Lava Beds National Monument at the Tulelake Butte Valley Fair Grounds

Tulelake, CA— Our very own City Clerk; Joe Cordonier has had a second job as a tour guide for the Lava Beds National Monument. Where according to Joe Cordonier, “it is a pure joy to work with educated people that are dedicated to their jobs.” Joe Cordonier is spending his time at the fair at the Lava Beds National Monument booth. Along with other Lava Beds National Monument Forest workers and tour guides explaining about the Lava Beds National Monument and what it has to offer.

“The Lava Beds National Monument was established on November 21, 1925 to preserve the unique geological, natural, and historic features of the local landscape. Known as “The Land of Burnt-Out Fires”, the monument occupies over 46,000 acres on the northeast corner of Medicine Lake volcano. The landscape offers outstanding volcanic terrain, and more than 450 lava tube caves, the greatest concentration in North America.”

On display at the Lava Beds National Monument booth are replicas of Lava Tubes and other exhibits for children to get first hand knowledge of what exist out at the Lava Beds National Monument.

Jimi Yamaichi has built a miniature-constructed replica of a guard tower, which Jimi Yamaichi has donated. Jimi Yamaichi was interned at the Tule Lake segregation Center from 1943-1946. Jimi Yamaichi was one of the main carpenters at the center. He also constructed the concrete Jail that is still standing along Highway 139.

So while you are out and about at the 60th anniversary of the Tulelake Butte Valley Fair be sure and stop by Lava Beds National Monument booth and bring the kids to experience the displays at the Lava Beds National Monument booth. You won’t be disappointed in all the information about the Lava Beds National Monument.

James Garland of TNT
Blog: tulelakenewtimes.blogspot.com
Email: tulelakenewtimes@cot.net

Fairness to Elected Officials

Tulelake, CA— First on the agenda for the Tulelake City Council were the Job Descriptions for City Hall Administrative and Independent Contractor Finance Director. Where an item on the City Hall Administrative job description was brought to the attention of the council. Council member; Don McCloud pointed out that one of the items was a duplication of the item before it on the City Hall Administrative job description of duties. With the City Attorney not present no further action could be taken.

The city council discussed the issue of the request to have the City Clerk return to preparation of the duties of writing the agendas. However it was pointed out that those duties were taken away when the job duties of the City Clerk were reassigned in the last election. Mayor Randy Darrow mentioned that those duties couldn’t be changed until the next election in all fairness to the elected City Clerk; Joe Cordonier presently elected to that position.

Several suggestions were made but the present City Clerk pointed out there is more to writing the agendas then just typing them up. As the City Clerk mentioned it takes someone with the knowledge and experience to do it. The person in charge of those duties then can question when an agenda item has been worded properly or improperly as the case may be for the meeting agendas to be discussed and posted at City Hall.

The State Controllers Office has fined the City of Tulelake for reports not being filed in a timely manor for the 2009-2010 at the rate of $5,000 for 2009 and $6,000 for 2010. The fines were taken out by Siskiyou County under the state administrated Vehicle License Fees (VLF). Where the city would have received $27,000 but due to the fine of $6,000 FY 2010 only received $21,000 from the (VLF).

Another agenda item brought up by the Director of Public Works; Henry Ebinger was the restarting of the Recycling program. Where the cost involved could be taken care by the recycling program being self-sustaining. This time put in a different location than where it was located before. The Director of Public Works also requested the purchase of valves for ground level water tanks and that two new valves would be needed. The City approved the purchase in the amount of $1000.

A resolution was read about parking on Main Street and Handicap Parking on Main Street. Resolution 2011-06. And apparently the Tulelake Fair Grounds put up a fence on the City access. There was concern by the Chief of Police that people coming to the fair would want to park next to the fence. The Cheif of Police wanted to put up no parking signs on the outside of the fence to detour people from parking next to the fence. So there was discussion about restricted parking on G Street by resolution, with no parking on south side of G Street between Main Street and Park Street. No action was taken.

James Garland of TNT
Blog: tulelakenewtimes.blogspot.com
Email: tulelakenewtimes@cot.net

Layoffs and Furloughs in the near future…

Tulelake, CA— Does anyone really care that the Tulelake City Council approved a request to obtain the services of CPA, Charles Pillion for a maximum of 12 hours at $130.00 an hour to complete the audit statements; except for the outstanding loans. Or where the City had to come up with a $39,000 fee to pay SCORE LIABILITY by first paying $5,000 down with an additional $20,000 leaving a balance of $14,000 to be paid in two payments of $7000 in September and October.

Or now where the City Attorney has presented Job descriptions for a City Hall Administrator and Financial Director with these positions being described as AT WILL positions by the council. Where it was discussed the city no longer has a Financial Director and that the services could be done by removing some of the clerical duties of Kim Kaiser and others by creating a part time Accountant position to do the financial reports and summaries.

It was suggested to go back to an outside accounting firm as the city has done in the past. Some council members were not in favor of the larger financial director type position that was just dissolved. The City Attorney suggested the council seek proposals for the Financial Director position by looking at the possibility of an independent contractor.

Mayor Randy Darrow reminded all present, “that by council, the description means the ENTIRE COUNCIL and not just one or two council members." During the discussion a question came to mind. Who would do the agenda’s? There were many suggestions of how it could be done, but no firm answers to whom that person would be to do the agenda’s in the future.

City staffing during these times has become an issue. A motion was made to continue with Kim Kaiser as administrative assistant until the September 6th meeting. The council went into closed session with the City Attorney to discuss possible litigation about bad dept policy.

After the closed session what mainly took place was information that they will seek direction from Great Northern Lending. There was no comment from staff or council how to proceed and the City Attorney needed to have consultation with council about the policy that she is proposing.

The council discussed Layoff and Furlough Policy- the council stated that there would have to be some positions cut once the audit and budget are complete. City employees are one of the largest budget items and these costs will have to be addressed with the best interest of the city and the fairness to the employees.

James Garland of TNT
Blog: tulelakenewtimes.blogspot.com
Email: tulelakenewtimes@cot.net