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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM111171November 11, 1971 RECONVENED: The Board of Supervisors reconvened at 2:30 pom, in the Board of Supervisors Room, Courthouse, Oroville, Californian Present: Supervisors Gi],man, Maxon, Madigan and MclCillopo Clif M~''ckelson, Administrative Officer; Daniel Blackstock, County Counsel, and Clark Ao Nelson, County Clerk, by Margie Catt, Board of Supervisors' Clerko 71-2086 DISCUSSION: ADVANCE TO WOODCUTTING OPERATION-E,O,Ce ~ Chairman Gilman opened the discussion on the $50,000 advance for the (~~r~0 woodcutting operation in Oroville, Supervisor Maxon said he would like to ask the Auditor a few questioned The Butte County EoOoCo Administering Board had met last night and they voted to accept the advance .of $50,000 against newt year's funds, Supervisor Maxon stated that there were certain requirements that had B~ be mete One of the requirements of the wood cutting operation was that it had to be incorporated, This requirement was met yesterdayo The "New Era Enterprises, Ince;' was incorporated yesterday as a profit organizationo The non-profit portion of the operation has not be established, F, H, Seely, Auditor, explained that there should be a cost accounting system set up; a proper set of books has not been kept to this dated He said there were about $30,000 of outstanding debts against this organizationo Mro Seely when asked if the $50,00 would bring operation out of the difficulty said "Nc Brian Freeman, interim director, presented the justification for additional funding of New Era Enterprise wood businesso A written cost projection and production projection was presented to the Boardo Don Erby, manager, presented the plans for this operationo ot" Erby stated that the Auditors office helped him set out the projection costs and production o Discussion was held concerning the consultant services of Del Hyde being requested, The Administering Board voted unanimously to request that Del Hyde be brought back to assist this County in this matter, Supervisor Maxon requested that Mr, Thomas E, Hess be allowed to speak at this times Mro Thomas E, Hess, Mitchell Avenue, Oroville, stated he was a woodcuttero He identified copies of correspondence between Mro Mealy and himsel~e He said they had been negotiating for a wood contract before the woodcutting operation was started in Oroville by the E,OoC, He stated that a O,E,O, represented from Sacramento, a Mr, Robert Johnson, contacted him and told him to"butt"out of the woodcutting operation with Mr, Mealey, Mr, Hess was questioned by the Board members at this timed Mro Richard Mawhorter, Oroville, requested permission to speak at this tti.me, He asked about the use of the mentally retarded children in the packaging of this woodo He feels that the operation is exploiting these childreno Mr, Mawhorter set out his opposition to using these people for this worko Jerry Teaque explained the use of these childreno He said the income from this work keeps the Center operatinno Also appearing: to Mr, Jim Lovejoy, Gridleyo He stated he comes from a background of povertyo He worked at the local EoO,C, as a study studento He said he has been in contact with the Feather River Opportunity Center and they told him that this woodcutting operation was the best thing that had ever happened to them, This work has given these workers pride and dignityo 20 Mrso Beverly Mawhorter, Orovilieo She said she would like to remind the Board that there had been a lot of other programs of EoOoCo that have failed, 3o Mr, Lewis Parker, Durhama He said there should be more responsibility in governmento He said there should be someone to take charge of this programo He said he would like some indication from this Board that they are taking this matter seriouslyo He set out his opposition to the program and operationo Page 189, November 11, 1971 = iVgv@mher ll~ 15~1~ Supervisor P2cKillop asked Mr. Erby if the meta'could produce the 520 cords of wood that are needed monthly. Mr. Erby stated that they could cut this amount of woad:.- The workers will all unite ~Eo make this operation a successo Mr. Erby said ~~iat the success of this program has been that they have bean able to reacH'the people who are impoverished. Mr. Erby listed the assets of the operation, Supervisor Maxon said there were some questions that should be answered before this matter proceeded, He set out questions concerning management, capitalization and liability. He said he felt that there should be a complete audit before the County proceeds any further, Supervisor McKillop said that the only thing that this Board should be concerned about is trying to get people back into meaningful jobs and off Welfare. That is what this program is trying to do. Supervisor Madigan asked if the Auditor's Office could supervise this operation more closely. Mr. Seely said he could make an audit within. two weeks; to have a management audit will take 3 weeks, Time spent discussing the operation and the additional funding that will be required to continue the operation. On motion of Supervisor Gilman, seconded by Supervisor Madigan • and carried, the Administering Board was authorized to accept the advance of $50,000 on next years versatile E.O.C. funds for the woodcutting.operation and that if it is not repaid then the versatile fund budget~wi'.:~ be reduced by the unpaid amount. AYES: ''Supervisors .Madigan, McKillop and Acting Chairman Gilman NOES: rSupervisor Maxon ' ~It was moved by Supervisor Gilman, seconded by Supervisor McKillop and carried that this Board accept-the State Director of O.E.O.Ts offer of Mr.;";Hyde's services and that Mr, Hyde work closely with the Administrative Office.'-and the County Auditor's office in assisting this program out of ' its present difficulties, AYES: Supervisors Madigan, McKillop and Chairman Gilman NOES: Supervisor Maxon 71-2087 .APPROVE EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANC_E_ PROGRAM On motion of Supervisor McKill.op, seconded by Supervisor Madigan and carried, the employees health insurance program was approved, subject to -- the Auditor's budgetary and fiscal control. 712087 a APPROVE HIRING OF ROBERT KUTZ, ATTORNEY AT LAW, CONTINGENT UPON ' '.~cPPR6VAL BY THE ASSES50R On motiom of Supervisor McKillop, seconded by Supervisor Madigan end carried, Robert Kutz, attorney at law, was employed to represent the Assessor in assessment heaxings, contingent upon the approval of Dave Vasco, tb take the place of Dave Fuller, previously employed for this purpose, `~~bJ0U1tNMENT: Thexe being nothing further before the Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. to reconvene on Tuesday, November 16, 1471 at 9:00 a.m. ATTEST: 'CLARK A. NELSON, COUNTY CLERK Cha an of the Boa BY:~~ Board of $up r isors' Clerk Page 190. November i1, 1971.