BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

JUNE 24, 2003

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 24, 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. 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 Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to approve the agenda as posted.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Sierra Army Depot (SIAD) Public Affairs Officer Larry Rogers brings an update on the status of Honey Lake which is owned by the State of California. The Federal Government was granted use of the lake in 1933 for aerial training purposes, military camps and other training purposes. The lake is no longer being used for these purposes, but the State is not ready to take back the lake. Negotiations are being handled at the Pentagon level by the Department of the Army - Corps of Engineers and will be transferred to the Honey Lake Conservation Team (HLCT) until the State is ready to take it back. HLCT members are from the Trust for Public Lands and Center for Urban Watershed Renewal. The intent is that HLCT will hold the lake no more than five years but it could be extended up to ten years. Cleanup of the lake is to be completed prior to transfer to the State, and if something surfaces in the future the Department of Army will clean it up. Information is available at SIAD, Susanville and Reno Libraries and Sacramento Corps of Engineers. SIAD has a Restoration Advisory Board that will hold an informational meeting on July 16th at 6:00 p.m. - Skedaddle Inn. HLCT members are expected to be available for questions. A major question is "where the edge of the lake is?". He states the Corps of Engineers has information from the 1930's that shows the 100 year high water mark. He states the Dept. of Army and State of California have no intent to change anything in regard to use of the land surrounding the lake.

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1. Supervisor Dahle attended RCRC and met with Representative Rick Keene who told them the Republicans put together and submitted a budget plan but have received no response. He also met with different people to discuss the $.01 per board foot timber tax and the State Fire Responsibility Areas fee proposal ($60 per parcel with a dwelling, up to one section; $20 per parcel for ownership over one section). Information has been received that someone made a determination that HR 2389-Road Funds are discretionary and will be deducted from the Federal PILT funding. Congressman Doolittle has been informed and will be trying to get this interpretation changed since HR 2389 funds have to be spent on roads and nothing else. This is really bad news for Lassen County since last year $1.2 million was received and the amount for this year is only $299,000.

2. Supervisor Keefer presents the NORCAL dues invoice ($1200) and asks that it be placed on the next agenda.

3. Supervisor Keefer has been asked to serve on the Fuel Reduction Incentive Task Force. Two issues that he plans to address are: Forest Practices Act is a barrier to fuels treatment and reduction; and the need to find or create a mechanism to reimburse the volunteers who serve on the Fire Safe Councils. The councils are performing many of the goals of fuels reduction and their commitment needs to be maintained.

4. Supervisor Hanson hopes that staff can work with himself and Supervisor Keefer in the preparation of a response to the Honey Lake Transfer Environmental Assessment so it can be placed on the July 8th agenda.

5. Supervisor Hanson and Joe Bertotti attended a meeting with the BLM, Union Pacific Railroad and representatives from Modoc County, relating to negotiations on the rail bed associated with the abandonment of the rail line between Wendel and Alturas. He also announces there will be a public scoping session on August 20th for the BLM Resource Management Plan.

6. Supervisor Hanson states that he attended the Air Resource meeting and the Juvenile Justice Committee meeting and briefly reports on each.

7. Supervisor Hanson makes the following designations for his remaining discretionary funds: $800 to Shaffer Elementary School for landscaping and outside furniture, picnic tables, etc.; $800 to Standish-Litchfield Fire District for purchase of wildland fire fighting equipment; and $800 to Leavitt Lake Community Services District for park lighting.

8. Supervisor Pyle attended the Carson Wandering Skipper Recovery Team meeting in Reno (as a team member) and provides an extensive report on the recovery team members and the process to prepare a plan for recovery.

9. Supervisor Chapman reads from a newsletter relating to the vehicle license fee trigger being pulled. He goes on to extensively discuss the state budget crisis and what impacts Lassen County will experience due to funding cuts.

10. Supervisor Chapman reports on a PSA II conference call and notes the auditor should be receiving a bill for Lassen County's share soon.

11. Supervisor Chapman attended the CARE's Dinner (Child Care Providers) and comments on the dynamic speaker they heard.

12. Supervisor Chapman requests the meeting be adjourned in memory of longtime Susanville businessman Jim Walker.

PUBLIC HEARING - ROAD ABANDONMENT, ZAMBONI LANE

The public hearing is opened at 10:28 a.m. to consider abandoning Zamboni Road (CR 317) from the County Maintained Road system.

Public Works Director Larry Millar presents the staff report indicating the section of road will be removed from the County maintained system but will remain a public easement. No one speaks in favor of or in opposition to the abandonment and the hearing is closed at 10:29 a.m.

It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to adopt Resolution No. 03-053, abandoning 0.10 mi. of Zamboni Road (CR 317) in its entirety from the County Maintained System.

PROPERTY PURCHASE

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to confirm the purchase of four acres of undeveloped land located in Janesville, California (APN #129-140-42); and adopt Resolution No. 03-054, confirming the purchase and authorizing the County Administrative Officer to accept the property.

Supervisor Chapman asks staff to check into the tax bill that was issued on the Camp Fire Cabin.

Recess 10:33 - 10:40 a.m.

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS CONT.

13. Supervisor Dahle designates the remainder of his discretionary funds (approximately $1900) be provided to the Bieber 50+ Club.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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 June 10 & 17, 2003.

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ITEM

Approve pest detection contract with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for FY 2003/2004, enabling the county to place and service insect traps to detect exotic insect pests at a cost of $4,963.; and contract for nursery treatment supervision with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for 2003/04 in the amount of $600.; and authorize Chairman to sign agreements.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY ITEM

Adopt resolutions authorizing grant applications from the State of California Office of Criminal Justice Planning and the Department of Justice: Resolution No. 03-055, Victim/Witness Assistance Program in the amount of $100,846; Resolution No. 03-056, Statutory Rape Vertical Prosecution Program in the amount of $64,400; and Resolution No. 03-057, Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program in the amount of $37,000.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - ROAD DIVISION ITEM

Award bid for the purchase of traffic paint to Pervo Paint Company, Los Angeles, the only bidder meeting specifications, in the amount of $51,892.91.

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS

Receive and file the following correspondence:

a. Lassen County Fair Advisory Board minutes of June 10, 2003.

b. Lassen County Technical Advisory Committee special meeting agenda for June 17, 2003.

c. Lassen County Alcohol & Drug Advisory Board meeting agenda for June 26, 2003, and minutes of May 29, 2003.

d. Application for Alcoholic Beverage License - Hallelujah Junction Market, 753-775 Highway 70, Hallelujah Junction.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - PURCHASING DIVISION

Assistant to the CAO Chris Beard presents packets of information on the costs to departments and summary of system costs for the proposed telephone system, and answers questions from board members. She also provides information received from Inter-Tel and Frontier-Citizens. She reviews the planned timelines for installation and training on the new system. She states that she has received rave reviews from other agencies that are using this system.

It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried on a roll call vote, with Supervisor Chapman voting NO, to 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 $340,100 as follows:

1) Main Distribution Frame $151,146

2) General Fund phones, programming, training $ 45,000

3) Other funds phones, programming, training $139,106

4) Additional phones not in current count (16) $ 4,800

$340,052

2) increase the appropriation in 104-1071-3006200 to $340,100;

3) increase revenue to 104-1071-2010700 by 340,000;

4) to be paid from the Prison Mitigation Capital Projects Fund #152.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to approve, and authorize Chairman to sign, a letter Opposing Assembly Bill 1470 In-Home Supportive Services: Provider Wage and Benefit Increases.

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to approve, and authorize Chairman to sign, a letter to Honorable Rudy Bermudez, Chair, Select Committee on Prison Construction and Operations regarding Memorandum from Prison Industry Authority which contemplates canceling the local waivers for CCC and High Desert State Prisons to purchase food and milk from local vendors.

PROBATION DEPARTMENT

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried on a roll call vote, with Supervisor Chapman voting NO, to approve revenue and expenditure increase for the Juvenile Justice Truancy Program: increase to revenues in the amount of $4,237 ($805 from the School Districts and $3,432 in interest on the Juvenile Justice funds); and increase expenditures for Account 114-5610-3002300 Professional service in the amount of $1,237, and Account 114-5610-3006200 Equipment in the amount of $3,000 for the Juvenile Justice Truancy Program.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Public Works Director Larry Millar reports that only one bid was received from DML Construction for the handicap access ramp, Roosevelt Annex. It was high and over the budgeted amount, so he recommends rejecting the bid and rebidding this project next year.

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and carried to reject the bid from DML Construction to "Install Handrails and Reconstruct Concrete Stairs and Handicap Access Ramp, Roosevelt Annex", and direct the project be rebid next year.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried on a roll call vote, with Supervisor Dahle and Supervisor Chapman voting NO, to adopt the FY 2002/2003 Budget as the Fiscal Year 2003/2004 Preliminary Budget.

Supervisor Chapman and Supervisor Dahle both state their no votes are to send a message to department heads and county staff that times are really tough and the budget process is going to be very hard.

BUDGET UPDATE

CAO Whiteman provides information on the planned budget hearings and extensive discussion is held.

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD

1. CAO Whiteman has attended a preliminary meeting with the City relating to the abandoned vehicle program. Discussion is held on the need for the legal counsels from the City and County to work together on an ordinance for this program.

2. CAO Whiteman viewed the County Exhibit for the State Fair that is being built at the California Correctional Center and states it will be incredible. The exhibit will also appear at the County Fair.

CORRESPONDENCE

1. Lassen-Plumas-Sierra Community Action Agency Request for Proposals for funding for the years 2004 and 2005, is received and filed. Chairman Chapman encourages board members to let him know if there are any projects they know of for this funding.

2. Susanville Indian Rancheria's Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact Proposed Diamond Mountain Casino Expansion Project, is received and filed.

3. Juvenile Hall Recap FY 2002/2003 Year to Date, Period of July 1, 2002 - June 5, 2003, is received and filed.

4. Correspondence from Lassen County Law Library Chairman Rhea Giannotti announcing the resignation of Rosemari Reed as Lassen County Law Librarian and appointment of Nancy Holsey to that position, is received and filed.

5. Lassen Union High School District Notice of and Resolution Adopting School Facilities Fees, is received and filed.

ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 11:42 a.m. in memory of longtime Susanville businessman Jim Walker - founder of Walker's Coffee Shop.

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CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

ATTEST:

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THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD