville;  b)  Negotiator - CAO John Ketelsen;  c)  Subject - Update - no reportable action taken.

 

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

CAO Ketelsen notes that both Item D-3, Lake Almanor Basin Watershed Committee, and Item D-4, Nevada Clean Energy Coalition, need to be removed from this agenda as the individuals are not able to attend.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to approve the agenda with the noted deletions.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

1.         Poet Laureate Violet Stout reads a poem entitled "My Love".

2.         Chip Jackson provides an update on the flood matters and the need for rescheduling of the federal inspector's site visit due to the pending storm.

 

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1.         Supervisor Chapman attended and reports on the Seniors Board of Director's meeting; presents Violet Stout with a plaque for 15 years as poet laureate and in honor of her birthday.

2.         Supervisor Keefer designates $500 of his discretionary funds go to Milford Community Association for their cemetery project; reports on a chart he received that compares the estimated payments under the 25% Timber Receipts System ($1 million) to Actual PL 106-393 Payments ($15 million); reports on the Lassen County Fire Council meeting and notes that Tom Esgate will be here next week with recommendations on changes to the fire regulations; notes that Frank Stewart is on the State Fire Safe Council and serves on the committee that determines who will receive federal funding from the Forest Service and BLM;  also notes that Frank Stewart will be sending a letter to the Board relating to potential NEPA changes; received a letter from Laurie Tippin regarding a meeting of the Scenic Byway Executive Team on February 9th and he feels someone should attend but he cannot; received an email from Sylvia Milligan relating to the Off-Highway Program; notes the Economic Development Committee meeting will be held Monday and he would like Supervisor Hanson to attend.

3.         Supervisor Hanson reports on Mental Health Advisory Board meeting.           

4.         Supervisor Pyle reports on a meeting with Sylvia Milligan and Lorraine Hansen on their desire to purchase property at the end of paved Gold Run Road to improve as a snowmobile parking area.

           

CONSENT CALENDAR

Supervisor Hanson requests that Item G-6, Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Program, be removed for separate consideration.

 

Supervisor Dahle requests that Item G-7, declaration of emergency, be removed for separate consideration.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to take the noted action on the following Consent Calendar items:

 

COUNTY CLERK ITEM

Approve Minutes of January 10, 2005.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ITEM

Approve revised job description for the position of Public Health Assistant I/II, Health and Social Services, Range 16/18.

 

AUDITOR & TREASURER DEPARTMENTS ITEM

Receive and file Treasurer's Fund Balance Report and Auditor's verification for the month of December, 2005.

 

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES - MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION ITEM

Approve and authorize the CAO to execute State Department of Mental Health Agreement for State Hospital Beds and Services for FY 2005/2006 #05-75379-000.

 

TREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR ITEM

Receive and file Treasurer's Investment Report for December, 2005.

 

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS

Receive and file the following correspondence:

a.   Lassen County Technical Advisory Committee meeting agenda meeting for January 11, 2006.

b.   In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Board meeting agenda for January 18, 2006.

c.   Lassen Transit Service Agency meeting agenda for January 9, 2006.

d.   Lassen County Transportation Commission meeting agenda for January 9, 2006.

e.   Mental Health Advisory Board meeting agenda for January 10, 2006 and unapproved minutes of November 15, 2005.

f.   Lassen County Alcohol & Drug Advisory Board meeting agenda for January 18, 2006, and minutes of December 20, 2005.

 

PRISON TRIAL COSTS REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

Supervisor Hanson asks for an update on the status of prison trials cost reimbursement.  Diversified Management Manager Laura Roberts states the program reimbursements are current through the end of last fiscal year and as for the new legislation that was supposed to expedite the funding to the counties, her calls to the State have resulted in very unclear responses.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to direct the CAO to send letters to Senator Cox and Assemblyman Keene providing information on how this legislation is not working very well.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and carried to receive and file recaps of CCC Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for December, 2005; High Desert State Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for July through December 2005; and CCC and High Desert State Prison Trial Costs Billing for fiscal year of 2004/2005.

 

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

Supervisor Dahle questions why a drought emergency is on the agenda and the Clerk responds this was a typographical error and it should have been a flood emergency.  The flood emergency ratification will be placed on the next agenda.

 

RECOGNITION COMMITTEE - PRESENTATION

Chairman Pyle makes the following presentations for years of service:

 

Fifteen years: a two pen desk set to Stanley Ratliff (Public Works/Roads) - not present.

Twenty-five years: a desk clock/calculator to Supervisor Jim Chapman.

 

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COUNTY COMMISSION

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to reappoint Doug McCoy, Betsy Elam and Janice Irvin; and to appoint Melody Brawley to fill a vacancy on the Children and Families County Commission. 

 

FAIR ADVISORY BOARD

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to appoint Richard Wilburn to fill a vacancy on Lassen County Fair Advisory Board. 

 

RECOGNITION COMMITTEE - PRESENTATION CONT.

Chairman Pyle makes the following presentation for years of service:

 

Ten years: a brass letter opener to Michelle Urrutia (H&SS Public Health).

 

ASSESSOR

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to adopt, by title only, Ordinance #478-A amending Ordinance #478 relating to Reassessment of Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity.

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - BUILDING DIVISION

It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to adopt Resolution No. 06-005, placing certain structures on the property known as the Half Diamond F Ranch, located at 434-410 Hackstaff Road on the Lassen County/City of Susanville Historic Building Registry.

 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to approve payment to the 2005/2006 Quincy Library Group (QLG) Intervention Lawsuit Contingency Fund in the amount of $12,000. 

 

ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT

CAO Ketelsen presents his analysis of separating Registrar of Voters/Elections Department from the County Clerk/Recorder's office creating an elections division with an appointed commissioner of elections.

 

Board consensus is to take no action at this time.

 

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD

1.         CAO Ketelsen attended a meeting of CAOs on Friday and presents a review of items covered.

 

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS CONT.

5.         Supervisor Chapman states that he receives a regular report from Personnel on the status of employee evaluations and he notes there is one department who has around 15 people without up-to-date evaluations.  He would like a letter to go to departments that are not keeping evaluations up-to-date or place this on a future agenda.  CAO Ketelsen responds he will send out a letter.

 

Recess 10:32 - 10:45 a.m.

 

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES - FAMILY AND CHILDREN PROTECTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Health and Social Services Director Kevin Mannel introduces Barbara Tiner and Laura Roberts who will provide information on Community Assessment Services and Development of Strategic Plans for FY 2005/2006.

 

Laura Roberts provides an in-depth explanation of the need to develop strategic plans to address family and child welfare issues in Lassen County.  Lassen Diversified Management, Inc. will gather the necessary data and develop the strategic plans through a sub-contract with Social Entrepreneurs, Inc. 

 

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to approve and authorize the CAO to execute an agreement with Lassen Diversified Management, Inc. for Community Assessment Services and Development of Strategic Plans for FY 2005/2006.

 

U.S. FOREST SERVICE

Community Liaison Heidi Perry distributes information on the 2006 RAC Proposals along with updates on the status of 2004 and 2005 RAC Projects.  (Supervisor Chapman absent 11:21 - 11:22 a.m.)  She reviews the reasons that a few of the projects are 0% complete.

                       

SHERIFF'S ANNUAL REPORT

Sheriff Steve Warren presents the 2005 Lassen County Sheriff's Annual Report and hits the "bullet points" in the report.

 

Supervisor Keefer found the report very educational and goes on to ask if the City is paying their fair share of the costs of dispatch.  Sheriff Warren responds the City pays 40% of the dispatch budget.

 

Supervisor Chapman compliments the Sheriff on the report.  He points out there are about 20 employees within his department that do not have up-to-date performance evaluations and he encourages the Sheriff to address this.

 

Supervisor Hanson appreciates the report.  He notices that the percentage of dispatched events in Herlong/Doyle exceeds the percentage of officers assigned.  Sheriff Warren states the officer assigned percentage is for the resident officers, not the percentage of dispatched officers to answer calls.

Sheriff Warren leaves extra copies of the report and notes they will be working to get the report on the website.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and carried to accept the 2005 Lassen County Sheriff's Annual Report.

 

Noon recess 12:01 - 1:33 p.m. - Supervisor Chapman is not present.

 

STUDY SESSION - 2006 GOALS AND PRIORITIES

Supervisor Dahle states we talk about economic development and we need to define just what that is (Supervisor Chapman enters at 1:34 p.m.); balancing the budget should be a priority; desperately need a plan for space needs; wants to see the Bieber Memorial Building kitchen addition and the shower for the poolhouse completed and notes there is a plan to combine these projects for bidding purposes; Williamson Act is a priority, but it may be resolved soon; desperately need an area plan in Big Valley; kiosk at Susanville Ranch Park and extension of Skyline are priorities in the Susanville area.

 

Supervisor Hanson states the primary responsibility is to keep the system running; his #1 goal is increasing revenues - need to continue examining fees such as impact or capital recovery costs; big frustration is the painfully slow process to get things accomplished - wants turnaround time improved - examples are getting the Williamson Act before the Board and the Scenic Mountain Development; also wants to study tourism - if the county expends money for tourism promotion he wants to see what benefits are received; need a South County Area Plan or a Doyle Town Center Plan; wants to investigate what can be done to support fire districts; code enforcement and abatement process are in need of revision; wants to re-examine the County policy of not taking roads into the County System - wants to work with County Counsel on some type of agreement for residents on private roads to use in regard to maintaining such roads.

 

Supervisor Keefer - things that are on the back burner and need to be brought forward are "big picture items" - Dyer Mountain, water issues, and South County issues (Scenic Mt.).  More issues are the open range issue; noise element; short staffing of County Counsel's Office (many items are dependent on County Counsel review).  Notes that many times board members go directly to departments and they probably need to go through the CAO rather than going straight to staff, but there is a need for direction from the CAO on this matter.  Other items are code enforcement - citation process; training requirements for fire departments and how coordination by the County could help; also possible help to fire departments from the County in regard to dispatch costs; economic development needs to be looked at closer.

 

Supervisor Chapman states primary obligation is the system as a whole; things talked about today can only have merit if they are addressed in the budget; need to address the issue of a balanced budget and have to deal with unfunded liabilities; need facilities planning and need to demolish the new/old jail.  Need to make county environment as friendly as possible to get business to come in - find out what brings businesses to communities.  Need to build and maintain infrastructures to attract business; need to ask the people what is important to them - maybe hold some public hearings or conduct a public survey. 

 

Supervisor Pyle states basically everything already addressed is what is on his list - we are basically on the same page.  Also want agriculture buffer zones established to go along with Williamson Act revisions.  Touches on many of the items previously addressed.

 

CAO Ketelsen will preface each of the items on the list with "I will fire the CAO unless ....." and bring them back to the Board for setting of priorities.  He notes that no manager likes to be surprised so he does want to hear from board members.

 

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 2:41 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________________________

                                                                                      CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________________

THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD