ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2023.
[CLOSED SESSION]
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YOUR FIRST CLOSED SESSION TODAY IS MEET AND CONFER AGENCY NEGOTIATOR MARCI BARRERA NEXT CLOSED SESSION IS EXISTING LITIGATION RODRIGUEZ VERSUS COUNTY OF MERCED ET AL.MERCED SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER 19 CV DASH 02266.
NEXT CLOSED SESSION IS ANTICIPATED LITIGATION TWO CASES.
AND LAST CLOSED SESSION IS CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL INITIATION OF LITIGATION.
THE PUBLIC WILL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION PRIOR TO THE BOARD'S ADJOURNING INTO THE CLOSED SESSION TESTIMONY LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.
ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CLOSED SESSION AND ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION.
WE HAD A CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTIONS.
AND THEN I WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SO, PASTOR STEVE, IF YOU WOULD COME UP.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSINGS, YOUR PROTECTION, YOUR PROVISION FOR OUR LIVES AND FOR OUR COUNTRY.
WE CRY OUT TO YOU FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN AS THEY FACE THE MANY DANGERS IN OUR WORLD.
TODAY. WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD GRANT OUR SUPERVISORS, OUR COUNTY LEADERS AND STAFF THE DIVINE WISDOM TO HELP US NAVIGATE THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES, TO LEAD US FORWARD INTO INTO UNITY, PROTECTION AND PROSPERITY.
WE PRAY YOUR ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OVER OUR LEADERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WE ASK YOU FOR THEIR HEALTH, STRENGTH, WISDOM AND DIVINE DIRECTION.
WE ASK YOUR PROTECTION OVER OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, PASTOR STEVE, FOR MAKING THE TREK OVER FROM LAS VEGAS.
ALL RIGHT. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO ADDITIONAL STAFF FINDINGS, THE TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR THIS MORNING TO CONSIDER A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5.56 OF THE MERCED COUNTY CODE ENTITLED TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR FEE SCHEDULE WILL NOT BE HEARD TODAY.
STAFF WILL PROVIDE PROPER NOTICING ONCE THE HEARING IS RESCHEDULED.
[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]
IT'S NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION, EXCLUDING ITEMS ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA.TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
ALL RIGHT. FLOOR IS YOURS, MA'AM.
SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND ESPINOSA.
SUPERVISOR PEDROZO, SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
I'M SURE YOU'LL BE WATCHING THE TAPE SOMEWHERE.
DEAR CHAIRMAN SILVERA AND BOARD AND MR. LOMELI AND MR. HANSON.
SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE TODAY.
DEAR CHAIRMAN CERVERA AND BOARD THE ADOPTED POSITION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MERCED COUNTY REGARDING THE LIBRARY, IS THIS THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MERCED COUNTY SUPPORTS AN ADEQUATELY STAFFED AND FUNDED MERCED COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION IN ALL LIBRARY SERVICE AREAS.
THIS COMES FROM OUR LAST FULL REPORT IN 2009.
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HERE IS A STATEMENT THAT WE MADE IN 2007.THE LEAGUE EXPRESSES OUR OBJECTION TO UNPROCESSED AND ON PUBLIC NOTICE FOR REDUCTIONS IN MERCED COUNTY LIBRARY FUNDING.
ESPECIALLY WE OBJECT TO ANY SUB ROSA COMMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS IN WHICH PROPOSALS MAY BE HANDLED.
WE BELIEVE IN THE BROWN ACT AND TRANSPARENCY FOR ALL BUDGET PROCESSES.
WE HAVE TREATED IT SHABBILY, AND I'M SAD TO SAY I STILL BELIEVE THAT IS THE CASE.
RATHER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MERCED COUNTY IS CONCERNED THAT THE MERCED COUNTY LIBRARY WILL SUFFER DISPROPORTIONATE BUDGET CUTS DURING THE COUNTY'S BUDGET REALIGNMENT.
THE LEAGUE IS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE MERCED COUNTY LIBRARY AND HAS BEEN FOR DECADES.
THE LIBRARY PROVIDES SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN THAT ALLOW USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, ELECTRONIC DATABASES, NEWSPAPERS AND BOOKS, AND EVEN THE BASIC UTILITY OF ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.
AND MANY HOMESCHOOLING FAMILIES USE LIBRARY RESOURCES.
IS THERE A TIMER I SHOULD SEE? YEAH, I.
UM, I'M HERE TO SAY BASICALLY THAT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SUPPORTS THE LIBRARY.
WE ALSO SUPPORT OPEN AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT PROCESSES, INCLUDING ANY DISCUSSIONS REGARDING CHANGING BUDGET FOR ANY COUNTY DEPARTMENT, NOT JUST FOR THE LIBRARY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, SHERIFF.
THANK YOU. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANTED TO BRING ATTENTION.
WE ALSO HAVE SOME ISSUES REGARDING THE PUBLIC SAFETY, AND I'M SURE YOU'RE WELL AWARE OF THAT.
AND ANOTHER CONCERN THAT HAS COME UP TO ME IS REGARDING OUR WATER, RIGHT? NOT RIGHTS, BUT THE RIPARIAN AREAS WHERE THE FLOODS ARE COMING.
WE'VE GOT ISSUES WITH REGARDING CANALS AND BEAR CREEK AGAIN, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT IN OUR THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW IS BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A SERIOUS WEATHER CONDITION THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING AGAIN THIS WINTER.
SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS OF THAT BECAUSE FLOODING IS NOT AN OPTION.
ALSO WANTED TO REMIND THAT PUBLIC SAFETY AND DURING THE FLOODS AND I WAS REMISS IN THE LAST TIME I WAS UP HERE, BUT THE TWO ENTITIES IN THIS COUNTY THAT WERE OUT DURING THIS WAS NOT ONLY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT PROBATION STOOD BY AT THE THE THE EVACUATION CENTER TO PROVIDE SECURITY. SO BUT I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT, WE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS HERE THAT ARE ANTICIPATING THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND OUR SUPERVISORS WORK TOGETHER TO GET THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF.
WE HAD ANOTHER CORRECTIONAL OFFICER RESIGN THIS MORNING.
SO IT'S GETTING IT'S GETTING DIRE.
SO WHATEVER IT IS YOU CAN DO, PLEASE GET WITH THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN CHARGE OF THAT.
SO I APPRECIATE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO.
AND IF THERE'S FOLKS HERE THAT WANT TO ADDRESS, I WANT EVERYBODY IN HERE TO KNOW THAT WE DID TALK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND SUPERVISORS ALONG WITH CEOS OFFICE DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS BEFORE THIS MEETING.
AND I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT WE'RE MAKING SOME REALLY GOOD PROGRESS IN THIS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SHERIFF.
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LIBRARY AND THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY.SO I ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY AND SEND IN THAT CHECK WITH THEIR TAX PAYMENTS.
WE ALSO ACCEPT THEM AT THE COUNTER.
LET'S BEAT THAT 20 K LANDMARK AMOUNT THAT WE'VE COLLECTED IN THE PAST AND LET'S EXCEED THAT SO WE CAN CONTINUE THE SUPPORT FOR THE LIBRARY THAT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.
THANK YOU. FOLKS, IF WE COULD JUST HOLD THE APPLAUSE.
THE CONGRESSMAN JUST LIKE TO EXPRESS HIS GRATITUDE TO THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AT MERCED COUNTY, PARTICULARLY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL CEO MENDEZ, DEPUTY CEO MARK HENDRICKSON, MARK MIMS AND STEVE MAXEY FOR THE TOUR OF CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER.
TO CALTRANS DIRECTOR TONY TAVARES.
WE ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF HOSTING A SERVICE ACADEMY INFORMATION NIGHT AT ATWATER HIGH SCHOOL.
WE HAD 18 FAMILIES ATTEND, MANY OF WHOM ARE FROM MERCED COUNTY.
WE ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF TOURING THE TRAVELING LIBRARY WITH GUSTINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MEMBER ZACHARY RAMOS AND LEARNING ABOUT HIS INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE LITERACY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
AND WE ALSO TOURED THE CAMINOS EXHIBIT WITH COLTON DENNIS OF THE MERCED MULTICULTURAL ARTS CENTER TO LEARN ABOUT THE RICH AND VIBRANT HISTORY OF THE LATINO POPULATION HERE IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA AND SUPPORT THE MERCED RIVER.
I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR OUR OFFICE BEING A PART OF THE MERCED COUNTY FARM BUREAU AGRICULTURE TOUR WITH COMMISSIONER SEAN RUNYAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRIAN VANDENBERG OF THE MERCED COUNTY FARM BUREAU, AND OUR OFFICE THEN ATTENDED THE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN GUSTINE.
WE ALSO WANTED TO THANK THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE SUPERVISORS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ATTENDED OUR FIRST MERCED COUNTY TOWN HALL AT THE ATWATER MEMORIAL BUILDING, AS REPORTED IN THE COUNTY TIMES.
AND BY OUR ACCOUNTS, WE HAD ABOUT 150 PEOPLE.
IT WAS AN OVERFLOW, OVERFLOW CROWD, STANDING ROOM ONLY.
AND THAT REALLY WAS AN EXPRESSION OF DEMOCRACY RIGHT THERE.
IT WAS A SPIRITED BUT CIVIL DISCUSSION, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO PLANNING SOME IN THE FUTURE.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, IF YOU CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT, WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING A TOWN HALL ACTUALLY IN THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY PORTION OF OUR DISTRICT THAT'S GOING TO BE IN LATHROP, SEPTEMBER 25TH, 6:30 P.M.
AT THE LATHROP COMMUNITY CENTER, 1557 FIFTH STREET, LATHROP, CALIFORNIA, 95330.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM MORE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND HEARING THEIR CONCERNS ON ISSUES FROM WATER TO IMMIGRATION TO ANYTHING ELSE, THE APPROPRIATIONS DISCUSSIONS WE'RE HAVING IN D.C. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE THERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON.
GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
MY NAME IS STEPHEN PEREZ MEJIA.
THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS TO LET EVERYONE HERE KNOW THAT OPEN ENROLLMENT IS COMING.
THE MEDICARE ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT IS FROM OCTOBER 15TH THROUGH DECEMBER 7TH.
BENEFICIARIES WILL LEARN ABOUT NEW MEDICARE, HEALTH AND DRUG PLANS OR CHANGES FOR THE COMING YEAR.
AND THAT IS THE ONE THING THAT OUR HIGH COST PROGRAM DOES HELPS THESE BENEFICIARIES FOR FREE.
AND THE ONLY BIAS THAT I LIKE TO SAY THAT I HAVE IS FOR MY CLIENTS THEMSELVES.
WE ARE LOCATED JUST DOWN THE STREET AT 851 WEST 23RD STREET.
WE CAN BE REACHED AT AREA CODE 209385755 0 OR 1 804 3402 22.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, SIR.
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GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN.MR. MENDEZ, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THIS YEAR, WE SERVED OVER 720 KIDS THROUGHOUT MERCED COUNTY, AND THAT'S UNDUPLICATED NUMBERS WITH IN THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORK DEPARTMENT WORKFORCE INVESTMENT, WE PROVIDED 14 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH OVER 150 HOURS OF SUMMER INTERNSHIP WITH US, EARNING BETWEEN 1500 TO $2000.
AND IN CONTINUING OUR VISION OF HAVING A PRESENCE THROUGHOUT MERCED COUNTY AS THE PREMIER YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATION, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A PARTNERSHIP WITH PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTHIER AMERICA, WHICH IS MICHELLE OBAMA'S GET HEALTHY INITIATIVE, AS WELL AS SODEXO STOP HUNGER FOUNDATION AND DOLE FOOD PACKAGING TO DELIVER A HEALTHY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WHERE TOMORROW WE WILL BE LAUNCHING OUR GOOD STUFF KIOSK, TEACHING OUR KIDS HOW TO PURCHASE GROCERIES AND THEN PREPARE HEALTHY MEALS IN LIGHT OF KIDS TAKE OVER KITCHEN, KIDS TAKE OVER THE KITCHEN DAY.
SEPTEMBER 13TH, FROM 2 TO 4:00, WE HAVE A PRESS EVENT DEBUTING OUR GOOD STUFF KIOSK, WHICH WILL BE ACCESSIBLE AT THE CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE, AS WELL AS THE MERCED SITE AS A SOFT PILOT AS TO HOW FAMILIES CAN ACCESS FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
SO WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ALL OF YOU PARTICIPATE IF YOU CAN.
WE'LL HAVE SOME OF OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS HERE, AS WELL AS LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES.
SO I DID INCLUDE SOME FACTS ABOUT OUR SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM, THE NUMBER OF KIDS THAT WE'VE SERVED IN LOS BANOS JUSTINE AGAIN THIS SUMMER, THIS YEAR WILL BE IN PLANADA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WILL BE GOING OUT BACK TO JUSTINE.
SO WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO TAKE PART IN THOSE EFFORTS.
IF YOU HAVE TIME, WE'D BE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU AROUND.
I'M A RESIDENT OF MERCED COUNTY.
I'M STANDING HERE TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
I'M ALSO A FARM FARMER WITH THE AG COMMUNITY.
WE NEED THEM. AS FAR AS ALL THE THEFT THAT'S GOING ON.
THERE'S NO LAW ENFORCEMENT BESIDES THE SHERIFF'S FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREA.
WE ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT NOT ONLY COVERS PLACES.
AS FAR AS HILMAR, THERE'S WHAT, STEPHENSON SANTANELLA, ALL THOSE.
THEY HAVE NO LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THEMSELVES.
OUR FIRST PRIORITY SHOULD BE THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR FUNDS.
THAT WAY WE CAN GIVE THEM STRENGTH, KEEP OUR DEPUTIES THAT WE HAVE HERE.
IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT THEY MAKE, THEIR STARTING PAY IS AT 67,008 49 60 A YEAR.
THAT AVERAGES TO $5,654 A MONTH.
THAT'S BEFORE ANY INSURANCE THEY HAVE TO PAY.
THEY CAN'T CONTINUE WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THE PROPER FUNDING.
AND VERN, IT ACTUALLY MADE A GREAT POINT.
WHEN THE WINTER TIME ROLLS AROUND, WE HAVE THE FLOODS.
WE NEED THOSE EXTRA BODIES TO KEEP MORE SAFETY GOING ON.
ANYWAY, WE GOT TO KEEP WE GOT TO KEEP FIGHTING.
WE SHOULD ALL BE ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY.
THEY JUST DID, I KNOW, A BIG BUST WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
THEY HAD THEY RECOVERED A BUNCH OF AG EQUIPMENT.
AND THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE FARMERS.
WE GET RIPPED OFF LEFT AND RIGHT.
WE RELY ON THEM FOR OUR SAFETY.
I'M OUT IN THE COUNTRY, AND AS YOU CAN TELL, I'M NOT THAT BIG OF A WOMAN.
PLEASE SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT SUPPORTING THEM AND RESPECTING THE JOB THAT WE DO.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S TIME.
I ALSO HAVE LETTERS FROM PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT.
[00:20:07]
IF I CAN HAND THAT, PUT IT IN THE PACKET.OKAY. AND THEN I HAVE ONE FOR VERN.
AS I STATED BEFORE, PLEASE CONSIDER THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
JUST REAL QUICK AGAIN, KAREN ADAMS, TREASURER, TAX COLLECTOR.
APOLOGY FOR MY OFF THE CUFF UNPOLISHED COMMENT REGARDING THE LIBRARY SUPPORT.
THANK YOU. HELLO, MY NAME IS ANDREW.
I'M THE UNIT 14 REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE MERCED COUNTY FOR THE SHERIFF'S DISPATCHERS.
I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ME AT BOARD MEETINGS, BUT BUSY AND WITH SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.
I MAY BE HERE MORE REGULARLY, BUT WE STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH RECRUITMENT AND DISPATCH.
BUT I'M HERE TO TALK TODAY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS US AND ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES, WHICH IS THE INSURANCE PREMIUMS. RUMOR HAS IT THAT THERE'S A SUPERVISOR WHO'S A NUMBERS PERSON, AND I LIKE NUMBERS, TOO, SO I BROUGHT SOME.
MOST RECENT LABOR CONTRACTS WERE SIGNED IN 2022 BY THE MERCED COUNTY BARGAINING UNITS.
SINCE THEN, THE MEDIAN PREMIUM INCREASED ACROSS ALL HEALTH PLANS BETWEEN 9 AND 13%.
EMPLOYEES RECEIVED A 6% RAISE ACROSS THE BOARD, WHICH WAS PARTIALLY NEGATED BY THESE INSURANCE PREMIUMS. NOW RUMORS ARE FLYING AND SEEM ALL BUT OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED BY THE COUNTY THAT SUBSTANTIAL PREMIUMS ARE COMING IN 2024 TO INCREASE.
SOME SAY IT'S AS HIGH AS 500% FOR CERTAIN PLANS.
BUT ACROSS THE BOARD, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A 20% INCREASE.
IF THOSE FIGURES ARE GROSSLY INCORRECT, YOU CAN CORRECT ME AT THE END, BUT THE COUNTY HAS NOT RAISED THE CAP FOR THE AMOUNT THAT IT CONTRIBUTES TO PREMIUMS FOR HEALTH CARE PLANS SINCE BEFORE COVID.
IT MAY NOT APPEAR TO BE A LOT, BUT I THINK ABOUT THE SINGLE MOTHERS AND FATHERS WHO SERVE THE PEOPLE IN MERCED COUNTY BEING TOLD THAT THEIR HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS ARE GOING TO INCREASE BY 20% IN JANUARY, WHEN SOME PAY 10% OF THEIR ANNUAL SALARIES ALREADY JUST TO COVER PREMIUMS, WHETHER IT'S 30,000 OR $200,000 SALARIES.
THAT WOULD MEAN THAT FROM 2022 TO 2024, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INCREASE IN PREMIUMS BETWEEN 29 OR 40%, DEPENDING ON WHICH DEPENDENTS YOU CARRY. THAT'S ASIDE FROM THE GENERAL COST OF LIVING INFLATION THAT'S OCCURRED IN MERCED COUNTY AND NOT REGARDING THE NEXT TAX THAT SACRAMENTO COMES UP WITH TO SAVE THE WORLD.
AND TO COMBAT THAT, EVERY COUNTY EMPLOYEE WAS TOLD IN 2022 THAT THE COUNTY CAN ONLY AFFORD A 6% RAISE UNLESS THE COUNTY IS WILLING TO PROVIDE EVERY COUNTY EMPLOYEE A 20% RAISE THIS SPRING.
THE NUMBERS JUST DON'T ADD UP.
NOW, I DON'T COME HERE TO JUST BE DOOM AND GLOOM.
YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR HEADS TOGETHER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE.
HELLO, MY NAME IS CRYSTAL RAMOS AND I AM A MERCED RESIDENT.
WE ARE PART OF A COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FOR COLLECTIVE IMPACT, A NONPROFIT ORG THAT JOINS LOCAL PEOPLE AND EXPERTS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY PROBLEMS. WE ARE LOCATED ON 18TH STREET.
WE ARE ALSO KNOWN AS THE 18TH STREET PEOPLE'S GARDEN OR PEOPLE'S FRIDGE.
OUR TEAM HAS BEEN ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY AND HUNGER SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN IN 2020.
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WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY AS IT DEVELOPS ITS STRATEGY FOR SENATE BILL 1383, WHICH REQUIRES FOOD RECOVERY AND COMPOSTING FOR ALL FOOD GENERATORS.MANY GROCERY STORES WILL NEED HELP TO DONATE THEIR FOOD FAST, AND WE CAN HELP WITH THAT.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
OKAY. CAN YOU HEAR ME? MY NAME IS MERCEDES RODRIGUEZ.
I'M FROM THE BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN AREA.
IT'S AN UNINCORPORATED, UNDERSERVED AREA IN MERCER COUNTY.
AND I'M HERE FOR THE BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN COMMITTEE FOR IMPROVEMENT.
AND FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL.
I HAD HOPE TO THANK SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN WITH YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP. WE HAVE 18.6 ACRES OF PARK AREA THAT WAS BOUGHT BY THE COUNTY IN OUR FRANKLIN BEACHWOOD AREA. AND WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
THAT WAS ABOVE AND BEYOND ANYTHING WE HAD EVER DREAMED OF.
I HAVE WORKED WITH THE BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN COMMITTEE FOR IMPROVEMENT SINCE 2012 AND A COMMUNITY CENTER AND A SKATE PARK WAS OUR WHAT? OUR EFFORTS.
THIS IS WHAT OUR FOCUS WAS ON.
THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND A SKATE PARK.
AND NOW WE HAVE 18.6 ACRES OF PARK WITH OVER $6 MILLION THAT WE'VE GOTTEN FROM.
THANK YOU TO PATTY DOSSETTI FOR GETTING THE FUNDING FOR THE PARK.
AND NOW THEY'RE WORKING ON WHICH IS COMING UP LATER.
FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
AND I VERY MUCH THANK YOU FOR THAT.
BUT MY ASK TODAY IS THAT WE STILL ARE WORKING TOWARD GETTING A SKATE PARK IN THE AREA AS PART OF THAT PARK. AND WE'VE ASKED TO MEET WITH THE DESIGNERS OF THE PARK, THE ARCHITECTS, AND WE HAVE YET TO MEET, BE ABLE TO MEET WITH THEM. BUT OUR ASK IS ONLY AND WE HAVE TALKED JEAN BENAVIDES HAS BEEN VERY, VERY GOOD ABOUT.
HE EXPLAINED THAT TO MAKE ANY KIND OF CHANGES WOULD BE VERY COSTLY.
AND WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO CHANGE IF WE JUST NEED TO KNOW IF WE CAN GET HALF AN ACRE OF THAT 18.6 ACRES OF PARKLAND.
AND YOU KNOW, BECAUSE ANY CHANGE TO THE PLANS NOW APPARENTLY WOULD BE VERY COSTLY.
AND ALL WE NEED TO KNOW IS CAN WE SET ASIDE JUST HALF AN ACRE AND WE'VE ALREADY GOT $30,000 IN FUNDING FOR THE DESIGN OF THE PARK.
BUT WE NEED TO KNOW IF WE CAN, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH AREA WE COULD ACTUALLY BUILD THE PARK ON.
AND SO OUR OUR BIG ASK IS JUST CAN WE COME TOGETHER WITH THE ARCHITECT? AND WE'VE TALKED AND, YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT JUST BE NOT PUTTING SPRINKLER SYSTEMS IN A PORTION OF IT.
YOU KNOW, THAT ONE HALF ACRE WHICH IS REALLY NOT A BIG DEAL.
YOU KNOW, YOU GET TO WHERE THE IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE NOT ASKING THAT ANY.
I'LL GIVE YOU A FEW MORE SECONDS JUST TO FINISH UP YOUR COMMENT.
BUT WE BUT THERE IS SPACE OUT THERE AND WE JUST NEED TO KNOW, CAN WE EVENTUALLY TAKE THAT HALF ACRE AND SO THAT OUR DESIGNERS CAN START USING THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE NOW TO START PLANNING IT.
SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
HEY, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS NICK JENSEN.
I'M A STAFF ATTORNEY WITH CALIFORNIA RURAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN COMMITTEE FOR IMPROVEMENT MERCEDES AND BY EXTENSION, THE BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
SO I JUST WANT TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA BACKGROUND AND LET YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THE AMAZING EFFORTS THAT BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN COMMITTEE FOR IMPROVEMENT HAS DONE OVER THE YEARS WITH RESPECT TO BOTH THE SKATE PARK AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND ALSO JUST THE AMAZING COLLABORATION THAT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO FOSTER WITH THE COUNTY, WITH SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, WHO I WISH WAS HERE TODAY, BUT WHO HOPEFULLY WILL SEE THIS LATER.
UM, SO BACK IN 2012, BEFORE MY TIME AT SIERRA, BUT I'VE HEARD THE STORIES FROM MERCEDES.
THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY STARTED WITH A NEED.
[00:30:06]
AND THERE WAS A LOT OF KIDS THAT REALLY WANTED TO SKATE.SO THEY STARTED HOLDING THESE EVENTS EVERY YEAR, SKATE FOR THE KIDS, AND THEY WOULD GET TOGETHER.
AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER EVERY YEAR FROM 2012 THROUGH 2019.
FOR THESE EVENTS, PROFESSIONAL SKATERS STARTED TO COME OUT.
SKATE MAGAZINES WOULD DONATE RAFFLE PRIZES.
UM, AND, AND BASICALLY OVER TIME, THE COUNTY STARTED TO TAKE NOTICE OF THIS.
AND TOGETHER WITH BFC AND SIERRA, WE STARTED TO WORK TO GET SOME OF THESE FUNDS AND SOME OF THESE EFFORTS TOGETHER TO GET A COMMUNITY PARK, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND A SKATE PARK IN THE COMMUNITY.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE PANDEMIC, AS WE ALL KNOW, REALLY MESSED EVERYTHING UP FOR EVERYBODY.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, BFC CONTINUED THEIR WORK AND THEY WERE ABLE TO SECURE A $30,000 GRANT TO TO GET A SKATE PARK DESIGN CONSULTANT TO DESIGN A SKATE PARK FOR THIS PARK.
SO IN THE MEANTIME, THE COUNTY IS CONTINUED WITH THEIR EFFORTS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE DESIGN, THE DESIGN COMPONENT OF THE PARK, FOR SOME REASON THERE WAS SOME MISCOMMUNICATIONS ALONG THE WAY DURING THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND IT'S BEEN LEAVING OUT A SKATE PARK.
AND SO FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, MY COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE PARK ARCHITECT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN MEET WITH BFC TO DISCUSS MAKING SURE THAT A SKATE PARK CONTINUES TO BE INCLUDED IN THESE PLANS, AS IT WAS ALWAYS THE INTENT.
AND SO THAT THAT'S REALLY WHY WE CAME HERE TODAY.
WE WANTED TO REQUEST THAT MEETING WITH THE PARK ARCHITECT TO ENSURE THAT THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE COUNTY IS ABLE TO CONTINUE FRUITFULLY AND SEE THE THE COMPLETION OF THE VISION THAT THE COMMUNITY HAD FOR THEMSELVES FOR THE SKATE PARK SINCE 2012.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR COMMENTS, SIR.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M A THIRD GENERATION MERCED FARMER AND PRESIDENT OF MERCED COUNTY FARM BUREAU.
AND I'M HERE TODAY JUST TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
AND I FIRST OF ALL, WANT TO SAY I CONCUR WITH SHERIFF WARNKE'S STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS REGARDING THE EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP FROM THE FLOODS, POST EMERGENCY CLEANING.
THINGS HAVE JUST, YOU KNOW, FOR THE CLEANUP AND THE RESTORATION AND REPAIR WORK.
THINGS HAVE JUST GONE FAR TOO SLOW.
THINGS SEEM TO BE JUST KIND OF MIRED UP IN A QUAGMIRE OF BUREAUCRACY ALL THE TIME.
AND PROCESSES THAT JUST DON'T TAKE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, THINKING INTO CONSIDERATION.
ALSO, I KNOW THAT MERCED COUNTY IS AN UNDERSERVED, UNDERFUNDED COUNTY.
BUDGETING IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE ON JUST ABOUT EVERY LEVEL, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENTS UNDER OUR SHERIFF NEED EXTRA FUNDING.
AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TO EXPLORE ALL POSSIBLE MEANS OF OF OBTAINING EXTRA FUNDING FOR THEM.
AND THAT MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE IN THIS LEVEL, YOU COULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE STATE LEGISLATOR BECAUSE IT'S OUR GOVERNOR AND HIS PARTY AND THEIR POLICIES PUT INTO PRACTICE THAT ARE CREATING A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF CRIMINALS PERPETUALLY BEING BOOKED AND RELEASED AND PUT BACK ON THE STREETS. AND AND JUST OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE NO TEETH TO THEM ANYMORE.
AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO FUND THAT AND CHANGE THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU FOR. YOUR TIME FOR YOUR COMMENTS, PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE.
ALL RIGHT. I HAVE TIME FOR A FEW MORE.
HI, MA. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
I AM A STUDENT FROM THE LIBRARY PROGRAM LITERACY.
AND A FEW YEARS AGO, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, I GOT THERE TO IMPROVE MY ENGLISH AND IT HELPED ME A LOT.
[00:35:05]
FOR ANOTHER STUDENT IF YOU WANT.I WILL GOING TO THE COLLEGE TO STUDY THAT I HAVE IN MY HEART THAT I A STUDENT NURSE OR SOMETHING ABOUT IT WITH THE NURSE IS IN MY HEART AND I APPRECIATE TO SUPPORTING THE LIBRARY AND THIS SITUATION.
I DON'T WANT TO CLOSE THE LIBRARY BECAUSE WE NEED IT.
A LOT OF STUDENTS LIKE ME IT MOST CONFIDENT TO STUDY ONE AND ONE BY ONE.
ONE. NOT NOT NOT ALL PEOPLE STUDIED IN A WHOLE GROUP.
SO I LIKE AND I APPRECIATE THAT MY VOICE AND I'M SUPPORTING THE LIBRARY TO NOT BE CLOSED.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
THANK YOU. PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE.
ALL RIGHT. NOT SEE ANYONE ELSE.
WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS.
[PRESENTATION: DISTRICT ATTORNEY - FENTANYL AWARENESS PROJECT ]
UM, NOW WE'LL HEAR A PRESENTATION FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY NICOLE SILVERA REGARDING THE FENTANYL AWARENESS PROJECT.I'M THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
CEO MENDEZ COUNTY COUNSEL HANSON AND BOARD MEMBERS.
I DID ASK MY PARTNERS, SHERIFF WARNKE AND SUPERINTENDENT STEVE TIETJEN, TO BE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY STRONG REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS PROJECT AS WELL.
I AM HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT FENTANYL.
IT IS A SILENT KILLER LIVING AMONG US RIGHT NOW.
I WANT TO START OUT WITH SOME OF THE BASICS ABOUT FENTANYL SO THAT YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S MADE UP OF.
IT IS A SYNTHETIC OPIOID THAT COMES IN PILL POWDER OR LIQUID FORM.
IT'S OFTEN LACED INTO OTHER DRUGS, UNBEKNOWNST TO THE USER.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE MARIJUANA, METHAMPHETAMINE AND OTHER DRUGS OF THAT NATURE.
IT IS 50 TIMES STRONGER THAN HEROIN AND 100 TIMES STRONGER THAN MORPHINE.
AND IT IS ATTACKING OUR CITIZENS ON MANY FRONTS.
IT IS A HEALTH CRISIS AS WELL.
THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT FENTANYL IS AFFECTING SOCIETY.
LAST SUMMER I WAS AT A CONFERENCE AND I HEARD FROM A MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO.
HE WAS A MARRIED FATHER OF TWO.
HE HAD A JOB AT CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES.
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE LIKE MANY OF US HERE.
AND HE WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE SURGERY AND CAME OUT WITH PAIN MEDICATION.
BEFORE HE KNEW IT, HE WAS ADDICTED, WHICH LED HIM DOWN THE PATH OF OTHER DRUGS.
FIRST HEROIN AND THEN FENTANYL.
AND IN HIS WORDS, IT WAS ONLY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT PULLED HIM OUT OF THAT CYCLE OF ADDICTION.
ANOTHER THING I WANT YOU TO KNOW IS THAT IT IS AFFECTING OUR CHILDREN.
AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING.
IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH FOR YOUNG AMERICANS KILLING MORE PEOPLE THAN CAR ACCIDENTS, SUICIDES OR GUN VIOLENCE? LIKE I SAID, THIS IS OFTEN MIXED INTO OTHER DRUGS OR SOMETIMES CAN BE MASQUERADING AS OTHER DRUGS.
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN IN PLACER COUNTY BY THE NAME OF ZACHARY DIDIER DIDIER.
HE WAS 17 YEARS OLD, A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
HE WAS HONOR ROLL STAR ATHLETE, WAS IN THE STUDENT PLAYS.
AND ONE DAY, TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS, HE WAS HAVING A BAD DAY.
HE WENT ON SNAPCHAT AND BOUGHT WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A PERCOCET PILL.
IT TURNED OUT TO BE FENTANYL AND IT KILLED HIM.
NOW, HERE IN MERCED COUNTY, WE ARE FACING OUR OWN CRISIS.
IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN 44 OVERDOSE OVERDOSE DEATHS DUE TO FENTANYL ALONE.
[00:40:04]
THE YOUNGEST OF THOSE VICTIMS WAS 16 YEARS OLD.THE YOUNG THE OLDEST WAS 64 YEARS OLD.
AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S A DRUG THAT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON LIFE, STYLE OR AGE.
IN JANUARY, I SAT DOWN WITH OUR LOCAL TASK FORCE, MERCED AREA GANGS AND NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT TEAM MAGNET, AND THEY TOLD ME QUITE SIMPLY THAT WE WERE NOT DOING ENOUGH HERE IN MERCER COUNTY TO COMBAT THIS DANGEROUS AND DEADLY DRUG.
SO I REACHED OUT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE MERCER COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE BOARD OF OUR TASK FORCE, WE WERE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A CAMPAIGN TO REACH OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY ON THREE FRONTS.
WE ARE GOING TO PLAN TO HIT A TELEVISION AND SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN.
DO EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS BY ASSEMBLIES AND BILLBOARDS.
AND I'LL GET INTO EACH OF THESE A LITTLE BIT IN A MOMENT.
BEFORE I TELL YOU ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT HOW THIS IS FUNDED.
THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH WHAT WE CALL ASSET FORFEITURE.
WHEN MONEY THAT IS THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG SALES ARE SEIZED FROM CRIMINALS.
THERE IS A DIVVYING UP BY STATE LAW 65% OF THOSE FUNDS THAT ARE LEGALLY SEIZED GO TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THAT SEIZURE. 15% OF THAT 65% IS SET ASIDE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF COMBATING DRUG ABUSE AND DIVERTING GANG ACTIVITY. SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS THIS CAMPAIGN COMES AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY OR THE TAXPAYER, BUT INSTEAD WE ARE TAKING THE DRUG DEALER'S MONEY AND USING IT AGAINST THEM.
I WANT TO MENTION THE PARTNERS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH IN THIS ENDEAVOR.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OBVIOUSLY A BIG SUPPORTER.
I'M SURE MANY OF YOU KNOW SERGEANT FRAMSTAD.
HE'S ONE OF THE EXPERTS ACROSS THE STATE ON DRUGS.
AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE WE'RE WELL AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL.
OUR MAGNET TEAM, LIKE I MENTIONED, AND ALSO OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SO I HAVE OUR PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT HERE AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN IT.
ONE PILL HAS KILLED MORE YOUNG AMERICANS THAN ANY OTHER WEAPON OR DRUG.
MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM FENTANYL OVERDOSES IN MERCER COUNTY ALONE.
ARM YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE, SHARE IT WITH OTHERS, AND PROTECT THE ONES YOU LOVE.
THE NEXT PART OF OUR CAMPAIGN IS EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION WITH OUR STUDENTS.
WE ARE PARTNERING WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED ARRIVE ALIVE THAT HISTORICALLY DID ASSEMBLIES BASED ON DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND AWARENESS RELATED TO THOSE DANGERS.
THEY ARE A GREAT ORGANIZATION.
THEY OFFER A VERY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE.
INTERACTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ALL REMEMBER THE WAR ON DRUGS IN THE 80S, AND THERE'S A DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER JUST SAY NO WAS EFFECTIVE OR NOT.
SO TO THAT END, WE ARE HOLDING A COMPETITION THAT'S OPEN TO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO CREATE THEIR OWN FENTANYL AWARENESS COMMERCIAL.
THE WINNER WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR COMMERCIAL REMADE PROFESSIONALLY BY MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, AND THEY WILL GET $5,000 FOR THEIR SCHOOL'S ANTI-GANG OR ANTI DRUG PROGRAM.
SO THAT IS OPEN TO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
[00:45:04]
THAT'S WHY WE ARE INVITING ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MERCED COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FENTANYL STUDENT COMMERCIAL CONTEST.THE CONTEST ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO PRODUCE A COMMERCIAL ABOUT THE RISKS AND DANGERS OF FENTANYL.
FENTANYL HAS CLAIMED. HERE'S A COPY OF OUR FLIER.
I BROUGHT A FEW FOR THE BOARD AND THEN THERE'S SEVERAL OUT THERE.
SO THE FINAL COMPONENT OF OUR CAMPAIGN ARE BILLBOARDS.
SO THESE ARE THE DESIGNS THAT WE LANDED ON.
WE WORKED WITH OUTFRONT MEDIA AND MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
THE TAGLINE TO OUR CAMPAIGN IS ONE PILL WILL KILL BECAUSE THAT'S HOW SERIOUS IT IS.
THE DANGERS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
GOOD AFTERNOON. MERCED COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NICOLE SILVEIRA.
AND THEY WILL BE ROTATING AROUND THE COUNTY THROUGHOUT THE NEXT NINE MONTHS.
SO THE BILLBOARDS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY NOT ONLY SEEK TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL, YOU KNOW, PARENTS, STUDENTS, EVERYDAY CITIZENS, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO EDUCATE OUR DRUG DEALERS.
THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT WHAT THEY ARE PEDDLING IS DEADLY POISON.
SO THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT THESE BILLBOARDS DO IS RAISE AWARENESS AMONG THEM.
THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THEM.
YOU KNOW, I REACHED OUT TO THEM LAST SPRING AND HIS STAFF WAS ALL IN FROM THE BEGINNING.
SO I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THE WORDS OF OUR CAMPAIGN THAT I WILL HOPE YOU WILL USE TO EDUCATE OTHERS.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT'S DUE.
THIS IS NICOLE AND HER COMMITTEE'S IDEA.
WE'RE ABLE TO HELP HER IMPLEMENT IT, BUT WE'RE SO HAPPY ACROSS THE COUNTY AND OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT SUPPORTER IN OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, NICOLE SILVERA. ONE QUICK STORY.
LAST YEAR, DURING THE FLOODS, FLOODING IN PLANADA, WE HAD REALLY, REALLY CARING INDIVIDUAL JAKE WOLF WITH HIS CD COME IN AND HELP US GET THAT SCHOOL BACK UP AND RUNNING.
HIS DAUGHTER DIED LAST YEAR OF FENTANYL OVERDOSE.
IT'S PRETTY TOUGH WHEN YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE.
AND SO WE GOT TO WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THE MESSAGE IS OUT THAT ONE PILL DOES KILL AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE OUR PARENTS AND OUR KIDS UNDERSTAND THIS IS VERY SERIOUS.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND NICOLE, CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT JOB.
I HAVE A QUESTION FROM SUPERVISOR NICOLE.
QUESTION FROM SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND GOOD WORK.
AND I JUST MY ONE QUESTION IS, I KNOW THAT YOU HAD MENTIONED THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
IS THERE ANY PLAN TO GO EVEN FURTHER? I MEAN, I KNOW THAT WE'RE DOING THE, YOU KNOW, THE COMMERCIAL COMPETITION, BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING ELSE IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AS WELL.
THANK YOU. ONE OTHER NOTE, JUST TO REASSURE YOU THAT WE'RE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN.
WE HAVE WORKED WITH OUR DOCTORS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NARCAN IN EVERY ONE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND JUNIOR HIGHS ACROSS MERCED COUNTY. SO AS YOU KNOW, THAT IS ADMINISTERED WHEN THERE'S AN OVERDOSE AND IT HAS NO NEGATIVE IMPACT IF IT WASN'T A FENTANYL OVERDOSE.
[00:50:05]
IT'S AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS TODAY, WHICH IS, AGAIN, KIND OF A SAD STATEMENT.BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR KIDS ARE SAFE.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR GUYS'S LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT, WE WILL MOVE TO OUR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 16.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
PLEASE NOTE ITEM NUMBER ONE REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 16.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOSA.
THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 0 WITH ONE ABSENT.
I GUESS IT GOES 4 TO 1 WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
OKAY. YOU SAID IT THE FIRST TIME.
IS IT 4 TO 0 FOUR ZERO? OKAY. 401 ABSENT AT THIS TIME, SUPERVISOR PEDROZO WILL BE PRESENTING THE PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 11TH THROUGH THE 15TH 2023 AS DISABILITY VOTING RIGHTS WEEK IN MERCED COUNTY.
ALL RIGHT. SOMEBODY HERE FOR THE PROCLAMATION? I THINK IT WAS REBECCA.
REBECCA COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, SO MY NAME IS LYNN, AND I WORK FOR AN ORGANIZATION.
I'LL LET YOU GO. I WORK FOR AN ORGANIZATION BASED OUT OF FRESNO.
IT'S A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
WE HELP EMPOWER THEM TO LIVE A MORE INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE, SUCH AS I DO AS WELL.
AND WE HELP THEM FIND RESOURCES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES SO THAT THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, DON'T WANT TO REPEAT MYSELF.
SO BUT WE SERVE FIVE COUNTIES, MERCED COUNTY, PART OF MADERA, FRESNO KINGS COUNTY, TULARE AND VISALIA. SO, OKAY.
AND I'M JUST GOING TO READ A LITTLE BIT OF THIS.
THIS IS A PROCLAMATION OF THE DISABLED DISABILITY VOTING RIGHTS WEEK, WHEREAS THERE ARE OVER 61 MILLION PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES LIVING IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE ACCESS TO VOTING IS ESSENTIAL IF THESE POLICIES ARE TO MEET THE REAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND VOTING IS ONE OF THE IS ONE WAY FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY TO HAVE A SAY IN THE PEOPLE AND POLICIES THAT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND. WHEREAS, REV UP WHICH STANDS FOR REGISTER, EDUCATE, VOTE, USE YOUR POWER IS A NATIONAL EFFORT TO BUILD THE POWER OF THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS OF NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMUNITY ARE ORGANIZING THE SIXTH ANNUAL DISABILITY VOTING RIGHTS WEEK, SEPTEMBER 11TH THROUGH 15TH 2023.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED.
WE, THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, SUPPORT THE GROWING INVOLVEMENT OF THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11TH THROUGH 15TH 2023 AS DISABILITY VOTING RIGHTS WEEK IN MERCED COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE WHEN WHEN I WAS A TEACHER, THE BEST WAY TO BE INVOLVED IS TO VOTE.
AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
THANK YOU. JOSH? OH. I'M SORRY.
[BOARD ACTION]
NEXT ITEM WILL BE PUBLIC WORKS.THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 17 THROUGH 23.
[00:55:02]
GOOD MORNING. CHRIS VITELLI.SUPERINTENDENT, PRESIDENT, MERCED COLLEGE.
I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE ALUM AND I KNOW ALL OF YOUR SUPPORTERS AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 18 REVIEW AND APPROVE INCLUSION OF THE HIGHWAY 152 PACHECO BOULEVARD REGIONAL PATH PROJECT FOR THE MEASURE V REGIONAL WEST SIDE PROJECT LIST.
IT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR REALLY MORE THAN A DECADE.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE CAMPUS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE COUNTY.
WE SERVE MORE THAN 1000 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS, MORE THAN 2000 STUDENTS AT ANNUAL BASIS.
AS THE CITY OF LOS BANOS CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND GROW TO THE WEST SIDE, THAT WILL BE ONE OF OUR LARGEST AREAS OF GROWTH AS A COLLEGE. WE SEE OUR CENTER GROWING EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE NEXT DECADE, JUST AS IT HAS OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS.
WE PROVIDE ALMOST EVERY COMPREHENSIVE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAM AT THE LOS BANOS CAMPUS, AND WE'RE CURRENTLY EXPANDING TO PROVIDE AGRICULTURAL PATHWAYS, COMPUTER AND CYBERSECURITY PATHWAYS.
AS WE DO THIS, WE NEED A SAFE PATH OF TRAVEL FOR THESE STUDENTS.
GOING ALONG HIGHWAY 52 152 CAN BE QUITE UNSAFE, AND MANY OF OUR STUDENTS WILL OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES EITHER WALKING TO OUR CAMPUS OR USING SOME OTHER ALTERNATE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION A SCOOTER, A BICYCLE, A SKATEBOARD.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE BEEN IN NEED OF SOME TYPE OF ALTERNATE PATH FOR THESE STUDENTS TO GET TO OUR CAMPUS THROUGH THIS PROJECT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SUPPORTED THROUGH THE MERCED COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS, THROUGH A PLANNING GRANT, WE IDENTIFIED BOTH A NORTH AND SOUTH PATHWAY THAT WE CAN PUT IN. THESE DOLLARS WERE SET ASIDE SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT THEY'VE BEEN SITTING WITH THE LEAD AGENT AT THE TIME, THE CITY OF LOS BANOS, WITH LITTLE TO NO MOVEMENT.
AND SO WE ARE HUMBLY ASKING THE COUNTY TO NOW BECOME THE LEAD OF THIS PROJECT AND HELP US CROSS THE FINISH LINE, PROVIDE THE SAFE PATH AS THEY CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUT NEAR THE LOS BANOS CAMPUS.
LET'S GET AWAY FOR OUR STUDENTS TO TRAVEL OUT THERE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO ALONG.
152 OUR PROMISE AND COMMITMENT IS TO CONTINUE TO AGGRESSIVELY SERVE THE LOS BANOS COMMUNITY, TO GROW THAT CAMPUS, TO SUPPORT IT AND SUPPORT THE GROWTH, TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ULTIMATELY TRANSFORM THE WEST SIDE OF OUR COUNTY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION.
WE'LL ALSO CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THAT IN ADDITION TO THE.
I'LL GIVE YOU A FEW MORE SECONDS TO FINISH UP YOUR COMMENTS.
THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE? LET'S SEE. ANYBODY.
WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS 17 THROUGH 23.
THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 24 AND 25.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO CALL FOR THE VOTE.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES ITEMS 26 THROUGH 34.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 26 THROUGH 34.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, BRINGING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOSA.
[01:00:04]
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.NEXT UP WILL BE THE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ITEM NUMBER 35.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEM 35.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP WILL BE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS 36 AND 37.
PLEASE NOTE ITEM 37 REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON SAID ITEMS 36 AND 37.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0 WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
WE HAVE A COMMENT BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA.
ITEM 37, WAS THIS THE SALE OF THE CASTLE BUILDING TO GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CENTERS FOR $2.5 MILLION? I WAS DEBATING IN THE BEGINNING, BUT I KNOW THAT THEY PROVIDE A LOT OF JOBS IN OUR COUNTY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KEEP THEIR MAIN OFFICES HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
SO THAT'S WHY I VOTED TO GO AHEAD AND SELL THE BUILDING FOR GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CENTER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEM 38.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOSA.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE SHERIFF ITEMS, 39 AND 40.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 39 AND 40.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP IS DISTRICT ATTORNEY ITEMS 41 THROUGH 44.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 41 THROUGH 44.
NOT SEEING ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0 WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR ITEMS 45 THROUGH 47.
GOOD MORNING. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND CHAIRMAN SILVEIRA.
BE MINDFUL THAT YOU HAVE A LENGTHY AGENDA.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT THE TREASURY INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO AS SUBMITTED.
THE QUARTERLY INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO REPORT IS IN YOUR PACKET.
AS YOU KNOW, THE US HAS BEEN IN A ZERO INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT FOR NINE OUT OF THE LAST 15 YEARS.
BUT ON MARCH 2022, THE FED STARTED RAISING INTEREST RATES.
AS OF JULY, THE FEDS HAVE RAISED INTEREST RATES, 11 RATE HIKES LANDING US AT AN OVERNIGHT RATE OF 5.25% OF 5.5. THE HIGHER INTEREST RATES ARE NOT A FUN FACT FOR HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES, BUT IT IS A GREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR INVESTORS LIKE OURSELVES.
AS ILLUSTRATED ON PAGE ONE OF THE QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT, THE TREASURY PORTFOLIO ENDING AS OF JUNE 30TH, 2023, WAS $2.1 BILLION. THAT'S 2.1 BILLION FOR ALL THE POOL PARTICIPANTS.
[01:05:03]
LAST YEAR, THE PORTFOLIO EARNED OVER $39 BILLION IN INTEREST EARNINGS AS LAST.THE REPORT ISSUED BY THE REPORT FINDINGS WAS THAT FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK, SIMILAR TO FANNIE AND FREDDIE MAC IN THE PAST THAT WERE BAD PLAYERS, HAS DRIFTED FROM ITS MISSION AND MAY BE REQUIRED TO DOWNSIZE THEIR PORTFOLIOS.
SO WE ARE WATCHING THAT THERE IS NO CREDIT WORTHINESS IMPACT ON OUR PORTFOLIO.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, I'M I'M VERY TICKLED THAT WE DO HAVE REGULATORS THAT ARE REVIEWING, ESPECIALLY IN THESE GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES, THAT OUR COMMUNITY BACKSTOPS TO PREVENT DEFAULT RISK IN ALL OF OUR PORTFOLIOS.
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE QUICK COMMENT ON ON THAT BEFORE OR IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? I'M NOT SEEING ANYONE. WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE I'LL JUST MAKE A COMMENT JUST TO HIGHLIGHT FOR FOLKS THE QUARTER OR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2022, OUR TOTAL POOL BROUGHT IN $11,360,389 IN INTEREST.
SO QUITE A BIG IMPROVEMENT ON THAT.
AND THAT MONEY GETS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS ALL OF OUR POOL PARTICIPANTS, WHICH INCLUDES OBVIOUSLY THE COUNTY OF MERCED MCO SPECIAL, AND THERE'S SOME SPECIAL DISTRICTS IN THERE.
SO THE MONEY IS ACTUALLY WORKING A LITTLE HARDER FOR US, GIVING US A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOSA CALL FOR THE VOTE.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, ITEM 48.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON OUR AUDITOR, ITEM 48.
I'M NOT SEEING ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
WELL, WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE COUNTY COUNCIL ITEMS, 49 AND 50.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 49 AND 50.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOSA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0 ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE HUMAN RESOURCES ITEMS 51 THROUGH 53.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 51 THROUGH 53.
NOT SEE ANYONE. WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DICE.
WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 54 THROUGH 56.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 54 THROUGH 56.
WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
NO, HOLD ON. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
THERE WE GO. NOW RECORD THE VOTE.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0 WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
[SCHEDULED ITEM]
[01:10:02]
AS STATED EARLIER, THE TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR A FUTURE DATE.AT THIS TIME, WE WILL NOW RECESS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING AND CONVENE AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE COUNTY OF MERCED.
WE HAVE ONE ACTION ITEM ON THIS AGENDA AT THIS TIME.
I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOTH NON AGENDA ITEMS WITHIN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS A SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE COUNTY OF MERCED JURISDICTIONS, AS WELL AS THE ONE AGENDA ITEM.
TESTIMONY LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
THE FIRST ITEM IS COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ITEM NUMBER ONE.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DICE.
AND MAYBE BECAUSE YOU GUYS AREN'T REALLY FAMILIAR, WE DON'T REALLY GO TO THIS ONE VERY OFTEN.
AND THIS IS THIS ITEM IS ALL THOSE THINGS HAVE WOUND DOWN NOW.
AND THIS IS BASICALLY A CLEAN UP ITEM THAT SAYS THAT WE'RE KIND OF DONE WITH THIS STUFF NOW.
SO IT'S AN ACTION THAT IS NEEDED IN ORDER FOR US TO FINALLY WIND THAT THING DOWN.
I KNOW IT'S KIND OF AN OBSCURE ONE.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOSA, A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0 WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]
ALL RIGHT. AND WE WILL START WITH NO, WE'LL NOW ADJOURN THE MEETING AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS A SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE COUNTY OF MERCED AND RECONVENE AS JUST THE REGULAR OLD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.AND WITH THAT, WE WILL START WITH SUPERVISOR.
SPINOZA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. WELL, JUST WANTED TO SEE IF I CAN GET AN UPDATE PRETTY SOON REGARDING THE AMBULANCE SERVICE OF THE COUNTY.
I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOTTEN COMPLAINTS.
THERE'S MEDIA OUT THERE SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR SERVICES IS NOT ADEQUATE.
YOU KNOW, THE THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE IN MERCED COUNTY ARE NOT LIKE THEY NEED TO BE MORE PROFESSIONAL AND BETTER AND AND KNOW IT'S IT'S TOUGH TIMES BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S HARD TO GET EMPLOYEES SEEING YOU KNOW MORE PROFESSIONALS TO YOU KNOW TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT WE IF WE CAN GET AN UPDATE AND WHERE ARE WE AT? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY WERE UNDER CONTRACT AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO RENEW THE AMBULANCE SERVICE CONTRACT.
ALSO REGARDING I HAD A MEETING WITH SOME SOUTH MERCED COMMITTEE RESIDENTS REGARDING, UH, MORE UH, PROVIDING MORE SIDEWALKS, SEWER AND IMPROVEMENTS IN SOUTH MERCED ON THE COUNTY ISLAND SIDE ON P STREET.
AND OTHER COUPLE OTHER STREETS.
AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN PUSHING THAT FOR FIVE YEARS, SO.
AND I KNOW COMMUNITY RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN HERE, YOU KNOW, ADVOCATING FOR, FOR BETTER SIDEWALKS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, DURING THE FLOODS, DURING THE RAIN, IT GETS PRETTY UGLY OUT THERE. AND PEOPLE PEOPLE AND KIDS HAVING TO WALK TO SCHOOLS AND TO STORES AND YOU KNOW, WHERE IT'S IT'S ALL WET.
SO IT'S NOT SAFE FOR FOR THOSE RESIDENTS.
UH, ONE THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT, UM, MARCH 5TH WILL BE THE PRIMARY ELECTION.
AND ALSO, UM, THERE THERE'S A PROCLAMATION ON THE 230TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE OF MEXICO.
IT WAS REQUESTED BY THE CONSULATE OF MEXICO IN THE FRESNO OFFICE.
SO I JUST READ A COUPLE LINES HERE.
WHEREAS IN 2023, WE COMMEMORATE THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE US AND MEXICO, 200 YEARS OF SHARED HISTORY AND FRIENDSHIP BONDS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN AND STRENGTHEN THROUGH THE BRIDGES BUILT BY OUR BINATIONAL COMMUNITIES AND THE CLOSE TIES BETWEEN BOTH COUNTRIES GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, WE, THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2023, AS ANNIVERSARY OF THE MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE OF THE YEAR. IN THE YEAR OF THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE US AND MEXICO.
AND I WILL BE PRESENTING THIS ON THE FRIDAY IN TO THE MEXICAN CONSULATE IN FRESNO.
[01:15:03]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S ALL MY COMMENTS.THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA.
LAST THURSDAY, I THINK IT WAS LAST THURSDAY, THE 31ST, WE ALONG WITH THE MG STAFF, MR. MENDEZ SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL MAYOR SERATO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A TOUR AROUND MERCED AND ATWATER WITH THE CALTRANS DIRECTOR, TONY TAVARES.
TAVARES STACY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR COUCH FOR MG, SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN HER TEN YEARS THAT WE'VE HAD SOMEBODY LIKE THAT COME AROUND AND TAKE A TOUR.
AND SO IT WAS A 2.5 HOUR TOUR AROUND REALLY THE EAST SIDE.
SO WE DID ATWATER, WE DID CASTLE, WE DID THE TRB, AND THEN WE GOT ON ATWATER MERCED EXPRESSWAY.
WE GOT ON 99 TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SHOWED THEM THE FRUSTRATIONS THAT WE'RE ALL HAVING WITH 99.
AND I WAS REALLY HOPING THAT WE WOULD GET STUCK.
AND SO THE DIRECTOR TOOK NOTE OF IT.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET ON AND OFF THE FREEWAY HERE IN MERCED.
AND ONE OF THE AREAS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET OFF AT WAS CLOSED.
AND SO WE POINTED THAT OUT BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY SUPPOSED TO BE OPEN.
SO WE HAD TO TAKE A LONG WAY AROUND TO GET TO CAMPUS PARKWAY AND SHOW THEM THAT WHAT THEY WERE REALLY LOOKING FOR WAS, YOU KNOW, HOW WE WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD COMMUNITIES AND ARE WE, YOU KNOW, WALKABLE COMMUNITIES? ARE WE USING ALL TYPES OF DIFFERENT TRANSPORTATION? SO WE SHOWED THEM WHERE THE ACE TRAINS GOING TO GO, WHERE HSR SOMEDAY WILL GO.
WE ALSO TOOK IT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR SINCE I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
THE BRIDGE ON 59 AS YOU APPROACH SANTA FE AND WE'RE ALL ON A BUS.
BUT WHEN WE GO OVER THIS BRIDGE, THINK SKINNY, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND WE'VE BEEN REALLY APPLYING FOR GRANT FUNDING AND TRYING TO GET MONEY FOR THIS.
AND SO WHEN WE DID THAT, THE LOOK ON THE DIRECTOR'S FACE WAS PRETTY PRICELESS.
I MEAN, IT WAS PRETTY IT WAS INTERESTING.
AND SO THEY WERE ABLE TO KIND OF SEE A LOT OF THE THE THE DANGERS THAT EXIST OVER THERE.
THE OTHER THING WE DID WAS WE WENT BACK TO CASTLE.
WE HAD LUNCH WITH THE FULL DELEGATION OF MG, WHICH IS ALL THE CITIES AND THE SUPERVISORS WITH STAFF, AND WE WERE ABLE TO TALK TO THEM.
AND SO I WAS PRETTY PROUD OF THAT.
AND OUR STAFF THAT WAS ON THERE AS WELL.
AND THEN FINALLY YESTERDAY AND I KNOW MISS ADAMS, IF SHE WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, BUT AS A SUPERVISOR, WE AS SUPERVISORS, WE'RE ALL ON DIFFERENT COMMITTEES.
AND I HAPPEN TO BE THE CHAIR OF THE FIRST FIVE FOR MERCED COUNTY.
AND YESTERDAY WE HAD A WE AWARDED THEM THE KIWANIS AND THE TRAIN PROJECT $628,000 TO GET THE TRAIN FIXED AND RUNNING.
AND IT WAS REALLY ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT WAS MADE BY ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
ADAMS FOR HER PASSION AND STUFF.
AND SHE CAME BACK IN AND SHE SAID, OH, THE LADY SAID, I WANTED TO THANK HER, BUT I THINK SHE LEFT.
AND SHE'S LIKE, NO, I'M HERE. I JUST DON'T I CAN'T SPEAK RIGHT NOW.
AND I SAID, MARK IT DOWN IN HISTORY.
IT'S SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2023 AT 4:00.
SO. NO, BUT SHE SAID HER COMMENTS WERE REALLY IMPORTANT.
SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE INVEST IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WE WANT IT TO BE TANGIBLE.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE TANGIBLE.
AND SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY, THE CITY OF MERCED.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS AS PART OF THIS IS WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE, I THINK IT'S THE FIFTH DAY OF THE MONTH, EVERY MONTH OR EVERY SO THE FIFTH DAY EVERY MONTH FOR FIRST FIVE KIDS TO COME.
[01:20:02]
AND THEN MY GOAL IS TO WORK WITH MCCAIG, WHO PROVIDES THE BUS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN REACH OUT TO.OTHER AREAS OF MERCED COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.
SO I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT PROJECT AND I CAN'T WAIT TILL TO SEE IT COME TO LIFE.
SORRY. THIS IS YOUR FOURTH TIME, MISS ADAMS. I'M JUST. I KNOW.
IT'S A CROWD MEMBER AND THE PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE KIWANIS CLUB OF GREATER MERCED.
KITTY LAND'S BEEN AROUND FOR 67 YEARS.
WE'VE GOT THE SIX AMUSEMENT RIDES.
GO, GATOR, THE CAROUSEL, ROCKET RIDE, YETI.
SO I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE THANK YOU FOR THE GENEROUS FIRST FIVE COMMITMENT TO THE CLUB.
BUT LET'S KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING.
SO IT'S A CASINO NIGHT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS PAVILION, A FUN NIGHT.
LET'S SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AND KEEP KITTY LAND FOR ANOTHER 67 PLUS YEARS.
AND SO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE COUPLE SPEAKERS.
I KNOW THE CEO GOING, I'M GOING.
SO IT'LL BE IT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
I THINK MISS BROWN WAS THERE EARLIER TODAY.
SO THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
UM, WELL, FIRST, LAST NIGHT, I ATTENDED A 9/11 WALK IN GUSTINE.
YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN 22 YEARS SINCE THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE TWIN TOWERS.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST LIKE, YOU KNOW, I WOKE UP YESTERDAY AND AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST HAD THAT THAT KIND OF THE SAME SAME FEELING THAT I HAD 22 YEARS AGO.
AND AND FOR ME, ANYWAYS, I WENT THROUGH KIND OF SHOCK, YOU KNOW, WHEN I SAW THAT I HAD DRIVEN ALL NIGHT AND HAD ONLY HAD A COUPLE HOURS OF SLEEP WHEN MY WIFE CALLED ME AND WOKE ME UP. I WAS UP IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND I TURNED ON THE TV AND JUST ABOUT THE TIME I TURNED ON THE TV, THE SECOND TOWER WAS STRUCK.
AND ANYWAYS, AND THEN I GOT MAD, YOU KNOW, I GOT ANGRY.
AND THEN I KIND OF RESOLVED TO HAVE DETERMINATION TO BE MORE PATRIOTIC.
AND I BELIEVE ABOUT 600 OF THOSE WEREN'T ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, IN THE IN THE TOWERS OR I MEAN, YEAH, WEREN'T IN THE TOWERS OR THE PLANES, BUT ACTUALLY WERE GOING TO THE TOWERS, RIGHT.
THE FIREMEN AND THE POLICE OFFICERS.
AND SO PRETTY, PRETTY AMAZING FEAT.
RIGHT. YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THAT, YOU KNOW, WOULD YOU WANT TO DIE IN VAIN OR DO YOU WANT TO DIE IN VALOR? AND THOSE FOLKS ON THAT PLANE VOTED TO DIE IN VALOR.
SO JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IF ANY OF YOU ARE FEELING LIKE YOU'VE KIND OF GOTTEN AWAY FROM THE EMOTIONS OF THAT DAY, I SUGGEST YOU GO BACK AND WATCH A LITTLE CLIP.
THEY'RE ALL OVER RUMBLE OR YOUTUBE OF, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND IT'LL PUT YOU RIGHT BACK TO THOSE FEELINGS AND HOPEFULLY IT'LL INSTILL A STRONGER SENSE OF PATRIOTISM IN YOU AS IT DID ME.
AND THE CITY OF GUSTINE, YOU KNOW, DID A GREAT JOB ON FACILITATING THAT.
GOT TO HANG OUT WITH PAT NAGY, THE MAYOR, AND RUBEN CHAVEZ, THE POLICE CHIEF.
AND ANYWAYS, IT WAS JUST A NICE EVENT.
AND SO WE'RE GOING TO DO A CEREMONY.
[01:25:02]
ASSEMBLYMAN GRAY, A RETIRED, I GUESS, GOT THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO DESIGNATE A PIECE OF HIGHWAY 140 IN HIS MEMORY.AND SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT. AND SO I'D LIKE TO INVITE ANY OF YOU OUT.
IT'S GOING TO BE AT THE KESTERSON REFUGE, SO IT'LL BE AT JUST AT THE PARKING LOT.
IT'S A NICE OPEN SPACE THAT'LL BE SAFE FOR ALL OF US.
SO IF YOU'RE SO INCLINED, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU OUT.
THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA COUNCIL HANSON, CEO MENDEZ.
YES. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST ONE ITEM.
JUST WANTED TO KIND OF SHARE NEXT.
ALSO NEXT WEEK, WE WILL BE JOINING THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE JOHN LATORRACA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND SOME OF THE JAIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT THIS BOARD HAS KIND OF PUT INTO MOTION THROUGH THROUGH SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT INTO PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND SO THAT'LL BE ON SEPTEMBER 19TH, A WEEK FROM TODAY, 130 THERE AT THE FACILITY AT 2584.
I EXPECT IT TO BE SHORT AND SWEET LIKE.
SURE, WARNKE TYPICALLY LIKES TO HAVE THOSE FACILITIES OR THOSE CEREMONIES SHORT AND SWEET, BUT DEFINITELY A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN A PROJECT OR A NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR SOME TIME.
SO AGAIN, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 1:30 P.M.
IN THE AFTERNOON THERE ON TUESDAY AT THE JJC FACILITY.
THAT'S IT, MISTER CHAIR. THANK YOU.
I'VE GOT A FEW THINGS I WANTED TO GO TO.
YESTERDAY ATTENDED THE CITY OF ATWATER'S NINE OVER 11 MEMORIAL, AND TO MY UNDERSTANDING, I WENT SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT IN. SO MAKE SURE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WAS REPRESENTED.
I WENT TO THAT AND I BELIEVE THAT THEY'VE HAD EVERY YEAR THEY'VE HAD ONE SINCE SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001.
LAST WEEK I ATTENDED THE CSAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IN SACRAMENTO, WHERE OF COURSE NOW COMING TO THE END OF THE STATE'S YEAR, WHERE THEY'RE GETTING BILLS TO THE GOVERNOR.
QUITE HECTIC AND CHAOTIC, BUT A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION AND KNOW THAT OUR STATE ASSOCIATION IS FIGHTING WITH FIGHTING FOR COUNTIES WHEN IT COMES TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT AND THE THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO PUT ON THE BALLOT AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY CONSULTING THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT HAVE TO DO THE WORK THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, IN ITS INFINITE WISDOM, DECIDES.
AND SO ALWAYS ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF COUNTIES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE YOU KNOW, WE'RE TO THE POINT NOW WITH THERE BEING A SUPERMAJORITY IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE SAME PARTY CONTROLLING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WE'RE LEFT WITH TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LIVE WITH.
SO THE GOOD WORK IS CONTINUING TO GO ON ON BEHALF OF COUNTIES.
UM, I DO WANT TO THANK SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
HE DID MENTION THAT THE DIRECTOR OF CALTRANS WAS IN TOWN AND I ASKED HIM AND I THINK THAT HE ELOQUENTLY AS LONG AS WELL AS STACY GUZMAN, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF OUR CLEAN PARKS GRANTS, WE SUBMITTED ONE FOR ON BEHALF OF DOS PALOS FOR THE O'BANNON PARK. AND JUST TO KIND OF PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, WE ACTUALLY MET THE STATE'S TIMELINE AND TURNED OURS IN.
AND THEN THEY EXTENDED THE DEADLINE BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IN.
I WANT TO THANK PATTY DOSSETTI AND HER EFFORTS ON THAT.
BUT WE ACTUALLY DID THE WORK, GOT OURS IN ON TIME.
WE ARE. WE ARE CONTINUING TO TO.
WHAT WE HAVE NOW TO ME IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
[01:30:03]
BUT I'LL JUST PUT THIS OUT THERE.HAVING CRAPPY SERVICE IS BETTER THAN HAVING NO SERVICE AND UNTIL WE CAN FIND A BETTER OPTION, IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT I WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AND HELP WITH COUNSEL'S OFFICE AND OUR EMS STAFF CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIND A PATH FORWARD THROUGH THIS.
BUT I THINK THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF MISCOMMUNICATION OUT THERE.
AND SO I JUST, AT LEAST FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS BOARD AND I WILL TAKE THE LIBERTY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES.
BUT BUT IT'S I KNOW THAT THERE'S FOLKS, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY GETS SPUN UP.
WHEN WE WERE ADVOCATING FOR THE TEEN CENTER AT THE LIBRARY, I STOPPED COUNTING AFTER I THINK THE 150TH OR THE 175TH POSTCARD THAT I RECEIVED ON THAT.
RIGHT. SO I KNOW YOU'RE VERY WELL ORGANIZED GROUP AND WE'RE YOU KNOW, AND I JUST I WILL POINT TO ONE THING THAT COULD MAYBE LET OUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN OUR WORDS. JUST I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A MONTH AND A HALF AGO OR SO.
WE JUST BROKE GROUND ON THE NEWEST LIBRARY IN MERCED COUNTY IN MY DISTRICT IN DOS PALOS.
SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, AT LEAST FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, AND LET THE FOLKS OUT THERE, OUR FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT THAT ENJOYS THE LIBRARY, THAT I FEEL LIKE OUR ACTIONS SAY THAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO OUR LIBRARIES AND MERCED COUNTY.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2023.
OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE 2023 2024 FINAL BUDGET HEARING, WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2023.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.