[00:00:08]
WE HAD CLOSED SESSION THIS MORNING AND WE DIDN'T QUITE FINISH UP OUR WORK IN THERE, SO WE'LL BE GOING BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR REGULAR MEETING.WE'LL NOW START WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY PASTOR AL SCHAAP, FROM GATEWAY COMMUNITY CHURCH.
AND THEN SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
THANK YOU FOR THE AUTHORITY, THE POWER THAT YOU INVESTED IN THEM.
WE RECOGNIZE IT'S REALLY IT'S ALL YOURS.
SO HELP THEM TO MANAGE IT REALLY WISELY.
WE PRAY THEY WILL DO THAT WHICH IS BEST FOR US, BEST FOR LEADING TOWARDS YOUR IDEALS, YOUR KINGDOM. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.
WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL GIVE THEM YOUR WISDOM AND YOUR SPIRIT.
THANK YOU PASTOR, AND THANK YOU SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
NON-AGENDA ITEM PUBLIC COMMENT.
[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]
IT'S TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION, EXCLUDING ITEMS ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA.TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT AGAIN.
THIS IS FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
GOOD MORNING. CHAIRMAN SILVEIRA, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY COUNSEL HANSON AND CEO MENDEZ.
I'M HEIDI HALL MERCED COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE, AND I'M HERE WITH OUR INTERIM COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER, JOHN COX. WE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU FOR THE SUPPORT YOU PROVIDE THE VETERANS AND OUR COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND WE'RE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THIS YEAR'S VETERANS DAY PARADE.
THE PARADE IS TAKING PLACE THIS SATURDAY AND WILL BEGIN AT 2 P.M.
WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AT BOB HEART SQUARE, DOWNTOWN MERCED, FOLLOWED BY THE PARADE AT 3 P.M..
OUR OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDES POSTING OF THE COLORS BY A LOCAL VETERANS ORGANIZATION AND NATIONAL ANTHEM SUNG BY A VETERAN, AND SEVERAL GUEST SPEAKERS AND DIGNITARIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THIS YEAR'S GRAND MARSHALS.
I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU AND THE COMMUNITY TO ATTEND.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE VETERANS DAY PARADE, OR TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE AND THE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE UNDER THE NAME MERCED COUNTY HSA ON ALL PLATFORMS. YOU CAN ALSO REACH THE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE BY CALLING (209) 385-7588.
GOOD MORNING. RESPECTABLE [INAUDIBLE] AGAIN.
MARTA ECHEVARRIA, LONG TIME COUNTY EMPLOYEE OF MERCED COUNTY.
SO I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MY COWORKERS AND FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU PLEASE REVISIT AGAIN THE UNAFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE PAYING.
IT'S MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
SO MANY PEOPLE ARE APPROACHING ME, LETTING ME KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE RETIRING EARLIER THAN THEY HAD ANTICIPATED, BECAUSE NOT SO MUCH THE PAY AND EVERYTHING ELSE IT'S JUST WORK HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.
YOU KNOW, YOU ARE WHO WE TURN TO FOR THAT HELP AND WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP.
[00:05:03]
I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND LAST MEETING, BUT I DO HAVE SIGNATURES AND STUFF FROM SOME OF MY COWORKERS AND LETTERS THAT THEY WANTED YOU TO REVIEW AND READ.SO HARDSHIPS AND YOU GUYS CAN HELP US.
SO PLEASE, AGAIN, I'M ASKING ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US, ALL OF MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
SO I'LL LEAVE THE SIGNATURES HERE FOR YOU.
GOOD MORNING. I'M BACK ALSO, AND I'LL ECHO ALL THAT MARTA HAD SAID, BUT I, MY REASONING FOR COMING WE, A LOT OF STAFF CAN'T COME BECAUSE THIS IS THE HEAVIEST TIME AND SO WE CAN'T LOSE ANYBODY ELSE.
THEY NEED TO STAY BACK AND WORK.
BUT I HAD THOUGHT SINCE I LEFT I FIRST MEETING I CAME TO, I WAS SO SHOCKED TO SEE THAT IT WAS OPENED IN PRAYER AND IT WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, NOT REALIZING THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS OKAY.
AND SO I WAS BLESSED ACTUALLY, BY THAT.
SO AND THEN AFTER THE MEETING, LISTENING TO THE RESPONSES AFTER WE HAD SPOKE, I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT YOU GUYS ARE HEARING US AND EVEN LOOKING AROUND THIS ROOM TODAY, I SEE ALL THE PEOPLE OF FAITH IN THIS ROOM.
SO I JUST WANT TO CLOSE WITH THIS.
LIKE I SAID, I KNOW THERE'S CHRIST FOLLOWERS IN THE ROOM AND ON THE BOARD.
ALSO. IT SAYS DO NOT WITHHOLD GOOD FROM THOSE TO WHOM IT IS DUE WHEN IT IS IN YOUR POWER TO DO IT.
GOOD MORNING, LONG TIME NO SEE.
I'M ELLIE CROWE, AND I'M HERE TO JUST SHARE A MESSAGE.
I'M HERE TO CELEBRATE AN ANNIVERSARY WITH ALL OF YOU.
APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, I CAME HERE WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS AN EASY SOLUTION TO A DECADE OLD PROBLEM HOUSING FOR A VETERAN ORGANIZATION THAT HAD EXPERIENCED VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, AND WAS ABANDONED BY THEIR COMMUNITY AND THIS BOARD.
ONE BOARD MEMBER OFFERED TO HELP SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA.
THANK YOU, SIR, FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
I HOPE PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER YOU WHEN VOTING HAPPENS NEXT YEAR.
THE RESULTS ENDED IN THE CLOSING OF THE VFW HERE IN MERCED.
THEY WERE HERE FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY HELPING VETERANS ADJUST.
I WANT TO THANK YOU, THE MEMBERS, FOR THIS OF THIS BOARD, WHO DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO TRY AND HONOR THESE VETERANS, MANY OF WHOM WERE SPIT ON WHEN THEY CAME HOME. THIS BOARD DID A GREAT JOB AT SPITTING IN OUR FACES AGAIN.
ESPECIALLY MR. PEDROZO. I'M SORRY HE'S NOT HERE.
HE'S HANGING ON THE COATTAILS OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS, TALKING ABOUT HOW HE HONORS VETERANS.
I HAD A MEETING WITH MR. PEDROZO AND SOMEBODY ELSE THERE WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO GET BACK TO US.
THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK.
THAT IS HOW YOU SHOW YOUR RESPECT FOR VETERANS, BECAUSE THOSE WERE VETERANS THERE AT THAT MEETING.
MERCED COUNTY VETERANS ALLIANCE.COM IS WHERE YOU CAN GO.
YOU'RE ALL WORDS AND I HOPE YOU FEEL ASHAMED IF YOU GO OUT THERE TO SPEAK AND TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU SUPPORT US, BECAUSE I SAW YOU CLOSE DOWN AN ORGANIZATION THAT NEEDED YOUR SUPPORT, AND I'M NOT GOING TO FORGET IT, AND I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU OR THIS COMMUNITY FORGET IT.
YOU HAVE FAILED US ON MANY OCCASIONS, EVEN WITH NOW THIS BOARD THAT WE HAVE, THIS NEW VSO, WE HAVEN'T HAD A CONSISTENT VSO FOR FIVE YEARS.
I'VE HAD TO TAKE A COMPLAINT, HIGHER ECHELON, AND THAT'S WHY IT'S BEING ADDRESSED.
SO I JUST WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THIS IS VETERANS DAY, THE MONTH OF VETERANS, AND YOU HAVE FAILED US.
AND I WANT THIS COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT.
[00:10:09]
GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.MY WIFE AND I HAVE LIVED IN MERCED COUNTY FOR.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. MR. [INAUDIBLE] MY MIC DIDN'T TURN ON.
AGAINST MY TIME OR NO? NO, I CAN RESET YOU.
OKAY. GOOD MORNING AND THANKS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
MY WIFE AND I HAVE LIVED IN MERCED COUNTY FOR 44 YEARS.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES IN MERCED COUNTY.
TODAY, I STAND BEFORE YOU ON ACCOUNT OF OUR ROADS.
WE LIVE AND DO BUSINESS FOUR MILES EAST OF EL NIDO.
BLISS ROAD IS OUR NORTH SOUTH ACCESS FROM 152 TO 99, AND IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ROAD, AND SANDY MUSH BETWEEN HEALY AND BLISS ROAD IS BEYOND REPAIR. IT CAN ONLY BE REPLACED.
WE HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER UPON LETTER TO THE ROAD DEPARTMENT AND TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
WE HAVE MADE HUNDREDS, LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PHONE CALLS.
AND THAT WAS BY SUPERVISOR LLOYD PAREIRA.
THEY HAVE TO CHARGE US BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE TO THEIR EQUIPMENT.
RIGHT NOW, I HAVE SEVEN SETS OF BROKEN LEAF SPRINGS IN MY SHOP FROM TWO SIDE DUMP TRAILERS.
THAT'S JUST FROM THE PAST SIX WEEKS.
DO THE MATH. WE HAVE SAVED THE COUNTY A FORTUNE.
WE HAVE PEOPLE USING OUR RANCH ROADS BECAUSE THEY ARE SAFER THAN THE COUNTY ROADS.
I CANNOT STRESS TO YOU ENOUGH HOW DANGEROUS IT IS FOR THESE CHILDREN.
AND BESIDES, THE BUSSES ARE GETTING RUINED AND US TAXPAYERS GET THE BILL.
BETWEEN OUR BUSINESSES IN THE AREA, WE HAVE OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS COMMUTING TO WORK EACH DAY.
ALL DRIVING ON VERY DANGEROUS ROADS.
OUR DISAPPOINTMENT IS OBVIOUS AND OUR PATIENCE IS FINALLY RUNNING OUT.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE, BUT I'M HERE NOW.
WE SEE ZERO INITIATIVE BY MERCED COUNTY OR THE ROAD DEPARTMENT TO CHANGE THIS SITUATION.
SO WE HAVE I'LL GIVE YOU A FEW MORE SECONDS TO FINISH UP YOUR FINAL THOUGHTS, SIR.
ONE PARAGRAPH. SO WE HAVE COLLECTIVELY DECIDED TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS AND LEGAL COUNSEL, AND WE WANT TO BE PREPARED FOR INJURY OR DEATH THAT OCCURS TO ANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES OR FAMILY MEMBERS.
WE HAVE DOCUMENTED ALL LETTERS SENT TO THE COUNTY AND ALSO THE PHONE CALLS.
WE WILL EXPLORE ALL LEGAL OPTIONS BECAUSE WE HAVE NO CHOICE.
ROAD CONDITIONS ARE DEPLORABLE AND DANGEROUS.
IT IS A MATTER OF ECONOMICS, INJURY AND LIFE.
WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT OUR SIDE OF THE COUNTY AND SEE FOR YOURSELVES.
ONCE AGAIN, WE PLEAD FOR ACTION.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SIR.
THE CONGRESSMAN WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE OUR NEW MERCED POLICE CHIEF, STEVEN STANFIELD, OUR NEW LOS BANOS POLICE CHIEF RAY REYNA, AND OUR NEW CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER, CHRISTOPHER HENN, AND ALSO THANK INTERIM CHIEF GUNDLACH, CHIEF BREEZY AND CHIEF ROCHESTER FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE TO PUBLIC SAFETY AS THEY PASS THE BATON TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
OUR OFFICE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN MANY COMMUNITY EVENTS FROM THE 1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION CEREMONY WITH OUR COUNTY LIBRARIAN, AMY TAYLOR, TO THE MERCED COUNTY NUT FESTIVAL.
[00:15:07]
REGARDING NEWLY IMPOSED RETALIATORY TARIFFS ON AMERICAN ALMONDS.91% OF CALIFORNIA ALMONDS ARE GROWN ON FAMILY FARMS. THESE NEW TARIFFS FROM TURKEY WILL HURT VALLEY FAMILIES, SO CONGRESSMAN DUARTE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH BOTH PARTIES TO MAKE SURE WASHINGTON STANDS UP FOR OUR FARMERS AND OUR VALLEY. WITH THE NEW SPEAKER NOW IN PLACE, THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK TO WORK, AND THE CONGRESSMAN WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE PRIORITIES OF WORKING FAMILIES, INCLUDING BILLS SUCH AS H.R.
4745, THE DELIVERING FOR RURAL SENIORS ACT OF 2023 OF WHICH WERE AN ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR, WHICH WOULD ESTABLISH A PILOT GRANT PROGRAM TO AWARD GRANTS TO FACILITATE HOME DELIVERY OF COMMODITIES UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM TO LOW INCOME ELDERLY PERSONS.
CONGRESSMAN DUARTE VOTED FOR H.R.
WE CANNOT STAND BY AND ALLOW TERRORISTS TO ATTACK ONE OF OUR CLOSEST ALLIES.
THE CONGRESSMAN BELIEVES WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO HELP PROTECT ISRAEL AND ITS PEOPLE.
AND AS YOU ALL KNOW, THIS SATURDAY'S VETERANS DAY AND AS A PROUD NAVY BRAT, I HOPE EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER IS ABLE TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK A VETERAN FOR THEIR SERVICE TO STOP BY THE BEAUTIFUL FIELD OF HONOR AT MERCED COLLEGE, PUT ON BY THE MERCED SUNRISE ROTARY, AND TO SAY A PRAYER FOR THE SAFETY OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS ACTIVELY DEPLOYED TO THE MIDDLE EAST AT THIS DIFFICULT MOMENT IN HISTORY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
I DIDN'T HAVE IT, I HAD IT IN DISCUSSION MODE, SO IT JUST TURNED.
YEAH, IF I COULD ASK FOR SOMEONE FROM OUR STAFF TO MEET WITH MR. [INAUDIBLE] AND GET HIM CONNECTED WITH OUR HR DEPARTMENT NOT HR, BUT RISK SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE A DISCUSSION.
AND SO IS THAT POSSIBLE? OKAY. THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE].
HE SHOULD BE. ALL RIGHT, UM, LET ME GET THAT RESET.
I HOPE YOU'RE ALL HAVING A WONDERFUL START TO YOUR DAY.
MY NAME IS ASHLEY MURRAY, AND I'M CALLING.
THERE'S SOMEONE HERE IN THE CHAMBER WITH US TODAY.
AND WE JUST LIKE TO THANK AND ACKNOWLEDGE MISTER SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA AND SUPERVISOR PEDROZO FOR MEETING WITH THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTH MERCED TO ADDRESS THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS THAT WE'VE BEEN RAISING FOR MANY YEARS.
BUT ALL IN ALL, WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR SIDEWALKS TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN AREAS OF SOUTH MERCED, SUCH AS SOUTH P STREET, JOYCE, AS WELL AS FIG AVE AND CHILD, ESPECIALLY BY THE SCHOOL INTERSECTIONS SUCH AS ALICIA REYES ELEMENTARY AND BY GOLDEN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
SO WE ASK THAT YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MOBILITY STUDY AND AS WELL AS A PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENT FOR THE AREA OF SOUTH MERCED TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS, BECAUSE WE CAN'T JUST PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT AREAS WE'D LIKE TO PRIORITIZE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AND ASSESSING ALL AREAS WITHIN THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS THAT THEY ARE ADDRESSED AND THAT THEY'RE ADDRESSED IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.
I'D LIKE TO GET A COMMITMENT FROM YOU ALL THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'D ALL LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.
BUT AS ALWAYS, WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE PUSHING FOR THESE CAUSES.
AND SO I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL SOON.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
GOOD MORNING, BOARD. I'M JERALD PHELPS PRESIDENT OF AFSCME LOCAL 2703.
DURING THE LAST MEETING, MR. PAREIRA EXPLAINED THAT INSURANCE PRICES ARE GOING UP FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE BOARD.
[00:20:08]
IS. WE HAVE BEEN ATTENDING THESE MEETINGS FOR NOW, FIVE WEEKS.WE HAVE BROUGHT TO YOU CONCERNS THAT THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE STRUGGLING, LACK OF WAGES, DISMAL RETENTION IN ALL DEPARTMENTS, NEVER ENDING OVERTIME, AND NOW CRIPPLING INSURANCE INCREASES ARE DESTROYING NOT ONLY THE MORALE IN MERCED COUNTY, BUT THE EFFICIENCY OF ALL DEPARTMENTS.
AND WHAT HAVE WE HEARD FROM THIS BOARD? CRICKET'S.
PRIORITIES IS A WORD I OFTEN TAKE ABOUT.
I OFTEN THINK ABOUT WHEN I ATTEND THESE MEETINGS.
I KNOW NOW AS THE PRIORITY OF THE PRESIDENT OF MY LOCAL.
THE PRIORITY PRIORITIES OF THIS BOARD SEEMS TO BE VANITY PROJECTS.
IF YOU CAN'T TURN OVER A PILE OF DIRT FOR A PHOTO OP, YOU AREN'T WILLING TO FIX IT.
THE IDEA THAT WE TELL YOU THAT EMPLOYEES, YOUR VOTERS, WILL STRUGGLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS BEST AT BEST AND FACE LOSING THEIR HOMES AND NOT BEING ABLE TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES AT WORST. YET YOU DO NOTHING FOR THEM.
SPEAKS TO THE INABILITY TO ADEQUATELY GOVERN OVER THIS COUNTY, WITH THE MAKEUP OF THIS BOARD AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CAN FIND FUNDS TO PURCHASE A NEW TRAIN FOR KIDDIELAND FOR $700,000, BUT ARE STUMPED TO FIND THE FUNDS TO FIX OUR MEDICAL INSURANCE OR RETAIN THE LITTLE WORKFORCE YOU RECENTLY OR YOU CURRENTLY HAVE. MAYBE FROM UP HERE ON THE THIRD FLOOR, YOU DON'T HEAR US OUTSIDE THIS BUILDING DEMANDING HELP, BUT RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY DO.
THEY WILL HEAR US UNTIL MARCH AND CONTINUE TO HEAR US UNTIL NOVEMBER 2024.
COUNTY WORKERS ARE DRAINING THE SWAMP.
GENTLEMEN, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO DECIDE IF YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BE KNEE DEEP IN IT WHEN WE DO IT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SIR.
ALL RIGHT, NOT SEEING ANYONE ELSE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS AND WE'LL MOVE TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH TEN.PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS TWO AND THREE REQUIRE A 4/5 VOTE.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH TEN.
NOT SEEING ANYONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP WE HAVE BOARD ACTION AND WE WILL START WITH PUBLIC WORKS.
[BOARD ACTION]
ITEMS 11 AND 12.PLEASE NOTE ITEM 12 REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 11 AND 12.
AND I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT YOU NO LONGER SEE THE CREMATORIUM AT THE OUT AT THE ANIMAL CORRECTION FACILITY, THE ANIMAL CORRECTION, ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH ITEMS 13 THROUGH 15.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 13 THROUGH 15.
NOT SEEING ONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE WE WILL HAVE A MOTION BY.
SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
ALL RIGHT. AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
GOOD MORNING, CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MARK COWART. DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MY COMMENTS THIS MORNING ARE REGARDING ITEM 17, THE PROPOSED PARCEL REMAPPING PROJECT.
THE COUNTY RELIES ON THREE FUNDAMENTAL SETS OF DATA THAT ARE STORED IN OUR GIS SYSTEM.
[00:25:02]
THAT DATA IS UTILIZED BY DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN SUPPORT OF IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS SUCH AS ELECTIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.IT IS USED AS A BASIS FOR CREATING OTHER DATA SUCH AS ZONING AND ELECTION PRECINCT DATA.
YOUR BOARD HAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PROJECTS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF ADDRESS AND ROAD DATA.
THAT DATA IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE STATE'S NEW NEXT GENERATION 911 SYSTEM.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE STATE'S CONSIDERATION FOR SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE PARCEL DATA REPRESENTED IN THE GIS SYSTEM.
THE MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION IS TO REMAP THE ENTIRE PARCEL FABRIC IN GIS.
WE ARE ONLY AWARE OF A FEW COUNTIES THAT HAVE UNDERTAKEN SUCH A LARGE PROJECT, AND IN MOST CASES, IT WAS CONTEMPLATED AS PART OF THE INITIAL CREATION OF PARTIAL DATA AT THOSE AGENCIES, NOT TO CORRECT DATA.
OUR PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING IS FOR A CONTRACT WITH A VENDOR THAT WAS SELECTED THROUGH A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE PROJECT INCLUDES REMAPPING PARCELS FROM RECORDED COUNTY DOCUMENTS.
THE PROJECT WOULD INCLUDE MODERNIZING OUR SYSTEM FOR PARCEL MAINTENANCE AS WELL.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT, BUT PURCHASED SEPARATELY, IS THE UPDATE OF OUR AERIAL IMAGERY.
THE AERIAL IMAGERY WAS LAST UPDATED IN 2015.
THE HISTORICAL DATA WOULD BE A VALUABLE TOOL FOR DEPARTMENTS TO IDENTIFY LAND USE CHANGES OVER TIME.
I'LL ADD ONE NOTE REGARDING THE RESULTING PARCEL DATA.
IF THE PROJECT IS APPROVED, WHILE THE UPDATED DATA WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE ACCURATE, IT MAY NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF PRECISION AND RELIABILITY AS SURVEY DATA COLLECTED THROUGH PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEY TECHNIQUES.
IF APPROVED, WE ANTICIPATE THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 30TH, 2026.
OUR GIS TEAM IS ONE OF THE VERY BEST IN THE STATE.
I WANTED TO REALLY POINT THAT OUT.
GENE BARRERA HAS DEDICATED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE NUANCES, REQUIREMENTS, AND LONG TERM IMPACTS AND BENEFITS BEFORE BRINGING THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
SUPERVISOR PAREIRA? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OTHER OF THE SUPERVISORS BROUGHT THIS ITEM TO YOUR ATTENTION OR NOT, BUT I DID, AND, YOU KNOW THIS ITEM REALLY HELPS A LOT OF PEOPLE, RIGHT? IT HELPS THE COUNTY, BUT IT ALSO HELPS NEIGHBORS.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I CONSIDER THAT PART OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE, RIGHT? WHEN YOU HAVE TWO NEIGHBORS AND THEY'RE FIGHTING OVER THE LINE AND THE COUNTY MAKES IT LOOK DIFFERENT.
YOU LOOK AT GOOGLE EARTH AND THEN AND I'VE HAD QUESTIONS THAT I'VE SENT OVER TO THE ROADS DEPARTMENT JUST WHERE GOOGLE EARTH SHOWS IT, THAT IT'S A COUNTY ROAD, BUT IN ACTUALITY THERE'S AN END SIGN AND IT'S A GRAVEL ROAD PAST THAT.
BUT GOOGLE EARTH SHOWS THAT IT'S THE NAME OF THE ROAD AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SO WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT? AND WITHOUT HAVING CLEAR, GOOD, CLEAN DATA IN THERE, IT JUST CREATES MORE QUESTIONS THAN IT DOES ANSWERS.
AND YES, IT IS A COSTLY AND TIMELY PROCESS.
BUT I MEAN, AS WE SAW IN THE LAST ELECTION, YOU KNOW, HAVING BETTER, CLEANER DATA WILL ENSURE THAT NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, OUR GIS FOLKS, BUT THE FOLKS THAT USE THE SYSTEM, FOR EXAMPLE, ELECTIONS, ROADS, THESE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTY, AS WELL AS THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY, THEY'LL HAVE BETTER DATA AND WE CAN MAKE BETTER
[00:30:02]
DECISIONS AND HOPEFULLY SAVE PEOPLE SOME HEARTACHE AND HEADACHES.SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THIS, SIR.
YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.
NOT SEEING ANY OTHER COMMENTS IN THE QUEUE I WILL.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ITEMS 16 THROUGH 18.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON FIRE ITEM NUMBER 19.
AND BEFORE I CALL FOR THE VOTE, I JUST WANT TO COMMENT THAT MR. AMARAL, I APPRECIATE YOURS AND THE CHIEF'S WORK ON THIS.
AND WE HAVE THESE KIND OF DISASTERS.
AND I'M NOT GOING TO GET REALLY DEEP IN THE WEEDS ON IT BUT WHY IT'S IMPORTANT IS AS YOU GO THROUGH AN EMERGENCY AND YOU REQUIRE OR YOU'RE REQUIRED TO NOW APPLY FOR STATE AND FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENTS.
IT'S KIND OF THE STICK IN THE CARROT.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE THESE DISASTER PLANS IN PLACE, THEN YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THAT REIMBURSEMENT.
AND SO THIS IS JUST KIND OF THAT NEXT STEP FORWARD AND TRYING TO PLAY OFFENSE INSTEAD OF DEFENSE.
AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS ON YOUR WORK ON THIS.
AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS FOR A FOUR YEAR GRANT.
I COULD SEE A SCENARIO WHERE WE WOULD ACTUALLY NEEDS WE NEED TO GO A LITTLE BIT LONGER, AND IT'S GOING TO COST US A LITTLE BIT MORE AND MAYBE EVEN NEED ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO KEEP THESE THINGS, NOT SOMETHING WHERE YOU JUST CREATE IT AND THEN SET IT ON A SHELF AND FORGET IT BUT THEY HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY UPDATED.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
ITEM 20. PLEASE NOTE A 4/5 VOTE IS REQUIRED.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEM 20.
NOT SEEING ANYONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEM 21 FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER.
I'M NOT SEEING ONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
ITEM 22 IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEM 22.
NOT SEEING ONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON TREASURER.
NOT SEEING ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY.
SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
OKAY. BEFORE WE BRING THIS ITEM, I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS ON IT.
[00:35:08]
HAVE NOW HISTORICALLY, I'M GOING TO SAY WE'VE HAD THAT MEETING AT THE COURTHOUSE AND IT WAS A NIGHT MEETING.SO DECEMBER 5TH, WE'LL HAVE A 6 P.M.
SO. AND THEN AS PART OF THE ACTION, THE RECOMMENDATION I WOULD MAKE TO MY COLLEAGUES IS, AS WE DISCUSSED, THAT WE KIND OF HAD IT THE SAME WAY FOR THE 2024 CALENDAR THAT WE'RE VOTING ON CURRENTLY.
AND SO MAKING THAT REQUEST THAT WE DO KIND OF MAKE THAT SAME CHANGE.
SO OUR DECEMBER 10TH, 2024 BOARD MEETING WILL BE A 6 P.M.
AND THEN OUR DECEMBER 17TH, 2024 BOARD MEETING WILL BE A REGULARLY SCHEDULED 10:00 BOARD MEETING AT THE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
AND ALSO OUR SEPTEMBER 10TH MEETING.
THAT IS USUALLY THE WEEK OF VALLEY VOICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C..
AND I'VE MADE THE REQUEST FOR US TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT CALENDAR, BECAUSE THAT'S ONE THAT I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO MERCED COUNTY THAT I ATTEND THAT BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN VERY FRUITFUL ON WHAT I BROUGHT HOME FROM THOSE MEETINGS, AND THAT'S JUST ONE THAT I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT.
THAT WEEK IS ALWAYS VERY CHALLENGING.
SO, SUPERVISOR, I WOULD ASK YOU IF SO, WHICH ONE IS THE SEPTEMBER 10TH? SO WOULD YOU CARE TO OFFER UP ANOTHER DATE? THE THIRD WOULD BE GREAT.
I MEAN, THIS IS THE TIME TO DISCUSS IT, SIR.
YEAH, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT DATE.
I MEAN THE TUESDAY AFTER A HOLIDAY.
AND SO FOR US TO INTERACT WITH STAFF, YOU KNOW THAT BE TOUGH.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT STAFF'S PREFERENCE BETWEEN THE THIRD AND THE 17TH.
SUPERVISOR MENDEZ, CEO MENDEZ HE'S LIKE I DON'T WANT THAT TITLE.
UM, I THINK AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH YOUR STAFF IS IMPORTANT.
WE SHOULD HAVE THE AGENDA POSTED BY WEDNESDAY.
JUST ASK TO FOR YOU TO OBVIOUSLY REVIEW IT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THAT WEEK.
WE'LL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE LEADING UP TO THE END OF THE WEEK OR IF NOT EARLY THE DAY OF THE BOARD MEETING, WHICH IS NOT IDEAL, BUT CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU ASKING STAFF. I THINK WE'RE GOOD WITH THE RECOMMENDATION, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO AS A BOARD.
OKAY. WHAT'S THAT? YEAH, I'M GOING TO DO THAT IN A SECOND.
THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME, SIR.
OKAY, SO BEFORE I OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE CHANGES.
SO THE DECEMBER MEETINGS IN 2023 HAVE BEEN SWITCHED.
THE NIGHT MEETING IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST MEETING IN DECEMBER, NOT THE SECOND.
SAME THING WITH 2024 AND THEN ALSO A REQUEST TO CHANGE THE SEPTEMBER 10TH MEETING TO SEPTEMBER 3RD.
SO WITH THAT'S GOING TO BE THE RECOMMENDED ACTION.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY, 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 25 AND 26.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 25 AND 26.
NOT SEEING ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[00:40:01]
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
ALL RIGHT, NEXT UP, WE HAVE BOARD REPORTS.
[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]
OH I'M SORRY. IT'S OKAY.THEN WE'LL START WITH SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA.
LET ME SWITCH TO DISCUSSION MODE, SIR.
HOLD ON. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I ATTENDED THE [INAUDIBLE] CONFERENCE IN MONTERREY ON THE 18TH, THE 17TH OR 18TH OR 20TH.
AND SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW THINGS, YOU KNOW, BASICS FOR ABOUT THE LAFCO THAT WE HAVE THE AGENCY IN LAFCO AGENCY IN THE COUNTY. SO IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE.
AND SO WE HAVE TO MAKE A LOT OF DECISIONS.
WHEN DISTRICTS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CITIES EXPAND, IT HAS TO COME TO LAFCO.
SO, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE PUBLIC DON'T KNOW.
AND WE DON'T GET TOO MUCH PUBLIC PEOPLE THAT COME TO, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC, THEY COME TO THE BOARD MEETINGS UNLESS THEY HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S AFFECTING THEM OR THEY WANT TO EXPAND THEIR, YOU KNOW, EVEN ABOUT WATER.
SO IT'S COMPOSED OF TWO COUNTY, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WITH AN ALTERNATE.
I'M CURRENTLY A PRIMARY, ALONG WITH SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL ALTERNATE.
THERE'S TWO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE CITIES THEY ROTATE AND SO I THINK WE CAN I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT CITIES WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, BUT IT JUST ROTATED AND ALSO A PUBLIC MEMBER AT LARGE.
SO THAT'S IT'S VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, IT AFFECTS A LOT OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE COUNTY DOES, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF REVIEWS FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEWS.
AND A LOT OF THE MCG IS DOING THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEWS FOR ALL THE CITIES RIGHT NOW.
SO THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL WITH THE ALL THE CITIES IN THE COUNTY.
SO I JUST WANT TO STATE THAT, UM, I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I ATTENDED THE 150 YEAR REUNION OF MERCED UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LAST THIS WEEKEND ON SUNDAY.
YOU KNOW, IT WAS I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THE FIRST CHURCH THAT WAS STARTED IN MERCED COUNTY.
I GOT THE ABILITY TO GIVE THEM THE CERTIFICATE AS WELL AND LET ME SEE WHAT ELSE I HAD, I ALSO ATTENDED A MEETING LAST SATURDAY ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY OF PLANADA, ABOUT THE $20 MILLION.
IT WAS A WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS AND TO GET INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE $20 MILLION.
AND I'M PRETTY SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S EXCITED.
I KNOW THAT ERIC DID A GREAT JOB WITH ALL THE COUNTY STAFF AND GIVING OUT INFORMATION, SO I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR BEING THERE, EVERYBODY THAT WAS THERE AND A LOT OF THE [INAUDIBLE] EXCITED.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAD A MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AS WELL.
AND AS THE MAYOR OF LIVINGSTON AND MAYOR PRO TEM ABOUT THE REVENUE SHARING AGREEMENT, HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, IT MOVES FORWARD AND, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY IT PROGRESS AND WE CAN GET AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON AND THE COUNTY.
AND I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT, LAST NIGHT I ATTENDED A DINNER THAT WAS KIND OF INTERESTING.
THE CITY OF GUSTINE HAS A SISTER CITY ON THE ISLAND OF TERCEIRA IN THE AZORES.
IT'S CALLED ANGRA DO HEROISMO.
AND ACTUALLY, 20 YEARS AGO I VISITED THERE AND SPENT A WEEK.
AND SO TWO OF THEIR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE IN MERCED COUNTY TOURING AROUND TODAY AND THERE'S ALSO AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT, THE COUNTY OF MERCED IS GOING TO PROVIDE A CERTIFICATE, AND CEO MENDEZ AND I WILL BE THERE.
AND SO JUST KIND OF NEAT THINGS, RIGHT?
[00:45:01]
AS ELECTEDS, WE DO A LOT OF WORK, BUT WE ALSO GET TO DO SOME STUFF THAT'S ENJOYABLE AND REWARDING IN ADDITION TO THAT AND SO I WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO GUSTINE.I'D LIKE TO WELCOME CHRIS HENN, OUR NEW CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER, TO THE TEAM.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO, I GUESS, GIVE MY APOLOGIES TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS HERE AT MERCED COUNTY.
ON THE SECOND, WE HAD A DEPARTMENT HEAD APPRECIATION.
I GUESS HAPPY HOUR OR APPETIZERS OUT AT BLAKER AND I DID NOT ATTEND.
AND ALSO THERE WE HONORED JOHN DERBY SO COULDN'T MAKE BOTH AND AND NONE OF YOU HAVE BEEN HERE 60 YEARS, SO I CHOSE JOHN DERBY. IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING, RIGHT? I MEAN, FOR 60 YEARS HE'S BEEN THE MAN, IT'S KIND OF A LONG CAREER AND HE'S DONE REAL WELL FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION, LAST WEEK I ATTENDED THE MERCED COLLEGE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE AND AND WHICH WAS VERY WELL PRESENTED, MORE OF A PRESENTATION ON WHAT'S AVAILABLE FROM THE COLLEGE AS FAR AS FOR BUSINESSES.
SO I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT THAT IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS AND YOU NEED A TRAINING, ESPECIALLY IN LEADERSHIP, BUT ALSO IN OTHER AREAS THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO CUSTOMIZE TRAINING FOR YOUR STAFF AND REALLY COMPARED TO WHAT IT WOULD COST YOU TO BRING A CONSULTANT IN, IT'S REAL REASONABLE.
SO JUST WANTED TO THANK CHRIS VITALE, CAROLINE DAWSON AND MATT SHOEMAKER AND JOHN DORSEY FOR WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE MERCED COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK.
THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL? YEAH, SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. I THINK IT'S CLOSER TO 40, BUT NOTHING TO REPORT.
ANYTHING? OH, ONE MORE THING, SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
GO AHEAD. YEAH. JUST WANT TO SPEAK REGARDING MR. [INAUDIBLE]. PUBLIC COMMENT EARLIER ABOUT THE ROADS IN SOUTH EL NIDO.
I'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF CALLS REGARDING ROADS.
NOT JUST EL NIDO, LE GRAND AND ALL AROUND THE COUNTY, INCLUDING SANTA NELLA.
UM, LIKE I SAID, I STATED TO HIM THAT HE WAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED TO COME TO THE BOARD MEETINGS.
LIKE I SAID, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT NOT FIXING THE ROADS.
THERE'S ONLY SO MANY, SO MUCH FUNDS THAT WE HAVE FROM [INAUDIBLE] SB1 OR THE ARPA FUNDS.
SO I JUST STATED, LIKE I SAID, THE MORE YOU KNOW, THEY CAN COME AND SPEAK TO THE WHOLE BOARD.
SO WE CAN ONLY DO SO MANY ROADS.
AND LIKE I SAID, THE ROADS ARE BAD AND A LOT OF THEM HAVEN'T BEEN FIXED IN SO MANY YEARS.
SO LIKE I SAID, I DON'T MIND COMING IN.
AND LIKE I SAID, THEY CAN COME AND LISTEN TO US HERE AND, YOU KNOW, GIVE US THEIR INPUT.
THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA, SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THANK YOU AND SORRY FOR JUST GETTING HERE.
NOW, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A MEDICAL ISSUE WITH MY DAUGHTER AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE OKAY.
UM, I DO WANT TO MAKE A QUICK REPORT IF I CAN FIND MY NOTES REALLY QUICKLY.
THIS PAST WEEKEND, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE WITH MR. HENDRICKSON AND MY FAMILY IN THE VETERANS THE FALLEN HEROES RUN AT MERCED COLLEGE, AND THEN AFTER THAT, GO TO THE FIELD OF HONOR OPENING CEREMONIES.
AND IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE BY THERE, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
I GET TO DRIVE BY EVERY MORNING ON MY WAY TO THE GYM OR TO WORK AND SO IT'S A PRETTY COOL THING.
LET'S SEE, YESTERDAY WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THE AWARD TO FIRST OR FROM FIRST FIVE MERCED COUNTY TO KIDDIELAND FOR THEIR TRAIN, $628,000, WHICH IS GOING TO REALLY KICK-START WHAT THEY NEED FOR THAT PARK.
[00:50:05]
AND THEN I WANTED TO ALSO CONGRATULATE CHRIS HENN ON HIS PROMOTION AND NEW POSITION, AND THEN ALSO THANK KALISA FOR I FORGOT TO DO THAT LAST MEETING, BUT THANK KALISA ROCHESTER FOR HER TIME AT THE COUNTY.SHE WAS A VERY GOOD LEADER AND SOMEBODY THAT WILL BE MISSED AND THEN I THINK THAT'S IT.
YES, THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I TOO WOULD LIKE TO OBVIOUSLY JOIN THE BOARD IN WELCOMING CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER HENN.
WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL CEREMONIES AND RECOGNITIONS LAST WEEK.
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AND THE COURTS GOING FORWARD.
IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY SEAMLESS TRANSITION.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH NOW CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER HENN FOR SOME TIME.
AND THEN ALSO, I KNOW SOME OF US SUPERVISOR PEDROZO, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, AND I AND STAFF WERE ABLE TO ATTEND CITY OF MERCED LAST NIGHT FOR THE KIND OF CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP THERE AS WELL, WHERE THEY OFFICIALLY KIND OF SWORE IN THE NEW CITY MANAGER, SCOTT MCBRIDE, THE NEW POLICE CHIEF, AND THEN BID FAREWELL TO STEPHANIE DIETZ.
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MR. MCBRIDE AND THE TEAM OVER THERE.
AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO BE, I THINK, A SOMEWHAT SEAMLESS TRANSITION.
WE KNOW SCOTT PRETTY WELL AND ALSO WANTED TO JUST OBVIOUSLY APPRECIATE STEPHANIE FOR HER GOOD WORK THERE IN THE CITY OF MERCED AND WISH YOU THE VERY BEST.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PEDROZO YOU HAD ONE MORE THING? YEAH, SORRY. I WANTED TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF WHAT RAUL SAID.
I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE STEPHANIE DIETZ FOR HER RETIREMENT.
AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, SCOTT HAS BIG SHOES TO FILL, BUT HE'S UP FOR THE TASK.
I KNOW IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, BUT CHRISTOPHER.
LOOK FORWARD TO YOU CONTINUING THE GOOD WORK THAT KALISA HAS STARTED AND BUILDING UPON THAT.
SO JUST AGAIN, WANT TO THANK YOU AND HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING TO THE CHIEFS SWEARING IN CEREMONY OVER AT THE COURT HOUSE MUSEUM. SO AND THEN ALSO IN THAT SAME ON THAT SAME DAY, THAT MORNING EARLIER THAT DAY, LOS BANOS, THE CITY OF LOS BANOS DID THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR THEIR STATE OF THE ART NEW LOS BANOS POLICE STATION.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S SPENT SOME TIME ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND I WASN'T THE IDEA OF BUILDING A NEW POLICE STATION HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR 20 PLUS YEARS. BUT WHILE I SPENT TIME ON THE CITY COUNCIL, WE ACTUALLY TOOK THE FIRST STEPS IN BUYING THE PROPERTY, AND IT WAS CHIEF BREEZY, KIND OF LITERALLY.
HIS LAST DAY WAS THE DAY THEY DID THE RIBBON CUTTING.
AND THEN LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER CHIEF HENN'S SWEARING IN, I MADE GOOD TIME BACK TO LOS BANOS AND ACTUALLY WATCHED COMMANDER REYNA, NOW CHIEF REYNA, BE SWORN IN OVER THERE, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF LOS BANOS KNEW HE WANTED TO BE HIS FATHER, WAS WAS IN THE LOS BANOS POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALWAYS KNEW HE WAS GOING TO BE A POLICEMAN AND JUST, I THINK, A REALLY GREAT FIT FOR THE CITY OF LOS BANOS.
AND I'M EXCITED THAT HE WILL BE THERE FOR SOME TIME TO COME.
AND THEN ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT YESTERDAY WAS ON A CALL.
AGAIN, JUST KIND OF A FOLLOW UP CALL WITH SENATOR CABALLERO AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN SORIA ON REALLY JUST MAKING SURE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A, IT'S A VERY UNIQUE PROGRAM YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT EVERY DAY THAT A COMMUNITY HAS A CHALLENGE LIKE WE DID WITH THE FLOODS AND PLANADA AND THEN TO HAVE SOME STATE FUNDING THAT COMES IN ALONG WITH IT.
BUT BASICALLY, HERE'S $20 MILLION AND HERE'S KIND OF HOW WE WANT YOU TO SPEND IT.
NOW YOU GUYS GO DESIGN THE PROGRAM AND SO AS MUCH AS THE ELECTED'S WERE INVOLVED IN GETTING THE MONEY, I REALLY WANT TO THANK THEM AND THEN ALSO THANK STAFF ACROSS MANY DEPARTMENTS WHO HAVE HAD LOTS OF MEETINGS ON FIGURING OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE THIS MONEY IN A MEANINGFUL WAY AND, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING ALL THE RULES THAT COME ALONG WHEN YOU'RE BASICALLY DISHING OUT TAXPAYER MONEY.
[00:55:02]
AND SO I KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN WAY MORE MEETINGS THAN I'VE EVER THAT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN, OF FOLKS MEETING, TRYING TO FIGURE HOW THIS WORKS, MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT DUPLICATING SERVICES, BUT AGAIN, STILL HELPING THOSE PEOPLE THAT KIND OF FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS AND THE ONES THAT TRULY NEED, NEED THE HELP OUT THERE.AND IT'S, WE'RE NOT, IT'S NOT DONE YET.
THERE'S STILL A COUPLE MORE COMMUNITY PLANNING MEETINGS.
AND, YOU KNOW, OUR CBOS, OUR NGOS OVER THERE OUT IN THAT PLANADA AREA, I DO WANT TO THANK THEM THAT THEY ARE PUTTING ASIDE SOME OF THEIR, MAYBE THEIR PERSONAL DIFFERENCES.
SO WITH THAT, GET MY PAPER BECAUSE I GOT IN TROUBLE FOR NOT READING IT LAST TIME.
[POSSIBLE DIRECTION FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]
OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE NOVEMBER 28TH RIGHT BACK HERE, BUT WE ARE GOING TO NOT CLOSE THE MEETING.ADJOURN THE MEETING. WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION NOW.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR BEING HERE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.