>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 8,
[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:03]
2024 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.>> YOUR CLOSED SESSION FOR THIS MORNING IS THE FOLLOWING.
[CLOSED SESSION]
IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE BOARD TO MEET IN CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6, CONCERNING A MEET AND CONFER WITH AGENCY NEGOTIATOR, MARCI BARRERA, AND ALSO CONCERNING EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 D(1), ALICIA DICOCHEA-LOPEZ VERSUS COUNTY OF MERCED WORKERS COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD CASE NUMBERS ADJ12977342 AND ADJ16518995, AND TWO, CHANG VERSUS COUNTY OF MERCED ET AL.MERCED SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER 22CV-02789.
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.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEM IS NOW CLOSED.
WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION.
GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 8, 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 MCDANIEL WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. STACY?
>> PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS AND YOUR HEARTS WITH ME THIS MORNING.
DEAR GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THE GRACE THAT ALLOWS US TO COME SO FREELY BEFORE YOU FOR FORGIVENESS, DIRECTION, WISDOM, BLESSINGS, AND COURAGE.
JUST AS KING DAVID PRAYED IN PSALM 51, WE ASK, CREATE ME A CLEAN HEART OH GOD, AND RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN ME.
CAST ME NOT AWAY FROM YOUR PRESENCE AND TAKE NOT YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME, BUT RESTORE UNTO ME THE JOY OF MY SALVATION AND UPHOLD A FREE SPIRIT WITHIN ME.
LORD, WE INVITE YOUR PRESENCE INTO THESE CHAMBERS TODAY.
I ASK THAT YOU TOUCH THIS BOARD TODAY, LORD, IN EVERY CAPACITY IN WHICH THEY SERVE NOT JUST AS SUPERVISOR, CEO, COUNTY COUNSEL, BUT IN EVERY ROLE THAT THEY PLAY, PUBLIC SERVANT, FATHER, HUSBAND, BROTHER, UNCLE, COUSIN, NEPHEW, FRIEND, NEIGHBOR.
I ASK IN EVERY ROLE THAT YOU STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT THEM.
FOR THE TIMES THAT THEY NEED WISE COUNSEL, SHOW THEM THE SOLUTION, IN TIMES WHEN THEY NEED BOLDNESS, PLEASE GRACE THEM WITH COURAGE, IN MOMENTS OF DOUBT OR QUESTION, PROVIDE REASSURANCE, AND IN THE MOMENTS WHEN WHAT THEY CARRY GETS A LITTLE TOO HEAVY, I PRAY SEND ARMOR BEARERS TO HELP CARRY THE LOAD.
NOT A SINGLE ONE OF US KNOWS THE WEIGHT OF WHAT THEY CARRY INDIVIDUALLY OR IN THEIR HOMES, BUT YOU DO.
YOU SEE EVERY STRUGGLE, EVERY VICTORY, EVERY CHARACTER BUILDING OPPORTUNITY.
I PRAY FOR YOUR GRACE IN THE MOMENTS AND PROVISION FOR EVERY BATTLE.
LORD, I WAS THINKING ABOUT EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH THE FLOODS AND HURRICANES AND EVERYTHING BACK EAST AND REMEMBERED SOMETHING THAT INSPIRED ME RECENTLY.
I HEARD IT SAID THAT WE SHOULD PRACTICE OUR SPRINT, NOT ONLY TO HELP US AVOID INJURY IF WE FIND OURSELVES IN MOMENTS WHERE WE NEED TO ACT FAST, BUT ALSO TO ASSIST OTHERS WHO MAY NEED A HAND IN THE MOMENT.
HELP OUR BOARD AND OUR COMMUNITY BE READY FOR ANY IMPACT THAT MAY COME OUR WAY AND TO BE SO OVERPREPARED THAT WE'RE READY TO ASSIST OUR NEIGHBORS SHOULD THEY NEED IT.
IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU CHOSE DAVID TO FACE GOLIATH.
HE WAS JUST A SMALL SHEPHERD BOY WITH SOME STONES AND A SLING, BUT WHAT I FOUND INTERESTING IN THAT STORY IS THAT AS A SHEPHERD, HE HAD A LOT OF TIME FOR TARGET PRACTICE OUT IN THE FIELD, SO HE KNEW THAT HE WOULD ONLY NEED ONE STONE TO TAKE DOWN THAT GIANT.
HE WAS CONFIDENT AND SECURE IN THAT KNOWLEDGE.
HE WAS PREPARED FOR THE FIGHT.
HE KNEW HIS SKILL. HE HAD ALREADY TAKEN DOWN A BEAR AND A LION.
EVEN WITH THAT KNOWLEDGE, HE STILL HAD SEVERAL STONES IN HIS ARSENAL.
THIS MEANT HE WAS PREPARED TO KEEP FIGHTING IF NECESSARY.
MAY WE HAVE THE FORESIGHT OF DAVID WHEN HE FACED GOLIATH, THE COURAGE AND RESOLUTION TO KEEP FIGHTING IF NECESSARY, AND TO BE PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING THAT MAY COME.
WE OFFER THIS MEETING TO YOU AND ASK FOR YOUR PEACE TO PRESERVE US, YOUR JOY TO STRENGTHEN US, AND YOUR WISDOM TO CARRY US.
IT'S ON MY HEART TO ASK YOU TO TOUCH THOSE COMMUNITIES BACK EAST AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE STORMS COMING.
PLEASE BE MERCIFUL AND PROVIDE FOR THE EVERY NEED.
MOST OF ALL, PLEASE PROTECT THEM.
FINALLY, PLEASE TOUCH ALL OF OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF THIS MEETING TODAY, EVERY GUEST SPEAKER, EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD, AND ALL THOSE LISTENING OR ONLINE OR AT HOME.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR DAILY MERCIES AND BLESSINGS.
[00:05:09]
>> IT IS NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON
[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]
ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION, EXCLUDING ITEMS ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA.TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT.
AGAIN, THIS IS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CHERILYN ROLLS.
I PREVIOUSLY SPOKE OF MY ANIMALS BEING STOLEN, AND NOBODY IN THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, NOBODY IN ANY DEPARTMENT WOULD EVEN TALK TO ME, LET ALONE MAKE A POLICE REPORT.
THIS WAS A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
TODAY, I'M WANTING TO TALK ABOUT AG CRIMES IN THE DA'S OFFICE.
NOW, ONE OF THE SUPERVISORS TOLD ME THAT AG CRIMES WAS FUNCTIONING AND THAT THE BOARD HAD FUNDED IT.
I WENT TO THE DA'S OFFICE FOUR TIMES AND I TALKED WITH AN EXTREMELY NICE PERSON, PATRICK.
PATRICK WAS POLITE AND COURTEOUS, BUT THERE WAS NOBODY FOR ME TO TALK TO THERE.
EVIDENTLY, THE MONEY FOR AG CRIMES WENT TO A DEPARTMENT WHERE NOBODY WAS GOING TO TALK TO ME.
THE GATEKEEPER OF THIS PARTICULAR DEPARTMENT WAS A POLICE SERGEANT THAT CAME OVER FROM CITY POLICE.
NOW, THIS PERSON HAD A HISTORY THERE, AND I KNOW THE HISTORY, BUT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO TALK TO ME.
THE MONEY THAT YOU SENT OVER TO AG CRIMES IS NOT GOING TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
EITHER THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME OR THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH AG CRIMES.
BEHAVIOR THAT IS NOT REWARDED WILL NOT CONTINUE.
YOU GUYS KEEP FUNDING THESE AGENCIES THAT ARE USING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BE MEAN TO US. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR PEDROZO AND THE BOARD.
CHRISTIAN SANTOS HERE REPRESENTING THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN DUARTE.
THE CONGRESSMAN HAS HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING WITH VARIOUS MERCED COUNTY BUSINESSES IN RECENT DAYS.
HE MET WITH SIERRA PROPANE AND MERCED TO DISCUSS AMERICAN ENERGY POLICY, AS WELL AS VALLEY PRESCRIPTION AND COMPOUNDING PHARMACY TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE SKYROCKETING PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
VALLEY FAMILIES DESERVE ABUNDANT ENERGY AND AFFORDABLE MEDICATION.
THE CONGRESSMAN IS ALSO HONORED TO CUT THE RIBBON FOR THE 2024, MERCED WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S.
CONGRESSMAN DUARTE IS PROUD TO CO-SPONSOR THE NAPA REAUTHORIZATION ACT, WHICH EXTENDS THE NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT THROUGH 2035.
IT ALSO SUPPORTS COORDINATION OF VARIOUS FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND OTHER EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER RELATED DEMENTIAS.
THE HOUSE ALSO RECENTLY PASSED H.R.7218, THAT'S THE BIPARTISAN BOLD INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALZHEIMER'S REAUTHORIZATION ACT.
OUR HEARTS AND OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO OUR FELLOW AMERICANS IN THE SOUTHEAST THAT HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE HELENE, AS WELL AS THOSE IN FLORIDA, IN THE PATH OF HURRICANE MILTON, AND THESE DISASTERS REMIND US OF THE TERRIFYING POWER OF MOTHER NATURE.
CONGRESSMAN DUARTE ACTUALLY RECENTLY JOINED REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN DAVID VALADAO AND DEMOCRAT CONGRESSMAN JIMMY PANETTA TO CO-INTRODUCE THE BIPARTISAN AGRICULTURE DISASTER RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT.
IN 2023, FARMERS AND PRODUCERS IN MERCED COUNTY IN CENTRAL VALLEY AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LOSSES DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS, INCLUDING FLOODS, HURRICANES, DROUGHTS, TORNADOS, WILDFIRES, AND OTHER WEATHER-RELATED PEST DAMAGES.
THESE DISASTERS HAVE SEVERELY IMPACTED CROP AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND
[00:10:04]
CONTINUE TO JEOPARDIZE OUR NATION'S FOOD SECURITY AND THE ECONOMIC STABILITY OF RURAL COMMUNITIES.UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY A QUARTER OF THE ROUGHLY 400 AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES GROWN IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ARE COVERED BY A DIRECT CROP INSURANCE PROGRAM, MEANING THAT THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIA FARMERS ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS CRITICAL RISK MANAGEMENT TOOLS TO RECOVER FROM NATURAL DISASTERS.
THIS HAS LED TO A RELIANCE ON RESOURCES SUCH AS THE USDA EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM, WHICH, AS IT STANDS, IS CURRENTLY OVERSUBSCRIBED AND UNDERFUNDED.
THE AGRICULTURE DISASTER RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT APPROPRIATES $14 BILLION TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR NECESSARY EXPENSES RELATED TO THE 2023 DISASTERS.
IT INCLUDES A ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLAR CARVE OUT FOR LIVESTOCK LOSSES AND PROVIDES EXPANDED ASSISTANCE TO LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS, INCLUDING THE RELOCATION OF LIVESTOCK, FEED CROP LOSSES, AND SHELTER-IN-PLACE PROCEDURES.
IT COVERS WINE GRAPES THAT WERE LOST DUE TO SMOKE TAINT FROM WILDFIRE.
INCLUDES ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS MODELED AFTER PREVIOUS SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS, INCLUDING THE DEFINITION OF DROUGHT, DIRECT PAYMENTS TO PRODUCERS, PAYMENT LIMITATIONS, AND CROP INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.
THIS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION IS SUPPORTED BY THE AMERICAN CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU, WESTERN GROWERS, THE NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION, AND A VARIETY OF OTHER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA TOMATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION, NAPA VALLEY VENEERS, THE ALMOND ALLIANCE, AND THE GROWER-SHIPPER ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> ME AND THOSE STAIRS. GOOD MORNING, GUYS.
I'M HERE JUST TO BRIEFLY SPEAK ABOUT MEASURE R. A LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTED.
YOU STRESSED THAT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU COULD FUND PUBLIC SAFETY TO WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE.
I DON'T SEE ANY OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIAS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LAWS ARE OR WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T DO, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY OF YOU GUYS PUSHING THIS.
WE HAVE LESS THAN A MONTH TO GET THIS TO PASS AT 67%.
EVERY PERSON THAT I'VE TALKED TO AND ASKED TO PUT A SIGN IN OR HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT? IT ALWAYS COMES BACK TO WHAT'S HAPPENING UPSTAIRS UP HERE? IT'S HARD. THAT'S THE OPPOSITION.
THEY WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU NEED MORE MONEY FROM THEM TO FUND THIS.
I HAVE BEEN, OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, TALKING TO DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND SMELLING, TRYING TO GET SOMETHING IN WINTON TO GET THE SHERIFF THERE, THE DA THERE, AND FIRE THERE TO EXPLAIN THIS TAX AND THE IMPORTANCE OF IT, BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE THE ONLY ONE DOING THAT.
EACH ONE OF YOU SHOULD BE IN YOUR DISTRICTS HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO INFORM THEM THAT THIS IS DIRE.
THAT PUBLIC SAFETY GRANT, THE SAFER GRANT, YOU DIDN'T GET THAT. WHERE ARE WE AT NOW? I KNOW YOU CAN'T ANSWER MY QUESTIONS, IF YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY, I'M WILLING TO WALK AND PUT SIGNS AND TELL PEOPLE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT TOO.
YOU HAVE TO STAND BEHIND THOSE BADGES, AND THOSE FAMILIES, AND THOSE BUSINESSES, AND EVERYTHING IN THIS COMMUNITY, TO YOUR VOTERS, TO EVERYONE IN MERCED COUNTY.
YOU WANT TO ATTRACT MORE BUSINESSES TO COME HERE, PROVIDE THEM A SAFE PLACE TO RUN A BUSINESS.
DON'T SAY THIS IS THE ONLY WAY IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO HELP.
I TOLD YOU I WOULD BE YOUR BIGGEST ALLY, AND I'M TRYING, BUT I CAN'T DO IT ALL BY MYSELF.
THESE GUYS CAN'T DO IT BY THEMSELVES EITHER.
WE JUST NEED MORE. WE HAVE LESS THAN THREE WEEKS TO PUSH IT.
SHOW THE COUNTY THAT IT IS THE ONLY WAY, AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. THANK YOU.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE TO THE PODIUM
[PRESENTATION]
EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER ADAM AMARAL FOR PRESENTATION.>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, BOARD, CEO, COUNTY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS ADAM AMARAL, I'M THE EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER FOR MERCED COUNTY, OES.
TODAY, I'M HERE WITH AND CO CONSULTING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLANNING PROJECT.
>> OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF,
[00:15:02]
WE HAVE COLLABORATED CLOSELY WITH ALL OF OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, CITY OFFICIALS, AND A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS.THESE EFFORTS HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW US TO BUILD COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY OPERATION PLANS THAT THIS COUNTY HAS NEVER HAD.
IT'S MY PLEASURE TODAY TO INTRODUCE STEVE MONGORA, CEO FROM AANKO CONSULTING, WHO WILL GIVE A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT'S CURRENT STATUS AND OUTLINE THE NEXT PHASES AS WE MEET OUR PROJECT COMPLETION DEADLINE.
>> THAT'S GREAT. THANK YOU. GOOD. GOOD MORNING, DISTINGUISHED BOARD, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND COUNTY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.
WE'RE FROM AANKO TECHNOLOGIES, A MINORITY AND VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS, WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH ALL OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.
I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE'RE GOING.
JUST GIVE YOU A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN ITSELF.
TALK ABOUT THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PHASES THAT WE'RE UNDER, HOW WE'RE ACTUALLY ENGAGING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN THIS CONCEPT, AND THEN WHERE WE ARE IN THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN WAS LAST UPDATED IN 2017.
PARTS OF IT WERE NEVER REALLY RATIFIED FROM THE RESPECTIVE CITIES.
THE LAST FULLY RATIFIED EMERGENCY PLAN WAS IN 2011 FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
IT'S USED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS AND FACILITIES, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS, INCLUDING WHAT OCCURRED LAST YEAR IN MERCED COUNTY AND PLANADA, AND MERCED CITY.
IT ADDRESSES RESPONSES TO THE EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS FOR ALL THE EVENTS THAT COULD DISRUPT THE JURISDICTIONS AND THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE.
IT RELIES UPON ALL OF US RESPONDING FOR NATURAL DISASTERS FOR MANMADE EVENTS, SUCH AS ARSON, ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATIONS, AND FOR TECHNOLOGICAL EVENTS SUCH AS POWER OUTAGES AND CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS THAT ARE DOWNED.
IT USES FEMA'S COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY GUIDE, 101 VERSION 3, WHICH WAS LAST PROMULGATED IN SEPTEMBER 2021.
AND WHAT IT IS, IT ACTUALLY IDENTIFIES WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT ASSESSMENTS OF RISK THAT HAVE BEEN ALREADY IDENTIFIED IN YOUR MULTI JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN FOR THE COUNTY, AND INTEGRATES ALL THE CITIES AND ALL THE UNINCORPORATES WITHIN THE COUNTY.
IT'S BASED ON FOUR DIFFERENT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PHASES.
THE FIRST LEVEL IS THE MITIGATION AND PREVENTION, WHICH IS ACTUALLY ACTUALIZED WITHIN THE MULTI JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN, AND THE VARIOUS ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED WITHIN THAT PLAN, SUCH AS SHORING UP LEVIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THEN IT TALKS ABOUT PREPAREDNESS AND THE VARIOUS THINGS WE DO WITHIN PREPAREDNESS, WHICH IS PART OF THE PLANNING ELEMENT, LIKE WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY, PART OF THE TRAINING OF STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND THEN EXERCISING THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STAFF TO VALIDATE THE PLAN PARAMETERS IN ORDER FOR US TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO THOSE EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS AND THEN RECOVER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHEN THOSE EVENTS TAKE PLACE.
IT INVOLVES THE ENTIRE WHOLE COMMUNITY WITHIN THE ENTIRE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY ITSELF, BUT IT ALSO RELIES ON A REGIONAL ASPECT AS WELL AND TALKS ABOUT OUR OTHER COUNTY PARTNERS SUCH AS MARIPOSA, SANTISLAS, AND THOSE.
IT HAS A WHOLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT.
JUST RECENTLY, THE COUNTY ITSELF WAS PART OF UC MERCED LED ACTIVE SHOOTER EXERCISE THAT INVOLVED OVER 400 ACTIVE PLAYERS AND OBSERVERS, INCLUDING FOLKS FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HERE IN THE COUNTY, THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY, INCLUDING FIRE, PUBLIC HEALTH, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, PROBATION, AND OTHERS, AND A LOT OF THE INCORPORATED CITIES AS WELL, INCLUDING LIVINGSTON, LOS BANOS, AND MERCED.
IN ADDITION, WE CONDUCTED A COMMUNITY RESILIENCE WORKSHOP, THE FIRST EVER WITHIN THE COUNTY, WHEN WE HAD OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS FROM VARIOUS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, BUT ALSO FROM THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WELL AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
WE HAD FOLKS FROM GALLO, FROM MORNINGSTAR.
WE ALSO HAD NONPROFITS LIKE UNITED AWAY, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, VALLEY ONWARD AND WE ALSO HAD DISTINGUISHED GUESTS FROM THE SENATE OFFICE OF ANNA CAVALERO AND FROM CONGRESSMAN JOHN DUARTE, AS WELL.
[00:20:02]
WE ALSO HAD REGIONAL MEMBERS FROM OTHER OFFICES OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND DEPARTMENTS OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FROM MERCED MARIPOSA MADERA COUNTIES INVOLVED IN THIS COMMUNITY WORKSHOP.WE ACTUALLY HAD THIS WORKSHOP IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF WINTON TO INVOLVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, AND WE HAD OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS, AND WE ACTUALLY RAN OUT OF SPACE.
WE WERE OVER 110 PEOPLE PLUS WITH AN ACTIVE WORKSHOP ON WHAT WE WOULD DO AND WHAT OUR CAPABILITIES ARE AND POTENTIAL GAPS ARE IN RESPONSES TO IDENTIFY HAZARDS AND RISKS WITHIN THE COUNTY.
SO IT WAS A FANTASTIC RESPONSE, FANTASTIC, SUCCESSFUL WORKSHOP, AND WE PLAN ON HAVING OTHERS.
THE WHOLE POINT IS TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEMSELVES.
ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE FUTURE IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES IS GOING TO IDENTIFY AND PLACE THESE ACTIVE RESOURCE AREAS ON THEIR WEBSITE, TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN BUILDING THEIR OWN EMERGENCY PLANS TO HELP THEM HELP THEMSELVES, SUCH AS REDDY.GOV AND LISTOSCALIFORNIA.
IN ADDITION, THERE'S ALSO ON ROUTES TO HELP BUSINESSES HELP THEMSELVES THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND THEIR OWN PERSONNEL SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR THEIR CONTINUITY AND MAINTENANCE OF THEIR BUSINESSES TO AND THROUGH A DISASTER.
AGAIN, THESE WILL BE ON THEIR WEBSITE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, READY.GOV/BUSINESS, AND THEN OSHA.GOVEMERGENCYPREPAREDNESS/GETTING-STARTED.
ALL OF THESE ARE PART OF THE ENTIRE WHOLE COMMUNITY PROCESS.
RIGHT NOW, OUR STEPS IN DEFINING THIS DEVELOPMENT SO FAR THAT ARE UNDERWAY, STEPS 1-5, EVERYTHING FROM IDENTIFYING EXISTING RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY GOVERNMENT RESOURCES, BUT PRIVATE SECTOR AND NON PROFIT RESOURCES.
THEN WHAT THOSE CAPABILITY GAPS? WHAT CAN WE ACTUALLY ACHIEVE OURSELVES VERSUS WHAT WE HAVE TO GO OUT TO MUTULATE PARTNERS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS UP TO AND INCLUDING THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO COMBAT AND RESPOND AND RECOVER EFFECTIVELY FROM THESE NATURAL DISASTERS AND HUMAN CAUSED AND TECHNOLOGICAL DISASTERS.
WE ARE DEVELOPING EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS, 18 OF THEM TO ALIGN WITH THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THEN WE'RE ALSO DEVELOPING ALIGNED CITY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLANS TO THEN ASSEMBLE THE FULL ON COUNTY PLAN ITSELF.
NOW, IN THE PAST, FEMA AND THE STATE HAVE REQUIRED THE PLANS TO BE UPDATED EVERY FIVE YEARS.
THAT HAS ACTUALLY CHANGED NOW.
IT'S ACTUALLY A FULL CONTINUOUS PLANNING PROCESS, AND IT REQUIRES THE PLANS TO BE UPDATED EVERY TWO YEARS OR AFTER A MAJOR DISASTER.
IN STEP 6, WE ARE NOW CONDUCTING CONTINUING TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT, SO THE NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE THE FALL AND GOING INTO THE WINTER OF 2024.
WE WILL THEN, IN STEP 7, VALIDATE THESE PLANS IN EARLY 2025 THROUGH A TABLETOP EXERCISE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND COUNTY AND CITY LEADERS.
THEN WE WILL GO TO THE COUNTY DISASTER COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR THE PLAN ITSELF, AS A WHOLE, INCLUSIVE OF ALL THE CITY AND COMMUNITY PLANS FOR APPROVAL IN 2025.
THEN COMING BACK TO YOU TO REPORT ON THE VALIDATION OF THE ENTIRE PLANNING PROCESS AND APPROVAL FOR THAT PLAN ADOPTION IN 2025.
WE'RE LOOKING RIGHT NOW AROUND MARCH OR APRIL TIME FRAME FOR THAT.
FOR THAT, I'D LIKE TO THEN LET YOU KNOW THAT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, YOU CAN CALL ME DIRECTLY OR GO THROUGH ADAM AMARAL, THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER, WHO IS ALSO THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT.
THIS ENGAGEMENT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR.
WE'VE BEEN INVOLVING ALL THE PLAYERS FOR THE ENTIRE CITIES AND COUNTY.
THEN I WOULD LIKE TO RIGHT NOW TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OF US.
>> ANYBODY FROM THE BOARD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE LONG NEEDED.
MY QUESTION IS MORE ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT.
I DIDN'T HEAR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT MENTIONED AS BEING A PART OF IT.
>> GOOD. JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS IN THERE.
FARM BUREAU OR MERCED IRRIGATION DISTRICT.
>> BOTH OF THEM ARE VERY INVOLVED.
>> MR. CHAIR, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION, ADAM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT LEADERSHIP AND YOUR GREAT WORK ON THIS.
JUST HIGHLIGHT, AS IN STEP 4, YOU'RE DEVELOPING AND ALIGNING THE CITY'S EOPS, WHERE ARE WE AT WITH THAT OR I JUST MAYBE WANT A LITTLE BIT OF AN UPDATE.
ALL THE CITIES INVOLVED IN IT?
>> ABSOLUTELY, SIR. ALL THE COMMUNITIES ARE NOW FULLY INVOLVED AND ENGAGED, AND WE HAVE ONWARD COMMUNICATION AND MEETINGS WITH ALL OF THEM.
[00:25:01]
>> ALL OF THAT IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH ALL OF THE CAPABILITY GAPS FOR THE COUNTY ITSELF AS A WHOLE.
>> PERFECT. THEN JUST IF YOU COULD CLARIFY A DISASTER COUNCIL APPROVAL, YOU HAD SAID A COUNTY DISASTER COUNCIL APPROVAL.
I GUESS MAYBE I SHOULD BE AWARE OF THAT, BUT I'M NOT AWARE OF ONE OF THOSE.
>> GREAT QUESTION, SUPERVISOR.
IN OUR ORDINANCE, IT ACTUALLY IS A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ACT, THAT EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS A DISASTER COUNCIL.
WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE IN THE COUNTY THAT GIVES US THE MEMBERSHIP AND THE AUTHORITY TO HAVE THAT DISASTER COUNCIL.
THE DISASTER COUNCIL, I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE LAST TIME IT'S ACTUALLY MET.
>> THAT'S PROBABLY WHY I'M NOT AWARE OF IT.
>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT THAT FRAMEWORK OF IT, THE CONCEPT OF IT.
LOOKING AT THE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY.
THE MEMBERSHIP IS USUALLY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, SOMEBODY FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
THEN DEPARTMENT HEADS FROM THE COUNTY AND THEN LEADERSHIP FROM THE CITIES.
IT'S PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD FROM THERE.
ANY PLAN IMPROVEMENTS, REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL PLANS, TRAINING AND EXERCISE, EVERYTHING THAT WE DO WITH AN OES.
WE WANT THAT FEEDBACK FROM THAT DISASTER COUNCIL.
ONCE A PLAN IS COMPLETED, THERE THAT COUNCIL WOULD BE THE ONES APPROVING THAT PLAN AND THEN TAKING THAT PLAN FROM THE DISASTER COUNCIL TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR ADOPTION.
THINK OF IT NO DIFFERENT THAN THE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN THAT YOU ADOPTED.
WE WENT THROUGH THAT SAME PROCESS WITH FEMA, FEMA APPROVED OUR PLAN, AND THEN BROUGHT IT TO YOU FOR ADOPTION.
AGAIN, TO YOUR QUESTION, WITH THE CITIES, YES, EVERY CITY IS PARTICIPATING AND, NOTE THAT ALL OF OUR FUNDING WE'RE USING FOR THIS PROJECT WAS GRANT FUNDING.
THEN WE HAD TO THANK THE CEOS OFFICE AND THE BOARD FOR $300,000 OF GENERAL FUND MONEY FROM THE COUNTY THAT IS SUPPORTING THE WHOLE PLANNING PROJECT.
>> PERFECT, THIS WAS GOING TO BE MY LAST QUESTION.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HIGHLIGHTED TO THE PUBLIC THAT THIS GOT KICKED OFF IS BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME GRANT FUNDING TO HELP US DO THIS.
WE'RE DOING THE HARD WORK NOW, THE HEAVY LIFTING, AND THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE, INSTEAD OF IT BEING A LOOK AT IT EVERY FIVE YEARS AND PUT IT ON THE SHELF, IT'S GOING TO BE AN ONGOING PROCESS.
AS WE RELY ON FEMA, AS WE HAD THE FLOODING AND THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE WITH FEMA AND JUST THE BIG BUREAUCRACY THAT IT IS? THESE ARE ALL THE LITTLE BOXES THAT YOU HAVE TO CHECK IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT FEMA FUNDING.
NOT REALLY IF IT'S WHEN YOU DO HAVE A DISASTER AND NEED TO CALL ON THEM.
I WANT TO AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
>> HE ASKED ME MY QUESTION, BUT I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU ALSO.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE PROACTIVE APPROACH TO THIS AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR PLAN IS UPDATED US AND LEVEN IS TOO LONG, BUT I'M GLAD THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE READY TO GO.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE PRESENTATION IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
PLEASE NOTE. ITEMS 1-3 REQUIRE A 4/5 VOTE.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1-12.
SEEING NONE, WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY MCDANIEL AND A SECOND BY SILVERA.
WE HAVE A COMMENT BY SUPERA SILVERA.
>> THANK YOU, MS. CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 2.
I DON'T NEED DATHON TO COME UP, BUT I JUST WANT TO I KNOW THERE WAS A QUESTION THAT SOMEBODY DROVE BY IT AND I THOUGHT THAT WE HAD OUR FIRE STATION PURPOSELY CLOSED, BUT I DROVE BY THERE THIS MORNING AND THE CONCRETE'S BACK IN, AND SO THAT SHOULD BE UP AND RUNNING SOON.
THAT SAID REGARDING THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE RAMP AT STATION 81 THAT HAD TO BE DUG UP AND LOCATED AND FIXED, AND NOW IT'S ALL BACK IN WORKING ORDER.
>> THERE WE GO. JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 5, OCTOBER 23-31ST IS [INAUDIBLE].
[00:30:03]
ANYWAYS, JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT.THANK KAMIKO VANG AND HER TEAM FOR PUTTING A PROCLAMATION IN FRONT OF US SO WE CAN RAISE AWARENESS.
I THINK MOST PEOPLE KNOW WHAT RED RIBBON WEEK IS.
HOWEVER, SOMETIMES WHEN THINGS HAPPEN EVERY YEAR, WE JUST DON'T NOTICE THEM, I GUESS, AND RED RIBBON WEEK IS MAYBE ONE OF THOSE, SO JUST WANT TO SHARE ONLINE WITH EVERYBODY. THANK YOU, KOMICO.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE BOARD ACTION,
[BOARD ACTION]
BEGINNING WITH PUBLIC WORKS.>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR DPW ITEMS 13-15.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DPW ITEMS 13-15, IT IS NOW CLOSED WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. SUPERVISOR SBA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 1, AND SO I DO WANT TO I DON'T THINK I REALLY HAVE TO DO MUCH ENCOURAGING, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY I'M GOING TO ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE ITEM 13 ON PUBLIC WORKS IS ADOPT A RESOLUTION NAMING THE DOS PALACE LIBRARY, THE JERRY OBANON LIBRARY.
I KNOW THAT WE'RE KIND OF LIKE OUT IN FRONT OF THIS.
WE HAVEN'T HAD THE GRAND OPENING YET.
IT'S STILL IN PROCESS, AND WE'LL HAVE A BIT BIGGER OF A CEREMONY ONCE WE ACTUALLY GET THE BUILDING OPEN, BUT I DO KNOW AS WE ARE RELOCATING THE DOS PALACE LIBRARY IN TO A NEW FACILITY NEXT TO THE DALE HOLE HALL THAT IS ALMOST DONE WITH CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW.
WHEN WE DID THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THIS THROUGH A GRANT FROM CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARIES, ALSO WITH SOME DIRECT STATE FUNDING FROM SENATOR CAVALERO, I KNOW THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATION CAME UP IMMEDIATELY THAT MY PREDECESSOR AND MY MENTOR JERRY BANNON, ONE OF HIS BIGGEST.
REGRETS THAT HE HAD AS A SUPERVISOR WAS VOTING TO CLOSE LIBRARIES.
HE MADE THAT PUBLICLY KNOWN TO EVERYBODY AND SAID THAT HE REGRETTED DOING IT THEN AND WOULD NEVER TAKE THAT VOTE AGAIN.
IT'S FITTING THAT THE O'BANNON LIBRARY WILL BE LOCATED AT THE O'BANNON PARK, BUT IT'S A DIFFERENT O'BANNON.
THE O'BANNON PARK WAS NAMED AFTER HIS FATHER, WHO WAS A SUPERVISOR, AND WE HAVE AN O'BANNON BUILDING AT SPRING FAIR THAT WAS ALSO NAMED AFTER HIS FATHER.
I THINK IT'S JUST FITTING THAT WE HONOR JERRY WITH NAMING THE DOS HOUSE LIBRARY AFTER HIM.
>> THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD.
I THINK BEFORE WE EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING A SHOVEL ON THE GROUND, WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION, AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS FITTING TO DO THAT.
HE WAS A MENTOR TO A LOT OF US, AND OUT OF 28 YEARS IN OFFICE, AND BEING THAT THAT WAS HIS WORST VOTE HE SAID HE HAD EVER DONE, I THINK IT'S VERY FITTING FOR US TO NAME THAT AFTER HIM.
I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT FORWARD, SUPERVISOR.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? CALL FOR THE VOTE.
>> PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BHRS ITEM NUMBER 16.
SEEING NONE. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BHRS, ITEM 16 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAR.
SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. NEXT, WE HAVE FIRE.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FIRE ITEM NUMBER 17.
SEEING NONE, WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR A MOTION.
SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE LIBRARY.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR LIBRARY ITEM NUMBER 18.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR LIBRARY ITEM 18 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAR.
SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
[00:35:04]
>> A THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST AS AN FYI, THIS ITEM IS, OF COURSE, TO PUT CLEAN AIR UNITS IN THE LIBRARIES.
BUT THAT IS ALSO, I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT'S AVAILABLE TO ANY PUBLIC SPACE.
THESE ARE AVAILABLE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DO COOLING STATIONS DURING THE SUMMERTIME, AIR DISTRICT WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET ONE INTO YOUR BUILDING.
CONTACT ME IF ANYBODY ELSE IS INTERESTED OR GO TO THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT WEBSITE AND YOU CAN SIGN UP THERE. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. NEXT, WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
AT THIS TIME, NUMBER ITEM 19, AT THIS TIME, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK HENDRICKSON, WILL HAVE SOME OPENING REMARKS REGARDING THIS PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MAAS ENERGY WORKS OWNS AND OPERATES SEVERAL DIGESTERS IN EIGHT DIFFERENT STATES, WORKING WITH OVER 70 FARMS. HERE IN MERCED COUNTY, THEY HAVE TEN DIGESTERS CURRENTLY IN OPERATION WITH ADDITIONAL ONES IN THE DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE.
IN SHORT, MAAS ENERGY DEPLOYS TECHNOLOGY TO CONVERT WASTE INTO ENERGY, WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS, SPECIFICALLY ENHANCING AIR QUALITY, AND IN THE PROCESS, SUPPORTING ONE OF OUR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES HERE IN MERCED COUNTY, DAIRY.
MAAS IS HERE TODAY TO PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH A BRIEF PRESENTATION, AND ULTIMATELY SEEKS A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A GRANT THEY'RE PURSUING THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE.
PLEASE DOIN ME IN WELCOMING MAAS ENERGY TO THE PODIUM.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INTRODUCTION.
GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS EILEEN MARTINO, AND I HANDLE PRODUCER RELATIONS FOR MAAS ENERGY WORKS.
I'VE ACTUALLY PRESENTED TO A HANDFUL OF YOU GUYS BEFORE.
I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT YOU GUYS MADE THE TIME FOR US TO SPEAK TODAY.
AS MENTIONED, ARE HERE AS WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR GRANTS UNDER CDFA FOR THE DAIRY DIGESTER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GRANT, AND WE'RE APPLYING FOR A COUPLE OF GRANTS HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
I WANTED TO COVER A FEW ITEMS TODAY.
THE QUESTIONS I WILL BE ANSWERING IS, WHAT IS A MANURE DIGESTER? WHO IS MAAS ENERGY WORKS? WHAT IS MAAS ENERGY WORKS PROPOSING TO BUILD, AND WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECTS? FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHAT IS A MANURE DIGESTER? MAAS ENERGY WORKS BUILDS COVERED LAGOON STYLE DIGESTERS, AND THAT'S COVERING AN EXISTING OR NEW LAGOON WITH PLASTIC TARP LIKE MATERIAL AND CAPTURE METHANE GAS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF OUR COVERED LAGOON STYLE DIGESTERS.
PRIOR TO A DIGESTER BEING PUT INTO PLACE, THERE'S OBVIOUS POSITIVE BY PRODUCTS THAT YOU SEE FROM A DAIRY, THE MILK, THE CHEESE, THE BUTTER, ALL THE THINGS THAT WE SO THOROUGHLY ENJOY.
BUT BEFORE A DIGESTER IS IN PLACE, THERE IS METHANE GAS BEING RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND SOME ODOR THAT CAN COME OFF OF DAIRIES.
NOW, I ALWAYS SAY THAT DAIRYMAN ARE THE BEST RECYCLERS, AND THEY HAVE SUCH A GOOD MANURE FLOW THROUGHOUT THE DAIRY.
WHEN A DIGESTER IS INCLUDED, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO INHIBIT A DAIRY MAN'S OPERATIONS.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIT INTO THEIR ALREADY EXISTING MANURE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND THEIR RECYCLING PROCESS.
NOW THAT METHANE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED INTO THE AIR OR THE ODOR THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED INTO THE AIR IS BEING CAPTURED UNDER THIS MANURE DIGESTER.
WE'RE CAPTURING THE BOTH THOSE THINGS AND CONVERTING IT TO BIOGAS OR ENERGY.
BUT HERE IN MERCED COUNTY, IT'S ALL GOING TOWARDS BIO GAS.
AS AN ILLUSTRATION, ONE COW PRODUCES 2.5 EQUIVALENT BARRELS OF OIL PER YEAR AND REDUCES GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY FIVE TONS WITH A CO_2 EQUIVALENT.
ADDITIONALLY, ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION, IS THE FUEL SUPPLY, A 3,000 COW DAIRY PRODUCES ABOUT 327,000 GALLONS OF VEHICLE FUEL PER YEAR OR ANOTHER FUELS 45 CNG TRUCKS PER YEAR.
TYPICALLY, WE'RE WORKING WITH OFFTAKE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF LARGE VEHICLE FLEETS, LIKE WASTE MANAGEMENT OR UPS OR AMAZON.
BUT WE ALSO ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH SOME OF OUR SMALLER FARMERS OR CHOPPING COMPANIES IN THE AREA AND TRYING TO DO PRIVATE OFFTAKE WITH THEM AND CONVERT SOME OF THEIR FLEETS HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
WHO IS MAAS ENERGY WORKS? MAAS ENERGY WORKS IS A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS BASED OUT OF REDDING CALIFORNIA.
TYPICALLY, WE ARE THE OWNER DEVELOPER,
[00:40:01]
AND OPERATOR OF DIGESTERS, AND I SAY, TYPICALLY, BECAUSE WE DO ALLOW PRODUCERS TO OWN THEIR OWN IF THEY DESIRE TO DO SO.SOME GUYS JUST LIKE TO OWN EVERYTHING ON THEIR FACILITY.
WE DO HAVE A HANDFUL OF PRODUCERS IN MERCED COUNTY THAT HAVE EXPRESSED THAT AND CHOSEN TO GO THAT ROUTE.
WE WORK WITH, AS MENTIONED, WE WORK WITH ABOUT 70 FARMS IN EIGHT STATES, MAINLY HERE IN CALIFORNIA, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE PRETTY CONDENSED HERE IN CALIFORNIA.
WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED 150 EMPLOYEES.
ESTIMATED 25 ARE HERE IN THE VALLEY.
I MYSELF I AM FROM TALARI, BUT A LOT OF MY FAMILY DAIRIES HERE IN MERCED COUNTY, WHICH YOU'LL GET TO SEE ONE OF THEM HERE IN A SECOND.
THEN JONATHAN HERE WITH US TODAY IS PART OF OUR OPERATIONS TEAM IN MERCED COUNTY.
THERE'S CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND MYSELF PRODUCER RELATIONS HERE IN THE VALLEY.
WE TRY TO DO MOST IN HOUSE, BUT WE HANDLE DESIGN PERMITS, GRANTS AND FINANCE, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, MARKETING, AND CREDITS.
TRY TO DO A LOT OF OUR STUFF HERE IN HOUSE, IF THAT BE IN READING OR HERE IN THE VALLEY.
AS MENTIONED, SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE ALREADY DONE, VANDA WADA DAIRY.
THIS IS ACTUALLY MY COUSIN SIMON.
HE WAS THE FIRST ONE HERE IN MERCED COUNTY TO HAVE AN ONLINE DIGESTER, AND NEIGHBORING TO IT, WHICH I'LL ELABORATE ON IN A SECOND, IS A BIOGAS CLEANUP FACILITY.
HE HAS BOTH THOSE THERE ON THE FACILITY.
SOME OTHER EXAMPLES, ROCK SHARE DAIRY, VISTA VERDE DAIRY, WHICH IS IN MERCED COUNTY, BUT HE'S IN CHO CILLA.
HE'S PRETTY CLOSE TO THE LINE, BUT HE'S RIGHT THERE ON BLISS.
THEN RED ROCK FACILITY AS WELL IS ANOTHER ONE.
WORK WITH A LOT OF THE SIMILAR FAMILIES, AS YOU GUYS PROBABLY KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF BIG DAIRY FAMILIES HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
AS MENTIONED, THE MERCED CENTRALIZED BIOGAS CONDITIONING HUB IS LOCATED AT VANDA WADA DAIRY.
HOW THIS WORKS IS THAT THE PIPELINE CLUSTER CONSISTS OF EACH DAIRY HAVING A METHANE DIGESTER AND THEN PIPING IT BACK TO ONE CENTRALIZED LOCATION TO SCRUB IT FROM RAW GAS TO NATURAL GAS AND THEN INJECT IT INTO HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
IT'S INTO A PRIVATE PIPELINE THAT THEN EVENTUALLY GOES INTO A UTILITY PIPELINE.
NOW, WHAT IS MAAS ENERGY WORKS PROPOSING TO BUILD? WE ARE PROPOSING TWO PROJECTS.
ONE IS MATOS STERI, WHICH WOULD BE AN EXTENSION TO OUR MERCED PIPELINE.
HE WILL BE PIPED FROM ADJOINING THAT LARGE CLUSTER WE HAVE, WHICH IS OUR LARGEST CLUSTER THAT MAAS HAS IN CALIFORNIA.
WE PARTNER WITH ANOTHER ONE IN PIXLEY, SO THEY'RE TECHNICALLY THE MAIN ONE THERE.
BUT AS MAAS IS INDIVIDUAL, MERCED IS OUR LARGEST CLUSTER.
BUT THEN WE ALSO HAVE ANCHOR J DERRY AND STEVENSON, BUT IN MERCED COUNTY, AND HE'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A PART OF A NEW PROJECT IN IT'S CALLED THE CENTRAL VALLEY DAIRY DIGESTER PIPELINE CLUSTER.
WE HAVE TWO CLUSTERS THAT THESE TWO DAIRIES ARE GOING TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO.
AS I SAID, MATOS DAIRY, THEY WILL BE BUILDING A NEW POND.
BASED ON THE DAIRY STORAGE CAPACITIES, WE EITHER HAVE TO BUILD A NEW POND OR USE AN EXISTING.
WE TRY TO USE EXISTING, BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE TO WORK WITH WHAT IT WORKS IS A PART OF THE DAIRYMAN'S CURRENT OPERATIONS.
ANCHOR J, AS MENTIONED, THIS IS WITH SEAN KELLY.
HE IS GOING TO AGAIN BE PART OF THAT CENTRAL VALLEY PIPELINE.
AGAIN, IT'S VERY NEW, BUT THAT'S WHERE OUR PIPELINE IS PROJECTING TO GO AT THE END OF UP NORTH AT THAT DAIRY, AND HE WILL BE ALSO BUILDING A NEW LAGOON.
WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO BUILD, WE WOULD BUT OBVIOUSLY EXECUTE A BRAND NEW DIRT POND FOR BOTH OF THESE DAIRIES.
THEN PER REQUIREMENTS FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE, BUT INCLUDING THE WATER BOARD, WE'RE REQUIRED TO LINE THESE PONDS TO PREVENT LEAKAGE INTO GROUND WATER.
AFTER COVERING THE LAGOON, WE OBVIOUSLY WILL DO MULTIPLE TESTS, AGAIN TO PREVENT MAKE SURE THERE'S NO LEAKAGE INTO THE GROUND OR UP INTO THE AIR.
SO THIS IS A PICTURE RIGHT BEFORE, WE START TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE DIGESTER IN ONLINE, BUT IT'S COVERED AND IT HAS MANURE WATER BELOW IT.
BUT SOON IT WILL BUBBLE UP, AS YOU WILL SEE.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THESE PROPOSED PROJECTS? NOW, EACH PROJECT COSTS AN ESTIMATED 6-$10 MILLION EACH, AND THIS INCLUDES WELDING, GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, PIPE FITTING, AND WE TRY TO WORK WITH AS MANY LOCAL CONTRACTORS AS POSSIBLE.
WE DO HAVE A MINIMUM LOCAL HIRING REQUIREMENT.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POTENTIAL PROJECT IMPACTS.
ECONOMICALLY, LOCAL JOB CREATION, SUPPORT TO AGRICULTURE.
AGAIN, WE TRY TO WORK WITH VETERAN SERVICES, ANYBODY THAT WE CAN TO TRY TO HIRE INSIDE HERE IN THE COUNTY.
AGAIN, WE DO HAVE A GOOD STAFF HERE ALREADY LOCATED
[00:45:03]
WITH A COMBINATION OF OPERATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.>> ENVIRONMENTALLY, OBVIOUSLY, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, ODOR CONTROL, GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS, AND PROTECTING WATER QUALITY, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CONCERN OF A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS.
WE MAKE SURE TO KEEP THOSE IN MIND.
ADDITIONALLY, POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS THAT WE MUST NOTE, THERE MIGHT BE FOR THE NEIGHBORING BUSINESSES, INCREASED NOISE FROM CONSTRUCTION, INCREASED TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION, BUT A LOT OF THESE ARE PRETTY REMOTE.
BUT WE DO TRY TO WORK WITH NEIGHBORS OF THESE PROJECTS, AND WE'VE ACTUALLY GOTTEN LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM NEIGHBORS OF ANCHOR J IN SUPPORT OF THESE PROJECTS BUT KEEPING THEM IN MIND OF THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS.
MAAS ENERGY WORKS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
OUTSIDE OF THE PRODUCER RELATIONS, I USED TO WORK FOR A CONGRESSMAN, SO I HAVE A LOT OF THAT COMMUNITY BACKGROUND AND VALUE IT A LOT.
WE'VE TRIED OUR BEST TO BE REALLY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, OPENING IT UP TO JUNIOR COLLEGES.
I HAVE A FRIEND OF MINE THAT WORKS FOR MERCED COLLEGE, AND SO WE'RE ACTUALLY LINING UP A TOUR WITH SOME OF HER STAFF.
MERCED HAS ACTUALLY BEEN QUITE THE POPULAR ONE TO DO TOURS AT BECAUSE IT'S CLOSEST TO SACRAMENTO.
WE'VE HAD OUR RESOURCE BOARD MEMBERS COME AND DO TOURS, AND A LOT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM SACRAMENTO COME AND DO TOURS AS WELL.
WE ACTUALLY HAD A LEGISLATIVE TOUR THAT SOME OF YOU GUYS RESPONDED TO, BUT OUR DAIRYMAN JUST GOT THE BIRD FLU.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE MIGHT HAVE TO POSTPONE THAT TOUR DUE TO THE CURRENT CLIMATE.
IF YOU GUYS ARE FAMILIAR, THAT BIRD FLU IS JUST SWARMING AROUND, AND WE HAVE TO RESPECT DAIRYMAN'S WISHES, UNFORTUNATELY, IF THEY ARE COMFORTABLE HAVING PEOPLE ON THEIR SITE.
YOU WILL SEE AN EMAIL REGARDING THAT BECAUSE YOU GUYS ALL DID RECEIVE AN INVITE TO THAT.
THEN ALSO COLLEGE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
WE HAVE HAD INTERNS IN OPERATIONS AND SAFETY, AS WELL AS SEVERAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN READING.
WE SAY, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN INTERNSHIP, WE'LL FIND YOU A PLACE.
AGAIN, MY FRIEND THAT WORKS FOR MERCED COLLEGE, I OPENED IT UP TO HER AND SAY, HEY, IF YOU EVER HAVE A STUDENT THAT'S INTERESTED IN FINDING AT LEAST PART-TIME WHILE THEY'RE IN SCHOOL, THEN WE'D BE HAPPY TO HAVE SOMEBODY.
BECAUSE IT'S STILL A VERY NEW INDUSTRY, SO WE WANT PEOPLE TO WORK THEIR WAY INTO IT AND LEARN IT.
MITIGATION EFFORTS. SORRY, MY BAD.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE, WE ARE ALSO MAKING SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE ON COUNTY, STATE, IN MITIGATION EFFORTS.
THIS INCLUDES MERCED COUNTY CEQA REVIEW, AIR PERMITS FROM SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THE CENTRAL HUB.
BUT WE MAKE SURE OUR DAIRYMEN ARE IN COMPLIANCE.
NOW, THAT CONCLUDES THE INFORMATIONAL PORTION.
I DO WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, A LOT OF THIS COUNTY HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE OVER THE YEARS OF THESE PROJECTS.
THIS IS OUR SHOWCASE HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
THIS IS THE CLUSTER WE'RE EXTREMELY PROUD OF.
WE PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO, AND THERE'S A REASON WE SHOW IT OFF.
WE'RE SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR GUYS' SUPPORT AND ALL YOUR COUNTY'S SUPPORT AND PERMITTING AND PLANNING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GUYS' TIME.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HERE FOR FEEDBACK.
THEN I ALSO WANTED TO EXTEND IT TO ANYBODY HERE IN ATTENDANCE TODAY.
WE DO HAVE LETTERS OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS, OR DEPARTMENTS, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN SIGNING LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR OUR GRANTS DUE ON OCTOBER 18TH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
>> MR. CHAIR, THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENT.
I SUPPORT THIS WHOLEHEARTEDLY, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING.
I HATE TO HEAR ABOUT THE BIRD FLU, BUT THE FACT THAT I HAD A YACHT'S MEETING ON THAT DAY AND I WASN'T ABLE TO ATTEND.
NOW THAT THIS TIME I GET TO ATTEND IT AT A LATER DATE.
WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS ANYTIME WE BRING ONE OF THESE PROJECTS FORWARD, THE EJ COMMUNITY, COMES OUT AGAINST IT.
ONE IN PARTICULAR, WHICH SEEMS TO BE BASED OUT OF FRESNO.
I KNOW YOU'RE GETTING A LOT OF THAT DOWN IN TALARI COUNTY.
YOU'RE CHECKING EVERY BOX TO MAKE THIS A BETTER ATMOSPHERE PLANET, EVERYTHING, AND YET WE STILL HAVE THE FOLKS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE HAPPY AGAINST IT.
>> A LOT OF I MENTIONED, SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THEY ONGOING HAVE IS THEIR CONCERN IS ODOR CONTROL OR WATER QUALITY, AND THAT'S ACTUALLY AGAIN, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE REQUIRED.
THEN, AGAIN, WELL, THIS IS WHY WE'RE ALL GETTING ASTHMA AND ALL THIS STUFF.
BUT WE DO TRY TO SAY, THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE'RE CHECKING OFF THE BOX. A LOT OF IT.
ANOTHER THING IS THEIR CONCERN IS PROJECTS LIKE THIS ARE INCENTIVES FOR GROWING HERDS, FOR FACTORY FARMS, WHICH, AGAIN, SIMON VANUATA IS MY COUSIN.
I JUST WAS WITH HIM ALL WEEKEND, AND THEY'RE NOT A FACTORY FARM.
THAT'S WHY WHAT WE MERCERS HAS REALLY PRIORITIZED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE SO
[00:50:01]
MANY OF OUR PROJECTS ARE NOW ONLINE IS BRINGING THOSE PEOPLE TO OUR DAIRIES AND SAYING, HEY, WE HAD A CONGRESS OR A STATE SENATOR FROM HOLLYWOOD THAT ACTUALLY PROPOSED A BILL TO TAKE DAIRIES OUT OF THE CARBON CREDIT PROGRAM.WE INVITED HIM AND HIS STAFF TO COME AND DO A TOUR.
AGAIN, SIMON, I COULD SAY THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ONES.
BUT IT'S JUST BRINGING THOSE PEOPLE TO THE TABLE AND SAY, HEY, THIS IS WHY WE'RE HERE, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS, WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM AND JUST BE PRESENT.
AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST THE DISLIKE OF DAIRIES AND ENCLOSED COWS.
BUT AGAIN, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO BE OPEN AS HONEST AS POSSIBLE AND ALLOW THEM TO COME TO THE TABLE WITH THEIR CONCERNS.
>> I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.
>> IT'S ONGOING. [LAUGHTER] WE'LL DEAL WITH IT.
>> A GOOD FRIEND, A GOOD MAN, AND I KNOW HE'S ALWAYS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AND SO APPRECIATE HIM TAKING A LEAD ON THIS AND ALLOWING THAT DISCUSSION TO HAPPEN.
>> THERE AT HIS DAIRY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON WORKING HARD TO MAKE OUR ENVIRONMENT A BETTER PLACE.
I SPOKE AT ONE OF YOUR COMPETITORS RIBBON CUTTINGS, IT'S PROBABLY BEEN FIVE YEARS AGO NOW, AND I MADE THE COMMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT TAXED COW FATS HERE.
I DON'T KNOW. IT'S PROBABLY BEEN 10 YEARS AGO, AND REALLY, I THINK THAT THEY DID THAT AS A WAY TO GET DAIRIES TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS.
HERE NOW THAT IT'S ACTUALLY MAYBE WHAT HELPS DAMAN MAKE IT AT TIMES.
NOW THEY'RE TRYING ANOTHER TACTIC.
IT WAS MEASURE J UP IN SONOMA COUNTY THAT WANTS TO ELIMINATE PRODUCTION ANIMAL AGRICULTURE ALL THE WAY.
I MADE THE COMMENT THAT, WELL, THE NEXT TIME YOU HAVE THE EJ COMMUNITIES AT YOUR MEETINGS AND PROVIDE LUNCH, AND THEN PUT NOTHING ON THEIR PLATE AND SET IT IN FRONT OF THEM BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE REALLY ADVOCATING FOR.
JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ANYBODY WITH COMMON SENSE.
THEN WITH SOMETHING YOU SAID, YOU MADE THE COMMENT ABOUT WHERE THE TOUR IS GOING TO BE, THE DAIRYMAN HAS BIRD FLU, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY THE DAIRY, THE COWS THAT CAUGHT IT, NOT THE DAIRYMAN. [LAUGHTER]
>> YEAH, THE STRIFE HE'S GOING WITH THROUGH I GUESS IS WHERE HE GETS IT.
BUT YEAH, UNFORTUNATELY, WE WOULD LOVE TO DO THE TOUR RIGHT NOW, BUT WE'RE JUST GOING TO POSTPONE IT A LITTLE BIT UNTIL HE'S IN THE CLEAR.
I DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH FAMILY.
I'M LIKE, IF HE TELLS ME, NO, I GO WITH IT.
>> WELL, IT MAKES SENSE FROM A BIO-SECURITY STANDPOINT TO NOT BRING PEOPLE IN TO GO BACK.
ANYWAYS, I JUST DIDN'T WANT PUBLIC HEALTH RUNNING OUT THERE TO CHECK HIM BECAUSE THEY MAY BE WATCHING.
>> FOR THE MOST PART, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY TO WHAT YOU WERE SPEAKING ABOUT.
MY DAD WHO RECENTLY PASSED, ACTUALLY, BUT HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST DAIRYMEN IN THE STATE TO PUT IN A DIGESTER IN KINGS COUNTY.
I'VE BEEN A PART OF THIS INDUSTRY FOR A LONG TIME AND JUST GOT INTO IT ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO.
BUT IT'S SUCH AN INCREDIBLE INDUSTRY, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT BRINGS BOTH PEOPLE TO THE TABLE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE STATE IS EXCITED ABOUT, WHICH HASN'T HAPPENED MUCH IN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.
IT'S BEEN JUST SUCH A COOL BUSINESS, COOL INDUSTRY TO BE A PART OF TO SEE BOTH PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST THANK YOU.
I THINK TO PIGGYBACK ON MY COLLEAGUE'S COMMENTS, I FEEL LIKE THEY MADE RULES TO TRY TO FORCE DAIRYMEN OUT.
THEY TALK ABOUT FACTORY FARMS. NO, THEIR OWN REGULATIONS HAVE CAUSED THE PERSON THAT'S MILKING 250, 300 COWS, 400 COWS, THEY CAN'T STAY IN BUSINESS.
IN ORDER TO STAY IN BUSINESS, YOU HAVE TO MILK 3,000 COWS.
IT'S JUST THEIR DEFINITION OF A FACTORY FARM IS 3,000 COWS.
I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING THAT WAS IN YOUR PRESENTATION, THE COST TO DO THIS IS $6-10 MILLION.
YOU STRETCH THAT OVER THOSE 3,000 COWS.
THAT'S ANOTHER COST THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH IT IN ORDER TO STAY IN BUSINESS.
DAIRYMAN FARMERS ARE THE ORIGINAL ENVIRONMENTALISTS.
THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR LAND.
THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CATTLE BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
THEN YOU JUST ADD IN THE PART WHERE WE JUST FEED THE WORLD.
I KNOW EVERYWHERE I GO, I WAS JUST IN ARIZONA THIS PAST WEEKEND FOR PARENTS' WEEKEND AND I WAS AT A PLACE AND I TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS FROM, THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA, AND I SAID, THAT'S WHERE ALL WE DO IS JUST FEED THE WORLD.
THIS IS JUST WHAT FARMERS AND DAIRYMEN DO.
WE HAVE TO ADAPT AND OVERCOME IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN BUSINESS IN A STATE WITH REGULATIONS, WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN THEM OR DON'T BELIEVE IN THEM. THEY'RE THERE.
WE ADAPT AND OVERCOME AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO SURVIVE IN THIS NEW CLIMATE, IF YOU WILL, OF ALL THE REGULATION THAT COMES OUT.
WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY SAY, WE CREATE BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAKING IT BETTER.
I THINK YOU GUYS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT.
[00:55:01]
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN YOU DO RESCHEDULE THAT TOUR, I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT OUT THERE.YOU COULD SEE THAT AT SOME LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, THEY'RE TRYING TO THROW US A BONE.
THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR COUNTIES LIKE OURS, WHERE, LET ME JUST REMIND EVERYBODY.
YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE, OUR NUMBER 1 INDUSTRY IN THIS COUNTY IS DAIRY.
THIS IS A WAY THAT WE CAN SHOW SUPPORT TO OUR NUMBER 1 INDUSTRY THAT I USED TO BE A PART OF.
I KNOW MY COLLEAGUE HERE IS A FORMER DAIRYMAN AS WELL.
I THINK WE DO THINGS TODAY WAY BETTER THAN WE USED TO, AND THERE'S ALWAYS A FEW BAD ACTORS OUT THERE, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THAT IS HOW OUR FAMILIES MAKE LIVING.
CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK. I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS AND SHOWING OUR COUNTY SUPPORT FOR THIS AND KNOW THAT IN MERCED COUNTY WE DON'T HATE DAIRIES.
WE LOVE DAIRIES. I'M GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU.
I MILKED 250 JERSEY COWS IN LOS PANIS.
I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THOSE THINGS AND THE BILLS.
EVERY MONTH, MY LITTLE OPERATION WROTE 40-50 CHECKS OUT A MONTH, BECAUSE MILK CHECK COMES IN, BUT IT GOES OUT PRETTY FAST, AND SO WE DO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY AND IT ISN'T JUST THE FAMILIES THAT WE EMPLOY ON OUR FAMILY FARMS. IT'S ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HELP TO EMPLOY BY ALL THE OTHER BUSINESSES THAT WE DO BUSINESS WITH.
WE NEED THAT INDUSTRY TO CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR COUNTY.
CONGRATULATIONS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK EVERYTHING'S BEEN SAID.
I AGREE 100%, AND I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS AS WELL.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CEO ITEM 19.
>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CEO ITEM 19 IS NOW CLOSED. CAN I GET A MOTION? WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. THANK YOU.
NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS.
>> WE HAVE TO TAKE 23 SEPARATELY BECAUSE THAT'S FOR THE NOMINATION. CAN WE?
>> I'LL JUST DO ONE MOTION AND JUST MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION AS PART OF THE MOTION.
>> WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 20-23 BECAUSE THEY SAID WE CAN DO IT THAT WAY.
>> SCOTT'S ASKING IF WE CAN MAKE A MOTION.
>> WE'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR 20-23.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. FOR ITEM 23, I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE SCOTT SILVEIRA TO BE OUR PRIMARY AND JOSH PEDROZO TO BE OUR ALTERNATE TO CSAC.
>> HERE WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
CAST YOUR VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
[BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION]
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR INFORMATION ITEMS 24 AND 25.PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS 24 AND 25 IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE VOTE FOR DISCUSSION OR A MOTION.
[01:00:02]
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE A SCHEDULED ITEM SUBMITTED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
[SCHEDULED ITEMS]
>> NEXT IS A PUBLIC HEARING FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO CONSIDER THE REVIEW AND RENEWAL OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 2,035, ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY, AND THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE REPORT FOR 2023.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO MENDEZ, COUNSEL HANSON.
I'M ANNA HAZEL, THE CHIEF OF INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE MERCED COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
AS YOU WELL KNOW, IN 2021, GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNED INTO LAW ASSEMBLY BILL 481, RELATING TO THE USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
THE LAW REQUIRES AGENCIES TO SUBMIT MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT FOR EACH TYPE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT APPROVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THAT APPROVAL AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, FOR AS LONG AS THE MILITARY EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR USE.
IN COMPLIANCE WITH AB 481, THE MERCED COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE POSTED OUR ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE REPORT ON THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WEBSITE ON SEPTEMBER, THE 4TH OF 2024, AND TO THE MERCED COUNTY TIMES ON SEPTEMBER, THE 26TH OF 2024.
NOTICE WAS ALSO POSTED TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WEB PAGE.
THE MERCED COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS ASKING THE BOARD TO RENEW ITS ORDINANCE NUMBER 2,035, ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY, WHICH WAS ADOPTED ON OCTOBER, THE 24TH OF 2023, AND TO APPROVE THE SUBMITTED DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ANNUAL MILITARY USE REPORT FOR 2023.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO SUPERVISOR SAVERA.
>> THIS IS A PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION.
I WANT TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS.
HOW MUCH OF A WASTE OF TIME DO YOU THINK THIS IS? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT MY THEORY THAT EVERY ITEM THAT WE PUT ON OUR AGENDA COSTS US $100 IN STAFF TIME, SO WHEN WE LOOK AT EVERYBODY, THEY HAD TO PUT THIS STUFF TOGETHER FROM YOUR OFFICE AND THEN SEND IT OVER TO THE BOARD CLERK, AND THEN THEY HAD TO SEND IT.
THEN ON THIS PARTICULAR ONE, I DON'T REMEMBER THE CHAIN OF WHO ELSE GETS TO LOOK AT IT.
IT'S SILLY TO ME, BUT I JUST WAS GET ONE, IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE GIVING US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS.
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE ACTUALLY QUANTIFIED IN TERMS OF WHAT MIGHT BE CATEGORIZED AS A WASTE OF TIME IN DOING THIS.
THERE ARE MAN HOURS THAT ARE CERTAINLY INVOLVED IN PREPARING THESE REPORTS, QUANTIFYING, DOING INVENTORIES, MAKING SURE THAT THESE RECORDS ARE KEPT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN ORDER TO MAKE AN ACCURATE REPORT, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE IT TO THE BOARD.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WAS VERY POLITICALLY NICE ANSWER.
I'LL SAY IT, I JUST THINK IT'S SILLY, IF YOU WANT US TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE USE THIS STUFF, FAIR ENOUGH, RECOGNIZE IT.
BUT THEN HAVING TO DO AN ANNUAL REPORT BACK, IT'S JUST REALLY A WASTE OF EVERYBODY'S TIME.
JUST TO MAKE SOMEBODY FEEL GOOD ALONG THE WAY, IS WHAT I'M GUESSING IT'S FOR.
IT'S REALLY NONSENSE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP ANY MORE TIME. THANK YOU.
>> TIME IS MONEY. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
>> THANKS. I'LL ANSWER THAT QUESTION A LITTLE BETTER FOR YOU.
I'LL JUST REMIND MY COLLEAGUE THAT THIS IS ANOTHER UNFUNDED MANDATE THAT THE STATE CONTINUES TO PUT A BURDEN ON THIS COUNTY THAT COSTS US MONEY, AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK.
IF YOU JUST CONTINUE TO ADD UP ALL THIS MONEY, IT'S ANOTHER ITEM THAT PUTS A BURDEN ON THE COUNTY. THANKS.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THIS ITEM.
TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING, AND I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD AND CALL FOR QUESTIONS OR A MOTION. CALL FOR A MOTION.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE BECAUSE THE DA'S OFFICE NEEDS TO HAVE IT.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> ANY OPPOSED, SAY NEIGH? MOTION CARRIES.
>> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE BOARD REPORTS STARTING WITH SUPERVISOR SAVERA.
[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I DO HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR YOU.
ONE IS, SINCE OUR LAST BOARD MEETING,
[01:05:02]
I DID ATTEND THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SUPERVISORS.I CALL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SUPS.
IT'S A LOT BIGGER ACRONYM THAN THAT, DOWN IN KERN COUNTY.
REALLY, WHEN WE GO TO THAT CONFERENCE, THAT'S AT THE EIGHT VALLEY COUNTIES.
WE CALL IT NINE, BUT I DON'T KNOW, MARIPOSA DOESN'T COME, BUT ANYHOW, THAT ONE THERE, AS WE ARE PART OF YOU GUYS JUST HEARD US ON A PREVIOUS ITEM.
I'M A BOARD REP TO THE STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.
MY COLLEAGUE, SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, OUR BOARD REP ON RCRC, WHICH IS RURAL COUNTIES REPRESENTING CALIFORNIA.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SUP IS ONE.
IT'S A LOT MORE COMMON THEMES THAN WHAT WE DEAL WITH.
KERN COUNTY DID A GREAT JOB HOSTING THE CONFERENCE, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE HIGHEST PRODUCING OIL COUNTY IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
IN CALIFORNIA, THEY DON'T LIKE FOSSIL FUELS, SO THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS, AND SO THEY'RE HAVING TO RE-LOOK AT THEMSELVES AS TO WHAT THEY ARE, VERY BIG, DIVERSE COUNTY, AND WHAT THEY DO.
SOME REALLY INTERESTING STUFF THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO SHOW US IN THE NEW TYPES OF START-UP BUSINESS THAT'S COMING IN THERE WHERE THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MANUFACTURING STEEL.
REBAR IN KERN COUNTY, WHICH IS WITH ALL OF CALIFORNIA'S REGULATIONS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE MANUFACTURING STEEL IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
FOR THEM, THE BUSINESS MODEL WORKS IS BECAUSE WE'RE ONE OF THE HEAVIEST USERS OF REBAR IN THE COUNTRY, THEN THEY CAN GET CLOSER TO THEIR MARKETS, AND WITH THE COST OF TRUCKING, IT MAKES SENSE.
JUST A REALLY GOOD CONFERENCE.
THEY DID A REALLY GOOD JOB PUTTING IT ON, AND NEXT YEAR, WE'LL BE IN FRESNO COUNTY.
OH, AND THEN I WENT AND REGARDING THE DELTA-MENDOTA SUB-BASIN, OUR NEW GSP.
I WENT UP TO SACRAMENTO, AND GAVE COMMENTS DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OF A STATE WATER BOARD MEETING.
I WAS UP THERE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER FROM CENTRAL CALIFORNIA IRRIGATION DISTRICT, AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF GRASSLANDS WATER DISTRICT IS SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE HEAVY TASK OF WHEN WE SUBMITTED SIX DIFFERENT GSPS, GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLANS FOR OUR SUB-BASIN, AND IT GOT REJECTED BY STATE WATER BOARD.
THOSE GROUPS ALL CAME BACK TOGETHER.
THERE'S 23 GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCIES WITHIN OUR SUB-BASIN OVER ON THE WEST SIDE.
WE'VE COME UP WITH ONE SINGLE GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLAN THAT I BELIEVE TODAY HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY ALL 23, IF NOT FOR SURE, 22, AND THE ONLY REASON THE 23RD ONE WASN'T ON THERE IS BECAUSE OF TIMING, THEY DON'T MEET AS OFTEN AS THE REST OF US.
I'M THANKFUL THAT THEY ASKED ME TO BE ABLE TO GO ADVOCATE.
THE REASON THAT I WAS THERE IS JUST TO ADVOCATE THAT THESE GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLANS, THEY DON'T ONLY AFFECT OUR WATER USERS AND FARMERS.
IT ALSO AFFECTS SOME OF OUR DISADVANTAGE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES, AND QUITE HONESTLY, SOME OF OUR INCORPORATED COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DISADVANTAGED.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING THE EFFECTS OF THESE GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLANS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO OUR COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN THESE DISADVANTAGE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES, I.E., SOUTH DOS PALACE, VOLTA, OVER IN MY DISTRICT, A LOT OF THEM WORK IN THE AG INDUSTRY.
ANYHOW, I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT I WAS THERE, AND THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS, MR. CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE CEO'S OFFICE FOR INVITING ME TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD MIXER.
IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LIGHTLY ATTENDED, BUT FOR THOSE DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT WERE THERE, IT WAS A GOOD TIME BEING ABLE TO TALK WITH YOU AND IN A LITTLE OFF OFFICE SETTING.
I TOO ATTENDED THE CENTRAL VALLEY SUPERVISORS CONFERENCE, FELT REALLY THE SAME AS SUPERVISOR SAVERA, AND REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, AS A STATE, IS REQUIRING COUNTIES TO BECOME MORE REGIONAL IN A LOT OF THEIR PROGRAMS. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD SPOT FOR US TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AS WELL.
I ATTENDED THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING LAST WEEK.
I JUST WANT TO SHARE ONE THING THAT CAME OUT OF THAT MEETING.
THE VACANCY RATE AT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS 18%.
DIRECTOR VANG HAD SHARED THAT IN THE VALLEY, THAT'S THE LOWEST PERCENT OF VACANCIES, THAT MOST COUNTIES ARE UP PUSHING TO 30%, SO I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND HER FOR DOING A GOOD JOB AND HER TEAM FOR GETTING SOME GOOD PEOPLE ON STAFF AND TAKING CARE OF THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THE MERCED SUB-BASE AND GSA IS GOING TO HAVE A MEETING THIS COMING THURSDAY IN THIS ROOM AT TWO O'CLOCK.
WELL, ON OUR AGENDA, IS AN ALLOCATION ROLE.
IF YOU AIR-GATE IN THE MERCED SUB-BASE AND GSA, THIS RULE IS GOING TO AFFECT YOU, AND SO,
[01:10:01]
IT BEHOOVE YOU TO COME TO THE MEETING AND LEARN WHAT'S GOING ON.IF YOU ARE AWARE, COME GIVE US YOUR OPINION.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I ATTENDED THE SJBR AACC CONFERENCE AS WELL.
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS I GOT OUT OF THAT CONFERENCE IS, I KNOW I REMIND EVERYBODY IF THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY WAS A COUNTRY BY ITSELF, IN THIS WORLD, WE'D BE RANKED SEVENTH IN THE WORLD IN AG PRODUCTION AS A COUNTRY.
JUST TO REMIND FOLKS OF THE IMPACT THAT THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY HAS.
BUT THE SHERIFF AND THE DA HAD A PRESENTATION THAT I THOUGHT WAS THE MOST HIGHLIGHT, BECAUSE ONE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT THE VALLEY AND PROBABLY THE STATE IS, WE ALL HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON IT WAS VERY GOOD.
THE SHERIFF HAD A UNIQUE QUOTE THAT, "I DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANY OF OUR POLICE CHIEFS MAD HERE IN THE COUNTY, BUT THEIR SHERIFF SAID THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POLICE CHIEF AND A SHERIFF IS ALL POLICE CHIEFS WANT TO BE A SHERIFF AND A SHERIFF DOES NOT WANT TO BE A POLICE CHIEF." BUT THAT WAS VERY INTERESTING TO HEAR.
ALSO, I WANT TO SAY ON THE LAST DAY, WE DID THE MIDDLE MILE, LAST MILE HIGH SPEED INTERNET DISCUSSION, WHICH WE MADE A DECISION THERE AS A WHOLE VALLEY TO ENTER INTO THIS DISCUSSION TOGETHER, BECAUSE OUT OF OUR EIGHT COUNTIES, SIX OF US ARE THE 10 WORST SERVED HIGH SPEED INTERNET COUNTIES IN THE STATE.
MERCED COUNTY BEING NUMBER 2 OF THE WORST AND TULARE COUNTY BEING NUMBER 1.
OUT OF ALL EIGHT, WE'RE IN THE TOP 18 OF THE WORST COUNTIES.
LITERALLY, THEY'RE FLYING OVER OUR STATE.
WE'RE NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF IN THIS CAPACITY.
I WANT TO THANK TONE CONSULTING FOR DOING THE PRESENTATION AND BRINGING THE WHOLE COUNTY TOGETHER, BUT WE MADE A DECISION THERE AS A VALLEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO ENTER INTO THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
>> YES. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. JUST ONE COMMENT.
THERE WAS A REMARK MADE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING MEASURE R. AS THE BOARD, AND WE ALL KNOW WE'RE LIMITED IN WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN IT COMES TO ADVOCACY WITH MEASURES SUCH AS MEASURE R, THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX MEASURE THAT'S BEFORE VOTERS HERE IN MERCED COUNTY IN NOVEMBER.
BUT WE DO HAVE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE MADE AVAILABLE TO TRY AND EDUCATE.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT JUST IN MY REMARKS TODAY.
IF YOU GO TO THE COUNTY WEBSITE, THERE IS A BUTTON, LEARN ABOUT IN MEASURE R THAT TAKES YOU TO A PAGE THAT HAS A LOT OF INFORMATION, BOARD ACTION, STAFF REPORTS, PRESENTATION, MATERIAL, Q&A OR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SECTION.
I JUST WANTED TO DIRECT FOLKS TO THAT PAGE ON OUR COUNTY WEBSITE.
IT WENT UP YESTERDAY LATE, BUT CERTAINLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW WHERE TO GET INFORMATION.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE DISCUSSION THAT TOOK PLACE HERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO IN THE BOARD ACTION, IT'S THERE FOR YOUR DISPOSAL.
AGAIN, COUNTYOFMERCED.COM, YOU GO DOWN JUST ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE PAGE DOWN, AND YOU'LL SEE A BUTTON WHERE YOU CAN GET TO THAT INFORMATION.
WE ARE WORKING OBVIOUSLY WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CALFIRE AND THE OTHER STAFF HERE TO TRY AND DO OUR PART.
BUT AGAIN, LIMITED OF WHAT WE CAN DO IN TERMS OF ADVOCACY, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY EDUCATE AND DO EFFORTS THAT DO THAT.
THAT'S IT, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I TOO WAS AT THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA COUNTIES CONFERENCE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO GET TOGETHER, LIKE THEY SAID, WITH LIKE COUNTIES, AND REALLY WE'RE FACING THE SAME ISSUES.
ALSO, I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE OVER THE WEEKEND THE HONORES OF THE MERCED HIGH SCHOOL WHO JUST GOTTEN INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME.
THERE WAS QUITE A BIG CLASS WITH DIFFERENT TEAMS, AND IT WAS REALLY COOL TO SEE THEM.
THANK YOU ALSO FOR THE INVITE TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD APPRECIATION EVENT.
ALTHOUGH, I COULDN'T STAY VERY LONG BECAUSE THAT WAS THE NIGHT OF THE MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION TEACHER YEAR AWARDS.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE.
OCTAVIO UGALDE IS WITH MERCED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
DANA REYES, WHO IS ONE CLASSIFIED, DANA REYES WAS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR FROM DAS PALACE OLOMA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, I BELIEVE.
MIDDLE SCHOOL. YES, BRYAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THEN AMBER KIRBY, FROM GOLDEN VALLEY, AND SHE'S A TEACHER WHO MY SON ACTUALLY WILL HAVE NEXT YEAR AS A FRESHMAN.
SHE'S A THEATER TEACHER, AND PUTS A LOT OF PASSION. ALL OF THEM DO SO.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THEM, AND FOR BEING NOMINATED, AND ESPECIALLY THE WINNERS AS WELL.
[01:15:04]
THIS CONCLUDES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING FOR OCTOBER 8TH, 2024.OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 10:00 AM.
ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 2024. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.