Supervisor Bob Pickard gave an update on Bill SB277 as it makes it's way through the California Legislature.
(This is what the bill is about:
There are three counties in the state that do not have any incorporated
cities within their boundaries: Alpine, Mariposa, and Trinity Counties. Due to their lack of cities and the design of the
funding formulae, these counties do not receive any additional fuel taxes or Vehicle License Fee revenues. However, just like
every other county, they provide municipal services upon which their residents rely and that are paid for – in other counties
– with these revenue streams.
To correct this arbitrary unfairness to the residents of these three counties, the Legislature in 1998 passed Assembly Bill
473, which allocated $147,000 per year to these three counties. Two years ago, this funding was cut, and has not yet been
restored. SB 277, by Senator Dave Cogdill, would restore this drop in the state's budgetary bucket, which will help to ensure
that all of California's residents are treated fairly and have access to adequate public facilities and services.)
Kathy Delaney with another spokesperson presented a Power Point demonstration on the new website 'Community Link' at
mariposalink.org. This web site
was developed to provide a link to opportunities and services in Mariposa County.
Planning Director Kris Schenk, was there to try and reschedule the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors meeting at
Tenaya Lodge for the SDA Camp Redevelopment Project. He told the board that if they do not have the meeting eventually at the
Tenaya Lodge that the county would lose the $600.00 that they put down to reserve a meeting room. He will come back next week
to see if they can set a meeting date that will not conflict with any of the Board of Supervisors already scheduled dates.
Tony Radanovich's presentation before the Board of Supervisors for a request of $25,000 for the Rural Media Arts &
Education Project / 6th Street Cinema was put off for another week at Mr. Radanovich' s request.
Dana Hertfelder, Public Works Director gave a presentation on submitting an application for a 2007 CSAC
Challenge award for the Mariposa County Compost Facility that Supervisor Bob Pickard had recommended to Mr. Hertfelder to
apply for.
Supervisor Brad Aborn said he was "Taken by surprise, by this, considering the controversy" over the landfill. He
commented that this was the only compost facility in the United States besides one other in Yellowstone. Mr. Aborn was
concerned about the odor problem and the 50% claimed reduction at the facility. Mr. Aborn said "Are we premature for an award
to CSAC?".
Supervisor Janet Bibby also voiced her concerns about the suitability of an award for a facility that came in over
budget with some needed features that were not installed because of budget concerns, also that is was designed to last 20-30
years and now is coming in at the low end toward the 20 year mark.
Supervisor Bob Pickard who had asked Mr. Hertfelder to put in for the award said that all of the goals of the
facility that were set by the board of supervisors had been met.
As Supervisor Janet Bibby asked for public opinion she advised the public to "Take out your aggressions on the Board'
rather than the Public Works Director. Mariposa resident Ruth Sellers asked Supervisor Bob Pickard "If he would like to
live there?" meaning above the landfill, where houses are, and "To go around telling people that it is working is
ludicrous!'. Another Mariposa resident, Paul Chapman supported everything that Mrs. Sellers said. Lynn
Maccarone, a Mariposa resident and business owner said " Who thought this up?" in reference to this award.
Supervisor Bob Pickard after hearing all these comments said " I am personally very proud of our Solid Waste Facility" and he
apologized to Dana Hertfelder for asking him to submit this application for an award and that he takes responsibility
for this item presented to the Board of Supervisors.
A motion was made to bring back this item in a year to see if the situation at the compost facility has improved before
putting in for the CSAC award. Supervisors Brad Aborn, Dianne Fritz and Lyle Turpin approved the motion while Supervisor Bob
Pickard abstained and Supervisor Janet Bibby opposed the motion.
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On the Ferguson Rockslide issue it was noted that Congressman George Radanovich is trying to
secure funding for the permanent bridge replacement even before CalTrans comes up with some firm numbers. He recommended that
a couple of local representatives travel to Washington DC. to meet with the Transportation Committee to help secure the
funding. It was suggested that the Mariposa CAO, Richard Benson and one or two other reps would go to Washington.
The Board also approved the appointment of Janet Chase Williams as Interim County Librarian until she completes her
studies to have a Master of Library and Information Science Degree. Mrs. Williams will also receive a step up in wages of 20%
above the Senior Library Assistant pay range effective June 1, 2007 and an additional 20% out of class pay effective January
1, 2008.
Richard Benson, Mariposa County CAO said that the county was lucky to have her and that the state of California bent the rules
to let Mrs. Williams have the position at the library without having the proper degree.
Mr. Benson also said that there were a few qualified applicants for the job that resulted in one interview. Based on a
subcommittee report and the CAO recommendation they decided to go with Mrs. Williams. She has until March 2010 to complete her
degree and after all the mentioned raises her pay will be at about 75% of the Librarian's pay.
Supervisor's Brad Aborn and Dianne Fritz were appointed to represent Mariposa County on the San Joaquin Rail
Committee. It was also noted during this discussion that Amtrak will be taking groups when they number 20 or more to Yosemite
on either Highway 41 or Highway 120. Supervisor Dianne Fritz said that this agreement was not signed yet and that Amtrak said
that they wanted to do this simply to break up the large groups. Also noted was that CalTrans is going to be conducting a bus
study in the fall.
On discussion on approving a salary adjustment to the Deputy District Attorney 1 and 2 classification it was mentioned
by Bob Brown, District Attorney for Mariposa County that other counties had higher classification levels than Mariposa
County and that he is trying to retain the employees that he has although they are underpaid by at least $25,000 a year
over valley cities. Supervisor Brad Aborn was for making a fourth level of pay for the District Attorney office. While
Supervisor Janet Bibby expressed concerns that if they take this step, that other department heads will come forward wanting
to make some of their employees level fours. Bob Brown was requesting that his attorney's receive a $10,000 raise to try to
keep then in Mariposa County.
When it came to a vote, the majority of the board of supervisors agreed with the CAO's recommendation with Supervisor Janet
Bibby opposing stating that she was concerned about opening up the county to level fours as far as wages are concerned.
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