Posted by: thepinetree on 10/29/2008 03:18 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 10/30/2008 06:53 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Video and Summary for October 28, 2008
San Andreas, CA...The second big item, besides the Murphys Hotel sign on the Board of Supervisors agenda on Tuesday, was the County's Official response to the Grand Jury Report. It was in many ways anticlimactic and expected. At the center of the report was the county's roll in the Community Development Agency mess of the last couple of years. That the County's official position would be to disagree with the Grand Jury Report was a foregone conclusion. It would be safe to say that the relative peace and quiet of the last few months from a controversy aspect has been a welcome development for everyone even if real development continues to languish. It has been very clear from the moment the Report was released and also from the exit agreement for Former CDA Director Stephanie Moreno that at least publicly the county would attack the validity of the Grand Jury findings...
The real work of the Grand Jury has been largely accomplished because their report forced the county to make many of the recommended changes regardless of the public face the county adopts.
Some of these examples are a restored organizational structure that renewed the CAO's position on the org chart. This was the critical item that hastened former CAO Tom Mitchell's search for gainful employment elsewhere and drove a wedge that split the board. The circumvention of the CAO's position and direct involvement by supervisors in departmental business was at the crux of the whole mess.
There has also been of renewed sense of "Doing the Public's" business that has returned to the forefront the last several months. Another reason the Grand Jury response is anticlimactic is that one of the core issues was to affect the working environment of the Community Development Department. This has largely been done with the staff changes although many in the press including us have be made aware that further improvements are still needed.
So in the end everyone might be able to claim some victory. Real changes were made and the Grand Jury Report as a document of change was easily proven by the events after it's release. Those in Governmental and Elected Positions were allowed to "Save Face" and attack the document while following most of it's recommendations.
Now in those immortal words of Rodney King "Can't we all just get along?"
The full video is below including the second portion of the meeting on the Murphys Sign that we wrote about on Tuesday.
SUMMARY OF THE MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF CALAVERAS, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
HELD ON OCTOBER 28, 2008
PRESENT: Steve Wilensky, Chair; Russ Thomas, Vice-Chair; Bill Claudino, Merita Callaway and Thomas Tryon, Supervisors; James Jones, County Counsel; Robert Lawton, County Administrative Officer; and Madaline Krska, Deputy Clerk
ABSENT: None
C O N S E N T A G E N D A
1.MINUTES of regular Board of Supervisor meetings held on September 23, 2008 and October 7, 2008 - Board action: approved 5-0
2.CORRESPONDENCE: October 10-16, 2008 - Board action: approved 5-0
3.RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement between Calaveras County and Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc. for inpatient psychiatric hospital services for an amount not to exceed $150,000 for fiscal year 2008-2009; Public Health - Board action: approved 5-0
4.RESOLUTION authorizing the county election official to provide specific services in conjunction with the Copperopolis Fire Protection District election, to be held on March 3, 2009; County Clerk/Elections Dept. - Board action: approved 5-0
5.RESOLUTION amending resolution 08-038 to include California Sales Tax in the purchase of the automatic tarping machine; along with a BUDGET TRANSFER, in conjunction therewith: Public Works - Board action: approved 5-0
R E G U L A R A G E N D A
6.PUBLIC COMMENTS: Terry Baker, Rail Road Flat, spoke referencing his public comments last week regarding a nuisance and noise ordinance. Baker voiced concerns that the noise portion will not be in the ordinance. Baker submitted into the record a copy of documentation from the Sheriff’s Department regarding nuisance animals. Baker referenced Robert Sellman, Planning Director’s comments from the October 21st study session. Sellman stated that the noise portion would not be addressed in the ordinance, as this is sanctioned by the State of California. Concerns were expressed for the ongoing disturbances near his residency from the roosters and chickens his neighbors have on their property. Baker asked that the current ordinance be enforced to assist him with this serious issue.
Darryl Rusk, Burson, spoke referencing the elections that will be held next week.
10/28/2008 SUMMARY
Dominico Nuccio, Mokelumne Hill, referenced a letter from the Building Department requesting $94 to reinstate a building permit. A year ago a heater had been installed in his home and he thought that the contractor had addressed this issue. Nuccio feels that the charge for an oversight is not reasonable and a procedure should be in place for public notification prior to a situation getting to this level.
7.Discussion and possible action re: appeal of Public Works decision to deny applicant an Encroachment Permit in the County right-of-way; Public Works - Board action: approved 3-1 NOES: Callaway RECLUSED: Tryon
8.Discussion and possible action re: request for waiver of Department of Agriculture fees, in the amount of $542.50, for processing of California Land Conservation Contract No. 302 (Bowman); Dept. of Agriculture - Board action: approved 5-0
9.Discussion and possible action re: Board of Supervisors response to the 2007-2008 Final Grand Jury Report; County Counsel - Board action: approve 5-0
10.Review of correspondence, reports and various matters of concern. Supervisor Thomas on Thursday will attend a jail meeting, a Red Legged Frog meeting and a Copperopolis Fire meeting.
Supervisor Callaway referenced the Chili Cook-off and car show at the Senior Center on Saturday. The Master Gardeners held a plant sale and there was an Adopt a Pet event at the Animal Shelter. Supervisor Callaway stated a concern for the growing number of animals and livestock needing to be rescued. Different groups are attempting to assist with these animals for their care and feeding. Supervisor Callaway feels this is an outcome of growing concerns for assistance in the community for different venues and groups.
Supervisor Callaway, this week, will attend a Treasury Oversight Committee meeting, a jail meeting, a Red Legged Frog meeting. On Friday, Supervisor Callaway will be in Sacramento for a State Water Plan meeting. Supervisor Callaway announced a community quilt fair this week- end and the first Environmental Film Festival on Saturday evening.
Supervisor Claudino reported on a meeting he attended on October 24th for the Calaveras Mariposa Community Action Agency in Coulterville. Funds have been disbursed from grants for: Mother Lode Job Connection - $55,000; Calaveras Braille that assist people with disabilities in their homes – $5,000; Human Resource Council, Food Bank - $70,000; Calaveras Child Dental Program - $9,500; Valley Springs Youth, for after school and mentoring program - $7,500.
Supervisor Claudino on Thursday will attend the Red Legged Frog meeting, Thursday flu shots will be given, on Friday will attend a Central Sierra Child Care Council meeting for Supervisor Callaway.
10/28/2008 SUMMARY
Supervisor Tryon had nothing to report
Chair Wilensky will attend a showing tonight presented by the Child Care Council and OCOC; an announcement was made for tax meetings that will be held regarding evaluations, baseline and appeal processes in West Point on Wednesday and in Mountain Ranch on Thursday. Thursday will attend the Red Legged Frog meeting, on Friday will attend a Central Sierra Child Care Council meeting.
Chair Wilensky reported on the National Forest Foundation Conference that he attended last week in Montana. Projects associated with the national forest systems were discussed. The topic of how to rekindle economies lost when mill closures affected people. What is done afterwards to maintain the health of the forests, the economy and to insure fire safe communities. Supervisor Wilensky stated there will be forest stewardship projects possible in the future. Representatives from the Sierra Conservancy and the National Forest Partnership Department will visit Calaveras County. This may assist in the development of an extensive forest service stewardship program for the Stanislaus National Forest. This program could put many people back to work, if the County was selected as the primary site.
Bob Lawton, County Administrative Officer, stated on Tuesday November 11th Veterans Day, there will not be a Board of Supervisors meeting. On Wednesday, he will attend a meeting with John Brophy, Calaveras County Schools, discussing the Safe Rural Schools Allocation. Congress has acted to restore these funds, with the suggestion to have the same distribution of funds as in previous years. CAO Lawton, on Wednesday, will be the luncheon speaker at the Calaveras County Taxpayers Association meeting regarding the state budget impacts on Calaveras County. The Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes fund has been increased and there may be some unanticipated funds that will be split with the school districts.
James Jones, County Counsel, reported on a letter Acting Board Chair Thomas gave to him last week regarding the organization Stewards of the Range. The organization is based on the fact that most of the Federal legislation governing land use, requires the Federal government to coordinate with local government. Jones further reported that the group feels that the same degree of respect should be given to local government’s general plan. The organization is designed to assist local governments extract the most possible from this requirement. Jones stated that it does not give local government veto power over what the Federal government does. Jones will continue to gather information from other counties and present this to the Board.
Supervisor Callaway stated Calaveras is a Home Ruled County. Supervisor Callaway feels that the U.S. Forest Service has been very willing to work in a positive manner with the County on issues that have arisen.
Supervisor Thomas referenced a letter from Peggy Brooks of the Bureau of Reclamation. The letter referenced correspondence from the County
10/28/2008 SUMMARY
regarding the development on the west side of New Melones. Direction was given to CAO to arrange a meeting for this issue.
11. Discussion re: Mining's Toxic Legacy, Environmental Health; informational only
12. Discussion re: Special Districts; Auditor-Controller; informational only
______/s/ Karen Varni ____________
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
to the Board of Supervisors of the
County of Calaveras, State of Calif.
