[00:00:01] GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE MAY 10TH MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. [Call to Order] WE HAD CLOSED SESSION THIS MORNING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION. HOWEVER, WE DIDN'T GET THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS, SO WE WILL RECONVENE BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION AFTER OUR REGULAR MEETING. AND NOW WE WILL HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY MICHELLE ALLISON OF THE MOUNT OLIVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF ATWATER. AND, RAUL, IF YOU WOULD LEAVE US IN THE PLEDGE. OF COURSE. IS IT ME FIRST? YES, MA'AM. RIGHT TO FEEL BETTER. YOUR HEADS WITH PROVERBS THREE, FOUR, FIVE AND SIX. TRUST THE LORD WITH ALL THE HEART AND LEAN, NOT ON THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING, BUT IN ALL THAT WAYS. ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATH. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE, AND FOR ALLOWING US TO PRESENT THIS MORNING TO BE PRESENT AS WE KNOW SOMEWHERE. SOMEONE LAID DOWN LAST NIGHT, CLOSING THEIR EYES TO NEVER OPENED THEM AGAIN. WE THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE AS THIS GROUP OF LEADERS GATHERS TODAY. FATHER GOD, I ASK THAT YOU EQUIP THEM WITH YOUR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE TO HELP THEM ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS, GUIDE THEIR DECISIONS SO THEY DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST THAT THEIR DISCUSSIONS DO NOT CONTAIN SELF INTEREST AND NARROW, NARROW AGENDAS. TEACH HUMILITY AS NEEDED TO MAKE THEM HUNGRY FOR YOUR WILL. FATHER, I ASK THAT YOU WOULD WORK MIGHTILY WITH THIS BOARD TODAY, HELP THEM TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE MEETING LEADING EACH ONE OF THEM SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE FRUITFUL CONTRIBUTIONS, ENABLE THEM TO THINK AND STRATEGIZE IN WAYS THAT WILL ACHIEVE GREAT RESULTS, PURIFY THEIR THOUGHTS OF NEGATIVITY, ALLOWING THEM TO ENTER THIS MEETING WITH A DESIRE TO SERVE, FOCUSING ON THE GOOD OF OTHERS AND PLEASING YOU AND HEAL THEM WHERE THEY MAY BE IN PAIN PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY, SO THEY CAN REMAIN FOCUSED ON SERVING OTHERS. LORD HELP THEM TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTES GRACEFULLY, TO BE CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVERS AND HAVE GREAT TEAM SPIRIT. HELP THEM TO FIND PRINCIPLES AND SOLUTIONS AS THEY ADDRESS OUR HOMELESS SITUATION, PRIORITIZING REPAIRS TO OUR ROADS AND FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS BENEFITING THE COMMUNITY. ELDER SENIOR CARE, CHILD CARE, CONTRACT AMENDMENTS, PERSONNEL, EMPLOYMENT ISSUES TO INCLUDE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, BUDGETARY ITEMS THAT THEY CAN ALL AGREE UPON AND IMPLEMENT. AND FINALLY. SLAVA. UKRAINE. SLAVA. UKRAINE. SLAVA. UKRAINE. WHICH MEANS GLORY TO UKRAINE. MAY THEY FIND HEAT WHEN THEY ARE COLD, FOOD WHEN THEY ARE HUNGRY AND DRINK WHEN THEY ARE THIRSTY. FATHER GOD, WE ASK YOUR MERCY AND HAND OF PROTECTION UPON THEM, AND WE ASK ALL OF THESE THINGS IN YOUR WONDERFUL AND MIGHTY NAME. JESUS. AMEN. READY? SALUTE. I 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. MICHELLE, THANK YOU FOR THOSE BEAUTIFUL AND ELOQUENT WORDS. [PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK] IT'S NOW TIME FOR A PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION. EXCLUDING ITEMS ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA, TESTIMONY LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES PER PERSON AND 20 MINUTES TOTAL. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. YES. GOOD MORNING. HOPE I CAN SPEAK LOUD, BUT. OKAY. SO I AM LISA GRAHAM, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR ADULT AND AGING SERVICES. AND I'M HERE TODAY TO HIGHLIGHT BOARD AGENDA ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, THE PROCLAMATION FOR MERCED COUNTY TO DESIGNATE MAY AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH. OVER THE PAST 58 YEARS, THE ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING LEADS MADE RECOGNITIONS TO HONOR OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL THEME IS AGE MY WAY. THIS YEAR, OUR AREA AGENCY ON AGING WANTS TO PROMOTE HOW OLDER ADULTS CAN AGE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND LIVE INDEPENDENTLY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. WE AT HCA AND OUR TRIPLE AA ARE CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY WITH THREE SEPARATE LUNCH EVENTS AT OUR LIVING WELL CAFES IN MERCED, PLANADA AND DOS PALOS. I HAVE FLIERS THAT I'LL PUT FOR THERE FOR YOU GUYS AS WELL, AND WE WILL HAVE RESOURCE BOOTHS, TAI CHI DEMONSTRATIONS AND A FREE COVID 19 VACCINE MOBILE CLINIC AND LUNCH IS FREE FOR THOSE 60 AND OVER. [00:05:01] FOR MORE INFORMATION, THEY'LL WANT TO CONTACT OUR AREA AGENCY ON AGING AT 2093857550. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER. SO I HAVE THE FLIERS THERE FOR YOU. ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY? YES. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. CHAIR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CEO MENDEZ COUNTY COUNCIL HANSON. I'M DARLENE INGERSOLL, SERVING AS YOUR MERCED COUNTY REGISTER. OUR VOTERS BRIEFLY WANTED TO MENTION THAT MERCED COUNTY IS A VOTERS CHOICE ACT COUNTY. THIS ELECTION MODEL ALLOWS VOTERS TO CHOOSE HOW, WHEN AND WHERE TO CAST THEIR BALLOT. EVERY ACTIVE REGISTERED VOTER WILL RECEIVE A BALLOT IN THE MAIL BEFORE EVERY ELECTION, AND VOTING ASSISTANCE CENTERS ARE ESTABLISHED IN PLACE OF TRADITIONAL POLLING PLACES. VOTERS CHOOSE TO CAST THEIR BALLOT BY MAIL. THE OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP BOX VOTING ASSISTANCE CENTER AT OUR ELECTIONS OFFICE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE WITH ANY QUESTIONS. AT 2093857541. AGAIN, THAT'S 3857541. WE DO HAVE AN 800 TOLL FREE NUMBER ONE 800 5610619. OUR WEBSITE IS WW MERCED ELECTIONS DOT ORG. THAT'S PLURAL MERCED ELECTIONS DOT ORG. YOU CAN EMAIL US AT OUR GENERAL E MAIL ELECTIONS AT COUNTY OF MERCED. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. ANYONE ELSE. I'LL PLO'S PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME AND WE'LL MOVE TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA CALENDAR [CONSENT CALENDAR] NEXT IS CONSENT CALENDAR. PLEASE NOTE ITEMS TWO, THREE AND FIVE REQUIRE A 4/5 VOTE. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THE CONSENT ITEMS? YES. SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST TO COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 11, JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE INTERIM CHIEF CHUCK HILL AND VANESSA PORTILLO FROM CITY MANAGER OF LIVINGSTON. I THINK THAT CHUCK HILL AS INTERIM CHIEF, AS I'VE HEARD, HE'S BEEN DONE A GREAT JOB IN LIVINGSTON. SO I KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE CONTRACT HERE FOR APPROVAL FROM US. SO HOPEFULLY, LIKE I SAID, THEY'RE ABLE TO GET A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY. LIVINGSTON AS WELL CONTINUE UNTIL THEY GET ANOTHER CHIEF. SO THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. ARE THERE ANY DEPARTMENT HEADS WHO WISH TO MAKE COMMENT ON ANY OF THEIR CONSENT ITEMS? SEE. THEN WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DICE. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. [BOARD ACTION] NEXT IS BOARD ACTION PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 19 THROUGH 22. PLEASE NOTE ITEM NUMBER 22 REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ON ITEM 21. WHEN I FIRST READ THE ITEM, YOU SAY TO YOURSELF, WELL, WE JUST STOOD UP THAT NAVIGATION CENTER NOT TOO LONG AGO, AND HERE WE ARE. WE HAVE TWO HOT WATER HEATERS THAT ARE ALREADY FAILING. BUT I WAS PROUD TO SEE AND HAPPY TO SEE THAT AS I READ THE ITEM THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE VENDOR FOR THEIR PART OF THE WARRANTY THOSE AND THIS IS KIND OF NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO GET THEM REPLACED BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE. BUT JUST WANT TO THANK DANA FOR THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL ON THAT ITEM. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. UH, NO OTHER REQUEST. WHAT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD? OH, I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. ALL RIGHT, PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS HEALTH ITEM NUMBER 23. 23 OR 22. I GRABBED THE WRONG AGENDA. OH, YEAH. OH, NO, NO. BUT ANYWAY. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO COMMENT. [00:10:04] OH. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? SO, YOU KNOW, WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DESK. PLEASE CALL FOR THE HOUR, PLEASE. I'D LIKE TO CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES ITEMS 24 AND 25. OKAY. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. PLEASE, PLEASE. I'D LIKE TO CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ITEM 26. OKAY. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? SEE, THEN I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA. I'D LIKE TO CALL FOR THE VOTE. ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE? THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS 27 AND 28. PLEASE NOTE ITEM NUMBER 28 REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE. HEY. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THESE ITEMS? SEE. THEN WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE ITEMS 29 AND 30. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON EITHER OF THESE ITEMS? SEE. THEN I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. WHAT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD? I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. DO I HAVE A SECOND? I HAVE A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. I'LL CALL FOR THE BOAT. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS BOARD APPOINTMENTS ITEMS 31 THROUGH 34. ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THESE ITEMS? SEE, THAT'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA. I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY AND LAST IS BOARD REPORTS. [REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION] OKAY, I'LL START TO MY RIGHT SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA AND LET ME GET US ON DISCUSSION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SURE. WELL, I JUST LIKE TO STATE THAT AND THANK OUR WONDERFUL STAFF FOR, UH, YOU KNOW, DOING A GREAT JOB DURING OUR GRAND OPENING OF THE PLANADA COMMUNITY DAY. UM, YOU KNOW, UH, STAFF DID A GREAT JOB WITH PUTTING OUT VIDEOS, ADVERTISING IT, UM, DURING THE FESTIVITIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND FOR ATTENDING AS WELL. AND THE CHAIR WAS THERE TOO AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING. I THINK THE COMMUNITY LOVES IT. I THINK EVERYBODY REALLY WAS IMPRESSED. AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY JUST ECSTATIC ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HAVING THE NICEST PARK IN PLANADA. [00:15:01] SO THAT WAS GREAT. AND THEN ON SATURDAY WAS THE COMMUNITY STREET FAIR. IT WAS NOT A NORMAL, UH, BLACK COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE BARBECUE PIT AND HAMBURGERS THAT THEY SELL, YOU KNOW, WHICH ARE VERY GOOD EVERY YEAR. SO I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO ATTEND THE COMMUNITY EVERY YEAR OR SO. IT'S ALWAYS WELL ATTENDED. UM, IT'S JUST, WELL, I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE THERE AND I GUESS PEOPLE WANT TO COME OUT AND YOU KNOW, WE HAD SO MANY VENDORS AND YOU KNOW, OUR COUNTY WAS THERE TOO WITH ALL DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ATTENDING. AND UH, I KNOW SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK SOMETIMES, BUT I APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, ALL OUR EMPLOYEES ARE UNDER THEIR JOB AND DOING A GOOD JOB OUT THERE FOR, UH, FOR OUR COUNTY. JUST, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID AGAIN, THE COMMUNITY WAS ECSTATIC AND IT WAS JUST BOTH DAYS WERE WONDERFUL AND IT WASN'T TOO COLD AND IT WASN'T TOO HOT. SO IT WAS, IT WAS NICE. AND ALSO JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT, UM, THAT LE GRAND COMMUNITY DAY IS ON THE 28TH, SO YOU'RE ALSO WELCOME TO THAT. THAT'S ALSO A GREAT EVENT. THERE'S A PARADE. AND SO IT'S, UM, AND OF COURSE EVERYBODY TO ATTEND. SO, UM, I'VE BEEN ASKED BY CITIZENS OF, UH, OF OUR COUNTY TO PLEASE PUT ON, ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO CHANGE THE MEETINGS FROM 10 TO 5 OR 6:00 AT NIGHT. I KNOW THAT'S BEEN ON THE AGENDA IN PREVIOUS YEARS OF ADDED ON THE AGENDA. AND SO THEY REQUESTED FOR ME TO ADD IT AGAIN TO UH, YOU KNOW, IT DON'T HAVE TO BE EVERY MEETING, BUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE ONCE EVERY TWO MEETINGS OR EVERY, I MEAN EVERY TWO MONTHS OR, OR EVERY QUARTER THAT WE COULD HAVE A, A NIGHT OR EVENING MEETING. SO REGULAR, NORMAL WORKING PEOPLE, THEY WORK FROM, UH, AGE FIVE, 9 TO 5 CAN COME IN AND ATTEND MEETINGS. SO I'M LIKE REQUEST THAT MR. MENDEZ TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA SO WE CAN DISCUSS IT WITH THE BOARD AND SEE WHAT WOULD BE FAIR FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR, FOR THE COMMUNITY TO, UH, COME AND ATTEND MEETINGS. ALSO TO I HAD OTHER MEETINGS WITH UH, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SOME OF THEM ARE SAID THEY'RE REQUESTING FOR UH, UH, SPEED BUMPS ON, UH, ON COHN AVENUE. THERE'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC, THERE'S BUSINESSES THERE AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR, UH, A, UH, SOME TYPE OF, UH, OF, UH, SPEED BUMPS. I KNOW THAT PEOPLE WANT THEM ALL OVER THE COUNTY, BUT, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, THIS IS A VERY BUSY PLACE IN THE SOUTH INDUSTRIAL AREA AND HOMES IN SOUTH SAN AS WELL AS THERE NEEDS IS A, UH, A, UM, SOME TYPE OF, UM, LIGHTING. UH, SIGNALIZATION OF GIRARD AND HIGHWAY 59. UH, THEY NOT I KNOW THAT'S PROBABLY A I OUT TO PUSH IT THROUGH CALTRANS THROUGH AG. SO I'LL BE ADDRESSING THAT IN THE NEXT CG MEETING WITH CALTRANS. SO, UM, AND ANOTHER DEBT THAT'S OVER ME. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YOU'RE WELCOME, SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. THANK YOU. I WANTED TO REPORT LAST WEEK I WAS CALLED LAST MINUTE TO GO ON THE ONE VOICE TRIP TO DISCUSS RURAL BROADBAND AND GOT A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION THAT I WAS ABLE TO BRING BACK. AND I'VE SHARED WITH RAUL AND YOURSELF ABOUT SOME OF THAT INFORMATION. AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO DEVELOP AND GROW. IT WAS A GOOD TRIP. IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT THAT. WE DID ALSO DISCUSS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE DISCUSSED HOMELESSNESS. AND ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS ABOUT THIS TRIP, AND I KNOW THAT SCOTT WAS THERE, DARREN WAS THERE. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THIS AND WHEN WE GO OVER THERE IS THEY LIKE TO SEE KIND OF A UNIFIED FRONT OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER. AND I THINK MERCED COUNTY DOES THAT THE BEST. YOU HAVE EVERYBODY TOGETHER, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE CITY, THE COUNTY, YOU SEE EMERSON COLLEGE, EVERYBODY JUST KIND OF PUTTING IN, YOU KNOW, THEIR DISCUSSION POINTS AND THEIR TALKING POINTS TO WORK TOGETHER AND DO THAT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR RECOGNIZING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FOR APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN MERCED PROPERTY BASED BUSINESS DISTRICT. I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY GOING TO IMPROVE IT A LOT. AND AS SOMEBODY THAT HAS SEEN SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL THE LAST TWO OUT OF THREE TIMES BECAUSE MY SON IS IN IT AT PLAYHOUSE, SUMMER SAID HAVING THAT THERE AND BEING ABLE TO BOLSTER THE DOWNTOWN AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO TO PRESERVE THAT AREA, I THINK IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THAT. [00:20:01] SO OTHER THAN THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. A SUPERVISOR. I SIMPLY HAD ONE MORE ITEM. SORRY. AND I WAS THINKING WAS SURE AND SORRY. I APOLOGIZE FOR FORGETTING. HOW COULD I SAY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE BEAUTIFUL MOMS HERE AND OUT THERE LISTENING TO US? AND THAT WAS SUNDAY. BUT TODAY IS MEXICAN MOTHER'S DAY. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY FELIZ DIA. A LOT OF MOTHERS I THOUGHT A LOT MUJERES MAMAS MEANS BOTH TO ME MAMA IS TO THOSE TO AND ALSO SOME STUDIES I SAY FELIZ MOTHERS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YOU'RE WELCOME. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SECOND. OKAY, I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. A THIRD. THANK YOU, CHAIR. A COUPLE OF THINGS. I, TOO, ATTENDED THE ONE VOICE TRIP. AND I WANT TO ECHO SOME OF THE COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT TWO. I MEAN, YOU GO INTO THESE MEETINGS AND YOU HAVE 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR WITH YOU'RE TALKING TO DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. YOU'RE TALKING WE WERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE TALKING TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. YOU NAME THE LETTER AGENCY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WERE THERE. BUT WHAT'S SO UNIQUE IS, IS THAT BY THE TIME YOU GET ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE FIRST DAY, ANY ONE OF US COULD STEP UP. I COULD TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE PROJECT IN LIVINGSTON, THE PROJECT IN AUGUSTINE, THE ONE IN MERCED, AND VICE VERSA. SO IT REALLY IS A GROUP COMING TOGETHER TO JUST REALLY ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF MERCED COUNTY. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ALWAYS LOVE TO DO THERE IS, IS REALLY, YOU KNOW, CALL ON MY NEW FRIEND. AND WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THESE FOUR AT LEAST TWO OF THE MEETINGS I WAS IN, WE WERE THEIR ACTUAL FIRST IN-PERSON MEETINGS SINCE THE PANDEMIC. SO IT'S GIVE THEM A REASON TO REMEMBER US. I ALWAYS REMIND SOMETIMES YOU GET SOME REAL YOUNG STAFF PEOPLE IN THERE AND I KIND OF KNOW THE TRAJECTORY. AT SOME POINT THEY'RE GOING TO BE HIGHER LEVEL. SO I WANT THEM TO REMEMBER US AND OUR FRIENDS. SO THAT WAY ONE OF OUR APPLICATIONS COMES ACROSS THEIR DESK. YOU KNOW, WITH EVERYTHING BEING EQUAL, AT LEAST THEY NOW HAVE A FACE TO BE ABLE TO PUT WITH THE NAME. SO REALLY GREAT SHIP TRIP. MKTG DOES A GOOD JOB. MARY MICHAELS AND STACIE GUZMAN OVER THERE DO A REALLY GREAT JOB OF PRESENTING IT. OUR PARTNERS WITH TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT SET UP ALL THESE MEETINGS. I THOUGHT EVERYTHING WENT AND IT'S JUST IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME WHEN YOU'RE BACK THERE, LIKE WHEN, WHEN, WHEN OUR FOREFATHERS BUILT WASHINGTON DC AND WHEN THEY BUILT THESE BUILDINGS, EVERYTHING IS JUST MASSIVE AND THIS GRANDEUR. AND IT'S IT WAS DONE WITH A PURPOSE. IT WAS DONE TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH US, YOU KNOW, AND NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIE POLITICALLY, HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DAY, ABOUT POLITICS AND THINGS GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY, I STILL WHOLEHEARTEDLY, HONESTLY BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, AND I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING. AND WHEN YOU GO BACK THERE, YOU KIND OF JUST GET THAT SENSE OF THE GRANDEUR AND HOW GREAT IT IS AND HOW ACCESSIBLE IS. I MEAN, I WAS LITERALLY FROM THIS SIDE OF THE ROOM, THE OTHER FROM FROM THE PRESIDENT'S PRESIDENTIAL LIMOUSINE WHEN WE WERE AT THE EISENHOWER OFFICE BUILDING. THAT'S HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS, THAT IT'S BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE AND HOW YOU CAN ENGAGE IN IT. SO A REALLY GREAT TRIP. I ALSO WANTED I JUST CAN'T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH TO, FIRST OFF, THE CITIZENS OF MERCED COUNTY THAT CAME OUT AND SUPPORTED THE SPRING FAIR OUR FIRST TIME. WE DIDN'T HAVE A FAIR FOR TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS BY CALENDAR. SINCE THE LAST TIME WE HAD A FAIR THERE. AND JUST THERE WAS A LOT OF GROWING PAINS THAT WE FIGURED OUT ALONG THE WAY, BUT JUST A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS. OUR SINGLE LARGEST DAY OF PEOPLE BEING AT THE FAIR WAS ON FRIDAY, BROKE ALL RECORDS, VENDORS, EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY WAS JUST HAPPY TO BE THERE AND THEN STAFF, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF HAVE A NEW RELATIONSHIP I'D LIKE TO SEE WITH SPRING FAIR AND THE COUNTY. AT ONE POINT ON ONE DAY I HAD THE CEO OR WE HAD THE CEO, MR. MENDEZ, THE ASSISTANT CEO, MR. MARION, THE OTHER ASSISTANT CEO, MARCY BREWER. WE'RE ALL WORKING ON SELLING TICKETS AND PARKING CARS AND TAKING THEY VOLUNTEERED TO COME OVER TIME. THEY SAW A NEED JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE WERE. WE WERE EXPERIENCING EXTREME STAFFING SHORTAGES JUMPED UP AND REALLY HELP FOR THAT FAIR TO BE A SUCCESS AND AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ALL GOT TO SEE AND I WANT TO SAY THANK ALL MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE THEY KNOW LIKE AT ONE POINT THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ALL OF THEM MADE IT OUT TO SEE THEIR. AND YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HOPEFULLY NOW LIKE THE PASSION WHY I'M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT SPRING FAIR AND SO JUST A GREAT, GREAT SUCCESS. I'M REALLY, REALLY HAPPY. AND AS THE NEXT FEW WEEKS GO BY, THE NUMBERS WILL GET CRUNCHED AND WE'LL HAVE SOME BETTER NUMBERS. BUT I JUST THINK ACROSS THE BOARD, RECORD BREAKING SPRING FAIR FOR US. AND WITH THAT, MR. CHAIR, I CONCLUDE MY REMARKS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. YOU'RE WELCOME. COUNSEL HANSON ANYTHING? CEO MENDEZ? YES, THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST A COUPLE COMMENTS THIS MORNING. SO AS YOU HEARD, SOME OF OUR SUPERVISORS WERE IN DC DOING SOME FEDERAL ADVOCACY WORK. WE ARE KIND OF TRACKING WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE AT THE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, AT THE STATE LEVEL. SO JUST WANTED TO SHARE BASED ON CONVERSATIONS AND INFORMATION WE'RE RECEIVING FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE TEAM, WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT THE GOVERNORS MAY REVISE WILL BE RELEASED LATER [00:25:08] THIS WEEK. EVERYBODY'S ANTICIPATING ON FRIDAY THERE IS A DEADLINE OF MAY 14. SO CERTAINLY WE'RE CONTINUING TO TRACK SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT'S COMING FROM THE STATE CAPITAL. THERE'S ALSO TWO ITEMS OF NOTE THAT WE'VE BEEN TRACKING THE HEARINGS. ONE INVOLVES THE GOVERNOR'S COURT PROPOSAL, SB 1338. THE OTHER INVOLVES A STATE CONTRACT WITH KAISER PERMANENTE FOR MEDI-CAL, AB 2724 SO YOUR STAFF IS CONTINUING TO MONITOR SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT IS OF INTEREST, OBVIOUSLY, TO TO MERCED COUNTY. ALSO JUST WANTED TO ECHO SOME OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY BOARD MEMBERS. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF EVENTS, COMMUNITY EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS IN MERCED COUNTY THAT HAS SHOWCASED THE COMMUNITY TO THE RESIDENTS AND TO VISITORS, EVERYTHING FROM THE SPRING FAIR GRAND OPENING AT THE PARK. SO DO WANT TO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY BEHIND THE SCENES THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT THOSE EVENTS ARE BEING PROVIDED HERE LOCALLY. AND THEN ALSO WE DID CONCLUDE OUR TOWN HALL MEETINGS SINCE YOUR LAST BOARD MEETING. SO ALL FIVE SUPERVISORS WERE ABLE TO HOST VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETINGS. I WANT TO AGAIN THANK THE STAFF AND THE SUPERVISORS FOR MAKING THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY TO KIND OF SHARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN MERCED COUNTY. AND THEN ALSO TO BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY. THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD DIALOG. OBVIOUSLY IT WAS VIRTUAL AND CERTAINLY THERE'S THINGS THAT WE CAN TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT CERTAINLY WANTED TO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S EFFORTS THERE. AND THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, YOU MAY NOTICE THAT THE BOARD AND SOME OF THE STAFF UP HERE ARE WEARING, AH, GREEN RIBBONS TO COMMEMORATE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING OUR DIRECTOR, GENEVIEVE VALENTINE, AND HER STAFF LAST WEEK AT THEIR OFFICES AND JUST HAD A VERY GOOD VISIT AND TOUR OF THEIR SITE. AS THE BOARD IS AWARE, I'M STILL CONTINUING TO GET ACCLIMATED MORE WITH THE ORGANIZATION NOW. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS AND MONTHS, I WILL BE VISITING THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AS MY SCHEDULE ALLOWS, BUT CERTAINLY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT OBVIOUSLY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND THE SUPPORT THAT THE BOARD HAS FOR THAT PARTICULAR TOPIC, AS IS INDICATED BY THE DECLARATION PROCLAMATION THAT WAS ADOPTED LAST TIME THAT THE BOARD MET. SO AGAIN, APPRECIATE THAT WARM RECEPTION AT HOUSE AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OUT TO THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YOU'RE WELCOME. SO JUST A REMINDER TO TO OUR RESIDENTS THAT THE MERCED COUNTY WELL, ORDINANCE HAS TAKEN EFFECT BACK ON THE FIRST. AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN GETTING A WELL, YOU NEED TO GO THROUGH YOUR YOUR GHSA, YOUR GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY. THIS TRANSITION IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE CLUNKY. FUNKY, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE THAT THAT THERE THERE'S AN EXTRA STEP, SO TO SPEAK. IT'S ONE LESS STEP AT THE COUNTY. RIGHT. BUT ONE NEW STEP WITH THE GSA'S, THE COUNTY. AND WE HAVE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR HERE, VICKIE JONES. AND SO THE COUNTY WILL STILL WATCH AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER HOW YOU DRILL YOUR WELL, RIGHT, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SAFE AND THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONTAMINATE GROUNDWATER. SO I WANTED TO SHARE THAT. I WANTED TO THANK STAFF FOR ATTENDING MY TOWN HALL. AND I'M, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE'S TOWN HALLS OVER THIS PAST SIX WEEKS. I THINK THEY WERE WERE VERY GOOD. HOWEVER, I'M ASSUMING THAT MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE COULD CHANGE THE FORMAT A BIT. AND IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, VIRTUALLY DO ONE OR MAYBE TWO AND HAVE US ALL JOINED TOGETHER, OR THEN IF WE CAN DO THEM IN PERSON. BUT I THINK THEY WOULD MAYBE BE MORE EFFECTIVE. IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME FOR STAFF, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY THE DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT WERE THERE, BUT SOME OF THE SUPPORT STAFF. IT'S IT'S A BIG UNDERTAKING AND REALLY COST A LOT OF MONEY. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AWARENESS OR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS. AND, YOU KNOW, OUR DIRECTOR, GENEVIEVE VALENTINE, REALLY HAS HAS DONE WELL FOR US OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT SHE'S BEEN IN OUR COUNTY. AND SO ANYWAYS, I JUST WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK HER. JUST A QUICK STORY. I SPOKE TO MISS ALLISON BACK IN THE FALL, KIND OF ON ANOTHER TOPIC. AND SO THEN I ASKED HER ABOUT THE COUNTY AND AND SHE HAD SOME CONCERNS. SHE'S VERY PASSIONATE. HAS WORKED IN MERCED COUNTY FOR A LONG TIME WITH WITH JUST IN HELPING PEOPLE BE MORE SUCCESSFUL. AND SHE HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THE JAIL SYSTEM AND THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. AND SO SO THE THREE OF US MET AND, YOU KNOW, JUST I GUESS THIS IS A HUGE COMPLIMENT TO GENEVIEVE. [00:30:06] BUT MISS ALLISON SAID WHEN WE WERE DONE, COULD I GIVE YOU A HUG? BECAUSE SHE COULD SEE THE PASSION THAT GENEVIEVE HAD FOR THE ITEMS THAT SHE HAD A PASSION FOR AND THE GOOD WORK THAT'S HAPPENING THAT SHE WASN'T NECESSARILY AWARE OF. SO ANYWAYS, I ALSO WANT TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP TO STAFF. THE HILMAR DAIRY FESTIVAL, WHICH IS THEIR COMMUNITY EVENT, IS JUNE 4TH. AND SO IF IT'S POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW, WE'D LIKE TO HAVE ANY DEPARTMENT THAT WOULD LIKE TO INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY, BE INVITED, AND I CAN GET YOU THE CONTACT FOR THE CHAIRMAN. AND LET'S SEE THAT IS IT ON MY LIST. SO WITH. YEAH, SO WE WILL RETURN AFTER CLOSED SESSION IF YOU ALL WANT TO WAIT. [CLOSED SESSION] BUT ANYWAYS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO. SO AT THIS TIME WE'LL ADJOURN BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION. THANK YOU. OKAY. PERFECT. ALL RIGHT. WELL, WE ARE BACK FROM CLOSED SESSION AND I WILL REPORT THAT STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION. AND AT THIS TIME, WE'LL ADJOURN THE MAY 10TH MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.