Board of Supervisors (2024-09-03)

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 1 September 3, 2024 County of Inyo Board of Supervisors September 3, 2024 The Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, met in regular session at the hour of 8:33 a.m., on September 3, 2024, in the Board of Supervisors Room, County Administrative Center, Independence, with the following Supervisors present: Chairperson Matt Kingsley, presiding, Scott Marcellin, Jeff Griffiths, Jennifer Roeser and Trina Orrill. Also present: Assistant County Administrator Denelle Carrington, County Counsel John-Carl Vallejo, and Assistant Clerk of the Board Darcy Ellis. Closed Session Public Comment The Chairperson asked for public comment related to closed session items and there was no one wishing to speak. Closed Session Chairperson Kingsley recessed open session at 8:33 a.m. to convene in closed session with all Board members present to discuss the following item(s): No. 2 Conference with County's Labor Negotiators – Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 – Regarding employee organizations: Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA); Inyo County Correctional Officers Association (ICCOA); Inyo County Employees Association (ICEA); Inyo County Probation Peace Officers Association (ICPPOA); IHSS Workers; Law Enforcement Administrators’ Association (LEAA). Unrepresented employees: all. County designated representatives – Administrative Officer Nate Greenberg, Deputy Personnel Director Keri Oney, County Counsel John-Carl Vallejo, Assistant County Counsel Christy Milovich, Auditor-Controller Amy Shepherd, Assistant CAO Denelle Carrington, Anna Scott, Amanda Phillips, and Jack Hughes; and No. 3 Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Pursuant to Government Code §54957 – Title: County Administrator. Open Session Chairperson Kingsley recessed closed session and reconvened the meeting in open session at 10:10 a.m. with all Board members present. Pledge of Allegiance Supervisor Trina Orrill led the Pledge of Allegiance. Report on Closed Session County Counsel Vallejo reported that the Board met under Item Nos. 2 & 3 and said that no action was taken that is required to be reported but the Board would continue closed session discussions later in the meeting. Introductions The following new employees were introduced to the Board: • Auditor’s Office: Office Technician Marisa Clarkson • Child Support Services: Office Technician Ryan McVeitty and Child Support Specialist Teeheenah Duckey • Health & Human Services: Registered Nurse Susana "Susie" Chavez and Office Clerk Elle Pace • Sheriff’s Office: Correctional Officer Cody Vaughn and Deputy Mike Ogas Presentation – Winnedumah Remodel Bernie Corea and Coty Hastie gave a community update on their efforts to restore, preserve, and remodel the historic Winnedumah Hotel in Independence. They also shared photos of proposed updates, merchandise, restorations, and branding that will pay homage to the fonts and advertisements used almost 100 years ago. Update – Tri-County Fairgrounds Operations Interim Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair CEO Mike Francesconi provided the Board with an overview of state fairs and agricultural districts and how they’re governed, as well as the chain of command. He explained the compliance audit that led to the state staging an “intervention” with the Tri-County Fair which resulted in the resignation of the former CEO and “suspension” of the Board of Directors. He explained that the Fair Board is technically still in place but the decision-making power has been placed with him until the State is

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 2 September 3, 2024 satisfied with the course correction in response to the audit. He also noted that all members’ terms are expired, so they would have to reapply to be on the board. He added that the Governor actually makes the appointments. Francesconi also acknowledged that no formal process has started yet for recruitment of a new CEO, and that it’s possible another interim CEO will be assigned to take his place. He assured the Board that the State has no desire to shut the fairgrounds down. Supervisors asked various questions to clarify what the exact situation at the fairgrounds is, and what steps are or will be taken to reappoint the board. They also expressed confusion as to why the State no longer provides any funding to the fairgrounds but retains oversight, and shared concerns with how the lack of transparency and seeming abrupt actions by the State have shaken the community and rumors are running rampant. Supervisors Griffiths and Kingsley in particular found it problematic that exhibitors from the Junior Livestock Show in July – most of them college-bound teens – have not received their checks yet from the auction. Francesconi explained that they are still waiting for payments to come in, to which Supervisor Griffiths responded that the State frequently requires the County to pay for programs upfront and wait for reimbursement, and it seems the State should be able to do as well. He also reported hearing rumors that active recruitment is going on for new board members. Francesconi acknowledged that was probably true, as it’s not unusual for the Executive Office to reach out to local officials for possible candidate names. Supervisor Griffiths asked whether it’s normal to be done in secret and noted that it’s confusing for a recruitment to be underway when there are already five appointed Fair Board members – unless some decisions have already been made that nobody else knows about. Supervisor Marcellin took exception to the fact that the State audits are not being conducted on a regular basis as required, with the result being a huge disruption to the fairgrounds and community. Supervisor Roeser asked how to ensure consistency in management until the Governor’s Office makes appointments. Members of the suspended Fair Board shared various grievances, including the rumors that a local elected official is acting in secret to nominate potential new board members. Public comment was heard from Judy Waggoner, Ann Strohm, Trish Schlichting, Joanne Parsons, Marianne Schat, Fran Hunt, Jaque Hickman, and Lynn Greer. Board members thanked Francesconi for coming before the Board and urged him to be as transparent as possible going forward and to get the Junior Livestock Show exhibitors paid as soon as possible. Public Comment The Chairperson asked for public comment related to items not calendared on the agenda and public comment was received from Lauralyn Hundley, Aaron Schat, Emma Bills, and Joanne Parsons. County Department Reports Sheriff Rennie announced that the Sheriff’s Office will be hosting National Night Out on October 1 at Spainhower Park in Lone Pine, and she distributed flyers. Public Works Director Mike Errante updated the Board on the closure of Diaz Lake last week due to a toxic algal bloom. He said the water continues to be tested and the lake will be reopened when deemed safe. Recess/Reconvene The Chairperson recessed the meeting at 12:35 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 12:42 p.m. with all Board members present. Auditor-Controller – GANN Limit/Reso # 2024-25 Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve Resolution 2024- 25, titled, "A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, California Establishing Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Appropriation Limit under Article XIII of the California Constitution, and Establishing Period for Contesting Such Limits for the County and Board of Supervisors Governed Special Districts," and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously. Auditor-Controller – FY Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve Resolution 2024- 26, titled, "A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, California

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 3 September 3, 2024 24-25 Property Tax Rates/Reso # 2024-26 Adopting Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Pursuant to Government Code Section 29100," and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk of the Board – Approval of Minutes Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve the minutes from the regular Board of Supervisors meeting of August 20, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. HHS – CA Social Services MOU Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Inyo and California Department of Social Services of Sacramento, CA for the use of County office space one day each week, and authorize the Health & Human Services Director to sign. Motion carried unanimously. HHS-Behavioral Health – MHSA FY 24-25 Plan Update Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Integrated Three-Year Plan Annual Update for Fiscal Year 2024-25 in order to access funds under the approved MHSA Agreement, and authorize the Health & Human Services Director, as the County's Mental Health Director, to sign the plan, County Certification Form, and Fiscal Attestation Form. Motion carried unanimously. HHS-ESAAA – CA Dept. of Aging Amendment 4 Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve Amendment No. 4 to the Standard Agreement for Contract Number AP-2122-16, between the County of Inyo and the California Department of Aging, extending the contract term for an additional year to September 20, 2025 to expend American Rescue Plan Act funds only and to authorize the Health & Human Services Director to sign the Standard Agreement Amendment. Motion carried unanimously. County Counsel – Ordinance 1309/Mobile Vending Permits for County Property Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve Ordinance 1309, titled, "An Ordinance of the Inyo County Board of Supervisors Amending Sections 7.48.010 and 7.52.040, Repealing Section 12.16.090 and Adding Chapter 12.22 of and to the Inyo County Code Pertaining to Mobile Vending and Permitting for Mobile Vending on County Property." Motion carried unanimously. Public Works – Ordinance 1310/Airport Fuel Pricing & Ramp Fees Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve Ordinance 1310, titled, "An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, Repealing Ordinance No. 1166 (2011) and Establishing Guidelines for Setting Fuel Prices and Transient Ramp Fees." Motion carried unanimously. Assessor – Transitioning to Assessment Appeals Board Inyo County Assessor Dave Stottlemyre gave a presentation on the benefits of transitioning from the Board of Supervisors to serve as the Board of Equalization to hear property tax assessment appeals, to an Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) comprised of local residents with expertise in finances, taxes, law, property appraisal, real estate, and other specific areas. He said some of the benefits include streamlining the decision-making process by having a three-member panel having quicker, more focused discussions; expertise and diversity allowing for well-rounded perspective on assessments; and reducing the Board of Supervisors’ workload. He also noted that with an AAB, several hearings can be held in one day and they wouldn’t have to be restricted to Board of Supervisors meeting days. Discussion ensued, with Board members seeking clarity on the appointment process, overall authority, recruitment, and policies and procedures. Chairperson Kingsley supported looking into the change, with consideration given to the need for countywide representation on the AAB. Supervisor Griffiths said he supported the idea of having a panel dedicated solely to appeals, with the expertise to understand the various rules, regulations, and nuances, so that appeals can be heard and decided on a more timely basis. The Board directed staff to bring back an agenda item to create the Assessment Appeals Board, along with proposes Policies and Procedures and more information on appointing members. HHS-Health/Prevention – Red Cross MOU Moved by Supervisor Griffiths and seconded by Supervisor Marcellin to ratify and approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Inyo and the American Red Cross Kern Eastern Sierra Chapter for the purpose of defining a framework for cooperation between the two organizations in providing trained personnel to Red Cross shelters during the event of a catastrophic disaster in the area, for the period of July 30, 2024 to July 30,

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 4 September 3, 2024 2029, and authorize the Health & Human Services Director to sign. Motion carried unanimously. Personnel – Deputy Director of Behavioral Health Contract Assistant CAO Carrington presented the contract for hire Mr. John Laux as HHS Deputy Director-Behavioral Health, and announced the terms of the contract, including salary and benefits. Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Marcellin to: A) approve the contract between the County of Inyo and John Laux for the provision of personal services as the Health and Human Services Deputy Director Behavioral Health at Range 88, Step A $8,561 per month effective September 12, 2024, and authorize the Chairperson to sign; and B) Direct staff to update the publicly available pay schedule accordingly. Motion carried unanimously. Personnel – ICEA Side Letter Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to approve the Side Letter between the Inyo County Employees Association and the County of Inyo, to be implemented starting in the pay period beginning November 21, 2024, with benefit changes effective January 1, 2025. Motion carried unanimously. Personnel – ICPPOA Side Letter Moved by Supervisor Marcellin and seconded by Supervisor Griffiths to approve the Side Letter between the Inyo County Probation Peace Officer Association and the County of Inyo, to be implemented starting in the pay period beginning November 21, 2024, with benefit changes effective January 1, 2025. Motion carried unanimously. Closed Session The Chairperson recessed the meeting at 1:19 p.m. for the Board to reconvene in closed session. Report on Closed Session No action was taken during closed session that is required to be reported. Adjournment The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2:28 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2024, in the County Administrative Center in Independence. Chairperson, Inyo County Board of Supervisors Attest: N A T E G R E E N B E R G C l e r k o f t h e B o a r d by: _____________________________________ Darcy Ellis, Assistant