Motion by Vice-Chairman Ann English, Second by Supervisor Richard Searle 

Vote: 3 - 0 Approved

Motion by Supervisor Richard Searle, Second by Vice-Chairman Ann English to approve a request of the Coalition of Arizona / New Mexico Counties to make a one-time voluntary contribution of up to $5,000 to a special litigation fund to address a number of suits and other potential litigation that will have significant impacts on member counties of the Coalition.

Motion by Supervisor Richard Searle, Second by Vice-Chairman Ann English to amend the original motion to state that the additional funding be used only to fund litigation that directly affects and is of specific benefit to Cochise County.

Vote: 3 - 0 Approved

Motion by Supervisor Richard Searle, Second by Vice-Chairman Ann English to approve the original motion, as amended.

Vote: 3 - 0 Approved

Motion by Vice-Chairman English, Second by Supervisor Searle to approve the list of prioritized Secure Rural Schools Title II projects as recommended by the Public Lands Advisory Committee (PLAC).

Mr. Jim Vlahovich stated that last week the Board had received an e-mail from Mr. Bill Edwards, District Ranger for the Douglas Ranger District, asking the County to move forward with the Secure Rural grant projects. He stated that he sent the list out the previous Thursday to the Public Lands Advisory Committee (PLAC) and has not received any responses. He pointed out that the list from Bill Edwards showed items 3 and 4 to be reversed, in order of priority, and added that Mr. Doug Ruppel representing the Douglas Ranger District is present today to respond to any questions from the Board. Staff is recommending to move forward with this list, in priority order as Mr. Edwards suggested.

Supervisor Searle told the Board that this funding comes from Washington, allocated to each county. Some of it comes to the county and some goes to the Schools. Some goes to the Forest Service; this portion goes to the Forest and we have a resource advisory committee representative. The Resource Advisory Committee is across four counties: Pima, Pinal, Cochise & Graham counties. Vice-Chairman English commented that this program was put in place because there are many schools in counties with forest lands (public lands from which no taxes are received) and yet schools need to be run. Supervisor Searle agreed and added that it was up for refunding last year and the County had to establish a Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) to continue to secure the funding. The Forest Service put together the committee.

Supervisor Searle stated that he had requested that PLAC look at this and make a recommendation, but the timeframe was too short; therefore, absent any input from the PLAC, he recommended that the BOS move forward with the list as recommended.

Mr. Doug Ruppel, Douglas Ranger District, indicated that the funding is temporary and would be used to staff the visitors center. Volunteers have not worked out because they need to make a living. He stated that the building renovations were necessary but beyond the capacity of the normal annual budget. He pointed out the positive impact the visitors center has had on birding and tourist traffic in the area.

Supervisor Richard Searle amended the motion to reflect the reversal of items 3 and 4 on the priority list, as recommended by Mr. Bill Edwards. Vice-Chairman Ann English seconded the amendment.

Vote: 3 - 0 Approved

This item was removed from the agenda.

This item was removed from the agenda.

Motion by Supervisor Richard Searle, Second by Vice-Chairman Ann English to approve the renewal of Contract No. 10-38-HFM-04 for Bulk Fuel (diesel & unleaded) to Pro Petroleum, Inc. in the estimated amount of $2,596,500 for the period of March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012 for the Light and Heavy Fleet Management Departments.

Mr. Dave Seward, Procurement Director, told the Board that this is the first annual renewal of a contract approved last year. He reviewed the information provided in the Executive Summary and stated that the County has tightened up the specifications.

Mr. Ruben Miranda, Fleet Director advised the Board that in the last thirty days fuel prices have averaged $2.70+ per gallon and they are expecting $3.00 per gallon within 6 months due to the situation in the Middle East. Mr. Ortega reminded the Board that the County has budgeted for this increase. He explained that of the money allocated this year the County has a $300,000 reserve built up due to prices being lower than expected until recently. He said they expect to use $150,000 of that reserve to cover higher prices during the latter half of this fiscal year. During the next fiscal year, he said, the County will use the remaining reserve to shore up the annual budgeted amount. He said he expects to have a real issue in the 12/13 fiscal year.

Mr. Gayland Davis, Director of Heavy Fleet, told the Board that he had budgeted $3.05 per gallon this year, which to-date has been running about $2.60 per gallon, resulting in a savings. Now, however, diesel is at $3.25 per gallon. He stated that he thinks the annual budget will be okay at the end of the year because of the savings in the first part of year.

Vote: 3 - 0 Approved

No report.

Mr. Jack Cook addressed the Board on matters of personal concern. No one else wished to address the Board and Chairman Call closed the Call to the Public.

Chairman Call observed that he has had difficulty making the last two weeks Legislative Policy Committee conference call on Fridays and stated that if either of his colleagues would like to attend the call, to please do so (Supervisor Searle said he would put it on his calendar). Chairman Call said he would attend an Natural Resource Conservation Development (NRCD) meeting today to prepare for the March 2nd NRCD meeting. He will also attend a Cochise Community Foundation meeting on Wednesday and on Thursday will be attending a Huachuca 50s meeting. He added that next Tuesday there will be a Special Board meeting to adopt a coordination resolution.

Vice-Chairman English reported that she went to Portal yesterday to support their annual fundraiser and that she will attend the SEAGO meeting in Nogales on Friday. She added that the County had received 70 entries in the Cochise County flag contest as of last week, an activity associated with Cochise County's statehood Centennial plans for February 2012.

No report.