BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

JUNE 19, 2007

 

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at 9:30 a.m.   Present:  Supervisors Brian Dahle, Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, and Jack Hanson; County Counsel Craig Settlemire, and Deputy Clerk of the Board Susan Osgood.    Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Dahle.  County Administrative Officer (CAO) John Ketelsen enters at 9:31 a.m.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION

Chairman Dahle announces that no closed session was held.

 

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

CAO Ketelsen states that as a result of last night’s joint meeting on the swimming pool JPA the Board could, by a 4/5 vote, agendize for this meeting  the appointment of a Board member to participate in discussions regarding the JPA.  The Board states it is not an urgent issue and should be put on the next agenda.

 

Supervisor Keefer requests that Item H1 discussing Title II and Title III funding be heard after the 10:30 U. S. Forest Service report so Laurie Tippin can be in attendance.   Supervisor Dahle requests the meeting be adjourned in memory of Fred Torres.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Poet Laureate Violet Stout reads her poem titled “Wake Up”.

 

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1.         Supervisor Chapman notes the agenda does not have an item concerning the Dyer Mountain Development Agreement; he thought that was supposed to be done by the 15th and would be available to review today.  CAO Ketelsen states the Board provided the deadline of the 15th, but today’s agenda was put together on the 14th; the item will be on the next agenda.  

2.         Supervisor Keefer states he attended the Fair Advisory Board meeting June 12, and everyone is getting ready for the fair.   He believes Todd Eid will be an excellent addition to the Board.  The Fair Board brought up the possibility of developing a mobile home park on fairground property, as discussed at the last joint meeting with the Supervisors.   It had been suggested that there could be an option of using Community Development Block Grant funds and he would like staff to bring a report back on that issue.  He states he is concerned with today’s agenda item that turns back $300,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds to the State.

 

 

3.         Supervisor Chapman mentions that the issue of a housing project off Grove Street was brought up at a recent City Council meeting.  There is County interest regarding a pocket of land in that area.  He requests a report be brought to the Board on the next agenda regarding whether the County has been notified and how the project may affect County assets.

4.         Supervisor Hanson states he and Supervisor Keefer attended the Air Board meeting on June 12.  He states there are some challenges for California regarding AB32 but there could be some real benefits in Lassen County for private land owners.   

5.         Supervisor Hanson reports he and Peter Heimbigner went to Doyle on June 13 to discuss park issues.   He states he is frustrated that he has allocated part of the unspent park bond funds to two parks but nothing has been started.   Supervisor Hanson states Peter is doing a good job and he hopes to be able to bolster staff in Public Works.

6.         Supervisor Hanson designates $750 from his remaining funds to the “Let Us Remember Committee”.

7.         Supervisor Hanson reports that in early May the County was contacted by the California Department of Corrections (CDC) on their ongoing analysis of the financial impacts of prison expansion to communities.  Supervisor Hanson and CAO Ketelsen met Dr. Loren  Parks of Chico, a contractor for CDC who will be in the community talking to various government and private entities trying to get information on prison impacts.

8.         Supervisor Dahle reports he received two letters that are in the Passaround file for the Supervisors to review:  one letter is from Plumas County regarding their interest in the Dyer Mountain project; and the second letter is from Assemblyman Rick Keene regarding the Williamson Act.

9.         Supervisor Dahle states the Big Valley Days celebration will be held this weekend.  Big Valley’s Junior Fishing Derby was held last weekend. 

10.       Supervisor Dahle donates $200 to the Pitt River Rod and Gun Club from his discretionary funds; states they do a great job putting on the Fishing Derby. 

11.       Supervisor Dahle will be attending Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) monthly meeting tomorrow.  The budget hearing will be held today after lunch.

LASSEN COUNTY FAIR BOARD – FIREWORKS
(C
onvene as the Lassen County Fair Board.)

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to continue sponsorship of $3,500 for the July 4, 2007 Free Fireworks Celebration.

 

(Adjourn and reconvene as Board of Supervisors.)

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

COUNTY CLERK ITEMS
MINUTES

Approve minutes of May 22, 2007.

 

PROPOSITION 65 REPORT

Receive and file report #07-01, filed by Mike Whipple, R.E.H.S. Environmental Specialist III, on June 5, 2007 as follows:  On June 7, 2007, received notification from Environmental Health Specialist Mike Whipple that a diesel spill may have caused contamination at the private residence of Carol Hyrcko, 471-120 Circle Drive, Susanville when a tank was being removed.

AUDITOR & TREASURER DEPARTMENTS ITEM - REPORT

Receive and file Treasurer's Fund Balance Report and Auditor's verification for the month of May, 2007.

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES ITEM - FISCAL

1)  Approve the lowest conforming bid submitted by Willits Motors for two (2) Transport Mini Vans at the total cost of $49,822.76.  2)  Approve the bid submitted by Susanville Ford for a Sport Utility Vehicle for a cost of $23,530.65.

TREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR ITEM - REPORT

Receive and file Treasurer's Investment Report for May, 2007. 

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS
Receive and file the following correspondence:

a.   Lassen County Air Pollution Control District Governing Board meeting agenda for June 12, 2007, and minutes of March 13, 2007.

b.   Susanville City Council meeting agenda for June 13, 2007, and minutes of March 21, 2007.

c.   PSA 2 Area Agency on Aging Public Notice Calling for Letters of Intent 2007/2008 Older American's Act & Older Californian's Act Funding and Public Service Announcement regarding Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP).

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

(Convene as Community Development Commission.)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / HOUSING
Chief of Economic Development
Monica Cochran presents the agenda item request which is an Ordinance containing a description of the Lassen County Community Development Commission's (CDC) Program to acquire real property by eminent domain in the boundaries of the Sierra Army Depot Redevelopment Project Area.  Ms. Cochran states this item should be heard by the Board of Supervisors and the motion should be made by the Supervisors, not the Community Development Commission as stated on the agenda request.  The ordinance is supposed to be completed by the end of this fiscal year. 

County Counsel explains there is legislation requiring Community Development Commissions to review their plans as exercise of use of eminent domain for the acquisition of property.  The Herlong area already has a Redevelopment Plan which contains a statement that the use of eminent domain is not going to be used to acquire residential property as well as other limitations.  Discussion is held.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Hanson to introduce, by title only, Ordinance No.560-A containing a description of the Lassen County Community Development Commission's (CDC) Program to acquire real property by eminent domain in the boundaries of the Sierra Army Depot Redevelopment Project Area, and includes in the motion a change to  the wording in the ordinance stating that the Board of Supervisors is sitting as the Community Development Commission.  It is seconded by Supervisor Pyle, carried on a roll call vote with Supervisor Chapman voting NO.

(Adjourn and reconvene as Board of Supervisors.)  NOTE:  This item is discussed further later in this meeting.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / HOUSING
Community Development Director
Conrad Montgomery states that due to high turnover in this department they are not going to be able to use the 2004/2005 Community Development Block Grant Economic Enterprise Fund funds for what they were intended. 

The Board is being asked to disencumber the funds and return them to the State.  Mr. Montgomery states he will be coming back to the Board in the near future with a plan for reorganizing the department and they would be working towards making sure future plans would have enough time and resources to move forward.  CAO Ketelsen states the Department has collected some money due to the County for this program.

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried unanimously to disencumber $300,000 that was granted for Business Assistance and Micro Enterprise Assistance for the 2004/2005 Community Development Block Grant Economic Enterprise Fund (04-EDBG-1032).

 

Recess 9:55 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

 

RECOGNITION COMMITTEE – PRESENTATION

Chairman Dahle makes the following presentations for years of service:

 

5 Year coffee mug:   CAO John Ketelsen (not agendized)

15 Years:   David Schmidt (Sheriff) and Betty Trevitt (LassenWorks)

25 Years:   Xuyen Taylor (Public Works)

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADVISORY BOARD - APPOINTMENT

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to reappoint Thomas I. Robinson to fill the vacancy on the Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board, created by the expiration of appointed term.

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT - CALIFORNIA MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL METHAMPHETAMINE ENFORCEMENT TEAM 
Sheriff Steve Warren presents information regarding the California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team money previously presented to the Board.

Chairman Dahle asks if this will involve a campaign to educate young children; feels young school children should be targeted.   Sheriff Warren states there is money in a task force grant that is specified for that purpose and it can be integrated with the Cal-MMET flex money which is discretionary.  Further discussion is held.  Chairman Dahle states parents also need to be educated and he would like to see a county-wide campaign that is able to teach parents and kids about methamphetamine, how addictive it is and what it does to them.


It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried unanimously to authorize the Sheriff of Lassen County to participate in the Cal-MMET program in partnership with Siskiyou, Plumas, Modoc and Trinity Counties, and authorize the additional full time Deputy Sheriff/Investigator position (Range 17 POA) to the existing Narcotics Task Force budget unit (182-0536).

 

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD
CAO
John Ketelsen reports he and County Counsel have been negotiating with the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) regarding the courthouse facilities for quite some time.  One issue regarding the amount of continuing support the County would have to pay for the courts has been resolved;  a formula based on the square footage of the annex would be used as applied to the new building and after a year the cost of maintaining the new building will be determined.  There are other issues not yet resolved.

 

County Counsel Settlemire states legislation set a June 30, 2007 deadline for transfer of the physical court facilities from the County to the State; only about 100 courthouse facilities have been transferred to date.  The County has often had to wait for the AOC to provide transfer documents and procedures and a lot of time has been spent negotiating language.  Mr. Settlemire states it is a fairly complex process but he should be able to give

a further update at the next meeting. 

           

Supervisor Chapman asks where the court facilities stand regarding State budget funding.  CAO Ketelsen states he has reason to believe that if this can be completed fairly quickly Lassen County is still in the running for that money.

 

Recess 10:18 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Supervisor Hanson enters at 10:32 a.m.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - SUPERVISOR KEEFER

Supervisor Keefer discusses the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act of 2000 and the allocation of Title II and Title III funding.   He states there is one more year of funding and he would like the Board members to give him an idea of how they will want to allot it.  It can be split between Title II and Title III or put it all in Title II.  If the Board decides to put any money into Title II there is time for Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) to organize and react to the deadline of September 30.   He states his concerns regarding losing Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) money.  The County gets penalized for Title III monies because the federal government considers it to be discretionary funds.

If there is money left in Title II at the end of September, it reverts back to the federal government; Title III money can be kept.  Further discussion is held.  Chairman Dahle states the RAC should be activated and review what projects are presented.  Supervisors Pyle and Chapman agree.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / HOUSING (Continued)

CAO Ketelsen reports that Monica Cochran has researched Ordinance No. 560-A that was adopted earlier in the meeting and she is correct  that the Ordinance must be adopted by the Board of Supervisors, not the Community Development Commission.   The Advisory Consultants suggest the first reading be noticed for next week’s meeting with the adoption of Ordinance No. 560-A in July.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION - McCAIN – Continued

Chairman Dahle re-opens the Public Hearing at 10:46 a.m.  The agenda item is the McCain Associates appeal of the Planning Commission’s disapproval of Lot Line Adjustment #2007-007.  This matter was continued from June 12, 2007 as some materials were inadvertently omitted from the Board packet, including Mr. McCain’s letter dated May 5, 2007 appealing the decision of the Planning Commission and a letter from the Community Development Department to the applicants notifying them of action that was taken by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).  Those documents have been made available.  County Counsel Craig Settlemire provides a memorandum on the issue of whether the Subdivision Map Act exclusion for lot line adjustments be used where one of the four parcels involved in the current application was involved in a previous lot line adjustment in 2006 involving three other parcels.   He discusses the legislative history of the four parcel limitation.  Legislation prior to 2002 did not contain any statement as to any limitation on a number of parcels.   Mr. Settlemire states it is his opinion that what is often referred to as a serial lot line adjustment such as this is not allowed under the new four parcel limitation of the law.  The second document presented by Mr. Settlemire is entitled Response to Points Raised in Applicants Appeal dated May 5, 2007 commenting on each point made by Mr. McCain.   At the June 12, 2007 meeting Mr. McCain stated the new law was not well written and suggested an Attorney General opinion would be appropriate.  However, Mr. Settlemire states it could take six to twelve months for Lassen County to obtain such an opinion and the applicant would have to agree to the delay.

           

Mr. McCain thanks Mr. Settlemire for the work he has done on this item.  He states that he disagrees with Mr. Settlemire’s conclusions that the serial lot line adjustments are legal as long as they are not done to circumvent the Subdivision Map Act or to avoid infrastructure.  Supervisor Keefer asks Mr. McCain if he is willing to waive the time line for requirements in order to obtain an Attorney General opinion.  Mr. McCain replies he is not as it could take a long time.  He does suggest the Board request an Attorney General opinion no matter what the disposition of this matter.  Mr. McCain states this particular application is up for decision as to which way the law should be interpreted, but the County will not be causing any problem by granting this deal.  Supervisor Chapman agrees the Board should request an Attorney General opinion and feels this process has brought to light some major problems with TAC and would like a workshop or an ordinance regarding how TAC is structured and how the members are appointed. 

 

Jim McCarthy, Gold Run Realty:  Mr. McCarthy states this is a matter of policy and what we think the intentions are of the lawmakers of that policy.  This law specifically grants some protections to people that are trying to do just four parcels so they don’t have to jump through a million hoops.  TAC has to follow their guidelines and then they get their lot line adjustment.  It does not say that the TAC cannot treat larger amounts of property the same way; it doesn’t exclude five parcels.  It says when there are four parcels or less you are going to streamline the process and you will follow the written rules.  Mr. McCarthy states it is his understanding that the TAC approved this matter and that is where it should stay. He feels another attorney could have easily written and supported Mr. McCain’s arguments.  States there needs to be some certainty in planning and the law needs to be followed as written; does not feel it is Counsel’s job to advocate for one position over another when it is a policy issue.

 

Rocky Joy, ERA Joy Realty:  Mr. Joy states he agrees with Mr. McCarthy.  His concern

is this is more of an interpretation by an attorney and while Mr. Settlemire did a good job with his interpretation, another attorney may have a different interpretation of what this is meant to say.  His biggest concern is this may set a precedent for other issues down the road.

 

Chairman Dahle closes the public comment at 11:01 a.m.  

 

Supervisor Keefer states he does not feel the legislation is clear on whether serial lot line adjustments are allowed or not and without an Attorney General opinion, it is a difficult decision for the Board.  He feels the Board should reverse the Planning Commission action and uphold the TAC’s approval on the condition that an Attorney General opinion is requested.  Supervisor Dahle states that if that becomes a motion he thinks they need to immediately move on giving some policy to TAC.  He agrees with Mr. McCain that this project is not that big of a deal.  Supervisor Chapman states he would be in support of Supervisor Keefer’s approach but would also request an Attorney General opinion and requests the Board establish a review process of how projects such as lot line adjustments and certificates of compliance are handled.  Supervisor Hanson states if those two things are done it will avoid this setting a precedent.  Supervisor Pyle does not see the issue as a policy decision but as a legal opinion and agrees with County Counsel’s legal opinion.  Further discussion is held.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer to reverse the Planning Commission’s action upholding the Technical Advisory Committee approval of the lot line adjustment and that we proceed with a request for an Attorney General opinion on this issue and review the TAC process.  Supervisor Chapman seconds the motion and it is carried on a roll call vote with Supervisor Pyle voting NO.

 

 

U. S. FOREST SERVICE  

Lassen National Forest Supervisor Laurie Tippin presents an update on access in travel management, known as Route Designation on the Lassen National Forest (LNF).  On June 5 she signed a decision memo issuing a temporary forest closure order that restricts motorized vehicles to existing roads and trails on the LNF for a period that will extend until she makes a decision on what is the access and travel management transportation system for the LNF. (Supervisor Hanson is absent 11:22 a.m. – 11:24 a.m.)  She expects that decision to be anywhere from mid to late 2008.  This temporary forest closure order  restricts cross-country travel of motorized vehicles.  The order restricts vehicles to use roads and trails that will appear on a map that will be produced and will be provided to the public beginning July 12 when the order goes into effect.  Information will be on the USFS website.  This also allows for parking off of designated roads and trails up to one vehicle length and it allows disbursed camping to continue.  An exception to the temporary closure order is if you have a valid permit that allows you to travel off of a road for whatever reason that’s listed on that permit then you will be allowed to travel off road.  With regard to the public firewood program, as long as a person is actively cutting firewood, looking for and cutting firewood and then coming back to a main road then the permit will allow them to travel off of a designated road.  The policy and practice is different than what the Plumas National Forest will be authorizing.   They will be restricting a person  to staying on the roads. 

 

The next phase of the planning effort to designate motorized vehicle routes on the LNF will be public meetings held July 14 at the Memorial Hall in Chester and July 21 at the Lions Hall in Burney; both workshops/open houses will be from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  The discussion draft is a proposal put together based on information received from the public and reviewed by forest employees.  The Forest Service will work with the public over the next several months refining that discussion draft.  A proposed action will move through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by the end of September.  Information will also be available on the Forest Service website.  The LNF discussion draft includes the current system of 294 miles of administrative use and logging roads that are not and will not be opened to the public for motorized use.  There are 732 miles that street legal vehicles can travel on, 2,679 miles of road where street legal and non street legal vehicles can travel; 55 miles of motorized trails for non street legal vehicles.  The USFS is considering adding about 216 miles of user created routes to the inventory that would allow for street legal and non street legal vehicle use and adding 8 miles of motorized trail.  The Forest Service would like to work with the Board of Supervisors and the Lassen County Road Department if Lassen County would allow mixed use or street legal and non street legal vehicles to use short segments of about 2 ½ miles of County roads that might be good connectors for Forest Service roads.  The discussion draft will prohibit cross country travel for big game retrieval.  It allows parking off of designated routes or roads within one vehicle length and it will allow disbursed camping in identified areas and specified distances from a designated route or road.  A person would be allowed to walk to wherever they want to tent camp or camp under the stars.

           

Supervisor Hanson asks approximately how many meteorological “met” towers has the Forest Service permitted.  Eagle Lake District Ranger Bob Andrews replies there are three towers up and they can be seen in the evening when the sun reflects off of them.  A fourth tower potentially depends on a plant survey.  There is no option on leasing land and no exclusive use or right to the first company that comes in.  Mr. Andrews explains that the three towers that are there now do not generate electricity, they measure wind speed, duration, timing and to gather information to determine the potential for big towers that might come later.

 

Supervisor Keefer explains to Ms. Tippin that the Board previously talked about the Title II and Title III money and that the Board has decided to reactivate the RAC and put some money back into Title II.  Further discussion is held.

 

Mr. Andrews, who is retiring in June, states it has been a pleasure working with the Supervisors the last 18 plus years as District Ranger; a lot of great projects have been accomplished and he appreciates the support of the Board.

 

ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 11:37 p.m. in memory of Fred Torres.   

 

 

                                                     _____________________________________

                                                                  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________________

JULIE BUSTAMANTE, CLERK OF THE BOARD