BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The
Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session at
Present in the Closed Session are Supervisors Brian Dahle,
Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer and Jack Hanson; County Counsel Craig
Settlemire, County Administrative Officer John Ketelsen, County Personnel
Director/Risk Manager Ron Vossler, and Deputy County Clerk
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors reconvenes in Regular
Session on
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
The
Deputy County Clerk announces the Closed Session dealt with discussion on Claim of Wendy Dillon/State Farm
Insurance presented
AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS
Supervisor Hanson announces that Sierra Pacific
will not be there to give their presentation today and will reschedule for
June.
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by
Supervisor Hanson and carried, to approve the agenda as changed.
UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS
1.
Supervisor
Hanson reports he will be attending the Resource Conservation District (RCD)
regarding water master service meeting at
2.
Supervisor
Hanson states he participated in a conference call regarding the Modoc Line
rail corridor, which continues to move ahead.
He appreciates the help of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Director of Lassen County Environmental Health Department Doug Ames presents
items of concern that he would like Supervisor Dahle to address at the next
RCRC meeting. He gives an update on
AB885 – states that the current draft of regulations has many problems that
make them unacceptable. The regulations
have not been released for public review; projected date for release is August
2007 with public meetings to follow.
Significant problems are:
domestic water well monitoring requirements; septic tank inspections;
high groundwater monitoring; definition of rock in soil; septic system
construction and testing within 600 feet of
Another recent issue is a critical problem. The Quincy Community Services District gave
notification this morning that they are cutting
UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS - Continued
3. Supervisor
Chapman reports that Saturday, May 19 is the Hometown Heroes Veterans
fundraiser to support veterans and their families from
4. Supervisor
Chapman donates from his discretionary fund: $1,000 to the Fire Fund to support
getting the livestock arena back in business.
5.
Supervisor
Keefer donates from his discretionary fund:
$1,000 to the Fire Fund for the fair pavilion and the remaining balance
to the Janesville Park 99 Trust.
6.
Supervisor
Dahle donates from his discretionary fund:
$100 to the Cattlemen’s Association, $100 to the Susanville Chamber of
Commerce to reimburse them for the great dinner they put on for the Sierra
Nevada Conservancy Board; $500 to the Big Valley Days Committee for their
fireworks fund and $500 to the Fairgrounds rebuilding fund; $1,000 to the Big Valley Recreation District
for their pool; and requests the Auditor let him know what he has left in his
discretionary fund.
7.
Supervisor
Dahle reports he attended the Western Interstate Region for National
Association of Counties in
8.
Supervisor
Dahle distributes a paper entitled WAC, (Waters Advocates Coalition) which is
something that should be of great concern to everybody in the
9.
Supervisor
Dahle reports on the Sierra Nevada Conservancy tour held May 2nd. They will continue to work on PILT and
10.
Supervisor
Pyle asks that a letter of support for County Fairs Senate Bill 873 be put on
the agenda for next week.
RECOGNITION COMMITTEE – PRESENTATION
Chairman Dahle makes the following presentation
for years of service:
Ten years:
a brass letter opener to Matthew McFarland, Sheriff’s Department – not
present.
Irene Doyle Excellence in
Persons nominated for this award:
·
Anitta Davis
(Sheriff’s Department) nominated by Regina Mineau.
·
Yvonne Smith
(LassenWorks & Community Social Services, Family and Children’s Protective
Services) nominated by Melody
Brawley.
·
Sheri Tripp
(Sheriff’s Department) nominated by Leslie
Easley and Sherry Bennett.
The recipient is Sheri Tripp and the nomination
letter is read by Sherry Bennett.
Retired Auditor Irene Doyle presents the fifth annual “Irene Doyle
Excellence in County Service Award” to Sheri Tripp – Community Services Officer
– Sheriff’s Department.
(Convene as the
CAO Ketelsen states he would like to change the
staff recommendation regarding the Fair Budget and have the issue of the
deficit referred to the Budget, Legislative and Audit Review Committee.
Fair Manager Jim Wolcott thanks the Supervisors for their donations to
the Fair fund and states he hopes to see
everyone at the fundraiser on Friday.
Mr. Wolcott presents Fair budget information. It looks as though there will be a $52,000
deficit. State funding is coming in very
slow. SB 873 could help get fairs
associated with tribal compacts which is important. Fairs & Expositions continues to try and bring
in more funding.
Supervisor Keefer states he heard that Mr.
Wolcott did not accept his annual merit salary increase because of this deficit
and asks if that is true. Mr. Wolcott
replies he did not put in for it.
Supervisor Keefer states that is a real concern for him because he feels
Mr. Wolcott is doing an outstanding job and he doesn’t think the budget should
be balanced on his back. He states he
wishes Mr. Wolcott would reconsider.
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by
Supervisor Pyle and carried unanimously to approve the County Fair budget as
presented and refer the issue of the deficit to the Budget Committee.
Supervisor Chapman asks about the CalTrans
property near the Walgreens store that was previously discussed. CAO Ketelsen suggests a resolution be put on
the next agenda and requests the property description from Mr. Wolcott.
(Adjourn and reconvene as Board of
Supervisors)
Supervisor Dahle states the Board will be taking
a tour of Sierra Army Depot May 22. CAO
Ketelsen states the agenda appears to be light; there is one item regarding
EAGLE
Resource Management Plan (RMP):
Planning has been a coordinated effort with other BLM Field Offices
(Alturas and Surprise). The Eagle Lake Field
office proposed RMP and Final Environmental Impact Study (EIS) are being
printed and should be released simultaneously with Alturas and Surprise by the
first week of June. A thirty-day public
protest period will follow. Approved
plans and Record of Decisions are scheduled before October 1. All
An east-west utility corridor will be
accommodated in the proposed plan as suggested by the County and the Wild and
Wind Energy: Lassen Wind
Generation (formally CMS Energy Generation) has presented a proposed Plan
of Development in a 19,000 acre area on
Rights-of-Way for meteorological towers and testing
towers have been processed with other companies for installation near
Beckwourth,
Drought: Producers
are aware that this grazing season could be shorter. BLM has not declared any across the board
limitations because of the variability across the landscape. Livestock water supply would be a factor
limiting grazing, not forage which is in pretty good shape. Grazing management is approached on an
allotment-by-allotment basis working with individual permitees on an as-needed
basis.
Supervisor Keefer states he is glad to
hear that BLM is striving for consistency between the three areas. States that rules and regulations should be
fairly similar. He is still concerned
that the Alturas District allows use of motorized vehicles for retrieval of big
game but the Susanville District does not.
He realizes it could be an enforcement issue but since it is only two or
three weeks out of the year during hunting season; he feels it would be fairly
simple to determine if someone is in compliance and suggests Fish and Game
might aid in enforcement.
Mr. Barron states he understands
the County’s concerns and he is concerned about the increased use of Off
Highway Vehicles (OHVs).
Supervisor Hanson expresses his
appreciation to BLM, the local office and staff for the handling of the RMP
process and thanks Supervisor Chapman who sat on the Resource Advisory Council
and watched out for the County’s interests.
He states he is especially pleased with the Wild and Scenic
Designation. Supervisor Chapman states
RAC had a lot of discussion regarding the County’s concerns; does not think
Supervisor Keefer’s concerns were taken lightly but feels BLM can continue to
look at the retrieval aspect. He states
BLM did a great job with the process and the plan.
1) Mountain
Snowpack as of
2) Seasonal
Wildland Significant Fire Potential Outlook May – August 2007: The northeast corner of CA shows above normal
potential for wildland fire. Big debris
that sits on the ground is very dry all the way through because of the dry
winter; they would generally hold moisture longer. The limited snowpack combined with larger
fuels already drying out could mean an earlier and more intense fire season.
3) Drought
Severity Index by Division: The
Drought Severity Index shows our area to be considered severe to moderate. Local BLM states the sagebrush (considered
live fuel moisture) is already drying out.
4) Pocket
Cards: Ms. Duffey shows a copy of a
pocket card that is made available to firefighters, especially those from out
of the area, who might not be familiar with local fuels.
5) SIG –
North Sierra: Shows Energy Release
Component – presently ahead of average; reached maximum in early May.
Mandatory training of crews has begun;
engines, crews and helicopters are being made ready.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
(Convene as Community
Development Commission)
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer,
seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried with Supervisor Chapman voting NO, to
approve contract with consulting attorney
Richard Hyde and authorize CAO to sign.
(Adjourn and reconvene as Board of
Supervisors)
CONSENT CALENDAR
It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor
Keefer, and carried to take the noted action on the following Consent Calendar
items:
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ITEM - PARKS DIVISION
Confirm grazing lease to Mapes
Ranch Incorporated for use of
PRISON TRIAL COSTS ITEMS - REPORTS
Receive and file Recap of CCC
Prison and High Desert State Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for July
2006 through April 2007.
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES ITEM - COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES
Approve the purchase of computer
equipment (13 computers, 2 laptops, 2 printers) through the Western States
Contracting Alliance (WSCA) in the amount of $19,428.22, to replace outdated equipment
and to prepare for migration to C-IV system.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ITEM - CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS -
Accept resignation of Supervisor
Jim Chapman and appoint Supervisor Jack Hanson as member of Citizens Advisory
Committee, replacing Supervisor Jim Chapman; and direct Chairman to send letter
of said change.
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
ITEMS
Receive and file the following correspondence:
a.
Susanville City Council meeting minutes of
b. Local
Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of
c. Lassen
County Air Pollution Control District Governing Board meeting minutes for
INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD
CAO Ketelsen reports the May revise for the state
budget came out yesterday. The Governor
has proposed permanent elimination of the Williamson Act. Mr. Ketelsen states this could be a
negotiating ploy.
Mr. Ketelsen presents a letter under his
signature to Union Pacific (UP) Railroad regarding the Alturas line. Mr. Ketelsen was supposed to draft the letter
to be sent out by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) but SNC no longer wants
to do that and are looking for
Mr. Ketelsen reminds the Supervisors that the
Employee Recognition Committee barbeque is today at Jensen Hall.
Letters are being exchanged about a pool meeting
for June in sometime; will have more information at the May 22 meeting.
Mr. Ketelsen states there are new microphones in
the Board Chambers as the recordings were not clear and there were problems
with intranet broadcasts of the meetings.
Hopefully these issues will be solved.
There being no further business, the meeting is
adjourned at
_____________________________________
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTEST:
____________________________________
JULIE BUSTAMANTE, CLERK OF THE BOARD