BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convene in Regular Session at
Conference with real property negotiator: a)
Location - APN #101-150-13, Chestnut Street, Susanville; b)
Negotiator - CAO
As LRA: Conference with real property negotiator: a)
Location - Sierra Army Depot "North East Shore Parcel"
remainder; b) Negotiator -
As LRA: Conference with real property negotiator: a)
Location - Herlong APNs:
#139-16-70 and 72; b) Negotiator -
Present in the Closed Session are Supervisors Robert Pyle, Lloyd
Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Jack Hanson; County Counsel Craig Settlemire, County
Administrative Officer
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors reconvenes in Regular Session on
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
The
Conference with real property negotiator: a)
Location - APN #101-150-13, Chestnut Street, Susanville; b)
Negotiator - CAO
As LRA: Conference with real property negotiator: a)
Location - Sierra Army Depot "North East Shore Parcel"
remainder; b) Negotiator -
As LRA: Conference with real property negotiator: a)
Location - Herlong APNs:
#139-16-70 and 72; b) Negotiator -
AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS
Supervisor Chapman requests the meeting be adjourned in memory of Dee
Guitierez and John Doyle.
It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and
carried to approve the agenda with the noted change.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Poet Laureate Violet Stout reads a poem entitled "Be My
Valentine".
UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS
1. Supervisor Dahle
reports on the RCRC meeting and distributes information to board members on the
Counties/Schools Coalition.
2. Supervisor Hanson
reports on a meeting with Colonel Butler attended by himself along with other
county staff - discussions of Sierra Army Depot Airport expansion and the Depot
no longer providing emergency services off the base; reports on the PSAII meeting
he attended; reports Doyle Park Committee meeting.
3. Supervisor Keefer
designates $2,000 of his discretionary funds go to the Road Fund for radar
signs at Janesville School; reports on continuing water issues on Lower Baxter
Creek - Dept. of Water Resources (DWR) sent notice that sediment needs to be
managed or water will be shut off, also diversion facilities need to be
upgraded - he will write to Senator Cox and Assemblyman Keene and the DWR about
this; discusses a couple of RAC Projects - Forest Supervisor did not approve
Eagle Campground road repair and wants the money put into the Fish Trap which
has a cost estimate of $530,000 - RAC is not happy with how this whole thing
has progressed; discusses plan to sell off federal land to fund counties (schools
and roads) for in-lieu timber receipts; distributes information on a
Counties/Schools Coalition meeting in Reno.
4. Supervisor Chapman
reports on NORTEC meeting and the JPA amendment to bring in Sierra County -
Nevada County also wants to join and this may become an issue; reports on the
Lahontan Water Quality Control Board - the 1993 gas spill on Commercial Road is
a significant issue for the City's Well #3 as the plume goes toward the well
during heavy pumping and then goes away from the well when pumping decreases -
LWQCB ordered Washoe Fuel to remove and treat 8,000 more cubic yards of
material; discusses the LWQCB Executive Report which contained information on
the Everd McCain unauthorized operations - notes he has always recused himself
when this subject has come up but McCain sent a letter to LWQCB speculating
that Chapman was using his position on the LWQCB to influence decisions on this
matter - Chapman has taken further steps to distance himself from the matter by
directing that he receive no copies of anything pertaining to McCain.
5. Supervisor Hanson
reports on the LAFCO meeting - update on the Recreation District and notice
that the West Patton Village CSD Protest Meeting will be held March 13th.
6. Supervisor Pyle reports
on the Lassen County Emergency Medical Care Meeting; reports on the Almanor
Regional Transportation meeting and the Almanor Basin Watershed Advisory
meeting.
7. Supervisor Chapman
would like to receive a report on the operations of SEMSA.
LASSEN CAREER NETWORK
Traci Holt presents a Second Amendment to Revised Joint Powers
Agreement Creating a Northern Rural Training and Employment Consortium
(NoRTEC), adding the County of Sierra.
It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried to approve the amendment and authorize the Chairman to sign.
Mrs. Holt provides a report on the Rapid Response Team relating to
recent lay-offs noting they are serving 150 people in the Herlong area.
(Convene as the
Melody Brawley presents information on the status of Housing Assistance
Program and presents options:
Option 1:
o
Authorize staff to submit a letter to HUD requesting an emergency waiver
that would allow reducing the maximum assistance payments to 90% of the Fair
Market Rates for 2006 and for future years as well;
o
Amend the County's Housing Authority Administrative Plan to achieve
additional program reductions and cost controls. The proposed amendments are:
1. Establish maximum housing assistance payment
levels of 90% of the current calendar year's Fair Market Rate.
2. Establish a limit to the percentage of
vouchers issued for larger 3 and 4 bedroom housing units.
3. Develop a termination plan that would allow
the County to discontinue program benefits to tenants within certain income
brackets when the County is experiencing financial hardship.
Option 2:
o
Contract through an RFP with another Housing Authority to operate the
Housing Assistance Program.
Option 3:
o
Authorize closure of the program and return of all housing vouchers to
HUD.
It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried to adopt Option 1:
o Authorize staff to submit a
letter to HUD requesting an emergency waiver that would allow reducing the
maximum assistance payments to 90% of the Fair Market Rates for 2006 and for
future years as well;
o Amend the County's Housing
Authority Administrative Plan to achieve additional program reductions and cost
controls. The proposed amendments are:
1.
Establish maximum housing assistance payment levels of 90% of the
current calendar year's Fair Market Rate.
2.
Establish a limit to the percentage of vouchers issued for larger 3 and
4 bedroom housing units.
3.
Develop a termination plan that would allow the County to discontinue
program benefits to tenants within certain income brackets when the County is
experiencing financial hardship.
(Adjourn and reconvene as Board of Supervisors)
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADVISORY BOARD
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and
carried to appoint Terry Enger to fill a vacancy on the Lassen Alcohol and Drug
Advisory Board.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Supervisor Hanson requests Item G-11, Prison Trial Costs Reports, be pulled
for separate consideration. Supervisor
Chapman requests that Item G-7, travel request, be pulled for separate
consideration.
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried to take the noted action on the following Consent Calendar items:
COUNTY CLERK ITEM
Approve Minutes of
Grant City of Susanville request for the Board of Supervisors to
consolidate a general municipal election to be held on
Adopt Resolution No. 06-008, amending the
AUDITOR & TREASURER DEPARTMENTS ITEM
Receive and file Treasurer's Fund Balance Report and Auditor's
verification for the month of January, 2006.
AUDITOR ITEM
Authorize the Chairman to execute the restructure amendment to the CSAC
Excess Insurance Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement to add California
Public Entity Insurance Authority (CPEIA) as members.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / HOUSING ITEM
Approve application submittal for California Clean Water, Clean Air,
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ITEM
Award bid to Cashman Equipment,
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with CB Consulting for
Professional Services for
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ITEM
Ratify continuation of Declaration of State of Disaster -
Flood/Emergency in
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS
Receive and file the following correspondence:
a. Lassen County Planning
Commission meeting agenda for
b. Lassen County Technical
Advisory Committee meeting agenda for
c. Local Agency Formation
Commission (LAFCO) of
d. Application for Alcoholic
Beverage License -
PROBATION DEPARTMENT
In regard to the travel authorization request for a Probation Officer,
Supervisor Chapman states he is not against training, but this training is in
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and
carried to approve travel authorization request for Probation Officer Debra
Falkowski to attend the mandatory Standards & Training for Corrections
(STC) Core Training in
PRISON TRIAL COSTS REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Supervisor Hanson feels we have a large issue in regard to the prisons
noting that SEMSA has not been paid for ambulance services to the prisons, Lassen
Solid Waste payments are three months behind and he understands that
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric also experiences long delays in receiving
payments. States that he would be happy
to work with staff to get in touch with our State Legislators in regard to this
problem. Chairman Pyle directs
Supervisor Hanson to work with CAO Ketelsen to compose letters and submit them
to a future meeting for approval.
It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried to receive and file Recap of CCC Prison and High Desert State Prison
Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for January, 2006.
(Supervisor Chapman absent
Jon Wellinghoff of Nevada Clean Energy Coalition presents extensive
information on the SEMPRA Coal Plant Project proposed to be sited in the
Supervisor Hanson states that frankly we need more power but he does
feel we should ask for adjudication of the basin water rights.
It is moved by Supervisor Hanson and seconded by Supervisor Keefer to authorize
a letter urging adjudication of Smoke Creek Basin Water Rights.
Jack Pastor is concerned about air pollutants and the use of large
amounts of water for this coal plant. He
speaks more about heavy metals and impact on the environment.
Supervisor Pyle states this nation is in an energy crisis because for
every type of power source project that is tried (hydro, wind, nuclear, coal,
oil drilling, etc) there is someone fighting it for some reason. He states we have created the energy crisis
we are currently in and he has not made up his mind in regard to the coal
plant, but there was some misinformation provided today. Statements about selenium are misleading as
too little selenium is deadly to cattle and sheep just as well as way too much
selenium is harmful. Also notes the
prevailing winds are not from the northeast but are from the southwest.
The motion carries.
Special Districts - Exemption
It is moved by Supervisor Chapman and seconded by Supervisor Keefer to
direct county counsel to draft an ordinance to amend section 12.24.090 of the
Lassen County Code deleting all the language following the words
".....official service".
Jim McCarthy notes it is taxpayers dollars being used to build a
firehouse for Susan River Fire District and for the overall "greater
public good", public buildings such as this should be exempted from
building permit fees. He also notes for
the "greater public good" agriculture buildings are exempt from
building fees.
John Wilczynski states this exemption is needed as small districts are
in financial trouble. He also thinks a
graduated fee schedule for special districts could be implemented and would not
be discriminatory.
The motion carries.
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES - COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES
Lassen Family Services Executive Director Linda McAndrews presents
information on a Three-Year Plan for the Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention
and Treatment (CAPIT), Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP),
Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) and Small County Initiative (SCI)
Funds.
It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and
carried to approve the plan; and adopt Resolution No. 06-009, authorizing
contracting with Lassen Family Services for the CAPIT/CBCAP and one-half of the
SCI Funds, contingent upon final approval by the Office of Child Abuse
Prevention.
SHERIFF DEPARTMENT (Supervisor Keefer enters at
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried, with Supervisor Chapman absent, to approve Sheriff Department request
to host the mandatory Corrections Standards Authority (CSA) Adult Corrections
Core Training in Susanville at the estimated cost of $11,460.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Public Works Director Larry Millar presents information on the need for
a consultant to prepare the 2006 Transit Development Plan.
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and
carried on roll call vote, (Supervisor Keefer, Supervisor Hanson, Supervisor
Dahle and Supervisor Pyle voting YES, and Supervisor Chapman absent) to:
1. Amend the Local
Transportation Fund (LTF) Admin budget #128 by $55,000 to accommodate grant
revenue and project expenditure.
2. Award the agreement for the
preparation of the 2006 Transit Development Plan to LSC Transportation
Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $47,590.
3. Authorize the Director of
Public Works to sign the agreement after it has been approved by
4. Authorize the Director of
Public Works to authorize changes to the scope of work (Amendments to the
Agreement) up to an amount not to exceed $7,410.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Travel authorization:
CAO Ketelsen submits an authorization request for District Attorney's
Victim Advocate to travel to
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and
carried, with Supervisor Chapman absent, to authorize CAO to approve travel
expenditures in connection with trial preparation of the Bowen case so long as
no single trip exceeds $3,000.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. A letter from Adelphia
announcing service rate increases effective with the February billing
statement, is received and filed.
2. A letter from Lassen
National Forest Supervisor Laurie Tippin regarding signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding for the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, an
WILLIAMSON ACT STUDY SESSION
Minimum Acreage for Agricultural Preserve and for Williamson Act
Contract:
Supervisor Pyle states we need a policy that is updated to meet current
needs and makes suggestions for smaller acreage to be allowed in an agriculture
preserve in relation to specific soil classes (40 acres prime and 160 acres of
non-prime). (Supervisor Chapman enters
at
CAO Ketelsen notes we are talking about two different things - first an
agriculture preserve zone and also agriculture preserve contracts.
Extensive discussion is held in regard to soil classifications versus
definition of prime and non-prime lands.
Richard Egan notes the state has good soil definitions and wonders why
these are not used rather than the more complicated definitions used by the
county.
Existing Fragmented Contracts:
Discussion is held regarding owners of lands that no longer meet the
requirements of agricultural contracts and how to deal with them. CAO Ketelsen states more analysis may be
needed to determine how to address this - what he is hearing is the Board
desires that nothing get below the minimum standards.
Avoiding Future Fragmented Contracts:
Following extensive discussion the Board consensus is for Option 2 -
prohibit the sale of substandard portions - include language in new contracts
prohibiting the sale of parcels or groups of parcels that do not collectively
meet the minimum county requirement for a contract. Supervisor Dahle expresses his concern about
different standards for future and existing contracts.
Following extensive discussion, CAO Ketelsen states he only needs to
know if the Board wants more requirements than are contained in Government Code
Section 51257. Chairman directs board
members to bring up with the CAO if they have any changes to this section.
Land divisions - general:
Board has no changes to the staff's issue statement under this section.
Land divisions - segregation of homesite:
CAO Ketelsen notes that even in zones where there is a minimum 100
acres there is also the exception to allow segregation. (Supervisor Chapman departs at
Building permits on
(Supervisor Keefer absent
Building permits on
Consensus is for Option 1 - allow agriculture related building under
2,500 square feet.
Craig Hemphill would like to see 10 acres minimum for timber and
specialty crops.
Definition of agriculture for Williamson Act Purposes:
Board consensus is comfortable with staff's proposed definition.
Richard Egan suggests the draft resolution be circulated to Farm Bureau
and Cattlemen's Assn. prior to adoption.
CAO Ketelsen would like an interim step to explain in layman's terms
what the changes will mean to owners prior to adoption of changes.
Discussion is held on the amount of time it will take to bring back a
summary of the proposed changes and CAO Ketelsen estimates 30 days.
Recess
JOINT MEETING WITH FAIR ADVISORY BOARD
The Board of Supervisors reconvenes at
Present: Supervisors Robert
Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Jack Hanson; County
Administrative Officer (CAO)
Fair Advisory Board members Rebecca Albaugh, Tim
Flag salute is held and the President Dena Wemple conducts the meeting.
The Fair Advisory Board approves their agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
K. R. Butler Engineering, Inc. President Kevin Butler presents proposal
for a site survey of the fairgrounds. A
master plan proposal would be for a
2-5-10-year plan and include existing structures and racetrack. The initial phase site survey would cost
$11,000 and would survey all existing buildings to scale, parking lots, storm
drainage, with topographics and aerial view; would take approximately 4-6 weeks. This would not include rodeo grounds design.
Discussion is held on services that could be provided by Butler
Engineering and ideas for potential fairground use. Mr. Butler states they have done similar work
for rodeos and have also done racetracks. They would bring their knowledge together with
what the Advisory Board knows would work for this community. If the Board decides to do work themselves,
they would have the drawings to work with.
Phase 2 could be the RV park;
Dena Wemple states that Mr. Butler's proposal will be on next month's
agenda.
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