UNAPPROVED
MINUTES
BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convene in Regular Session at
Conference with Labor Negotiator John Ketelsen: May include the following bargaining units -
a) Lassen County Peace Officers Assn. (LCPOA),
b) United Public Employees of
California (UPEC) c) Lassen County Road Workers Assn. (LCRWA), d)
Mid-Management, e) Lassen County Peace Officers Assn. Management Unit
(LCPOAMU), and f) Management; and
Employee performance evaluation:
County Administrative Officer John Ketelsen
Present in the Closed Session are Supervisors Robert Pyle, Lloyd
Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Jack Hanson; County Counsel Craig Settlemire, County
Administrative Officer John Ketelsen, Personnel Director Ron Vossler and County
Clerk
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors reconvenes in Regular Session on
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
The
Conference with Labor Negotiator John Ketelsen: May include the following bargaining units -
a) Lassen County Peace Officers Assn. (LCPOA),
b) United Public Employees of
California (UPEC) c) Lassen County Road Workers Assn. (LCRWA), d)
Mid-Management, e) Lassen County Peace Officers Assn. Management Unit
(LCPOAMU), and f) Management - motion by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by
Supervisor Hanson and carried to authorize the mediation request for LCPOA.
Employee performance evaluation:
AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS
It is moved by Supervisor Hanson, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried to approve the agenda as posted.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Drug and Alcohol
Director Michael Beard provides information on persons with gambling problems
and the relationship to drug and alcohol problems. He discusses the benefit of funding from
Indian Gaming ($10,000 for 2005/2006 and $15,000 for 2006/2007) with planned
programs for use of the funds. Wants to
acknowledge the funding and thank the sources of the funding.
2. Terri O'Bryan announces
stakeholders meetings for Family and Children Services to gather input from
community members will be held on August 17th and 21st.
3. JoEllen Wood reads a
statement regarding the lack of a swimming pool and realization that her kids
will not be able to participate in swimming competitions; feeling cheated
because no sales tax measure for support of recreation will be on the ballot;
feeling that the county is moving at a snails pace; states the Board only moves when pushed;
Board asks the same questions over and over again; speaks of a Douglas County,
Nevada mission statement including working together, and then coming home and
reading the article in the paper about Janesville Park Equestrian Arena and how
sad it is to see the lack of working together here; challenges board to adopt a
mission statement, to improve recreation in Lassen County; get going on it and
get answers to questions.
4. Poet Laureate Violet
Stout reads a poem entitled "Honor and Commemorate "Forget Them
Not'".
RECOGNITION COMMITTEE - PRESENTATION
Chairman Pyle makes the following presentations for years of service:
Fifteen years: a two pen desk set to Marilyn K. Walker (Assessor's
Office) and Cheryl Douglas, (Personnel).
Twenty years: a desk clock to Rick Simon (Community Development
Department).
Twenty-five years: a desk clock/calculator to Elaine Jacobs (Child
Support). and Margaret D. Crosby (Health & Social Services, LassenWorks) -
not present.
UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS
1. Supervisor Chapman
announces Veterans Memorial Hall 80th Anniversary ceremony to be held at
2. Supervisor Keefer
announces the new well has been drilled at
3. Supervisor Hanson
reports on the Fair Advisory Board meeting - good upbeat meeting - happy about
the success of the Fair; LAFCO has new public member Todd Eid; LAFCO received
the MSR (Municipal Services Review) for Stones-Bengard CSD and is working with
LMUD.
4. Supervisor Dahle
reports on the NACO Annual Conference in
LASSEN
Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag provides a report in
response to a request received from Lassen County Fish & Game Commission
Chairperson Rob Hill to initiate work on General Plan Goal WE-A to
"develop and implement a 'Lassen County Wildlife Resources Management Program'." He states there are a number of things the
county is doing in working toward wildlife resources management, but not in the
formal way of developing a Wildlife Resources Management Program.
Supervisor Keefer feels it is a matter of priorities and does not feel
the county has adequate staff to formally address this. Supervisor Hanson states the county is doing
what is necessary although there is no formal program in place - does not feel
anything is slipping through the cracks.
Recess
FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Tom Esgate
presents the Lassen County Fire Safe Council, Inc. request of $150,000 in Title
III funds as a non-federal match for the $500,000 Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovative Grant awarded to the
Cooperative Sagebrush Steppe Restoration Initiative.
It is moved by Supervisor Dahle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and
carried to pledge $150,000 of Title III Funds to this project.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Supervisor Dahle requests the minutes be removed from the consent
calendar for separate consideration.
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and
carried to take the noted action on the following Consent Calendar items:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ITEM
Receive and file Personnel Movement report for June, 2006.
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES ITEM
Approve and authorize the CAO to sign FY 2005/2006 Funding Amendment to
State Net Negotiated Amount Agreement for Alcohol and Drug Programs.
PRISON TRIALS COST REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Receive and file Recaps of CCC Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing
and High Desert State Prison Trial Costs Billing for the month of July 2005 and
recaps for the months of July 2005 through June 2006.
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS
Receive and file the following correspondence:
a. Lassen County Mental Health
Advisory Board meeting agenda for
b. Lassen County Technical
Advisory Committee meeting agenda for
c. Application for Alcoholic
Beverage License - Big Valley Market, Bridge St. Bieber.
d. Local Agency Formation
Commission (LAFCO) of
e. Susanville City Council
meeting minutes for
f. Lassen County Air Pollution
Control District Governing Board meeting agenda for
g. Lassen County Alcohol &
Drug Advisory Board meeting agenda for
BOARD OF SUPERVISOR'S MINUTES
It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and
carried, with Supervisor Dahle abstaining, to approve minutes of
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
Agricultural Commissioner Ken Smith requests approval for adulticide
treatment for mosquitoes in the following areas:
Area in Sector 3S that is south of Hwy 36 (
Leavitt Lake Subdivision area
Area in Sector 1N that is north of
It is moved by Supervisor Hanson and seconded by Supervisor Keefer to
approve adulticide treatment for mosquitoes.
Don Parke states he supports mosquito spraying along with most of the
residents in the area near Barry Reservoir.
Katie Babich is concerned about the use of chemicals and reads articles
relating to chemical spraying. She does
not disagree with treatment but feels there are other things used in other
counties throughout the nation that will work and not cause the health issues
to certain individuals that adulticides will.
She distributes two articles to board members.
Marlene Schmidt reads from and distributes an article to board
members. States she has contacted the
dry ice plant and found the plant is again in production so she feels there is
no need for the alternative procedures.
She makes many suggestions and requests.
Leavitt Lake CSD Manager Catherine Seaborne has a husband who is immune
compromised and feels there is more danger from mosquitoes and WNV than from
spraying - encourages the spraying.
Dave Schrum states that mosquitoes are very bad on
Violet Stout thinks the mosquitoes should be sprayed.
Agricultural Commissioner Ken Smith responds there is dry ice now
available. States if the spraying is
approved there is a lot of work to be done to notify the public - mark
locations that have requested no spraying - setup buffer zones for schools and
day care facilities - public education releases.
Supervisor Chapman states his objection is in the manner in which the
process has been followed - credibility is lacking. Agrees with folks on
Supervisor Dahle expresses his opposition to spraying areas where
people do not want it - states the numbers do not add up.
The motion to approve adulticide treatment for mosquitoes for the
specified areas carries on the following roll call vote:
Supervisor Chapman - NO, Supervisor Keefer - YES, Supervisor Hanson -
YES, Supervisor Dahle - NO, Supervisor Pyle - YES.
US FOREST SERVICE
Assistance Fire Management Officer Christi Whitcome provides a Wildland
Fire Update. Information on the available resources, statistics on the number
of fires and acreage burned which is well above the nationwide ten year average,
predictions on weather, precipitation and lightning events.
PUBLIC HEARING - 2006/2007
The public hearing is opened at
CAO Ketelsen provides the staff report and highlights items remaining
open: Susan River Fire District and
Firenet Lassen; Quincy Library Group; Community Development Department; Family
Resource Centers; Animal Control.
Supervisor Keefer is impressed with the committee process and format
particularly the Budget Committee Issues section.
Supervisor Chapman thanks the Budget Committee and
Animal Control:
Eileen Spencer submits and reads a letter relating to animal control
referring to
CAO Ketelsen states the animal control program will cost more to have
under the Sheriff's Department due to peace officer pay scales. He notes the $300,000 estimated by the
Sheriff is more than the county can afford, but the current budget for Rabies
Control Officer of $68,500 is too low.
The current program is in never-never land under the Public Works Department
because
Supervisor Keefer notes that
Supervisor Keefer suggests the number of calls probably includes repeat
calls due to non-response. CAO Ketelsen
responds where the calls go needs to be changed.
Eileen Spencer states we do not need Deputy Sheriffs to do this job -
need more staff in the field that are not peace officers.
Supervisor Dahle states communication is one big issue and another is
one person covering the whole county which cannot work. Since peace officers are out there, using
them seemed a reasonable solution. In
response to a board member question,
Supervisor Chapman - there needs to be a plan for how all the involved
departments are going to work together.
He does not think we are getting an appropriate job done now for the
money being spent.
Supervisor Keefer feels the program needs to be under the Sheriff's
Department - big issue is after hours calls.
Supervisor Pyle supports leaving the program where it is and correcting
the problem through dispatch.
The hearing is continued to the afternoon session.
AUDITOR
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer and seconded by Supervisor Hanson to
approve and authorize the CAO to sign a contract with Public Resource
Management Group (PRM) to prepare Cost Allocation Plan (A87), State Mandate
Reimbursements - SB90 Claims, Property Tax Admin Fees and Jail Booking Fees
reports for fiscal years 2006/2007; 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, in the amount of
$18,500 per year.
Supervisor Chapman expresses his objections to the manner in which A87
is being used by the county.
The motion carries with Supervisor Chapman voting NO.
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES - PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Hanson and
carried to approve and authorize the CAO to sign FY 2006/2007 Child Health and
Disability Prevention Program Plan.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE -
CAO Ketelsen presents a response for comments on the expansion of
Correctional Facilities in Lassen County calling for 750 new beds in four new
dormitory units inside the existing housing perimeter, divided between the
California Correctional Center (400 units) and High Desert State Prison (350
units).
Supervisor Hanson would like to extract as much as possible from the
State. Supervisor Chapman states we need
to put the State on notice re: being a good business partner (i.e. paying bills
timely).
It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Dahle and
carried to authorize the CAO to send a letter of concern in response to Senator
Cox's request for comments.
CORRESPONDENCE
A letter from Time Warner Cable President Thomas C. Feige stating that
as of
PUBLIC HEARING - 2006/2007 COUNTY BUDGET CONT.
Animal Control Cont:
Supervisor Keefer feels there is an option of adding an extra ACO to
provide two in the field on a daily basis - add a part-time person to deal with
reports, tracking (need a daily log). Do
this for one year and come back to analyze how it is working. Also transfer all
dispatch to 911. Supervisor Chapman
likes the proposal with one addition - coordination with the Sheriff.
Sheriff Warren states that he and Public Works Director
Board direction to staff is to add one ACO and one parttime clerical
position.
Suggestion is made to find out the availability of the City Animal Control
truck. CAO Ketelsen estimates the cost
for additional staffing to be $90,000 not including a vehicle. Further discussion is held on the costs of
support materials for new staff.
Chairman Pyle states - let the CAO and Public Works get information together
and report back to the Board.
CAO Ketelsen states the only center ready to receive funds is the Big
Valley Family Resource Center (FRC). He
is waiting to hear back from Superintendent of Schools Bob Owens on his ability
to provide oversight for the Westwood and Ft. Sage Centers before funding can
be provided.
Chairman Pyle understands funds are in the budget to provide $75,000 to
each of the three centers if the Superintendent of Schools can provide
oversight.
Supervisor Keefer asks about the funding that was to end after three
years as the centers were to become self-sufficient. Supervisor Dahle responds the three years is
up for funding and it has been made clear the Family Resource Centers need to
be more self-sufficient but they need one more year to prove if this is
possible. Further discussion is held on the funds that Big Valley FRC raised
and used to finish out the current year.
Direction is given to provide Big Valley FRC $75,000 plus the actual
expenses paid for by the center in 2005/2006.
Quincy Library Group:
Supervisor Dahle indicates the Board has allocated funding for the QLG
but the budget committee suggests
Community Development Department:
CAO Ketelsen states there has been a decline in specific revenues used
to fund this department resulting in more and more general fund money needed to
support the department. Some functions
and funding have moved to other departments, but the administration staff are
still located in CDD and some of their time was freed up due to the function
transfers.
It is suggested that board members from all fire districts come
together to discuss needs - do not set aside any funds until the fire districts
have exhausted all their possible resources.
Supervisor Keefer feels that paying the Firenet Lassen costs treats all
districts equally as those costs are in direct proportion to the number of
calls the district receives - amounts to $38,000.
Supervisor Chapman suggests having the OES Officer come up with a
program. Supervisor Dahle wants to look
county-wide at this issue - wants all volunteers and districts to buy into a
program.
CAO Ketelsen will have the OES Officer develop a program and bring it
to the Board for approval.
Sheriff:
Sheriff Warren states the Sheriff's budget before the Board just came
out on Friday - prior to that the most recent budget that he had almost
mirrored what he had submitted. Since he
saw no change he did not go before the Budget Committee on his budget. He would love to have some staff discussion with
the committee before it is in front of the Board. He is not in favor of the budget that he
first saw on Friday. He speaks of the
difficulty in getting access to make changes to the flawed budget documents
that appeared on the County Computer Shared I-Drive.
Supervisor Chapman asks if each department received the issue papers in
the front of the budget book and
Sheriff Warren states he just found out on Friday that the Rural Crimes
money will be transferred - speaks of how he has been able to utilize the Rural
Crimes funds.
Supervisor Dahle sees there has apparently been a breakdown here so he
is happy to hold another Budget Committee meeting. States we need good hard
numbers on the Animal Control proposed program.
Health and Social Services:
Deputy CAO of Health and Social Services Kevin Mannel informs the Board
of a possible funding option for the proposed Animal Control position and the
related support staff. Public Health Realignment is the possible funding option
that could alleviate the concern about the impact on the County General Fund.
The concerns are that Public Health realignment has a fund balance of
approximately $2 million dollars and factoring in the possible increased
expenses for Animal Control and Jail Health, the expenses could exceed the
annual revenues impacting the fund balance. Public Health services and related
cost flow should remain primary for this funding stream so some internal cost
control measures are being suggested. If we trend the potential impact forward
the projected expenditures and cash flow should adequately be covered for
several years.
Mannel also apprised the Board of the current Assistance funding stream
that supports the cost of care for children in out-of-home placements such as
foster care and group homes. A couple of years ago a million dollar cash flow
existed along with many compliance issues within Child Protective Services
(CPS). The Board approved changes in the CPS staffing as one mechanism for
addressing the rate of out-of-home placements that exceeded the reimbursements.
Mannel thanked the board for making the decision to invest in quality services.
The Assistance budget has eliminated the cash flow concerns as the cash load
growth revenues equal the expenditures. As we look at future trends, we have a
two year window of opportunity to implement local strategies for group home
care before the delayed reimbursements (caseload growth) readjust to the new
level.
Clerk of the Board:
Discussion is held on the appointed Clerk to the Board position. CAO Ketelsen and
Agriculture Extension Service:
Chairman Pyle continues the public hearing to August 22nd.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at
__________________________________________
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD