BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

                                NOVEMBER 26, 2002

 

 

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, November 26, 2002, at 9:31 a.m.   Present:  Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Everd McCain; County Counsel John Ketelsen, Acting County Administrative Officer (CAO) Tom Keeffer and County Clerk Theresa Nagel.  Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Dahle.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION

Chairman Dahle announces that no closed session was held.

 

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Board (IHSS) Member Chuck Garner states the role of the IHSS Board has changed from making recommendations to being a watch-dog committee and therefore Peggy Crosby cannot be a member of the board because she is being watched and that goes for Gail Holmes also.

 

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1.   Supervisor Keefer provides the following information on the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings:  have held three meetings focusing on orientation; set a tentative project due date of January 31, 2003; will be contacting all interested groups and organizations for ideas on projects for Title II funding; hope to have recommendations for projects submitted to the Forest Service by March 31, 2003; one possible project he has heard about would address illegal dumping on public lands.

2.   Supervisor Keefer reports the CSAC Conference focused on the doom and gloom of the state budget.  The legislative analyst is projecting a $6.1 billion shortfall.  At the Health and Human Services Policy Committee Meeting there was a feeling that their programs would be looked at very closely due to the budget crisis.  He also attended the IHSS Committee Meeting and heard the counties that chose the public authority route were experiencing increases to costs and request for services.  He did not get any firm opinion on which route was best for IHSS programs.  He announces that Supervisor Chapman was re-elected to the CSAC Executive Board.  Another big issue discussed was the restructuring of NACO.

3.   Supervisor Chapman further discusses the restructuring of NACO and the plan to delay payments for membership until after the first of the year in an attempt, by California counties, to get a permanent California representative on NACO.

4.   Supervisor Chapman will be placing an item on the next agenda to approve agreements for the County to hold in trust the Camp Fire Cabin for the benefit of the organization.  He also notes the Standish 4-H Building ownership is still being worked on.

5.   Supervisor Chapman attended the Senior Citizens Program meeting and was approached by members of the Doyle Seniors Group in regard to needed paving of a parking area in front of their building.  He would like to have a report from the Public Works Director.  Supervisor McCain responds that he has been working with Larry Millar on this and it was planned to have the paving done by now, but due to other obligations the work will be performed in the spring.

6.   Supervisor Chapman has received complaints from local pilots about the poor condition of the Spalding Airstrip runway.  Supervisor McCain states the runways for all airstrips in the county are to be resurfaced next spring.

7.   Supervisor Dahle states all the County Department Heads need to be aware that next year will be a very trying year in regard to budgets due to the huge State Budget shortfall - estimated to be $28-$32 billion.

8.   Supervisor Dahle designates $500 of his discretionary funds for the Big Valley Endowment Foundation.

 

MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to accept the letter  from Mary S. Gregg resigning from the Mental Health Advisory Board, and direct Clerk to advertise vacancy to fill the consumer position.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

 

COUNTY CLERK ITEM

Approve Minutes of November 12, 2002.

       

COUNTY CLERK - PROPOSITION 65 REPORT ITEM

Receive and file report #02-10, filed by Redding Area CHP Commander Captain David K. Hahn, on November 14, 2002 - NOTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE:  On November 7, 2002, received notification of a hazardous materials spill of approximately 30 gallons of diesel fuel from an overturned truck on the shoulder of SR 139, south of Hayden Hill Road.  The spill was cleaned up by a certified company under the supervision of CalTrans.

          

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - PERSONNEL ITEM

Receive and file Personnel Movement report for October, 2002.

          

ADMINISTRATION SERVICES - PURCHASING ITEM

Award bid to Cashman Equipment, Sparks, the lowest bidder meeting specifications, for an Articulated Motor Grader in the amount of $222,387.16 and authorize the County Administrative Officer to sign the financial agreement for a lease upon review and approval of County Counsel; and award bid to United Rentals, Susanville, the lowest bidder meeting specifications, for an Asphalt Roller in the amount of $14,478.75.

 

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ITEM

Ratify continuation of Declaration of State of Disaster / Drought Emergency in Lassen County for 2002.

    

PRISON TRIALS COST REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM ITEMS

Receive and file recap of CCC Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for the month of October, 2002; and High Desert State Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for the month of October, 2002.

          

Receive and file recap of CCC Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for fiscal year 2001/2002; and High Desert State Prison Trials Cost Reimbursement Billing for fiscal year 2001/2002.

 

COUNTY COUNSEL ITEM

Reject claim of Brenda Vasquez, in its entirety, and direct County Clerk to send Notice of Rejection.

 

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS

Receive and file the following correspondence:

a.   Lassen County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board meeting agenda for November 19, 2002; and minutes of October 1, 2002.

b.   Lassen County Technical Advisory Committee meeting agenda for December 3, 2002.

 

Recess 9:56 - 10:02 a.m.

 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PRESENTATIONS

1.   It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to adopt a Proclamation honoring Congressman Wally Herger.

 

Following the reading and presentation of the proclamation and a Lassen County plaque, Congressman Herger expresses his appreciation.  He also comments that a statement made by Supervisor Dahle "that we will now have two legislators voting on issues that affect our county", is correct.  Even though he will no longer be our representative he will still take the same stance on issues important to Lassen County. 

 

Supervisor Chapman wants to acknowledge the great help that Congressman Herger's staff have been and specifically acknowledges Field Representative Fran Pease who is present today.

 

2.   It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to adopt Proclamation of appreciation for BLM Field Manager Linda Hansen. Linda Hansen was not able to be present today.

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried unanimously, on a recall vote, to:

 

1)  receive Land Conservation Committee recommendation on Agricultural Preserve #2002-123, Hesseltine, application to establish an agricultural preserve on approximately 945 acres of land and enter said land into a Williamson Act Contract.  The subject land is located adjacent to Red Rock Road (CR 512), approximately 12 miles east of Madeline; adopt Land Conservation Committee findings; and adopt Resolution No. 02-075, establishing an agricultural preserve and authorize the execution of a Williamson Act Contract;

 

2)  receive Land Conservation Committee recommendation on Agricultural Preserve #2002-79, Rouse, application to establish an agricultural preserve and create a farmland security zone on approximately 160 acres of land and enter said land into a Farmland Security Zone Contract.  The subject land is located adjacent to Susanville Road (CR 422), approximately 2 miles northeast of Bieber; adopt Land Conservation Committee findings; and adopt Resolution No. 02-076, establishing an agricultural preserve and the creation of a farmland security zone for the subject property, and authorize the execution of a Farmland Security Zone Contract;

 

3)  receive Land Conservation Committee recommendation on Petition by Alturas Ranches to establish an agricultural preserve and create a farmland security zone on approximately 781.15 acres of land and enter said land into a Farmland Security Zone Contract.  The project site is located approximately 5 miles northwest of Termo, on the west side of US HWY 395; adopt Land Conservation Committee findings; and adopt Resolution No. 02-077, establishing a farmland security zone and authorize the execution of Farmland Security Zone Contract; and

 

4)  receive Land Conservation Committee recommendation on Petition by Green Valley Enterprises, Agriculture Preserve #AA 120 & #AA 140, Land Conservation (Williamson Act) participants, to amend their present Williamson Act contract then enter 16,846.95 acres of Agricultural Preserve land into a Farmland Security Zone contract.  The project site is located approximately 5 miles northwest of Termo, on both sides of US HWY 395. APN(s) various; adopt Land Conservation Committee findings; and adopt Resolution No. 02-078, establishing a farmland security zone and authorize the execution of Farmland Security Zone Contract.

 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to adopt Resolution No. 02-079, proclaiming November 11 - 15 2002 as "The United Way's Week of Caring".

          

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer and seconded by Supervisor Pyle to approve State Department of Mental Health Agreement No. 02-72021-000, in the amount of $294,328, for FY 2002/2003 along with the Contractor Certification Clause forms; and authorize the County Administrative Officer to sign the documents.

 

Supervisor Chapman wants to know how the emergency mental health services are addressed.  He has seen first hand the difficulty of getting a person into the mental health program when it starts as an emergency.

 

Health and Human Services Director Tom Keeffer states he will have staff prepare a report on how the process works. 

 

Supervisor Chapman states this is not the first time this issue has surfaced and he is surprised that it has not been addressed.  He encourages the Health and Human Services Director and the CAO to talk with emergency room staff in order to understand the problems.

 

Supervisor Keefer notes the Mental Health Advisory Board has not had an opportunity to address this issue, but he also sees it as a problem area.

 

Chairman Dahle directs Health and Human Services Director Tom Keeffer to bring a report back to the Board.

 

The motion carries on a roll call vote, with Supervisor Chapman voting NO.

          

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - SURFACE MINING DIVISION

Planner Rick Simon presents a report on the reclamation status for Reclamation Plan #95075, Ramhorn Sand Pit, Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company and requests the board members consider releasing the reclamation bond.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 02-080, finding the site to be reclaimed, releasing the reclamation bond, and authorizing the CAO to sign bank documents on behalf of the County to effect the release.

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION

Supervisor Pyle compliments staff and the Planning Commission for the work done to prepare the Westwood/Clear Creek Area Plans and notes the community is satisfied.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 02-081, making findings required pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and; adopt Resolution No. 02-082, adopting the Westwood/Clear Creek Area Plan.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program.

Supervisor Chapman asks if the maps in the plans have been closely checked so problems that occurred in the past (Wasneechak & Soule) are not repeated.

 

Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag and Assistant Community Development Director Bertotti respond they have been checked by staff and with the help of community members, but there are no guarantees.  Supervisor Pyle feels sure since he was involved there will be no problems.  It is the consensus of the board members these statements need to be entered into the record.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

1.   Construction Notification letter from California Department of Corrections Director Edward S. Alameida, Jr. stating construction of replacement dorms for the Antelope Camp has been authorized, is received and filed.

 

2.   A Certified Copy of a portion of Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting of October 22, 2002 and Resolution #02-93 requesting support from all California counties of CalTrans Buckhorn Grade Improvement Project which would connect Humboldt County with the National Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) Network allowing access for large interstate trucks, is received.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to support of the CalTrans Buckhorn Grade Improvement Project.

 

3.   A letter from Elections Pollworker Carol Mason thanking the Board of Supervisors for allowing the use of the new Visitor Center as a polling place, is received and filed.

 

GRAND JURY RESPONSE

Supervisor Chapman and Supervisor McCain report on the meeting held with Health and Human Services Director Tom Keeffer and Welfare Director Peggy Crosby to discuss how to address the problems with the Child Protective Services Program.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to approve sending letter to the Superior Court Judge responding to the 2001/2002 Grand Jury Report for Health and Human Services Department - Social Services Division (Child Protective Services).

 

Recess 10:44 - 11:00 a.m.

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION

The public hearing is opened at 11:00 a.m. to consider the appeal of Planning Commission's approval of Use Permit #2000-113, Herlong Utility Cooperative, and Certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project to allow for the development of a new water and wastewater system in and around the community of Herlong.

 

Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag presents a brief staff report.

 

Herlong Utility Cooperative (HUC) Project Manager Don Armstrong and local farmer Tim Garrod submit requested revisions to the Mitigation Monitoring Program and Conditions of Approval for the referenced permit.  It is stated the HUC and appellants have reached an agreement whereby the risks associated with potentially significant impacts have been mitigated such that the HUC will bear the risks to the satisfaction of the appellants.  As a result, the appellants withdraw their objections to the certification of the EIR and the Conditions of Approval to the Use Permit, and respectively request that the Board of Supervisors certify the EIR and adopt the mutually proposed revisions to the Mitigation Monitoring Program and Conditions of Approval as submitted. 

 

Tim Garrod states the ten year agreement between HUC, himself and Randy Azevedo should provide time to have sufficient information on the impact to agriculture wells.

 

Extensive discussion is held on what obligations there are if project monitoring indicates that the static groundwater level as measured prior to the beginning of irrigation season, in the Randy Azevedo production well, has receded more than ten feet as a direct result of project pumping.

 

Phil Nemir feels folks in the agriculture community, HUC and the Prison representatives need to be complimented on getting together to work out a compromise.  He does feel that one thing needs to be done without delay and that is to activate the Long Valley Groundwater District as the mechanism to oversee the monitoring of groundwater.  He feels the County is out of compliance by not activating this district and making it responsible for oversight of this project.

 

The hearing is closed at 11:30 a.m.

 

Supervisor Dahle feels that groundwater monitoring is very important and Supervisor Pyle responds that AB 3030 provided money for such monitoring and monitoring has begun.  Supervisor Dahle would like County Counsel to look into the Long Valley Groundwater District (LVGD) legislation.

 

County Counsel John Ketelsen states the LVGD legislation is permissive and has no bearing on this use permit. 

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 02-083, making findings regarding environmental effects for the Herlong Water and Wastewater Systems Project.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 02-084, approving Use Permit #2000-13, Herlong Water and Wastewater System, Herlong Utilities Cooperative.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to adopt the amended Mitigation Monitoring Plan.

 

ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 11:50 a.m. in memory of long time Lassen County resident Edith Dieter.

 

 

 

 

                                __________________________________________

                                     CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________________

THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD