BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS
MAY
27, 2003
The
Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, May
27, 2003, at 9:30 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. Supervisor Hanson is not present at the start
of the meeting (attending a meeting with Attorney General in regard to Herlong
housing issue). Following the flag
salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Chapman.
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 Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and carried, with Supervisor
Hanson absent, to approve the agenda as posted.
PUBLIC
COMMENT
1. Starlyn Clare addresses the closing of the
Mt. Lassen Assisted Living Facility and what an adverse impact this will have
on the community. She would like the
City and County to delve into this to see if there is anything that can be done
to help keep the facility open. She
notes the manager turns people away because they, for whatever reason, do not
meet the criteria to be accepted in the facility. She notes that 31 skilled nursing beds were
lost when the hospital annex was closed and Banner Health has no plans to
replace those beds.
Chairman
Chapman asks staff to present a report at the next meeting on any ways the
County may be able to help with this situation.
2. Clear Creek resident Al Hoop distributes a
tape to each board member which presents the down side of putting fluoride in
water supplies. He states that fluoride
is rat poison and eats through metal.
3. Ted Tamborski would like a little leniency in
regard to parking classic cars and tractors on his property in Westwood. He does not feel his vehicles are a detriment
to the community.
Chairman
Chapman notes this matter has not been brought to the Board and refers Mr.
Tamborski to the Code Enforcement Officer.
UNAGENDIZED
BOARD REPORTS
1. Supervisor Dahle will be attending the
Western Region NACO meeting in Reno this week.
Land use and the National Fire Plan along with other items will be
covered.
2. Supervisor Keefer will be attending the
ribbon cutting for the Volcanic Legacy All American Road Designation
Celebration on May 31st.
3. Supervisor Pyle attended the grand opening of
the Westwood Visitor's Center last Friday.
4. Supervisor Chapman also attended the Westwood
Visitor's Center grand opening and discusses what a great building this is for
the community and also notes it is perfect for use as an election polling
location.
5. Supervisor Chapman attended the City Council
meeting and reports the City is also considering the abandoned vehicle program. He states neither the City or County will
pursue the $1 fee on vehicle licenses, to fund abandoned vehicle abatement,
unless there is some way to collect money from, or prosecute, the persons
abandoning vehicles.
6. Supervisor Chapman attended the CSAC meeting
and reports on the discussion of vehicle license fees in relation to the State
budget. He reviews the discussions on
how local government will be hurt and also reviews the current status of budget
negotiations.
CONSENT
CALENDAR
It is
moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried, with
Supervisor Hanson absent, to take the noted action on the following Consent
Calendar items:
COUNTY
CLERK ITEM
Approve
Minutes of May 20, 2003.
AUDITOR
AND TREASURER DEPARTMENTS ITEM
Receive
and file Treasurer's Investments Report and Auditor's verification for the
month of March, 2003.
PROBATION
DEPARTMENT ITEM
Approve
the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Office of Education and the
Probation Department for the State Department of Education Foster Youth
Services Grant, for FY 2002-2003 and 2003-2004, establishing a position within
the Probation Department that will be responsible for coordination of Foster
Youth Services and implement the program Foster Youth Services Coordinator; and
authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign the MOU for both years.
TREASURER
ITEM
Receive
and file Treasurer's Fund Balance Report for March, 2003.
MISCELLANEOUS
CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS
Receive
and file the following correspondence:
a. Lassen
County In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Board special meeting agenda for
June 4, 2003, and minutes of April 23, 2003.
b. Lassen
County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board meeting agenda for May 22, 2003, and
minutes of April 24, 2003.
c. Lassen
County Technical Advisory Committee meeting agenda for June 3, 2003.
BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS
CAO
Whiteman and Health and Human Services Director Tom Keeffer present and discuss
a draft response to 2002 Grand Jury Executive Summary Update - Child Protective
Services. Based on an internal review of
the Child Protective Services (CPS) Division and a 3-year State study of the
Child Welfare System, they believe it is time to conduct a major feasibility
study of the Health and Human Services Department with the goal to restructure
the organization. It is envisioned that
a separate, multidisciplinary, strength-based, family-focused, division (Family
Services) will be created. They are also setting up meetings with school
superintendents to discuss CPS obligations.
Supervisor
Chapman finds one thing missing from the response memo and that is an
acknowledgement that the two previous reorganization plans were, for the most
part, pretty shallow and bogus. He
expresses his concerns and states that he will wait to see if the program
actually is changed for the better.
CAO
Whiteman states he will meet with the Grand Jury tomorrow and is willing to
take the letter and answer any questions they have.
Supervisor
Chapman states one of the things he would like to see in the response is an
acknowledgement that the last several months of efforts to tackle the problems
have proven fruitless and we recognize it is going to require some bold
departure from past thinking to pull this off.
Recess
10:11 - 10:17 a.m.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION
Community
Development Director Robert Sorvaag informs the board members that some
modifications to the permit for the Civil War re-enactment are being
recommended - adding a couple of days on each end of the permit period to allow
for set-up and takedown and fire management conditions.
Chamber
of Commerce Executive Director Theresa Crowther presents information on
contingency management plans for the event.
They have secured a 15 passenger shuttle van which will be making runs
between the Lassen College parking lot and Susanville Ranch Park. They will be placing barricades along the
Cherry Terrace neighborhood side streets with volunteers manning them for
traffic/parking control. They are also
working hard to get public service announcements out. (Supervisor Hanson enters at 10:23 a.m.)
It is
moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to approve
a modification of approved Permit for Educational Public Exhibition Purposes on
County Property for a Civil War re-enactment event at Susanville Ranch Park.
SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT
Sheriff
Freitas informs the board members that he has Technology Grant funds, warrants
automation funds, funding from the Susanville Police Department and Rural Crimes
money for use in purchasing a badly needed Records Management System. Police Chief Chris Gallegher is present and
explains how this system will benefit his department.
It is
moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to authorize
purchase of software and associated equipment from LEADS Software Group,
Salinas, for the Sheriff's Department, in an amount not to exceed
$125,000. This purchase will be made
using Technology Grant funds, warrants automation funds, funding from the Susanville
Police Department and Rural Crimes money.
PUBLIC
HEARING - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION
The
public hearing is opened at 10:36 a.m. on General Plan Amendment #765.01.07 and
Zoning Amendment #318.01.25, Lassen County, amendments to Lassen County General
Plan-2000, the Standish-Litchfield Area Plan, and the
"M-R" (Mountain Resort) zoning regulations, in order to further the
intent of the "Belfast Initiative"; remedy inconsistencies between
the "Belfast Initiative" and Lassen County General Plan-2000
and the Standish-Litchfield Area Plan; and ensure consistency between
the "M-R" zoning regulations and those lands affected by the
initiative under a Williamson Act Contract.
County
Counsel John Ketelsen requests the hearing be continued to June 10, 2003. Everd McCain asks that the Board direct the
Community Development Department to issue single family residence building
permits for this area and notes they are currently being held-up. County Counsel states pulling the item relating
to building permits out from all the other items being negotiated would cause
difficulties.
Chairman
Chapman continues the hearing to June 10, 2003 at 10:30 a.m.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION
Assistant
Community Development Director Bertotti presents and discusses the Geographic
Information System (GIS) project update report.
It is
moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to authorize
the CAO to enter into a contract with Vestra Resources for development of a
transportation data layer.
LASSEN
COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION
Juvenile
Justice Commission Chairman Donald Carter presents and reviews a Report to the
Public on Activities and Projects of the Commission 1997-2002.
He
states the commission dealt with oversight of Lassen County Juvenile Hall,
mental health services at Juvenile Hall, educational programs for Juvenile
Hall, oversight of out-of-county Juvenile Hall placements, truant officer and
school attendance review board, oversight of in-county placements in group
homes, Child Protective Services (CPS), Teen Court and youth recreation
facilities. Special attention was given
to the truancy issue.
Juvenile
Justice Commissioner Bill Merkle notes the commission cannot require any agency
to make changes to operations, but they ask the hard questions and try to get
cooperation from agencies on matters that affect another agency.
Discussions
are held on the matter of mental health services to Juvenile Hall residents and
the need for improvements.
PRESENTATION
Supervisor
Dahle introduces Doug Williams, the owner of Mountain Jewels Ranch in Little
Valley. Mr. Williams explains the 800
acre operating ranch houses mentally handicapped youths who also work on the
ranch.
Supervisor
Dahle will be presenting a donation to Mountain Jewels Ranch in the amount of
$2,185. These funds were derived from
the RCRC Conference ticket sales for baskets donated by each county.
PROPOSED
PHONE SYSTEM
Assistant
to the CAO Chris Beard briefly reviews a proposal for a new phone system. She requests the board members approve the
implementation of a Voice/IP telecommunications system as a Rural Model Project
in collaboration with Peak Systems, Adelphia Cable Company and 3-Com at a cost
not to exceed $350,000. She introduces
representatives from Peak Systems, Inc., Bob Brown, President West Coast Data
Connect who just acquired Peak Systems, Inc., Jason Eatmon, General Manager
Peak Systems, Inc., Michael Nesbitt and O.J. Ngugen.
Jason
Eatmon describes the 3-Com Networked Telephone Solutions and answers questions
about the system.
Michael
Nesbitt talks about the 3-Com Urban Challenge Grant which offers $100,000 of
products and services for select agencies.
They were looking for a county to partner with to show the benefits of
the technology.
Supervisor
Dahle wants more information on what the total expense will be and which
departments will be able to purchase their own phones.
Supervisor
Chapman states it is important that all departments know the exact costs before
budgets are finalized.
Noon
recess 12:05 - 1:33 p.m.
SUSANVILLE
INDIAN RANCHERIA MOU
CAO
Whiteman presents an update on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for
Susanville Rancheria Trust Lands acquisition.
He notes all the wording in red and all of Section 8.0, Dispute
Resolution, was proposed by the County of Lassen. He states the MOU has been submitted to the
tribe and also notes that June 11th is the comment extension deadline.
Supervisor
Dahle feels that if a mutually acceptable agreement cannot be reached then the
County should oppose placing the land in trust.
He states there is a need to let our Congress members, the Rancheria and
County staff know what the County's intentions are. He states the County has a good relationship
with the Rancheria and he wants to maintain it.
The City of Susanville is who the Rancheria should be talking with, but
because of other disputes that is not happening.
Supervisor
Hanson expresses his concern about the loss of availability of land for
development of housing. Supervisor Dahle
feels all the thoughts expressed today need to be put together and the
agreement put into as final as possible form, and conveyed to the Rancheria. He also feels the information should be sent
to the Rancheria, their attorney and our congressional representatives.
REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
CAO
Whiteman introduces discussion on the proposal to activate redevelopment
agencies for Herlong and Westwood. He
states a redevelopment agency allows for negotiations with developers. He notes there is consideration of activating
a county-wide redevelopment agency.
Extensive
discussion is held among board members and staff on how redevelopment agencies
and plans work and where the tax dollars must be spent.
Supervisor
Chapman is concerned that the County not do what the City did by including
areas that are not blighted.
It is
moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and carried to direct
staff to begin the process to establish a county-wide redevelopment
agency.
BUDGET
UPDATE
CAO
Whiteman has no new information from the State.
In regard to budget hearings Supervisor Pyle does not feel there is a
need to listen to long presentations by department heads, he just wants to hear
the changes to last year's budget.
Supervisor Dahle wants to move the budget hearings to July or August in
hopes of having a better idea of what the State will do. Following discussion it is determined the
presentations will be held July 7, 8 and 9, 2003.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. A letter from California Air Resources Board
Planning and Technical Support Division Chief Robert D. Fletcher regarding the
new rule on Backyard Household Waste Burning, is received and filed.
PROPERTY
ACQUISITION
1. Supervisor Dahle informs the board members
that the building in Bieber that is to be rented for the Family Resource Center
has been offered for sale and he would like to have the County own it. It is listed at $57,000, but the owner is
willing to negotiate.
It is
moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to
authorize staff (Community Development Department and CAO) to begin
negotiations for purchase of John & Hilda Fitts' property in Bieber for
Community use.
2. Supervisor
Keefer informs the board members the undeveloped 4 acre parcel adjacent to
Janesville Park is offered for sale at $37,000, which is below the appraisal
price. He and CAO Whiteman have discussed using Prison Mitigation funds for the
purchase.
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor
Keefer and carried to authorize the CAO to work with Supervisor Keefer to close
the purchase of four acres of undeveloped land located in Janesville (APN
#129-140-42) for addition to Janesville Park, in the amount of $37,000 and
direct the CAO to determine the appropriate funding source to pay for the
property.
Supervisor Pyle brings up the idea of placing a brass
plaque on buildings acquired by the county that lists the name of the
Supervisor for the area. Supervisor
Chapman feels all persons who played a pertinent role in acquiring/building a
facility be included along with all board members.
There being no further business, the meeting is
adjourned at 2:38 p.m.
__________________________________________
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD