[00:00:02] GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, WELCOME TO THE APRIL 6TH, 2021 MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS [Call to Order] MEETING IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 VIRUS. THE COUNTY IS CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS, WITH SEATING FOR THE PUBLIC LIMITED TO TWENTY FIVE. WE HAVE ALSO PROVIDED SOME OVERFLOW SPACE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO DO NOT WISH TO ATTEND IN PERSON. WE HAVE BEEN ACCEPTING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS VIA EMAIL AND VOICEMAIL FOR NON AGENDA AND AGENDA ITEMS. WE WILL NOW START WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY ELLA LUNA GARZA FROM THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MERCED, SHE IS HERE VIA ZOOM. AND THEN WE WILL GO WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, WHICH WILL BE LED BY SUPERVISOR RODRIGO ESPINOZA. OH, THERE'S ELLA. HEY, WE CAN SEE YOU GOOD MORNING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND ALL WHO ARE LISTENING THIS MORNING. I'M VERY WELL AWARE THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC, HOPEFULLY ON THE TAIL END, BUT IN THE MIDST OF PANDEMIC NO LESS. AND SO THERE HAVE BEEN MANY LOSSES AND WE HOPE MANY HOPES TO COME. RIGHT? WE'RE ALSO COMING OFF A VERY HOLY SEASONS FOR MANY FAITHS. AND SO I INVITE US ALL TO TAKE A MOMENT JUST TO CONSIDER THOSE LOSSES, BUT ALSO THOSE PLACES OF HOPE AND THOSE PLACES OF FAITH. THE ONE WHO IS HOLY, THE ONE WHO FILLS US WITH LIFE AND BREATH. THE ONE WHO CALLS US TO BE LIFE-GIVING, LIFE SUSTAINING AND LIFE HONORING THROUGH OUR WORKS, OUR DEEDS, OUR WORK, NOT ONLY TO SERVE OURSELVES, BUT TO SERVE NEIGHBOR. WE GIVE THANKS AND COLLECTIVELY, OFFER UP THESE MOMENTS. THESE MOMENTS OF DECISION MAKING AND DREAMING OF A BETTER FUTURE, THESE MOMENTS OF WORKING TOGETHER AND FOR EACH OTHER. THESE MOMENTS OF SERVING THE CONSTITUENTS AND MERCED COUNTY AND ESPECIALLY THESE MOMENTS AS WE GOVERN AND GUIDE AND DIRECT. AND SO WE ASK FOR GUIDANCE, FOR GRACE, FOR WISDOM, FOR COMPASSION, THAT WE MIGHT HONOR EACH OTHER AND YOU AND RESULTS IN PLANS MADE THIS DAY. WE PRAY BLESSINGS ON MERCED COUNTY, ON ITS LEADERSHIP, AND ALL WHO COME THROUGH. IT IS IN BLESSING, IN PEACE AND HOPEFULNESS. WE PRAY. AMEN. PLEASE JOIN ME., I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THANK YOU, ELLA. THANK YOU, RODRIGO. WE'VE JUST COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION THIS MORNING, WE HAD A MEETING AND STAFF WAS GIVING DIRECTION REGARDING EXISTING LITIGATION AND REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION. DIRECTION TO INITIATE LITIGATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO COUNTY COUNSEL AND THE CEO BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. THE DEFENDANTS AND OTHER PARTICULARS SHALL BE DISCLOSED ONCE ACTION IS FORMALLY COMMENCED. IT IS NOW TIME FOR A PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN [PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK] THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION, INCLUDING ITEMS ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA, EXCEPT FOR THOSE ITEMS SPECIFICALLY SCHEDULED AS PUBLIC HEARINGS. TESTIMONY LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON. AND SO I'LL LOOK AROUND TO SEE IF WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE. SEEING NONE, I KNOW WE DID HAVE ONE VOICEMAIL AND ONE EMAIL. I DON'T SEE AN EMAIL ON HERE. SO IT'S ONE VOICEMAIL RECEIVED AND ONE COMMENT TO GO INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD. THAT MUST HAVE BEEN AN EMAIL. SO AT THIS TIME, LET'S GO AHEAD AND PLAY THE VOICEMAIL. JENNIFER SONG AND I AM THE CO-FOUNDER AND COMMUNICATION MANAGER OF [INAUDIBLE] CENTER IN MERCED. I'M MAKING A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE MEETING FOR APRIL 6TH. ON MARCH 26TH [INAUDIBLE] CENTER HELD A VIGIL TO UNITE THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN SOLIDARITY. THANK YOU TO OUR STATE AND CITY OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND MEMBERS FOR STANDING WITH US. I WOULD LIKE TO BOARD SUPERVISOR, MR. RODRIGO ESPINOSA AND BISHOP [INAUDIBLE], FOR YOUR PRESENCE AT SUCH A SHORT NOTICE. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, VIOLENCE AND INCIDENTS TARGETING ASIAN-AMERICANS HAVE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED OVER 150 PERCENT. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE ATTACKS HAVE TARGETED ELDERS AND WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITIES. IN FACT, OVER THE PAST YEAR, ABOUT 4,000 INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED NATIONWIDE, A NUMBER THAT IS TRULY UNDERCOUNTED. THE RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA, SEXISM AND MISOGYNY THAT ASIAN-AMERICANS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES [00:05:06] OF COLOR FACE DAILY BASIS IS REAL. AND WE WANT THEM TO CALL ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ENSURE THAT OUR COUNTY IS SAFE FROM THESE VIOLENT ACTS. THAT [INAUDIBLE] CENTER IS FIRMLY ENGAGED IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN COVID OUTREACH EFFORT. OVER 400 HMONG, LAON AND OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIANS WERE VACCINATED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 20TH. I WANT TO THANK MERCED COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCY AND MERCED COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HMONG [INAUDIBLE] ASSOCIATION, OTHERS FOR THIS GREAT GIFT TO OUR HMONG AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN COMMUNITY. THAT'S 400 FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN KNOW THAT THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WILL BE HELPING TO CARE FOR THEM. WE CELEBRATE THIS. BUT WE KNOW THERE IS MORE WORK HAVE AHEAD OF US AS ASIANS ONLY RECEIVED 6 PERCENT VACCINATION IN MERCED COUNTY VERSUS 34 PERCENT HISPANIC AND 25 PERCENT WHITE. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY BEAT THE FEAR OF GETTING VACCINATED. AN EFFECTIVE WE HAVE FOUND THAT WORKS, WORKS IN OUR COMMUNITY IS THROUGH CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE COMMUNICATION THROUGH VIDEO, WORD OF MOUTH, THROUGH KEY HMONG LEADERS AND ALSO WORKING WITH LOCAL HMONG [INAUDIBLE]. ADDITIONALLY, MANY [INAUDIBLE] LIKE HMONG CENTER HAVE BEEN SPENDING 10 TO 15 HOURS IN [INAUDIBLE] VOLUNTEER HOURS A WEEK TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFE. THE STATE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MUST ALLOCATE CARES FUNDING TO CBOS AS PART OF THE FUNDING THAT IS DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OR HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES WHO ARE PAID TO DO THIS WORK AND TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY BUT LOOKS AT CBOS LIKE OURS, TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT FOR FREE. IT IS UNFAIR AND UNJUST NOT TO SUPPORT LOCAL CBOS AND OUTREACH EFFORTS. IN SUMMARY, WE CALL ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO CONDEMN ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE. HELP US CLOSE THE COVID OUTREACH GAPS, PARTICULARLY BY DISTRIBUTING FUNDS TO CBOS WHO ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY RESIDENTS TO FILL THIS GAP. THANK FOR YOUR TIME. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AT (219)769-3231 . OR YOU CAN FIND US ON FACEBOOK {INAUDIBLE] CENTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. GOOD MORNING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS JENNIFER SONG AND I AM THE CO-FOUNDER. THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT. OK, THANK YOU. AND I'LL GO AHEAD AND LOOK AROUND THE ROOM TO SEE IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON. NEXT IS APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA CALENDAR ITEMS 1-14. [CONSENT CALENDAR] PLEASE NOTE ITEM EIGHT REQUIRES A FOUR FIFTHS VOTE. THANK YOU. LOOKS LIKE WE ALREADY HAVE A FIRST AND SECOND, IS THERE MORE DISCUSSION IN HERE AT THE DAIS ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS? SEEING NONE, LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. OH, MYSELF, IT WAS A DRAMATIC VOTE THERE. OK, LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. I GUESS I SHOULD ASK FOR A DRUMROLL. OR MAYBE NOT. NEXT IS BOARD ACTION PUBLIC WORKS, ITEM NUMBER 15. [BOARD ACTION] IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? I SEE SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA'S ALREADY HAS A MOTION AND SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. YOU'RE WAITING FOR THE DRUM ROLL, RIGHT, LLOYD? LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS AG COMMISSIONER ITEM 16-20. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE AG COMMISSIONER? HE IS HERE IN THE BUILDING, IF WE HAVE ANY. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? YOU DID HAVE COMMENTS BEFORE THE MEETING. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THOSE ABOUT HOW COMPLETE HE IS WITH HIS? [INAUDIBLE].THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. I DO ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE AG COMMISSIONER'S ATTENTION TO DETAIL ON HIS STAFF REPORTS. THEY'RE VERY THOROUGH AND HE'S ALWAYS DEALING WITH THESE CONTRACTS WITH THE USDA AND AND CDFA WHO MAKE PROMISES OF MONEY, BUT THEY DON'T ALWAYS DELIVER THEM IN A TIMELY MANNER. AND HE HAS TO PRE DO THE WORK. BUT HE DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB IN EXPLAINING ALL THAT AND EVEN HAS A PLAN COMING UP TO MOVE [00:10:05] IT TO A FIVE YEAR CYCLE SO THAT WE'RE NOT HAVING TO WHEN POSSIBLE. WE'RE NOT HAVING TO RENEW 243 DOLLAR CONTRACTS EVERY YEAR. HE'S GOING TO DO THEM ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS. SO ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT THE AG COMMISSIONER BRINGS TO THE TABLE. AND THAT'S WHY I GLADLY MADE THIS MOTION TODAY. THANK YOU SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT TO LIGHT BECAUSE WE DID HAVE THAT DISCUSSION EARLIER TODAY. AND I THOUGHT THE PUBLIC SHOULD RECOGNIZE, OK, AND I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. I WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE. LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS HEALTH ITEM TWENTY ONE. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM UNDER HEALTH? SEEING NONE? I ALREADY HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. DRUM ROLL THERE. LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES ITEMS 22-24. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THESE ITEMS? ALREADY HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ITEMS 25-29 , PLEASE NOTE ITEM TWENTY NINE REQUIRES A FOUR FIFTHS VOTE. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION, BUT THE CHAIR DOES RECOGNIZE SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM TWENTY SEVEN. UM, YOU KNOW, WE'VE MADE THIS MOVE, IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS AGO NOW ALREADY WHERE WE, JOHN [INAUDIBLE], HIS NEW TITLE IS HE'S THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY, HOUSING AND HOMELESS BRANCH. THAT THAT'S WHAT IT IS. AND SO IT JUST JOHN'S, WE HAD THE FORTUNE OF WORKING WITH JOHN HERE IN THE CEO'S OFFICE BEFORE HE TOOK THIS PROMOTION. AND THIS KIND OF I THINK THIS IS GOVERNMENT WORKING KIND OF OUT OF ITS NORMAL TENDENCIES. THIS IS LIKE BEING EFFICIENT. WE HAVE A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT TOUCH DIFFERENT PARTS OF HSA THAT THAT DEAL WITH HOUSING AND HOMELESS AND THEN ADD IN THE NEW NAVIGATION CENTER AND ALL THOSE THINGS. AND SO WE'VE ACTUALLY CREATED A DEPARTMENT TO KIND OF PUT THAT ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. AND WE KNEW GOING ALONG THE WAY THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME ADDITIONAL CHANGES THAT, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF PUT IT TOGETHER. BUT BEING ABLE TO HELP JOHN AND JOVANA, YOU HAVE THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS AND AGAIN, SHOWS THE COMMITMENT OF THE COUNTY TO GET AWAY FROM THE NEVER ENDING 10 YEAR PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS AND ACTUALLY DO THINGS THAT ACTUALLY TRIES TO HELP WITH THE HOMELESS SITUATION. SO I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AND TELL JOHN GOOD WORK. AND HIS HIS HIS BOSS SPEAKS HIGHLY OF THEM. AND I SPOKE HIGHLY OF YOU. AND I KNOW EVERYBODY OVER HERE IS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK WE KNOW YOU'RE DOING. GOOD JOB. THANKS. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR. AND I'D LIKE TO ADD ON TO THAT AS WELL. UM, IT'S BEEN IT IS GOVERNMENT WORKING, I GUESS, EFFICIENTLY. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S KIND OF IT WAS IT WAS THE FORESIGHT OF THE BOARD AND OUR CEO TO CREATE A POSITION FOR THE HOMELESS BECAUSE IT WAS AN ISSUE WE WERE HAVING AS BOARD MEMBERS. WE'RE ALL DEALING WITH IT IN EACH DISTRICT INDIVIDUALLY. AND WHEN WE CREATED THAT POSITION AND BROUGHT JOHN IN FROM HIS PREVIOUS POSITION, WHICH HE WORKED WITH THE HOMELESS, AND HE ACTUALLY, AS OUR VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER, ERADICATED A LARGE NUMBER OF VETERANS AND GOT THEM OFF THE STREETS. AND THAT WAS VERY ADMIRABLE THAT HE DID THAT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HAVING HIM DOWN THE HALL FROM US, WE WERE ABLE TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THE HOMELESS ISSUES RIGHT AWAY. AND SINCE HE'S BEEN PROMOTED AND HE'S OVER THERE CLOSER TO JOVANA NOW, IT TAKES A PHONE CALL AND IT'S NOT AS, IT'S MORE WE HAVE TO PLAN IT TO TALK TO HIM INSTEAD OF EVERY TIME WE WALK DOWN THE HALL TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE OR SOMETHING. HEY, JOHN, COME IN HERE. I HAVE AN ISSUE I NEED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT, BUT GOOD WORK. AND I SAY THE SAME THING AS OUR SUPERVISOR. [00:15:01] SILVEIRA SAID. THIS IS A GOOD MOVE. SO I DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER REQUESTS IN THE QUEUE. SO LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS, THIRTY AND THIRTY ONE. PLEASE NOTE BOTH OF THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN PULLED. NEXT, IS PROBATION ITEM 32. ARE THERE FURTHER CONVERSATIONS ON THIS ITEM OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA . LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. DRUM ROLL. SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA ? LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT, IS TREASURER, TAX COLLECTOR, ITEM THIRTY THREE. WE DO HAVE THE TAX COLLECTOR IN THE ROOM. IS THERE FURTHER COMMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS? I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS HUMAN RESOURCES, ITEM NUMBER 34. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION OR COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. LET'S VOTE. LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS BOARD APPOINTMENTS ITEMS, THIRTY FIVE AND THIRTY SIX. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS OR COMMENTS ON THESE ITEMS? I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA. I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. [BOARD INFORMATION & POSSIBLE ACTION] NEXT IS BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS, 37-47. WAS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS? IF NOT, I'M LOOKING. WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD? I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO . SECONDED BY THE CHAIR. LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. THERE WAS A LITTLE DRUM ROLL AT THE END AS SILVEIRA WAS HOLDING OUT. LET'S TALLY THE VOTES. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS A SCHEDULED ITEM. WE HAVE A SECOND READING OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE FROM PUBLIC WORKS. IT IS THE SECOND READING FOR A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5.90 OF THE MERCED COUNTY CODE BY INCREASING THE REFUGE COLLECTION RATES FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS WITHIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE AREAS 1-5. SO I'M LOOKING FOR SOME DIRECTION BY THE BOARD ON THIS. WOULD SOMEBODY LIKE TO WAIVE THE SECOND READING? CAN WE WAIVE THE SECOND AND KEEP OH, THERE WE GO. CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YEAH, JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND. [00:20:02] I HAVE TO SWITCH SCREENS HERE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SEEING THE PROPER STUFF. YES, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO WAIVE FURTHER READING OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AND CAN WE DO IT ONE MOTION COUNTY COUNCIL? YEAH. AND ADOPT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, WHICH AMENDS CHAPTER 5.90, THE MERCED COUNTY CODE AND ORDINANCES 1987. OK, I HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. I HAVE A SECOND, SO THE FIRST WAS BY SILVEIRA, SECOND BY ESPINOZA. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS BOARD REPORTS. I WILL LOOK TO MY RIGHT TO DISTRICT NUMBER ONE TO OPEN THIS UP, BEING THAT IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY TOMORROW AND I WILL PUT IT ON DISCUSSION MODE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK PASTOR ELLA LUNA FROM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOR DOING THE INVOCATION THIS MORNING VIA VIRTUAL. THANK YOU, AGAIN. ALSO, FIRST, I WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN ANOTHER KIND OF DROUGHT YEAR, SO MAKE SURE YOU CONSERVE WATER WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR YOU LIVE OUT ON A RANCH OR FARMER. I KNW THAT WE TRY TO UTILIZE THE WATER AS BEST WE CAN. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO CONSERVE WATER IN CASE, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T RAIN AGAIN NEXT YEAR. SO WE'LL BE IN IN WORSE SHAPE OF NEXT YEAR IF IT DOESN'T RAIN. SO WE DIDN'T HAVE YOU. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT WAS 50 OR 75 PERCENT OF THE RAIN WE HAD. AND I DIDN'T KEEP AN EYE ON IT, BUT I KNOW IT WAS LOW. SO EVEN THOUGH WE HAD SOME LATE RAIN, IT WASN'T ENOUGH. SO SECOND, WE JUST PASSED THE, YOU KNOW, A DUMPING ORDINANCE IN THE COUNTY. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF ANYONE SEES ANYBODY DUMPING THEIR TRASH, PLEASE CALL OR SAVE THE INFORMATION SO THAT AUTHORITIES CAN GO AFTER WHOEVER IS THAT WERE DUMPING GARBAGE EVERYWHERE BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST IN ONE LOCATIONS ALL AROUND THE COUNTY. AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT DUMPING TRASH IN OUR COUNTY ROADS BECAUSE EVENTUALLY, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY PAYS FOR IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE COUNTY HAS TO PICK IT UP AND WE ALL PAY FOR THAT. SO PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT. ALSO, VACCINATIONS HAVE BEEN GOING WELL, SO I ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC. I GOT MY FIRST SHOT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AT LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING MY SECOND SHOT NEXT WEEK ON THE 14TH. SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S. DON'T BE AFRAID, PLEASE. THERE'S PFIZER, MODERNA AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON. WHICHEVER VACCINE YOU WANT TO TAKE, IT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE. BUT PLEASE VACCINATE AND HELP KEEP YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR NEIGHBORS AND, YOU KNOW, SAFE. SO WE WANT TO MOVE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GO INTO THE RED TIER, EVEN THOUGH MOVING ON TO THE RED, YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL IN THE PURPLE. I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE IN IN THE RED BY TODAY. AND WE'RE NOT YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT DUMPED ON BY THE STATE. THEY WERE HOLDING SOME, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING OF FEW TESTS BACK. SO YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO GO IN THE RED. BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE STATE INSTEAD OF US KEEPING THE INFORMATION IT WAS BROUGHT DOWN. YOU KNOW, I WAS TELLING MY FRIENDS THAT WE WERE GOING TO RED TIER, AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO GO STRAIGHT HERE TO HOPEFULLY BY THE 27TH OF APRIL, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SAY THAT WE CAN GO TO RED TIER. SO ALSO TO THE LAST I'D LIKE TO MENTION THAT I HAVE A ON APRIL 14TH, MY VIRTUAL TOWN HALL KICKOFF FOR DISTRICT ONE. AND YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IN, IT WILL BE VIRTUAL SO WE CAN ALWAYS ANSWER QUESTIONS. YOU KNOW, ANYONE FROM ANYWHERE AROUND DISTRICT ONE, YOU CAN PROBABLY CALL IN OR THERE'LL BE SOME SITES, IF YOU REQUEST A SITE, WHETHER YOU'RE IN LEGRAND, PLANADA, SOUTH MERCED OR LIVINGSTON. PLEASE CALL IN. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE'LL BE HAVING DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO ANSWER AS MANY QUESTIONS AS WE CAN. IF NOT, WELL SEND US AN EMAIL AND WE'LL GET BACK TO YOU TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA. AND AGAIN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PEDROZO? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS. MARCH WAS NATIONAL READING MONTH, AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS, HERE IN DISTRICT TWO, WHICH IS ALWAYS REALLY [00:25:02] EXCITING THAT THE STUDENTS ARE REALLY HAPPY BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, YOU'RE TAKING THEM AWAY FROM THEIR TEACHER. THE TEACHER'S PROBABLY MORE HAPPY THAN THE STUDENTS. BUT YOU GET TO READ A STORY TO THEM AND THEY ASK QUESTIONS. AND IT'S A LOT OF FUN TO ENGAGE WITH THEM AND LET THEM KNOW THAT HOW IMPORTANT READING IS. UH, I ALSO ATTENDED THE MARCH, AGAINST THE HATE ON SATURDAY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY WELL ATTENDED. I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY COOL, THAT IT WAS VERY PEACEFUL. YOU HAD POLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE THERE WHO KNEW ABOUT IT, BUT THEY WEREN'T ASKED TO GO. AND THEY WERE LIKE THEY LED THE ENTIRE PROCESSION. THEY LED THE ENTIRE MARCH. IT WAS VERY PEACEFUL. IT WAS A REALLY, REALLY COOL THING TO SEE THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER LIKE THAT. I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE SHERIFF'S PROMOTION CEREMONY LAST WEEK, WHICH WAS ALSO GOOD TO SEE PEOPLE BEING PROMOTED INTO DIFFERENT POSITIONS. AND THEN I ALSO WANTED TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT HERE, AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S I KNOW THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS DOING THIS, BUT MERCED JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS DOING THIS. BUT SCHOOL'S STARTING ON APRIL 12TH, AND SO THEY'RE GOING TO PRETTY MUCH BE FULL, ALL STUDENTS BACK ON CAMPUS. SO IF THERE'S TRAFFIC OR IF YOU SEE STUDENTS JUST KIND OF BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT TYPE OF STUFF, BECAUSE WE'VE GOTTEN USED TO NOT HAVING STUDENTS WALKING TO SCHOOL OR RIDING THEIR BIKES AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF. SO SINCE THEY'RE OPENING UP, MAKE SURE YOU YOU YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION. AND THEN ALSO I WANT TO MENTION MY TOWN HALL. MY TOWN HALL ISN'T UNTIL APRIL 28TH FROM SIX TO EIGHT. AND PLEASE GO TO THE WEBSITE. AND IF YOU GO TO CO.MERCED.CA.US AND YOU JUST GO UP TO THE SEARCH BAR AND PUT IN TOWN HALL, IT'LL COME UP AND THEN YOU REGISTER AND YOU'RE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS BEFOREHAND AND SO THAT WE CAN ANSWER TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AND GET YOU THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SO FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THE MERCED NAVIGATION CENTER HAS BEEN OPENED. IT IS AT THE OLD JUVENILE HALL SITE AT 13TH AND B STREETS. IT IS KIND OF A REGIONAL APPROACH TO HELPING TO SOLVE THE HOMELESS ISSUE. FOR A PERSON TO ENTER, THEY HAVE TO BE REFERRED BY ONE OF THE EITHER NONPROFITS OR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT DEAL WITH THE HOMELESS. YOU KNOW, THE DOOR'S NOT JUST OPEN FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND GO, AND THE PHONE NUMBER IS 726-2700. IF YOU WANT TO REACH OUT TO THE TURNING POINT, WHO IS COORDINATING THOSE ENTRIES. AND I JUST AGAIN, WOULD YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN ON THE NEWS A BIT AND BUT I JUST REALLY WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO COUNTY STAFF AND TO MY COLLEAGUES. THIS IS REALLY A MONUMENTAL EFFORT, INCLUDING THE EFFORT FROM OUR ASSEMBLYMAN, ADAM GRAY, WHO HELPED US SECURE THE FUNDING. AND I, OF COURSE, TOOK A TOUR OFTEN AHEAD OF TIME, WENT THROUGH THE RIBBON CUTTING, AND THEN I STOPPED BY MIDDLE OF LAST WEEK JUST TO SEE HOW IT WAS ACTUALLY GOING. AND IT'S GONE PHENOMENALLY WELL PUT TOGETHER, MOSTLY BY THE RESCUE MISSION TO OPERATE. THE SITE IS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND NOT ONLY PROFESSIONAL, BUT ALSO VERY INSIGHTFUL. WHEN, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS GENERALLY, YOU HAVE VERY MANIPULATIVE PEOPLE WHO LEARN VERY QUICKLY HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM. AND THEY LEARNED THOSE SKILLS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO NAVIGATE ABUSE WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG. AND SO, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY THAT UNDERSTANDS THAT AND CAN WEED THROUGH THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF A HOMELESS PERSON'S MOUTH AND DETERMINE WHAT'S ACCURATE AND WHAT'S JUST BEING USED TO MANIPULATE STAFF IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT. AND I JUST REALLY FELT CONFIDENT THAT THE RESCUE MISSION STAFF IS UP TO THAT TASK. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I TOOK A TOUR WITH THE FACILITY WITH BOTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STAFF THAT WOULD BE OPERATING IN THERE AND HSA STAFF THAT WILL BE OPERATING IN THERE. AND THE MINDSET THAT THOSE FOLKS HAVE IS JUST IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE, RIGHT? THEY GET IT. THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR WORK. [00:30:01] AND AND WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH SOMETHING LIKE HOMELESSNESS, YOU HAVE TO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT OR OTHERWISE. IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO BE SUCCESSFUL. AND SO I JUST WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY AT TRYING TO GET YOUR PUBLIC SPACES BACK AND YOUR PRIVATE PROPERTY BACK SO YOU CAN USE AND ENJOY IT AS YOU HAVE PAID FOR AND INTENDED TO USE IT. AND IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE HELPING PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED HELP. YOU KNOW, MY MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IS THAT ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS HAVE A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUE. ONE THING THAT MOST PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW IS WHEN YOU SEE SOMEBODY WALKING DOWN THE STREET TALKING TO THEMSELVES AND YOU THINK THEY'RE ON DRUGS OR STREET TERM IS TWEAKING HALF THE TIME THEY ARE NOT. THEY JUST HAVE A MENTAL ISSUE POSSIBLY FROM PAST DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE. BUT THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY CLEAN AND SOBER AT THAT MOMENT, EVEN THOUGH AT THEIR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE, YOU WOULDN'T THINK SO. AND SO THOSE ARE THE FOLKS WE REALLY WANT TO HELP. AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS SYSTEM IS GOING TO BE A BIG BOOST IN OUR ABILITY. SO, AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY. SO AND THEN SECONDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT I, TOO, AM HAVING A TOWN HALL. IT WILL BE APRIL 21ST, WHICH IS ALSO WEDNESDAY EVENING FROM SIX TO EIGHT O'CLOCK. AND YOU'VE GOTTEN INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REGISTER. I WON'T GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR. AND I THINK WE'D BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE HOMELESS ISSUE HERE IN MERCED COUNTY. THANK YOU. VERY ADMIRABLE. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, TO MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT ONE, HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY. JUST WANT TO START I DO WANT TO MENTION MY TOWN HALL AND I'M GOING TO GO INTO SOME OF THE DETAILS AS MINE IS TOMORROW NIGHT, APRIL 7TH AT SIX P.M. IS WHEN THEY START. BUT I WANT TO JUST THINK IT STAFF. I WANT TO THANK MIKE NORTH, ALEXANDER PIERCE. AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S A FEW MORE OF THEM IN THERE THAT I'M MISSING. BUT JUST THE BEHIND THE SCENES WORK THAT WENT INTO PUTTING THIS THESE TOWN HALLS TOGETHER, WE'VE ALL HAD TOURS DOWN THERE AND THEY'VE RUN US THROUGH THE PROCESS. THERE'S A LOT OF THOUGHT THAT WENT INTO THESE, THERE'S GOING TO BE SPANISH AND HMONG LISTENING OPTIONS THROUGH ZOOM. SO I JUST WANT TO I CAN'T THANK THEM ENOUGH. THEY REALLY KIND OF GOT US TO A PLACE TO WHERE IT REALLY AT THIS POINT, ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS JUST KIND OF SPREAD THE WORD AND SHOW UP AND DELIVER. AND THEY GOT ALL THE DETAILS WORKED OUT AND THEY WALKED US THROUGH IT. SO AGAIN, MINE IS TOMORROW NIGHT, APRIL THE 7TH AT SIX P.M. YOU CAN REGISTER BY ZOOM AT WWW.COUNTYOFMERCED.COM/D5TH . THAT'S HOW YOU REGISTER THROUGH THE COUNTY FOR THE ZOOM REGISTRATION, BUT ALSO TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU'RE, IT'S NOT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS. BUT IF YOU JUST WANT TO VIEW THE TOWN HALL, THAT'S GOING TO BE BEING BROADCAST LIVE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. MERCED, SO IF YOU FOLLOW MERCED COUNTY ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, THAT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE. AND IT'LL ALSO BE ON THE GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNELS. NINETY FIVE OR NINETY SIX COMCAST AND NINETY NINE ON AT&T. SO WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF OPTIONS FOR FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT. EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE I THINK EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE SOME IN-PERSON VIEWING OPTIONS. REMOTE IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE IS AVAILABLE BUT IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS OR ARE OTHERWISE UNABLE TO JOIN VIRTUALLY. AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IT'S YOU HAVE TO REGISTER 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE AND SEEING HOW IS MINE IS TOMORROW THAT HAS ALREADY PASSED FOR ME, BUT THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR MY COLLEAGUE'S TOWN HALLS. AND WE WILL BE DOING THOSE STARTING THIS WEDNESDAY. AND EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT IT'LL BE A DIFFERENT ONE OF US. I THINK THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE US. THEY KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT A COUPLE THAT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT AWAY, BUT A COUPLE OF COOL THINGS PLANNED, JUST TO KIND OF LET FOLKS KNOW WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING. SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO FOLKS, I BELIEVE WHEN THEY SIT AND NOT COUNTING MY WIFE AND MY FRIENDS THAT I MADE REGISTER TO SO THAT I HAD SOMEBODY SHOW UP TO MY TOWN HALL. I BELIEVE WE'RE UP TO PROBABLY AROUND THIRTY FIVE. SO I'M PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. LAST THING IS AGAIN, A LITTLE BIT OF FRUSTRATION THAT, YOU KNOW, BY ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, OUR NUMBERS SHOW THAT WE SHOULD BE IN THE ORANGE CATEGORY BY NOW. THERE WAS A LATE DATA DUMP YESTERDAY, WHICH IS FOR SOME REASON IS NOT PUTTING US INTO THE RED CATEGORY. AGAIN, IT'S FRUSTRATED. [00:35:03] I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO EVERYONE'S OWN CONCLUSION AS TO HOW WE JUST GET TO KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENS. WE'RE ONE OF THREE COUNTIES LEFT IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WHO ARE IN THE PURPLE, BUT YET ALL OUR OTHER NUMBERS ARE TRENDING IN THE ORANGE. SO YOU GOT PURPLE, RED, THEN ORANGE ARE THEIR NUMBERS ARE TRENDING IN THE ORANGE CATEGORY, BUT YET WE'RE STILL STUCK IN THE PURPLE. AND THEN THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED TODAY AT 9:45, OR IF HE HASN'T ANNOUNCED IT, THAT BY JUNE 15TH THE TEARS ARE GOING AWAY. WE'RE GOING INTO THE GREEN CATEGORY, WHICH IS A NEW CATEGORY THAT HE CAME UP WITH THIS MORNING THAT SAYS THAT IT'S YOU KNOW, WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING AND PPE, YOU CAN GO BACK TO PRE PANDEMIC LEVELS OF PEOPLE ATTENDING STUFF. SO I KNOW THAT I'VE RAILED A LITTLE BIT ON THE STATE AND I'M GOING TO BE NICE TODAY BECAUSE IT'S JUST KIND OF POINTLESS TO RAIL ON THEM. IT'S THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT. SO I'VE REALIZED THAT. BUT I WILL LEAVE IT UP TO EVERYBODY'S OWN CONCLUSION AS TO WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON HERE. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE'RE GOING INTO THE GREEN. AND YET, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE WE MAYBE I'VE COMPLAINED OR VENTED MY FRUSTRATIONS MORE THAN OTHERS. SO DO DOES DOES THE CITIZENS OF MERCY COUNTY GET PENALIZED OR PUNISHED BECAUSE OF MY COMMENTS? AND IF THAT IS TRULY THE CASE, I FEEL REAL BAD FOR THOSE FOLKS UP THERE AND THEY GOT TO LIVE WITH THEMSELVES. I FEEL WORSE FOR THAT. IF MY ACTIONS IN SOME WAY CAUSED MY CITIZENS TO BE, YOU KNOW, HELD HOSTAGE TO THIS TIER SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A JOKE THIS MORNING THAT BECAUSE MIRACULOUSLY ON JUNE 5TH. WE'RE GOING BACK TO NORMAL. IT'S AMAZING HOW THAT WORKS OUT WHEN POLLING NUMBERS MAY OR MAY NOT BE LOW, BE 50 PERCENT JUST SAYING SO. THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR TODAY. THANK YOU, CHAIR. YOU GOT IT, SUPERVISOR AND NEVER FEEL BAD FOR TELLING THE TRUTH. SUPERVISOR PEDROZO, YOU HAD SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO ADD I SHARED MY FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE SUPERVISORS ESPINOZA AND SILVEIRA ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I'VE GONE TO A NUMBER OF THESE DIFFERENT VACCINATION CLINICS AND WATCHED THEM. AND LAST FRIDAY, THEY PUT OUT A THOUSAND SHOTS AT THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND YOU HAD TO SIGN UP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD PEOPLE. THEY STARTED AT NINE O'CLOCK AND THEY SAID THEY HAD PEOPLE LINING UP AT 7:00. THEN I KNOW ON SATURDAY, THE CITY OF MERCED ALSO HOSTED A VACCINATION CLINIC WHERE PEOPLE REGISTERED. SO WE'RE DOING OUR PART. BUT IT'S NOW BECOMING POLITICAL. AND THAT'S JUST NOT THAT'S NOT OK TO PLAY POLITICS WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS. SO THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR. COUNTY COUNSEL? CEO? NOTHING? WELL, THANK YOU. BEFORE WE CLOSE OUT THEN MY COMMENTS, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THIRTY FIVE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED UP FOR SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA WAS FAMILY, AND HE DID CONFIRM THAT. EVEN HIS FAMILY FROM OUT OF THE AREA. BUT NO, I'M JUST KIDDING. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THESE. MINE IS THE LAST ONE. SO I HAVE ANOTHER BOARD MEETING SO I WON'T GET INTO THE DETAILS IN ANNOUNCING MINE, WE DID PICK DISTRICT FIVE TO GO FIRST BECAUSE WE FIGURED THAT ONE IS GOING TO LAST THE LONGEST. SO WE WANT TO GET THAT ONE, GET THAT ONE COMPLETED. I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT'S BEEN MOVING INTO THIS. I DID RECEIVE THAT TEXT THIS MORNING THAT IT'S CALLED THE BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT MOVING FORWARD. BUT I CONCUR WITH MY COLLEAGUE FROM LOS BANOS THAT I THINK A LOT OF THE PRESSURE, THE GOVERNOR'S FEELING IS CAUSING HIM TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS. BECAUSE IF YOU REMEMBER FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS PANDEMIC, THIS BOARD SAT HERE BEFORE YOU AND SAID WE HAD CONFIDENCE IN OUR CONSTITUENTS, THAT IF WE PROVIDED THE PPE AND THE EDUCATION THAT ALLOWED THEM TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, AND IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT TOOK THIS LONG FOR OUR GOVERNOR TO DECIDE. I'M SURE THE VACCINATION PROCESS HAD A LOT TO DO WITH IT. BUT WE HAD CONFIDENCE IN OUR FOLKS HERE IN MERCED COUNTY TO MAKE HEALTHY AND GOOD DECISIONS ON THEIR BEHALF. BUT IT WAS THEIR CHOICE, NOT GOVERNMENT'S CHOICE, TO DO THAT. AND, ANYWAY, MOVING FORWARD, IT'S BEEN NICE HAVING FACE TO FACE MEETINGS. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTUALLY HAD A FULL MEETING. IT WAS IN AN OPEN SHOP WITH ALL THE DOORS OPEN AND THE GARAGE DOORS ALL PULLED UP. BUT IT WAS AMAZING, THE DISCUSSION, THE ROBUST DISCUSSION ON EVERY ITEM AND HOW WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING. IT'S SO MUCH BETTER THAN BEING ON ZOOM LOOKING AT A BUNCH OF PICTURES ON YOUR SCREEN. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY HAS GOTTEN AS CRAFTY AS I HAVE WHERE I HAVE A PICTURE OF ME JUST SITTING THERE LIKE THIS SO I CAN CUT MY CAMERA. [00:40:02] BUT IT STILL LOOKS ME BEING VERY ATTENTIVE IN A MEETING. I AM PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S JUST WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT 20 TO 40 PEOPLE ON A SCREEN, IT'S HARD TO REALLY GET THE FULL EFFECT OF IT. MOVING FORWARD, I JUST WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR GETTING THROUGH THIS. JUNE 15TH IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO. WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THIS AND GETTING BACK TO REGULAR COUNTY BUSINESS. AND THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. THIS IS, BELIEVE ME, FOLKS, KEEP CALLING ME WITH YOUR COMPLAINTS. IT'S A PLEASURE. YOUR COMPLAINT IS SOMETHING THAT I CAN CONTROL AND ANYTHING THAT THE STATE DOES IS SOMETHING I CAN'T CONTROL. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO US TRYING TO FIX A ROAD, FIX A POTHOLE OR ANY OTHER THING THAT'S OUT THERE THAT THE COUNTY CAN HELP YOU WITH, PLEASE CALL US AND LET US KNOW. WE'RE WHAT WE'RE WILLING TO WORK ON THAT. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IF IT'S ANYTHING AG, DON'T CALL US. CALL OUR AG COMMISSIONER. JUST KIDDING. PLEASE CALL US. WE'LL CALL HIM. BUT WITH THAT, I'LL GO AHEAD. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA. AND I DON'T THINK WE'LL SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIM HERE ON THE DAIS, BUT MAYBE WE'LL DO IT BACK THERE. SO AT THIS TIME WE'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING. THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.