BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

JULY 22, 2003

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convene in Regular Session at 9:07 a.m. Chairman Chapman asks for public comment and no comments are received. County Clerk Nagel announces the Closed Session items and the Board recesses to Closed Session at 9:08 a.m. for an employee performance evaluation: Fair Manager Claud Neely.

Present in the Closed Session are Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Jack Hanson; Fair Manager Claud Neely and County Clerk Theresa Nagel. Closed Session is recessed at 9:52 a.m.

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors reconvenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at 9:54 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

The County Clerk announces the Closed Session dealt with an employee performance evaluation: Fair Manager Claud Neely - no reportable action taken.

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

1. Sheriff Freitas introduces Deputy Brad Meyer and the department's newest employee whose name is Tucker - a trained drug detection canine who will also be trained for tracking.

2. Lea Christensen-Morris thanks Supervisor Chapman for defending the crisis line. She notes it is really used by members of the community that do not use mental health. Supervisor Chapman states it was the entire Board that gave direction to save the program for the coming year.

3. Violet Stout shows the board members a picture of the large salmon that her friend caught.

4. Dennis Miller, a resident of northwest Lassen County and the fire chief for Northwest Lassen Fire District is present to discuss a few matters. He announces that he is in charge of the Day Road barbecue which is a fund raiser for the Day Road Fire Station. He notes they have no tax dollars supporting them and all funds come from donations. He invites everyone to attend. The event is scheduled for August 3rd, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. and is billed as a "meet your officials" gathering. There will be representatives there from the Sheriff's Department, Mayers Hospital, the school district and Waste Management. He is trying to get PG&E to attend and provide information on alternative energy programs. Mr. Miller speaks very highly about Deputy Sheriff Ron Zielen, stating he is the best officer he has ever known.

He also notes that Mayers Hospital is considering holding another tax/assessment election (the first one held earlier this year failed) and using the landowner election process this time.

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1. Supervisor Dahle attended the NACO meeting in Milwaukee and addresses two major issues discussed. Gaming - most states have worked out agreements with their Indian tribes to address financing for services (i.e. law enforcement, etc.). It seems that California is behind in regard to negotiating with tribes - he feels it would be beneficial to see what other states are doing. PILT funds - RCRC is trying to work out some way to resolve this issue (15 of 29 California counties lost funding).

2. Supervisor Keefer notes that Siskiyou County has not renewed their Norcal membership.

3. Supervisor Keefer attended, and found informative, the meeting relating to the Honey Lake transfer.

4. Supervisor Hanson announces a rib cook-off will be held at The Mark from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27th.

5. Supervisor Hanson states there is a need to change policy in regard to "white top weed" eradication so a more aggressive stance can be taken to curtail the spread of the weed in fringe areas, such as Co.Rd. A-3 and Wendel Road. The weed needs to be "A" rated by the state. He states that private landowners battle to control the weed on their land only to have the weed flourish along roadway ditches.

6. Supervisor Hanson reports on the meeting with representatives from the Honey Lake Conservation Team and the Trust for Public Lands who will be the custodian and deed holder for Honey Lake until it is transferred to the State of California. He states the meeting was designed to build a comfort level between the parties of interest. He notes that State Lands are on the private landowners side and should be helpful.

7. Supervisor Hanson talks about the expansion of the number of workers at Sierra Army Depot, and the possibility of commercial expansion in the south county. He states the County is behind the curve in land use planning for the south county. He has been working with Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag on the need for a Town Center Plan for this area and hopes the other board members will be supportive.

8. Supervisor Hanson expects the MOA with the Department of Army relating to the LRA Property will be coming to the Board in August.

9. Supervisor Chapman attended the Citizens Advisory Committee for the prisons and provides information on the impact the State budget is having on their staff. Fire crews are being preserved but other work crews will be cut back. Vocational programs at High Desert State Prison are being cut.

10. Supervisor Chapman comments on the new City Council chambers.

LASSEN COUNTY LAW LIBRARY

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and carried to appoint Michele Verderosa, Attorney at Law, to fill a vacancy on the Lassen County Law Library Board of Trustees.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Supervisor Dahle requests that Item G-1, minutes, be removed for separate consideration.

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

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES OFFICE - PERSONNEL DIVISION ITEM

Adopt Resolution No. 03-058, to implement Government Code Section 20023 (4) pursuant to Section 20615 by paying and reporting the value of Employer Paid Member Contributions for all employees of the Roadworkers Association effective August 3, 2003.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried, with Supervisor Dahle abstaining, to approve Minutes of July 15, 2003.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES OFFICE - PURCHASING DIVISION

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried on a roll call vote, with Supervisor Chapman voting NO, to authorize the County Administrative Officer to sign a contract with PEAK Systems for the purchase and installation of a 3-Com telephone system in an amount not to exceed $340,000, subject to County Counsel's review and approval.

FUELS TREATMENT PROGRAM

It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and carried to approve and authorize the chairman to sign Memorandum of Understanding for the development of a Lassen County Collaborative Fuels Treatment Program.

BUDGET UPDATE

CAO Whiteman presents a report on the State Social Service Program Realignment proposal. Supervisor Dahle asks when the information that was requested at the budget hearings from Probation and Juvenile Hall will be received. CAO Whiteman states it is being worked on and should be ready soon.

PUBLIC COMMENT CONT.

5. Dennis Miller asks what is happening with the property taxes on the Bieber Mill. Supervisor Dahle responds the taxes are delinquent and if not paid the property will be subject to auction in two years. He notes there have been offers made to purchase the mill but they have been too low for the bank to accept. Mr. Miller asks if there is the ability to forego the taxes in an effort to attract a buyer, and is told due to State laws this is not possible.

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD

CAO Whiteman feels the County Exhibit for the State Fair is very nice. He notes they were having a problem in getting the exhibit taken to Sacramento and Bekins (Lassen Transfer and Storage) has volunteered to haul it.

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle and seconded by Supervisor Hanson to begin the process of open recruitment for the position of Agriculture Commissioner.

Supervisor Chapman notes the Agriculture Commissioner was initially appointed to a four year term when first hired but has never been reappointed in subsequent years. The issue is to fill the position based on the vacancy due to lack of reappointment. He also notes the Board has received a letter of planned resignation from Ken Smith, effective July 1, 2006. County Counsel John Ketelsen states this position is an at-will appointee.

The motion carries unanimously on a roll call vote.

SPALDING COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and carried to authorize the CAO to execute loan and security documents for a loan of $25,000 to Spalding Community Services District from economic development funds.

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

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CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

ATTEST:

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THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD