BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

                              JANUARY 15, 2001

 

                                        

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convene in Regular Session at 9:02  a.m.  Chairman Dahle 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 9:03 a.m. for a conference with Legal Counsel:  Existing litigation pursuant to Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9: Larry E. Ingwerson, Jr. vs Ron Jarrell, Dennis Robinson, County of Lassen, does 1-25, Case #33664.

 

Present in the Closed Session are Supervisors Robert Pyle, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Everd McCain; County Counsel Bill Murano, Special Counsel Lawrence Bohm on conference call, County Administrative Officer Andy Whiteman and County Clerk Theresa Nagel.  Supervisor Chapman is absent.  Closed Session is recessed at 9:18 a.m.

 

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors reconvenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 15, 2001, at 9:31 a.m.   Present:  Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Everd McCain; County Counsel Bill Murano, County Administrative Officer (CAO) Andy Whiteman and County Clerk Theresa Nagel.  Supervisor Chapman is not present at the beginning of the meeting.  Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Dahle.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION

The County Clerk announces the Closed Session dealt with a conference with Legal Counsel:  Existing litigation pursuant to Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9: Larry E. Ingwerson, Jr. vs Ron Jarrell, Dennis Robinson, County of Lassen, does 1-25, Case #33664 - no reportable action was taken.

 

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

Supervisor Dahle requests that a late item be added to the agenda to provide him direction for a vote that will be called for at this week's RCRC meeting.

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2 (2) that the need to take action arose subsequent to the agenda being posted, and cannot wait for the next meeting, it is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried on a roll call vote, with Supervisor Chapman absent, to add Item H-4, PG&E Reorganization Plan and the Impacts to Rural Counties.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried, with Supervisor Chapman absent, to approve the agenda with the noted addition.  (Supervisor Chapman enters at 9:35 a.m.)

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Poet Laureate Violet Stout reads a poem entitled "Legend of the Salt Grass".

 

 

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1.   Supervisor Keefer reports on last week's Norcal Meeting where representatives from CSAC and RCRC made reports on state fiscal conditions.

2.   Supervisor Keefer announces the Lassen Fire Safe Council is holding their first meeting tomorrow night, therefore he will not be attending the RCRC meeting.

3.   Supervisor Keefer reports last week's Mental Health Board (MHB) meeting lasted for five hours while there was probably two hours of agendized items.  One member of the MHB made unfair and unwarranted accusations about the secretary who prepares their minutes.  He reports the budget will be discussed at the next meeting.

4.   Supervisor Pyle reports on the meeting held on January 9th to discuss amendments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biological Opinion relating to the Spalding stepage ponds and he distributes information on the discussions.

5.   Supervisor Chapman reports on the Veterans Memorial Hall Task Force meeting he attended last week.  The task force adjusted the rental rates for the hall.  The task force asked him to express their appreciation for all the cooperation they have received from board members and county staff.

6.   Supervisor Chapman reports there are vacant positions on the Lassen-Plumas-Sierra Community Action Agency Board for community members and low-income members.  He asks the board members to think about persons in their districts that would be interested in serving on this board.

7.   Supervisor Chapman announces he will attend CSAC and RCRC this week and will be in attendance when Supervisor Dahle is installed as Vice-Chairman of RCRC.

8.   Supervisor Chapman asks Chairman Dahle to arrange for a status report on the Quincy Library Group Legislation in relation to the Sierra-Nevada Framework.

9.   Supervisor Dahle congratulates Sheriff Ron Jarrell for receiving the January "Good Ole Boy" Award from Radio Station KSUE/JDX.

10.  Supervisor Dahle provides an update on the Big Valley Sustained Yield Unit.

11.  Supervisor Chapman asks that the meeting today be adjourned in honor of Lassen County Poet Laureate Violet Stout's birthday tomorrow.

 

LASSEN COUNTY FISH AND GAME COMMISSION

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to accept a letter from Mark Paul submitting his resignation from the Lassen County Fish and Game Commission, and direct County Clerk to advertise vacancy.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

    

COUNTY CLERK ITEM

Approve Minutes of January 8, 2002 with corrections made by the County Clerk.

       

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - PERSONNEL ITEM

Receive and file Personnel Movement report for December, 2001.

         

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ITEM

Ratify continuation of Declaration of State of Disaster / Emergency in Lassen County.

 

PRISON TRIALS COST REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM ITEMS

Receive and file Recap of CCC Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for the month of December, 2001; and High Desert State Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for the month of December, 2001.

         

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - SURVEYOR DIVISION ITEM

Adopt Resolution No. 02-004, approving Parcel Map #2001-110, Don and Lois Jennings.

    

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS

Receive and file the following correspondence:

a.   Lassen County Planning Commission agenda for January 9, 2002.

b.   Mental Health Board meeting agenda for January 8, 2002, and draft minutes of September 11, 2001 and December 5, 2001.

c.   Veterans Memorial Building Task Force minutes of October 3, 2001, and January 2, 2002. 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - BUILDING DIVISION

It is moved by Supervisor McCain, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt Ordinance No. 545, by title only, adding Chapter 12.29 to Title 12 of the Lassen County Code, establishing a Historic Building/Site Inventory for utilization of the California State Historic Building Code.

 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

1.   CAO Whiteman reports the Supervisory Training classes began last week with 66 enrolled.

2.   CAO Whiteman reports the archeaological plan and request for proposal on the Health & Human Services Building are in the preparation stage.

3.   CAO Whiteman reports that he, Auditor Irene Doyle, and Assistant to the CAO Chris Beard are working on the mid-year budget review.

 

ALL AMERICAN ROAD DESIGNATION

John Halligan, Oregon-California RC&D presents a request for adoption of a resolution supporting the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway as an All American Road.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 02-003, in support of designation of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway as an All American Road as amended by adding the following wording:  WHEREAS, the changes suggested by Sierra Pacific Industries and W.M. Beaty & Associates, Inc. will be incorporated in the final Corridor Management Plan and Impact Analysis.

 

Supervisor Chapman would like to have contacts from the southern portion of the roadway listed in the brochures and suggests Bill Dennison as a possible contact.

 

U.S. FOREST SERVICE

Lassen National Forest Information Officer Barbara Massey offers support for the All American designation.  She announces that she has received a promotion and will be transferring to Anchorage, Alaska.  She expresses her appreciation for the professionalism of the board members and county staff.

    

COUNTY COUNSEL

County Counsel Bill Murano presents a review of a recent 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (Brewster vs. Shasta County) ruling that exposes counties to suits because it finds that Sheriffs are not state agents and thus can be targets of federal litigation in civil rights cases. He reports that Shasta County has requested a rehearing by the Appeals Court.  He states there is little that Lassen County can do except establish a citizens review board to oversee Sheriff's activities, and provide additional funds for training deputies.  They could also work on legislation to make Sheriffs look more like state officials rather than county officials.

 

Supervisor Chapman has concerns that the community should be well informed about the liabilities from this decision when they vote for a new Sheriff.  He wants the public to understand the serious responsibilities of this office.

 

Sheriff Jarrell does not feel the court decision made any changes to the liability of Sheriffs than for any other county official.  He states the responsibilities of the Sheriff position is very serious and has more potential for lawsuits than other county positions, and he hopes the voters consider that when voting this year.

 

PROPOSED ENDANGERED SPECIES DESIGNATION

Farm Bureau Representative Tim Garrod expresses their concerns over the emergency listing of the Carson Wandering Skipper as endangered.  He distributes and reviews a letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service that the Farm Bureau has drafted.  He asks for the Board of Supervisors support on this matter.

 

Supervisor Keefer notes the Fish and Wildlife Service does not know much about the Carson Wandering Skipper (CWS) and its habitat.  He wonders if the current population is the same as historic levels since there seems to be very little knowledge.  Supervisor Pyle supports the Farm Bureau letter and makes suggestions of persons and agencies that need to receive it.  Supervisor McCain suggests the county make a concerted effort to show how much CWS habitat exists in the county. He suggests working with the Sierra Army Depot to compile this information.  He feels the Board of Supervisors need to be very proactive.  Supervisor Chapman discusses the notation in the emergency listing regarding the taking of butterflies by collectors and scientists and feels this is an impact that needs to be noted.

 

Chairman Dahle directs the CAO to write a letter of concern and arrange for a representative from the Fish and Wildlife Service to appear at a public meeting to discuss this.

 

         

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE - TAX RECOUPMENT FEES

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to extend Timber Protection Zone (TPZ) Tax Recoupment Fee Payment Extension with Dyer Mountain Associates until December 31, 2002, with the stipulation if an interest payment is missed it will be brought back to the Board of Supervisors immediately.

 

BOAT LAUNCH AREA RESTRICTIONS

Supervisor Pyle presents a request for an ordinance to setforth "no swimming in boat launch area restrictions".

 

Sheriff Jarrell acknowledges that boat launching and swimming are not compatible and he provides information on the current policy at the Gallatin Marina.

 

Chairman Dahle directs County Counsel Murano, Sheriff Jarrell, Supervisors Pyle and McCain and any other interested persons to work on preparation of a draft ordinance.

 

DEER HUNTING RESTRICTIONS

Supervisor Pyle presents for discussion the following deer hunting restrictions:  no deer hunting within Spalding Community Services District (CSD) or within one mile outside the district boundaries; and all roads entering the Spalding CSD should be posted with no deer hunting signs.

 

Fish and Game Representative Lisa Stone states the deer feeding issue at Spaldings is a continuing problem.  She reviews the Fish and Game policy relating to this problem.  She notes Fish and Game will not support an ordinance that places restrictions on hunting.

 

Supervisor McCain states the county should not get involved in this matter. 

Spalding Community member Denny Lowe states the whole issue is a joke.  He states the people pushing this are not present today and are the same ones that are constantly wanting to pass laws.  They are also the same ones that are illegally feeding deer.

 

Supervisor Pyle suggests the matter be dropped.

 

PG&E REORGANIZATION

Supervisor Dahle indicates that RCRC will be considering supporting or not supporting the PG&E Reorganization Proposal, and he asks for direction from the board members on their feelings.

 

Board consensus is to authorize Chairman Dahle to use his discretion.

 

ILLEGAL DUMPING

Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag presents his suggested language for signs to be posted relating to illegal dumping - "WARNING - DUMPING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED - VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED - ANYONE WITNESSING DUMPING VIOLATIONS IS URGED TO CALL THE LASSEN COUNTY SHERIFF 257-6121.  $____ REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF VIOLATORS.  FOR REFUSE DISPOSAL INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE CALL LASSEN REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 252-1273."  He states this is only a suggestion and he has no pride in ownership of the language, encouraging suggestions for changes.

 

Supervisor Keefer reports the Solid Waste Authority will be taking this under consideration.

 

Supervisor Pyle and Supervisor McCain feel the county needs to put up a good award to get participation from the public in identifying illegal dumpers.  Supervisor McCain wants information brought back on the budget implications for this program.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 11:39 a.m. in honor of Lassen County Poet Laureate Violet Stout's Birthday on January 16th.

 

 

 

                                __________________________________________

                                   CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________________

THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD