Board of Supervisors (2024-11-05)

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 1 November 5, 2024 County of Inyo Board of Supervisors November 5, 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 November 5, 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: County Administrator Nate Greenberg, 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 8:34 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, Assistant County Counsel Grace Weitz, Auditor-Controller Amy Shepherd, and Assistant CAO Denelle Carrington; No. 3 Conference with Real Property Negotiators – Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of Government Code §54956.8 – Property: 325 N. Brewery St., Lone Pine, CA 93545. Agency Negotiators: Nate Greenberg, John-Carl Vallejo, Meaghan McCamman, Cathreen Richards, Amy Shepherd. Negotiating parties: Inyo County and Black Walnut Partners. Under negotiation: price and terms of payment; and No. 4 Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Pursuant to Government Code §54957 – Title: County Counsel. Open Session Chairperson Kingsley recessed closed session and reconvened the meeting in open session at 10:05 a.m. with all Board members present. Pledge of Allegiance Assistant Clerk of the Board/Public Relations Liaison Darcy Ellis led the Pledge of Allegiance. Report on Closed Session County Counsel Vallejo reported that the Board met under Item Nos. 2 and 3 and that no action was taken during closed session that is required to be reported. Vallejo said that the Board would continue closed session deliberations later in the meeting for Item No. 4. Introductions The following new employees were introduced to the Board: • Health & Human Services: Office Clerk Emma Baker, Social Worker Gina Cook, and Deputy Director of Behavioral Health John C. Laux; • Public Works: Mechanic Trainee Daniel Miller, Parks Specialist Theran W. Mills, and Engineering Technician Jose Rodriguez. Employee Service Milestones The Board recognized the following employees who reached service milestones during the Fourth Quarter of 2024, many of whom were in attendance to receive their commemorative pins: • Patricia Wilder-Barton, 25 years – Public Administrator-Public Guardian • Jeff Thomson, 25 years – Chief Probation Officer • Melissa Best-Baker, 25 years – Health & Human Services • Lauri Harner, 25 years; Riannah Reade, 20 years; Fernando Gutierez-Crespo, 5

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 2 November 5, 2024 years; Daniel Armogida, 5 years; and Joslyn Cash, 5 years – Sheriff’s Department • Rusty Huerta, 15 years – Auditor-Controller • Morgan Maillet, 15 years, and Jaclyn Sharer, 5 years – District Attorney • Kathryn Chaplin, 5 years, and Erika Jayne Hall, 5 years – CAO/Library • Kelsey Ditty, 5 years – Public Works Public Comment The Chairperson asked for public comment related to items not calendared on the agenda and public comment was received from Lauralyn Hundley. County Department Reports Public Works Director Mike Errante provided updates on the Mt. Whitney Portal Road repair project, which is expected to reach completion by the end of the year, and the Courthouse HVAC project, expected to reach completion by January of 2025. Public Works Transportation Planner Justine Kokx announced that Inyo County has been selected for a grant award by the California Transportation Commission for the “Connecting Tecopa: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Corredor Project.” Kokx said that input provided by the Local Transportation Commissioners was vital in securing the maximum award of $7.8 million. Supervisors thanked Kokx for being proactive and pursuing funding from this highly competitive grant and recognized how the project will significantly enhance the community of Tecopa. HHS Director Anna Scott reported on Public Health October outreach opportunities, with mobile clinics made available to communities for flu vaccinations and oral health care. She recognized staff for their hard work. Clerk of the Board – Minutes Correction Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to authorize the Clerk of the Board to amend the minutes of the January 16, 2024 Board of Supervisors meeting, and associated Board Order, so that they include the names of the individuals appointed at that meeting to serve on the Inyo County Water Commission. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk of the Board – Approval of Minutes Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to approve the minutes from the special Board of Supervisors meetings of October 8, 2024 and October 9, 2024 and the regular meeting of October 15, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. CAO-Broadband – LATA Grant Phase 2-B Onward Contract Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to approve the agreement between the County of Inyo and Inyo Networks, Inc., doing business as Onward, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, for the provision of detailed network engineering design services as part of the Local Area Technical Assistance Grant (Phase 2-B) in an amount not to exceed $220,000 for the period of November 5, 2024, through January 25, 2025, and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously. CAO-Broadband – CETF Digital Equity Best Practices Grant Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to approve the agreement between the County of Inyo and the California Emerging Technologies Fund (CETF) of Concord, CA to accept a CETF grant of $20,000 to support County participation in the CETF Best Practices Check List Project Learning Community in Fiscal Year 2024‐2025, effective upon signing through June 30, 2025, and authorize the County Administrative Officer to sign. Motion carried unanimously. County Counsel – Assessment Appeals Board Formation Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to approve Ordinance 1311 titled, “An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California Creating Chapter 3.25 of the Inyo County Code Establishing the Inyo County Local Assessment Appeals Board and Modifying Section 3.28.030 of the Inyo County Code to Replace the References to the Local Board of Equalization with References to the Assessment Appeals Board.” Motion carried unanimously. HHS – Crestwood Behavioral Health Invoice Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to authorize payment to Crestwood Behavioral Health for prior-year invoice in the amount of $23,630. Motion carried unanimously. Planning – Precision Civil Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to approve the contract between the County of Inyo and Precision Civil Engineering, Inc. for the provision of planning

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 3 November 5, 2024 Engineering Agreement services in the amount not to exce2025,209,000 for the period of November 5, 2024, to December 31, 2025, and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously. Public Works – NIAAC Appointments Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to reappoint Mike Patterson and Peter Tracy, and appoint Harivanden P. Bhakta, each to a four-year term on the Northern Inyo Airport Advisory Committee, ending October 31, 2028. Motion carried unanimously. Public Works – Sierra Forever Special Event Fee Waiver Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to approve the Special Event fee waiver for Sierra Forever of Bishop, CA to hold an event at Spainhower Park on November 16, 2024, from 3-5 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Public Works- Recycling & Waste Management – Caterpillar Excavator Purchase Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to: A) Declare Quinn Company of Lancaster, CA a sole-source provider of a new 2024 303.5 Excavator; and B) Authorize the issuance of a purchase order in an amount not to exceed $89,572 payable to Quinn Company of Lancaster, CA for a new 2024 303.5 Excavator. Motion carried unanimously. Public Works – Tartaglia Engineering Agreement Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to approve the agreement between the County of Inyo and Tartaglia Engineering of Pismo Beach, CA for the provision of Airport Engineering Services in an amount not to exceed $114,800 for the period of November 5, 2024 through June 30, 2026, or until project completion, and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously. CAO-Motor Pool – Vehicle Purchase Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to: A) Declare Jim Charlon Ford of Ridgecrest, CA a sole-source provider of a full-size 4x4 seven-passenger vehicle; and B) Authorize the issuance of a purchase order in an amount not to exceed $76,239.84. Motion carried unanimously. County Counsel – IWVGA Amicus Letter County Counsel Vallejo provided updates and a presentation on the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority. Moved by Supervisor Griffiths and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to authorize County Counsel to submit an amicus letter in support of the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority's writ petition. Motion carried unanimously. Public Works – Budget Amendment/Meyer Land Surveying Agreement Amendment No. 1 Moved by Supervisor Roeser and seconded by Supervisor Marcellin to: A) Amend the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Public Works Budget 011500 as follows: increase appropriation in Professional Services, Object Code 5265, by $55,692.00 (4/5ths vote required); B) Amend the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Maintenance Building & Grounds Budget 011100 as follows: decrease appropriation in Salaried Employees, Object Code 5001, by $55,692.00 (4/5ths vote required); and C) Approve Amendment No. 1 to the contract between the County of Inyo and Meyer Land Surveying of Oak Hills, CA, increasing the contract to an amount not to exceed $175,692.00 and extending the term end date from December 31, 2024 to June 30, 2026, and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously. Agricultural Commissioner – 2023 Crop and Livestock Report The Board received a presentation on the 2023 Inyo County Crop and Livestock Report from Agricultural Commissioner Nathan Reade, who noted that the report is dedicated in memory of Senior Agricultural Biologist/Weights and Measures Inspector David Miller. CAO-Emergency Services – School Safety Month The Board received a presentation on School Safety Month activities at Bishop schools from Emergency Manager Mikaela Torres and Health & Human Services Prevention Specialist Caroline Hagopian.

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 4 November 5, 2024 Update Recess/Reconvene The Chairperson recessed the meeting for a break and to return to closed session at 12:36 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 1:43 p.m. with all Board members present. Report on Closed Session County Counsel Vallejo reported that the Board met under Item No. 4 and that no action was taken during closed session that is required to be reported. Board of Supervisors – Grant Guideline Updates CAO Greenberg provided background information on the effort to update the guidelines for the Community Project Sponsorship Program grants and Assistant Clerk of the Board/Public Relations Liaison Ellis reviewed the proposed changes that were based on feedback from the Board on July 23 and compiled with input from the Auditor-Controller, Treasurer-Tax Collector, and past review panel members and grant recipients. The Board asked that the maximum grant amount request be raised to $7,500, from the proposed $5,000, and that the sections stating competitive grant applications will be rejected if the applicants aren’t current with their federal and state non-profit statuses be changed to state that funding will not be released until those entities are in compliance. Moved by Supervisor Griffiths and seconded by Supervisor Orrill to approve, as amended, the updated guidelines for the Community Project Sponsorship Program and new guidelines for County Marketing grants and the Grants-in-Support program. Motion carried unanimously. County Counsel – County Financial Evaluation Officer Appointment/ Reso. No. 2024-36 Moved by Supervisor Orrill and seconded by Supervisor Marcellin to: A) Approve Resolution No. 2024-36, titled, “Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Appointing the Child Support Services Director as the County Financial Evaluation Officer Pursuant to Government Code Section 27750," and authorize the Chairperson to sign; and B) Designate a team to perform the County-Court consultation as provided for by Penal Code Section 987.2(b). Motion carried unanimously. Board of Supervisors – CSAC Nominations Moved by Supervisor Marcellin and seconded by Supervisor Roeser to appoint Supervisor Orrill as a director to serve on the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Board of Directors for year 2024-2025 and Supervisor Griffiths to serve as alternate representative. Motion carried unanimously. Public Comment Chairperson Kingsley asked for public comment related to items not calendared on the agenda and there was no one wishing to speak. Board Member & Staff Reports Supervisor Orrill said she attended meetings with the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority and the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments and thanked Clerk-Recorder Danielle Sexton, Bishop Unified School District Superintendent Katie Kolker, Emergency Services Manager Mikaela Torres, and Assistant Clerk of the Board Darcy Ellis for assisting with her quarterly community meeting. Orrill also took the time to highlight current committee vacancies and encouraged members of the public to volunteer. Supervisor Kingsley said he attended the TecopaFest! event last weekend which benefits the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District. Supervisor Griffiths provided information on an upcoming fundraiser to assist community members affected by the Willow Fire and said he attended meetings for the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority and a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion learning session. Griffiths thanked voters for their participation in the 2024 election. CAO Greenberg thanked the Elections Office for ensuring a safe and secure election and veterans for their service in advance of the Veterans Day holiday. Greenberg said he attended meetings for the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments and “Coffee with CAO” in Bishop and reminded staff there will be another “coffee” meeting next Thursday as well as the last formal class for the California State Association of Counties Leadership Academy on

Board of Supervisors MINUTES 5 November 5, 2024 Wednesday. Assistant Clerk of the Board/Public Relations Liaison Ellis acknowledged Veterans Service Officer Gordon Greene and Maintenance staff for their efforts to have the courthouse in Independence and Consolidated Office Building in Bishop illuminated green in observance of “Operation Green Light” Nov. 4-11 to show support for veterans. She also provided additional information on current committee vacancies. Supervisor Marcellin said he recently received positive feedback on the “Coffee with CAO” and encouraged CAO Greenberg to continue scheduling those meetings with staff. Adjournment The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2:48 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 12, 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