BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS
AUGUST 20,
2002
The Lassen County Board
of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 20, 2002, at 9:31
a.m. Present: Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd
Keefer, 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.
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
1. Marna Hogan, a resident of Pinetown,
expresses her concern about the large number of trucks hauling gravel from the
Round Mountain Quarry on Moonlight Road.
She feels they are exceeding their original use permit and the minor
amendment recently received. Supervisor
Pyle states the owner of the quarry cannot expand to a new asphalt plant until
a new access road is constructed. Ms.
Hogan notes the trucks she is concerned about are hauling from the current
quarry operation.
2. Fred Binswanger, a Westwood resident, reads
a statement addressed to Supervisor Pyle stating a diverse group of citizens
wish to be heard by local government on matters that affect their daily
lives. He asks for Mr. Pyle to call a
town hall meeting in Westwood, with Mr. Nagel in attendance, for an opportunity
to express their concerns relating to Use Permit #2002-34 as approved by the
Lassen County Planning Commission.
UNAGENDIZED BOARD
REPORTS
1. Supervisor Keefer states that he just
received the Mental Health Advisory Board's goals and objectives and asks the
CAO to distribute them to all board members.
2. Supervisor Keefer notes that Frank Cady is
providing free legal help to the Fire Safe Council and CPA Ken Theobald will
donate time to help with IRS filings.
3. Supervisor Pyle announces that he and CAO
Whiteman went to Eagle Lake last week and inspected the Spalding Airstrip which
is in need of repair. CAO Whiteman
reports that Public Works Director Larry Millar will be crack-sealing the strip
soon. Supervisor Pyle also notes there
is a desire to construct a swimming area near the launch area and Prop 40
funding will be applied for.
4. Supervisor Chapman announces that Lassen
County received a silver award for the County Exhibit at the State Fair. He wants an item placed on a future agenda to
show appreciation to the California Correctional Center, High Desert State
Prison, local businesses and county staff that participated in the construction
of the exhibit. He also expresses his
appreciation of Virginia Lemke's efforts in coordinating the project. Following the State Fair the exhibit will be
housed in the Westwood Visitor's Center.
He, CAO Whiteman and some others will be attending the State Fair on
County's Day to accept the award.
5. Supervisor Pyle announces a Forest Service
grant in the amount of $24,000 has been received for use in furnishing the
Westwood Visitor's Center.
6. Supervisor Dahle reports on the Big Valley
Sustained Yield Unit Committee meeting with the independent consultant. It is expected that somewhere around 8 million
annual board feet of timber over a period of ten years can be sustained by the
unit.
MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY
BOARD
It is moved by
Supervisor Keefer and seconded by Supervisor Pyle to approve the Mental Health
Advisory Board By-laws.
Supervisor McCain
states according to the by-laws only the chairman can place an item on the
agenda. He feels there needs to be some
procedure for a member of the public to place an item on the agenda, such as
the Board of Supervisor's procedures provides.
Supervisor Keefer notes
there is an item on each agenda for discussion and requests for placement of
items on future agendas. It is also made
clear that the public can bring up items at public comment and request placement
on a future agenda.
Supervisor Chapman
feels that Item VI (A) and (B) of the by-laws allow for placement of items on
the agenda by any member of the advisory board and he does not see anything
that precludes anyone from having an item placed on an agenda.
County Counsel John
Ketelsen clarifies the wording that Supervisor McCain is referring to is
written to set guidelines for the timely submission of items. He states if there is a need the wording
could be modified.
Supervisor McCain
suggests a wording change be made to replace the word "recommend"
with "place" in section VI (A).
The maker of the motion
amends the motion to include this suggestion, the second concurs. The motion carries.
RECOGNITION COMMITTEE -
PRESENTATION
Chairman Dahle makes
the following presentations for years of service:
Fifteen years: a two
pen desk set to Robert McGarva (Public Works/Road); and Roy Johnson, Jr. (Solid
Waste) - not present.
PROCLAMATION
It is moved by
Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to adopt a
proclamation recognizing Peter Jason upon his retirement from the Lassen County
Sheriff's Department.
Chairman Dahle reads
and presents the proclamation to Peter Jason (Sheriff's Department).
CONSENT CALENDAR
Supervisor Chapman
requests that Item G-4, Alcohol & Drug Program agreement, be pulled from
the consent calendar for separate consideration.
It is moved by
Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to take the noted
action on the following Consent Calendar items:
COUNTY CLERK ITEM
Approve Minutes of
August 13, 2002.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
- PERSONNEL ITEM
Receive and file
Personnel Movement report for July, 2002.
AUDITOR AND TREASURER
DEPARTMENTS ITEM
Receive and file
Treasurer's Investments Report and Auditor's verification for the month of
July, 2002.
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY
SERVICES ITEM
Ratify continuation of
the Declaration of State of Disaster / Emergency in Lassen County.
PROBATION DEPARTMENT
ITEM
Approve travel
authorization request for Joan Stepanich and Tracy Stewart to attend the
mandatory Standards & Training for Corrections (STC) Core Training in Red
Bluff, September 15 - October 25, 2002, at the estimated cost of $7,510 for
both.
TREASURER ITEM
Receive and file
Treasurer's Fund Balance Report for July, 2002.
MISCELLANEOUS
CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS
Receive and file the
following correspondence:
a. Lassen County Alcohol and Drug Advisory
Board meeting agenda for August 22, 2002, and minutes of July 8, 2002.
HEALTH & HUMAN
SERVICES - ALCOHOL AND DRUG DIVISION
Supervisor Chapman
wants a program and fiscal audit of the substance abuse programs as shown on
pages 10 and 11 of the agreement. CAO
Whiteman notes that Program Director Mike Beard has requested the State perform
an audit of the start-up funding for the Right Roads Program. He does not want to see the County in the
position of reimbursing funds years down the road and wants an independent
fiscal audit performed.
Further discussion is
held with Chairman Dahle referring the audit request to the CAO for further
investigation and requests Supervisor Chapman work with the CAO.
It is moved by
Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to approve the
final amended standard agreement for Net Negotiated Amount (NNA) for 2001/2002
for Alcohol & Drug Division; and authorize the Director of Health and Human
Services to sign the amended agreement; conditioned upon a fiscal audit being
performed by either the State or an independent auditor.
LASSEN CAREER NETWORK
Traci Holt presents a
report on the Lassen Workplace Employment Plan with eight Workforce Employment
Plan Strategies.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Sales Tax Audit:
CAO Whiteman reports
that the "point of sale" audit of the County's sales tax base has
been completed by The Hdl Companies.
They found sixteen businesses for which local taxes are being
misallocated, with an estimate of generating $29,900 per year if the errors are
corrected. Additionally the County should receive approximately $22,000 in
one-time back quarter adjustments.
Recess 10:27 - 10:32
a.m.
PROCLAMATIONS - HEALTH
CENTERS WEEK
Shasta Consortium of
Community Health Centers Executive Director Pam Tupper notes this is the first
year that the President of the United States has recognized community health
centers. She introduces Northeastern Rural
Health Clinics CEO Janet Lasick who will accept the proclamations following
adoption.
It is moved by
Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to adopt
Proclamations declaring the week of August 18 - 24, 2002 as "Health
Centers Week" in Lassen County, and urging our citizens to recognize the
important contributions of Northeastern Rural Health Clinics and Mountain
Valleys Health Centers to the improvement of the general quality of life of the
citizens of Lassen County.
SHERIFF'S
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Assistant to the CAO
Chris Beard presents information on the bids received for the Sheriff's
Administration Building.
Supervisor McCain notes
the minimum bid is almost 60% over the estimated cost for this building. He feels the overall space needs for the
county should be looked at with things changing so rapidly. He thinks it is possible that staff
reductions will be required because of the State budget and the amount of space
needed may decrease. He feels we are at
a great disadvantage due to the quick start date and a very busy building
market along with winter approaching.
Also paying subcontractors to travel from out of the area really drives
up the costs. The biggest complaint he
hears is the time it takes to get deputies to outlying areas and creating a
facility that encourages deputies to stay in Susanville is not what is
needed. He feels this project should be
delayed and looked at in January or February.
Sheriff Freitas
responds the timing is not the best with the busy building market, but he notes
it is time for the Sheriff's Department to be reunited and there is need for
more space. He states this is an office
facility, not a facility for deputies and it will not change the field
deployment of deputies.
Supervisor Dahle feels
there is a real need for this building, and he states in regard to deputy
coverage of his area - it is great and he has no complaints. He does feel some savings may be possible if
the project is rebid in January.
Supervisor Keefer
states the Sheriff's Department has office space needs that need to be
addressed but waiting until January is acceptable. He states if the project is bid in January
and is still high he will support moving forward with no further delay.
Supervisor Chapman
notes if this building had been constructed two years ago, as was proposed by
Sheriff Jarrell, the bid would probably have been in the $600,000 range. He feels if we wait until January it is
likely the price will go up, and he is in favor of proceeding now.
Supervisor Pyle sees
Supervisor McCain's argument, but also feels waiting may mean higher costs.
It is moved by
Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried, on a roll call
vote, with Supervisor McCain and Supervisor Dahle voting NO, to: increase the
Criminal Justice Facility Construction budget by $265,000
(126-1261-522-SHRBLD-3006100) with a transfer from the Criminal Justice
Facility Trust; award bid to lowest
responsible bidder, K-W Western of Carson City, Nevada; authorize County Administrative
Officer to approve change orders not to exceed $68,000 in total; and, direct
staff to file Notice of Determination on the Sheriff's Administration Building.
UNITED STATES FOREST
SERVICE
Forest Supervisor Ed
Cole presents an update on the Sierra-Nevada Framework Review timelines. There is a six step process and the review
team expects to be finished by February, 2003.
The findings that have been developed are published on the website: http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/sncf/review/. The findings were presented to the
Interagency Team at the last meeting and some agencies were happy with
them. He notes there will be lots of
debate on the findings by members of the team.
The next steps are: development of preliminary proposals; evaluation of
the proposals; recommendation to the regional forester on how to proceed; and
publishing the recommendations with a thirty day public review period. He notes the Forest Service and the Fish and
Wildlife Service are working on a process for variances to the one-size-fits-all
concept.
Mr. Cole notes that all
service contracts for the QLG have been awarded. Some of the service contracts
have embedded timber sales.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Space Planning:
CAO Whiteman reports
the county has still not heard from the State regarding the funding for the
H&HS building. He and Harry Munyon
have been in communication with Banner Health relating to any interest in taking
back the hospital. He states the oldest
building cannot be adapted for the handicapped.
The newer building is located on nine acres, but there are some concerns about the facility itself.
Supervisor Chapman
expects there will be a decision from the courts, in the next few months, on
how they plan to proceed in regard to expansion. CAO Whiteman has talked with the judges and
the courts have brought their own space needs consultant in. They expect to make a decision by
October.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
- PERSONNEL DIVISION
It is moved by Supervisor
Keefer, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried unanimously, on a roll call
vote, to authorize the reclassification of the non-exempt (subject to overtime)
position of Office of Emergency Services Chief (Range 22) in the Commanders
Unit to Commander - Chief of OES and Administration (Range 25).
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
- ROAD DIVISION
It is moved by
Supervisor Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to authorize the
Public Works Department to advertise for the Center Road Rehabilitation
Project.
INFORMATION FOR THE
BOARD
1. CAO Whiteman reports the Road Budget will be
placed on the next agenda for action, to allow road projects to proceed.
2. CAO Whiteman would like to be excused from
the afternoon session because he is meeting with departments on the budget.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. A letter from Lassen County Fire Safe
Council Chairman Tom Gauthier requesting donation to the Fire Safe Council for
use in offsetting initial organizing and operating costs, is received.
It is moved by Supervisor
Chapman, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to allocate $500 to the Fire
Safe Council with each supervisor designating $100 from their discretionary
funds.
2. Probation Department final Juvenile Hall
Recap and final Juvenile Detention Surveys for fiscal year 2001-2002, is
received and filed.
Noon recess 11:38 a.m.
- 1:30 p.m. Supervisor Chapman and CAO Whiteman absent. Personnel Director Lynne Margolies is
present.
FAIR MANAGER APPLICANT
INTERVIEWS
The following
candidates are interviewed for the position of Lassen County Fair Manager: Claud Neely at 1:30 p.m.
Recess 1:44 - 1:48
p.m. Supervisor McCain is absent.
Susan Harwell, a member
of the Standish 4-H Club and past member of the Lassen County 4-H Council, is
present and asks to speak. She
compliments Claud Neely for the great work he has done and talks about how he
is a real working fair manager.
Winfred Carpenter is
not present for his interview scheduled at 2:15 p.m.
Recess 1:50 - 2:20 p.m.
Fran Hemphill, a fair
participate for 60 years, states that Lassen County has not had a real fair
manager since Abe Jensen until Claud Neely became manager. She emotionally expresses her feelings that
Claud Neely has been doing a great job as a manager and a great job maintaining
the fairgrounds. She states he is a real
working manager and that is what is needed.
Recess 2:25 - 3:00 p.m.
Aaron "Mike"
Clements is interviewed at 3:00 p.m.
Supervisor McCain
thinks it is important to base a decision on definite findings. He feels that both candidates are comparable
in experience, vision and enthusiasm, but Claud Neely has more experience with
local groups and businesses. He feels
Mike Clements is too flexible and if a better offer comes along he will be
gone. He feels that Claud has more
dedication to this fair and recommends hiring him as fair manager.
Supervisor Keefer
states he cannot add much to what Supervisor McCain has stated except that
Claud knows the people and issues related to the Lassen County Fair. He also has a good track record and community
support. He is uncomfortable with Mike's
willingness to take a position out of the area and feels that Claud is more
stable. He also notes that Mike
acknowledged the Lassen Fair is doing well.
Supervisor Pyle just adds
that board members have received a lot of community support in the form of
calls and letters in favor of Claud.
It is moved by
Supervisor McCain, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to authorize the CAO
to offer the new Fair Manager position to Claud Neely, based on the findings
expressed by the board members, and to negotiate an acceptable compensation
package.
There being no further
business, the meeting is adjourned at 3:33 p.m.
__________________________________________
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF
THE BOARD