BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
Chairman Pyle 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
1. Poet Laureate Violet
Stout reads a poem entitled "A Public Meeting".
2. Tom Esgate informs the
board members the Fire Safe Council wanted to use the services of Lassen
Addressing to mail information on fire breaks to residents in the Susanville,
Archery Range, Childrens Road, Baxter Creek and Gold Run Areas, but since this
would have been a conflict of interest for Supervisor Chapman, he gave them
labels for mailing. He thanks Mr.
Chapman for the free help.
UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS
1. Supervisor Dahle
announces he attended the Conservancy meeting; reports on the train derailment
that closed Highway 299 for several hours - things were learned that need to be
addressed for future such incidents; a road that could have been used as a
detour was removed from the County Maintained System and some landowners had
installed gates and locked them which cut off the detour - county will be
sending out letters to inform the residents this is a public road.
2. Supervisor Hanson felt
the Lassen County Fair went very well - excellent shows - he compliments the
Fair Advisory Board Members who worked tirelessly; reports on the Secretary of
Agriculture Tour.
3. Supervisor Pyle also
discusses the Secretary of Agriculture Tour; thanks the fire departments on the
excellent job done on the Creek Fire.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and
carried to take the noted action on the following Consent Calendar items:
COUNTY CLERK ITEM
Approve Minutes of
ELECTION - SUSANVILLE ELEMENTARY
Grant request from
ELECTION - LAKE FOREST FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Grant request from Lake Forest Fire Protection District to consolidate
an election to be held on
AUDITOR & TREASURER DEPARTMENTS ITEM
Receive and file Treasurer's Fund Balance Report and Auditor's
verification for the month of April, 2006.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY ITEM
Adopt Resolution No. 06-053, approving the continuation of the Lassen
County District Attorney's Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program (S.A.P.P.) to be funded from funds available through the
California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General.
TREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR ITEM
Receive and file Treasurer's Investment Report for June, 2006.
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS
Receive and file the following correspondence:
a. In-Home Supportive Services
Advisory Board meeting agenda for
BOARD MEMBERS ACTION ITEMS
CAO Ketelsen reports that a meeting of the possible participants in a
Recreation JPA was held and there is interest by the group to put together a
grant program for an aquatic center. The
next meeting is scheduled for
Supervisor Chapman expresses his feeling the scope of the project
should not be limited to just an aquatic center - need a broader span of
recreation.
CAO Ketelsen states this language does not foreclose a broader span of
recreation and he states the scope of the district is still on the table, but
he feels the JPA participants are interested in broader recreation although
their focus would be an aquatic center.
Lisa Laband states High Sierra Recreation Alliance has not been invited
to follow-up meetings of the JPA. Her
concern is how the boundaries are going to be set-up and who is part of the
JPA. States we are in the same position
as before the June Election - no district or JPA formed. Wonders why a tax measure is a good idea now
if it was a bad idea before. She really
wants this on the November ballot.
CAO Ketelsen states the next JPA meeting will include discussion of the
scope of the area and the purpose. The
meeting has narrowed down to committed entities - Superintendent of Schools,
High School, Elementary School, County, City, College and Rancheria. Regardless of which entity is formed
(district or JPA) it all takes time.
JoEllen Wood agrees with the CAO that the enthusiasm was very good at
the first meeting. Her concern is the
JPA needs to be formed before the tax is voted on.
CAO Ketelsen states his understanding is the JPA participants are not
dependent upon a tax measure.
Supervisor Hanson wants a pool and wants steady and more substantial
funding for parks and recreation - he is not sure this sales tax measure can
pass. The reason this is before the
board is because the High Sierra Recreation Alliance desires that it be placed
on the ballot.
Supervisor Keefer feels a JPA is the best alternative because of the
uncertainty of passing a sales tax measure.
He would rather form the JPA and look at a sales tax later.
Supervisor Pyle disagrees and strongly supports the tax ordinance.
It is moved by Supervisor Hanson and seconded by Supervisor Dahle to
introduce, by title only, Lassen Recreation Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance
No. 566 Imposing a Transactions and Use Tax to be administered by the State
Board of Equalization.
Supervisor Chapman refers to the Chico Recreation District model as the
best way to go - unfortunately what is before us does not accomplish this. Does not think this measure has a prayer of
passing in November.
Eileen Spencer does not feel the JPA will happen and even if the
measure passes there is no plan for spending the money.
Lisa Laband expresses her desire for the measure to appear on the
November ballot, but if it does not, she still wants the JPA effort to
continue.
Supervisor Chapman feels any such election should be conducted as a
special election - best during the hot summer to encourage interest in having a
pool.
The motion fails on the following roll call vote: Supervisor Chapman - NO, Supervisor Keefer -
NO, Supervisor Hanson - YES, Supervisor Dahle - NO, Supervisor Pyle - YES.
Supervisor Hanson notes the JPA effort will continue.
PUBLIC HEARING - VARIANCE
#2005-143, OLEG LEVITSKIY
The public hearing is opened at
Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag presents the staff report
and the Planning Commission recommendation for approval. No one speaks in opposition to or in favor of
the variance and the hearing is closed at
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 06-055,
approving the variance request. (
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION B PLANNING DIVISION
Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag presents a draft comment
letter on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) covering lands managed from the
Additional comments and suggested changes are received from: Deputy
Director Buildings/Grounds Peter Heimbigner reporting on: Trails (Chapter
2.16.22); Travel Management - off-road vehicle use (Recreation Opportunity
Spectrum Chapter 2.10; and Travel Management Chapter 2.16).
Community Development Director Sorvaag reports on: Inter-basin
transfer of water; Wildlife and Fishery; Wild and Scenic Rivers (Chapter 2);
and Wild and Scenic Rivers (Chapter 2).
Lassen Municipal Utilities District (LMUD) General Manager Frank Cady
speaks on Energy Transmission Corridors; introduces LMUD Assistant General
Manager Ray Luhring.
Farm Advisor David Lile reports on: #1 Livestock Grazing issues: #1
Grazing (or no-grazing) of Aunhealthy@, Aat-risk@, and Asites found
healthy but lacking a key attribute@; #2 Rest from browsing
for shrub species to promote viable seed production; and #3 Juniper
management and control. (CAO Ketelsen is absent
Supervisor Hanson recognizes staff and the staff of the Cooperative
Extension Office for the extensive work done on this document.
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and
carried unanimously, to approve and authorize Chairman to sign letter of
comment.
TITLE II AND III PROJECTS
Assistant to the CAO Julie
Morgan presents information
regarding the RAC designations of Title I and Title III project funds.
Tom Esgate requests funding for next year; but the item is not on the
agenda and no action can be taken.
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried to adopt Resolution No. 06-051, allocating 15% Safety Net Payments to
Title II and/or Title III Projects.
It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and
carried to adopt Resolution No. 06-052, designating $75,000 (12.5%) to Title II
Projects and designating the remaining amount of the money received -
approximately $600,000 (87.5%) to Title III Projects.
ORAL REPORT - ANIMAL CONTROL
A. Mechanisms in place to facilitate contributions to
Humane Society.
Supervisor Chapman received a request from the Humane Society and asked
that it be placed on an agenda. The Humane Society requested the county
partner with them in sponsoring the building and placing of doghouse-shaped
donation boxes being built by the
It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and
carried to support and co-sponsor with the Lassen County Humane Society Spay
and Neuter program; and direct CAO to communicate appropriately to Assistant Warden
Matt Mullin at CCC.
B. Dog control in Westwood.
Public Works Director Larry Millar reports on general Animal Control
procedures. The Animal Control Officer (ACO) tries to make rounds for all
different areas of County weekly. Human safety calls are responded to
first over a dog-at-large or other call and they try to deal with complaints
the same or next day. When responding to a complaint the ACO tries to
meet with complainant and get information, then go to owner. On
dog-at-large type calls, the ACO can do written notice or can write a citation
if the dog has been seen by an Officer. If not seen by an Officer and
complainant will write a statement and is willing to testify in court, a
citation can be issued. If barking dogs are the problem, the owner can be
cited if there are three letters of complaint from the surrounding area.
Westwood resident Judy Robinson relates a severe dog biting incident
that occurred when her daughter was a child and states she never wants another
child to be injured like that. She gives information on recent, recurring
dog problems in her neighborhood (previously reported to Board). Suggests
violators pay fines; proposes higher fines and stricter penalties;
negligent owners should be held responsible. States the County needs more
than one ACO; the dog problem is beyond
belief in
Westwood resident Eileen Spencer reports in detail on an incident where
her son was bitten eight times by a dog.
States the same dog was on record for having bitten three times
before. The dog was scheduled to be
euthanised but was returned to the owner and not euthanised until later. She
states that the ACO makes discretionary decisions that should not be
discretionary because there are laws in effect.
The ACO cannot do this job herself; you are asking her to do an
impossible task. Laws are not being
enforced. She asks the Board of
Supervisors to pass a motion or give directive today telling the ACO that she
will enforce the one bite rule, will impound dogs, and will quarantine the dog
at the shelter, enforcing the law.
Extensive discussion is held.
Supervisor Dahle asks this item be brought back to the board to be
discussed further (what are our policies, what is really happening, what is
being enforced); states animal control is an item being discussed by the Budget
Committee and will be brought back to the Board.
Supervisor Chapman states he wants to see the laws enforced and
Chairman Pyle states that it is a budget issue; requests a report at
the first meeting in August on what=s been going on, how the process works
after someone calls and turns in a dog bite, how calls are being handled.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and
carried to adopt Proclamation recognizing the Nataqua Parlor Chapter #152 of
the Native Daughters of the Golden West on their 100th Anniversary.
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES - PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION
Public Health Director Julia Terrill presents update on pandemic
influenza and preparedness. Pandemic
Influenza Coordinator Rich Kanavel and Bioterrorism Coordinator Mary O=Reilly will be developing a plan to address issues of preparedness,
response, surveillance and planning in collaboration with OES, Susanville Fire
and Police, and
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and
carried to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign Memorandum of
Understanding between the Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office
of the Courts,
SUSANVILLE LIBRARY DISTRICT
It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and
carried to adopt Resolution 06-054, pertaining to Tax Revenue Exchange for
Annexation to the Susanville Library District.
UNAGENDIZED REPORTS CONT.
Supervisor Chapman reports that Search and Rescue Captain Bob Trussell
had invited the Supervisors to a tour of their new 5th wheel, but the
invitations apparently were not received. Suggests Supervisors contact
Bob to see the new trailer.
Supervisor Dahle reports Congressman Doolittle will be in
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at
_________________________________
CHAIRMAN
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD