Jul 23, 2024 Board Meeting

[00:00:01]

THAT'S PRETTY CLOSE WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

[CALL TO ORDER]

JULY 23RD, 2024 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

GOOD MORNING. YOUR CLOSED SESSION THIS MORNING IS THE FOLLOWING.

[CLOSED SESSION]

9D1 PRILLWITZ VERSUS COUNTY OF MERCED ET AL.

MERCED SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER 21 CV 03387 AND GOSCH SIDEWALK VERSUS COUNTY OF MERCED, ET AL.

SOLANO SUPERIOR COURT, CASE NUMBER Q2304428.

THE PUBLIC WILL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION PRIOR TO THE BOARD ADJOURNING INTO THE CLOSED SESSION.

TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.

OKAY, AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. I SEE NO ONE HERE TO ADDRESS US AND SO WE'LL ADJOURN INTO OUR CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE'RE JOINING INTO CLOSED SESSION. ALL RIGHT.

GOOD MORNING. I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

WELCOME TO THE JULY 2023, 2024 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

THIS MORNING, WE HAD A CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION.

WE WILL NOW START WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY STACY COOLEY.

AND THEN SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

WE CAN PLEASE STAND.

MORNING. PLEASE BOW YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR HEADS WITH ME THIS MORNING.

DEAR, GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER, AT A TIME IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY WHEN UNPRECEDENTED EVENTS ARE TAKING PLACE, WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TRUTH AND YOUR FAITHFULNESS IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES. WHEN WE LOOK AROUND AND ONE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HAS AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT TAKE PLACE AT ONE OF HIS RALLIES AND ANOTHER PRESIDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, THE SITTING PRESIDENT WITHDRAWS HIS CANDIDACY FOR A SECOND TERM LATE IN THE RUNNING, LEAVING ONE PARTY SCRAMBLING FOR A NOMINEE.

WE REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE OUR ROCK AND OUR FIRM FOUNDATION ISAIAH 33 SIX AND PSALMS 18 TWO.

WE ARE REMINDED THAT WE NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER TO GUIDE OUR NATIONAL LEADERS AND TO PROTECT US FROM THOSE WHO WOULD SEEK TO DO US HARM.

LORD, WHILE THESE EVENTS CAME AS A BIT OF A SURPRISE TO SOME OF US, WE KNOW THAT NOTHING COMES AS A SURPRISE TO YOU.

SO WE TRUST IN YOUR SOVEREIGNTY AND YOUR GOODNESS.

SECOND CHRONICLES 714 SAYS, IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND I WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.

FATHER, WE ASK FOR YOU TO GUIDE OUR NATION IN THIS TIME.

WE NEED YOUR FORGIVENESS, YOUR WISDOM, YOUR PROTECTION, YOUR FAVOR.

I'M REMINDED OF EDWIN EDMUND BURKE'S RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION POSED IN PSALM 94 ONE THROUGH THREE WHEN HE SAYS, LORD, HOW LONG SHALL THE WICKED TRIUMPH? AND HE SAYS THAT THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING.

FATHER, WE ASK THAT YOU RAISE UP LEADERS THAT AREN'T AFRAID TO DO BATTLE AGAINST EVIL.

I PRAY THAT YOUR HAND WOULD BE OVER OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, AND THAT YOUR WILL WOULD TAKE PLACE IN WASHINGTON.

PROVIDE PROTECTION WHERE NEEDED AND JUSTICE WHEN IT IS OWED.

IN THIS TIME, I ASK FOR YOU TO HELP US TO PULL TOGETHER AND RESPOND IN UNITY TO THE NEEDS OF OUR NATION.

LET US BE A PEOPLE WHO PRAY FOR OUR NATIONAL LEADERS AND FOR OUR LOCAL LEADERS.

THIS BOARD. AND WHILE OUR EYES ARE ON WASHINGTON TO SEE WHAT MAY COME UP FOR THE ELECTION, HELP US NOT TO FORGET THAT OUR PRAYERS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT HERE AT HOME.

FATHER, TOUCH AND BLESS OUR BOARD, COUNTY COUNCIL AND CEO.

GIVE THEM INSIGHT INTO HOW WE MIGHT PREPARE FOR THESE UNCERTAINTIES.

HELP US TO BE PROACTIVE WHEN POSSIBLE, AND TO PULL TOGETHER WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

GIVE THEM THE STRENGTH AND GRACE TO MAKE PRUDENT DECISIONS, AND TO RELY ON YOU WHEN THINGS GET DIFFICULT.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR DEPENDANCE ON YOU AND ASK THAT YOU MEET US WHERE WE MAY LACK.

YOUR STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN OUR WEAKNESS, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT YOU PROMISE TO BE OUR STRENGTH IN THOSE TIMES.

PLEASE ANOINT EVERYONE INVOLVED IN TODAY'S MEETING SO THAT THEY MAY FULFILL THEIR ROLE SUCCESSFULLY.

AND WE INVITE YOU INTO THIS MEETING.

PLEASE BRING PEACE AND UNITY SO THAT WE MAY WORK TOGETHER TO FACE THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR COMMUNITY PROVIDES.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR GOODNESS AND GRACE.

WE ASK FOR ALL THESE THINGS IN THE PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS.

AMEN. AMEN.

READY? SALUTE! I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

[00:05:02]

NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO A NON-AGENDA ITEM PUBLIC COMMENT.

[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]

TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT AGAIN.

THIS IS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.

PLEASE GO AHEAD. THANK YOU FOR THAT BEAUTIFUL INVOCATION.

I WANT TO EMPHASIZE SOMETHING CRUCIAL.

JESUS CHRIST WAS AN ORGANIZER.

HE STOOD FOR JUSTICE, FAIRNESS AND EMPOWERMENT, A POWERFUL EXAMPLE WE CAN ALL DRAW INSPIRATION FROM TODAY.

MY NAME IS GERALD PHELPS, PRESIDENT OF ACP LOCAL 2703.

I STAND HERE REPRESENTING OVER A THOUSAND DEDICATED EMPLOYEES IN MERCED COUNTY, UNITED IN A HISTORIC DECISION AND A RESOUNDING RATIFICATION VOTE, 93.5% OF OUR MEMBERS REJECTED THE COUNTY'S PROPOSAL AND AUTHORIZED US TO RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, INCLUDING THE INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF A STRIKE.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT A STRIKE STRIKING AGAINST THE RESIDENTS OF MERCED COUNTY.

IT'S ABOUT FAIRNESS AND RESPECT FOR OUR WORKERS.

OUR EMPLOYEES FACE DISMAL WAGES WHILE SHOULDERING IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITIES FROM FIREFIGHTING TO PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

OUR STRIKE VOTE IS A STAND FOR DIGNITY, A DEMAND TO BE HEARD AND VALUED.

IT'S A CALL FOR THE COUNTY TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES, NOT EXECUTIVE PAY RAISES.

OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES FULLY STAFFED FIRE STATIONS, RESPONSIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND ADEQUATELY COMPENSATED COUNTY WORKFORCE.

THESE ARE NOT LUXURIES.

THEY ARE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS.

WE ARE NOT THE ENEMY.

WE ARE THE BACKBONE OF MERCED COUNTY, THE ONES WHO KEEP SERVICES RUNNING DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

OUR VOTE IS NOT AGAINST THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

IT IS AGAINST THE NEGLECT THAT THREATENS THE ABILITY TO SERVE THEM TO THE BOARD AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

BUDGET DECISIONS AFFECT LIVES.

IT IS TIME TO INVEST IN OUR WORKFORCE AND IN THE REVENUE GENERATING INITIATIVES THAT TRULY BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY.

FEAR OF POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS SHOULD NOT OVERSHADOW THE REAL IMPACT OF IGNORING EMPLOYEE'S NEEDS.

WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS, A MOMENT WHERE THE VOICES OF A THOUSAND EMPLOYEES DEMAND TO BE HEARD.

THIS IS NOT JUST A LABOR ISSUE, IT'S A MORAL IMPERATIVE.

LET US LET US NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH.

LET US ENSURE THAT MERCED COUNTY THRIVES BY VALUING THOSE WHO WORK, WHOSE WORK MAKE IT POSSIBLE.

LET US RESTORE THE VALUES THAT BROUGHT MERCED BROUGHT WORKERS TO MERCED COUNTY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS LARRY WATSON.

I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF AFSCME LOCAL 2703, AS WELL AS EMPLOYMENT TRAINING WORKER AT MERCED COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.

ONE THING I'D LIKE TO DO IS BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT WE DON'T NEED INFLAMMATORY STATEMENTS LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS PUT OUT ON THAT, ON THAT ON THAT DOCUMENT THAT WAS UPLOADED TO THE INTERNET SAYING THAT WE'RE STRIKING AGAINST MERCED COUNTY, WE'RE STRIKING AGAINST CITIZENS OF MERCED COUNTY.

WE ARE THE CITIZENS OF MERCED COUNTY.

W WORK WHERE WE SERVE, THE MAJORITY OF US.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AT THE LAST BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING, I THINK IT WAS, OR THE ONE BEFORE THAT WHERE YOU SAID THAT YOU'RE CALLING ON ALL THE DIRECTORS TO TRIM THE FAT.

IT'S TIME TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE REAL TALKS.

WE DON'T NEED MORE MANAGEMENT.

WE HAVE TONS OF MANAGEMENT POSITIONS THAT ARE BEING FILLED DAILY, EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE DON'T NEED MORE MANAGER.

THE AVERAGE SUPERVISOR MAKES $16,000 MORE THAN THE AVERAGE WORKER.

THE AVERAGE PROGRAM MANAGER MAKES $47,000 MORE.

YOU HAVE.

SOMETIMES WHEN THEY GO TO THESE CONFERENCES, THEY DEMAND THAT WE GET THE RESORT FEES PAID.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CUT OUT RIGHT THERE.

ALL THESE CONFERENCES, THE, YOU KNOW, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I HEAR ALL OF YOU GO TO ALL THESE GREAT MEETINGS, BUT I DON'T HEAR WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR COMMUNITIES.

I'D LIKE TO HEAR THAT AT THE END.

I MEAN, AT THE END, I WAS I'M NOT GOING TO LIE, I DO.

FAST FORWARD TO THE END, AND I LISTENED TO EVERYTHING YOU GUYS HAVE TO SAY AT THE END, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T NEED RUBBER STAMPS.

ON THE MIDDLE IS PRETTY MUCH A RUBBER STAMP IS.

YES. NO, WHATEVER.

HOWEVER, IT'S ALREADY BEEN DECIDED.

GIVE A 10% INCREASE TO SHERIFFS.

GREAT. I APPLAUD YOU FOR THAT.

THAT'S A GREAT THING.

WE APPRECIATE THAT.

GAVE A RAISE TO YOUR EXECUTIVE BOARD LAST YEAR, A SUBSTANTIAL RAISE.

BUT WHEN IT CAME TO THE EMPLOYEES THERE, HERE, WE GOT NOTHING.

WE HAVE SHERIFFS WHEN THEY GO OUT TO A CALL AND THERE'S A DOWNED TREE OR THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE ROAD THEY CALL OUR ROADS DIVISION.

HEY, WE NEED HELP WHEN THEY CALL, WHEN THEY GO OUT TO A CASE OF ELDER ABUSE OR CHILD ABUSE, THEY CAN'T DEAL WITH IT.

THEY CALL US, THEY CALL HSA.

WHEN THEY GO OUT AND THEY HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, THEY DON'T CALL.

THEY CAN'T DEAL WITH IT.

IF THEY'RE FORCED TO, THEY WILL, BUT THEY CAN'T DEAL WITH IT.

THEY CALL US WHEN THERE'S A RATTLESNAKE IN MY BACKYARD.

[00:10:04]

I WANT SOMEBODY THAT'S TRAINED IN ANIMAL SERVICES.

I WANT SOMEBODY THAT'S ACTUALLY GOT THE TRAINING AND THE KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE AUTHORIZATION TO STRIKE, THAT'S A VOTE THAT HAPPENED.

THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, AND WE WANT TO WORK OUT A FAIR AND EQUITABLE CONTRACT, SOMETHING THAT SUPPORTS OUR FAMILIES SO WE CAN MAKE A SO WE CAN PROVIDE FOR THEM.

THERE'S MANAGEMENT HERE THAT MAKES EXPONENTIALLY MORE MONEY THAN WE DO.

WE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILIES THE WAY MANAGEMENT DOES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MERCED COUNTY.

MY NAME IS CARLOS ALCALA, AND I AM A BUSINESS AGENT WITH UNITED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING BARGAINING UNIT THREE MEMBERS.

TODAY, I STAND BEFORE YOU TO ADDRESS A CRITICAL ISSUE THAT AFFECTS OUR MEMBERS WHO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS, YOUR CONSTITUENTS HERE IN MERCED COUNTY. WITH THE COST OF LIVING ON THE RISE, UNCERTAINTY IN HEALTH CARE COSTS AND GROWING POVERTY RATES, AS I EXPLAINED WHEN I LAST SPOKE HERE TO YOU, ALL STILL HOLDS TRUE TODAY. EVEN THOUGH OUR CONTRACT WAS PASSED BY OUR MEMBERS BY 52% TO 48% VOTE, IT SHOULD NOT BE LOST ON YOU ALL THAT OUR MEMBERS DESERVE A PAY INCREASE WHICH YOU CAN STILL PROVIDE WITHIN THIS CONTRACT.

THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR STANDS AT A WHOPPING 1.13 BILLION, WITH AN INCREASE TO 45.1 MILLION IN GENERAL FUNDS RESERVE.

THERE IS NO JUSTIFIABLE REASON WHY OUR MEMBERS SHOULD NOT HAVE A LIVABLE COST OF LIVING INCREASE SO THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE THE BASIC LIVING ESSENTIALS FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND KEEP THEM OUT OF THE CUFFS OF POVERTY.

OUR MEMBERS WERE HELD HOSTAGE IN THIS CONTRACT WITHOUT ACCEPTING.

YOU KNEW THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS WOULD REVERT TO PREVIOUS INCREASES, RESULTING IN MORE OF THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY BEING TAKEN OUT OF THEIR POCKETS.

YOU KNEW OUR MEMBERS COULD NOT AFFORD TO SAY NO AND HAVE THEIR HEALTHCARE.

HEALTHCARE RATES REVERT, LOSING OUT ON FAMILY HEALTH CARE SAVINGS OF $142 PER PAY PERIOD.

I SAY TO THIS BOARD, IT'S NOT TOO LATE IN THIS CONTRACT FOR YOU ALL TO BE FAIR AND GIVE A HIGHER RAISE TO ADDRESS INFLATION AND THE RISING COST OF SURVIVAL.

BY NOT GIVING OUR MEMBERS A RAISE THIS YEAR.

YOU ARE ONLY PUTTING YOURSELVES FURTHER BEHIND AND HELPING OUR MEMBERS AND KEEPING UP WITH THE HIGH INCREASE OF INFLATION UP, AND OUR MEMBERS WILL NOT GIVE UP THIS FIGHT.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND STRONG AND DEMAND THE RESPECT AND FAIR COMPENSATION THAT YOUR EMPLOYEES AND BARGAINING UNIT THREE DESERVE.

IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A COUNTRY WHICH WE ARE PROUD TO BE AMERICANS.

A PAY INCREASE SHOULD NOT BE A PRIVILEGE.

IT'S A RIGHT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN MERCED COUNTY, WHERE MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES IN BARGAINING UNIT THREE CAN BARELY AFFORD TO LIVE.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT UNTIL EVERY UNIT THREE MEMBER IS VALUED AND COMPENSATED FAIRLY, AS INDICATED BY PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

YOU MUST ALL REMEMBER LABOR IS THE SUPERIOR OF CAPITAL AND DESERVES MUCH HIGHER CONSIDERATION, MUCH HIGHER CONSIDERATION. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR OUR FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER.

YOUR OFFER OF A 0% SALARY INCREASE IS INSULTING, DISRESPECTFUL, SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE TO OUR MEMBERS WHO WORK FOR THIS COUNTY. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR A LIVABLE SALARY THAT COVERS THE RISING COST OF LIVING, AND REFLECTS THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR MEMBERS.

YOU CAN FINISH YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE.

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? HELP THE POOR EAT OR TOSS THEM ASIDE FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL AGENDA.

DIG DEEP. DO THE RIGHT THING NOT ONLY IN YOUR CONSCIENCE, BUT IN YOUR SOUL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GIVE THESE PEOPLE A RAISE.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN ESPINOSA AND THE BOARD. CHRIS SANTOS, HERE REPRESENTING THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN DUARTE.

AND TO BEGIN, REGARDING THE TRAGIC ATTEMPT ON THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S LIFE THAT OCCURRED ON HIS RALLY IN PENNSYLVANIA.

AS YOUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE, CONGRESSMAN DUARTE WOULD LIKE TO RESTATE THE SENTIMENT THAT POLITICAL VIOLENCE IS ALWAYS UNACCEPTABLE, SENSELESS, AND UN-AMERICAN.

THE CONGRESSMAN WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS FOR PROVIDING HIM WITH A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT THE UNITED STATES PENITENTIARY, ATWATER, LAST WEEK AND IN WASHINGTON, CONGRESSMAN DUARTE, ALONG WITH VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MIKE BOST AND A BIPARTISAN COALITION, RECENTLY

[00:15:02]

8880.

VETERANS HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY HONORABLY, AND WE MUST ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE THE BENEFITS THEY EARNED WITHOUT UNNECESSARY OBSTACLES.

THE CONGRESSMAN IS PROUD TO LEAD A GROUP OF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE PUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ASIDE TO MAKE THE VA CLAIMS PROCESS MORE UNDERSTANDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR OUR NATION'S VETERANS.

WE'VE HEARD TIME AND AGAIN HOW FRUSTRATED VETERANS AND SURVIVORS CAN GET WHEN NAVIGATING THE MOUNTAINS OF CONFUSING FORMS THAT MUST BE COMPLETED THROUGHOUT THE DISABILITY CLAIMS PROCESS, SIMILAR TO THE CONGRESSMAN'S EARLIER CLEAR COMMUNICATION FOR VETERANS CLAIMS ACT, THIS BILL REQUIRES THE US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO COMMISSION A STUDY WITH A FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH ENTITY TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO MAKE VA FORMS EASIER TO UNDERSTAND WHEN VETERANS APPLY FOR THEIR DISABILITY BENEFITS, AND AGAIN, ALSO REQUIRES THE VA SECRETARY TO REPORT THESE FINDINGS TO CONGRESS AND IMPLEMENT ANY RECOMMENDATIONS CONGRESSMAN DUARTE'S LEGISLATION ENSURES.

VETERANS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY CAN MORE EASILY OBTAIN THEIR BENEFITS.

THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS BOTH SUPPORT THE SIMPLIFYING FORMS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS ACT.

ADDITIONALLY, CONGRESSMAN DUARTE WILL BE HOSTING A VETERANS ROUNDTABLE WITH THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS IN MADERA COUNTY ON AUGUST 14TH.

THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL VETERANS TO INTERFACE WITH VA COMMITTEE STAFF FROM WASHINGTON, DC, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH THE VA, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND VA CENTRAL CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS. OUR OFFICE WILL BE SURE TO KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED AS WE CONFIRM MORE DETAILS ON THIS EVENT.

AND OUR OFFICE RECENTLY HOSTED TOWN HALLS IN CHOWCHILLA AND LATHROP.

REALLY SUCCESSFUL, HAD A GREAT TURNOUT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADVERTISE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSTITUENTS TO MEET WITH THEIR CONGRESSMAN IN A TOWN HALL MEETING SETTING.

WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS HERE IN MERCED COUNTY ON THE WEST SIDE AND GUSTINE OFTEN GO TO NEWMAN FOR BUSINESS AND FOR RECREATION.

SO, WE WILL BE HOSTING A NEWMAN TOWN HALL THAT'S GOING TO BE ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7TH AT 6 P.M.

AT THE LEWIS J. NEWMAN MEMORIAL BUILDING, 649 ORESTIMBA ROAD IN NEWMAN, CALIFORNIA.

ZIP CODE 95360.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

HAPPY SUMMER SUPERVISORS AND STAFF.

I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT THAT'S NOT WHERE I'M HERE TODAY.

I'M HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, FOR LEANING IN TO REALLY SUPPORT AMONG AMERICAN DAY.

AND WE HAVE A BLAST IN THAT.

THIS THING'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR LEADERSHIP.

WHAT I HAVE HERE IS JUST SOME CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM OUR FOUNDER AND PICTURE FRAMES LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU.

I'LL PUT IT ON THE SIDE.

SO MAKE SURE EACH SUPERVISORS TAKE ONE OF THE OF CERTIFICATE WITH YOUR NAME ON IT AND THE FRAME, AND PUT ON YOUR OFFICE.

AS I SAID.

HMONG ALREADY BEEN HERE 49 YEARS, SOME 50 YEARS.

MAY 2025.

WE'RE LOOKING AT TO DO A BIG CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS HMONG IN AMERICA AND HOW WE CONTRIBUTED TO MERCED COUNTY.

AND WE LIKE YOUR STAFF AND LIKE YOURSELF TO REALLY HELP US PLAN.

IN AUGUST, WE'LL BE PUTTING A PLANNING COMMITTEE TOGETHER, AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH TO THE COUNTY.

VICE VERSA.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PARTNERSHIP, IT'S NOT JUST WITH OUR ORGANIZATION ALONE, BUT OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO REALLY LIFT UP THE DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE CULTURES THAT WE EMBRACE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO WITH THAT, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

AND MAKE SURE TAKE ONE OF EACH FOR THE SUPERVISOR.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. BOARD MEMBERS MARY MCWATTERS WITH ASKED ME BUSINESS AGENT.

I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU TO GIVE AUTHORIZATION TO THE COUNTY TO COME TO US WITH SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON.

OUR MEMBERS HAVE SPOKEN.

THEY ARE HURTING.

I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD IT FROM EVERYBODY THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO HEAR IT FROM ME.

BUT I'M TELLING YOU, WHEN MY MEMBERS COME TO ME AND SHOW ME THEIR PAYCHECK WHERE THEY'RE MAKING TWO AND $300, BRINGING HOME TWO AND $300 LESS A PAYDAY THAN THEY WERE FIVE YEARS AGO. THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG.

THERE'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG.

MEDICAL IS GOING TO GO UP AGAIN.

AND IN JANUARY AGAIN THEIR PAYCHECKS ARE GOING TO GO DOWN.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

I REPRESENT A SMALL CITY THAT WAS ABLE TO GIVE A TWO YEAR CONTRACT WITH 7.5% BOTH YEARS, PLUS FREE MEDICAL CAP TO LIKE $1,200 THAT THEY'RE PAYING TOWARDS. THE COUNTY IS ONLY PAYING A LITTLE OVER 400.

WHAT IS WRONG HERE? WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING? WHO IS MISSPENDING BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS.

YOU GUYS SHOULD BE PREPARING FOR THIS.

THE EMPLOYEES NEED TO HAVE A LIVING WAGE.

I KNOW YOU KEEP HEARING THIS, BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THIS HAS GOT TO.

SOMETHING HAS GOT TO HAPPEN.

PLEASE GIVE AUTHORITY TO THE COUNTY TO COME TO THE TABLE WITH US, TO GIVE US SOMETHING THAT WE CAN AGREE ON.

[00:20:06]

NOBODY WANTS TO.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO.

BUT THE MEMBERS HAVE MADE A STATEMENT.

IF THEY HAVE TO, THEY HAVE SPOKEN AND THEY WILL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

SIX MINUTES. OKAY.

[SPANISH]. ON THE SIXTH OF THIS MONTH, THERE WAS A FIRE.

[SPANISH] AND WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR A SOLUTION BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN OUT OF ELECTRICITY FOR THIS ENTIRE TIME.

[SPANISH]. WE'VE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH PG&E, BUT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN WITH ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT FOLKS HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH PG AND E, BUT EVERY TIME THEY GIVE US A DIFFERENT RESPONSE.

[SPANISH]. WE NEED A SOLUTION BECAUSE WE ARE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND SOME OF US ARE INCAPACITATED OR DISABLED.

YEAH.

[SPANISH]. SO WE REALLY NEED A SOLUTION.

IT'S BEEN SEVERAL DAYS NOW AND THE CHILDREN AND OURSELVES ARE REALLY SUFFERING, SO WE JUST NEED A SOLUTION.

OKAY. MUCHAS GRACIAS ESPERANZA.

SOLUTION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND I EXPECT A SOLUTION.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS KASHANA ASHFORD, AND THIS THURSDAY IT'LL BE TWO WEEKS SINCE I WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF MERCED COUNTY AS A SOCIAL WORKER FOR HSA, AND NOW I'M JUST A CONCERNED COMMUNITY MEMBER. I KNOW THAT THE UNION BODIES ARE VOTING TO STRIKE, AND YOU ARE TASKED WITH TAKING CARE OF THIS COMMUNITY, BUT YOU'RE NOT EVEN TAKING CARE OF YOUR PEOPLE IF YOU KEEP PATTING THE TOP, HOW DO YOU EXPECT PEOPLE TO SURVIVE? THE TOP IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO CANTILEVER OVER BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SUPPORT.

WITHOUT THE LINE WORKERS, THE SOCIAL WORKERS, THE FSRS, THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING WORKERS, AND THE VERY EVEN YOUR DEPUTIES ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TO GET A SECOND JOB.

YOU GUYS NEED TO RETHINK YOUR APPROACH, SLAPPING PEOPLE IN THE FACE AND TELLING THEM THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE THEM A LIVING WAGE AND YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE THEIR INSURANCE PREMIUMS. THAT NEGATES THE LIVING WAGE THAT YOU MAY EVEN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE.

MY CONCERN HERE IS THAT YOU'RE TASKED WITH TAKING CARE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS COUNTY.

WHO'S GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THEM IF THESE WORKERS STRIKE? WHO'S GOING TO CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY? THIS IS A HIGH NEEDS COUNTY.

THIS COUNTY NEEDS ITS HSA EMPLOYEES.

THIS COUNTY NEEDS PUBLIC SAFETY, DRUGS, POVERTY.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT AS A LINE WORKER AND A FORMER SOCIAL WORKER HERE, WE DEALT WITH.

YOU NEED TO RETHINK YOUR APPROACH.

YOU GUYS ARE PAID WELL.

YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILIES.

YOU'RE NEVER IN THE POSITION TO ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL.

BY WAY OF WHICH BILL CAN I PAY THIS MUCH? HOW MUCH GROCERIES CAN I BUY? THIS MUCH? HOW MUCH GAS CAN I PUT IN MY CAR EACH PAY PERIOD? YOU NEED TO RETHINK YOUR APPROACH AND RECONSIDER WHAT IT IS YOU'RE DOING, AND COME TO THE TABLE AND GIVE THESE PEOPLE YOUR LINE WORKERS, THE ONES WHO GIVE YOU THE JOBS THAT YOU NOW HERE, SITTING HERE DOING.

IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THEM, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE A JOB.

I'M JUST A COMMUNITY MEMBER NOW.

I'M CONCERNED FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT IN MY POSITION.

AND THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE NOT ARE GOING TO BE WITHOUT THEIR SERVICES.

IF THESE WORKERS GO OUT ON STRIKE.

I URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER YOUR APPROACH.

DO NOT INSULT YOUR EMPLOYEES.

DO NOT WITHHOLD FUNDS.

THE RAINY DAY YOU GUYS TALKED ABOUT BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING FOR.

IT'S A RAINY DAY EVERY PAY PERIOD FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES.

PAY YOUR PEOPLE DO BETTER BY YOUR PEOPLE.

SO SOME MUSIC GOING ON IN THE BACKGROUND.

IS THERE A PHONE ON SOMEBODY HAS A PHONE ON? I THINK IT WAS THE LAST SPEAKERS PHONE.

NO. OH, OKAY.

YEAH. OKAY. SORRY.

GO AHEAD. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.

JESSE ORNELAS.

CITY OF MERCED COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT ONE.

BUT I'M NOT HERE IN THAT CAPACITY TODAY.

I'M HERE AS THE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMING FOR YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE.

I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE AND THANK YOU ALL FOR MEETING WITH MY TEAM, MEETING WITH MY YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THEIR PRESENTATIONS THAT THEY GIVE AND THEM COMMUNICATING THEIR ASKS, YOU KNOW, WE THEY HAVE ONE ASK, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PUBLIC'S INFORMATION.

THEY HAVE AN ASK OF ASKING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO IMPLEMENT A RESERVE FUND POLICY TO WHERE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE GENERAL FUND WOULD GO TO YOUTH WELLNESS

[00:25:07]

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING POSSIBLE FOR YOU ALL TO DO.

I JUST WANTED TO COMMUNICATE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT AND.

BUT WE'RE IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL.

WE UNDERSTAND THIS CAMPAIGN MIGHT NOT END QUICKLY FOR US.

BUT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE AND THE DEDICATION TO SEE THIS OUT TO THE END AND FOR IT TO HOPEFULLY MEET SUCCESSFULLY MAYBE IN THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE. AND I ALSO WANTED TO REPEAT THE SECOND ASK THAT WE, THAT WE FEEL THAT Y'ALL COULD ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT IS TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY WHERE YOUTH PARTICIPATORY METHODS COULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH WELLNESS PROGRAMS. THAT'S SOMETHING I FEEL THAT THAT'S ATTAINABLE FOR Y'ALL TO DO FOR US.

AND WE'LL PROBABLY CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION AT ANOTHER TIME TO LAY OUT WHAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF MERCED COUNTY.

THANKS. THANK YOU. [SPANISH] . ANTONELLA ROSARIO HERNANDEZ.

OF THE 24 FAMILIES THAT WERE AFFECTED IN SANTANELLO.

[SPANISH].

MY FAMILY AND MY COMMUNITY.

[SPANISH].

TODAY I HAVE SURGERY AT 4:00 HERE IN MERCED.

[SPANISH].

BUT I'M HERE BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

[SPANISH].

WE'RE VERY DESPERATE FOR NO TENER ELECTRICIDAD BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ELECTRICITY.

[SPANISH].

AND ALSO VERY FEARFUL BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO STAY RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE CURRENTLY STAYING AT THE MOTEL EL ORO.

[SPANISH]. BUT WE'RE ALSO FEARFUL AS TO WHEN WILL WHEN WILL THAT, WHEN WILL IT BE OUR LAST DAY. AND THEN WHERE DO WE GO FROM THERE? [SPANISH]. WE MISS OUR HOMES.

WE MISS OUR HOMES.

[SPANISH]. WE'VE BEEN UNDER A LOT OF STRESS.

[SPANISH]. AND WE REALLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH US? [SPANISH]. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE ILL HERE.

SHE HAD A SURGERY YESTERDAY.

[SPANISH] MY PARENTS ARE CURRENTLY SICK.

THEY'VE BEEN SICK FOR TWO DAYS AT THE HOTEL DEL ORO.

[SPANISH]. MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN ILL.

SHE'S BEEN HAVING. SHE BEEN.

SHE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS NOW.

[SPANISH].

SITUATION AT THIS TIME AND HAVING TO STAY AT A PLACE THAT IS IN YOUR HOME AND NOT HAVING THE RESOURCES.

[SPANISH].

AND WE'RE USING UP OUR SAVINGS.

[SPANISH]. HAVING TO SPEND MONEY ON FAST FOOD AND GASOLINE.

GASOLINE. [SPANISH].

BECAUSE WE'VE HAD TO ALSO GO VISIT OUR HOME BECAUSE THINGS HAVE BEEN STOLEN AND SECURITY, WE DID HAVE A SECURITY ASSIGNED OUT THERE.

YES. [SPANISH].

AND THAT THE HOME RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE LOCATION WAS ROBBED RIGHT IN FRONT OF SECURITY.

[SPANISH].

SO IT'S NOT ONLY FEARFUL, IT'S NOT ONLY FEARFUL AT THIS POINT, NOT BEING IN OUR HOMES BUT ALSO LOSING WHAT WE HAVE LEFT.

OKAY. [SPANISH].

BUT WE STILL HAVE HIGH HOPES THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SUPPORT US.

[SPANISH].

THAT EVERYTHING WOULD COME TO A SOLUTION WITH PG&E.

[SPANISH].

PLEASE TRY TO HELP OUT IN THINGS COMING TO A CLOSE QUICKLY, SO THAT WE CAN RETURN TO OUR HOMES.

GRACIAS A TODOS.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

GRACIAS. ANY FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? NO.

[00:30:05]

NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO CONSENT CALENDAR.

[CONSENT CALENDAR]

CALENDAR. ITEMS ONE THROUGH 12.

PLEASE NOTE ITEMS ONE AND TWO REQUIRE A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE.

AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 12.

WHEN YOU [INAUDIBLE] LINKS UP.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? OKAY, WELL, A CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

NOW THERE'S A COMMENT BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

OH NEVER MIND.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

ANY COMMENTS OR MOTIONS BY THE BOARD? I SEE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

I WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES FIVE ZERO.

AT THIS TIME, CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES DIRECTOR JEFFREY WITHAM WILL BE PROVIDING COMMENTS REGARDING ITEM NUMBER FIVE CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH.

GOOD MORNING. BOARD CHAIRMAN ESPINOSA, CEO, LOMELI MENDEZ COUNTY COUNCIL HANSEN.

MY NAME IS JEFF WITTEN.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES HERE FOR MERCED COUNTY, AND I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY.

AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ADOPTING A PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE MONTH OF AUGUST AS CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.

AND TODAY, I'D JUST LIKE TO TAKE A COUPLE OF MOMENTS TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

ONE OF THE EVENTS WE HAVE COMING UP IN SUPPORT OF CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH NEXT WEEK.

AND SHOW A SLIDESHOW OF WHAT WE DID IN LOS BANOS AT THAT EVENT LAST YEAR.

EVERY YEAR, THE MONTH OF AUGUST IS DESIGNATED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BY THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND THE OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES IS CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH.

AND IN FACT, RECENTLY, CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR NEWSOM HAS ALSO PROCLAIMED AUGUST TO BE CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH.

AND I HAVE HIS LETTER TO THAT EFFECT I'VE PLACED IN THE BASKET.

AND NOW YOU HAVE DONE THAT FOR MERCED COUNTY.

SO THE CIRCLE IS COMPLETE AND I SINCERELY APPRECIATE IT.

IN FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2023 LAST YEAR, IN TERMS OF NATIONAL AND STATE OF CALIFORNIA STATISTICS IN REGARD TO THE CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM INCLUDE THE FACT THAT NATIONWIDE, $29.6 BILLION WAS COLLECTED AND DISTRIBUTED NATIONWIDE 2.5 BILLION OF WHICH CAME RIGHT FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAMS HERE IN CALIFORNIA, WITH NEARLY 90% OF THAT GOING RIGHT INTO THE HOMES OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO NEED IT MOST. 12.7 MILLION CHILDREN WERE SERVED BY THE CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM LAST YEAR NATIONWIDE, WHICH IS ONE OUT OF EVERY FIVE CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES.

IN CALIFORNIA, THAT NUMBER IS 1 IN 8.

BUT IN MERCED, THAT NUMBER IS 1 IN 5.

CHILDREN ARE SERVED BY OUR PROGRAM HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.

AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT WORK THAT WE DO, BECAUSE THESE ARE MOSTLY LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

IN AS FOR OUR ORGANIZATION IN HERE, MERCED COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES, LAST YEAR, WE COLLECTED WELL OVER $29 MILLION AND DISTRIBUTED THAT MONEY TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

OVER 90% OF THAT WAS DISTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO THOSE FAMILIES.

AND MOST OF THEM, AS I SAID, BEING IN LOW TO MIDDLE INCOME SITUATIONS.

WE HAVE A TOTAL CASELOAD OF JUST OVER 14,500 CASES.

AND I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THIS YEAR, DESPITE TOUGH ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE'RE ALL WELL AWARE OF, WE ARE ON PACE AGAIN TO HIT THAT $29 MILLION MARK.

THROUGH JUNE, APPROXIMATELY 92% OF OUR CHILD SUPPORT CASES HAVE A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER ESTABLISHED AND IN PLACE.

AND DESPITE TOUGH ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES THROUGH JUNE OF THIS YEAR WE HERE IN MERCED COUNTY, CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTED AND DISTRIBUTED OVER 63% OF THE TOTAL CHILD SUPPORT DUE EACH AND EVERY MONTH TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

IN TERMS OF ANY ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ONE OF THE THINGS TO REPORT IS I'M PLEASED TO REPORT IS THAT WE JUST RECEIVED OUR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, A $10,000 GRANT FROM FIRST FIVE TO HELP US WITH OUR COUNTY OUTREACH EFFORTS AND TO SPREAD THE CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAMS ACCESS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE SMALL

[00:35:07]

WE STARTED DOING THAT WITH THEIR HELP LAST YEAR, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO THIS YEAR.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO FIRST FIVE FOR THAT GRANT.

ALSO, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE GOOD SERVICES THAT WE DO ARE 100% COST NEUTRAL TO THIS COUNTY BEING A FEDERALLY MANDATED PROGRAM AND USING STATE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS EXCLUSIVELY, NOT COUNTY TAX DOLLARS, TO PROVIDE THESE VITAL SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FOR OUR FAMILIES, AND FOR OUR CHILDREN.

I WOULD BE I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MY MANAGEMENT TEAM, MY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, KATRINA HOLMES, WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE TODAY SO I COULD INTRODUCE YOU.

SHE STARTED FOUR MONTHS AGO, BUT SHE'S AT HOME SICK, UNFORTUNATELY.

MY PROGRAM MANAGER, LISA CARPENTER, MY MANAGEMENT TEAM, AND ALL OF MY STAFF.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE.

IN THE CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM.

THIS PROGRAM IS SUCCESS BECAUSE OF THEM.

AND I'M HONORED TO BE THEIR DIRECTOR.

AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO NOW IS TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR EVENT NEXT WEEK IN CELEBRATION OF CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH.

WE WILL BE HAVING OUR FIFTH ANNUAL KIDS CONNECT EVENT FROM 3 P.M.

TO 6 P.M.

ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 31ST AT MEMORIAL MEMORIAL PARK IN LIVINGSTON.

THE EVENT IS FREE TO THE COMMUNITY TO CHILD SUPPORT CUSTOMERS OR NON CHILD SUPPORT CUSTOMERS.

ANYONE CAN COME. CHILDREN, ADULTS OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

ALL OF YOU ARE ON THE BOARD ARE CERTAINLY INVITED TO ATTEND.

CHAIRMAN ESPINOZA, THIS IS YOUR DISTRICT.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME, SAY A FEW WORDS.

YOU'RE CERTAINLY INVITED.

CEO MENDEZ. YOU WERE THERE ALSO LAST YEAR.

CHAIRMAN OR FORMER CHAIRMAN SILVEIRA.

YOU WERE ALSO THERE.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, IS THAT, YES, BERNARD BERRIAN WILL BE BACK FROM FORMER NFL PLAYER ATWATER HIGH STAR AND FRESNO STATE STAR, FORMER WIDE RECEIVER FOR THE BEARS AND MINNESOTA VIKINGS TO GIVE SOME MOTIVATIONAL DISCUSSIONS TO THE THE KIDS THAT ATTEND.

LAST YEAR'S EVENT IN LOS BANOS PRODUCED HUNDREDS OF PARENTS AND GUARDIANS AND OVER 450 CHILDREN AT THE EVENT, WHERE WE GAVE AWAY NEARLY 400 BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN, SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FROM PRE-K THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

THIS YEAR, JOINED BY APPROXIMATELY 30 OTHER PARTNER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE PARTNER WITH, THEY WILL BE THERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE OUR BACKPACK AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES GIVEAWAY.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME FREE CORN DOGS FROM FOSTER FARMS. THE FOOD BANK, I BELIEVE IS COMING IN PROVIDING BOXES OF DONATED NONPERISHABLE FOODS AND DONATED BOOKS AND CLOTHING.

LOTS OF FREE RAFFLE PRIZES, INCLUDING 40 NINER TICKETS, I BELIEVE, AS SOME GRAND PRIZES, LOTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS, FACE PAINTING AND AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.

ESSENTIALLY SHOWCASING OUR DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES, ALONG WITH MANY OF OUR OTHER PARTNERS WHO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO OUR CHILD SUPPORT CUSTOMERS.

SO THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON.

YOU'RE CERTAINLY INVITED AGAIN.

THAT'S NEXT. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31ST, 3 TO 6 P.M.

AT MEMORIAL PARK IN LIVINGSTON.

AND AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO SHOW YOU THE SLIDE SHOW OF WHAT HAPPENED IN LOS BANOS LAST YEAR.

A COUPLE OF YOU WILL RECOGNIZE YOURSELVES.

[00:41:00]

THANK YOU. VERY NICE. ANY COMMENTS BY THE BOARD? SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU.

JEFFREY. JUST HIGHLIGHT THE EVENT.

LAST YEAR WAS MY FIRST TIME GOING TO ONE VERY WELL ORGANIZED EVENT.

VERY WELL ATTENDED A LOT OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUE IT'S GOING TO BE IN YOUR BACKYARD TO GO VISIT IT.

AND JEFF ALWAYS TAKES REALLY GOOD CARE OF YOU.

AND YOU GET TO HANG OUT WITH BERNARD BEHRENDS, WHICH IS ALWAYS KIND OF COOL, TOO.

NICE. YEAH.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? NO, I SEE NO COMMENTS.

SO NOW I HAVE THE HONOR OF YOU KNOW, READING AND HANDING OUT THE PROCLAMATION FOR CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH.

SO.

ALL RIGHT, JEFFREY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.

IT WAS VERY NICE.

WHEREAS CHILDREN BECOME HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE AND WELL-ADJUSTED ADULTS THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF NURTURING OF THEIR FAMILIES.

AND WHEREAS MERCED COUNTY CHILDREN HAVE A RIGHT TO RECEIVE EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS.

AND WHEREAS, MERCED COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM IS STRONGLY COMMITTED TO PROMOTING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ALL CHILDREN BY ESTABLISHING PATERNITY, ENSURING PARENTS PAY CHILD SUPPORT, AND ON A REGULAR AND TIMELY BASIS, AND ENCOURAGING ALL PARENTS TO HAVE A LOVING AND SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

AND WHEREAS, MERCED COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAMS PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO BE A POSITIVE FORCE IN THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN.

IN 2023, MERCED COUNTY HAD A CASELOAD OF 13,800 CHILD SUPPORT CASES AND SERVED OVER 14,600 CHILDREN.

AND WHEREAS MERCED COUNTY BENEFITED LAST YEAR FROM OVER $29.7 MILLION IN CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTED, WITH OVER 29.6 MILLION GOING DIRECTLY TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SERVED.

AND WHEREAS CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH CELEBRATES CALIFORNIA'S NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED RECORD OF PROVIDING SERVICES FOR PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, AND WHEREAS, INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ISSUE THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH WILL REINFORCE THE NEED OF ALL PARENTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT OF THEIR CHILDREN.

AND WHEREAS, AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUPPORT OF THEIR CHILDREN BENEFITS ALL CALIFORNIANS.

NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED.

WE, THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, TO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 2024 AS CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH IN MERCED COUNTY.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANKS, THANKS. THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME. LET ME HELP.

YOU. NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO CALL UP THE LE GRAND HIGH SCHOOL LADY BULLDOGS SOFTBALL TEAM.

COMING UP. UP HERE.

SIR. HOW ARE YOU, LADIES? CONGRATULATIONS. I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THEM.

ALL OF YOU GUYS, BUT, YOU KNOW GENTLEMEN, YOU WANT TO JOIN ME? IT'S A PLEASURE TO PRESENT THESE CERTIFICATES.

LET ME GET THE CERTIFICATES.

OKAY. OKAY.

CONGRATULATIONS. YEAH, BECAUSE I THAT WAS THE SCENE.

[00:45:04]

SCREAMING. ON MAY 18TH, 2024, THE LE GRAND HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TEAM, THE LADY BULLDOGS, WON THE 2024 SAN JOAQUIN SECTION SOFTBALL PLAYERS.

DIVISION SIX, EARNING THEM THE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

CONGRATULATIONS. PLEASE SEND THEM TO THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL PLAYOFFS.

IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR HARD WORK ALL SEASON, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION TO THE LE GRAND HIGH SCHOOL.

HAYDEN PRADEL HEAD COACH.

GIA PRADEL.

MASON PRADEL, ASSISTANT COACH MARISSA BELMONTE, ASSISTANT COACH.

MICHELLE BONDY.

ALAYA. SEJA. ANABEL.

SECKA. MICAELA LEYVA.

KRYSTAL. MANZO.

SIENA. RAMIREZ.

AUDREY. SANDOVAL.

NADIA. AVILA.

EVA AVILA. KARLY.

REYES. ALYSSA.

ANGEL. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.

I AM SO. SO.

YEAH. HEAD COACH JIA.

ASSISTANT COACH. MARISSA. I THINK THEY PUT THIS ONE THERE NOW.

MICHELLE. ELIAS.

YES. CONGRATULATIONS.

MIKAELA. LEYVA.

KRYSTAL. MANZO. SIENA.

RAMIREZ. AUDREY SANDOVAL.

MARIA AVILA. ARLENE.

REYES. ELISA.

ANGEL. THAT'S ALL.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? HELLO.

MY NAME IS DOCTOR JAVIER MARTINEZ.

I'M THE PROUD PRINCIPAL OF LE GRAND HIGH SCHOOL.

HE REPRESENTING THE COACHES AND ASSISTANT COACHES AND THE OTHER PLAYERS THAT COULDN'T BE HERE.

THEY ARE BUSY, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, SOME OF THEM ARE IN COMPETITIONS DOWN SOUTH.

SOME OF THEM JUST RETURNED BACK FROM FFA WEEK LONG THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO.

SO CONGRATULATIONS ON ON A JOB WELL DONE, NOT ONLY IN THE FIELD BUT OUTSIDE THE FIELD.

IT IS PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELVES THAT MAKE OUR COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH AND NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.

AND HE WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING. I THINK.

NO. JUST ONE? NO. HE WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND FOR GIVING OUT THESE AWARDS.

YOU GO. ONE, TWO.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. YEAH.

RIGHT. COLORS. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. AND NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP OUR REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOLD VALLEY HEALTH CENTERS.

OH, ROD, THANKS FOR NOTHING.

YEAH. OH.

DON'T BE SHY. COME ON UP.

COME ON.

YOU'RE GOING TO TURN AROUND. FACE THAT WAY.

HOW ARE YOU? HOW ARE YOU?

[00:50:01]

THANKS FOR TAKING CARE OF ME.

SEE YOU AGAIN. YEAH. THANK YOU.

WELL, I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD TO ALWAYS GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CENTERS HERE IN MERCED COUNTY AND OUT OF THE COUNTY IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES, ALWAYS FOR DOING A GREAT JOB.

SO I WANT TO READ THE PROCLAMATION OF NATIONAL HEALTH WEEK CENTER WEEK.

WHEREAS FOR OVER 50 YEARS, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS LIKE GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CENTERS HAVE PROVIDED HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE IN OUR NATION'S MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, DELIVERING VALUE TO AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING AMERICA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

I MAY NEED SOME GLASSES PRETTY SOON, SO.

AND WHEREAS AT THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST PRIMARY CARE NETWORK CHC, ARE THE HEALTH CARE HOME FOR OVER 31.5 AMERICANS IN OVER 13,000 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ONE IN EVERY 11 PEOPLE IN THE IN THE UNITED STATES AND 1 IN 5 PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IN RURAL COMMUNITIES RECEIVE THEIR CARE AT CHC.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS ARE A CRITICAL ELEMENT OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM, PROVIDING THE ONLY ACCESSIBLE AND DEPENDABLE SOURCE OF PRIMARY CARE IN MANY COMMUNITIES, SERVING AS BEACONS OF ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR AMERICA'S MOST VULNERABLE AND UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

AND WHEREAS EVERYDAY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS DEVELOP NEW APPROACHES AND TO INTEGRATING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES BEYOND PRIMARY CARE, INCLUDING OVERALL HEALTH, VISION, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, PHARMACY AND SPECIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CARE, ALLOWING EACH COMMUNITY MEMBER TO THRIVE.

HEALTH CENTERS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED THEIR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE IN THE LAST DECADE TO MEET AMERICAN GROWING NEED FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

AND WHEREAS, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS ARE A POSITIVE ECONOMIC DRIVE, REDUCING OVERALL COSTS OF CARE BY HELPING MANAGE PATIENTS CHRONIC CONDITIONS AND KEEPING THEM OUT OF EXPENSIVE HEALTH CARE SETTINGS LIKE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS. NATIONALLY, CHC SUPPORT MORE THAN THE 500,000 DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS, INCLUDING PHYSICIANS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AND LICENSED FAMILY THERAPISTS WHO WORK AS AS PART OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY CLINICAL TEAMS DESIGNED TO TREAT THE WHOLE PATIENT.

AND WHEREAS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF EMERGENCY EMERGING HEALTH CARE CRISIS PROVIDING ACCESS TO CARE OF OUR NATION'S VETERANS.

ADDRESSING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, AND RESPONDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS IN THE WAKE OF NATURAL DISASTERS.

AND WHEREAS NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S MORE THAN 1400 COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER ORGANIZATIONS AND OVER 15,000 SERVICE DELIVERY SITES, INCLUDING OVER 3600 SCHOOLS.

WE HONOR THEIR DEDICATED STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS, PARTNERS AND ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUCCESS AND GROWTH.

AND WHEREAS, DURING NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK, WE CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF AMERICA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND THEIR VITAL ROLE IN SHAPING THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF AMERICA'S HEALTH CENTER CARE SYSTEM.

AND NOW WE THEREFORE, WE THEREFORE WE BE RESOLVED, THAT THE MERCER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 4TH THROUGH THE 10TH OF 2024 AS NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK IN MERCED COUNTY.

WE ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WEEK BY CELEBRATING THIS VITAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AMERICA'S COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND THE COMMUNITY THEY SERVE.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANY ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF? LET US JUST KIND OF SHY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SUPERVISORS, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

AND WE WANT TO INVITE WE HAD 400 1400 LIKE YOU SAID AT TWO MORE HERE IN MERCED.

IT'S OUR TWO LOCATIONS, A SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER AND OUR CENTRAL VALLEY PACE, WHICH IS THE VERY FIRST OF ITS KIND, A PROGRAM OF ALL-INCLUSIVE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.

WE DO HAVE THOSE GRAND OPENINGS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 7TH FOR THE RANCHERO CLINIC, WHICH IS A SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER, AND THE SECOND ONE, WHICH IS CENTRAL VALLEY PACE AT OUR AT OUR CAMPUS HERE IN MERCED.

I DO HAVE SOME FLIERS IN THE BACK.

WE INVITE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND CELEBRATE WITH US.

OH YES. WHAT DISTRICT? RIGHT? YES, DEFINITELY.

WE'RE DISTRICT THREE AND WE'RE SO EXCITED AND REALLY WANT TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND CELEBRATE NATIONAL CENTER WEEK WITH US.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SO NOW I PRESENT THIS IS A PROCLAMATION.

THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN FOR DOING THIS EVERY YEAR.

APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

SUPERVISOR I WANT TO COMMENTS.

YEAH I MADE A POINT.

YAMILET AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER IN DIFFERENT CAPACITIES FOR MANY YEARS.

[00:55:02]

FOR HEALTHCARE THAT YOU GUYS CAN DO.

YOU SERVE A LOT OF THE FOLKS WHO DON'T NECESSARILY GET THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND IN A WELL NEEDED COMMUNITY IN MY DISTRICT, THIS OPENING.

SO, STEPHANIE, SCHOOL IS IS GOING TO BE HUGE FOR MY COMMUNITY.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TO GET HEALTHCARE INTO THAT COMMUNITY, AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS SEEING THE NEED THERE AND AND IMPLEMENTING IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANYBODY ELSE? ANYBODY ELSE? SURE. YEAH. YOU GIVE ME THAT LOOK.

WELL, JUST ON BEHALF OF THE MANAGEMENT TEAM, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

AND WE INVITE EVERYONE OUT TO OUR OPEN HOUSES.

SO IF YOU COULD JOIN US, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'LL SEE MORE OUT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. WE'LL HAVE A NEW PARTNER.

YEAH, WELL, LET'S LET'S TAKE A PICTURE.

HERE WE GO. ONE, TWO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU AGAIN. SEE YOU.

WE'LL SEE YOU. THANK YOU.

WHAT'S THAT? WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE.

YEAH, YEAH.

THANK GOD. YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU. THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT ONES.

I'LL HAVE TO GET THE DATES FROM YOU.

I'M GONNA DO CERTIFICATES.

WELL, THANK. YOU.

OH. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

YEAH. LOCK THEM OUT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

[BOARD ACTION]

PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEM 15 REQUIRES A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE.

AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR DPW ITEM 13 THROUGH 15.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DPW ITEMS 13 TO 15 IS NOW CLOSED.

COMMENTS BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

AS IT RELATES TO ITEM.

SO LET ME GET MY NUMBER HERE CORRECTLY.

ITEM 13.

I JUST WANT TO PUT IT OUT THERE.

AS WE COME INTO TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, THESE ITEMS ARE GOING TO BE VERY, VERY CLOSELY MONITORING ON WHAT WE'RE PUTTING STUFF OUT TO BID AND REALLY WANT TO SCRUTINIZE, YOU KNOW, WHAT? WE'RE PAYING FOR STUFF.

YOU KNOW, IT'S I KNOW THAT WE HAVE ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS THAT GIVE US WHAT THEY THINK THE COST IS GOING TO BE, AND IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME HOW EITHER THEY'RE THAT GOOD, THAT THE BIDS ALWAYS COME IN WITHIN, YOU KNOW, A PERCENTAGE OF ABOVE OR BELOW OR RIGHT AT THAT NUMBER THAT WE PUT OUT THERE.

BUT I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD, SCRUTINIZING THESE THINGS IN MY BID TO TRY TO SAVE SOME OF THE 10% THAT WE SPEND IN GOVERNMENT DUE TO WASTE AND INEFFICIENCY.

AND SO ITEMS LIKE THIS WILL BE ON MY RADAR.

SO I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE FOR ANY POTENTIAL BIDDERS THAT ARE WATCHING OUR MEETING RIGHT NOW.

SUPERVISOR PEDROZO, THANK YOU.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

THIS PROJECT IS IN MY IS IN MY DISTRICT, AND I HAD REQUESTED THAT IT NOT BE THAT IT NOT MOVE FORWARD AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET AND BECAUSE OF THAT.

HOWEVER, I THINK RAUL RAOUL CAN EXPLAIN THAT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP IT IN MOTION SO THAT WE HAVE IT, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE DONE RIGHT NOW.

CAN YOU? OKAY.

ROWE. MENDEZ. YEAH.

THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

YOU'RE CORRECT. THE STRATEGY HERE IS TO CONTINUE TO MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD, HAVE IT READY.

IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FUND IT.

SO JUST YOU KNOW, IT IS OBVIOUSLY SEEKING SOME APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OR KEEP IT MOVING IN TERMS OF DESIGN WORK, BUT THERE WILL BE A HALT TO THE PROJECT MOVING FORWARD UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES BUDGETED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT.

OKAY. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

THANK YOU. MR.. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YEAH, I JUST I GUESS I WANT TO MAKE COMMENT.

IT YOU KNOW, WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP AT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND I KNOW ONE OF THE BIDS THAT CAME IN IN THE PAST WAS WAY ABOVE WHAT, WHAT OUR STAFF THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE. AND SO THEY'RE GOING BACK OUT TO BID.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, JUST KIND OF, I DON'T KNOW, JUST TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT JUST BECAUSE IT'S A BID ITEM DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S THE RIGHT AMOUNT TO SPEND AND THAT OUR NEW TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES THREE NEW, WELL, ONE DIRECTOR AND TWO ASSISTANT DIRECTORS ARE REALLY TAKING THAT SERIOUSLY.

AND AND I APPRECIATE THE DIGGING IN.

I KNOW WHEN WE ASK QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING ELSE ADDED ONTO THEIR PLATE, BUT THEY SEEM TO STEP UP AND AND DO A GOOD JOB, AND I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM FOR THAT.

[01:00:06]

SO THANK YOU, LINDSAY. AND AND PLEASE LET KIP AND NATHAN KNOW, OKAY.

SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

ALL RIGHT. I SEE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

CAN WE HAVE A VOTE ON IT, PLEASE? PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES FIVE ZERO.

NEXT, WE HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

ITEM 16 THROUGH 19.

THIS I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS 16 TO 19.

GO AHEAD. YEAH.

JESSE ORNELAS, YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE.

WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO, TO ACCEPT THIS GRANT FUNDING FOR A PROJECT THAT WE'VE BEEN COLLABORATING ON WITH WITH THE BOYS.

AND IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ABOUT THE PROJECT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON WITH THEM WE'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? I SEE NO COMMENTS. SO WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON 16 TO 19.

SO JOSH OR JOSH? NO COMMENT. NO. OKAY.

I DON'T SEE ANYONE. THERE YOU GO.

GO AHEAD. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

NO, I JUST WANT TO. I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

I KNOW THAT WE HAD MET A WHILE BACK, BUT.

AND YOU WERE ASKING AND WAITING FOR IT.

SO I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL. YEAH.

THANKS, JESSE. I'M GLAD YOU CAME HERE.

AND JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON YOUR COMMENTS THIS MORNING, MEETING WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM, THOSE KIDS ARE GREAT.

THEY'RE VERY FOCUSED AND INVOLVED.

AND IF THIS WILL GO.

I KNOW WE EXPLAINED THIS TO THEM AS WELL.

THEY WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, BUT WHAT A GREAT GROUP OF KIDS.

YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. YEAH, IT WAS A GREAT MEETING WITH THEM.

SO THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? NO. OKAY, SO I SEE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

SECOND BY BARRERA. CAN WE CALL FOR A ROLL? PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES FIVE.

OH. THANK YOU.

NEXT, WE HAVE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.

ITEMS 20 AND 21.

AT THIS TIME, OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS 20 AND 21.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR HSA ITEMS 20 AND 21 IS NOW CLOSED.

I SEE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SECOND SUPERVISOR PEDROZO GO FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES FIVE OH.

NEXT WE HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ITEMS 22 AND 23.

THIS WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ADMINISTRATION SERVICES 22 AND 23.

I SEE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS.

SO COMMENT PERIOD IS CLOSED FOR SERVICES.

ITEMS 22 AND 23.

AND NOW WE HAVE A COMMENT BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, ON ITEM 23.

I DID REACH OUT TO MR. COWARD YESTERDAY AND THERE'S A SURPLUS VEHICLE NUMBER ID NUMBER 55682 FROM THE AG DEPARTMENT, A 2007 FORD F 150 WITH 55,682 MILES ON IT.

AND IT DID EXPRESS SOME INTEREST AT SPRING SPRING FARE MAY POTENTIALLY BE INTERESTED IN THAT VEHICLE.

AND SO I KNOW THAT HE WAS GOING TO REACH OUT TO OUR FARE MANAGER CINNAMON HOWELL, AND LEAST LET YOU GET EYES ON IT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT COULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR US. I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD.

OKAY. I SEE NO FURTHER COMMENTS.

WE'LL GO FOR THE VOTE.

SUPPRESSION. OKAY. RECORD THE VOTE, PLEASE.

MOTION PASSES FIVE ONE.

NEXT, WE HAVE FIRE. ITEM 24.

AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FIRE.

ITEM NUMBER 24.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? I SEE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS, SO WE'LL FIRE.

ITEM 24 IS NOW CLOSED.

ANY COMMENTS OR MOTIONS? I SEE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

[01:05:01]

NOW WE HAVE THE SHERIFF.

ITEM 25.

AT THIS TIME WE OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SHERIFF ITEM NUMBER 25.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? I SEE NO PUBLIC COMMENT. SO CHAIR ITEM NUMBER 25 IS NOT CLOSED.

SO WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE OR COMMENTS.

I SEE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE, PLEASE.

MOTION PASSES FIVE ZERO.

NOW WE HAVE A SPRING FAIR.

ITEM 26.

AT THIS TIME, OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SPRING FAIR.

ITEM NUMBER 26.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? COME HERE FOR SPRING FAIR.

ITEM IS 26. IS NOW CLOSED.

I'LL SEE THE MOTIONS OR COMMENTS.

SEE MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SEVERA.

SECOND SUPERVISOR PAREIRA WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE.

RECORDED VOTE PLEASE.

MOTION PASSES FIVE ZERO.

NOW WE HAVE A WORKFORCE INVESTMENT.

ITEM 27.

AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE ITEM NUMBER 27.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? I SEE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS.

SO ITEM 27 IS NOT CLOSED.

CALL FOR A MOTIONS OR COMMENTS.

I SEE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

CALL FOR THE VOTE.

RECORD THE VOTE PLEASE.

MOTION PASSES FIVE ZERO.

NEXT WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE ITEM 28.

PLEASE NOTE UNIT 20 INCLUDES ELECTED OFFICIALS, CEO AND DEPARTMENT HEADS.

AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR QUEUE ITEM NUMBER 28.

I DON'T SEE NO PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 28, SO I'LL SEE YOU HAVE A COMMENT BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

YEAH, JUST JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, I WANT TO JUST STATE SOMETHING.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE CONFUSED ON THIS ITEM.

AS AS A BOARD MEMBER BECAUSE OUR SALARIES ARE TIED TO SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES JULY 1ST, I WOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN AUTOMATIC PAY RAISE.

I BELIEVE IT WAS 3.1%.

AND AND I WANT OUR EMPLOYEES TO KNOW THAT I'VE ELECTED NOT TO TAKE THAT RAISE AND THAT THAT MY SALARY INCREASE WILL BE ZERO.

AT THIS TIME. SO ANYWAYS, I, YOU KNOW, WITH THE COMMENT OF THIS INCLUDES.

I JUST WANTED THAT TO BE KNOWN.

THANK YOU. OKAY, AS YOU KNOW, FOR THE COMMENTS, WELL, WE'LL SEE FOR A MOTIONS.

MOTION SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SECOND SUPERVISOR PAREIRA CALL FOR THE VOTE.

RECORD THE VOTE, PLEASE.

MOTION PASSES FIVE OH.

NEXT WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

ITEM 29 THROUGH 31.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ON ITEM 29, ACTION ITEM NUMBER TWO HAS BEEN PULLED.

THE ITEM WILL ONLY BE TO CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF CASEY WILSON TO SERVE ON THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE COMMITTEE.

OKAY, AT THIS TIME WE'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS ITEMS 29 THROUGH 31.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? I SEE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS.

SO SO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS 29 THROUGH 31 FOR MOTIONS OR COMMENTS.

SO I SEE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORDED VOTE PLEASE.

MOTION PASSES FIVE ZERO. NEXT WE HAVE A SCHEDULE ITEM SUBMITTED BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

[SCHEDULED ITEMS]

GOOD MORNING. BOARD MEMBERS.

CEO MENDEZ AND COUNTY COUNSEL HANSEN.

WE HAD A GRANT THAT WAS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2021 FOR HALF $1 MILLION.

WE USE IT FOR OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND THE GRANT EXPIRED ON JUNE 21ST, 2024. SO WE NEED TO CLOSE OUT OUR GRANT AND MOVE FORWARD.

OKAY. NOW I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING AND ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THIS ITEM.

[01:10:04]

PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? I SEE NO PUBLIC COMMENT SO THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.

CALL FOR COMMENTS. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

MR. CHAIR. CAPTAIN SULLIVAN ON THE DISENCUMBERED 120,001 7622.

DOES THAT GO BACK TO.

YES. OKAY.

BASICALLY THE THE GRANT IS VERY RESTRICTIVE.

IT WAS ONLY FOR EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES AND ALSO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, PURCHASE TWO VEHICLES AND PAID FOR SOME OF OUR OTHER SMALL FEES.

SO THESE ARE WITHIN THE GRANT.

THIS IS ALL WE COULD UTILIZE.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND THEN I DON'T SEE NO OTHER COMMENTS.

SO A MOTIONS.

MOTION A MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES FIVE ZERO.

LAST IS BOARD REPORTS.

[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]

YEAH. DISCUSSION.

GO AHEAD. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS.

FIRST OFF, I DID ATTEND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ANNUAL MEETING LAST WEEK.

I WANT TO SAY, FIRST OFF, CONGRATULATIONS TO SUPERVISOR JAMES GORE FROM SONOMA COUNTY WHO WAS ELECTED TO THE PRESIDENT OF NACO.

SO AS NATIONALLY, CALIFORNIA HAS QUITE A BIG VOICE WHEN IT COMES TO COUNTIES AND HOW WE DEAL AT THIS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WITH, YOU KNOW, WITH WITH THE FEDS AT NACO.

I ALSO WANT TO BE THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT TWO, WHO WAS NAMED THE CHAIR OF THE NACO AG COMMITTEE, WHICH IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

SO I WOULD SAY BECAUSE OUR, OUR PRESIDENT THIS YEAR OF NACO IS FROM CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA HAS QUITE A QUITE A QUITE A LINEUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT SIT IN KEY LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.

AND WITH THAT, I WILL ALSO CONGRATULATE MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT THREE WHO IS ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE FOR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, I BELIEVE IS THE EXACT TITLE OF IT.

SO MERCED COUNTY IS VERY WELL REPRESENTED AT NACO AND BEING ABLE TO PUSH OUR VOICE FORWARD.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WHEN WE GO TO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR STATE ASSOCIATION WHERE WE'RE DEALING WITH MOST OF CALIFORNIA AND IT'S CRAZINESS.

WHEN YOU GO TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND YOU GO TO THESE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETINGS, SOMETIMES AS A SUPERVISOR FROM CALIFORNIA, YOU WALK INTO THESE MEETINGS AND THEY'RE DISCUSSING THEIR PLAN ABOUT A PLAN TO HAVE A PLAN TO DO SOMETHING.

AND HERE WE ARE IN CALIFORNIA.

LIKE IT OR NOT, WE'RE A LITTLE BIT FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD ON THESE THINGS WHERE WE'RE ALREADY ON THE THIRD ITERATION OF HOW WE'VE BEEN DOING IT, BUT THAT.

SO FOR ME, WHEN I GO IN THERE, IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO LEARN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

BUT SO YOU SOMETIMES YOU ASK YOURSELF, WHAT'S THE VALUE IN THAT? RIGHT? I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS TO BE REAL WITH EVERYBODY.

LIKE THESE TRIPS, THEY'RE NOT THEY'RE NOT CHEAP.

AND WE ARE GOING ON, ON THE TAXPAYER DIME TO THESE TRIPS.

BUT IT'S SO WHAT'S THE VALUE IN IT? AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THE FLIP SIDE, FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, CALIFORNIA IS LEADING THE WAY ON A LOT OF STUFF.

SOMETIMES I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE LEADING THE WAY, BUT WE ARE.

AND SO WE NEED TO EMBRACE THAT.

AND THEY GET A LOT OF VALUE IN HEARING WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO FORMULATE THEIR PLANS ON HOW THEY WANT TO CHALLENGE AND TACKLE ISSUES.

WE'VE ALREADY KIND OF WE'VE ALREADY KIND OF WENT THROUGH THE GROWING PAINS AND REALLY LINED OUT THE BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS ON THEM, SO WE DO GET VALUE ON THOSE THINGS.

SO AGAIN, WANT TO REPORT THAT OUT, THAT I WAS THERE.

AND THEN THE LAST THING IS I DO WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE CITY OF MERCED ON THEM.

JUST THIS PAST WEEK THEY WERE THE UC MERCED WAS ACTUALLY ANNEXED INTO THE CITY OF MERCED, AND I BELIEVE IT'S 31 DAYS AFTER WE FINISHED THAT, THAT IT ACTUALLY BECOMES OFFICIAL. AND I STILL IS SOMETHING I HIGHLIGHTED AT MY LAFCO MEETING THAT I'LL HIGHLIGHT NOW IS I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY OF MERCED WAS WAS WELL AWARE THAT, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, THAT UC MERCED HAS HAS NOTORIOUSLY BEEN KIND OF LATE TO THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING FIRE SERVICE FOR UC MERCED.

AND NOW THE CITY OF MERCED IS GOING TO INHERIT AND TAKE ON THAT CHALLENGE.

AND I THINK THAT THEY'RE ALL WELL AWARE OF IT.

AND YOU KNOW, I DO THINK, AND I'LL SAY THIS PUBLICLY, IS THAT UC MERCED HAS SUPER, SUPER GREAT POTENTIAL FOR

[01:15:02]

AND THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY THERE, BUT THEY'RE NOT THERE YET.

THEY'RE NOT A 50 YEAR, 75 YEAR OR LONGER ESTABLISHED UNIVERSITY.

AND I AND I'LL STILL STICK WITH THIS THAT IT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR POOR RURAL COUNTY CITIZENS TO SUBSIDIZE UC MERCED. THEY ARE ALREADY BEING SUBSIDIZED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND SO I HAVE REAL CHALLENGES WHEN WE'RE ASKED TO ON ON THE BACK OF OUR TAXPAYERS ON TOP OF WHAT WE ALREADY DO.

AND WHEN YOU PAY YOUR STATE INCOME TAXES.

WE'RE, YOU KNOW, PART OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO FUND USES.

BUT IT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS TO HAVE TO SUBSIDIZE THEM.

AND I WANT TO AND CONTINUE TO HOPE THAT THAT YOU SEE STEPS UP AND DOES THEIR FAIR SHARE.

IT SHOULDN'T BE ON THE BACKS OF THE LOCAL TAXPAYERS.

AND SO AGAIN, IT IS A CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITY OF MERCED.

IT WAS ALWAYS IN MY MIND.

IT WAS ALWAYS INTENDED TO BE A PART OF THE CITY OF MERCED AND WITH SPECIAL LEGISLATION FROM OUR FORMER ASSEMBLY MEMBER, ADAM GRAY, THEY WERE ABLE TO ANNEX.

IT DOESN'T FOLLOW SLAVKO'S NORMAL ANNEXATION RULES BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF AN ISLAND OUT THERE BY ITSELF.

BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO IT.

AND ALONG WITH THAT, WE'LL BE LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD FOR THE VIRGINIA SMITH TRUST, WHICH WILL BE ANNEXING INTO THE CITY AS WELL, WHICH WILL BE WHEN BUILT OUT, WILL PROVIDE A LOT MORE HOUSING AND A LOT MORE A VERY DIVERSIFIED TYPE OF HOUSING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE PROVIDING OUT THERE.

AND THAT HAS THAT'S NOT OFFICIAL.

NO OFFICIAL ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN ON THAT, BUT IT'S ON A PARALLEL PATH AND EXCITED TO SEE THAT COME BEFORE LAFCO.

AND WITH THAT, MR. CHAIR, I HAVE NOTHING FURTHER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I TOO ATTENDED THE NAFCA NACO, THE NACO CONFERENCE, AND IT WAS KIND OF INTERESTING.

I WENT TO NACO TO THE LEDGE CONFERENCE WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED AND FELT LIKE IT WASN'T REALLY SOMETHING ABOUT US, RIGHT? IT WAS. I WENT INTO A HOUSING AND HOMELESS SESSION AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT BASICALLY PROJECTS IN BALTIMORE AND CHICAGO AND DIDN'T REALLY FEEL RELATABLE TO ME AND TO MY CONSTITUENTS.

AND AND SO I HAVEN'T GONE BUT THIS YEAR DECIDED TO GO ONE BECAUSE JAMES GORE IS SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SAID WAS BECOMING CHAIR AND AND I GOT TO KNOW SUPERVISOR GORE THROUGH SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

THEY THEY BECAME SUPERVISORS AT THE SAME TIME AND AND HE HAS JUST REALLY PUSHED HARD AND DONE A GREAT JOB AND, AND I THINK WE'LL PROVIDE VALUE TO CALIFORNIA AND TO MERCED COUNTY GOING FORWARD.

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

YOU KNOW, CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL NACO'S COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AND NATURAL RESOURCES IS PRETTY AWESOME.

YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF FUNNY. I WAS SITTING AT A AT A TABLE WITH A COUPLE THAT WERE FROM ARKANSAS, YOU KNOW, AND THEY JUST I MEAN, EVEN THOUGH OUR AG ECONOMY IS ABOUT 20 TIMES OR 30 TIMES THEIR AG ECONOMY, THEY JUST DON'T THINK OF CALIFORNIA AS AN AG ECONOMY.

AND KIND OF WE'RE WONDERING WHY, YOU KNOW, A SUPERVISOR FROM MERCED COUNTY WAS THE CHAIR AND MAYBE SUPERVISOR PEDROZO WILL ALLUDE TO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE, SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS HE HAD.

BUT ANYWAYS, AND CONGRATULATIONS, SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

CONGRATULATIONS, CITY OF MERCED.

AND AND YOU KNOW, AND I'LL MAKE MY COMMENTS ABOUT VST, WHICH HOPEFULLY NEXT MONTH WILL ALSO BE ANNEXED INTO THE CITY AND ALLOWED TO DEVELOP.

WHEN THE UC CAME HERE YOU KNOW, THE BIG DRAW WAS THAT THE VIRGINIA SMITH TRUST WAS GOING TO GIVE THEM LAND TO BUILD THE UNIVERSITY AND NOT ONLY THE LAND, BUT THEY GAVE UP THE GOLF COURSE, WHICH HAD AN EIR DONE SO THAT THAT UNIVERSITY COULD BE BUILT EXPEDITIOUSLY.

AND THE TRADE OFF WAS THAT DOWN THE ROAD THAT VST WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THE LAND AROUND IT, MAKE MONEY TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES OF MERCED COUNTY? WELL, ACTUALLY, ACTUALLY, IT WAS FOR FOR GRADUATES FROM MERCED UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE COURTS HAVE SINCE CHANGED THAT TO ALL THE GRADUATING SENIORS IN MERCED COUNTY.

BUT ANYWAY, SO, YOU KNOW YOU KNOW, THERE'S, THERE'S GOOD AND BAD WITH EVERYTHING.

I THINK THE UC YOU KNOW, WILL WILL BE THE DRAW THAT ALLOWS VST TO DEVELOP 20 OR 30 YEARS SOONER THAN THEY WOULD HAVE, WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY RAISE THE EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF OF THE FOLKS IN MERCED COUNTY AND LONG TERM HELP US.

SO ANYWAYS, I LOOK FORWARD TO VST BEING ANNEXED AND ANYWAYS, THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

THANK YOU. YES, I TOO ATTENDED THE NACO ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND WAS APPOINTED AS THE CHAIR OF THE AG AND RURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

SO THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THAT.

AND ALSO, CONGRATULATIONS TO SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP, AND IT WAS ABOUT HOW CALIFORNIA, YOU KNOW, EACH OF US REPRESENT YOU KNOW, THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE'RE IN, WHETHER IT'S CSAC, RCRC OR NACO.

AND I JUST KIND OF TOOK A LIKING TO NACO BECAUSE I LIKE THE NATIONAL JUST GETTING THE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON FROM THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WHAT THEY'RE

[01:20:07]

BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE US AS AN AG AREA.

THEY THINK OF. I MEAN, REALLY, THEY THINK CALIFORNIA IS THE SAME ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WHEREAS I TALK TO MY FRIENDS WHO ARE SUPERVISORS FROM IOWA AND WHO HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH THE CENTRAL VALLEY, AND THEY FEEL LIKE THEIR HOME IS WHAT THEY'VE TOLD ME.

SO IT'S LIKE WE'RE VERY SIMILAR IN A SENSE THAT WE HAVE THE SAME WAY OF LIFE.

IN FACT, ONE OF THE SUPERVISORS THERE WAS EXPLAINING TO ME THAT HE HAD A LONG DAY BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST GETTING OVER A FLOOD, LIKE, IT'S TOO, TOO SOON, MAN.

BUT BUT IT'S IT'S SOMETHING THAT I REALLY TAKE VERY SERIOUS.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE THE RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN TO ME BY SUPERVISOR GORE, WHO'S NOW THE PRESIDENT, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HE TOLD ME A WHILE BACK THAT HE WANTED ME TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS.

AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE SAY, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU KNOW? YOU'RE NOT YOU DON'T OWN A FARM I GREW UP ON.

I'M ON I HAVE A DEGREE IN AG BUSINESS.

SO I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT AGRICULTURE.

AND SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO KIND OF LEARN MORE AS IT FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY STANDPOINT, BECAUSE REALLY, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS, THEY GROW STUFF DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT AREAS, AND THEY CALL WATER DIFFERENTLY, DIFFERENT THINGS THAN WE CALL IT, EVEN THOUGH IT'S SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER EVERYWHERE.

BUT THEY LOOK AT IT DIFFERENTLY.

SO I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THAT.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP EARLIER ALSO WAS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE GO TO THESE CONFERENCES AND YES, IT STILL WORK.

I MEAN, WHEN WE'RE GOING THERE, IT'S I IT'S NOT A VACATION BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

AND WE'RE STILL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MEETINGS WHEREVER WE'RE AT AND WE'RE STILL WORKING FROM, YOU KNOW, REMOTELY MOST OF THE TIME.

AND, YOU KNOW, SO IT'S IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE JUST GIVING UP TO, TO GO AND GET AWAY.

IT'S, IT'S WE'RE REALLY LEARNING AND TRYING TO BE BETTER AND BRING STUFF BACK TO MERCED COUNTY.

SO I MEAN, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, RIGHT WHEN I GOT BACK, WE WERE ALL BACK DOING WORK AGAIN.

I WAS RECEIVING CALLS ABOUT MERCADO ON MAIN, AND PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED THAT THE COUNTY WAS GOING TO GO OUT AND DO CHECKS ON THE VENDORS AND ILLEGAL VENDORS AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO SAY, HEY, NO, THIS IS JUST REGULAR BUSINESS AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

SO IT'S STUFF THAT WE DO THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T MENTION EVERYTHING FROM OUR OUR COMMENTS UP HERE DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE WE'RE GOING AND STUFF.

I ALSO WANTED TO I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE.

I FORGOT LAST TIME, BUT TO THANK WHILE WHILE I, I MET WITH THEM I WAS, I THINK THE FIRST ONE AND I SAID, YOU NEED TO REALLY KIND OF WORK ON YOUR MESSAGE AND WORK ON YOUR ARGUMENTS. AND I THINK THAT THEIR TENACITY AND THEIR, THEIR THE WAY THAT THEY'RE GOING ABOUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY ENCOURAGING BECAUSE IT'S REALLY YOUTH DRIVEN, AND I REALLY FIND THAT TO BE BENEFICIAL.

AND THEN ALSO I WANT TO ECHO WHAT SUPERVISOR PAREIRA SAID, YOU KNOW, I THAT WAS ABOUT THE INSURANCE THAT WE PASSED FOR EVERYBODY.

BUT WHEN THAT SALARY INCREASE FROM THE JUDGES WAS WAS PUT OUT, I MYSELF DIDN'T TAKE IT EITHER.

AND SO JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YES, I ATTENDED THE NACO AS WELL.

IT'S INTERESTING, THE NETWORKS THAT WE SET UP.

LIKE I SAY, NOT ALL ALL PROBLEMS CAN BE SOLVED WITHIN EACH OF OUR COUNTIES.

BUT WHEN YOU DEVELOP A NETWORK AND YOU'RE ABLE TO CONTACT OTHER SUPERVISORS FROM ACROSS THE NATION, OR EVEN WE HAVE CLOSER CONTACTS HERE IN CALIFORNIA.

BASICALLY, WE KNOW A SUPERVISOR IN EVERY COUNTY THAT WE CAN CALL UP ANY TIME THERE'S A PROBLEM.

AND IT'S IT'S A WAY TO IT'S A WAY TO REACH OUT AND SOLVE PROBLEMS BECAUSE A LOT OF COUNTIES HAVE ALREADY DONE IT OR HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH IT, AND IT'S SOMEBODY WE CAN PUSH IDEAS OFF OF.

WHEN I WAS ELECTED, I WAS VERY FORTUNATE JAMES GORE, MYSELF, LISA BARTLETT, IN FACT, OUR WHOLE TABLE, WE ALL SET AT THE TABLE AND WE HAVE ALL BEEN LEADERSHIP IN OUR CRC AND CSAC AS WELL.

AND SO WITH THIS GROUP, IT'S JUST BEEN FUN TO HELP JAMES GET UP TO THE TOP OF NACO AND TO HAVE ONE OF OURS, ONE OF US IN CHARGE OF NACO. AND THE ONE THING THAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION AND ALL OF US AND WHAT WE'RE PUSHING, IT ALWAYS HAS A RURAL PRIORITY.

ANY POLICY WE PUSH IN WASHINGTON DC, ANY POLICY WE'RE PUSHING IN SACRAMENTO BECAUSE OF OUR LEADERSHIP, THE RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE PUSHED UP FRONT AND WE NEVER LET THEM BE FORGOTTEN BECAUSE WHENEVER LET'S FACE IT, I MEAN, WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD FRIEND, CATHERINE BARGER, WHO'S A SUPERVISOR IN LA COUNTY, BUT THOSE FOLKS ARE THINKING ABOUT I MEAN, HER DISTRICT ALONE IS AS BIG AS SEVEN

[01:25:10]

BUT WITH OUR POLICY DIRECTION THAT WE COME WITH OUR ASSOCIATIONS, WE'RE ALWAYS TELLING THEM THAT THE OTHER CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS RURAL CALIFORNIA, IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN THEM, AND THEY TAKE IT UNDER CONSIDERATION, WHICH IS MUCH APPRECIATED.

I WOULD ALSO SAY I'D LIKE TO SHARE TWO I DID NOT ACCEPT A RAISE EITHER.

EVEN THOUGH IT WAS GIVEN TO US AT JULY OF LAST YEAR, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO ACCEPT IT TILL THIS YEAR.

I DECIDED IN THIS TIME AND THIS, THE WAY THE ECONOMY IS GOING, THAT I WOULD NOT ACCEPT IT EITHER.

AND ALSO, WHAT ELSE DID I SAY? I LIKE TO AGAIN, THANK JESSE REYNOLDS FOR HIS GROUP.

HE'S DOING SOME GOOD WORK OUT THERE.

AND I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED BY THOSE KIDS.

THEY THEY DID NOT WANT TO TALK IN PUBLIC.

THEY REALLY DID NOT WANT TO DO IT.

BUT THEY, THEY THEY PULLED WITHIN.

AND THEN I THINK AFTER THEY PRESENTED TO US THE CONVERSATION THAT CONTINUED ON THEIR PRESENTATION WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES.

BUT THE CONVERSATION THAT HAPPENED AFTERWARD WENT FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR TO AN HOUR, AND THEY WERE REALLY ENGAGED.

AND IT WAS VERY GOOD BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS AS WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE ABLE TO CLEAR IT UP.

AND THEN THEY SAW THAT WE'RE JUST REGULAR PEOPLE, YOU KNOW.

AND I GOT TO SHARE THAT. I PLAYED BASKETBALL AND ALL THE WAY OUT THE DOOR THE KIDS WERE.

WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE TEAM? WELL WHO'S THIS.

WELL WHO'S THAT. SO IT WAS IT WAS US BECOMING MORE MORE ONE ON ONE WITH THE KIDS.

AND THEY COULD SEE WE'RE JUST REGULAR PEOPLE AS WELL.

SO THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS.

SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. THANK YOU.

YES, I ALSO FORGOT TO DO THIS AT THE LAST MEETING.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADJOURN IN HONOR OF GEORGE MORA, WHO'S A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF MERCED.

THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

YEAH, MR. CHAIR, I FORGOT TO MENTION TO AS WELL.

I SENT A LETTER TO THE AUDITOR CONTROLLER.

JUST KNOWING WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, WITH OUR EMPLOYEES AND NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO OFFER IN THE FORM OF COLAS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

I DID TO SAY IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, I CAN'T ACCEPT A RAISE WHEN WE'RE NOT ABLE TO OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES RAISES.

SO I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD AS WELL.

THANK YOU. CHAIR. OKAY.

COUNTY COUNCIL ROWE MENDES.

YES. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, JUST A COUPLE ITEMS. MAYBE AS A FOLLOW UP TO TO THAT COMMENT, I DID WANT TO JUST TAKE A TIME.

TAKE SOME TIME TO THANK AND APPRECIATE BOTH BARGAINING GROUPS.

OBVIOUSLY, TODAY THE BOARD TOOK ACTION ON AN MOU FOR BARGAINING UNIT THREE.

I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD DISCUSSION AT THE BARGAINING TABLE.

AND OUR STAFF WAS TRYING TO WORK AS BEST AS IT COULD WITH THE DIRECTION PROVIDED, SO I DIDN'T WANT IT TO NOT BE SAID.

WE DO APPRECIATE UP WORKING WITH US.

AND I KNOW THAT CONVERSATION WILL CONTINUE HERE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY SOME OF THE RESIDENTS IN SANTANELLA.

I WANT TO ASSURE THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC OUR COUNTY STAFF IS FULLY ENGAGED OUT THERE.

IT'S A PRIORITY SINCE OBVIOUSLY THE EVENTS OF THE FIRE.

WE HAVE BEEN HOLDING MEETINGS EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS TO JUST REPORT ON PROGRESS.

SO I KNOW OUR STAFF, I SEE THEM IN THE AUDIENCE, OUR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OUR HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES, PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, OBVIOUSLY, OUR OFFICE AND OTHERS ARE ENGAGED IN TRYING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE.

THERE'S BASICALLY TWO APPROACHES.

THERE'S KIND OF THE THE IMMEDIATE THAT CAN BE DONE TO SUPPORT THEM UNTIL THE PERMANENT FIX CAN BE DONE.

SO WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR OUTSIDE PARTNERS AS WELL PG AND E, SOME OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, NON-PROFITS TO TRY AND ACCELERATE THAT WORK. WE DID HAVE A VERY FRUITFUL CONVERSATION WITH PG AND E YESTERDAY IN REGARDS TO THE PERMANENT FIX.

AND SO THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING TO ACCELERATE THAT.

OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU NEED TO REPLACE SOMETHING, THE FIRST THING ONCE YOU GET THE GREEN LIGHT IS TO PLACE THE ORDER.

AND THERE IS SOME TIME THAT IT TAKES FOR YOU TO PROCURE THE MATERIALS AND THE EQUIPMENT.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO, AGAIN, ACCELERATE THAT AS BEST AS WE CAN.

AND THEN SOME OF OUR PRIVATE DONORS AND SUPPORTERS HAVE ALSO BEEN ENGAGED.

I THINK THEY PREFER TO KIND OF BE KIND OF BE MORE ANONYMOUS.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE SUPPORTING THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE.

SO I WANT TO ASSURE THE, THE BOARD THAT YOUR COUNTY TEAM IS DOING ITS BEST TO CONTINUE TO MAKE WORK TO RESTORE THINGS TO, TO THE WAY THEY WERE IN THE PAST BEFORE THE FIRE.

YEAH. SO, YEAH, I JUST HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CEO, AND MAYBE IT NEEDS TO BE STATED.

SO THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS IT'S PRIVATE PROPERTY.

IT'S NOT COUNTY PROPERTY.

AND THE WAY THE PROPERTY IS SITUATED IS ACTUALLY OVERSEEN BY THE STATE.

[01:30:03]

YEAH. THERE'S YEAH, EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN THROUGH OUR POWER.

YEAH. IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH CENTINELA AND SPECIFICALLY THAT MOBILE HOME PARK AREA, IT'S A LITTLE COMPLICATED.

YOU HAVE AN AREA THAT IS OVERSEEN BY THE STATE.

THERE ARE OTHER UNITS THAT HAVE BECOME, YOU KNOW, MAYBE BASICALLY PRIVATE PROPERTY.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.

AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THE FOLKS THAT ARE IMPACTED ARE THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE THAT ARE LIVING THERE AND MAYBE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BECAUSE OF EITHER THE FIRE OR THE LACK OF ELECTRICITY AND UTILITIES.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO RESTORE BACK.

SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

I KNOW OUR TEAM IS OUT THERE DAILY SHARING INFORMATION WITH RESIDENTS.

I KNOW WE HAD A COUPLE RESIDENTS THIS MORNING CONFIRMED THAT, YEAH, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM TO KEEP THEM APPRIZED OF PROGRESS.

BUT SOME OF THESE THINGS TAKE TIME.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AND THEN THE LAST THING JUST AGAIN, WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE LADY BULLDOGS FROM LE GRAND HIGH SCHOOL.

PRETTY COOL THAT WE GET TO CELEBRATE THEM AS PART OF AS PART OF OUR BOARD MEETING SECTION CHAMPIONS.

I KNOW MANY OF US WERE TRACKING THEIR PROGRESS AND ROOTING FOR THEM KIND OF BEHIND THE SCENES.

SO JUST REALLY NEAT TO SEE YOU KNOW, A LOCAL PROGRAM TO HAVE SUCCESS AND FOR THE BOARD TO RECOGNIZE THAT.

SO THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

I JUST REITERATE THE SAME COMMENTS AS THE CEO.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LE GRAND HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL.

ALSO REGARDING SANTANELLA, I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, THE RESIDENTS FEEL LIKE WE DON'T WANT TO SPEAK YOU KNOW, A PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT YEAH, WE'VE BEEN I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF, HSA, ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN HELPING OUT THERE FOR TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN FOR THE RESIDENTS, EVEN THOUGH THEY FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT HELPING OR IT'S NOT FAST ENOUGH.

IT'S LIKE, IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WITH DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, LIKE PG AND E, THEY DO WHAT THEY CAN TO, SUPPORT THAT, BUT THEY CAN'T DO ALL OF IT BECAUSE IT'S LIKE IT WAS STATED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, IT'S PRIVATE PROPERTY.

THE WIRING IS ALL CONNECTED TO TEMPLATES MOBILE HOME HOMES.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE PANEL BOXES, YOU KNOW, WERE AT ONE LOCATION.

AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT ONE LOCATION IS WHERE THE BOX WAS.

IT AFFECTED EVERYBODY, NOT JUST THOSE TEN PLUS ANOTHER ONE THAT IT GOES TO A SEPARATE LOCATION ACROSS THE STREET.

IT AFFECTED THOSE TWO AS WELL.

SO YOU HAVE MANY MORE THAN 40 HOMES THAT WERE, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY 40 THAT WERE AFFECTED.

SO IT'S JUST SO COMPLICATED.

AND I KNOW THEY'RE TRYING TO WORK AS FAST AS THEY CAN.

THEY'RE ALSO TRYING TO GET SIGNATURES.

SO THAT WAY THEY CAN WORK ON IT BECAUSE IT'S STILL PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GET YOU KNOW FOR LIABILITY REASONS.

SO IT'S VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE RESIDENTS THAT DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE TO SIGN ANYTHING.

SO, YOU KNOW, AND BUT THEY WANT THE SERVICES RIGHT AWAY.

OTHERS WANT THE SERVICES RIGHT AWAY.

SO IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH SOME OF THE PUBLIC.

I JUST WANT TO AGAIN CONGRATULATE SUPERVISOR PEDROZO AND SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL FOR THEIR APPOINTMENTS.

YOU KNOW, BUT THAT RESULT IS THE PROCESS.

I WAS GLAD TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF ELECTING A SECOND VICE PRESIDENT.

THERE WILL BE A PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, WHERE OUR FRIEND SUPERVISOR JAMES GORE, IS THAT RIGHT NOW.

SO THANKS TO THAT, YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND THEN YOU KNOW, THANKS TO JAMES GORE, HE APPOINTED SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

AND MCDANIEL. SO THAT'S THE FRIENDSHIP THAT WE DEAL WITH NOT JUST IN THIS STATE, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND OTHER POSITIONS.

SO HOPEFULLY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL AND PEDROZA WILL BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE YOU KNOW, INPUT IN WHAT GOES ON NATIONALLY AND, YOU KNOW, IN SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA AND OUR REGION IN MERCED COUNTY AS WELL IN THE FUTURE.

SO WITH THEIR POSITIONS BEING APPOINTED I APPOINTED I ATTENDED SEVERAL SESSIONS AND ONE IS INTEGRATING HIGH SKILLED IMMIGRANTS INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

MANY IMMIGRANTS THAT COME INTO THIS COUNTRY COME WITH YOU KNOW, HIGH, HIGH SKILLED.

BUT SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THEIR EDUCATION AGAIN BECAUSE IT DOESN'T THE, YOU KNOW, THIS COUNTRY DOESN'T ACCEPT THIS.

SO YOU KNOW, MORE SUPPORT IS, IS HAS BEEN SOUGHT TO SUPPORT THEM OR EVENTUALLY THEY'LL BE PAYING, YOU KNOW, BE PAYING TAXES HERE.

SO IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE SUPPORT THOSE HIGH SKILLED IMMIGRANTS.

ANOTHER ONE SESSION WAS VIOLENCE AGAINST PUBLIC ELECTED OFFICIALS, ELECTION WORKERS WERE DUE TO THE 2020 ELECTION.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S MANY WHERE VIOLENCE OCCURRED IN ARIZONA AND OTHER LOCATIONS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE EVEN CEOS HAVE BEEN HARASSED AND ATTACKED THROUGH VIOLENCE AND WHERE MANY COUNTIES AND CITIES HAVE GONE THROUGH YOU KNOW, HAVING TO PUT UP YOU KNOW METAL DETECTORS AND

[01:35:01]

SO WHERE IT BECOMES MORE COST PROHIBITIVE FOR SOME CITIES OR COUNTIES.

SO THAT'S YOU KNOW, A LOT OF A LOT OF FUNDS ARE BEING SPENT ON, ON YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE AND ATTACKS AGAINST OFFICIALS.

SO THAT WAS THAT WAS DISCUSSED.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I DID NOT TAKE THE RACE EITHER.

THE 3.1 INCREASE THAT THEY BECAME EFFECTIVE ON JULY 1ST.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT PUBLICLY.

SO WITH THAT THIS CONCLUDES OUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING FOR JULY 23, 2024, FOR OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 10 A.M.

ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH.

SO THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.