FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Briefs from the June 4, 2024 Board of Supervisors Meeting
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
More than a dozen new employees were introduced Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors, which praised staff for their successful recruitment efforts.
The following individuals received traditional Inyo County golden trout pins:
- Ag Commissioner’s Office – Ag/Weights & Measures/Cannabis Inspector Gene Dondero and Field Technician Sean R. Fekete
- Water Department – Research Assistant Tyler Starbard
- Public Works – Office Technician Katherine Carrington, Office Technician Tina Chinzi, Gate Attendant Devon Clark, Park Manager Jorge Daniel Briceno, Engineering Assistant Kevin Rainbolt, Maintenance Worker Miles Romero, Mechanic Trainee Miguel Santana, Airport Technician Dagan Sparrow, Heavy Equipment Operator Raymond L. Stone IV, Administrative Analyst Sarah Wilson, and Maintenance Worker Neal Jarvis
STILL OPEN
Health & Human Services Deputy Director of Fiscal and Special Operations Melissa Best-Baker took the opportunity Tuesday to remind the public that HHS’ Lone Pine facilities are still open during the current sidewalk construction project on the east side of town.
The Lone Pine HHS Office, located at 380 N. Mt. Whitney Dr., is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with lunch from 12-1 p.m. The Lone Pine Wellness Center, located at 310 N. Jackson St., is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
DIGITAL ANALYSIS UPGRADES
Inyo County’s Sheriff’s Office is hoping to enhance its investigative abilities through equipment and software that will allow for forensic analysis of digital devices, such as cell phones, in-house rather than outsourcing to other agencies.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday authorized the Sheriff’s Office to apply for a Digital Forensics and Certified Training grant through Southern California-based DataPilot, Inc. The $6,895 grant will pay for half the cost of the equipment and training program, made possible by law enforcement agencies who have donated unused and underutilized software licenses for agencies in need.
EV INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING
Inyo County is moving forward in its efforts to explore the possibility of switching to an electric vehicle (EV) fleet and expand the existing charging infrastructure network. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved a 32-month $199,393 contract with transportation planning and engineering firm DKS Associates to prepare a plan for implementing such a program. The planning is funded by a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant from Caltrans, with a small match of $25,000 from the County.
According to Public Works staff, the plan will outline a path forward to install effective and equitable EV charging infrastructure throughout Inyo County and to electrify the County-owned vehicle fleet by gathering data, evaluating the physical and financial feasibility of expanding the existing network, and conducting a site analysis for EV charging locations, with an emphasis on County-operated properties. The plan will also explore ways to encourage motorists to get out and explore while their vehicles are being charged, by having charging capabilities at trailheads, parks, and campgrounds.
The plan’s development will include the creation of a Stakeholder Advisory Committee comprised of individuals with technical expertise. Supervisor Jen Roeser asked that the planning process involve engagement with the private sector as well, including business owners. The Board also noted that the plan needs to include careful consideration of the proximity of charging station sites to public restrooms.
ROAD REHAB FUNDING
A long list of road maintenance and rehabilitation projects throughout the County was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, triggering the release of state funding to cover much of the work.
The list was prepared and approved per the requirements of SB 1: Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, which makes State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funds available to local jurisdictions. This year’s allocation – the 8th that Inyo County has received through SB 1 – is estimated at $4,114,189. Inyo County is not obligated to complete every project listed, but simply identify where the funding may be spent. The funding has helped the County maintain and rehabilitate dozens of the 530 streets/roads and several of the 50 bridges under its care.
The list approved on Tuesday includes no fewer than 48 projects based on a previous public process to identify priority projects. Projects include chip seal and paver/grader overlays; short-span bridge repair, rehab, or replacement; bridge preventive maintenance projects; drainage remediation; slurry seal; and guardrail replacement and modernization.
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