[Supervisor Pareira Town Hall Meeting ]
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GOOD EVENING AND, UH, EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE MERSEYSIDE COUNTY VIRTUAL TOWN HALL FOR DISTRICT FOUR.
MY NAME IS LLOYD PERROTTA, JR.
AND I AM THE DISTRICT FOREST SUPERVISOR, WHICH COVERS THE CITY OF GUSTINE AND THE TOWNS OF SMELLING BALLICO CRESSEY, DALE, HIGH HEEL MAR AND STEVENSON.
I APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US TONIGHT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT THE COUNTY HAS ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S TO COME.
I AM JOINED BY SEVERAL OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND STAFF MEMBERS WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH QUESTIONS DURING THE Q AND A PORTION OF THE TOWN HALL.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION TO SUBMIT, PLEASE DO SO BY TYPING IT INTO THE CHAT BOX ON ZOOM AND HITTING ENTER.
AND IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON SAY A FACEBOOK OR THE GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL, YOU'LL NEED TO LOG IN THROUGH ZOOM TO ASK A QUESTION YOU CAN ALSO DO SO BY VISITING COUNTY OF MERSENNE.COM FORWARD SLASH TOWN HALLS, AND THAT'S WITH AN S ON THE END AND CLICK THE LINK FOR DISTRICT FOR IT.
I'D LIKE TO KICK THINGS OFF TONIGHT BY RUNNING A SHORT VIDEO THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND I WORKED ON THE HIGH, UH, HIGHLIGHTING A FEW OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN MERCER COUNTY.
FOLLOWING THE VIDEO, I'LL COVER ADDITIONAL TOPICS OF INTEREST, AND THEN WE'LL GO INTO THE Q AND A PORTION OF THE MEETING.
UM, HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE MERCER COUNTY.
LOOKING FORWARD 2022, A VIRTUAL WALKTHROUGH OF SOME OF WHAT'S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THE COUNTY OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S TO COME I'M BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CHAIRMAN, LLOYD PERRERA.
AND FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MINUTES, MY COLLEAGUES AND I WILL PROVIDE BRIEF UPDATES ON SEVERAL KEY AREAS, INCLUDING PUBLIC SAFETY, TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, AND MORE.
SO PLEASE SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE MERCER COUNTY LOOKING FORWARD 2022.
AND NOW I'LL KICK IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE, DARREN MCDANIEL.
I'M DARREN MCDANIEL, MERCY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REPRESENTING THE THIRD DISTRICT.
2021 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR MERCY COUNTY WHEN IT COMES TO EXPANDING OUR ECONOMIC HORIZONS.
AND SO FAR IN 2022, WE'RE SEEING THAT PROGRESS ACCELERATING AT A RAPID PACE WHILE GROWTH AND SUCCESS CAN BE FOUND THROUGHOUT MERCEDE COUNTY AND ITS CITIES.
WE'VE SEEN A PARTICULAR RESURGENCE OF CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER AS A DESTINATION POINT TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.
THIS SITE IS ALREADY HOME TO BLAKER BREWERY, THE TARMAC WAYMO GOOGLE'S DRIVERLESS CAR COMPANY, AND NUMEROUS MANUFACTURERS, MEDICAL CENTERS, OFFICES, AND TRAINING CENTERS IN 2021 MERCER COUNTY COMPLETED A $2.1 MILLION EXPANSION PROJECT OF THE AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH AND TESTING COMPLEX LOCATED AT CASTLE.
THE SITE INCLUDES A 2.2 MILE OVAL TEST TRACK A ONE MILE CITY COURSE AND TWO LARGE VEHICLE DYNAMIC AREAS.
AND THE 225 ACRE SITE IS ALREADY ATTRACTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BUSINESS INTEREST FROM MAJOR CAR COMPANIES.
WE EXPECT EXPANSION TO CONTINUE IN THE COMING YEARS AS TESTING DEMAND AT THE SITE INCREASES.
IN ADDITION TO VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY, CASEL HAS ALSO BECOME A FOCAL POINT FOR GOODS MOVEMENT.
IN EARLY FEBRUARY, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ARE APPROVED AND AGREEMENT WITH PATRIOT RAIL TO ESTABLISH A RAIL DISTRICT AT CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER.
THE RAIL DISTRICT WILL ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, MANUFACTURERS AND OTHER ENTERPRISES THROUGHOUT THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY TO QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY SHIP AND RECEIVE PRODUCTS VIA THE BNS FOR OUR ROAD, WHICH RUNS ADJACENT TO THE SITE.
A RAIL SPUR FROM BNSF LINES CURRENTLY CONNECTS TO CASTLE AND PATRIOT RAIL WILL SOON DEVELOP ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO FACILITATE ENHANCED RAIL FREIGHT SERVICES FROM THE LOCATION.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE, WE'RE EXPECTING MORE GROWTH AT CASTLE IN THE FUTURE IN ORDER TO MAKE MORE ROOM AT THE SITE AND IMPROVE CASTLE'S VERSATILITY AND SAFETY.
MERCY COUNTY IS IN THE PROCESS OF DEMOLISHING OLD BUILDINGS THAT ARE UNINHABITABLE AND UNUSABLE PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE GROWTH.
I'M SCOTT SILVEIRA, THE MERSEYSIDE COUNTY SUPERVISOR FOR DISTRICT FIVE.
OUR COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BE A PRIMARY CONCERN OF THE BOARD, AND WE SEEN SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AFTER YEARS OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
THERE IS HOWEVER, A LOT OF WORK STILL TO BE DONE IN 2021.
THE MERCY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS UTILIZE MEASURE V AND SB ONE FUNDING TO RESURFACE NEARLY 19 MILES OF COUNTY ROADS.
WELL, THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF 5.8 MILLION IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT IT CAN COST MORE THAN $300,000 A MILE TO REPAY ONE MILE ROADWAY.
SOME REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS ARE ALSO IN THE PLANNING STAGES OR IN DEVELOPMENT, THE MOST VISIBLE BEING CAMPUS PARKWAY, WHICH WILL CONNECT HIGHWAY 99 WITH THE UC MERCY COMMUNITY VIA A FOUR LANE EXPRESSWAY
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SEGMENTS.ONE AND TWO ARE COMPLETE SEGMENT THREE, WHICH WILL EXTEND THE EXPRESSWAY FROM HIGHWAY ONE 40 TO 70 AVENUE IS NOW MORE THAN 80% COMPLETE.
IN ADDITION TO CAMPUS PARKWAY STAFF IS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING PRELIMINARY WORK AND SEARCHING FOR FUNDING FOR PHASE ONE B OF THE ATWATER MARCET EXPRESSWAY PROJECT, WHICH WILL EXTEND THE EXPRESSWAY FROM ITS CURRENT INTERCHANGE ALONG HIGHWAY 99 AND OVER TO CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER, OPENING THE DOOR FOR CONTINUED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THAT SITE.
WELL I'M
IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, PRESET COUNTY WAS JOINED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND PARTNERING AGENCIES TO BREAK GROUND ON A RENOVATION PROJECT, HOULIHAN PARK IN PLANADA.
THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY A $2.4 MILLION CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION GRANT SECURED BY MERCER COUNTY.
AND THE RENOVATION WORK INCORPORATES NUMEROUS FEATURES, INCLUDING A SPLASH PAD AND OTHER PERFORMING ARTS AND STAGE PICNIC SHELTERS, AND A LOT OF BASKETBALL COURT, JUST TO NAME A FEW.
AND JUST RECENTLY MERCER COUNTY LEARNED THAT HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN SECURING A $3.7 MILLION GRANT TO RENOVATE WINTON COMMUNITY PARK WORK WILL INCLUDE RENOVATED BALL FIELDS, AND HE PLAYGROUND NEW BENCHES AND GRAFFITI RESISTANT PICNIC TABLES, AND MUCH MORE.
THESE ARE MAJOR SUCCESSES FOR MERCER COUNTY, BUT WE'RE NOT STOPPING HERE.
THAT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING SEVERAL OTHER FEATURE PART REMODELS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY I'M DISTRICT TWO SUPERVISOR JOSH PEDROZA.
ANOTHER HIGH PRIORITY AREA FOR THIS BOARD IS ONE THAT HAS PROVED TO BE A CHALLENGE ACROSS THE STATE.
THAT IS THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS.
LAST YEAR, WE ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE MERSEYSIDE COUNTY NAVIGATION CENTER, A 24 7 LOW BARRIER EMERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTER.
THIS NEW FACILITY WILL HELP TRANSITION PEOPLE OUT OF HOMELESSNESS BY PROVIDING A SAFE AND SERVICE RICH TEMPORARY SHELTER WITH CONNECTIONS TO ONSITE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
WE'RE PROUD TO REPORT THAT THE NAVIGATION CENTER IS ALREADY MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN THE LATTER HALF OF 2021, NEARLY 200 CLIENTS WENT THROUGH THE FACILITY AND JUST UNDER 30 WERE HOUSED, WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT IN A SHORT SPAN OF TIME.
IN EARLY 2021, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RENEWED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MERSEYSIDE COUNTY RESCUE MISSION TO PROVIDE OTHER COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF
IT IS EVIDENT THAT A LOT OF WORK REMAINS.
WE'RE PROUD TO REPORT THAT WORK IS HAPPENING.
THE NAVIGATION CENTER IS ONE ELEMENT OF THE PROPOSED REGIONAL PLAN TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS, A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN MERSEYSIDE COUNTY, IT'S SIX CITIES AND THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.
OTHER ELEMENTS INCLUDE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND LONG-TERM SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WHILE THIS ISSUE WILL NOT RESOLVE ITSELF OVERNIGHT.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE RAPID PROGRESS THAT IS HAPPENING IN 2015 MERCEDE COUNTY SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED FOR $40 MILLION IN STATE GRANT FUNDING TO RENOVATE THE JOHN LOTTER ROCKET CORRECTIONAL CENTER ALONG SANDY MUSH ROAD.
AND MERCE SAID UPON COMPLETION, THIS PROJECT WILL HELP ADDRESS SECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS AT THE JLC LCC WHILE IMPROVING THE CAPACITY TO HOUSE PROGRAMS THAT REDUCE RECIDIVISM.
THE PLAN ALSO INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH TREATMENT FACILITIES IN AN EFFORT TO BETTER ADDRESS INMATE NEEDS AND HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RE-OFFEND UPON RELEASE.
THE RESULT IS A SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, AS WELL AS OUR INMATES WHILE THE INITIAL PROJECT BUDGET TOTAL 45 MILLION, THAT PRICE TAG HAS BALLOONED TO APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION DUE TO DELAYS AT THE STATE LEVEL MERCEDE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY EXPLORING ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPTIONS FOR FUTURE PHASES OF THE PROJECT.
THE BOARD ADOPTED A BALANCED FINAL BUDGET IN SEPTEMBER INCREASING RESERVES TO $39.1 MILLION.
THIS YEAR'S FINAL BUDGET OF $844.8 MILLION REFLECTS AN INCREASE OF JUST OVER 16% FROM LAST YEAR, MAINLY DUE TO INCREASED HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS AND INCREASES IN CAPITAL PROJECTS.
THE BOARD CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON MAINTAINING A SUSTAINABLE BUDGET THAT PROVIDES A LONGTERM FISCAL STABILITY DURING PERIODS OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY.
IN ADDITION TO REGULAR BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS, THE BOARD IS ALSO PUTTING TO USE APPROXIMATELY $54 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING.
WE'RE SET TO RECEIVE THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.
THE COUNTY RECENTLY CONDUCTED AN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC OUTREACH PROCESS TO COLLECT INPUT FROM RESIDENTS ON HOW THEY'D LIKE TO SEE THE FUNDING ALLOCATED FOLLOWING
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MULTIPLE PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, PUBLIC HEARING, A LIVE INTERACTIVE WEBINAR, HOUSEHOLD MAILERS, AND OTHER FORMS OF OUTREACH.WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 9,600 RESPONSES TO OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH SURVEY.
THE OUTCOME OF THE SURVEY RESPONSES SHOWED THAT RESIDENTS LARGELY WANTED TO SEE FUNDING ALLOCATED PRIMARILY TOWARD ROADS, PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELESSNESS SERVICES.
JUST TO NAME A FEW IN EARLY FEBRUARY, THE BOARD VOTED TO BUDGET A PORTION OF THE FUNDING CONSISTENT WITH PUBLIC INPUT.
NOW BACK TO DARREN, THANKS, JOSH FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADOPTED A REVISED DISTRICT MAP ON DECEMBER 7TH.
REDISTRICTING IS PERFORMED EVERY 10 YEARS.
IT USES THE NEW CENSUS DATA TO REDRAW DISTRICT LINES TO REFLECT HOW LOCAL POPULATIONS HAVE CHANGED.
THEIR PROCESS ENSURES FAIR AND EQUITABLE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION.
HERE'S AN IMAGE OF OUR UPDATED MAP, WHICH IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTY WEBSITE AT THE END OF 2021.
THE BOARD ANNOUNCED A REPLACEMENT FOR RETIRING CEO, JIM BROWN TRAVEL, NORMALLY MENDEZ WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS THE ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR STANISLAUS COUNTY WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SUCCEED CEO BROWN.
MR. MENDEZ WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE TOP CANDIDATE FOLLOWING AN EXTENSIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
THE BOARD WELCOMES MICHELLE MENDEZ AND WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND HIS HEARTFELT THANKS AND APPRECIATION TOWARD MR. BROWN, WHO SERVED ROSETTE COUNTY FOR NEARLY 32 YEARS AND MADE A LASTING IMPACT TO THIS ORGANIZATION AND THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE AND CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU, OUR CONSTITUENTS AS A PUBLIC FACING ORGANIZATION, WE'RE HERE TO SERVE YOU, AND WE'LL NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THAT.
THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN A CHALLENGE, BUT WE'VE CONTINUED TO ADVANCE MANY KEY PROJECTS, A FEW OF WHICH YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT TODAY.
WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT THIS PROGRESS WILL CONTINUE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US TODAY.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THAT VIDEO AND IT SURE GAVE A, UH, A BROAD SNAPSHOT OF, UH, SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE HERE IN THE COUNTY THIS PAST YEAR.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, TO, UM, UH, THIS YEAR AND WHAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU, UH, NEXT YEAR, UM, AT THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH, UH, SOME TOPICS OF INTEREST, UH, SPECIFIC, UH, TO DISTRICT FOUR.
AND, UH, UH, SO, UM, THE FIRST ONE IS THE WINTON, UH, PARK.
UM, AS YOU KNOW, UH, WE APPLIED FOR A WINTON PARK GRANT, UH, PROP 68 GRANT, UH, THREE YEARS AGO.
AND, UH, WE HAD DONE QUITE A BIT OF WORK AND PUTTING THAT GRANT TOGETHER, UH, PATTY TO STUDY FROM THE CEO'S OFFICE, UH, WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THAT WORK DONE.
AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT GRANT WAS NOT FUNDED.
AND, UH, SO THAT WAS PRETTY DISAPPOINTING FOR ME AND FOR, UM, OUR DEPARTMENT, OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT, AND OUR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS BECAUSE WE THINK WHITTEN DESERVED A NICE, A NICER PARK.
UM, SO THIS PAST FALL AND DECEMBER CALTRANS OPENED UP SOME GRANT APPLICATIONS AND OUR GRANT OPPORTUNITIES.
AND SO WE TURNED THAT GRANT BACK IN, WE UPDATED IT AND TURNED IT IN AND WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING A $3.7 MILLION, UH, TO RENOVATE THAT PARK.
UM, AND SO, UH, I, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, UH, TO GET STARTED ON THAT WORK, UH, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
ANOTHER TOPIC THAT, UH, UH, IS ON MOST PEOPLE'S MINDS IS ILLEGAL DUMPING.
UH, AS YOU KNOW, UH, IF YOU DRIVE OUTSIDE OF ANY, ANY TOWN INTO THE COUNTRY OR ANY COMMUNITY, YOU WILL SEE A TRASH DUMPED ALONGSIDE THE ROADWAYS.
SO THIS HAS PLAGUED, UH, NOT ONLY MY DISTRICT, BUT THE WHOLE COUNTY OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS MADE A COUPLE OF, UH, CHANGES.
UH, ONE IS THAT WE NOW HAVE A ILLEGAL DUMPING ORDINANCE, WHICH ALLOWS US TO, UH, FIND PEOPLE WHO, UH, DO ILLEGAL DUMPING.
WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THIS.
AND, AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU IS THAT IF YOU COME ACROSS AN ILLEGAL DUMP SITE AND YOU WERE ABLE TO FIND TWO PIECES OF IDENTIFYING INFORMATION, UH, IN THAT, UH, DUMP SITE, THEN WE CAN GO TO, TO THAT INDIVIDUAL AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
SO, UM, I HOPE THAT YOU'LL TAKE THE TIME TO DO THAT.
THE OTHER, UH, ITEM THAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE HAVE EXTENDED THE HOURS AT THE, UM, REGIONAL WASTE FACILITIES AND ROSETTE COUNTY.
AND SO ON SATURDAYS THAT ARE NOW OPEN UNTIL THREE 30, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THAT WILL KEEP PEOPLE WHO ARE CLEANING UP THEIR PLACES ON THE WEEKEND AND GET TO THE DUMP AND FIND THAT IT IS CLOSED, UM, OR HAD FOUND THAT IT WAS CLOSED AND GOING
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OUT AND MAYBE DUMPING THAT, UH, DEBRIS ILLEGALLY WELL NOW, UH, SHOW UP TO THE DUMP WITH AN OPEN GATE AND BE ABLE TO DISPOSE OF IT PROPERLY.A THIRD ITEM THAT, UH, IS VERY SIGNIFICANT AND MERCY COUNTY, THIS, UH, THIS TIME AROUND IS A DROUGHT AND OUR AGRICULTURAL, UM, UH, ECONOMY.
UH, THE MAJORITY OF MERCER COUNTY IS CURRENTLY IN AN EXTREME DROUGHT, UH, WITH A SMALL SLIVER IN SEVERE DROUGHT.
ACCORDING TO THE US DROUGHT MONITOR, SEVERAL YEARS OF BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL HAS RESULTED IN A GREATER DRAW ON OUR GROUNDWATER RESOURCES, WHICH ARE NOT GETTING RECHARGED AT THE SAME RATE THAT WE'RE PULLING WATER OUT, UH, DESPITE, UH, HEAVY RAINFALL IN DECEMBER.
UH, WE'RE JUST OVER HALF OF WHAT WE USUALLY RECEIVE, UH, IN ONE RAIN SEASON BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS EXACERBATED THE ISSUE.
I'D LIKE TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CONSERVE WATER WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
AND THAT INCLUDES INDOOR USE AS WELL AS LANDSCAPE WATERING.
WE'RE AN AGRICULTURAL BASED ECONOMY.
SO DROUGHT YEARS HIT US PARTICULARLY HARD WATER CONVERSATION.
CONSERVATION IS A SMALL WAY FOR US TO HELP OUT FOR DROUGHT RELATED INFORMATION AND TIPS ON HOW TO CONSERVE WATER.
YOU CAN VISIT COUNTY OF MARCET.COM FORWARD SLASH DROUGHT, B R O U G H T A.
YOU CAN ALSO VISIT A REGIONAL SITE THAT, UH, IS WWW MY WELL WENT, DRY.ORG.
AND SO IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH YOUR WELLS, UH, DUE TO THE DROUGHT, UH, YOU CAN GO THERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
AND, UH, LASTLY, UM, UH, WE HAVE, UH, THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT HAS GIVEN MERCY COUNTY $54 MILLION.
AND, UH, WE AS A BOARD HAVE ALLOCATED, UM, UH, A PORTION OF THAT MONEY TO, UH, RESTORE THE HVACS AND THE COMMUNITY HALLS IN OUR OUTLYING AREAS.
UH, NOW, UH, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WHICH IS THE COUNCIL COMMERCE CENTER.
UH, I'D LIKE TO, UH, DELVE INTO A FEW KEY AREAS THAT WE, UH, KNOW PARTICIPANTS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT LEADING OFF WITH SOME OF THE EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS AT CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER TO GIVE US A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT THERE.
WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, MARK HENDRICKSON IN THE ROOM, AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO HIM GOOD EVENING.
AND THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS TONIGHT NOW, PER THE SLIDE ON THE SCREEN.
AGAIN, MY GOAL TONIGHT IS TO BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHT THREE PRIORITIES OF OUR BOARD RELATED TO CASTLE.
AGAIN, ONE THE WORK BEING DONE BY OUR BOARD DEVELOP AN INLAND PORT AND RAIL DISTRICT TO OUR MERCY COUNTY'S LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPING A WORLD-CLASS DRIVERLESS CAR TESTING GROUND, AND THEN THREE, I'M GOING TO BRIEFLY COVER THE COUNTY'S EFFORTS TO REMOVE BLIGHT ON CASTLE.
NOW, EACH OF THESE TOPICS WERE JUST COVERED IN THE VIDEO.
SO I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST TO PROVIDE EACH OF YOU WITH SOME JUST ADDITIONAL CONTEXT IN THIS RESPECT, WITH REGARD TO CASTLE, THE COUNTY HAS UNDERTAKEN NUMEROUS STEPS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS TO ADVANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER.
ALL OF WHICH DEMONSTRATE THAT MERCY COUNTY IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR BOTH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND LOGISTICS IN CALIFORNIA.
NOW, OUR BOARD CONTINUES TO BE FOCUSED ON MULTIPLE THINGS, BUT MOST NOTABLY BRINGING HIGH CALIBER JOBS AND MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO OUR RESIDENTS AND REGION.
NOW TWO CORNERSTONE PROJECTS WERE IDENTIFIED BY OUR BOARD YEARS AGO AND INLAND PORT, AND AGAIN, A TESTING, A DRIVER'S CAR TESTING ENVIRONMENT.
AND THIS WAS BASED ON MARKET ANALYSIS, INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYSIS ON THE SITE, AND MOST NOTABLY AGAIN, INDUSTRY OUTREACH.
NOW WE NOW, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE WERE ACTUALLY MOVING FORWARD IN EXECUTING ON OUR BOARDS, A STRATEGIC PLAN AND POSITIONING THE COUNTY AS THE GO-TO PLACE TO DO BUSINESS.
AND REGARDING THE RAIL DISTRICT, WE TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE EXISTING 6,500 FEET OF RAIL ON SITE AND CONNECTING THE DOTS BETWEEN OUR AIRPORT, WHICH HAS ROUGHLY A 12,000 FOOT LONG RUNWAY, AS WELL AS THE FUTURE ATWATER MERSIN EXPRESSWAY.
NOW, AS MENTIONED DURING THE VIDEO, OUR BOARD TOOK A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT STEP AND ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH PATRIOT RAIL AND LEADING RAIL COMPANY WHO OPERATES IN 16 STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING A FORMER AIR FORCE INSTALLATION NORTH OF US UP IN SACRAMENTO.
PATRIOT RAIL IS NOW UNDERWAY WITH $1.2 MILLION WORTH OF TRACK OPTIMIZATION IMPROVEMENTS ON CASTLE.
ALL OF WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE SHIPPING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VALLEY GROWERS, AG, PROCESSORS, AND MANUFACTURERS.
WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH THEM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 70 ACRE PIECE OF PROPERTY.
THERE'LL BE DEDICATED SOLELY TO LOGISTICS
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ACTIVITY.AND JUST TODAY, THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE WAS POSITIONED ON CASTLE AS ILLUSTRATED BY THIS PICTURE YOU SEE ON SCREEN, AGAIN, THIS IS AN ALMOST REAL TIME THAT WAS DELIVERED TO CASTLE TODAY, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
THEN IF YOU'RE ABLE TO SEE IT ON THE SCREEN, IT ACTUALLY PAYS TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS AND THOSE WHO SERVE IN THE MILITARY NOW, SHIFTING GEARS JUST SLIGHTLY TO DRIVERLESS VEHICLES THAT WE'VE BEEN HOME TO, WAYMO'S 115 ACRE DRIVERLESS CAR TESTING GROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
WAYMO OF COURSE, BEING A PART OF THE GOOGLE FAMILY.
NOW THIS PROJECT WITH GOOGLE DROVE CONSIDERABLE ENTRANCE FROM AROUND THE GLOBE AND OUR COUNTY WAS CAST INTO A VERY FAVORABLE LIGHT NOW, THANKS TO OUR PROXIMITY TO THE SILICON VALLEY, WHERE TECHNOLOGY IS BEING DEVELOPED AS WELL AS INTEREST FROM THE INDUSTRY ITSELF.
WE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH A SIMILAR MEMBER, ADAM GRAY, WHO HELPED US SECURE A SIX AND A HALF MILLION DOLLAR GRANT TO DEVELOP A 225 ACRE MULTI-USER TESTING GROUND, WHICH NOW INCLUDES A BRAND NEW TWO AND A QUARTER MILE HIGH-SPEED OVAL TRACK.
NOW LAST YEAR, OUR BOARD WORKED VERY HARD TO ACTUALLY IDENTIFY AN OPERATOR.
WE HAD INTEREST FROM EUROPE, ASIA AND NORTH AMERICA, ULTIMATELY A 50 YEAR PROVING GROUND OPERATORS.
THE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER WAS SELECTED AND THEY WERE A COMPANY THAT ACTUALLY OVERSEES THE LARGEST PROVING GROUND IN NORTH AMERICA TODAY AND HAVE OVER 1000 EXISTING CLIENTS.
MANY OF WHICH ARE ACTUALLY NOW TESTING AT CASTLE.
NOW THE LAST POINT TONIGHT IS AS IT RELATES TO EXTRA REMOVING BLIGHT AND OUR BOARD, THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF CHAIRMAN PERRERA AND HIS COLLEAGUES MOVE FORWARD.
THEY $1.1 MILLION INVESTMENTS REMOVE BLIGHT BY ACTUALLY BEGINNING A NUMBER OF DEMOLITION PROJECTS ON SITE.
THAT'S REALLY DESIGNED TO, AGAIN, GET RID OF OLD BUILDINGS THAT NO LONGER HAVE ANY USEFULNESS AND ARE GENERALLY UNSAFE.
NOW, THIS WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
AGAIN, CONSISTENT WITH THOSE TWO CORNERSTONE PROJECTS I SPOKE OF EARLIER, AGAIN, DRIVERS, CARS, MANUFACTURING, AND MOST, AGAIN, MOST NOTABLY OUR RAIL DISTRICT.
SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENING AT CASS COMMERCE CENTER, AND WE HAVE TO GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO GET INTO THE VISION AND LEADERSHIP OF OUR BOARD.
UM, AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.
SO AGAIN, MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TONIGHT, AND I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
WELL, THANK YOU MR. HENDRICKSON.
UH, I, UH, UH, JUST KIND OF EXCITED TO SEE THAT A TRAIN, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE, UH, YOU KNOW, WE WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
UH, SOME OF YOU MIGHT REMEMBER, UH, THE, UH, UH, THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THAT WE DID WITH THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES AND, AND THAT CONDUCT HAS COME ALONG AND, AND THEN IT KIND OF SLOWED DOWN AND, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, UH, YOU KNOW, YOUR STAFF, UH, HAS WORKED REAL HARD TO PUT TOGETHER A PROJECT AND, UH, AND, UH, THE BOARD IN FEBRUARY, YOU KNOW, UM, UH, MAKING A DEAL WITH PATRIOT RAIL, AND THEN TO SEE THIS SHOW UP TODAY, OUT OF CASTLE, THAT'S JUST A REALLY, I THINK, UM, MAKES IT REAL RIGHT, THAT, UH, THAT ALL THIS WORK THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST, UH, FOUR OR FIVE YEARS IS REALLY COMING TO FRUITION.
AND, UH, TH TH TH YOU KNOW, THAT, UH, TRAIN HONORS OUR VETERANS AND TROOPS.
UM, BUT IT'S ALSO, UH, I THINK, UM, UH, KIND OF A SYMBOL OF JOBS TO COME AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S VERY EXCITING.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COUNTY AND FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
OUR NEXT, UH, UH, TOPIC THAT WE'D LIKE TO GO THROUGH IS THE ROAD SLIDE.
I WANT TO COVER, UH, SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS COMES UP IN TOWN HALLS.
AND SO LET'S JUST GET TO IT IN 2021 MERCER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS UTILIZED MEASURE V AND SB ONE FUNDING TO RESURFACE NEARLY 19 MILES OF COUNTY ROAD WITH THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF $5.8 MILLION.
IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT IT CAN COST MORE THAN $300,000 TO PAY JUST ONE MILE.
UH, IT DOES TAKE TIME TO CATCH UP ON THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE OF OUR ROAD SYSTEM.
UH, ALL ADMIT IT'S IN TERRIBLE CONDITION, BUT WE ARE DILIGENT IN MAKING THAT CHANGE.
AND I HOPE YOU APPRECIATE OUR PROGRESS, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE.
UH, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT A PARTICULAR ROAD IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA, PLEASE CALL THE MERCER COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, UH, ASKED FOR THE ROADS DIVISION AND THEIR NUMBER IS 2 0 9 3 8 5 7 6 0 1.
UH, WE DO HAVE A PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AT DANA HERTZFELD THIRD HERE, AND HE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT OUR IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR OUR ROAD SYSTEM.
DANA, IF YOU DON'T MIND, COULD YOU PROVIDE A GENERAL UPDATE ON THE ROAD WORK? THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR RARE AND GOOD EVENING.
UM, MEASURE V IS A HALF SET SALES TAX THAT WAS PASSED BY THE MERSEYSIDE COUNTY VOTERS IN
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NOVEMBER OF 2016.APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE MEASURE B FUNDS COLLECTED ARE ALLOCATED TO THE CITIES AND COUNTIES FOR LOCAL ROAD PROJECTS, AND CAN ONLY BE USED FOR TRANSPORTATION-RELATED PROJECTS.
THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT WAS PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN APRIL OF 2017.
AND IT, AND SB ONE, AS WE REFER TO IT IS PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH A FUEL EXCISE TAX AND ALL SB ONE FUNDS ARE PROTECTED BY LAW MUST BE USED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COUNTY'S EXISTING ROAD SYSTEM.
THESE FUNDS CANNOT BE USED TO CONSTRUCT NEW ROADS FROM 2018 TO 2021, THE COUNTY RECONSTRUCTED, 105 MILES OF COUNTY ROADS AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $31 MILLION USING MEASURE V AND SB ONE FUNDS AND DISTRICT FOUR.
SO FAR IN THAT TIME, WE HAVE RECONSTRUCTED 35.6 MILES OF ROAD AT A COST OF JUST UNDER $11.2 MILLION.
WE HAVE SEVERAL ADDITIONAL PROJECTS OR ROADS SCHEDULED FOR RECONSTRUCTION IN DISTRICT FOUR THIS YEAR, WHICH INCLUDE CENTRAL AVENUE FROM TURNER AVENUE TO COUNTY LINE AUGUST AVENUE FROM GRIFFITH AVENUE TO SHANKS ROAD HINTON AVENUE FROM AUGUST AVENUE TO SHEN DALE AVENUE LEE ROAD FROM BRADBURY ROAD TO OAKDALE ROAD, TURLOCK ROAD FROM LEE ROAD TO OAKDALE ROAD, MITCHELL ROAD FROM WILLIAMS AVENUE TO COUNTY LINE AND OAKDALE ROAD FROM TURLOCK ROAD TO EAST AVENUE.
WE ANTICIPATE ALL THESE ROADS BEING RECONSTRUCTED BY NOVEMBER OF 2022.
THE TOTAL MEASURE V AND SB ONE FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR THESE PARTICULAR ROADS IS $4,090,000.
IN ADDITION TO MEASURE B FUNDING AND SB ONE, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECENTLY SET ASIDE $10 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS SPECIFICALLY FOR LOCAL COUNTY ROADS.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS WILL BE RETURNING TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WHERE THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE USE OF THESE FUNDS DURING THIS YEAR'S BUDGET HEARINGS, IN RESPONSE TO THE APPROVAL OF MEASURE B THE MERCEDES COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS, THE COUNTY OF MERCEDES AND THE INCORPORATED CITIES ALL PARTNERED TOGETHER TO HAVE A COUNTYWIDE PAYMENT CONDITION SURVEY PERFORMED PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY WAS TO PROVIDE AN UNBIASED ASSESSMENT OF THE ROAD SYSTEM WITHIN THE COUNTY.
THIS INFORMATION ALONG WITH TRAFFIC VOLUMES, ROAD CLASSIFICATION, SAFETY CONCERNS, MAINTENANCE ISSUES, AND OTHER FACTORS IS USED TO HELP US SELECT WHICH ROADS WILL BE NOMINATED FOR REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION.
JUST A COUPLE MORE NOTES IS THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 1700 MILES OF ROADS IN
OUR STAFF IS OUT ABOUT WORKING ON THESE ROADS EVERY DAY.
HOWEVER, WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO COVER ALL OUR ROADS AS OFTEN AS WE'D LIKE.
SO WE RELY ON THE INPUT FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND OTHER STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES TO HELP MONITOR OUR ROAD SYSTEMS TO INQUIRE ABOUT A SPECIFIC ROAD OR TO SUBMIT OR SERVE ROAD SERVICE REQUEST, OR REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING ALONG THE COUNTY ROADWAYS, PLEASE CALL FOR SAID, COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DIVISION AT 2 0 9 3 8 5 7 6 0 1.
THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PERRERA YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME.
AND THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE DANA, UH, ONE ROAD THAT YOU DIDN'T MENTION WAS WHITWORTH ROAD.
AND, UH, DO WE HAVE THAT IN THE PLAN WITH, WITH ROAD IS SCHEDULED, WE IT'S A PAID FOR OUT OF MEASURE V REGIONAL FUNDS, AND WE'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW ON, ON THE AGREEMENT, THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH MCG THAT ROAD HAS NOT BEEN SCHEDULED AS YET, BUT IT IS ON OUR LIST AND WE'LL BE, WE'LL EITHER BE, UH, WORKED ON THIS FALL OR NEXT SPRING.
AND THEN DO YOU KNOW, UH, JUST OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD FROM WHICH ROAD TO WHICH ROAD WILL BE PAVED AND THAT'S OKAY IF YOU DON'T THAT'S, THAT'S FINE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ON THE LIST I HAVE WITH ME.
I'M SORRY FOR ASKING YOU A QUESTION.
I DIDN'T GIVE YOU AHEAD OF TIME, BUT THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO GO THROUGH WHAT WE'RE DOING.
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OF INTEREST DURING OUR TOWN HALLS IS HOMELESSNESS.IN ORDER TO HOPEFULLY ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS AT THE FOREFRONT.
WE'VE ASKED HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, JOHN CHECKLEY TO PROVIDE A QUICK UPDATE ON HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT SINCE WE ARE ADDRESSING THE TOPICS OF ROAD AND HOMELESSNESS, NOW I WILL TAKE THOSE QUESTIONS AT THE TAIL END OF THE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION IN ORDER TO COVER AS MANY TOPICS AS POSSIBLE WITH THAT.
I'LL TURN THE MICROPHONE OVER TO JOHN.
AND THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PERERA.
SO I THINK IN ORDER TO TALK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND WHERE WE ARE NOW, WE REALLY NEED TO START ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO WITH THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP MADE UP OF ELECTED POLICY MAKERS AND EXECUTIVE LEVEL STAFF FROM THE STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER'S OFFICE, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WHICH ACTUALLY INCLUDED YOURSELF, UM, CITY CITY REPRESENTATIVES FROM, FROM HER SAID LOS BANOS ATWATER, REALLY ALL THE JURISDICTIONS WERE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THIS REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP.
UH, THE OUTPUT FROM THAT REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP WAS TO FOCUS ON TWO MAIN AREAS, PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE FOCUSED ON FOUR PRIMARY ACTIVITIES, OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT, GETTING PEOPLE IN THE STREETS UNDER THE BRIDGES TO ENGAGE WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, EMERGENCY SHELTER, EXPANDING OUR CAPACITY, CONNECT PEOPLE TO EMERGENCY SHELTER, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND RESTRICTED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
AND LASTLY, THE SYSTEM SUPPORTS THE HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM, THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM, AND REALLY MAKING SURE WE HAD STRONG DATA, UH, TO, TO ADVISE WHERE WE NEEDED TO GO WHEREVER WE WERE GOING RIGHT, AND WHERE WE MAY MAYBE NEEDED TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS.
SO IN FURTHER INTO THAT IN 2018, WE ACTUALLY OPENED AN OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER THAT WAS A COUNTY LED EFFORT WITH A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION, TURNING POINT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS WHO, WHO PROVIDED THE STAFF TO, TO START DOING THE ENGAGEMENT THAT ENGAGEMENT IS COUNTY-WIDE AND HAPPY TO REPORT.
AS OF TODAY, IT WAS SO SUCCESSFUL AT ACTUALLY TRANSITIONED TO OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE.
AND THE CONTINUUM OF CARE IS THE HUD DESIGNATED BODY OF RELEVANT INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS, AND ACTUALLY SUPERVISOR PRAYER WAS ON THAT BOARD, UM, TO, TO COME UP WITH STRATEGIES AND DIRECT RESOURCES TO THESE, UM, TO THESE PROJECTS.
AND THE AVERAGE ENGAGEMENT CENTER IS ONE SUCH PROJECT THAT THE CONTINUUM OF CARE WHEN THE COUNTY PILOT OF THAT SAW REAL VALUE IN AND ACTUALLY FUNDED THAT.
AND IT CONTINUES TO FUND IT TO THIS DAY TO PROVIDE THAT COUNTYWIDE OUTREACH AND ENGAGING AND ENGAGEMENT.
THE SECOND ACTIVITY WE FOCUSED ON WAS EMERGENCY SHELTER IN 2018, WE HAD 90 EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS IN MERCER COUNTY IN 2022, WE'RE ANTICIPATING TO APPROACH 250 EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS AND EMERGENCY SHELTER RATHER ARE CRUCIAL.
AND THESE ARE REALLY THE NAVIGATION CENTER TYPE EMERGENCY BELT SHELTER BEDS, WHERE WE'RE INDIVIDUALS WHO ACCESS THAT EMERGENCY SHELTER SYSTEM ARE CONNECTED TO CASE MANAGERS.
I KNOW SUPERVISOR PEDROZA HAD ALREADY HIGHLIGHTED THE NAVIGATION CENTER AND HE HIGHLIGHTED THE PARTNERS AND THOSE PARTNERS INCLUDE COUNTY, UH, DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, THE HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY, UH, BUT IT ALSO AND WORK NET, BUT IT ALSO HAS COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER SECTORS SUCH AS GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CENTER.
AND THEN THE OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE WRAPAROUND AND, AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UH, THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN, HAS BEEN WILDLY SUCCESSFUL.
AS I ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, UM, PROVIDING FOLKS SHELTER AND THEN EVENTUALLY PERMANENT HOUSING.
UM, ONE OTHER PROJECT THAT WE, WE PILOTED LAST YEAR IN NOVEMBER, WAS 25 EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS IN THE CITY OF LOS BANOS TO THE RENTAL OF, OF MOTEL ROOMS. THAT PROJECT ITSELF BECAME A PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S 100 DAY CHALLENGE AND ESTABLISH THE AUDACIOUS GOAL OF, HEY, CAN WE HOUSE 20 PEOPLE IN A HUNDRED DAYS? BUT PRIOR TO SIX MONTHS, WE HAD HOUSED TWO INDIVIDUALS TODAY MARKS THE 100, THE 100 DAY OF THAT CHALLENGE.
AND WE MADE IT ALSO SO CLOSE TO AT 19 OF 20, UM, PEOPLE PERMANENTLY HOUSED, BUT IT REALLY SHOWS WHEN GIVEN A TARGET THIS COMMUNITY AND THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE FIVE YEARS ARE ABLE TO HIT THAT TARGET AND REALLY ADVANCE PEOPLE'S LIVES.
UM, WHEN WE TALKED TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THE ONE CONSISTENT THING WE HEAR THEY'VE LOST THEIR IDENTITIES.
THEY'VE THEY'VE, THEY SOMEWHAT HAVE GIVEN UP HOPE WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE THEM INTO THAT EMERGENCY SHELTER SYSTEM, CONNECT THEM WITH CASE MANAGERS, WE'RE ABLE TO START RE RESTORING THAT HOPE AND RESTORING THEIR IDENTITY.
AND ALSO IN THAT PROJECT, 19 PEOPLE, UH, GAINED EMPLOYMENT.
SO A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL PROJECT THAT WASN'T LED BY THE COUNTY.
WE PARTICIPATED WITH MULTIPLE SECTORS, INCLUDING SUTTER HOSPITAL, UH, CITY OF LOS BANOS STAFF FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, UM, AND THEN A WIDE ARRAY OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE MERSEYSIDE COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY THAT LED THAT.
[00:35:01]
THAT SECOND ACTIVITY FOCUSING ON EXPANDING EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS AS A STRATEGY TO REALLY PUBLICLY SPACE MANAGEMENT AND THE RESULT OF THAT IN THE LAST YEAR, WE CONDUCTED OUR POINT IN TIME, COUNT ANNUALLY, WE'LL GO OUT AND ON ONE GIVEN DAY WE'LL COUNT EVERYONE IN ROSETTE COUNTY.WE HAD OVER 70 VOLUNTEERS, WE USED AN APP TO GET AS ACCURATE ACCOUNT AS POSSIBLE.
WE SAW 19% REDUCTION IN UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS.
NOW WE DID SEE A 2% INCREASE OVERALL.
SO I DON'T WANT TO PAINT THE PICTURE THAT THERE WASN'T AN INCREASE, BUT BY SEEING THAT DECREASE IN THE UNSHELTERED POPULATION AND A CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN THE SHELTER POPULATION THAT TELLS US THAT OUR OUTREACH CENTERS ENGAGING WITH PEOPLE, HELPING THEM TRANSITION TO EMERGENCY SHELTER AND CONNECT THEM TO CASE MANAGERS.
THE THIRD ACTIVITY THAT WE FOCUSED ON HAS SHOWN SOME REAL PROGRESS IN THE LAST YEAR AND THAT'S AFFORDABLE AND RESTRICTED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
ABOUT NINE MONTHS AGO, I'M SITTING IN THE OFFICE WITH THE CITY MANAGER, FROM THE CITY OF
WE SAID, WHAT WOULD BE ANOTHER AUDACIOUS GOAL FOR HOUSING? AND IT WAS DECIDED 200 HOUSING UNITS IN SOME FORM OF PRODUCTION.
I'M HAPPY TO SAY TODAY, WE'RE AT 215 HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE EITHER IN PRODUCTION, UM, FUNDED OR HAVE AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING.
AND ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS WAS A MERSEYSIDE COUNTY AS THE LEAD APPLICANT.
IT'S A NO PLACE LIKE HOME PROJECT.
IT'S DESIGNED TO HELP FOLKS THAT HAVE SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS TRANSITION FROM SHELTER AND STREET INTO PERMANENT HOUSING WITH THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES PROVIDED BY BHRS THAT'S 65 UNITS AND OUR APPLICATION.
UH, IF WE'RE AWARDED THAT APPLICATION, WE WILL, AT THAT POINT EXCEED THE 200 UNIT GOAL THAT WE HAD ESTABLISHED OTHER PROJECTS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS.
RECENTLY, THE CITY OF MARCET RECEIVED OVER $28 MILLION FOR TWO PROJECTS WITH 110 UNITS OF RESTRICTED HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THAT'S WHAT I MEAN BY RESTRICTED HOUSING.
UH, IT'S NOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE SENSE THAT IF YOU'RE, IF YOU QUALIFY BASED ON INCOME, YOU CAN APPLY TO LIVE THERE.
THIS HOUSING IS DESIGNED TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH HIGH SERVICE NEEDS, PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.
UM, SO IT'S GOT A LEAD SERVICE PROVIDER WHO'S IDENTIFIED AND A PROPERTY MANAGER WHO'S IDENTIFIED.
THEY UNDERSTAND THE SPECIAL POPULATION THAT THERE'LL BE SERVING.
UM, 90 OF THOSE UNITS ARE GOING TO BE THROUGH THE ACQUISITION REHABILITATION OF A MOTEL AND 20 OF THOSE UNITS ARE USING MODULAR DESIGN.
AND THOSE 20 UNITS REALLY SPEAK, SPEAK TO MY HEART CAUSE THEY'RE FOR VETERANS.
UM, SO THOSE, THOSE UNITS SHOULD BE ONLINE HERE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
SO THEY'RE VERY QUICKLY IMPLEMENTED AND, YOU KNOW, ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT 200, UM, UNIT GOAL THAT WE'VE SET.
AND THEN LASTLY, THE SYSTEM SUPPORTS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE, UM, HAS REALLY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE HAVE GOOD DATA QUALITY SHARED DEFINITIONS.
WE'VE REALLY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY, THIS, THIS COMMUNITY IT'S IN BROAD PARTNERSHIP WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.
SO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ALL SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE, WE'RE ALL USING THE SAME DATABASES.
WE'RE ALL TRYING TO SERVE THE SAME INDIVIDUALS.
SO I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND PROVIDE THIS UPDATE.
IT'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK AND I REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE TWO THINGS THE PARTNERSHIPS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN ARE NO PLACE LIKE HOME.
PROJECT HAS A HOUSING AUTHORITY COMMITMENT FOR VOUCHERS.
THE PROJECT HOME KEY FOR UPHOLDING DEVELOPERS ACTUALLY HAS A COMMITMENT FROM THE CONTINUUM OF CARE TO FUND 5 45 OF THOSE UNITS FOR FIVE YEARS, WITHOUT THOSE BROAD PARTNERSHIPS, NONE OF THIS IS POSSIBLE.
NO SINGLE ENTITY HAS THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO REALLY TACKLE THIS, THIS, THIS, UH, UM, THIS CHALLENGE.
AND THEN LASTLY, JUST FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THESE PROJECTS ARE ALL DESIGNED TO, TO PROVIDE THEM SOME HOPE, UM, SOME DIGNITY AND THEN HOPEFULLY RESTORATION OF THEIR IDENTITY AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE IN MERCER COUNTY.
SO THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PRAYER.
AGAIN, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.
ONE, ONE, UH, COMPONENT THAT YOU DIDN'T TOUCH ON, UH, HOWEVER IS KIND OF NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART IS, UM, AS WE, AS WE THINK OF HOMELESSNESS, UH, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE KIND OF THE LEAST OF THESE IN OUR COMMUNITY AT THIS POINT.
AND, UH, AND THEN THE LEAST OF THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT, UH, THAT HAVE, UH, SICKNESS OR INJURY AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND THEY COME OUT.
THERE'S NOWHERE FOR THEM TO GO.
THEY DON'T GET BETTER OR BACK IN THE HOSPITAL.
AND, AND THE RESCUE MISSION, UH, VILLAGE OF HOPE, UM, HAS, HAS REALLY COME ALONG AND, UH, AND PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESPITE CARE.
SO WOULD YOU TOUCH JUST A LITTLE BIT ON, ON HOW THAT HAPPENED? YEAH.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING.
I REMISS IN NOT MENTIONING THIS PROJECT IS A REALLY EXCITING PROJECT, RIGHT? WE TALKED ABOUT THE BROAD PARTNERSHIPS AND THIS IS A PRODUCT OF THE RESCUE MISSION SPEARHEADED, UM, YOU KNOW, ON THEIR OWN IDENTIFIED FUNDING AND WORKED FOR THE COUNTY FOR THE ZONING.
UM, THAT PROJECT INCLUDES 10 UNITS OF HOUSING FOR FAMILIES, 10 UNITS OF PERMANENT HOUSING FOR VETERANS.
AND THEN WHAT YOU'RE MENTIONING 32 UNITS OF RESPITE CARE.
AND WHAT RESPITE CARE IS, IS INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT HOMES, DISCHARGING FROM THE HOSPITAL.
[00:40:01]
UH, THEY DISCHARGED TO THE STREET AND OFTEN THEY'RE RIGHT BACK IN THE HOSPITAL, CLEARLY VERY EXPENSIVE.WE DON'T HAVE A SURPLUS OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BEDS HERE IN MERCER COUNTY.
SO WHAT'LL HAPPEN IS THEY'LL DISCHARGE TO THE RESCUE MISSION.
THEY'RE PROVIDED, UM, SOME TRANSITIONAL, UM, RECUPERATIVE CARE, RIGHT THOUGH, THEY'LL GET SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THREE TO 21 DAYS TO REALLY STABILIZE SO THAT THEY'RE NOT DISTRICT DISCHARGED TO THE STREET.
AND THEN GOING BACK TO THE HOSPITAL.
I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO FOR, UH, FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR COUNTY.
UM, YOU REALLY DO AN AMAZING JOB AND WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU NEXT.
WE HAVE, UH, DARLENE INGERSOLL.
UH, SHE IS THE IMMERSIVE COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, AND SHE WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT ITEMS THAT IMPACT OUR ELECTIONS.
UH, ONE IS THE VOTER'S CHOICE ACT AS WELL AS RE-DISTRICTING.
I'M DARLENE INGERSOLL SERVING AS YOUR MERSEYSIDE COUNTY REGISTERED VOTERS.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO SPEAK TONIGHT AT THIS TOWN HALL MEETING AND SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE COMMUNITY FOR SAID, COUNTY IS NOW A VOTER'S CHOICE ACT COUNTY, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ACRONYM BCA THIS NEW ELECTION MODEL ALLOWS CHO VOTERS TO CHOOSE HOW, WHEN AND WHERE TO CAST THEIR BALLOT.
ALL ACTIVE REGISTERED VOTERS ARE MAIL A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT BY 29 DAYS PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY IN VOTING ASSISTANCE CENTERS REPLACED AND ARE ESTABLISHED IN, IN PLACE OF TRADITIONAL POLLING PLACES.
VOTERS CHOOSE TO CAST THEIR VOTED BALLOT BY MAIL, WHICH HAD TO BE RETURNED POSTAGE FREE BY SECURE, OFFICIAL DROP-OFF BOXES AT OUR ELECTIONS OFFICE AND AT ANY VOTING ASSISTANCE CENTER, OF COURSE YOU CAN VOTE IN PERSON AT ANY VOTING ASSISTANCE CENTER IN MERSEYSIDE COUNTY CENTERS PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR THE UPCOMING JUNE 7TH, 2022 STATEWIDE DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION FOR SAID, COUNTY WILL HAVE 13 VOTING ASSISTANCE CENTERS, THREE BEING 11 DAYS CENTERS OPEN BEGINNING SATURDAY, MAY 28TH THROUGH ELECTION DAY IN 10 MORE FOUR DAY CENTERS OPEN ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH THROUGH ELECTION DAY.
OUR 11 DAY VOTING ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR THIS ELECTION ARE AT WATER COMMUNITY CENTER, LOS VANOS COMMUNITY CENTER.
AND WE'RE SAID COLLEGE PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX IN DISTRICT FOUR.
WE HAVE ALGOMA AND COMMUNITY CENTER IN GUSTINE, KILMORE, GRANGE HALL, WINTON, COMMUNITY HALL, AND SARAH CLEGG CONFERENCE HALL IN DEL HI, AND ALL OF THOSE ARE FOUR DAYS VOTING ASSISTANCE CENTERS.
THERE WILL BE 10 SECURE, OFFICIAL DROP-OFF BOXES.
IN ADDITION TO OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND OUR ELECTIONS OFFICE, ALL SIX CITY HALL OFFICES WILL HAVE A BOX AND WE ARE PARTNERING THIS YEAR WITH RANCHO SAN MIGUEL AND ROSETTE LIBERTY MARKET IN DEL HI, AND RALEY'S IN MERCER SAID, OLIVER SAID, COUNTY VOTERS NEED TO BE AWARE.
THERE ARE REDISTRICTING IMPACTS AND MAY SEE A CHANGE IN THEIR DISTRICTS ON THEIR JUNE 7TH BALLOT, INCLUDING CONGRESSIONAL.
NOW IS DISTRICT 13 BOARD OF EQUALIZATION DISTRICT.
ONE STATE SENATE IS NOW DISTRICT FOUR AND DISTRICT 14 STATE ASSEMBLY.
NOW DISTRICT 22 AND 27 AND YOUR COUNTY SUPERVISOR DISTRICT MAY HAVE CHANGED.
SO PLEASE BE AWARE, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SLIDE.
IT HAS OUR CONTACT INFORMATION.
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR ANY INFORMATION, INCLUDING LOCATION DATES AND TIMES CAN CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT AREA CODE 2 0 9 3 8 5 7 5 4 1.
WE DO HAVE A TOLL FREE NUMBER, AND THEN YOU'RE WELCOME TO AGAIN, VISIT OUR WEBSITE, WHICH IS SAID ELECTIONS.ORG.
AND YOU CAN EMAIL@ELECTIONSATCOUNTYANDPERSAID.COM.
UH, THAT'S A VERY COMPLEX, UH, TOPIC AND, UH, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US.
NOW I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER ROLO LOMELI MENDEZ WHO SUCCEEDED RECENTLY RETIRED CEO.
JIM BROWN ROLE HAS BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY QUITE A BIT MEETING WITH BUSINESS OWNERS, RESIDENTS, AND GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS.
AND WE'D LIKE TO GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANDREW SOME INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO EVERYONE TONIGHT.
AND IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.
UH, JOINING YOU IN ADDRESSING, UM, THE DISTRICT, UH, RE UH, RESIDENTS, UH, AS PART OF THIS TOWN HALL MEETING, AS AS MENTIONED, I RODE WOMANLY MENDEZ REALLY PRIVILEGED TO BE SERVING IN THE CAPACITY OF THE MERCER COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
UH, EVEN THOUGH I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE A SHORT TIME, I'VE ALREADY LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY AS MENTIONED.
I'D BEEN OUT WITH THE SUPERVISORS, UH,
[00:45:01]
GETTING FAMILIAR WITH, UH, THE COMMUNITIES AND THE CITIES THAT THEY REPRESENT, UH, BEEN OUT TO EVERY SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT.AND I THINK I HAVE JUST ONE MORE DAY OUTFIT, DISTRICT FIVE, UH, WHICH WILL BE HAPPENING HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, BUT CERTAINLY APPRECIATE, UH, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, HIS COLLEAGUES, UH, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO TRANSITION INTO THIS COMMUNITY AND INTO THIS ROLE.
I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE JANUARY 10TH, UH, JOINED MERCER COUNTY, THE ORGANIZATION AS A DESIGNEE, UH, CEO DESIGNEE, UH, HAVE SPENT, UH, OR DID SPEND, UH, QUITE A BIT OF TIME WITH, UH, UH, CEO, JIM BROWN, UH, REALLY TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND ALSO THE COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK DETERMINED AND, UH, THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FOR PROVIDING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT OVERLAP AS PART OF MY TRANSITION PLAN.
UH, BUT, UH, ONE OF THE, TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF THIS EVENING, UH, I HAVE, UM, ABOUT 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT STEMMING FROM, UH, CITIES OF SAN JOSE, UH, CITY OF HOUSTON, UH, STANISLAUS COUNTY.
AND THEN NOW WE'RE SET COUNTY.
I WAS MOST RECENTLY AN ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE OFFICER WITH STANISLAUS COUNTY AND WAS VERY BLESSED IN, UH, PRIVILEGED TO BE SELECTED TO SUCCEED MR. BROWN IN THIS POSITION.
UM, I PARTICIPATED IN THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS THAT TOOK PLACE, UH, LATE LAST YEAR.
AND, UH, REALLY, UH, AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, UH, LEARN ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY.
AND NOW BEING HERE, I AM PLEASED TO, UH, LEAD, UH, A VERY TALENTED AND DEDICATED GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS, MANY OF WHICH YOU'VE HEARD ALREADY FROM THIS EVENING AND A FEW OTHERS THAT YOU'LL HEAR FROM, UH, AS PART OF THE Q AND A SCHEDULED FOR LATER DURING THE TOWN HALL.
BUT CERTAINLY, UH, IN TERMS OF, UH, YOU KNOW, MY LEADERSHIP STYLE, MY EMPHASIS, UH, WE ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS AS MENTIONED BY THE CHAIRMAN.
UH, THAT IS SOMETHING, UH, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT, UH, THE BEST WAY FOR US TO BEST SERVE THE PUBLIC IS TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE ME OUT, UH, IN THE COMMUNITY, UM, AND ALSO CAN EXPECT TO SEE MORE OF OUR STAFF GETTING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT BY LISTENING TO THE CONCERNS, UH, THE ISSUES RAISED BY OUR RESIDENTS, BY OUR PARTNERS, UH, WE CAN BETTER, UH, BRING FORWARD RECOMMENDATIONS TO TRY AND ADDRESS SOME OF THE LOCAL NEEDS.
SO I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR ABILITY TO DO THAT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND REALLY FORTUNATE AND, UH, JUST EXCITED TO BE HERE IN THIS ROLE.
UM, WE HAVE, UH, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, A VERY GOOD GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE POISED TO CONTINUE SERVING THIS COMMUNITY MUCH LIKE IT HAS IN THE PAST, AND REALLY LOOKING TO KIND OF BUILD ON THE GOOD WORK THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE.
YOU'VE HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING IN MERSIN AND NOW THAT I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TERMS OF INITIATIVES, UH, SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND HOW WE'RE FACING SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES AS INDICATED ALREADY, OR, UH, JUST FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN A REALLY GOOD, GOOD POSITION.
SO MR. CHAIRMAN, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
UH, I WANTED JUST TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME INTRODUCING MYSELF TO, UM, TO THE COMMUNITY AND BE HAPPY TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
AND, UH, CERTAINLY WELCOME TO THE TEAM.
UH, WHEN, WHEN YOU GO OUT TO, UH, REPLACE A GENTLEMAN LIKE JIM BROWN, YOU GET KINDA NERVOUS.
UH, ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND SOMEBODY THAT, UH, THAT CAN FILL THOSE SHOES AND, AND, UH, HONESTLY CAN SAY THAT MERCER COUNTY IS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD YOU APPLY HERE AND TO HAVE YOU SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, I, UH, YOU HAVEN'T MISSED A BEAT AND, UH, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE, YOU'VE, UM, DUG IN, YOU'RE HARDWORKING AND YOU'RE COMPASSIONATE AND YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR TEAM.
AND, AND I THINK THAT EVERYBODY THAT HAS WORKED WITH YOU, UH, HERE, UH, HAS SEEN THAT AS A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.
AND, UH, SO ANYHOW, UH, SO THE RESIDENTS SOMERSET COUNTY, UH, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HIM HERE, AND IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO MEET HIM, WALK UP, SAY HELLO AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES.
UH, NOW WE'RE GONNA MOVE INTO THE, UM, UH, QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION OF THE TOWN HALL AND, UH, TO, TO KICK THINGS OFF.
UH, WE ALREADY HAVE A QUESTION AND SO, UM, I'LL, I'LL START WITH IT, AND THEN WE'LL TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE WEB.
UH, THE FIRST QUESTION IS FOR THE LIBRARIAN, UH, AMY TAYLOR, AND, UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S, UH, LIBRARIES ARE KIND OF EVOLVING RIGHT NOW.
UM, IT USED TO BE WHERE PEOPLE, UH, THE MAJOR, UH, TOPIC THERE, OR THE MAJOR ADVANCE WAS PEOPLE COMING IN AND GETTING BOOKS AND, UH, FOR LIBRARIES TO STAY CURRENT, THEY'VE HAD TO CHANGE AND DO SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.
AND AMY HAS KEPT A MERCER COUNTY'S LIBRARIES, UH, AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT.
SO HERE'S YOUR FIRST QUESTION AND A WELCOME AMY LIBRARIES HAVE A LOT OF EVENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR KIDS.
[00:50:01]
AND WHERE THOSE ARE? IS THERE A SCHEDULE SOMEWHERE AND, UH, THAT'S YOUR FIRST QUESTION.UM, THERE ARE MANY WAYS THAT WE ENGAGE, UM, OUR SCHEDULES WITH, UH, WITH OUR RESIDENTS.
UM, ONE OF THE BEST WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING@THELIBRARYISTOVISITOURSITEATMERSEYSIDECOUNTYLIBRARY.ORG, OR ALSO VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND OUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT.
SO THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN GO AND FIND OUT OUR SCHEDULE.
AND IF THERE THAT WILL SHOW EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, IF THEY'RE REALLY INTERESTED IN THEIR LOCAL BRANCH EVENTS, THEN THEY CAN ACTUALLY GO INTO THE LIBRARY.
AND WE, EACH LOCAL BRANCH HAS A SCHEDULE THAT THEY CAN PICK UP AT THE LIBRARY SO THAT IT CAN POST IT ON THEIR REFRIGERATOR AND KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON FOR THE MONTH.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.
UM, WOULD YOU, WOULD YOU MIND KIND OF JUST GIVING AN UPDATE ON THE WINTON LIBRARY AND, YOU KNOW, W WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE TO, UH, KEEP THINGS WHOLE YES.
WELL, THE WINTON LIBRARY, UM, WE'RE, WE'RE WORKING WITH DIFFERENT THINGS TO, UM, FIND SOLUTIONS TO, UH, UH, ANOTHER LOCATION FOR THE LIBRARY WHERE WE'RE LOOKING, WE STILL HAVE THE, THE LIBRARY IS OPEN TWO DAYS A WEEK ON WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS, WEDNESDAY FROM 1:00 PM TO 6:00 PM AND FRIDAYS FROM 12 NOON TO 5:00 PM.
UM, BUT WE'RE ACTIVELY SEARCHING FOR DIFFERENT PLACES THAT WE CAN GO INTO, BECAUSE IF WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THAT FACILITY AND WE ARE WORKING TO RESOLVE THEM IN THE BEST WAY WE CAN, UM, A SOLUTION, IF WE CAN'T FIND AN OPTION IS, WOULD BE TO PUT THE BOOKMOBILE OUT THERE.
AND WE ARE GETTING A NEW BOOK MOBILE THAT HOPEFULLY WILL BE HERE IN JULY, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST NEWS THAT I'VE RECEIVED.
SO, UM, THAT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO HELP PROMOTE LIBRARY SERVICES FOR THE WIND COMMUNITY.
NOW, IF YOU NEED HELP GETTING THAT MOBILE, A BOOKMOBILE, UH, HERE TO MERSEYSIDE COUNTY, I THINK WE GOT SOME FRIENDS OUT OF CASTLE THAT CAN GET IT SHIPPED HERE.
THEY JUST NEED TO FINISH BUILDING IT.
THAT'S WHAT THAT'S BEIGE THAT WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW IS, IS BUILDING.
UH, OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND, UH, WE HAVE WITH US THIS EVENING, A DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID ELGIN.
AND, UH, SO, UM, WE DO HAVE A WONDERFUL QUESTION FOR HIM AND IT'S KIND OF AROUND, UM, UM, SUPPORT, UH, FOR FAMILIES AND DAVID, ARE YOU NEARBY? AH, THERE YOU ARE WELCOME.
AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING.
UH, ARE THERE, UH, THE QUESTION THAT'S BEEN POSED IS, ARE THERE ANY SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENT AND PROPERTY CRACKS? YES, SIR.
WE HAVE A COMPLETE DIVISION IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CALLED OUR VICTIM WITNESS DIVISION, AND IT'S STAFF WITH ADVOCATES THAT ASSIST, UH, UH, VICTIMS, VICTIMS, FAMILIES, AND, AND WITNESSES WITH VARIOUS SERVICES.
UH, THE MOST, ONE OF THE MOST COMMON SERVICES OUTSIDE OF ASSISTING SOMEONE IN COURT OR, OR TRAVELING TO COURT IS, UM, COUNSELING SERVICES THAT THAT'S OFTEN SOMETHING THAT IS, UH, IS DONE, BUT THE, WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ANY ONE PARTICULAR, UH, PERSON DEPENDS GREATLY ON THEIR CASE AND THEIR PARTICULAR NEEDS.
AND SO ANYONE THAT NEEDS THE SERVICE COULD CONTACT OUR VICTIM WITNESS OFFICE AND, UH, IT'S WITHIN OUR, OUR MAIN OFFICE.
AND, UH, THEY WILL BE GIVEN AN ADVOCATE AND, UH, MASHED UP WITH, UH, THE APPROPRIATE SERVICES.
UH, AND THEN I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOUR DEPARTMENT FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE, UM, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS CONFERENCE THIS PAST FRIDAY NIGHT.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, I, I, THAT'S A TOPIC THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK CAUSE ON THE BACK OF EVERYBODY'S MIND, BUT, YOU KNOW, UH, UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBER, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S FAR AWAY AND, AND IT WAS KIND OF DISCOURAGING TO HEAR THAT MERCE SAID IS ONE OF THE TOWNS THAT'S ON THE SO-CALLED CIRCUIT THAT RUNS FROM LA TO THE BAY AREA OF SACRAMENTO WAY AND BACK THROUGH.
SO ANYWAYS, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR.
NOW OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FOR CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES.
NO, IT'S KIND OF AN INTERESTING QUESTION.
HOW ARE YOU DOING? SO THE QUESTION FOR YOU IS, ARE THERE ANY OPTIONS FOR PARENTS WHO STOPPED PAYING CHILD SUPPORT TO GET
[00:55:01]
BACK ON TRACK? SO I GUESS THIS IS A PARENT THAT THAT HAS KIND OF FALLEN OFF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT THEY'D LIKE TO GET BACK AND BE RESPONSIVE TO.SO THAT'S A, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR YOU THIS EVENING.
UM, FIRST OFF, WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO IS REALLY HELP PARENTS GET BACK ON TRACK.
WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS AND HELP THEIR CHILDREN AND SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN FINANCIALLY.
SO OUR NUMBER ONE WOULD BE CALL OUR OFFICE AND TALK TO US.
THEY CAN CALL OUR OFFICE AT (866) 901-3212 OR EVEN COME BY OUR OFFICE, WHICH IS LOCATED AT 3, 3 6 8 NORTH HIGHWAY 59.
UM, A NUMBER OF OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM IS WE CAN MODIFY THAT CHILD SUPPORT ORDER IF THEIR FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES PROHIBIT THEM FROM MAKING THEIR OCCURRENCE SUPPORT OR PAYING THEIR CHILD SUPPORT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT ORDER IS MODIFIED.
SO IT REFLECTS WHAT THEIR FINANCIAL ABILITIES ARE.
IT'S REALISTIC AND IT'S MEANINGFUL FOR THEM AND FOR THE PARENT RECEIVING THAT SUPPORT, UM, SO THAT THEY CAN, THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN.
UM, WE CAN ALSO STIPULATED IN ORDER WHEN THE PARENTS ARE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT, WE CAN WORK WITH BOTH PARENTS AND THAT WAY AVOID HAVING TO GO TO COURT.
IT'S A MUCH FASTER RESPONSE AND WE CAN, WE CAN ESTABLISH AN ORDER.
THAT'S AGAIN, MEANINGFUL ENABLED FOR THEM TO SUPPORT, BUT, UM, IT CAN BE DONE MUCH FASTER.
WE ALSO OFFER A DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
SO WHEN A, WHEN A PARENT WHO HAS FALLEN BEHIND ON THEIR CHILD SUPPORT HAS A BANFIELD DEBT, UM, THEY CAN WORK WITH OUR OFFICE.
IF THOSE ARE ARREARS ARE OWED TO THE STATE, WE CAN NEGOTIATE THOSE, THOSE DEBTS AWAY.
AND SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO, TO KNOW ABOUT AND TO CONTACT OUR OFFICE, TO, TO TALK.
AND THEN A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION TO THAT IS, UM, WHAT IF MY LICENSE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO NONPAYMENT HERE? AGAIN, IT'S ONE OF THESE SITUATIONS WHERE THE BEST WAY TO WORK WITH US IS TO CALL US, CALL US, COME IN AND TALK TO US ABOUT THAT.
UM, WE ARE, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US, FOR PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS.
AND SO TO DO THAT, WE KNOW THAT THE LICENSE CAN BE A BARRIER TO THEIR BEING ABLE TO WORK, HAVING THAT LICENSE SUSPENDED.
SO WE WANT THEM TO HAVE THAT LICENSE RELEASED.
WE WILL WORK WITH THEM TO NEGOTIATE A SMALL PAYMENT TO GET THAT LICENSE RELEASED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT SUSPENSION IS IMPACTING THEIR ABILITY TO WORK.
IT'S IN OUR BEST INTEREST, IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST TO HAVE THEM WORKING.
AND IF THE LICENSE IS PROHIBITING THAT COME ON IN AND TALK TO US AND WE CAN NEGOTIATE A RELEASE ON THAT LICENSE TO GET THEM BACK WORKING.
UM, UH, AND, AND I DIDN'T INTRODUCE YOU IN THE BEGINNING.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT, BUT THIS IS, UH, SHARON WARDALE IT'S HO AND, UH, SHE DOES A WONDERFUL JOB FOR, UH, THE RESIDENT SOMERSET COUNTY.
AND WHEN YOU NEED HER SERVICES, IT'S BECAUSE YOU GOT AN ISSUE, RIGHT.
AND, AND, UH, HER AND HER TEAM DO DO A VERY GOOD JOB AT HELPING NAVIGATE YOU THROUGH THAT.
SO DON'T HESITATE TO CALL THEM EVEN, EVEN IF YOU'RE IN TROUBLE, RIGHT.
YOU, YOU, YOU'RE BEHIND, UH, THEY'D REALLY LIKE TO HELP YOU GET BACK ON TRACK.
UH, OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FOR HSA AND A, THE QUESTION IS WITH THE RISING COST OF FOOD AND OVERALL INFLATION, ARE THERE ANY PROGRAMS TO ASSIST STRUGGLING FAMILIES? JOHN, ARE YOU ABLE TO, UH, TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION? YEAH.
UM, SO I DID, I, I WAS ABLE TO GRAB A FEW RESOURCES HERE AND I'M GOING TO JUST GO DOWN ONE BY ONE AND PROVIDE SOME PHONE NUMBERS HERE, UH, FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO ASKED THAT QUESTION.
SO, UM, RIGHT AWAY, WHAT COMES TO MIND IS THE HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY.
UH, WE PROVIDE A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR INCOME ELIGIBLE FAMILIES, WHETHER IT'S CALWORKS OR CALFRESH AND CALFRESH IS ACTUALLY WHERE, UM, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS, UM, UH, FUNDING FOR FOOD AND THERESA HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY.
AGAIN, IT ISN'T, IT IS AN INCOME MEANS TESTED PROGRAM.
SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO MEET INCOME ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
UM, OTHER, OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THOUGH ARE NOT NECESSARILY MEANS TESTED.
SO BETHEL COMMUNITY CHURCH IN LOS BANOS HAS FOOD PANTRY AND THEIR NUMBER IS 2 0 9 8 2 7 0 7 9 7.
HERE IN THE CITY OF MERSEYSIDE, YOU HAVE CATHOLIC CHARITIES WHO ALSO OPERATES A FOOD PANTRY AND THEIR NUMBER IS 2 0 9 3 8 3 24 94.
ALSO HERE IN THE CITY OF MERCY SAID, WE'LL TAKE REFERRALS FOR BASIC NEEDS, INCLUDING FOOD, BABY CLOTHING, ET CETERA, UH, AND FURNITURE FOR THAT MATTER.
THE MERSEYSIDE COUNTY FOOD BANK IS PROBABLY THE BEST RESOURCE, UM, FOR FOOD.
UH, THEY, THEY ACTUALLY DO A FOOD DISTRIBUTION AS WELL.
AND TO REACH THEM IT'S 2 0 9 7 2 6 36 63.
[01:00:04]
AND LASTLY, MERSEYSIDE COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY HAS A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES, INCLUDING THE WIC PROGRAM AND THE LIKEY PROGRAM, WHICH CAN PAY FOR UTILITY ARREARS.UH, THAT NUMBER IS 2 0 9 7 2 5 8 1 8 8.
UM, ANY OF THESE WOULD BE A GREAT RESOURCE.
UH, THEY DO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER.
UM, I CAN'T SAY FOR CERTAIN THAT THERE'LL BE ABLE TO REFER YOU TO OTHER PROGRAMS IF YOU HAVE OTHER UNMET NEEDS, BUT AGAIN, WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AS, AS SOME, SOME POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE HERE, UM, WHERE WE'RE FACING INFLATIONARY TIMES AND SPECIFICALLY RISING FOOD COSTS.
OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FOR, UH, OUR FIRE CHIEF.
UM, UH, SO THE QUESTION IS MY NEIGHBORS WEEDS ARE OUT OF CONTROL.
I THINK, UM, IT MIGHT BE FIRE HAZARD.
IS THERE SOMETHING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN ADDRESS OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN ADDRESS CHIEF PIMINTEL? HELLO, GOOD EVENING, UH, SUPERVISOR, UH, UH, PARA UM, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND BEHALF ON, ON SOME OF THE WEED ABATEMENT ISSUES.
UH, OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WE'VE, UH, WITNESSED SOME DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND, UH, YOU KNOW, TO LOOK AT SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING, AND WE WERE DOING A LITTLE BIT MORE RECENT, SO WHAT OUR FOLKS ARE GOING TO BE DOING, AND IT STARTED ON MAY 1ST, THERE'LL BE, UH, GOING OUT AND INSPECTING THOSE PROPERTIES FOR, UH, DRY VEGETATION, UM, NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE AROUND THE PROPERTY, AND THEN WE'LL BE NOTIFYING, UH, INDIVIDUALS BEFORE WE'RE, UH, THAT HAD ISSUES IN PRIOR YEARS, OR, UH, SENT OUT A POSTCARD WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO KIND OF GET NOTIFIED AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THOSE WEEDS BEFORE OR THE, THE, THE WEED ABATEMENT ISSUES PRIOR TO US COMING OUT THERE AND INSPECTING, ONCE WE DO COME OUT AND INSPECT, UH, THEY'LL GET A NOTICE IN THE MAIL.
AND THEN WE'RE ALSO FOLLOWING UP WITH, UH, OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM.
WE'LL BE ON A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND YOU'LL SEE A QR CODE EITHER ON THOSE POSTCARDS ARE ALSO ON THAT SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WILL GIVE YOU CONTEXT FOR THOSE STATIONS IN YOUR LOCAL AREA, SO THAT IF YOU DO HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ARE, DO GET THESE POSTCARDS AND DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY YOU CAN USE THAT QR CODE TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL STATION AND BE ABLE TO, UH, GET SOME INFORMATION FOR YOURSELF SO THAT WE'RE HANDLING THIS WE'D HAVE IMMUNE ISSUE SOONER THAN LATER, AND KIND OF HELPING THE, UM, THE PUBLIC BE MORE SAFE OUT THERE DURING THESE DRY SPELLS THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS PAST YEAR.
UM, THE, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE OFTEN AFRAID TO KIND OF QUOTE UNQUOTE TURN IN THEIR NEIGHBORS, BUT IN MERCER COUNTY, WE HAVE A LOT OF, UH, OF, OUT OF AREA OWNERS.
AND SO WOULDN'T IT BE BENEFICIAL IF A NEIGHBOR WOULD LET YOU KNOW, SO THAT YOU COULD CONTACT A PROPERTY OWNER WHO MIGHT LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE AND NOT KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A FIRE HAZARD ON THEIR PROPERTY, BUT OUR HOPES ARE FOR THIS YEAR, UH, GOING WITH THAT QR CODE AND, YOU KNOW, TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION FOR A CONTACT AT THEIR LOCAL FIRE STATION THAT WILL GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE INFORMATION KIND OF GO OUT AND DO AN INSPECTION OURSELVES, AND THEN FOLLOW UP WITH A POSTCARD OR MAKING THAT A PROPERTY OWNER AWARE OF THEIR ISSUE, AND THEN HOPEFULLY WORK WITH THEM.
SO IT DOESN'T REALLY IMPACT THEM, BUT ACTUALLY MAKES THEIR PROPERTY SAFE FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS AND THEMSELVES.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I APPRECIATE YOU ANSWERING THAT QUESTIONS.
SO COUNTY COUNCIL GETS A QUESTION.
UH, SO, UH, OUR COUNTY COUNCIL IS A FOREST HANSON, AND THIS IS YOUR QUESTION.
MY CAR WAS DAMAGED BY POTHOLE AND THE COUNTY DENIED MY CLAIM.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS ARE WHY I GUESS IS THE QUESTION.
COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION ONE MORE TIME? SURE.
UH, MY CAR WAS DAMAGED BY POTHOLE AND THE COUNTY DENIED MY CLAIM.
WHY? UH, THANKS AGAIN, SUPERVISOR PERRERA, UH, CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF.
THE COUNTY DOES NOT DENY ALL CLAIMS THAT IT RECEIVES.
UM, WHAT HAPPENS WITH CLAIMS IS WHEN A PERSON FILES A CLAIM AGAINST THE COUNTY, BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THE COUNTY DAMAGED THEIR PROPERTY.
LIKE THEY DID, LIKE IN THIS CASE, UH, THEY FILED A CLAIM WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
THEY CAN GET THAT CLAIM FORM AT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OFFICE OR ONLINE.
UM, THEY SHOULD FILE IT WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE INCIDENT WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
AND THEN INTERNALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS OUR RISK DEPARTMENT LED BY SARAH BAKER AND HER TEAM WILL INVESTIGATE THE CLAIM AND DETERMINE WHETHER THE COUNTY WILL ACCEPT THE CLAIM OR DENY THE CLAIM.
NOW, YOU SAY THIS CLAIM WAS DENIED, UH, WITHOUT GETTING INTO SPECIFICS.
UH, THE TOP THREE REASONS PROBABLY FOR
[01:05:01]
A DENIAL OF THIS TYPE OF CLAIM IS THE COUNTY WAS THE WRONG ENTITY.FOR INSTANCE, IF THE POTHOLE WAS ON HIGHWAY 99, THAT WOULD BE A CLAIM WITH THE STATE.
IF THE POTHOLE WAS ON A CITY STREET, THE CLAIM WOULD BE WITH THE CITY, UH, NOT WITH THE COUNTY.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT SOMETIMES THESE GET DENIED.
UM, ANOTHER REASON WHY THESE GET DENIED IS BECAUSE THERE'S A STRICT LIMITATIONS PERIOD.
UM, SIX MONTHS FROM THE INCIDENT, TYPICALLY UNDER THE CALIFORNIA TORT CLAIMS ACT, UH, WHERE, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE'LL LOOK AT THE CLAIM AND THE CLAIM OR THE INCIDENT HAPPENED EIGHT MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE CLAIM UNDER THE TORT CLAIMS ACT, THE, UH, THE COUNTY CAN'T ACCEPT THAT CLAIM.
ANOTHER, UH, MAIN REASON WHY THESE CLAIMS ARE DENIED IS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT CODE 8 35.
UH, THE COUNTY HAS TO BE ON NOTICE OF THE CONDITION.
SO IF THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE CONSTRUCTION, UH, CONSTRUCTIVE OR ACTUAL NOTICE OF THE POTHOLE, THEY DO NOT.
UM, THEY MAY NOT HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE BOTTLE.
I HOPE THAT ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION.
SO WE COULD ASK FROM TIME TO TIME, UH, FROM RESIDENTS, YOU KNOW, WHY OR WHAT, OR, YOU KNOW, I'LL GET A CALL SOMETIMES 10 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, HEY, I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THIS ROAD AND I HIT A POTHOLE AND CRACKED MY RIM AND, YOU KNOW, AND, UH, ANYWAYS, SO, UM, ANYWAY, SO HOPEFULLY NOW THE RESIDENTS HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF THE PROCESS.
NOW WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE QUESTION IS, ARE THERE ANY SIGNS PARENTS SHOULD LOOK FOR TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS AREN'T GETTING INVOLVED WITH GANGS? WE HAVE SERGEANT BETH C WITH US THIS EVENING, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR ANSWER.
DID YOU HEAR THE QUESTION? YES, SIR.
GOOD EVENING, UH, SUPERVISOR PERERA.
SO, UM, YOU KNOW, SIGNS THAT PARENTS SHOULD LOOK FOR, UM, IN REGARDS TO GANG ACTIVITY OR GANG INVOLVEMENT FOR THEIR, YOU KNOW, THEIR YOUNG ONES, UM, YOU KNOW, INCREASED, UH, AMOUNT OF CASH THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE, OR, UM, SOME CLOTHING THAT THEY MIGHT, UM, HAVE OBTAINED, UM, THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH, UH, FRIENDS THAT, UM, HAVE LIKE TATTOOS, GANG TATTOOS, OR, UM, OTHER OTHER MARKINGS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GANGS.
BUT, UM, IN PARTICULAR, THE PARENTS SHOULD LOOK FOR, UH, GRAFFITI INSIDE THEIR, UM, INSIDE THE CHILD'S ROOM OR ON THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY OR PERSONAL ITEMS AS WELL, UM, WEARING OF, UH, THEIR COLORS, RIGHT? SO, UH, IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY GANGS, UM, PREDOMINANTLY ARE EITHER NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN GANGS.
SO EITHER WEARING THE COLOR RED OR, UM, BLUE IS, IS A PRIME INDICATORS, BUT THERE'S, UM, THINGS THAT PARENTS CAN DO TO KIND OF ALLEVIATE THIS AS WELL.
AND, UM, GET EARLY INTERVENTION, GET INVOLVED, GET THEIR KIDS INVOLVED WITH, UM, SCHOOL-BASED RELIGIOUS BASED ACTIVITIES, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS. UM, THOSE ARE GREAT.
UH, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EARLY INTERVENTION.
WE HAVE EXPLORER, WE HAVE OUR EXPLORE PROGRAMS, UM, THROUGHOUT THE, OR FOR OUR COUNTY AND THEN OTHER LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES DO AS WELL.
UM, ALSO FOR, FOR PARENTS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, UH, IN COLLABORATION WITH, UH, PROBATION HAS, UH, DEVELOPED A PROGRAM FOR TEENS.
IT'S A TEEN OUTREACH OUTREACH PROGRAM THROUGH OUR, UH, SRT.
UM, AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY, UM, UH, GET KIDS IN FROM 12 TO 17 YEARS OLD.
AND, UM, UH, THE PROGRAM IS GEARED TOWARDS, UM, UH, GANGS, UH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
UM, AND THAT NUMBER, IF ANYBODY'S INTERESTED IN THAT FOR THEIR CHILD IS 3 8, 5 75 20.
AGAIN, THAT'S A CHOOSE 0 9 3 8 5 75 20.
UM, AND THEY'RE, UM, THEY CAN REACH OUT TO THE SRT AND, UH, ASK ANY QUESTIONS, UH, IF THEY WISH.
I, YOU KNOW, ONE, YOU ANSWERED THE QUESTION VERY WELL, AND I THINK A LOT OF PARENTS JUST MAY NOT KNOW THE SIGNS, RIGHT.
MAY NOT KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
UH, BUT WHAT I REALLY APPRECIATE IS THAT YOU, YOU ALSO, UH, ARE PROACTIVE, RIGHT? AND, AND YOU'VE GOT SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS TO GET THEIR KIDS INVOLVED, UM, TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF THEM GETTING INVOLVED IN, UH, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY GANGS, BUT ANY OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND, AND, UH, AND DRUGS AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR KEEPING, UH, THE RESIDENTS OF MERCER COUNTY SAFE.
I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB AND, UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU PUT THAT UNIFORM ON, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU KIND OF BECOME A TARGET AT TIMES.
[01:10:01]
AND SO I JUST APPRECIATE THE, UH, PROFESSIONALISM AND THE DEDICATION TO YOUR JOB THAT YOU AND YOUR, AND YOUR, UH, FELLOW DEPUTIES, UH, PROVIDE, UH, FOR, FOR US HERE.SO THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US SAFE AND MAY GODSPEED BE WITH YOU.
UH, WELL, THAT'S IT FOR THE LIST OF QUESTIONS I HAVE SO FAR, UH, I'M GONNA, UH, TURN OVER AND ASK, UH, MIKE NORTH, DO WE HAVE ANY, ANY MORE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME IN? THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
WE DO HAVE A COUPLE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT HAVE ROLLED IN A ONE ON ZOOM AND ONE ON FACEBOOK.
AND I THINK THEY CAN BOTH BE BEST HANDLED MAYBE BY DANA HEARTFELT OR IN PUBLIC WORKS.
UH, THE FIRST ONE IS FROM OUR NE ON ZOOM AND IT'S ABOUT, UH, PARKS.
DOES MERCY COUNTY HAVE A PARKS MASTER PLAN TO EVENTUALLY IMPROVE ALL COUNTY PARKS IS THE CONSTRUCTION, UH, COMMUNITY CENTERS, PART OF THE PARKS AND COMMUNITY MASTER PLAN.
PLEASE CONSIDER IT A PRIORITY TO CONSTRUCT SLASH IMPROVE PARKS AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICES MORE FREQUENTLY FOR THE YOUTH.
IN RESPONSE TO THAT QUESTION FIRST, THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE AN OVERALL MASTER PLAN FOR THE PARKS, BUT WHAT WE DO HAVE IS A VERY AGGRESSIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
THAT INCLUDES OVER A HUNDRED PROJECTS IS FUNDED BY MORE THAN $77 MILLION.
AND THE BOARD HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN PUTTING MONEY INTO THE PARKS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
JUST A FEW THINGS THAT OUR CIPS INCLUDE FUNDING FOR LAND ACQUISITION IN DEL HIGH FOR A PARK WE'VE JUST RECENTLY COMPLETED IMPROVEMENTS TO ABANDON PARK HOULAHAN PARK.
WE JUST COMPLETED A, OR IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR REHABILITATION OF THE PARK.
WE JUST PURCHASED 3.5 ACRES IN SANTA NELLA, AND WE PURCHASED 18 ACRES AND FRANKLIN BEECHWOOD.
WE JUST WERE AWARDED A $3.7 MILLION GRANT TO IMPROVE, UM, WINTON PARK, WHICH WILL INCLUDE PICNIC SHELTERS, BENCHES LIGHTS FOR THE SECOND BASEBALL FIELD, NEW DUGOUTS LIGHTS FOR THE BASKETBALL FIELD COURT AND SOCCER COURT.
AND WE'LL BE RE REPLACING THE PICNIC TABLES.
WE ALSO HAVE BEEN PUTTING A LOT INVESTING A LOT OF MONEY INTO COMMUNITY HALLS.
WE'VE BEEN UPGRADING THEM TO MEET AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT STANDARDS, REPLACING HVAC SYSTEMS AND OTHER MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES.
OKAY, WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT ANSWER, DANA.
UM, I KNOW, UH, YOUR, YOUR DEPARTMENT WORKS VERY HARD, UH, AT, UM, UH, TAKING CARE OF THE PARKS IN OUR INNER COUNTY.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, NOW THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMY HAS GOTTEN A LITTLE BETTER AND WE HAVE MORE DOLLARS, UH, YOU KNOW, RESIDENTS ARE STARTING TO SEE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS AND I'M NOT SURE WHICH COMMUNITY RENEE IS FROM, BUT HOPEFULLY, UH, HER COMMUNITY IS ONE THAT, UH, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING THE PARK FACILITY.
AND SO OUR LAST QUESTION, UH, CAME IN ON FACEBOOK.
UM, IT'S KIND OF A BROAD GENERAL ONE.
UM, IT JUST SAYS, WHAT ABOUT THE SIDEWALKS THEY NEED FIXING, AH, DANA, ARE YOU STILL THERE? YES, I AM.
AND I, UH, FIRST OF ALL, IS PART OF MEASURE B 20% OF THE FUNDS COLLECTED HAVE TO GO WHAT WE, WHAT WE CALL ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, WHICH ARE PRETTY MUCH PEDESTRIAN TYPE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
WHAT IS AN AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT REVIEW OF, OF THE COUNTY SIDEWALK SYSTEMS WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH A CONSULTANT ON WHAT'S CALLED AN AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES TRANSITION PLAN THAT WILL IDENTIFY THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COUNTY'S SIDEWALK SYSTEM.
AND IT WILL ALSO COME UP WITH A COST ESTIMATE AND AN IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE WE EXPECT TO HAVE THAT COMPLETE IT WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.
IN ADDITION, IF THERE'S A SPECIFIC COMPLAINT ABOUT A SIDEWALK, PLEASE CALL THE ROAD DIVISION AT (209) 385-7601, AND WE'LL GET A CREW OUT THERE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT REPAIRS ARE NEEDED.
IS THAT IT FOR THE QUESTIONS, MIKE? SO AT THIS TIME, THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT I SEE COMING IN ON EITHER FACEBOOK OR ZOOM.
WELL, UH, AT THIS TIME WE HAVE, UH, QUITE A FEW, UH, DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT DIDN'T GET ASKED A QUESTION, BUT THEY ARE HERE IN THE FACILITY.
AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM, UH, FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES WE HAVE, UH, MARK COWARD, UH, FROM THE AG COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.
WE HAVE SEAN RUNYON, OUR ASSESSOR RECORDER CLERK IS HERE AS WELL.
[01:15:01]
MAY.UH, PROBATION HAS, UH, KHALISA ROCHESTER.
UM, LET'S SEE FROM COOPERATIVE OR NO FROM, WELL, SO FROM COUNTY COUNSEL, YOU, YOU HEARD FROM FORREST HANSON, ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T MENTION HIS NAME WHEN HE ANSWERED THE QUESTION.
SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD DO THAT.
UM, LET'S SEE, FROM BHRS WE HAVE GENEVIEVE VALENTINE AND GENEVIEVE, I'M GOING TO HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU WHEN I FINISHED THESE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
SO IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND ANSWERING THAT, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.
UH, VINCENT AND DRAUGHTY, WE ALSO HAVE, UM, FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BECKY AND JOE KIM, UM, AND THEN FROM WORKFORCE INVESTMENT, UH, THEY'RE, UH, REPRESENTED BY DAVID MARIONI.
SO, UH, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
UH, I APPRECIATE, UH, THE FACT THAT YOU TOOK TIME OUT OF YOUR EVENING TO COME AND BE PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY OF, WE RECEIVED NOW FOR THE QUESTION FOR OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES DIRECTOR, JEREMY VALENTINE.
UM, I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A MOMENT, BUT JUST TO KIND OF SHARE NOW THAT WE'RE COMING OUT OF COVID AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF ALL THE ISSUES COME TO THE FOREFRONT, WOULD YOU, WOULD YOU JUST TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO KIND OF TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'RE SEEING AND THEN SOME OF THE, SOME OF THE, UH, PROGRAMS THAT, UH, THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR DEPARTMENT, UH, THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, SUPERVISOR FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FOR YOU TONIGHT ON OUR PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY SEEING.
WE FROM AN AGENCY PERSPECTIVE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN DUAL DIAGNOSIS PROGRAMMING.
SO A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, IT'S NOT THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG IT'S TOGETHER.
UM, AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF OUR FAMILIES NEEDING TO COME IN FOR SERVICES DUE TO ISOLATION OF THEIR CHILDREN AND THE IMPACTS ON COVID TO THE KIDS.
AND THEY'RE NOT HITTING DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES, ANXIETY OF YOUTH SUICIDE IDEATION IS UP WITH OUR YOUNGER CHILDREN.
SO WE'VE HAD A SIGNIFICANT IN OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.
SO FROM A LARGER AGENCY PERSPECTIVE, WE PROVIDE SERVICES FROM CRISIS SERVICES TO OUTPATIENT SERVICES, TO, UM, HOME-BASED SERVICES FOR ALL OF OUR AGES.
WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH HSA.
WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH, UM, OUR JUSTICE PROGRAMMING.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO HIT THE COMMUNITY FROM EVERY ANGLE POSSIBLE.
UM, RIGHT NOW WE'RE REALLY DOING A BIG FOCUS ON OUR PROGRAMMING WITH THE SCHOOLS.
SO WE'RE DOING A LOT OF WORK WITH THE DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE, UM, OFFICE OF EDUCATION TO REALLY MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR YOUTH AND FAMILIES.
WE RECENTLY HAVE STARTED TO GET A INCREASED AMOUNT OF REFERRALS FOR OUR OLDER ADULTS BASED OFF OF, UM, ISOLATION, UM, FOR OUR OLDER ADULT PROGRAMMING.
SO WE'VE BEEN DOING A GREAT DEAL OF WORK WITH THE PEARLS PROGRAM AT HSA AND THEIR ADULT AND AGING DEPARTMENT, AND REALLY GOING OUT TOGETHER WITH THEIR ADULT AGING TEAM AND OUR CLINICIAN ON OUR OLDER ADULT TEAM TO REALLY MEET OUR SENIORS WHERE THEY ARE IN TERMS OF THEIR MENTAL ILLNESS AND REALLY HELPING THEM COME BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY IN A SAFE MANNER.
SO WE HAVE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH AS WELL.
UM, IF PEOPLE DO NEED SERVICES, OUR PHONE NUMBER IS (209) 381-6800 THAT'S 3 8 1 6 8 0 0.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.
YOU KNOW, DURING COVID OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS EXTREMELY TAXED AND BECKY AND HER TEAM DID A GREAT JOB.
AND KIND OF NOW THAT COVID IS WINDING DOWN AND LIFE IS COMING BACK TO NORMAL.
YOU KNOW, UH, I JUST HEAR, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF, UH, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE AN ISSUES AND, YOU KNOW, UH, KIDS BEING DEFIANT BECAUSE THEY KIND OF HAD SOME PRE RAIN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I SPOKE TO THE, YOU HAVE COLONY FFA, UH, LEADERSHIP, UH, UM, CLASS THE OTHER DAY.
AND THE INSTRUCTOR WAS SAYING, IT'S REALLY, SHE'S HAVING TROUBLE GETTING SENIORS ENGAGED, RIGHT.
THEIR SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR YEARS WERE SPENT KIND OF, UH, UM, YOU KNOW, DOING WORK, BUT NOT REALLY BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THEY'RE AT HOME.
AND, AND SHE SAID, UH, THIS, YOU KNOW, JEN, IT MAKES ME SAD, RIGHT.
THAT, YOU KNOW, NOW AS A SENIOR, WHICH, YOU KNOW, SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW, UH, KIND OF A CRUISING YEAR, RIGHT, WHERE YOU'VE, YOU'VE WORKED HARD AND, AND YOU'VE LEARNED A LOT.
AND THEN YOU COMING DOWN INTO YOUR LAST FEW MONTHS OF SCHOOL, BUT, UH, BUT THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO ENJOY IT, LIKE, LIKE I DID, OR MAYBE YOU DID WHEN WE WERE SENIORS.
SO THAT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT, UH, UH, MERCER COUNTY IS VERY, UM, UH, FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR TEAM HERE, UH, TO HELP PARENTS AND FAMILIES, UH, PICK UP THE PIECES.
AND I KNOW YOU'RE DOING A LOT OF WORK IN THE SCHOOLS AS WELL, AND, AND, UH, EVERYBODY APPRECIATES YOUR PORT AND YOUR SUPPORT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, MIKE? NONE AT THIS TIME? WELL, UH, I GUESS, UH, THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT? UM, I WISHED I HAD KIND OF A WITTY
[01:20:01]
LINE, YOU KNOW, LIKE, UH, AND IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT OR SOMETHING, BUT, UH, I DON'T, UH, IN CLOSING, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT LLOYD DOT PERRERA AT COUNTY OF
I KNOW THAT'S, UH, MY NAME'S HARD TO SPELL, SO, UH, YOU CAN ALSO JUST GO TO THE COUNTY WEBSITE AND TYPE IN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND A LINK TO MY EMAIL COMES UP THERE.
UM, AND THEN DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW MERCER COUNTY ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, AND YOUTUBE, TO STAY UPDATED ON CURRENT PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES.
AND, UH, FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING, UH, TOMORROW OR TONIGHT, IF YOU TALK TO SOMEBODY AND SAID, OH, SHOOT, I WISHED I WOULD HAVE WATCHED THE TOWN HALL OR PARTICIPATED, OR THEY CAN GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND REWATCH THE VIDEO, AND THEY CAN ALSO GO TO YOUTUBE.
AND AT YOUTUBE, YOU CAN WATCH ANY OF THE, UH, UH, SUPERVISORS, UH, TOWN HALLS.
AND, UH, IF, IF YOU'RE NOT FROM DISTRICT FOUR.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU, UH, CEO, UM, MENDEZ AND, UH, MIKE NORTH, AND THEN OUR IT TEAM HERE AT MERCER COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME LOOK AS GOOD AS I COULD.
AND FOR THE REST OF YOU, GOOD NIGHT,