BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

                              APRIL 9, 2002

 

 

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convene in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 9, 2002, at 9:30 a.m.   Present:  Supervisors 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 Pyle is absent.  Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Chapman.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION

Chairman Dahle announces that no closed session was held.

 

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

CAO Whiteman requests that Item G-6, Probation Department Item, be removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to approve the agenda with the noted change.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

Supervisor McCain requests that Item G-10, abandonment of portion of Ward Lake Road, be removed for separate consideration.  Supervisor Chapman requests that Item G-1, minutes, be removed for separate consideration.

 

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

        

COUNTY CLERK - PROPOSITION 65 REPORT ITEM

Receive and file report #02-03, filed by Kenneth Korver, M.D., Lassen County Health Department, on March 19, 2002 - NOTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE:  On November 5, 2002, an underground waste oil tank was removed from the Trades Building site at Lassen Community College.  Soil samples were taken, and the removed soil was placed back in the excavation hole.  The soil samples showed contamination.  On February 21, 2002, contaminated soil was removed from the tank site for further testing and remediation.  Groundwater was encountered and it was also sampled.  Soil and water samples showed motor oil and MTBE contamination respectively.  The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region, is the lead agency on cleanup and remediation of this site.

 

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ITEM

Approve contract with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for Weed Eradication for FY 2001/2002, 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 in the amount of $47,500; and authorize the Chairman to sign. 

 

COUNTY COUNSEL ITEM

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

 

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ITEM

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

County.

 

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ITEMS

Adopt Resolution No. 02-023, accepting easement deed and authorizing the recordation of a grant deed from Frank K. and Dolores F. Davies to the County for a portion of property adjacent to the Standish Road Shop.

 

Authorize Request for Proposal - Operation and Management of the Lassen Rural Bus System.

 

Adopt Resolution No. 02-024, approving the execution of Program Supplement Agreement No. M001, Revision 2, in the amount of $744,280, for the Skyline Road East and Skyline Road Corridor project (which requires a local match of $15,418); and authorize the Chairman to sign.

 

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS

Receive and file the following correspondence:

a.   Lassen County In-Home Supportive Services agenda and minutes for March 27, 2002, minutes of March 20, 2002 meeting, and agenda for meeting of April 3, 2002.

b.   Lassen County Technical Advisory Committee meeting agenda for March 26, 2002.

c.   Lassen County Planning Commission notice of meeting change from April 3, 2002 to April 10, 2002.

d.   Lassen County Transportation Commission meeting agenda for April 8, 2002.

e.   Lassen County Planning Commission agenda for April 10, 2002.

f.   LAFCO notice of meeting to be held April 29, 2002, at 10:00 a.m.

 

BOARD OF SUPERVISOR'S MINUTES

Supervisor Chapman points out the reference to SCA 87 on page HH-39 should read SCA 7.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to approve minutes of March 26, 2002 with the noted correction.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

1.   Poet Laureate Violet Stout reads a poem entitled "Impressions" relating to the appeal hearing at the last meeting.

2.   John Brooner is present to discuss the volunteers on the Mental Health Advisory Board (MHAB).  He states that Supervisor Keefer has made the county out of compliance by dissolving the MHAB and asks when the new board will be appointed.  Supervisor Chapman states the dissolving of the MHAB is not a fatal flaw in the continued functioning of the mental health program.  He also notes the Board of Supervisors dissolved the MHAB, not just Supervisor Keefer.  Supervisor McCain feels it is a fatal flaw as there is no oversight of the program.  Further discussion is held.

 

 

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1.   Supervisor Keefer reports on a meeting he attended with Regional Forester Jack Blackwell and Forest Supervisors from the Modoc, Lassen and Plumas National Forests.  They spent 90% of the time discussing the Sierra Nevada Framework and the original issues the Forest Service intended to address - fuels, National Fire Plan and the QLG.  He is pleased because they are also going to address recreation, grazing and socio-economic issues.  They also discussed the Big Valley Sustained Yield Unit.  He asked Mr. Blackwell to attend a future Board of Supervisors meeting so the entire board can hear his comments.

2.   Supervisor Keefer reports on the latest meeting of the Lassen County Fire Safe Council, noting another grant is available in the amount of $1.8 million.  They have one month to put together a grant application.

3.   Supervisor Chapman received a call from CSAC staff member Karen Keene regarding the formation of an advisory committee to State Water Agencies.  The committee will focus on Small Community Water Systems.  He referred her to Supervisor Dahle as a potential member.

4.   Supervisor Chapman asks how the public representatives are selected for the Emergency Medical Care Committee.  Chairman Dahle refers this question to staff.

5.   Supervisor Dahle makes a brief report on the Big Valley Sustained Yield Unit noting there is interest by a couple of companies in getting a mill operating in Big Valley again.  He will be making a detailed report, at a future meeting, on what the consultant has achieved and will be asking for additional financial support for the consultant.  He also reports the Pit River Water Alliance is being put together and they will be asking for support from the Board.

 

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - ROAD DIVISION

Supervisor McCain expresses his concerns about the request for abandonment of a portion of Ward Lake Road.  He notes the letter from the Road Division indicates the map shows the section to be abandoned but it actually shows the section to be maintained.  He asks if the property owners have been contacted.  Further discussion is held.

 

Chairman Dahle directs Public Works Director Larry Millar and Supervisor McCain to meet and discuss the request to begin abandonment proceedings for the removal of a 1.32 mile section of Ward Lake Road from the County Maintained Road System.

 

PROBATION DEPARTMENT

Probation Director Whipple informs the board members Probation currently has three youths that she feels could be helped by the Turning Point Academy.  She notes youth are becoming more violent and the very structured program is needed.  Two youths brought a gun to the high school and discharged it into the air.  Another youth from the Big Valley area brought a knife to school and made threats.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried on a roll call vote, with Supervisor Dahle voting NO, to adopt Resolution No. 02-022, authorizing the placement of applicable youth from Lassen County in Turning Point Academy.

    

ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to appoint Jean Loosemore to fill a vacancy on the Assessment Appeals Board.

    

BIG VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT       

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to appoint Dennis McGarr to fill a vacancy on the Big Valley Fire Protection District.

 

BUILDING APPEALS BOARD

Chairman Dahle directs that recruitment continue for the Building Appeals Board.

 

COUNTY SERVICE AREA #1 (HONEY LAKE COMMUNITY TELEVISION CORPORATION)

The Board of Supervisors recess and convene as County Service Area #1.

 

Assessor Ken Bunch presents his letter requesting the Board of Supervisors alter its prior directions to staff and identify what group of potential users they wish to be added to next year's assessment roll.  He discusses the problems he sees with the current policy and presents a couple of options for the board members to consider.

 

Supervisor Chapman feels further consideration needs to be given to the prior direction provided by the Board.  Supervisor McCain feels input from the Honey Lake TV Corporation needs to be heard before proceeding.

 

Chairman Dahle directs this item be continued to the next meeting and Honey Lake TV Corporation be invited to attend.

 

County Service Area #1 Board adjourns and the Board of Supervisors reconvene.

COUNTY TREASURY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (CTOC)

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to appoint Kurt Bonham to fill a vacancy on the County Treasury Oversight Committee.

 

LASSEN COUNTY/CITY OF SUSANVILLE HISTORIC BUILDING REVIEW COMMITTEE

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to appoint Irene Doyle and Scott McMillin to the Lassen County/City of Susanville Historic Building Review Committee.

 

IN HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD

It is moved by Supervisor McCain, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to accept the letter of resignation from Jerome Frazee from the In Home Supportive Services Advisory Board, and direct the County Clerk to advertise the vacancy.

         

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - PERSONNEL DIVISION

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to adopt the Overtime and/or Compensatory Time Policy recommended by the policy committee and adopt Resolution No. 02-025, amending the Personnel Rules and Regulations to refer and conform to the new policy.

 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to ratify the following RCRC Joint Power Agreements:  California Rural Home Mortgage Authority; Rural Health Joint Powers Authority; Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Powers Agreement; and California Local Government Finance Authority.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Chapman and seconded by Supervisor Keefer to approve County Policy for Acquisition of Real Property.

 

Supervisor Chapman wants a plan prepared for the blocks surrounding courthouse square with designations of the desirability of obtaining properties if they become available.  Supervisor Dahle notes this is a county-wide policy and is not specific to courthouse square.  He feels it is not the proper time to hold a discussion specific to courthouse square.  Supervisor McCain feels there should also be a policy for disposal of property.

 

Chairman Dahle directs staff to prepare a property disposal policy and place it on a future agenda.

 

The motion carries to approve a County Policy for Acquisition of Real Property.

 

PUBLIC HEARING - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

The public hearing is opened at 10:33 a.m. to solicit comments regarding submittal of a grant application for the 2002/2003 General and Native American Allocation, for up to $500,000 to be funded by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) through the Community Development Block Grant Program, to be used for the purchase and rehabilitation of a building for the use as a transitional housing facility for foster youth.

 

Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag presents the staff report and answers questions from board members and the public. 

 

No speaks in favor of or in opposition to the grant application and the hearing is closed at 10:45 a.m.  Board members discuss how this application was handled by staff and express their dissatisfaction.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried on a roll call vote, with Supervisor Chapman voting NO, to adopt Resolution No. 02-021, authorizing grant application and execution of a grant agreement and any amendment thereto. 

 

LASSEN COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD

Responding to John Brooner's statements made during public comment, Supervisor Keefer states the county was out of compliance before the MHAB was dissolved because the MHAB was dysfunctional.  He also notes there is no mention in the Welfare & Institutions Code of the MHAB having oversight of the Mental Health Department.  He finds it interesting that Supervisor McCain used the word "oversight" as his reason for feeling the county is out of compliance.  In regard to filling the vacancies on Lassen County Mental Health Advisory Board, Supervisor Keefer feels the Board of Supervisors should either setup interviews or designate him to review the applications and make recommendations to the Board.

 

Supervisor McCain feels that when recommendations came from the MHAB and were not what staff wanted, they swept things under the table.  He wants to make his own evaluation of applicants and wants interviews to be held.

 

Supervisor Chapman states it is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors to have a functional MHAB.  He felt the MHAB started out with good intentions but it became dysfunctional.  The board needs to bring the public's needs forward, not personal agendas.  He is in favor of holding interviews.  He also expresses his hope that CAO Whiteman will be recommending some real reforms regarding the administrative structure of the Mental Health Department.

 

Chairman Dahle directs staff to set interviews for next week.

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION

1.   Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag presents a request submitted by Larry Wosick (applicant) to refund the Initial Study fee for the Honey Lake Motocross Park Use Permit.

 

Following discussion it is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried to refund the $611 fee submitted by the applicant for an initial study.

 

2,   Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag presents information on

Agricultural Preserve #2001-137, Nelson, application to establish an agricultural preserve on approximately 560 acres of land and enter said land into a Williamson Act Contract.  The subject land is located adjacent to Albaugh Road (CR 423), approximately 3 miles south of Adin.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried unanimously, on a roll call vote, to: receive the Land Conservation Committee recommendation on the establishment of an agricultural preserve; adopt Land Conservation Committee findings; and adopt Resolution No. 02-026, establishing an agricultural preserve and authorize the execution of a Williamson Act Contract.

 

DISTRICT ATTORNEY - CHILD SUPPORT DIVISION

Child Support Director Beth Hyde is present for a final decision on regionalization with Nevada County.  She announces the State of California is willing to change the computer case management program that the county uses from "Chaser" to "Cases".  That is the only real tie to regionalizing with Nevada County.

 

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried to go it alone and not regionalize with Nevada County; and to encourage staff to pursue the conversion of the case management program.

 

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD

1.   CAO Whiteman asks if the board members have any items to place on the Quad County Agenda for April 30th.  Responses:  Supervisor Keefer - Feasibility Study for Solid Waste Regional Landfill; Supervisor Chapman - CalTrans Regional Advisory Committee; Supervisor Dahle - Update on QLG from Regional Forester Frank Stewart.

2.   CAO Whiteman distributes a letter from the State Department of Housing and Community Development reporting the findings relating to the monitoring of a grant provided to extend sewer lines in Westwood.  He reads a section of the letter that commends the County of Lassen for doing an outstanding job.

 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried, with Supervisor Chapman voting NO, to authorize the CAO to sign an offer to purchase property for a transitional housing facility for foster youth located at 600 Court Street, Susanville (APN #103-380-11) in the amount of $245,000.

 

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 11:28 a.m.

 

 

 

                                __________________________________________

                                  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________________

THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD