BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

SEPTEMBER 11, 2007

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convene in Regular Session at 9:07 a.m. Chairman Dahle asks for public comment.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION

1. Lise Wosick addresses the Board regarding the current Honey Lake Motocross issue, and asks them to review the draft proposal that she received from County Counsel. She states that she and her husband agree to the principal, and are willing to accept the two day monitoring for the park. She has just given Richard Egan a written proposal regarding the WIA for two more events and has asked that a cap be placed on the expenses to monitor the last two events of the year. She also believes that the draft from County Counsel has unnecessary wordage, and is slightly one sided for the document. For example, the Morgan’s have never clearly stated that they did not want the park to run. She does not want this memo to be misleading if ever brought into a court of law. It is also difficult to get a definite schedule 60 days in advance, as mentioned in the offer, and she is sometimes registering and organizing the morning of the event. She said they would like to pay a portion of the amount agreed upon in order to run the two events that they have remaining in the 2007 season; no more events shall be scheduled until after the parties have gone back to court.

County Counsel Craig Settlemire announces the Closed Session items and the Board recesses to Closed Session at 9:12 a.m. for: 1) Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9: Citizens for a Healthy Rural Environment, Richard & Mary Morgan vs. Lassen County, Lassen County Board of Supervisors; Larry and Lise Wosick. Superior Case #36349 and 2) Claims: Claim of Michael McCrary presented July 19, 2007.

Present in the Closed Session are Supervisors Brian Dahle, Robert Pyle, Lloyd Keefer, and Jack Hanson; County Counsel Craig Settlemire, County Administrative Officer John Ketelsen, County Personnel Director/Risk Manager Ron Vossler, County Tax Collector Richard Egan and Deputy County Clerk Shannon Medici. Supervisor Chapman enters at 9:21 a.m.

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors reconvenes in Regular Session on Tuesday September 11, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. Present: Supervisors Brian Dahle, Robert Pyle, Lloyd Keefer, Jack Hanson and Jim Chapman; County Counsel Craig Settlemire, County Administrative Officer John Ketelsen, County Personnel Director/Risk Manager Ron Vossler and Deputy Clerk to the Board Shannon Medici. Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Dahle.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION

County Counsel Settlemire announces that Closed Session dealt with existing litigation pursuant to Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9: Citizens for a Healthy Rural Environment, Richard & Mary Morgan vs. Lassen County, Lassen County Board of Supervisors; Larry and Lise Wosick Superior Case #36349. By a unanimous vote of the Board of Supervisors, they have directed County Counsel and County Treasurer to work on finalizing a settlement with the Wosicks in regards to noise monitoring costs. The Board rejected the claim of Michael McCrary presented July 19, 2007 and directed that notice of rejection be given.

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

Supervisor Dahle has received a request to remove Item F-1, regarding vacancies in the Big Valley Recreation District.

CAO Ketelson announces that County officials are still awaiting findings from Dyer Mountain Associates before it will be put on the agenda again. Supervisor Chapman wanted to reiterate that the delay was caused by Dyer Mountain Associates, not by the actions (or lack thereof) by County employees. The County is not dragging its feet regarding this issue.

Supervisors Keefer and Hanson request the meeting be adjourned in memory of Madeline Hitchings.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

1. Eileen Spencer addresses the Board regarding the Animal Control budget. She states that she was informed by Judy Walesch that the budget would be reduced to eliminate the part-time position in the Animal Control Department. She feels that this position is very important, it has increased adoptions and decreased euthanasia, as well as kept up the website. She encouraged the Board to keep this position. Supervisor Dahle informed her that both he and Supervisor Hanson were on the budget committee and that there was no plan to cut funding for this position. She is also concerned with two dogs that are set to be euthanized on Wednesday morning. Chairman Dahle indicates that this matter is not on the agenda and the board can not take any action at this time. He suggests that Ms. Spencer work with staff to resolve the problem. Public Works employee Peter Heimbigner agrees to work with Ms. Spencer and reach an agreement.

2. Mike Schneider, County Veteran Services Officer, introduced Mike Smith as the replacement for Larry Rogers, who is retiring; his last day will be October 4^th. Mike Smith spoke to the Board, thanking them for the pleasure to serve the County and participate in the Board of Supervisor’s meetings since 1996 (as a radio news reporter). He is proud to be serving in his new capacity.

3. Julia Kranz, County Public Health Director, updated the Board on the status of the Medical Marijuana identification cards. They are trying to get the program implemented as soon as possible, and the stickers have been ordered for the cards as required by the Board. They have ordered ¾ inch yellow stickers with red lettering that says “MMP Conflicts with Federal Law”. Training for the nurses will begin this Friday and implementation is set to begin September 17, 2007. Supervisor Chapman had some concern about the wording on the cards, he said the decision was to put “MMP is not valid under Federal Law”; Lassen County’s card will be different from the rest. He suggests that we contact the other counties who participate in this program about our system which prevents false impressions that this program is legal. Ms. Kranz said she would double check the wording on the stickers. She went on to report about the poor air quality that has been created by the Moonlight Fire. Masks have been taken to companies, schools and clinics in the area to distribute to high risk individuals. The masks will be recollected when the air quality improves. Agriculture Commissioner Ken Smith then concluded the public comment with a report on the portable monitor that they have to measure the air quality. While California state standards are usually 50, the machines ran all weekend and read a level of 250. Several decisions made in reaction to the smoke, such as to cancel the high school football game this past week, were justified. The monitors ran for four days and are now close to ambient levels. Supervisor Chapman suggested that they get the monitors up and running today.

PUBLIC HEARING - 2007/2008 COUNTY BUDGET

The FY 2007/08 Budget Hearing is opened at 10:06 a.m.

CAO Ketelson introduces the budget and thanks Assistant to the CAO Julie Morgan for all of her work on this year’s budget. The state budget has now been released. Also thanks Autditor Karen Fouch, as well as other staff members.

Julie Morgan introduces the comprehensive budget document; points out lists of requests with recommendations from programs and County departments, many of which the budget will allow to implement. She feels like this is a sound fiscal document that will carry well throughout the fiscal year.

Supervisor Dahle states that he has served on the budget committee, and there has been discussion to build facilities or collocate, but with high demands from the ambulance and fire service, it looks like building will not happen anytime in the near future.

CAO Ketelson praises the success of the budget committee and Board involvement. Speaks of examples of items they have not budgeted for, but may see, including a public defender case. Departments will have to come to the Board throughout the year for these types of items. He agrees with Supervisor Dahle’s concerns about the ambulance and fire services, as these are priorities.

Supervisor Dahle states that all of the department heads had good arguments about what they needed in their offices, for example, the Sheriff’s concern with understaffing. He has had to personally deal with 911 emergency calls being delayed due to understaffing, and these are concerns that need to be dealt with, especially with a growing community.

Supervisor Hanson also commends Ms. Morgan for all of her hard work and keeping the Board informed. The previous projected ending balances have been alarming, and he agrees with Supervisor Dahle about the need for even more revenue next year to meet the new demands of a growing community.

At Supervisor Keefer request, Ms. Morgan informed the Board that the County had budgeted to use $1.8 million and actually ended the year $320,000 to the positive. Supervisor Keefer praises the department heads for being frugal in their departments; the budget is a plan to stick to and the County did a good job of that in the past year. Supervisor Hanson predicts that the Board will be revisiting this budget in the future, due to the tight numbers. At Supervisor Keefer’s request, Ms. Morgan informed the Board that the increasing property values have improved revenues, but that has recently leveled off. The increase in fees will help offset costs, but nothing more than moderate increases. Supervisor Pyle commends the budget committee, including Julie Morgan and John Ketelson, for their hard work. He would like to see more assistance to the fire districts. Supervisor Dahle would like to see a meeting with all of the fire districts on the agenda in the next few months.

Supervisor Chapman is concerned with accepting the current budget as status quo, this is not a normal time, and unprecedented changes are taking place. The community has changed significantly in the past 5-7 years. The structure of County family is what needs to be changed; the past reorganization of Health and Social Services was initiated in part by input from community as well as internal recommendations. The Planning Department needs major overhauling. Community Development Department as we know it should be completely obliterated in terms of structure, broken down into three different functions. He suggests putting Economic Development under the County Administrative Officer or contract out to private companies in the local area. Supervisor Chapman is also concerned with the damaged fence on Miller Road. An infrastructural task force could be a possible way to judge performance; the budget needs to be a driving force for this type of action. The performance in the community needs to be focused on.

Supervisor Hanson agrees that an infrastructural task force is needed, but does not think that this is the situation to set one up.

Supervisor Pyle states that setting up a whole new business is not possible; it is wrong to tear apart the current budget trying to restructure the County. This is not the right situation; it is not feasible to create a budget for something that does not exist. The focus should be on the current issue, and the other issues will be dealt with at a later date. Supervisor Pyle suggests that the County is in need of some