[00:00:01]
[CALL TO ORDER]
[CLOSED SESSION]
YOUR CLOSED SESSION FOR THIS MORNING IS THE FOLLOWING. IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE BOARD TO MEET AND CONFER WITH AGENCY NEGOTIATOR MARCI BARRERA REGARDING GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6. ALSO REGARDING AN EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 549506.9 D1 [INAUDIBLE] ET AL. VERSUS JOEL POLITO AVALOS ET AL.SAN BERNARDINO SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER CIV, SB 2318929.
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 WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEM IS NOW CLOSED. WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION.
THIS MORNING WE HAD CLOSED SESSION. WE HAD A CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION REGARDING THE LABOR ITEM REGARDING THE EXISTING LITIGATION ITEM, STAFF HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST JOEL POLITO, DBA, ALVA TRUCKING, VICTOR QUINONES, DBA QUINONES TRUCKING, BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY, AND THE NATIONAL PASSENGER RAILROAD CORPORATION, OR AMTRAK. WE WILL NOW START WITH THE INVOCATION, LED BY MONSIGNOR HARVEY FONSECA, FROM THE SHRINE OF SAINT JUDE THADDEUS IN LIVINGSTON, AND THEN OUR NEWEST SUPERVISOR, SUPERVISOR PACHECO, WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
COME AND REMAIN HERE. ENLIGHTEN OUR HEARTS. GIVE US STRENGTH AND WISDOM TO KNOW YOUR WILL.
THAT WE MIGHT LIVE OUR LIVES JUSTLY. GUIDE THE DECISIONS THAT WILL BE MADE HERE.
MAY YOUR FAITHFUL SERVANTS WHO LEAD THIS COMMUNITY BE UNITED AS THEY WORK FOR THE COMMON GOOD.
WE ALSO ASK YOUR BLESSING UPON ALL YOUR PEOPLE, THAT WE MAY ALWAYS LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY AS WE WALK TOGETHER IN THIS PILGRIMAGE OF LIFE. AMEN. READY? SALUTE.
YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. IT IS NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY
[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]
TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION.OKAY. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT.
AGAIN, THIS IS FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY. I DON'T THINK IT'S ON.
IS IT ON. OKAY. PERFECT. GOOD MORNING. I'M FELICIA GRAY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ADULT AND AGING SERVICES FOR MERCED COUNTY, AND I AM HERE TODAY TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR LOCAL AGING AND DISABILITY FRIENDLY ACTION PLAN FOCUS GROUPS.
THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT ADDRESSES CURRENT, EMERGING, AND FUTURE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH PEAR STREET CONSULTING TO FACILITATE THIS DRAFT PLAN.
TO 4:30 P.M. THESE FOCUS GROUPS WILL BE THROUGHOUT JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH AND WILL BE FACILITATED BY PEAR STREET, WHO IS PROVIDING AN INCENTIVE FOR PARTICIPATION.
WE WILL ALSO BE HOSTING AN AGING FORUM WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS ON JANUARY 23RD VIA ZOOM, AND MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED AN INVITE FROM PEAR STREET CONSULTING.
AND WE WILL LEAVE FLIERS FOR YOU AND I'VE PLACED THEM OUT FRONT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THESE FOCUS GROUPS OR THE DAP, PLEASE CONTACT OUR AAA PROGRAM MANAGER, WENDY CAMPBELL AT (209) 385-7550. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MY
[00:05:08]
NAME IS SHERRILYN RAWLS AND I HAVE SPOKEN HERE BEFORE.ONE OF MY PREVIOUS TIMES THAT I HAVE SPOKEN OF IS THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT HAD ALLOWED SOME VAGRANTS TO ENTER ONE OF MY HOUSES OVERNIGHT, AND WHEN I FOUND IT THE NEXT MORNING, I CALLED FOR THE SHERIFF TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND THEY ALLOWED THE VAGRANTS TO STAY THERE. SO I HAVE GONE TO THE COURT SYSTEM TO TRY TO CORRECT THIS, AND THAT IS WHERE I SPEAK TODAY. THE COURT SYSTEM.
I HAVE BEEN DENIED THE SELF-HELP CENTER FOR CORRECTING LEGAL PROBLEMS. THEY DON'T CALL ME BACK. AND SO I SENT A COMPLAINT TO THE COURT, AND I RECEIVED A COMMENT BACK. JUST TRY AGAIN. JUST TRY AGAIN.
SO. OKAY. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH FIVE EVICTIONS, AND WHEN I TRIED AGAIN.
I GOT THIS WRONG DATE FROM THE COURT. SO, WHEN I WENT TO THE FIFTH EVICTION, IT HAD ALREADY BEEN SETTLED. SO I MADE ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THE COURT.
NOW, THE COURTS HAVE MESSED UP A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT NOTHING.
EXCEPT NOW THIS IS THIS IS GETTING UGLY. SO I MADE A SECOND REQUEST IDENTIFYING THAT THE PAPER THAT CAME FROM THE COURTS SAID THE WRONG COURT DATE. SELF-HELP CENTER HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF MY PHONE CALLS.
THEY SUGGEST THAT EMAIL HAS TO BE SENT TO THEM.
SO WE HAVE SENT EMAILS TO THE COURT. THAT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS AGO.
AND IN ORDER TO. IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM FROM HAVING TO TALK TO ME, I SENT A LIST OF MY QUESTIONS FROM THE COURT, FROM THE SELF-HELP CENTER. TEN QUESTIONS.
NOW, EITHER THEY CAN ANSWER THEM OR THEY CAN SAY IT'S OUT OF THEIR REALM.
SOMETHING. SOME KIND OF RESPONSE. NOTHING. NOTHING HAS COME FROM THE COURTS.
SO I SUBMIT ALL THIS PAPERWORK AND THE COURT'S RESPONSE TO IT.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS VICTOR VIGIL. I LIVE IN THE COUNTY OVER ON BURKE CRANE, AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT POSSIBLY ADDING THE ROADWAY REPAVING. RIGHT NOW, BETWEEN THAT WATER BOULEVARD AND THAT WATER JORDAN, THE ROAD HAS BEEN REALLY DEGRADED. WE'VE LIVED OUT THERE FOR 30 YEARS.
THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT'S INCREASED OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS.
ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S AN ACCIDENT OVER ON HIGHWAY 99.
EVERYBODY SEEMS TO COME DOWN THAT ROUTE. RIGHT NOW, I'LL GIVE PROPS TO THE COUNTY, BECAUSE WHEN WE'VE REQUESTED POTHOLES TO BE REPAIRED, THEY'VE REPAIRED THE POTHOLES THEY'VE TAKEN. THEY'VE TAKEN CARE OF THE SITUATION. BUT THE ROADS COME HAS GOTTEN TO A POINT WHERE THERE'S CRACKS.
THE AMOUNT OF POTHOLES WE HAVE, THE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED.
LIKE I SAID, LAST TEN, 15 YEARS, IT'S JUST EXPEDITED THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING.
SO WE WANT TO SIT THERE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BECAUSE WE DO BELIEVE IT'S BECOMING A SAFETY HAZARD.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. YEAH. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
OH. MR. VIGIL, I'M LLOYD PAREIRA, THE SUPERVISOR FOR THAT AREA, AND I HAD TURNED THAT INTO THE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ROADS DIRECTOR ACTUALLY THIS PAST SUMMER.
[00:10:01]
BACK ON THE LIST. APPRECIATE THAT.GOOD MORNING TO THE DAIS. EVERYBODY ON THERE.
YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, IT'S A NEW YEAR FOR US, FOR EVERYBODY.
AND RIGHT NOW AND THE TYPE OF WORK THAT WE DO WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.
IT'S AN EXCITING TIME BECAUSE WE'RE RELAUNCHING OR LAUNCHING NEW CAMPAIGNS.
THERE'S NOTHING NEW, ACTUALLY. IT'S JUST REVISITING WHAT WE MET WITH Y'ALL WITH LAST YEAR.
THEY HAVE TWO CAMPAIGNS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE LAUNCHING. DIRECTED TO THE COUNTY.
AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I DO THE, THE COURTEOUS THING TO INFORM Y'ALL AHEAD OF TIME.
SO YOU'RE NOT HIT IN THE DARK WITH ANYTHING UNEXPECTED.
THE FIRST CAMPAIGN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR YOUTH INPUT BE GIVEN BE ALLOWED WHEN THERE'S DECISIONS OR PROGRAMS THAT ARE MEANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S THEY WILL BE APPROACHING Y'ALL IN THE UPCOMING YEAR BEFORE BUDGET TALKS.
RIGHT. SO, YOU KNOW, TO GIVE INSIGHT ON WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE AND ALSO TO HEAR BACK FROM Y'ALL, WHAT Y'ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT Y'ALL WOULD LIKE TO DO.
THE SECOND CAMPAIGN, THEY'RE GOING TO BE LAUNCHING WHICH THEY'VE MENTIONED IT TO YOU ALL BEFORE IS THEY'RE ASKING FOR A POLICY TO BE IMPLEMENTED THAT WOULD CREATE A RESERVE FUND FROM THE COUNTY BUDGET.
THAT WOULD BE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE GENERAL FUND BE ALLOCATED FOR YOUTH SERVICES.
THAT IT SOUNDS REALLY VAGUE, I KNOW. BUT THEY WANT INFORMATION FROM Y'ALL WHAT THAT COULD POSSIBLY LOOK LIKE, OR ALSO TO THEY NEED TIME TO DO THEIR RESEARCH SO THEY CAN REALLY PINPOINT OF HOW THAT COULD BE DEVELOPED.
I LEFT SOME BROCHURES FOR THE HEALING GENERATION CENTER THAT WE COLLABORATED WITH OUR LOCAL BARS ON, HAS INFORMATION THAT'S ON THERE. AND WE ALSO, IF ANYBODY EVER WANTS A TOUR OF THE FACILITY THERE, JUST HIT US UP, HIT ME UP AND WE'D BE MORE HAPPY TO OBLIGE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JESSE. ALL RIGHT.
ANYBODY ELSE? ALRIGHT. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS. AT THIS TIME I WILL TURN THE MEETING OVER TO RAUL MENDEZ AS CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO FACILITATE THE NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF THE 2025 BOARD CHAIR AND VICE
[PRESENTATIONS]
CHAIR. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. GOOD MORNING. TRADITIONALLY, THE BOARD HAS, AT ITS FIRST MEETING OF THE CALENDAR YEAR SELECTED ITS CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. WANTED TO KIND OF DESCRIBE THE PROCESS.JUST REMIND YOU OF THE PROCESS. THE BOARD CAN EITHER SOLICIT NOMINATIONS AS A SLATE FOR BOTH POSITIONS, THE BOARD CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR, OR YOU CAN ALSO DO IT INDIVIDUALLY BY POSITION DURING THE PROCESS.
EACH BOARD MEMBER CAN NOMINATE EITHER THEMSELVES OR ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
THE CLERK RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND DO THAT.
THANK YOU, RAUL. AFTER LONG CONSIDERATION HARD CONSIDERATION.
IT'S MY HONOR TO NOMINATE MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT TWO, JOSH PEDROZO, FOR TO BE THE CHAIR THIS YEAR AND MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT THREE, DARREN MCDANIEL, AS THE VICE CHAIR. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
[00:15:06]
THE CLERK NOW RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. THANK YOU, RAUL.IT'D BE MY HONOR TO SECOND THAT MOTION. OKAY.
SO I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE NOMINATION PERIOD. AND AT THIS POINT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION ON THE TABLE IN THE SECOND, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? OBVIOUSLY, IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE CHAIRMAN JOSH PEDROZO.
VICE CHAIR DARREN MCDANIEL. CONGRATULATIONS, GENTLEMEN.
BACK TO YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M VERY HONORED.
FIRST, I WANT TO, YOU KNOW, THANK I SAID A LOT OF MY COMMENTS OF WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY OR REPEAT FROM WHEN I WAS SWORN IN, BUT I WANT TO THANK MY WIFE FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND FOR ALL THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN A SUPERVISOR AND MY CHILDREN AS WELL.
THE TRUST AND THE SUPPORT THAT THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT TWO HAVE SHOWN ME IS SOMETHING I DON'T TAKE LIGHTLY, AND I PROMISE TO HONOR IT WITH HARD WORK AND DEDICATION WHILE MY FOCUS REMAINS ON DISTRICT TWO. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN COLLABORATING WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO REPRESENT ALL OF MERCED COUNTY.
IT'S THROUGH OUR DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES THAT WE FIND THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR THE COUNTY. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CEO STAFF AND FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK, AND I ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH OUR PARTNER AGENCIES AS WELL TO MAKE MERCED COUNTY THE BEST IT CAN BE.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE THE PUBLIC EVERY DAY.
LOOKING BACK AT THE PAST YEAR, WE EXPERIENCED BOTH SUCCESSES AND SETBACKS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO DWELL ON EITHER, BUT TO LEARN FROM THEM SO WE CAN MOVE SO WE CAN SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MERCED COUNTY EVEN BETTER MOVING FORWARD.
STRENGTHENING OUR HOMELESS. HOMELESS ORDINANCE.
DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVING OUR ROADS.
THESE ARE CRITICAL ISSUES THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR RESIDENTS.
ADDITIONALLY, WE MUST FOCUS ON ENSURING OUR BUDGET AND ENSURING OUR BUDGET REMAINS EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE NOT JUST FOR THIS YEAR, BUT FOR THE NEXT FIVE, 10 TO 15, 15 YEARS BEYOND THAT.
I BELIEVE THAT PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP IS KEY, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD BY THAT PRINCIPLE.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT, AND TOGETHER WE WILL WORK HARD TO BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR MERCED COUNTY TO GET THINGS DONE. SO THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
ITEMS ONE THROUGH 17. PLEASE NOTE ITEMS FOUR THROUGH SEVEN, 12 AND 13 REQUIRE A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE.OKAY. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 17.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 17 IS NOW CLOSED.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? OH, OKAY. I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
OH, YEAH. WHAT'S ON HERE? SORRY. THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
NEWBIE ALWAYS MAKES A MISTAKE. OKAY, GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE.
OKAY. MOTION PASSES. OH, WAIT. OH! CALL FOR THE VOTE.
SORRY. PLEASE RECORD. RECORD THE VOTE. OKAY. THANK YOU.
IT'S GOING TO JUST GIVE ME ONE. IF THAT'S YOUR WORST MISTAKE, YOU'LL BE DOING FINE.
ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO MOVE ON TO BOARD ACTION.
[BOARD ACTION]
BEGINNING WITH PUBLIC WORKS. AT THIS TIME. OH, YEAH.YEAH. ITEMS 18 THROUGH 23. PLEASE NOTE ITEM 23 REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.
OKAY. AT THIS TIME, PUBLIC WORKS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR LINDSEY JOHNSON WILL PROVIDE COMMENTS REGARDING THE PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS. YOU CAN GET THE PODIUM. GOOD MORNING. CHAIRMAN PEDROZA AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD CEO MENDEZ.
COUNTY COUNSEL HANSEN. THE PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS BEFORE YOU TODAY, NUMBER 20, 21 AND 22 ARE INTRODUCTIONS TO THREE ORDINANCES AND IF APPROVED, THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING ON JANUARY 28TH.
[00:20:02]
THE FIRST ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5.9 OF THE MERCED COUNTY CODE TO INCREASE REFUSE SERVICE CHARGES.THE COUNTY CURRENTLY HAS A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES IN FRANCHISE AREAS NUMBER SIX AND SEVEN, IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF MERCED COUNTY.
THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT ALLOWS THE ALLOWS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO MAKE ANNUAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS, AS ARE REASONABLY JUSTIFIED BY FLUCTUATIONS IN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND DIRECTLY AFFECTING THE COST OF OPERATION FOR EACH FRANCHISEE.
GILTON HAS REQUESTED A RATE ADJUSTMENT OF 21.4% DUE TO THEIR INCREASED OPERATING COSTS.
THIS IS THE FIRST RATE ADJUSTMENT THAT THEY'VE REQUESTED SINCE 2013, AND WHILE THE INCREASE IS SUBSTANTIAL, IT'S STILL FAR LESS THAN THE ALLOWABLE ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CONSUMER RATE.
SORRY, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. IF ADOPTED ON JANUARY 28TH, THE NEW RATES WOULD BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER ADOPTION, AND GILTON WILL BE PROVIDING A PRESENTATION ON THEIR REQUEST AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 28TH.
BUT THEY DO HAVE TWO REPRESENTATIVES HERE TODAY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
AND IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, I WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ORDINANCE.
OKAY. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? GO AHEAD. NO QUESTIONS.
OKAY. THE SECOND ORDINANCE, NUMBER 21, IS RELATED TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SB 1383 AND AMENDS CHAPTER 9.6 OF THE MERCED COUNTY CODE. SENATE BILL 1383 MANDATES A STATEWIDE REDUCTION IN ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL, AND REQUIRES JURISDICTIONS TO ADOPT AND ENFORCE AN ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT PROVISIONS OF THE MANDATE.
IT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WASTE REDUCTION MANDATE IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.
THE BOARD PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED THE ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION ORDINANCE IN 2022, AND LATER ADOPTED AN ORDINANCE IN 2023, SUSPENDING AND POSTPONING IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE CODE.
WHILE TERMS AND NEW RATES FOR FRANCHISE HAULERS WERE NEGOTIATED.
AND THE THIRD AND FINAL ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU TODAY IS ALSO RELATED TO SB 1383, AND AMENDS CHAPTER 5.9 OF THE MERCED COUNTY CODE TO INCREASE REFUSE SERVICE RATES. THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY CONTRACTED WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT AND GILTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND MID-VALLEY DISPOSAL TO PROVIDE REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICES IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF MERCED COUNTY. WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SB 13, 83 HAULERS ARE REQUIRED TO BEGIN PROVIDING ORGANIC WASTE COLLECTION.
THESE NEW MANDATORY SERVICES COME AT A COST TO THE HAULERS.
THEREFORE, THE RATES IN ALL EIGHT FRANCHISE AREAS MUST BE ADJUSTED TO OFFSET THE INCREASED COSTS.
THE COUNTY HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING CONTRACT TERMS WITH OUR FRANCHISE HAULERS TO INCLUDE THE NEW MANDATORY SERVICES, AND HAS ARRIVED AT FINAL TERMS AND PROPOSED RATES TO COMPLY WITH PROPOSITION 218 REQUIREMENTS.
THE COUNTY SENT OUT MAILERS TO ALL IMPACTED RATEPAYERS TO INFORM THEM OF THE NEW MANDATORY SERVICES.
THE RATE INCREASES AND ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION ON HOW TO PROTEST THOSE INCREASES.
ALL PROTESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 28TH AT 10 A.M.
IF APPROVED BY THE BOARD ON THE 28TH, THE NEW RATES, AS WELL AS THE NEW SERVICE, WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON JULY 1ST, 2025 AND AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 28TH. OUR STAFF AND OUR CONSULTANT THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS TO IMPLEMENT SB 1383. WE'LL PROVIDE A PRESENTATION ON THE NEW REQUIREMENTS, THE PROPOSED RATES AND THE WORK THAT THE COUNTY HAS DONE TO INFORM THE RATEPAYERS.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. OKAY.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
THANK YOU CHAIR. THANK YOU, LINDSAY, FOR THAT. AGAIN, I KNOW WE BRING THIS UP EVERY TIME.
1383. LET'S BE CLEAR. THIS IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE SENT DOWN BY THE STATE.
THEY'RE HAVING US PAY FOR. AND IN RURAL CALIFORNIA, THIS IS ACTUALLY CREATING MORE POLLUTION, MORE IMPACT TO OUR ROADS, MORE WEIGHT BEING HAULED ON OUR ROADS.
SO THIS IS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
AND I THINK THIS LAST ELECTION HAS SENT A MESSAGE NOT ONLY WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT THESE FOLKS WHO ARE UP IN SACRAMENTO MAKING THESE LAWS AND THESE RULES HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON IN RURAL CALIFORNIA, THE REST OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THESE TODAY BECAUSE IT'S A STATE MANDATE.
BUT GOING FORWARD, LET'S BE SURE WE'RE CLEAR OF WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR IS MANDATED BY THE STATE.
SO PLEASE CALL OUR STATE LEGISLATOR, OUR GOVERNOR.
[00:25:06]
THANK YOU. THANKS, LINDSAY, FOR THE PRESENTATION. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MY COLLEAGUE TOOK MOST OF THE OF THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH.
BUT LIKE MY COLLEAGUE SAID, IT JUST DOESN'T WORK IN RURAL IN THE RURAL AREAS.
YOU'RE TAKING WHAT USED TO BE ONE TRUCK THAT WENT DOWN THE ROAD, AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE TAKING THREE TRUCKS THAT WENT DOWN THE ROAD. SO AND, AND WE'RE MANDATED TO, TO NOW IMPLEMENT 1383, WHICH THEN COSTS THE CONSUMERS.
AND IN THE IN THE INCORPORATED CITIES, THEY'RE ALREADY DOING THAT. TO ME.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXACTLY CALL, BUT THEY'RE BASICALLY THEY SEND IT TO ONE PLACE AND IT'S ALL BEING SORTED OUT TO ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS IN THE RURAL PARTS OF OUR COUNTY, AND UNDERSTAND THAT SOME PLACES HAVE WAIVERS, BUT IT'S STILL WE HAVE TO PASS THESE RATES ON TO, TO THE CONSUMERS AND NOBODY. AND I'VE ASKED FOR IT AND I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ASKED FOR IT IS NOBODY HAS EVER SHOWN ME THE SCIENCE THAT SAYS THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY MAKING THE ENVIRONMENT BETTER. I IN MY MIND, AND THE WAY IT WORKS, I CAN'T SEE HOW WHAT LITTLE BIT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUT OF THE OUT OF GOING INTO THE LANDFILL AND ORGANICS AND THEN AND THEN THERE'S ALL THE OTHER RULES THAT ARE PART OF 1383 THAT THAT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT.
THE COMPOST THAT COMES FROM IT, WE'RE RESPONSIBLE TO REQUIRED TO TAKE SO MUCH OF THAT COMPOST BACK.
WELL, WHAT THAT BASICALLY DOES IN MY MIND IS IT TAKES SOMETHING THAT MAYBE HAS SOME VALUE.
AND NOW THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO TAKE SO MUCH OF IT BACK, WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING ON TOP OF THAT, WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT.
YES, MAYBE WE'LL HAVE SOME FREE GIVEAWAYS TO OUR RESIDENTS WHO HELP MAKE IT THAT.
MAYBE YOU CAN PICK UP SOME OF THE COMPOST TO HELP OUT, TO HELP OFFSET SOME OF IT, BUT IT'S GOING TO COME BACK TO WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING SOMEBODY TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT COMPOST.
THERE'S SO MANY UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT COME ALONG WITH THIS.
I'M FRUSTRATED AND I WILL TELL YOU, I SIT ON THE STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CSAC BOARD.
HE'S PART OF OUR RCRC. IT'S BEEN A TOPIC THERE.
AT SOME POINT AS COUNTIES WERE GOING TO HAVE TO WAKE UP AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PUSH BACK ON THE STATE AND SAY THAT THESE UNFUNDED MANDATES, WE CAN'T, BECAUSE HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS. YOU'RE ALL GOING TO PAY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
IF WE DON'T PASS IT ON TO YOU, WE'RE STILL REQUIRED TO DO IT.
IT'S STILL GOING TO COME OUT OF THE COUNTY'S GENERAL FUND TO PAY FOR ALL THESE SERVICES.
SO ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT. IT'S JUST I'M FRUSTRATED WITH IT.
AND IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HATE ABOUT THIS JOB IS WHEN WE HAVE TO SIT UP HERE.
AND BECAUSE IF IT WAS UP TO ME, I'D VOTE NO ON THIS.
BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE HAULERS ARE REQUIRED.
WE'RE REQUIRED BY THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT THESE LAWS.
AND SO THE COST HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE. AND SO IT'S UNFORTUNATE.
SO BUT LINDSAY, I DO WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR TEAM.
YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN BRIEFING US ALONG THE WAY ON THIS WHOLE PROCESS UNTIL WE GET TO THIS POINT.
AND WE FELT LIKE WE'VE PUSHED IT OFF AS FAR AS WE CAN.
THIS IS YOUR MONEY, FOLKS. IT'S NOT MY MONEY.
IT'S NOT NONE OF MY COLLEAGUES MONEY. THIS IS YOUR MONEY.
SO WE'RE DAMNED IF WE DO AND WE'RE DAMNED IF WE DON'T.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC. I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 18 THROUGH 23.
OKAY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEM 18 THROUGH 23 IS NOW CLOSED.
I CALL FOR A MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. CALL FOR THE VOTE.
RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES.
[00:30:04]
ITEM NUMBER 24. ANY COMMENT? PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.FOR CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES, ITEM NUMBER 24 IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR A MOTION OR ANY QUESTIONS? SORRY. FINE. YOU'RE LUCKY YOU'RE NOT IN ROTARY.
OKAY. I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT. ITEM 25. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR WORKFORCE ITEM NUMBER 25. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR WORKFORCE INVESTMENT.
ITEM 25 IS NOW CLOSED. I'LL CALL FOR A MOTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL. SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES.
OKAY. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD, ITEM NUMBER 26 IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL CALL FOR A MOTION. OH. I'M SORRY. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I ALREADY MADE THE MOTION FOR IT.
SO ON THIS ITEM, OUR FEBRUARY ORIGINALLY, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE PUT OUR CALENDAR TOGETHER SOMETIME IN, I WANT TO SAY IT'S LIKE NOVEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER.
WE ORIGINALLY HAD A DATE OF THE 25TH OF FEBRUARY, BUT JUST DUE TO SOME SCHEDULING CONFLICTS THE NACO LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE IN DC IS GOING ON THAT WEEKEND, AND WE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY WHILE WE'RE GOING TO BE BACK IN DC, TO ACTUALLY GO DO SOME CAPITOL HILL VISITS, DO SOME VISITS WITH SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
AND JUST FOR TIMING PURPOSES, HAVING A MEETING ON THAT TUESDAY.
IT'S LIKE A THURSDAY OR IT'S A FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY CONFERENCE.
A LOT OF THE FOLKS STAY BEHIND AND THEN GO THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND GO DO THEIR HILL VISITS.
WE'VE CHOSEN AND WE STARTED IT LAST YEAR. WE GO OUT THE WEEK BEFORE AND IT SEEMS TO WORK.
IT'S A LOT LESS CHAOTIC. WE'RE ABLE TO GET A LOT MORE OF THE MEETINGS ACCOMPLISHED THAT WE WANT TO GET ACCOMPLISHED. SO I WANT TO THANK STAFF FOR RECOGNIZING THAT BECAUSE WE'LL BE LEAVING ON THAT TUESDAY INSTEAD OF, WELL, WE WOULD BE LEAVING ON TUESDAY.
IT'S JUST THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAKING A RED EYE FLIGHT AND TAKING A MORNING FLIGHT.
AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, TO GET THERE ON THAT MORNING FLIGHT OUT OF FRESNO, WE GET INTO D.C.
AT A DECENT ENOUGH HOUR SO THAT YOU THAT YOU WAKE UP THE NEXT DAY AND YOU'RE FULLY READY TO GO. VERSUS TRYING TO TAKE A RED EYE AND THEN HAVE 8:00 MEETINGS THE NEXT DAY. SO I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S CONSIDERATION ON THIS. I JUST WANT TO ADD TO THAT.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT. AND I THINK WE'RE REALLY TAKING, LIKE I SAID, MENTIONED EARLIER, A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO KIND OF INTRODUCE MERCED COUNTY OUT THERE TO LET THEM KNOW KIND OF WHAT OUR CERTAIN ITEMS ARE THAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE A FACE OF MERCED COUNTY, AND THEY RECOGNIZE THAT MERCED COUNTY ISN'T LIKE ALL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THAT WE ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GET OUT THERE.
SO WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. AND MOTION PASSES.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD APPOINTMENT. ITEM 27 IS NOW CLOSED.
OH. I'M SORRY. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. OH, YEAH. THANK YOU. ONE MORE TIME.
THOSE POSITIONS ARE TOUGH TO FILL SOMETIMES. HAVING TWO CEMETERY DISTRICTS IN MY DISTRICT I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO DO A LOT OF BARTERING WITH FOLKS TO GET THEM IN. SO ANYTIME ANYBODY STEPS UP, I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND TELL THEM THAT I APPRECIATE THEM FOR THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE. OKAY. ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES.
[00:35:07]
NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.[BOARD INFORMATION & POSSIBLE ACTION]
ITEM 28. I WILL AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD INFO.ITEM NUMBER 28. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD INFO.
ITEM 28 IS NOW CLOSED. CAN I GET A MOTION? WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES.
LAST IS BOARD REPORTS. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE BOARD REPORTS STARTING WITH SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I FEEL LIKE IT'S BEEN QUITE A WHILE SINCE WE'VE BEEN BACK HERE IN THE CHAMBERS.I CAN TELL YOU I SHARED AT THE LAST MEETING WE HAD AT THE MONDO BUILDING.
IT WAS A LITTLE FRUSTRATING, BUT GLAD WE MADE THROUGH IT.
FIRST OFF, I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
WELCOME ABOARD. I WILL TELL YOU, HE'S BEEN HERE EVERY DAY SINCE HE GOT OFFICIALLY SWORN IN.
HE WAS HERE BEFORE THAT, BUT VISITING AND BUT HE'S BEEN OFFICIALLY IN THE OFFICE ON MONDAY, LAST MONDAY AT 12:00 IS HIS OFFICIAL START TIME, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, AND YOU'LL FIND THAT I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD BOARD HERE, AND I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, IT'S NOT JUST NOTICED BY US, BUT AS WE ARE INVOLVED IN OUR STATE ASSOCIATIONS, I THINK THERE'S OTHER COUNTIES THAT ENVY THAT.
AND AND SO WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE THAT. THAT'S THAT'S NOT THE SAME.
I SEE OTHER COUNTIES WHERE SUPERVISORS LITERALLY HATE EACH OTHER.
THEY, THEY, THEY, THEY WON'T EVEN TALK TO EACH OTHER.
I THINK YOU'LL DO A GREAT JOB FOR US AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU THIS YEAR.
I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FIRES IN LA.
I REACHED OUT TO CHIEF PIMENTEL, WHO'S, YOU KNOW, AS BAD AS IT IS, AND YOU READ A LOT OF STUFF ON STUFF ON THE NEWS OF WHAT'S GOING ON THERE, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF BLAME TO GO AROUND AND WHATNOT. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY WERE ALREADY PRE-POSITIONING EQUIPMENT DOWN IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA BEFORE THE ACTUAL FIRST FIRE STARTED. AND I KNOW FOLKS FROM MERCER COUNTY, NOT ONLY FROM OUR COUNTY FIRE CAL FIRE FOLKS, BUT A LOT OF OUR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS HAVE SENT DOWN THAT ARE PART OF STRIKE TEAMS THAT ARE DOWN THERE HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH THROUGH THOSE FIRES.
SO WE JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEM AND WISH THEM SAFETY, BECAUSE IT IS.
I TALKED TO CHIEF PIMENTEL AND HE SAID, YOU KNOW, HE WAS PART OF OBVIOUSLY THE FLOODS WE HAD HERE A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AS WELL AS HE WAS OVER AT THE FIRES IN MAUI. AND HE SAID THIS ORDEAL DOWN THERE REMINDS HIM OF A COMBINATION OF BOTH OF WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, THE FLOODS HERE AND THE FIRES THAT HE DEALT WITH IN, IN MAUI IN THE SENSE OF, YOU SEE ALL THE PICTURES OF EVERYTHING BURNING.
BUT THERE ARE ALSO AS PART OF THESE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAMS ARE WORKING ON THE.
YOU HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE IN SHELTERS AND BEING ABLE TO SUPPLY THESE SHELTERS.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED. IT'S CRAZY. SO I JUST TOLD THEM THAT I'VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT THEM AND WANT TO KEEP THEM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS THEY'RE THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE OVER ANYTIME SOON. THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOWN THERE FOR A WHILE.
SO AGAIN, KEEP THOSE FOLKS IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
MARK MIMS IS OFFICIALLY THE MAN IN CED. I KNOW AT OUR LAST MEETING, IT WAS ANNOUNCED AND SO, MARK, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AGAIN AND WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WORKING WITH YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLE AS THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO EVAN SANDERS AND MARCUS CHAVEZ.
SO I'VE REACHED OUT TO MARCUS ALREADY, AND I'M GETTING READY TO REACH OUT TO EVAN.
[00:40:04]
WELL, FIRST, CONGRATULATIONS. YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN A QUICK STUDY AS A SUPERVISOR AND HAVE REALLY DONE WELL TO REPRESENT THE FOLKS IN YOUR DISTRICT. AND, YOU KNOW, AND I, YOU KNOW, JUST DAWNED ON ME TODAY.YOU HAD A LITTLE CHEAT SHEET. YOU HAD YOUR DAD KIND OF COACHING YOU.
BUT ANYWAYS, BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU, YOU'VE SERVED MERCED COUNTY WELL.
AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. I'D LIKE TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT THE MERCED COUNTY SHERIFF'S POSSE HAS BEEN INVITED TO GO TO WASHINGTON, DC AND PARTICIPATE IN THE INAUGURATION PARADE, AND IT'S QUITE AN HONOR.
I BELIEVE THERE'S ONLY 1 OR 2 GROUPS IN CALIFORNIA GOING.
AND SO THEY'RE REPRESENTING NOT ONLY MERCED COUNTY, BUT THE STATE.
AND IT'S KIND OF NEAT IF YOU'VE EVER SEEN THEM RIDING A PARADE.
THEY DO, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THEY ONLY HAVE 5 OR 6 HORSES, IT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE, I BELIEVE.
HERE, THEY'RE TAKING 14 HORSES. SO SHOULD BE SOMETHING TO SEE ON TV.
I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THEY CREATED AN APP CALLED SEECLICKFIX, AND I KNOW THOSE OTHER TEAMS, BUT I USE IT FOR PUBLIC WORKS THE MOST, AND I'M REAL APPRECIATIVE OF IT. SO IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE IN MERCED COUNTY, WHETHER IT'S ILLEGAL DUMPING, POTHOLES OR ANYTHING ELSE REALLY, FOR THAT MATTER.
IF YOU DOWNLOAD THE SEECLICKFIX APP AND CHOOSE MERCED COUNTY AS YOUR LOCATION.
ONE YOU'LL GET ONE THAT THEY GOT THE NOTIFICATION.
SECONDLY, YOU'LL GET AN EMAIL IF YOU IF YOU LOG IN RIGHT.
AND I RUN INTO PEOPLE ALL THE TIME THAT HAVE NO IDEA THAT THIS APP EXISTS.
SO THIS LAST WEEK, I OR THIS WEEK, I'VE ALREADY HAD THREE PEOPLE YOU KNOW, CALL ME WITH ISSUES, GAVE THEM THE APP. THEY FILLED IT OUT, TEXT ME LATER SAYING, WOW, THIS IS EASY.
SO SEECLICKFIX AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS TALK TO NATHAN BRAY.
HE'LL HELP YOU THROUGH IT BECAUSE IT REALLY HELPS HIS DEPARTMENT AS WELL. THIS PAST WEEK, I ATTENDED A THE LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION FOR RCRC UP IN SACRAMENTO. IT'S JUST AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA THINK LIKE WE DO.
WE JUST NEED MORE OF THEM IN SACRAMENTO. AND WE HONORED A COUPLE OF LEGISLATORS THAT, YOU KNOW, REALLY WORK WITH OUR RCRC IN THE RURAL COUNTIES TO HELP OUR AGENDA MOVE FORWARD.
ALTHOUGH THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THE UNFUNDED MANDATES STOPPED COMING OUT OF SACRAMENTO, BUT I THINK THEY'LL BE RECEPTIVE WHEN WE ASK THEM FOR HELP TO WORK ON IT.
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME JIMMY TO THE TEAM. I'VE KNOWN HIM SINCE HIGH SCHOOL.
HE WAS BUDDIES WITH MY COUSINS, A LITTLE YOUNGER AND JUST A GREAT MAN.
WATCH HIS CAREER AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. AND IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU HERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOU KNOW, THE NEXT FOUR OR 8 OR 12 YEARS OF WORKING TOGETHER.
I WANT TO GIVE AWARENESS TO A PROJECT THAT'S BEEN IN MERCED.
THEY DO ALL THE WORK, BUT IT'S AN HONOR TO KIND OF BE A PART OF IT.
SO THEY'VE WE'VE PURCHASED A TRAILER THROUGH SOME THROUGH SOME GRANTS FROM MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, EAST OVERCOMERS AND A FEW OTHER GROUPS THAT THERE WILL BE A I GUESS IT'S A IT'S A TRAILER THAT'S WRAPPED SO TO RAISE AWARENESS. BUT REALLY THEY SET UP A FOUR ROOM WALK THROUGH WITH A HEARING SETS THAT ALLOWS YOU TO LISTEN TO STORIES OF PEOPLE THAT WERE ABUSED AND HUMAN TRAFFICKED, AND IT REALLY MAKES IT REAL.
AND SO ANYWAYS, I'D LIKE TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR IT.
THE DATES HAVEN'T BEEN SET YET WHEN IT WILL BE OPEN HERE IN MERCED.
BUT IT'S A TOURING. IT'S A TOURING MOBILE UNIT.
SO A GOOD BIG SHOUT OUT TO DENNIS HAYNES AND HIS COMMITTEE ATTENDED THE HMONG NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AND JUST WANT TO REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE HMONG COMMUNITY.
WHAT I APPRECIATE ABOUT A LOT OF CULTURES IS THAT THEY HONOR THEIR CULTURE WHERE THEY CAME FROM, AND THEN THEY HONOR AMERICA BECAUSE IT GAVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE WHERE THEY CAME FROM.
AND MY HERITAGE IS SIMILAR. PORTUGAL. THE AZORES ISLANDS WERE VERY, VERY POOR.
PEOPLE MIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.
[00:45:01]
AND SO EVEN THOUGH THE PORTUGUESE HERITAGE IS STRONG, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THE MOST PATRIOTIC PEOPLE I KNOW.AND I FIND THAT IN THE HMONG COMMUNITY, TOO. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM FOR THAT EVENT.
SO SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA COMMENT ABOUT THE FIRES DOWN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REALLY HIT HOME.
OUR OLDEST SON IS DOWN THERE. HE'S A LINEMAN.
HE WORKED IN HE MOVED TO GEORGIA WHEN HE BECAME A LINEMAN AND WORKED STORMS OUT THERE PERIODICALLY.
HURRICANES, ICE STORMS, WINDSTORMS, TORNADOES.
SO ANYWAYS, AND THEN AND THEN THE DANGER STILL ON.
SO PLEASE KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS AND PRAY, PRAY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE BECAUSE IT'S DEVASTATING.
IF YOU'VE EVER LOST SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, AND THEN A WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO YOU NOT ONLY LOSE YOUR HOUSE, BUT YOU LOSE YOUR COMMUNITY.
SO IT'S TOUGH ON PEOPLE. THANK YOU, MISTER CHAIR.
THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PACHECO. THANK YOU, MISTER CHAIR.
AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID, THIS IS MY SECOND WEEK, SO NOT A WHOLE LOT.
BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR CONGRATULATIONS. AND I DO.
THIS LAST WEEK, I DID ATTEND SOME MAC AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS AS A SUPERVISOR, AND I'VE BEEN MEETING WITH DISTRICT ONE RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR CONCERNS AND HOPEFULLY START WORKING ON THOSE. AND I DO WANT TO THANK MY, THE STAFF AND COLLEAGUES FOR BRINGING ME UP TO SPEED ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THE COUNTY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYBODY TO GET THOSE, GET THOSE DONE. AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME GET SETTLED IN.
SO THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU.
SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL. THANK YOU. WELCOME, JIM.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING WITH YOU. I WILL SAY ONLY THOUGH YOU HAD TWO WEEKS TO REPORT ON.
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. I HAD A I WANT TO REPORT OUT THAT I DID HAVE A VERY, VERY FRUITFUL, FRUITFUL MEETING WITH MERCED COUNTY FARM BUREAU.
THEY'RE LOOKING TO MEET WITH EACH OF OUR COLLEAGUES, EACH OF MY COLLEAGUES AND MYSELF.
AND I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THEIR OF THEIR FRUSTRATIONS.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE RCRC MEETING LAST WEEK, AS WELL AS THE SWEARING IN OF OUR NEW CHAIRMAN OUT OF MODOC COUNTY. SHE'S GOING TO DO A VERY GOOD JOB.
I WAS APPOINTED AGAIN TO GOLDEN STATE FINANCE AUTHORITY.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ALL KNOW THAT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, BECAUSE THAT'S ONE WAY RURAL CALIFORNIA CAN RECRUIT EMPLOYEES OUT OF THE NONMEMBERS OF RURAL CALIFORNIA. ALSO I ATTENDED THE HMONG NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AS WELL.
ALSO WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. WE WILL BE ATTENDING THAT.
AND AGAIN, THAT GIVES US QUICKER ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MERCED COUNTY TO BE NOT ONLY AT THE TABLE, BUT ACCESS FOR FUNDS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. AND I APPRECIATE ERIC COACHING ME THROUGH THAT AND KEEPING ME UP TO SPEED FOR THOSE MEETINGS.
AND I DO WANT TO ANNOUNCE OUT THAT THE FOURTH THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH FROM 130 TO 330, I DO HAVE MY MOBILE DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS IN THE CITY OF ATWATER IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. WE'RE OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
IT KIND OF GETS CONFLICTED BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAYS, BUT MOVING FORWARD AND WE ARE TRYING TO BRING BACK WHERE WE HAVE A FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE THERE, AS WELL AS OUR TWO STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
IT'S NICE THAT I'VE WORKED AT BOTH LEVELS, BECAUSE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO VISIT ME IN THESE MOBILE DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS WHO HAVE ISSUES. IT'S USUALLY STATE AND FEDERAL ISSUES, AND I'M ABLE TO DIRECT THEM TO THOSE AREAS. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE US ALL SITTING THERE AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TWO HOURS WHERE WE CAN COLLABORATE AND WORK TOGETHER ON CERTAIN ISSUES.
AND THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I DO WANT TO THANK MARK MIMS AND SHANE PARSONS.
YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN THE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BRINGING THE FARM TOUR HERE TO MERCED COUNTY, STARRING LUKE BRYAN, THREE OTHER BANDS AND THE DJ ON MAY 15TH. IT'S BEEN EXCITING.
FOLKS, I DO NOT HAVE TICKETS, SO QUIT TEXTING ME AND MESSAGE ME.
[00:50:02]
I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THAT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS GOING TO BE AT CASTLE.WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. MANY TIMES WE'VE TRIED TO BRING LARGE CONCERTS TO THIS AREA, AND WE'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO QUITE DO IT. AND I GOT TO THANK MARK MIMS FOR DOING THAT.
SHANE PARSONS, WHO IS A LANDOWNER OUT AT CASTLE WHO COLLABORATED BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.
I BASICALLY SAID TO MARK, GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY, LET THESE GUYS DO IT, AND I APPRECIATE OUR EFFORTS AND NOW WE HAVE IT.
THANK YOU, FORCE. CEO. YES, THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
AND TO THE REST OF THE BOARD. JUST LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP.
I KNOW OUR COUNTY STAFF, OUR COUNTY TEAM IS ALSO POISED TO DO THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR.
WE STARTED THE WEEK PREPARING FOR THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PREVIEW, AND I DID WANT TO COMPLIMENT OUR WORKFORCE INVESTMENT DIRECTOR ERIC SERRATO, WHO WAS THERE DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE, TO SHARE SOME OF THE GOOD WORK THAT'S BEING DONE ON A ON A REGIONAL LEVEL ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
NORTH VALLEY THRIVE, US, STANISLAUS COUNTY AND SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY.
SO HIS $322.2 BILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL WILL LIKELY BE ADJUSTED AS WE, OR THE STATE AND COUNTIES AND CITIES DETERMINE WHAT THE IMPACTS OF THE DEVASTATION.
I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL CREWS FROM MERCED COUNTY THAT ARE ASSISTING.
BUT YEAH. JUST WANTED TO KIND OF KEEP IT BRIEF.
BACK TO YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. JIM.
THANK YOU, ALI. OH. OKAY. THANK YOU.
FOR THOSE COMMENTS. ALSO, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE SUPERVISOR PACHECO AND WELCOME HIM.
I, TOO, ATTENDED THE HMONG NEW YEAR. HMONG NEW YEAR IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE IT REALLY DOES HIGHLIGHT THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY THAT WE HAVE HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE, WE, WE CELEBRATE.
I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALSO DONNA ALI, WHO'S HERE.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. I TOO WANT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, THAT WITH THE FIRES THAT ARE GOING ON YOU KNOW, IT'S THERE IS GOING TO I ECHO A LOT OF WHAT EVERYBODY HAS SAID, AND WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO KEEP THEM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. YOU KNOW, IF WHEN THEY HAD THE FIRE WAS IN MARIPOSA OR YOSEMITE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
THE WAY THAT THEY OPERATE AND THE WAY THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS HANDLE THOSE THINGS, THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AND THEY'RE VERY, VERY WELL TRAINED, AND THEY GET IN REALLY QUICKLY.
AND, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO, TO KEEP THEM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WHILE THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING YOU PAY THEM FOR SOMETIMES WHAT THEY HAVE TO WHAT THEY DO.
ALSO, THIS UPCOMING MONDAY IS THE UNITY MARCH.
THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR WALK, SPONSORED BY NAACP.
IT'S GOING TO START, THE LINEUP WILL START AT 10 A.M.
AT AMTRAK, AND 11 A.M. IS THE MARCH TO THE THEATER, WITH THE PROGRAM BEGINNING AT NOON.
I TOO, MET WITH FARM BUREAU. I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY GOOD VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING.
AND REALLY, IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EDUCATE THEM AND THEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR THEM TO EDUCATE US, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS VERY HELPFUL. I TOO ATTENDED THE CRC INSTALLATION DINNER AND THEN I THINK ALL OF US ALSO ATTENDED
[00:55:03]
JUDGE MONICA DONOVAN'S SIGNEE'S INVESTITURE. SO WE'RE EXCITED FOR HER OPPORTUNITY TO START.AND THEN FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING FOR MY UNCLE TIMMY PEDROSO.
MY UNCLE WAS VISITING FROM MISSOURI WHEN HE SUDDENLY HAD A MASSIVE STROKE AND PASSED AWAY.
SO I WANT TO ADJOURN FOR MY UNCLE, WHO LONG TIME DAIRYMAN MOVED UP TO ORLAND.
AND IF ANYBODY KNEW MY UNCLE, ONE OF THE THINGS IS YOU GOT TO KNOW HIM REALLY QUICKLY BECAUSE HE HAD THE MOST INFECTIOUS, LOUD, SOME WOULD SAY OBNOXIOUS LAUGH. BUT YOU COULD HEAR HIM FROM A MILE AWAY.
AND WHEN HE MOVED UP TO GLENN COUNTY, THEY KNEW HIM VERY WELL AS WELL.
SO HE'LL BE MISSED. BUT. SO WITH THAT, IF THERE'S NOTHING.
OH, YEAH. SORRY. GOOD. OH, THANK YOU, MISTER CHAIR.
I WANTED TO, OUT OF RESPECT FOR SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
I WANTED TO WAIT TILL AFTER HE SPOKE, BUT HIS UNCLE TIMMY WAS A LITTLE OLDER THAN ME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS, AND HE WAS JUST A GOOD MAN.
ALWAYS. THAT LAUGH WAS JUST UNREAL. BUT I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THAT BEING SAID.
ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW ADJOURN THE MEETING. THIS CONCLUDES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING FOR JANUARY 14TH, 2025. AND THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING OF SUPERVISORS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 10 A.M.
ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 28TH. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.