[00:00:02]
[Call to Order]
THIS MORNING WE HAD A CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION ON THE FIRST ITEM.SO, WE'LL NOW START WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY ARTURO BARAJAS, WHO WAS RECENTLY NAMED MAN OF THE YEAR BY THE MERCED COUNTY HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. AND THEN I WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
PASTOR HILL. YEAH, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND.
LET US INVITE A MOMENT OF THANKSGIVING FOR THIS DAY, FOR BRINGING US TOGETHER FOR THIS COMMUNITY, FOR THE WORK OF THIS BOARD MEETING, FOR OUR SUPERVISORS AND FOR ALL WHO LIVE IN THIS PLACE.
WE WOULD ASK THAT ALL DECISIONS MADE WOULD GO TO HONOR YOU, AND THAT WE TOGETHER WOULD BE IN A PLACE OF UNITY, A PLACE OF CARE FOR EACH OTHER, A CARE FOR GROWING IN COMMUNITY AND THRIVING AS THE COMMUNITY OF MERCED AND THIS COUNTY.
BLESS US, BLESS ALL THE WORK THROUGH THIS PLACE AND BLESS US TO YOUR SERVICE.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU FOR STEPPING IN THERE, PASTOR, I APPRECIATE THAT.
WE HAVE NON AGENDA ITEM PUBLIC COMMENT.
[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]
IT IS 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 LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, SIR.
FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO SAY SORRY FOR MY AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR HERE SEVEN DAYS AGO.
I DON'T COME HERE JUST TO HAVE FUN.
AND THAT REASON IS BEACHWOOD, WHICH IS MY HOME, WHICH HAS NO IMAGE AT ALL.
DRUGS, DRUG USERS, OPEN FIELD FULL OF RODENTS, COCKROACHES.
WE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE SUFFERING.
I'M ONLY HERE TO ASK THE BOARD TO HELP US IMPROVE AND GIVE IT A NEW IMAGE.
GOOD DAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SIR.
FOR THE THIRD YEAR NOW, THE FRIENDS HAS PARTNERED WITH THE MERCED COUNTY LIBRARY STAFF AND THE MERCED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HELP THIRD GRADERS FROM ALL MERCED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ON THEIR JOURNEY TO LITERACY BY OBTAINING LIBRARY CARDS.
THEY EAGERLY AGREED, AND THAT WAS THE START OF THIS CONTINUING COLLABORATION.
MEMBERS OF THE FRIENDS DELIVER THESE APPLICATIONS TO EACH OF THE SCHOOLS.
EACH THIRD GRADE TEACHER GIVES THE APPLICATIONS TO THEIR THIRD GRADERS, WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT TO HAVE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS SIGN THE APPLICATION AND RETURN IT TO THE TEACHERS BY A SET DATE.
MEMBERS OF THE FRIENDS GO OUT TO PICK UP THESE APPLICATIONS.
GIVE THEM TO THE LIBRARY STAFF WHO PREPARE THOSE LIBRARY CARDS, AND THEN MEMBERS OF THE FRIENDS DELIVER THOSE CARDS TO EACH OF THOSE SCHOOLS SO YOU CAN SEE THE AMOUNT OF COORDINATION AND COOPERATION IT TAKES AMONG THESE THREE GROUPS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL.
BUT FACILITATING LIBRARY CARDS FOR ALL THIRD GRADERS IS NOT THE FIRST.
WE WANT TO EMPHASIZE USING THE LIBRARY FOR THESE FOR THESE YOUNG CHILDREN.
[00:05:03]
TRANSFORMED WITH HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR DECORATIONS, AND ATTENDEES ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR COSTUMES.THERE WILL BE LOTS OF GAMES, CRAFTS, AND FREE GIVEAWAYS.
EACH OF THE BRANCH LIBRARIES HAVE HELD OR WILL HOLD SPECTACULARS THIS MONTH, AND I WILL LEAVE FLIERS FOR YOU SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW THE SCHEDULES OF THOSE. AND KUDOS ARE DESERVED FOR THE LIBRARY STAFF WHO WORKED WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHER THAN MERCED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PUT LIBRARY CARDS INTO STUDENTS' HANDS, AS WELL AS FOR PROCESSING ALL THOSE APPLICATIONS, GENERATING OVER 1900 NEW LIBRARY CARDS COUNTYWIDE IN SEPTEMBER.
SO WE WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASM, EFFORT AND SUPPORT.
AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, MA'AM.
AND ON THIS NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK, OUR OFFICE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE LEGISLATION CONGRESSMAN DUARTE HAS PURSUED REGARDING THE FENTANYL CRISIS THAT HAS AFFECTED SO MANY VALLEYS, SO MANY VALLEY FAMILIES.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, CONGRESSWOMAN DUARTE SIGNED ON TO H.R.
467, THE HALT FENTANYL ACT, WHICH MADE THE TEMPORARY CLASSWIDE SCHEDULING ORDER FOR FENTANYL RELATED SUBSTANCES PERMANENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, ENSURES LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO KEEP THESE EXTREMELY LETHAL AND DANGEROUS DRUGS OFF OUR STREETS.
LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD HAVE LOST THE AUTHORITY TO SEIZE THIS EXTREMELY LETHAL DRUGS.
DRUG TRAFFICKERS WOULD HAVE BEEN EMPOWERED TO PUSH DEADLIER AND DEADLIER DRUGS ON OUR STREETS, SKIRTING FEDERAL LAW BY CHANGING AS LITTLE AS ONE MOLECULE IN A FENTANYL FORMULA TO CREATE LEGAL VARIATIONS.
THAT IS WHY THE CONGRESSMAN IS PROUD TO HAVE HELPED PASS THIS BILL THROUGH CONGRESS.
THE CONGRESSMAN IS CONTINUING HIS EFFORTS TO GET THE HOUSE BACK TO WORK, TO PASS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION SUCH AS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS AND BILLS LIKE H.R. 5308, WHICH WE CO-SPONSORED, WHICH WOULD REAUTHORIZE THE DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
THIS BILL ENSURES THAT HEALTH SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE LIVING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND IT WILL HELP EXPAND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY IN PLACES THAT HAVE BEEN TRADITIONALLY OVERLOOKED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SOMETHING OUR VALLEY KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE HOUSE GETS BACK TO WORK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AS I STATED LAST MEETING, THE SECURITY SITUATION CONTINUES TO EVOLVE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AS REPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, THE USS CARNEY RECENTLY ENGAGED AT LEAST FOUR CRUISE MISSILES AND 15 DRONES LAUNCHED FROM YEMEN OVER THE RED SEA.
MISSILES POTENTIALLY HEADED TOWARDS ISRAEL.
ALMOST A THOUSAND MILES AWAY, AS THE SON OF A DISABLED VETERAN FROM THE USS MISSOURI IN OPERATION DESERT STORM, I HOPE EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER COULD JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR THE CONTINUED SAFETY OF OUR TROOPS IN THE REGION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, CHRISTIAN.
MR. COUNTY EXEC. MY NAME IS TED SAMARRA.
AND THESE ARE THE 300 OF SOME OF YOUR LOWEST PAID COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
ONE THING THAT WE ALL KNOW AND CAN AGREE ON HEALTH CARE HAS SKYROCKETED FOR OUR MEMBERS.
AND THIS IS ACCORDING TO YOUR PLANS, THE LOWEST COST MEDICAL PLAN FROM ANTHEM 500.
THOSE COSTS WENT UP $200 A MONTH.
THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR MY MEMBERS IS $1,600 A MONTH, $6,300.
AND SO THAT'S TAKEN OUT OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET.
IT SHOULDN'T BE LOST UPON ANY ONE OF YOU UP HERE IN REGARDS TO THIS LAST PANDEMIC.
AND I SAY LAST BECAUSE THERE MAY BE OTHERS IN THE HORIZON.
YOU DEEMED THEM ALL TO BE ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO CAME IN TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, TO MAKE YOU ALL LOOK GOOD AND BE REELECTED. ALL YOU CAN OPEN UP THE GATES HERE AND CURB THE COST TO HEALTH CARE AND MOST COUNTIES AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
THE COUNTY PICKS UP THE LION'S SHARES OF THE COST OF HEALTH CARE HERE IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY.
I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY. MERCED FOLKS IN SACRAMENTO, THE EMPLOYEES PICK UP THE BULK ALMOST 65%.
[00:10:07]
THEY PICK UP 65%.THERE'S NO HEALTHY WORKPLACE PROGRAM HERE IN MERCED COUNTY TO HELP CURB AND SMOOTH THAT.
THE HIGH COST INCREASE OF PREMIUMS. THERE'S A LOT YOU CAN DO HERE TO HELP THAT, BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO IS RAISE THE COUNTY'S CONTRIBUTION.
THE CAP THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE HERE FOR DECADES.
IT HASN'T MOVED. IT HASN'T CHANGED.
THE GOOD LORD BLESSED YOU ALL WITH THE ABILITY TO BE ELECTED TO THE OFFICES IN WHICH YOU HOLD.
AND SO, I ASK YOU, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? WHAT WOULD HE DO IF HE HAD THE ABILITY TO HELP? IN WHICH HE DID.
AND I ASK YOU ALL TO NOT FORGET.
NOT TO GIVE YOU A FEW MORE SECONDS TO FINISH UP YOUR FINAL COMMENT.
SOMETIMES I DON'T NEED A MIC TO SPEAK.
WE WERE WILLING TO GET BACK TO THE TABLE.
WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TILL THE EXPIRATION OF THE CONTRACT.
IF YOU'RE WAITING FOR THE UNIONS TO SAY, HEY, LET'S GET BACK TO THE TABLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SIR.
I WORK WITH INFORMATION SYSTEMS. I USED TO SIT OVER THERE.
SO, FRIDAY WILL BE MY LAST DAY WITH THE COUNTY.
SO I WANTED TO COME UP HERE AND ADVOCATE FOR MY CURRENT SOON TO BE FORMER COWORKERS ABOUT A NON MONETARY RAISE THAT COULD BE PROVIDED WHICH BE WORKING FROM HOME.
OH GOD. THIS IS WHY THEY KEEP ME IN THE BASEMENT.
WORKING FROM HOME IS A DIRECT RAISE INTO THE POCKETS OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ABLE TO.
I UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT EVERYONE THAT CAN.
IT SAVES THEM ON TRAVEL COSTS.
IT SAVES THEM ON HEALTH CARE COSTS IF THEY GET SICK.
I KNOW WE HAVE SICK TIME, BUT USUALLY YOU'RE SAVING SICK TIME FOR A BIGGER, LONGER SURGERIES.
OR MAYBE YOU RUN OUT OF TIME AND THIS WOULD ALLOW YOU TO NOT HAVE TO GO TO WORK.
IT PROVIDES A DIRECT MONETARY BENEFIT TO MERCED COUNTY.
I'M NOT ASKING FOR FULLY WORKING FROM HOME.
AND I KNOW THIS IS BIG WITH YOU, MR. SILVEIRA, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY AND THIS IS A RAISE WE CAN GIVE PEOPLE AND PUT MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS WITHOUT HAVING TO GIVE A WAGE INCREASE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I'LL MISS MERCED COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, SIR.
HELLO, MY NAME IS KIMURA AND I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MERCED.
I AM THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR THE HMONG CENTER.
WE ARE A PART OF COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FOR COLLECTIVE IMPACT, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT JOINS PEOPLE AND EXPERTS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY PROBLEMS. WE ARE LOCATED ON 18TH STREET AND SHARE THE SAME FACILITY AS THE 18TH PEOPLE'S GARDEN, AS WELL AS PEOPLE'S FRIDGE.
OUR TEAM HAS BEEN ADDRESSING CULTURE CHALLENGES SINCE 2009, WHEN WE FIRST ATTENDED OUR HMONG HEALTH DISPARITIES CONFERENCE HOSTED AT UC MERCED, AND LEARNED ABOUT HMONG SPECIFIC CHALLENGES THAT ARE EASILY PREVENTABLE.
ONE OF OUR MAJOR FOCUSES REVOLVES AROUND RACIAL EQUITY EMBODIED IN OUR MINI HANDS CAMPAIGN.
[00:15:10]
HOME AND IS UPLIFTING THEMSELVES TO BE PROUD OF THEIR ROOTS.WITH THE RISE IN OUR CURRENT HATE CRIMES WITHIN THE AAPI COMMUNITY, WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO TO CONNECT WITH US WITH ANY AND ALL CULTURE QUESTIONS, PLANS AND EVENTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SIR.
GOOD MORNING. I'LL TRY TO SPEAK SLOWER THIS WEEK.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GERALD PHELPS, AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF ACP LOCAL 2703.
WE ARE HERE AGAIN TODAY TO SPEAK ON THE UPCOMING MEDICAL PREMIUM INCREASES.
I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH SUPERVISORS ESPINOSA AND PEDROZA, AND HOPE THAT THE INFORMATION WE HAVE GIVEN YOU OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS WILL LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL HELP REACHING COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
OPEN ENROLLMENT CLOSES THIS WEEK FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AND WITHIN THE UPCOMING WEEKS, OUR MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS OF CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR TIGHTENING THEIR HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS TO PREPARE FOR THE INCREASE TO THEIR INSURANCES IN JANUARY.
THIS INCREASE WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY AND ITS BUSINESSES.
LESS MONEY IN OUR WORKERS POCKETS MEANS LESS MONEY SPENT AT LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND STORES.
TO THE RESIDENTS OF MERCED COUNTY.
THERE IS A PERCEPTION THAT COUNTY WORKERS MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY.
I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IS NOT TRUE.
ACCORDING TO A QUICK SEARCH, THE AVERAGE SALARY OF MERCED COUNTY WORKER IS $34,839 TO $45,409.
IF YOU LIKE PERCENTAGES, THAT IS A SALARY THAT IS IN THE 10TH PERCENTILE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
I WANT TO REFERENCE A COMMENT MADE AT THE LAST.
AT A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.
THERE WAS A COMMENT MADE ABOUT THE SWAMP IN WASHINGTON AND IN SACRAMENTO.
I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT EVERY FIRE, EARTHQUAKE, HARSH WINTERS, FAILED CROPS AND PANDEMICS THAT HAS HIT OUR COUNTY HAS BEEN PROVIDED WITH CRUCIAL FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
I ASKED MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS, IF YOU COME TO THIS BOARD AND TELL THEM YOUR ROAD HAS BEEN WASHED AWAY FOR TEN MONTHS AND THEY DO NOTHING TO FIX IT, DO YOU BLAME WASHINGTON OR DO YOU BLAME SACRAMENTO? OR DO YOU BLAME THIS BOARD? IF YOU COME TO THIS BOARD AND TELL THEM YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT FENTANYL BECOMING A PROBLEM, AND LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT INFORMATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNITY GARDENING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, ARE YOU AND YOU ARE IGNORED? OR YOU DO BLAME WASHINGTON AND SACRAMENTO? OR DO YOU BLAME THIS BOARD? IF YOU ARE A COUNTY WORKER THAT THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR WATCHES YOUR SALARIES DIMINISH AND KNOW THAT THE COUNTY AND THE BOARD WILL NOT BUDGE ON LIVABLE WAGES INCREASES TO OUR AND LOWERING OF OUR HEALTH INSURANCE TO OUR INSURANCES.
DO WE BLAME WASHINGTON OR SAC OR DO WE BLAME THIS BOARD? UNFORTUNATELY, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THE SWAMP IS REAL, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO LOOK TO SACRAMENTO OR TO WASHINGTON.
IT'S HERE IN THIS ROOM WITH US.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, SIR.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
AND I DID WALK OUT IN SOLIDARITY WITH OTHER IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICE WORKERS.
AND I DID THAT IN SOLIDARITY, BUT NOT IN PROTEST.
AND I AM HERE TODAY TO USE MY VOICE THAT I AM ABLE TO NOW THAT I AM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DAIS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION THAT YOU GIVE.
I HAVE HAD THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW YOU MAKE DECISIONS, HOW YOU PUT YOUR TIME AND YOUR EFFORT INTO THOSE DECISIONS AND THE SACRIFICES THAT YOU MAKE.
AND IT DOESN'T GO UNNOTICED, EVEN IF IT ONLY AFFECTS ONE PERSON.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
THERE'S A BUTTON TO YOUR RIGHT THAT'LL LIFT THE WHOLE PODIUM UP IF YOU BY YOUR HIP.
[00:20:01]
GET DOWN. THERE YOU GO.SORRY. I'M NERVOUS. DON'T BE NERVOUS.
I'VE BEEN A PROUD COUNTY WORKER FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.
AND EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE HAD TO LEARN TO RESET MY BUDGET, MY HOUSEHOLD.
I'VE GOT THE LOWEST CELL PHONE PLAN.
I'VE GOT THE LOWEST INSURANCE.
I'VE HAD TO READJUST FOR EVERY CRISIS, AND I'VE MADE IT THROUGH.
I'M STARTING TO REALIZE RETIRING RETIREMENT ISN'T IN THE PLAN FOR ME.
I SEE NO FUTURE IN RETIREMENT.
LORD WILLING, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TILL MY DYING DAY.
BUT I BEG YOU, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO FACE.
I'M BEGGING YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MYRA IBARRA.
I'VE ALSO BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS.
AND I DO AGREE WITH MY COWORKER THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP RESETTING OUR BUDGET IN OUR HOUSEHOLD AND WE STILL COME TO WORK, DO WHAT WE'RE ASKED BECAUSE THE PUBLIC NEEDS US.
I'VE GIVEN MY COWORKERS MY CANNED GOODS BECAUSE LITTLE THINGS THAT WE DON'T THINK, YES, WE DO MAKE PRETTY REASONABLE MONEY FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE IN LOWER POSITIONS THAN WE ARE, BUT WE STILL ARE STRUGGLING.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
ALL RIGHT. I'M NOT SEEING ANYBODY ELSE.
WE'LL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 16.
PLEASE NOTE ITEMS 1 TO 4 FIFTHS VOTE.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 16.
NOT SEEING ONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE WE HAVE SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF DANA COULD COME UP AND JUST FOR 4 OR 5 AND THREE, FOUR AND FIVE, THERE'S CONTRACTS. AND HE EXPLAINED IT TO ME YESTERDAY.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DANA HERTFELDER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
CURRENTLY, THE CONTRACTS WE AWARDED LAST APRIL ARE ALL SET AT $2 MILLION.
GIVEN THE WORKLOAD WE HAVE AND THE PROJECTS THAT WERE APPROVED AT PROPOSED AND THEN FINAL BUDGET, WE ANTICIPATE EACH ONE OF THOSE WILL EXCEED THAT $2 MILLION CAP.
SOME OF THEM WILL BE CLOSE TO THE $5 MILLION CAP.
SOME MOST LIKELY WON'T GET THERE BECAUSE IT GENERALLY TAKES US SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 1 TO 2 MONTHS TO GET THESE PROCESSED THROUGH AND APPROVED FOR THE INCREASE.
WE FELT IT WOULD BE BETTER JUST TO TAKE A MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH, TRY TO GET THESE SET NOW.
THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU DANA. APPRECIATE IT.
ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
OKAY, IF I COULD ASK PASTOR ELENA GARZA TO COME UP.
[00:25:15]
SO AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY UP HERE ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUE SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA, WHO WASN'T ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY, HE WANTED TO PRESENT THIS CERTIFICATE.SO I'M GOING TO DO IT FOR HIM RIGHT THERE, LADIES.
THANK YOU. SO ON BEHALF OF THE MERCER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THIS IS A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PRESENTED TO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MERCED IN CELEBRATION OF THEIR 150TH ANNIVERSARY.
SO ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH.
MICHAEL. WANT A PICTURE HERE? THERE YOU GO. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? YEAH. SO IT'S JUST EXCITING TO US.
YOU JUST SAID YOU DON'T KNOW VERY MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 150 YEARS.
WELL, MERCED HAS NOT BEEN AROUND 150 YEARS.
THIS CHURCH WAS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS IN THIS AREA THAT STARTED THE COMMUNITY OF MERCED.
IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AND SERVE MERCED.
I KNOW THAT SOME OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A LOT LONGER THAN I HAVE HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTING TO MERCED IN A VERY IN A, IN VARIOUS WAYS AND HAVE HAVE REALLY ENRICHED NOT ONLY THE COMMUNITY BUT THE WORK OF THE CHURCH.
AND SO WE'RE JUST GLAD TO BE HERE.
AND YEAH, WE'LL DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE.
I'M VERY PROUD MEMBER OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MERCED.
I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 1965, AND I'VE SERVED IN MANY WAYS, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THAT THE CHURCH HAS DONE. I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY OF MERCED AND THE COUNTY OF MERCED.
BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR FRIENDS AT.
ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON TO BOARD ACTION.
[BOARD ACTION]
WE NOW HAVE WE'LL START WITH PUBLIC WORKS ITEM 17 AND 18.PLEASE NOTE BOTH OF THESE ITEMS REQUIRE A 4/5 VOTE.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 17 AND 18.
I'M NOT SEEING ANYONE. WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES ITEMS 19 AND 20.
PLEASE NOTE, ITEM 19 HAS BEEN PULLED.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ITEMS. NOT SEEING ONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.
PLEASE NOTE ITEM 22 REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ITEMS 21 AND 22.
NOT SEEING ONE? WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 0 WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP WE HAVE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON.
NOT SEEING ONE? WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[00:30:06]
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE ELECTIONS ITEMS 25 AND 26.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ELECTIONS.
WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA CALL FOR THE VOTE. ALL RIGHT.
I CAN WAIT FOR YOU. IT'S OKAY, BUDDY.
I KNOW YOU'RE KIND OF BEEN OUT OF THE LOOP A LITTLE BIT LAST FEW DAYS.
JUST GOT TO GET YOUR RHYTHM BACK.
ALL RIGHT. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY, 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON FIRE.
I'M NOT SEEING ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEM 28.
WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY, 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
PLEASE NOTE THIS ITEM REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.
GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AGAIN.
MARK HENDRICKSON, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OVER THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, WE FELT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE YOU AND THE PUBLIC WITH A BRIEF PRESENTATION AND UPDATE IN ADVANCE OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THIS MORNING, RELATED TO THE $20 MILLION THAT WAS SECURED FOR THE PLANADA COMMUNITY.
SO TO DO SO, LET'S TAKE A BRIEF STEP BACK, JUST FOR A MOMENT.
YOU KNOW, AS WE ALL KNOW, 2023 HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR.
A YEAR WHERE LIVES WERE LITERALLY TURNED UPSIDE DOWN IN A NUMBER OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
NOW WE'VE SEEN BOTH HEARTACHE AND WE HAVE SEEN RESILIENCE.
IT'S ALSO BEEN A YEAR OF OUTSTANDING TEAMWORK AND I THINK AS THIS BOARD WELL KNOWS, YOUR COUNTY TEAM HAS LITERALLY WORKED AROUND THE CLOCK AT TIMES TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST THOSE MOST IN NEED.
SO ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE JUST A BRIEF MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK EACH OF OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE PLAYED AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE OVER THIS PAST YEAR.
SPECIFICALLY SENATOR ANNA CABALLERO AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN ESMERALDA SORIA.
THANKS TO THE HARD WORK, HEART AND COMPASSION DEMONSTRATED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS, COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED COMMUNITY LABOR CENTER, WE WERE POSITIONED WELL WITH SURVEY DATA THAT WAS USED AS THE UNDERLYING BASIS TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN NEED.
I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO JUST GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO SOL RIVAS AND VALLEY ONWARD FOR THEIR WORK COALESCING AND ALIGNING OUR CBOS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE PLAYED AGAIN AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE.
I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY MENTION THAT WHILE PLANADA WAS EXPRESSLY EARMARKED FUNDS, WE ANTICIPATE THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES LIKE MCSWAIN WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR OTHER RESOURCES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE STATEWIDE.
[00:35:07]
AND AS THIS FUNDING UNFOLDS, WE'LL BE READY TO ASSIST OUR OTHER COMMUNITIES LIKE MCSWAIN AS WELL.CARLOS HAS ALSO CARLOS HAS ALSO BEEN AN OUTSTANDING PARTNER AT THE STATE, AND THAT CERTAINLY WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AS WELL. NOW, AGAIN, WHILE THESE FUNDS FOR PLANADA WERE CALLED OUT SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATE BUDGET, WE DID HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS WITH EASE TO ACCESS THEM PER THE REQUEST. WE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AN APPLICATION IN LATE AUGUST AND LEARNED ON SEPTEMBER 28TH THAT OUR APPLICATION WAS APPROVED.
NOW PUT FURTHER INTO CONTEXT, WE HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 FROM WHICH TO EXPEND THESE FUNDS.
AND SO WHILE WE WERE WAITING ON ACTUALLY APPROVAL AND RECEIPT OF THOSE FUNDS, COUNTY DEPARTMENTS BEGAN PREPARATORY WORK ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES. OUR PROGRAMS WILL LARGELY FOCUS ON DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, VEHICLE REPLACEMENT, HOME INSPECTIONS, HOME REPAIRS, REMEDIATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE. AND REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE, WE ARE EVALUATING IMMEDIATE NEEDS IN THIS AREA SO THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WE MAY UTILIZE THESE FUNDS SOONER THAN OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT RESOURCES WILL BE EXTENDED IN EACH OF THESE AREAS, REGARDLESS OF CITIZENSHIP STATUS.
NOW, THE STATE DOES HAVE EXPECTATIONS FOR US THOUGH.
WE WILL NEED TO COMPLY WITH AS JUST A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES, WE WILL NEED TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF RESOURCES BEING PROVIDED VIA OTHER GRANTS AND OR INSURANCE PROCEEDS, AND THAT WE MUST CONDUCT OURSELVES AND OUR PROGRAMS WITH AUDIT LEVEL SCRUTINY.
YOUR STAFF WILL UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS HOW IMPORTANT THIS WILL BE TO BOTH EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND TO COLLECT INPUT FROM THEM ON HOW BEST TO ADMINISTER PROGRAMS BEING DEVELOPED. IT WILL BE THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROCESS THAT WE WILL VALIDATE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THAT MAY HAVE SHIFTED SLIGHTLY FROM THE EARLY SURVEY WORK CONDUCTED BY UC MERCED.
NOW, IN THIS REGARD, WE ARE DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY SPECIFIC WEBSITE.
THE FIRST THREE OF WHICH WILL BE CO-DESIGN WORKSHOPS.
AND THE FINAL TWO WILL BE TO SHARE THE PLANS BEING DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THESE WORKSHOPS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE EVENINGS AND WILL ALSO INCLUDE WEEKEND OPPORTUNITIES.
THEY WILL ALL BE CONDUCTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH.
NOW I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SET THE STAGE.
WE WILL. WE WANT TO PUT OURSELVES INTO A POSITION WHERE WE CAN DEVELOP, ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, REFINE, SHARE AND IMPLEMENT OUR PROGRAMS. SO WE DO ANTICIPATE AN EARLY 2024 LAUNCH.
FIRST, OUR PUBLIC WORKS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS CLEARING WATERWAYS AND CREEKS IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE STORMS. SECONDLY, WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES.
AS I MENTIONED A FEW MINUTES AGO, THAT COULD POSE ISSUES PROSPECTIVELY.
AND THEN THIRDLY, JUST A QUICK REMINDER WE MUST ALL STAY VIGILANT.
AND THANKS TO THE EL NINO WEATHER PATTERN COMING OUR WAY.
SO AS I BEGIN TO WRAP UP, I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL GOALS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE OUR FIRM COMMITMENT TO HELPING THE COMMUNITY OF PLANADA RECOVER.
WE WILL NOT RUSH AND WE WILL MAKE THE GREATEST IMPACT WE CAN WITH THESE RESOURCES.
SO, TODAY'S OBJECTIVE AND FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION ARE FOUR ACTIONS.
ONE TO RATIFY THE AFOREMENTIONED APPLICATION THAT WAS SUBMITTED BY YOUR STAFF.
TWO TO FORMALLY ACCEPT THE $20 MILLION FROM CALLAWAY.
THREE TO AUTHORIZE THE CEO AND OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ANY DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRANT AND FOUR TO APPROVE THE RELATED BUDGET TRANSFER.
SO, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S PRESENTATION.
THE CCI WOULD BE VERY PLEASED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. HENDRICKSON. BEFORE WE OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT THREE IS IN THE QUEUE.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
[00:40:05]
I DO SUPPORT THIS, BUT I'D BE REMISS IF I WOULDN'T SAY THAT THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE MY DISTRICT, WHICH IS DISTRICT THREE, THE MCSWAIN AREA.THEY HAD FIVE DAYS OF BEAR CREEK RUNNING THROUGH THEIR HOMES.
CURRENT FLOW OF WATER FOR FIVE DAYS BEFORE WE COULD FIX THE BREAK.
NOT A BREACH, BUT A BREAK IN BEAR CREEK.
SOME OF THEM WILL NEVER RETURN.
THEY'RE ON A FIXED INCOME AS WELL.
THEY WERE RETIRED THE TWILIGHT YEARS OF THEIR LIFE TO NEVER RETURN TO THE HOME THAT THEY BUILT.
PLANADA HAS DONE A GOOD JOB WITH THIS.
BUT PLEASE DON'T FORGET ABOUT MCSWAIN IN MY AREA.
SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE I SUPERVISOR PEDROZO, YOU KNOW.
EXCUSE ME, I WANT TO ECHO WHAT SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL SAID BECAUSE MY AREA IN MY DISTRICT, IN DISTRICT TWO, THERE WAS SOME BAD FLOODING OVER BY BEAR CREEK AND MAINLY LOW INCOME PEOPLE IN APARTMENTS.
AND I KNOW THAT WE TRIED, BUT EVEN THOUGH THAT CITY, I THINK THAT THERE'S STILL SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO STILL HELP OUT THOSE WHO LOST A LOT. I MEAN, I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAD TO REBUILD THEIR ENTIRE HOUSE.
BUT THE LOSS OF PROPERTY IS SOMETHING.
I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER. ANYBODY ELSE IN THE QUEUE? I WILL NOW OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEM 29.
GOOD MORNING. I'D LIKE TO ASK THE LAST SLIDE.
MS. SANDOVAL, THERE'S A LITTLE BUTTON RIGHT TO YOUR RIGHT THAT WILL LOWER.
HEAR ME? I CAN HEAR YOU, BUT IT'S HARD TO SEE YOU.
I DON'T WANT TO MOVE IT SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO MOVE IT.
FAIR ENOUGH. LET ME RESET YOUR TIME THERE.
THE THE NUMBER ONE OF THE LAST SLIDE, WHICH IS RATIFY STAFF SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM CAL OES VIA THE 2023 WINTER STORMS FLOOD RELIEF PROGRAM.
IF YOU LOOK DOWN ONE LINE TO ITEM TWO, IT SAYS ACCEPT 20 MILLION FROM CAL OES.
SO CAL OES IS THE PASS THROUGH AGENCY.
SO THE SENATOR, THERE'S A DIRECT BUDGET ALLOCATION THAT CAME FROM THE SENATOR AND THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN.
BUT CAL OES IS THE ACTUAL DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE STATE GOVERNMENT THAT IS ADMINISTERING THE MONEY.
THANK YOU. I THOUGHT IT WAS A SEPARATE FUND.
I HAD A WHOLE THING WRITTEN UP, BUT THEN I KIND OF CHANGED IT.
SO FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT WAS INVOLVED WITH THE $20 MILLION.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN ESMERALDA, OUR SUPERVISOR, CHAIRPERSON SCOTT SEVERO AND ESPINOSA.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE.
I WANT TO THANK LLOYD FOR COMING OUT FOR THE HABITAT FAMILY.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK JOSH FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALSO THE ONWARD GROUP TWO FOR COMING OUT AND OF COURSE MY HUBBY.
THIS. SHE WORKED REALLY HARD 24 OVER SEVEN ON THOSE LETTERS.
I WANT TO PUT A COPY OF THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT OUT TO THE GOVERNOR RIGHT HERE.
AND I HOPE THAT THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE THAT'S GOING TO BE MY NEXT PASSION.
SO BUT I DO I DO WANT TO VALIDATE EVERYBODY.
AND MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK.
VOLUNTEERING. I'M NOT A PAID EMPLOYEE.
[00:45:02]
I USED TO WORK FOR THE COUNTY SCHOOLS.I SIT ON EVERY TABLE WITH HOURS WITH CASE MANAGEMENT.
PROBABLY LOOKING IN THIS ROOM.
I DO WANT MERCED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WASN'T GIVEN.
YOU GUYS DID NOT THINK OF THIS.
I'M PLANNING TO DEDICATE MYSELF TO 59, THE MOBILE HOME PARK SENIOR CITIZENS.
I DO SEE IT IN THE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR BOTH COMMUNITIES.
WHAT I DO WANT TO SAY IS THAT MCSWAIN AREA ALSO IS ANOTHER AREA WE DEFINITELY NEED TO GET TO WORK NOW, AND THAT'S WHERE I'LL BE TAKING MY NEXT MY NEXT EFFORT. SO LET ME READ WHAT I CAN.
WHAT I CAN READ TODAY IS NINE DAYS, AND 15 MONTHS IS ALMOST LIKE BEING OVERDUE.
HALF OF THE TOWN OF PLANADA WAS DESTROYED BY A FLOOD.
THE WATERS RUINED THE RESIDENTS FAITH AND SYSTEMS DREAMS AND NOT TO FILL AND TO FILL THAT BURDEN.
NOW THEY HAVE A BURDEN OF CREDIT DEBT.
WE KNOW THAT. AND THEY'VE HAD HARD EARNED MONEY LIKE WE ALL MAKE.
AND THEY WERE. THEY PURCHASED ITEMS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY REALLY THEY WERE DAMAGED BY THE FLOOD.
MOST OF THE RESIDENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE, BUT THEY WORK IN THERE WORKING.
WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES RIGHT NOW TO.
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A FEW MORE SECONDS TO FINISH UP YOUR FINAL THOUGHT.
OH, SORRY. SO, SAYING THE CITY, PAUL HAD MADE A PLACE CALLED THE BROADWAY GIVER'S PLACE.
JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND SUPPORT US.
SO MY FIRST CALL WAS TO ALICIA AND OLIVIA, WHO ARE ALSO HERE TODAY, AND WE'RE LIKE, WE NEED TO GET SOME FOLKS TOGETHER IN THE ROOM WHO NEEDS TO BE THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ASSESS THE SITUATION AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
SO AS THE MEETINGS ARE HAPPENING, I KNOW ANNA COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, ANA PADILLA, BUT IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT DATA, METHODOLOGY OR JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE RESEARCH, THAT WAS DONE BECAUSE I WAS VERY IMPRESSED.
IT TOOK ONE WEEK FROM THE DAY THAT WE MET TO THE ASK FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
IT WAS ONE WEEK AND TO CRUNCH, COLLECT AND CRUNCH.
ALL THAT DATA FROM THEIR TEAM TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT.
SO WE'RE OPEN TO DISCUSSING ANY OF THOSE OF THOSE FINDINGS.
MY DIRECT EMAIL NOW IS ALEJANDRO CARRILLO AT UC MERCED.EDU.
WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS AND SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THANK YOU. THIS IS A QUESTION ON THE STAYING FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE.
IT SAYS CLEARING WATERWAYS AND CREEKS.
CORRECT. I MEAN, A LOT OF THAT'S ONGOING.
SUPERVISOR PEDROZO THROUGH THE CHAIR.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR PUBLIC WORKS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON.
WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOCUSED ON LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO REMOVE CHOKE POINTS.
THAT COULD BE IMPEDIMENTS PROSPECTIVELY.
YES, SIR. YEAH. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY WENT OUT AND DID A LOT.
BUT MOTHER NATURE TAKES OVER AND GROWS BACK IN AND STUFF.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE STAYING ON TOP OF EVERYTHING.
[00:50:02]
OKAY. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD.AND BUT YOU KNOW, YOU GET MY COLLEAGUES GRACED ME WITH, WITH BEING CHAIRMAN AND IT'S LIKE OUR FIRST MEETING AND THEN THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN THE EOC AND YOU GET THROWN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THESE FLOODS AND, YOU KNOW, BEING CHAIRMAN.
LOOK, WE ALL HAVE THE SAME VOTE UP HERE.
BUT YOU RUN, YOU GET TO RUN THE MEETINGS AND WHATNOT.
THERE'S. SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I GOT INVITED TO WAS THIS, THIS EVENT OUT IN PLANADA, IT WAS JUST WHAT IT WAS. SENATOR CABALLERO IT WAS IT WAS ASSEMBLYWOMAN SORIA.
THERE WAS COUNTY FOLKS ALL OUT THERE, FIRE FOLKS, AND THERE WAS COMMUNITY FOLKS.
AND IT WAS AND IT WAS NOT LOST ON THE SENATOR AND THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN THAT THERE WAS THERE WAS GOING TO BE THIS DIRECT BUDGET ASK AND THE SENATOR, THE SENATOR TASKED EVERYBODY WITH GIVING ME THE INFORMATION.
AND THEN IN THE PAJARO VALLEY IN MONTEREY COUNTY, THEY EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SIMILAR.
AND AND SO I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF BECAUSE AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS, THIS IS NEW.
AND I WANTED TO MANAGE FOLKS EXPECTATIONS FROM THE BEGINNING.
YOU HEARD ME MENTION A SECOND AGO THAT, YOU KNOW, THE STATE DOES THINGS IN ITS OWN SPECIAL WAY.
AND SO WHAT HOW THE MONEY GETS PASSED THROUGH THROUGH OES AND WHATNOT.
AND SO JUST MANAGING THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE CITIZENS AND UNDERSTANDING THAT IMMEDIATELY THIS TEAM, OUR TEAM, COUNTLESS MEETINGS, YOU COULD WALK INTO 310 AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND YOU'RE WALKING INTO A ROOM FULL OF LOOKS, LIKE 20, 25 PEOPLE THAT ARE FROM FROM ALL, ALL DEPARTMENTS, HSA, PUBLIC WORKS, FIRE SHERIFF, I MEAN, YOU NAME THEM, I DON'T BS EVERYBODY.
AND I WANT TO EXPRESS THAT BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THIS IS NOT MERCED COUNTY'S MONEY.
THIS IS NOT IT'S NOT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISOR'S MONEY.
BUT UNDERSTAND THAT THAT ALL COMES WITH STRINGS ATTACHED.
IT COMES. AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS, IS WE'RE THE ONE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AUDITS.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO DUPLICATION OF SERVICES, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
THAT'S WHAT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TASKED WITH.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR STAFF IS TASKED WITH.
AND SO WE WILL WE WILL GET THERE.
BUT NONE OF THIS STUFF IS EASY.
IF IT WAS EASY, IT WOULD ALREADY ALL BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.
I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY, IT'S NINE MONTHS AND 14 DAYS SINCE THAT WE'RE GETTING TO THIS POINT.
AND THAT'S WHY THEY SAY THESE RECOVERIES, THEY DON'T TAKE DAYS.
YOU DEAL WITH THE INITIAL EMERGENCY AND THEN IT'S THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AND GOD FORBID, HOPEFULLY NOT YEARS TO TO FINALLY GET PEOPLE BACK TO WHOLE AGAIN OR AS CLOSE TO WHOLE AS POSSIBLE. WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO DO.
BUT YOU JUST GOT TO BEAR WITH US.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOU IN THE WAY THAT YOU NEED TO BE HELPED AGAIN WITHIN THE RULES.
AND SO I'LL SHUT UP AFTER THAT.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO LET FOLKS KNOW MANAGE EXPECTATIONS.
BY THE TIME THIS THING GETS ROLLED OUT EARLY 2024.
BUT WE ARE WORKING HARD ON IT.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS.
WHERE I 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 BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 30 THROUGH 32.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 30 THROUGH 32.
NOT SEEING ANYONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS WHERE WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
[00:55:07]
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0, WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
[SCHEDULED ITEMS]
NEXT IS A PUBLIC HEARING FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO CONSIDER PROPOSED ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY.ALL RIGHT. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THIS ITEM.
TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.
LET ME OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
GOOD MORNING, GLORIA SANDOVAL.
THIS THAT THIS COUNTY PURCHASE ANY KIND OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT, NOT ONLY FOR THE OBVIOUS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING ALREADY WITH SO MANY LIVES BEING LOST, AND ALSO THAT WHATEVER MONEY WOULD BE SPENT, IT WOULD.
I WOULD PREFER THAT YOU CONSIDER A HEALTH CARE SUBSIDY FOR THE EMPLOYEES HERE.
IT'S REALLY BASIC, YOU KNOW, THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON ON A DAY'S ITEM.
I'M SORRY, THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS ON THE DAY'S ITEM.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. OKAY? THAT'S WHAT I'M. LET'S KEEP IT ON TOPIC, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. AND YOU DIDN'T SEE THE RELATIONSHIP.
IT'S EXPENDITURE OF MONEY THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
AND I'M SAYING THAT THAT SHOULD BE SPENT ON EMPLOYEES.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING? NOT SEE ANYONE.
I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 1104 AND BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS.
WHERE THE CHAIR WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
I GOT SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL IN THE QUEUE FIRST.
THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND, A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ARE THERE ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4 TO 0 WITH ONE BEING ABSENT.
ALL RIGHT. LAST IS BOARD REPORTS.
[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]
JOSH, DID YOU HAVE A. I WAS JUST GOING TO MAKE A MOTION.OH OKAY. YES WE'RE GOING TO CAN WE CAN WE DO BOARD REPORTS NOW AND THEN GO TO CLOSED SESSION.
YES YOU CAN. OKAY I'M GOING TO USE THE CHAIR'S DISCRETION.
WE'RE GOING TO DO BOARD REPORTS WHILE YOU'RE ALL HERE.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION.
SO TODAY I WILL START WITH SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
WELL LET ME SWITCH TO THE DISCUSSION MODE, SIR.
I DON'T WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS MY COMMENTS, PREVIOUSLY AT THE BOARD MEETING AND BOARD REPORTS, WAS THAT I FEEL COMPELLED TO WORK ON THE INSURANCE COST TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OF COMMENTS IN PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU KNOW, THAT ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE I SAID, BUT I JUST WANT TO REASSURE OUR EMPLOYEES THAT I GET IT. I PAY IT AS WELL.
AND SO, I FEEL THE COST GOING UP.
AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME, YOU KNOW, MANY THAT DON'T MAKE THE SAME SALARY THAT I DO.
AND I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THE SMALLER THE SALARY, THE GREATER THE, THE BURDEN IS THAT PEOPLE CARRY.
AND SO, I JUST ON RECORD AGAIN, IT'S BEEN ABOUT A MONTH SINCE I SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, I WANT OUR EMPLOYEES TO KNOW THAT OUR STAFF AND MYSELF AND I THINK MY COLLEAGUES ARE ALL ON A SIMILAR PAGE TO WHERE WE'RE TAKING A LOOK AT ALL OPTIONS AND TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
SO THAT'S ALL FOR MY BOARD REPORT.
THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I'LL APOLOGIZE.
I TRIED TO GET BACK WITH MOST PEOPLE THIS PAST WEEK.
I DON'T LIKE TO ADMIT A WEAKNESS, BUT I WAS IN BED WITH THE FLU FOR THE LAST FIVE DAYS.
THIS IS MY FIRST DAY ACTUALLY COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER HUMAN BEINGS BESIDES MY DOGS.
I AM ON THE PROCESS OF CALLING EVERYBODY BACK.
I TRY TO IT WAS A GOOD EFFORT.
[01:00:04]
THANK YOU, THANK YOU SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.PROBABLY SO. OKAY, SO LAST WEDNESDAY, THE CEO AND I HAD OUR MONTHLY MEETING WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND THE MAYOR, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS REALLY PRODUCTIVE.
I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR THE TEASDALE PLANT IN ATWATER, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS REALLY I THINK SUPERVISOR PAREIRA WENT RIGHT AFTER ME, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY EYE OPENING.
AND IT'S AWESOME TO SEE SOMETHING THAT BIG AND THAT PRODUCTIVE RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD.
WE HAD THE MCCAIG MEETING LAST THURSDAY.
WE HAD OUR LEGION MEETING ON FRIDAY, AND THEN ON SUNDAY I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO, IN THE RAIN, GO ON THE ZOMBIE BIKE RIDE WITH MY SON THAT WAS PUT ON BY CULTIVA LA SALUD.
IT WAS TOOK PLACE OVER AT APPLEGATE PARK.
I THINK THERE WAS LIKE 300 PEOPLE THERE, SO IT WAS PRETTY COOL.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU COUNCIL HANSEN I WON'T FORGET YOU THIS TIME.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST ONE ITEM.
WANTED TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO WISH HER WELL IN HER RETIREMENT, AND ALSO THANK HER FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE ORGANIZATION, TO THE COMMUNITY. HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A LUNCH WITH CHIEF ROCHESTER RECENTLY.
AGAIN, THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, INTEGRAL PART OF THE COUNTY ORGANIZATION, YOU KNOW, THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER HAS A DIFFICULT TASK OF WORKING WITH THE COURTS AND ALSO MAINTAINING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
CHIEF ROCHESTER HAS DONE THAT VERY WELL, AND I EXPECT THAT MR. HAHN, SOON TO BE CHIEF HEN WILL WILL CONTINUE THAT TRADITION.
SO TO THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER THAT'S EXITING, WISH HER THE VERY BEST.
SO WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF CONNECT.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE HER.
SUPERVISOR PEDROZO YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE? YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO ADD YESTERDAY WAS A GREAT DAY.
IT'S A GREAT START TO THE DAY.
I KNOW SUPERVISOR PAREIRA WAS THERE ALSO, BUT WE GOT TO GO TO THE COURTHOUSE AND SEE THE SWEARING IN OF SOME NEW CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS OR DEPUTIES AND THEN ALSO SOME PROMOTIONS. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE GUYS.
I WANT TO FIRST START BY REPORTING OUT THAT A LAST WEEK WAS AT THE CAL LAFCO CONFERENCE.
AND SO, AS PART OF MY ROLE HERE, I ALSO SIT ON LAFCO.
AND IT WAS THEIR ANNUAL MEETING.
SO I WAS THERE AND I BELIEVE SUPERVISOR ESPINOSA IS ON THE LAFCO BOARD ALSO.
I FORGOT TO REPORT IT OUT LAST TIME BECAUSE IT WAS FRESH NEWS.
SO REALLY JUST WE'RE PIECEMEALING THAT BABY TOGETHER.
AND EVERY TIME WE GET ONE OF THOSE GRANTS, WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO BEING FINISHED.
SO I'M PRETTY PRETTY STOKED ABOUT THAT.
OUR CALTRANS REP, HE'S A DEPUTY DIRECTOR.
I BELIEVE MARLON REGISFORD IS LEAVING US NOW, BUT HE WAS A BIG HELP IN THAT.
AND ALONG WITH PATTY DOSSETTI, OUR GRANT WRITER, I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK ON THAT.
AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND FOLKS, BECAUSE WE WON'T BE BACK WITH YOU BEFORE NEXT SATURDAY AT THIS SATURDAY, THE NEXT SATURDAY, NOVEMBER THE 4TH, I BELIEVE IT IS, IS YEAH, NOVEMBER 4TH IS THE VETERANS DAY PARADE IN LOS BANOS.
THANK YOU. AND WE WILL NOW GO BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION.
[CLOSED SESSION]
WE'RE GAVELING IN. WE'RE WAITING FOR OUR QUORUM TO SHOW UP.I FEEL GOOD. NO, I FEEL REAL GOOD.
ALL ALREADY GAVELED IN. I'M ALREADY ON MY 32ND.
GOT A QUORUM NOW, SO I HAVE A QUORUM.
IT'S A REAL GAVEL NOW. WELCOME BACK EVERYONE.
WE HAVE JUST COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION WHERE STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION.
[01:05:03]
MEETING ADJOURNED.* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.