BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

JULY 30, 2002

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at 9:31 a.m. Present: Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Brian Dahle, and Everd McCain; County Counsel John Ketelsen, County Administrative Officer (CAO) Andy Whiteman and County Clerk Theresa Nagel. Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Chapman. Supervisor Dahle arrives at 9:32 a.m.

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 McCain, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to approve the agenda as posted.

PUBLIC COMMENT

1. John Zenith speaks for approximately 25 minutes, reading from a lengthy statement relating to Board of Supervisor's actions in regard to Fair Manager Claud Neely; making allegations in regard to possible conflict of interest by former County Counsel Bill Murano's participation in the matter; demands that action be brought against Fair Manager Neely and all other responsible persons to recover benefits, compensation and punitive damages; demands the settlement agreement with Neely be rescinded; threatens the filing of a claim in excess of $300,000 on behalf of taxpayers and the filing of multiple complaints with the California Bar Association; wants criminal prosecution of all responsible persons; asks for Bill Murano to disqualify himself and vacate his post; states this complaint will be filed with Attorney General; states complaints will be lodged with the State Bar against Bill Murano and Frank Cady; states that a supplemental complaint will be filed with the Secretary of State against County Clerk T. Nagel.

2. Lt. M.L. Mielke, Commander of the Alturas Office of the California Highway Patrol introduces himself. He invites board members to call him if there are any concerns that he can address. He states that he recently moved here from Southern California and it is a pleasant change.

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1. Supervisor Chapman discusses his extreme disturbance with the actions of Right Road, Inc. in regard to mismanagement of funds and loss of equipment. He feels that Lassen County owes it to all the other counties involved in the adolescent substance abuse treatment facility to have an audit (fiscal and program) performed. He would like an item placed on a future agenda to receive a report from the CAO on particulars of performing such an audit.

2. Supervisor Pyle announces the second meeting of the Ambulance Committee has been held and a sample policy has been prepared. He asks the CAO to distribute copies to the board members.

3. Supervisor Dahle apologizes for missing the last meeting. He was attending the funeral of his neighbor, that he grew up with, who died suddenly following an accident in which he shot himself in the foot with a nail gun. He asks that today's meeting be adjourned in memory of Kenneth "Hoss" Salters.

4. Supervisor Chapman would also like to have the meeting adjourned in memory of the three firefighters killed in the Happy Camp fire.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Supervisor Dahle requests that Item G-1, minutes, be removed for separate consideration.

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

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ITEM

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

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ITEMS

Adopt Resolution No. 02-050, approving the California Aid to Airports Program Grant Agreement - Construction, that provides funding for the construction of a turnaround (RW 17) at the Ravendale Airport; and authorize the Public Works Director to sign the agreement.

Award the contract for "Ravendale Airport, CAAP LAS-4-98-1, Construct turnaround - Runway 17 and Seal Cracks" to Hat Creek Construction and Materials, Inc., the lowest bidder meeting specifications, in the amount of $60,111.31; authorize the Director of Public Works to sign the contract, once the State agreement is executed; and authorize the Director of Public Works to authorize change orders up to the amount of 10% of the original contract amount.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ITEM

Adopt a proclamation honoring Sheriff Ron Jarrell on his retirement from Lassen County.

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS

Receive and file the following correspondence:

a. Lassen County Technical Advisory Committee special meeting agenda for July 24, 2002, and meeting agenda for August 6, 2002.

COUNTY CLERK - MINUTES

It is moved by Supervisor McCain, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried, with Supervisor Dahle abstaining, to approve the minutes of July 23, 2002.

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD

1. CAO Whiteman announces the interviews for selection of a fair manager are scheduled for August 20th.

2. CAO Whiteman provides invitations to the board members to attend the California Counties Day at the State Fair on August 22nd. RSVP's are due by August 5th.

3. CAO Whiteman announces a Management Seminar is being held on Thursday, August 1st.

4. Supervisor Chapman announces that CAO Whiteman received a letter from Roseburg Lumber offering to gift deed the section of Paul Bunyan Road that goes through Susanville Ranch Park. He notes having ownership of the road would allow applying for grants to improve it.

CORRESPONDENCE

1. Supervisor Chapman speaks about the letter from Probation Services Task Force (under Judicial Council of California) Chair Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian, and Attorney Audrey Evje, requesting comments by August 16, 2002 on the proposed Chief Probation Officer Appointment, Evaluation, Discipline, and Removal Model. He states that it does not work to have a department that serves two masters and so a response should be sent stating the Chief Probation Officer should either be a county department or court department. He also wants reference made to Lassen County's court case relating to the dismissal of the Chief Probation Officer by the Superior Court Judge.

2. Supervisor Dahle discusses the letter from Second District Assemblyman Dick Dickerson requesting feedback on AB 1130 which has been amended to create a Sierra Nevada Conservancy to acquire and direct the management of public lands within the Sierra Nevada Region. He did not take a stance on this at the RCRC meeting because he felt the board members should discuss it. He states the main purpose of the bill is to facilitate receiving bond money for the Sierra Nevada Region. He is not really sure how he stands on this issue and notes his family were not willing sellers of their land until water was taken away and they could not make a living which forced a sale.

Supervisor McCain sees this as another level of government and feels it will be a move for more land going into government control.

Supervisor Chapman notes the move by urbanites is to completely shut down the Sierra Nevada Region.

Board consensus is for the CAO to draft a letter of response and bring it back to the Board for action.

Jack Hanson notes the Cattleman's organization is against AB 1130 but as a board member of the California Range Trust, he sees some benefit to landowners for selling conservation easements. It could allow retention of marginal lands that are not productive.

ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 10:31 a.m. in memory of longtime Big Valley resident Kenneth "Hoss" Salters; and the firefighters killed in an accident while working on the Stanza Fire - John Self, Steven Ousted and Heather DePaolo.

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CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

ATTEST:

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THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD