BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

                                FEBRUARY 18, 2003

 

                                       

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 18, 2003, at 9:35 a.m.   Present:  Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Jack Hanson; County Counsel John Ketelsen, County Administrative Officer (CAO) Andy Whiteman and County Clerk Theresa Nagel.  Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Pyle.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION

Chairman Chapman announces that no closed session was held.

 

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to approve the agenda as posted.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Chairman Chapman asks for public comment and no comments are received.

 

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1.   Supervisor Pyle attended the Eagle Lake Interagency Meeting and summarizes the discussions:  Spalding's septage disposal system will be funded 1/2 with grants and l/2 with low income loans, it is a two year project and construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2004;  Spalding's Marina plans are 90% complete with construction to begin in 2003 and completed in 2004, looking at charging a parking fee to fund this project; Forest Service is performing vegetation treatment and reconstruction on Merrill Campground; Fish and Game has planted additional fish at the lake; Fish and Game has submitted a proposal to RAC for funding to make the fish trap more visitor friendly; lake is down one foot from this same date last year; there will not be any funding for realignment of Eagle Lake Road until 2010 or 2012, road really needs rehabilitation; looking at improving a road and creating a parking area at the south end of the Spalding Airport to preserve the lakeshore.

2.   Supervisor Pyle designates $500 of his discretionary funds for the Westwood Boys and Girls Club.

3.   Supervisor Keefer states the RAC will be very busy this week and next.  He discusses the application from Fish and Game for rehabilitation of the Fish Trap and why the project may not qualify for Title II funds.  He also discusses a request he received for the county to pay the registration fee for a RAC member to attend the Counties Coalition Meeting in Reno.  He will let the members know this is not possible.

4.   Supervisor Hanson attended the HUC meeting as a non-voting member.  He reports that Don Armstrong's contract was renewed for one year and they want him to become a permanent employee.  They hope to have water to the federal prison by June and sewer service to the prison by June or July.  He states a meeting will be held this week with Regina Rankin and Robert Sorvaag to discuss what the County's involvement with HUC will be.  He also met with the Doyle Senior Citizens.  Additionally he viewed the Herlong transfer station and discusses the mess around the area that needs to be cleaned up.

5.   Supervisor Dahle announces the Omnibus Bill passed and included funding for QLG, increase of PILT funding by $10 million and passage of Farm Bill.  The Open Loop Bio Mass Tax Credit was not in the bill and he will be looking into this when he goes to Washington, D. C.

6.   Supervisor Dahle will be attending RCRC tomorrow and will meet with Congressman Doolittle on Thursday.

7.   Supervisor Chapman discusses a resolution that will be placed on the next agenda relating to the Boxer Wilderness Bill.

8.   Supervisor Chapman will be attending the CSAC Executive Board meeting next week.

9.   Supervisor Chapman announces that he has been recruited by International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) to attend the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. the first week of March.

 

RECOGNITION COMMITTEE - PRESENTATION

Chairman Chapman makes the following presentations for years of service:

 

Ten years: a brass letter opener to Benjamin Pacatte, Sheriff's Department.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

Supervisor Dahle requests that Item G-7, travel authorization, be removed from the consent calendar for separate consideration.  County Clerk Nagel requests that Item G-1, minutes, be continued to next week.

 

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

        

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - PURCHASING ITEM

Approve the lease/purchase of one Sharp digital copy machine Model AR-201 from Scott Tanner Business Equipment; and authorize the Chairman to sign the lease/purchase Agreement #215585 underwritten by GreatAmerica Leasing Corporation with a lease term of 3 years (36 months) for a monthly payment of $108.25.

 

AUDITOR AND TREASURER DEPARTMENTS ITEM

Receive and file Treasurer's Investments Report and Auditor's verification for the month of January, 2003.

 

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ITEM

Ratify continuation of Declaration of State of Disaster / Drought Emergency in Lassen County for 2002.

 

PRISON TRIALS COST REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM ITEMS

Receive and file recap of CCC Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for the month of January, 2003 and High Desert State Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for the month of January, 2003.

          

TREASURER ITEM

Receive and file Treasurer's Fund Balance Report for January, 2003.

 

TREASURER / TAX COLLECTOR ITEM

Award bid to perform Party of Interest Search for Delinquent Tax Public and Sealed Bid Auction on May 14 and 15, 2003, to Chicago Title Company, the lowest bidder, in the amount of $88 per parcel for an estimated 81 parcels.

 

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS

Receive and file the following correspondence:

a.   Lassen County Architectural Review Committee meeting agenda for February 7, 2003.

 

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

Following the receipt of answers to a couple of questions, it is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to approve travel authorization request for four Correctional Officers to attend the mandatory Basic Correctional Officer Core Course in Shasta County, April 21-May 20, 2003, at the estimated cost of $9,793.12.

          

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Budget update:

Supervisor Chapman would like the board members to consider sending a resolution to the Governor requesting that he call a special election to give the voters the opportunity to vote on revenue and funding cut issues.  Supervisor Dahle has a problem with this proposal because the State representatives are elected to do this job.  Extended discussion is held.

 

PUBLIC HEARING - INITIAL STUDY #2001-067, MILTON AND PATRICIA MALLERY

The public hearing is opened at 10:20 a.m. on Initial Study #2001-067.

 

Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag presents a request from the Mallerys requesting removal from the agenda until further notice.

 

The hearing is closed at 10:21 a.m. and no action is taken.

 

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE (COMPAC)

COMPAC Representative Barbara Tiner presents a brief report on the proposal for a Big Valley Family Resource Center and distributes the proposed 2003 budget totaling $105,600.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to approve the 2003 Budget in the amount of $105,600 from the Tobacco Settlement money.

 

Chairman Chapman asks Barbara Tiner to work with Supervisor Hanson to begin planning for a resource center in the south county.

 

QUINCY LIBRARY GROUP

QLG Forester Frank Stewart distributes information (including charts and graphs) to the board members to show the status of the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Pilot Project (HFQLG).  He states the Sierra Nevada Framework Record of Decision significantly limits the implementation of the project.  He states the QLG has been politically targeted so it did not occur.  Since the HFQLG Act was signed into law, 3 acres have burned by catastrophic wildfires, for each acre treated under the pilot project. Only 11% of the saw log volumes, 64% of Bio Mass, and 11% of economic activity have been accomplished.

 

He provides information and timelines on the Sierra Nevada Framework review process and review team findings.  The findings cover the following areas: compatibility with HFQLG, fire and fuels, National Fire Plan, community impacts, recreation impacts and grazing impacts.

 

In regard to the HFQLG Lawsuit, the attorney is Mike Jackson, the petitioners are Quincy Library Group and Plumas County and the filing date is by the end of next week. 

 

On February 10th the Fish and Wildlife Service denied a petition to list the California Spotted Owl as endangered.  On February 13th, the Senate passed the 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Bill onto the President for signature and Senator Feinstein inserted the following amendment: Sec. 338. Congress reaffirms its original intent that the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act of 1998 be implemented, and hereby extends the expiration of the Act for five years.

 

He commends Regional Forester Jack Blackwell for his understanding that the only way to control the fire problems is at the local level and his direction to Forest Supervisors to get involved with the Fire Safe Councils in order to implement the National Fire Plan.  There will be a Gathering of Fire Safe Councils on March 22nd in Sacramento and Blackwell and his Review Team will be present to give a status report on the SN Framework Review and the importance of working together at the local level for the reduction of hazardous fuels threatening communities and watersheds.

 

He also commends the Eagle Lake Ranger District for the great job they are doing.  He feels we are finally coming full circle with an understanding that fuels treatments on forests are necessary to protect the habitat.  He notes the Oregon Biscuit Fire which burned over 500,000 acres put more pollution in the air than all industries ever have.

 

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE

Lassen National Forest Information Officer Heidi Perry distributes a hand-out on the Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) Proposals (Title II) and states these proposals will be presented to the RAC on Thursday.  There is a total of $709,816 in proposals with $422,000 in available funding.  The RAC will make recommendations to the Forest Supervisor who has responsibility for the final decision.

 

In regards to the National Fire Plan Proposals she acknowledges and agrees with Frank Stewart's comment regarding the need for coordination.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Assistant to the CAO Chris Beard presents information on the nine applications received for the Title III projects.  She feels that goals and objectives should be set for each project that is funded.  She recommends approving Proposals 1 through 4 and 8 for consideration for funding, and informs the board members that Bob Owens will address Proposals 5 through 7 with Roy Thiels addressing Proposal 9.

 

Following discussion regarding the GIS Start-up proposal, Chairman Chapman directs the CAO to arrange an update on GIS with all appropriate agencies participating.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to

select the following projects to be considered for funding with Title III monies: Emergency Services Office, $25,000; Search & Rescue Equipment, $15,000; Geographical Information Systems [GIS] Start-up, $40,000; County Match for USFS Grant for Bieber Forester, $7,500; and Lassen County Fire Safe Council, $60,000; and direct publication of a description of the project(s) allowing a 45 day public comment period.

 

Superintendent of School Bob Owens presents information and answers questions relating to Proposals 5 through 7.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to select the following projects to be considered for funding with Title III monies:  Outdoor Education/Youth Camp/"Day in the Forest" [LCOE], $90,000; Summer Projects for Students/Work Crews, $29,200; Regional Occupation Program (ROP) Classes, $14,000; and direct publication of a description of the project(s) allowing a 45 day public comment period.

 

Juvenile Hall Superintendent Roy Thiels presents information on Proposal 9 -Day Camp Rehabilitation Program [Juvenile Hall], ($75,000???). 

 

Supervisor Keefer feels that projects to be performed need to be identified and incorporated in the proposal and then resubmitted.  He also suggests being sure to look for educational opportunities in relation to the projects.

Chairman Chapman directs this proposal be further studied, revised and resubmitted as the board members feel it is a worthwhile proposal.

 

 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Ambulance Ordinance:

Following extensive discussion, it is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to introduce, by title only, Ordinance No. 554 adding Chapter 11.15 to Title 11 of the Lassen County Code, relating to the conditions under which ambulance services will be provided in the county of Lassen.

 

Grand Jury Response-CPS:

CAO Whiteman reports on the activities that are occurring to improve communication between staff and management in Child Protective Services.

 

Supervisor Chapman wants to add another paragraph to the end of the Grand Jury response letter which reads: "Given the concerns of the Board of Supervisors that are shared in part by the Grand Jury, be assured that the Board and County Administration will continue to monitor progress by this department.  We appreciate the interest the Grand Jury has had in this county agency."

 

Supervisor Hanson makes suggestions relating to clerical corrections.

 

Supervisor Keefer points out the inconsistency in the two responses to: the inability to meet requirements in providing clear and factual reports to the Court, under the categories of management and caseworkers.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to approve the Draft Response to the 2002 Grand Jury Report regarding Child Protective Services (CPS), and authorize the Chairman to sign letter to Superior Court Judge Bradbury, with the noted corrections.

 

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD

1.   CAO Whiteman announces he will be attending the Northern CAO Meeting this Friday.

 

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 12:17 p.m.

 

 

 

                                __________________________________________

                                     CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________________

THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD