Marathon meetings may become norm

By Kristine Williams/ The Calaveras Enterprise

Posted on May 17, 2013

In a marathon board meeting that lasted well past 8 p.m., Calaveras County supervisors approved new board policies that might make Tuesday’s nearly 12-hour meeting the norm.

In a revision of board policies and procedures, supervisors voted 4-1 – with District 3 Supervisor Merita Callaway opposed – to allow for an additional public comment period during public hearings so that all parties, county staff, appellants and the public each have two chances to voice their thoughts – opposed to only one comment period for the public.

“I will not be voting for this,” said Callaway. “I understand my colleagues’ concerns, but this is a business meeting. In the spirit of public communication, this board is already historically generous. The only thing the board can control is time.”

For District 2 Supervisor Chris Wright, adjusting the board’s comment policy was a “better form of representational democracy.”

The county’s remaining three supervisors sided with Wright, expressing that allowing an additional comment period was “only fair” despite Callaway’s previous experience with lengthy board meetings where “people start losing it.” She cautioned that with upcoming controversial topics – like the county’s general plan update – adding the additional comment period would bring no relief to day-long meetings.

“This is sure to repeat,” she said.

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting:

• The board approved the Sheriff’s Office’s request to apply for a Department of Justice grant that would fund three new deputy positions for three years at 75 percent.

Callaway was the only supervisor to question how the positions would be funded once the three years come to an end, citing concerns of the county taking on full responsibility for three more deputy salaries.

“When we approve grants, we have to look at what it will cost us in the future,” she said. “We should be cognizant of what we’ll be committing to.”

• Another change order request – for $110,000 – was approved by supervisors regarding the installation of a clean agent fire-suppression system in rooms housing valuable electronic equipment in the new Sheriff’s Office.

The minute order initially died on the first vote for a lack of a second. This generated heated discussion among supervisors, with strong comments coming from Supervisor Wright, who characterized the vote as a “de facto decision” and a mere formality since construction of the new fire system was already likely underway to prevent a delay on project delivery. The second vote garnered a disgruntled 5-0 vote.

• Supervisors approved the refinancing of a CalPERS side fund at a lower interest rate – 4 percent as compared to 7.5 percent, for a total county cost savings of $204,000.

Also in Tuesday’s board meeting, supervisors showed cautious support for an updated integrated property tax software system, allowing county Assessor Leslie Davis to move forward to negotiate a potential contract with Thompson Reuters to bring back before the board at a later date.