Feb 11, 2025 Board Meeting

[00:00:02]

GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

[CALL TO ORDER]

[CLOSED SESSION]

NEXT CLOSED SESSION IS PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR AND YOUR LAST CLOSED SESSION IS MEET AND CONFER AGENCY NEGOTIATOR MARCI BARRERA. THE PUBLIC WILL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION, PRIOR TO THE BOARD ADJOURNING INTO CLOSED SESSION.

TESTIMONY LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.

OKAY AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEM.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEM IS NOW CLOSED AND WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION.

GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME BACK TO THE FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025 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 PASTOR JOHN MOTZ FROM NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ATWATER, AND THEN SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

LET US PRAY. FATHER GOD, AS WE GATHER IN THIS PLACE TODAY JUST AWARE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP AND THE REQUIREMENT OF INTEGRITY AS WE WORK OUT SEEKING TO DO THE VERY BEST FOR EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE. I THANK YOU FOR OUR LEADERS GATHERED HERE BEFORE US.

I THANK YOU, EVEN FOR THE CHALLENGES THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY FACE.

GOD, I PRAY FOR YOUR GUIDANCE FOR US THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HEAR ONE HEAR ONE ANOTHER, WOULD BE ABLE TO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER, WOULD BE ABLE TO SEEK TO FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK FOR THE BEST OF ALL INVOLVED.

FATHER, I WANT TO LIFT UP TODAY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR SUPERVISORS HERE BEFORE US.

I PRAY FOR SUPERVISOR PACHECO. SUPERVISOR PEDROZO SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA FATHER.

FOR EACH OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY, AS THEY AS THEY RESPOND TO YOUR CALL TO USE THEIR GIFTS, THEIR INSIGHT, THEIR WISDOM, THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCE HERE AS THE NORTH STAR OF GUIDING OUR DIRECTION.

GOD, I PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR LEADERS DURING THIS TIME OF OF POLITICAL CHANGE.

I PRAY FOR THOSE SERVING US IN SACRAMENTO. I PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR LEADERS SERVING US IN US IN WASHINGTON, DC. I PRAY FOR THOSE WHO WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE GUIDANCE TO WHAT WE HAVE NEED FOR IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND FATHER, I THANK YOU FOR INVITING EACH OF US, NOT JUST THOSE TASKED WITH LEADERSHIP, BUT EACH OF US.

FATHER, I THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO MAKE OUR HOME IN YOUR LOVE, TO RESHAPE HOW WE THINK, TO RESHAPE THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE, TO RESHAPE HOW WE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND HOW WE EXPRESS THAT CONCERN FOR THOSE, EVEN THAT WE OFTEN OVERLOOK IN OUR MIDST.

SO GOD CONTINUE TO GIVE GUIDANCE TO THOSE WHO WOULD SEEK TO SERVE.

CONTINUE TO FILL THIS ROOM WITH A SENSE OF HUMILITY AS WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE BUT YOUR SERVANTS.

LEAD US TODAY. BRING BLESSING UPON THIS COMMUNITY IN JESUS NAME.

AMEN. AMEN. NOW, PLEASE FOLLOW ME IN THE NATIONAL ANTHEM F THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THIS WORLD.

ALLEGIANCE] ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. IT'S NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO

[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]

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

OKAY. GOOD MORNING TO ALL. MY NAME IS GLORIA SANDOVAL AND I'M HERE THIS MORNING I RECEIVED A

[00:05:02]

URBAN DEVELOPMENT. AND IT SAYS THAT THIS MAN THAT'S BEING NOMINATED IS CONSIDERING USING DETENTION CAMPS TO PUT OUR HOMELESS PEOPLE IN. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL DO SOMETHING TO NOT HAVE THIS PERSON NOMINATED. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY PUT ITS PLANS TO ROUND UP UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND PUT THEM INTO DETENTION CAMPS, INTO HIGH GEAR, AND PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF MADE NO SECRETS ABOUT HIS DESIRE TO DO THE SAME FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS WITHOUT HOUSING. THIS GENTLEMAN, SCOTT TURNER, HAS NOW CLEARLY SIGNALED HE WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF THESE PLANS.

SENATORS MUST VOTE NO ON HIS NOMINATION TO SHOW THE ADMINISTRATION, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND THE WORLD AT LARGE THAT WE AS AMERICANS REJECT THE IDEA OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS BEING FORCED INTO CAMP JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE RENT.

I THINK THAT THIS IS KIND OF, YOU KNOW, A TIP, I'D LIKE YOU, AS OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST THIS GENTLEMAN BEING NOMINATED. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, SUPERVISORS. I COME TO YOU IN MY HAT AS A CONCERNED PHYSICIAN, NOT IN ANY OFFICIAL CAPACITY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION AND HOW IT'S BEEN HANDLED IN IN OUR COUNTY.

I WANT TO POINT THE TANGENT TO ATTORNEY GENERAL BONTA'S REMINDER TO CALIFORNIANS ABOUT THE RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS UNDER THE LAW FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN DAIRIES IN THE WHOLE COUNTY AND WORK IN POULTRY IN THE WHOLE COUNTY, AND THAT WERE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL WORKERS DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND NOW THEY'RE IN DANGER OF BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND FAMILIES DISRUPTED. THERE'S CONCERN IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

BUT I THINK IN PARTICULAR IN OUR STATE, THERE HAVE BEEN MOBILIZATIONS IN SEVERAL CITIES, INCLUDING MERCED.

AND I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT A FEW THINGS THAT MR. BONTA POINTS TO IS THAT IF AN ICE AGENT APPEARS IN A HOSPITAL OR A CLINIC, THAT COWORKERS ARE TO BE NOTIFIED AND THAT PEOPLE CAN STAY SILENT. THE ICE AGENTS HAVE TO PRESENT A VALID WARRANT LISTING THE PARTICULAR PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE APPROACHING. THE PEOPLE CAN STAY SILENT, BUT ALSO NOT PHYSICALLY OBSTRUCT.

THIS IS A CONCERN BECAUSE THEY CAN ACTUALLY, THE SAFE ZONES HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY OUR PRESIDENT.

SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, CLINICS PUBLIC PLACES ARE UNDER ATTACK.

SO, I'M LEAVING A PACKAGE. I'LL LEAVE IT FOR MR. FORREST HANSON. AND I HOPE THAT YOU CAN TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY.

NOT WEARING MY OFFICIAL HAT. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE DOCTOR SANTANA TO COME UP SO HE CAN INTRODUCE A RESIDENT THAT'S WORKING WITH US.

SO, THERE YOU GO. GOOD MORNING. I'M DOCTOR IGNACIO SANTANA.

I'M THE ASSISTANT HEALTH OFFICER FOR MERCED COUNTY.

I'D JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE OUR DOCTOR, BERNADETTE.

CHU IS IT CHU? WHO IS JOINING US FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AS SHE DISCOVERS THE WONDERS AND JOY OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN IN OUR COUNTY AND IN OUR IN OUR NATION. SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO. OKAY. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, ANY CONCERNS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO US.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU.

[00:10:11]

MY NAME IS CARLOS ALCALA. I AM A BUSINESS AGENT WITH UNITED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING MERCED COUNTY, UNIT THREE, THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO KEEP THIS COUNTY RUNNING.

THESE ARE WORKERS WHO ENSURE THAT SERVICES CONTINUE NO MATTER WHAT.

THEY MAINTAIN OUR ROADS, ASSIST OUR FAMILIES, PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, AND PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS COUNTY RELIES ON. THEY DON'T ASK FOR RECOGNITION, THEY ASK FOR RESPECT.

BUT RESPECT, AS WE KNOW, ISN'T JUST WORDS, IT'S ACTION.

AND THIS BOARD'S LACK OF ACTION HAS SPOKEN LOUD AND CLEAR.

RECENTLY, WHEN THE LAW RAISED THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $16.50 AN HOUR, THIS COUNTY RESPONDED WITH A ONE PENNY RAISE ABOVE THAT TO $16.51, A PENNY. THAT'S NOT A RAISE. IT'S A SLAP IN THE FACE.

AND LET'S BE CLEAR THE PENNY WASN'T GIVEN OUT OF APPRECIATION FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

IT WASN'T A RECOGNITION FOR THEIR HARD WORK. IT WAS THE ABSOLUTE BARE MINIMUM THIS BOARD COULD GET AWAY WITH UNDER THE LAW.

FOR MONTHS, WE WERE TOLD THERE WASN'T ENOUGH MONEY FOR WAGE INCREASES.

YET WHEN THE LAW REQUIRED ACTION, SUDDENLY THE BOARD FOUND THE FUNDS.

AND WHAT WAS THE EXCUSE? WE ANTICIPATED THIS.

IF YOU COULD ANTICIPATE A LEGAL OBLIGATION, WHY COULDN'T YOU ANTICIPATE DOING RIGHT BY YOUR OWN WORKFORCE? WHY DIDN'T YOU ANTICIPATE GIVING RAISES TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WHO HOLD THIS COUNTY TOGETHER? WHY WAS THERE NO ANTICIPATION FOR THE RISING COST OF LIVING THAT OUR EMPLOYEES FACE? WHY WAS THERE NO ANTICIPATION FOR FAIRNESS? THIS BOARD DIDN'T.

BECAUSE THIS BOARD FELT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO. AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM.

LAST YEAR, COUNTY EMPLOYEES WERE DENIED THE RAISES THEY DESERVE.

BUT LET ME MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR. WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN.

NEGOTIATIONS ARE COMING UP AND LET ME TELL YOU THIS.

COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE KEEPING THEIR EYES ON THIS BOARD.

WE WILL NOT BE IGNORED. WE WILL NOT BE DISMISSED.

WE ARE STANDING STRONG. WE ARE STANDING UNITED.

THE BARE MINIMUM, THAT PENNY YOU GAVE IS NOT ENOUGH.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES NEVER GIVE THE BARE MINIMUM.

BUT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SERVE THIS COUNTY.

THIS COUNTY CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT ITS WORKERS.

AND IT'S TIME THAT THE BOARD RECOGNIZE THAT. IF YOU COULD FIND MONEY WHEN THE LAW FORCED YOU TO, THEN YOU COULD FIND MONEY TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

WE ARE DONE WITH EXCUSES. WE ARE DONE WITH WAITING.

WE EXPECT FAIR AND MEANINGFUL WAGE INCREASES.

SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. NOT WHEN THE LAW FORCES YOUR HAND.

NOT WHEN IT'S CONVENIENT, BUT BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THANK YOU.

HELLO. MY NAME IS SHERRILYN RAWLS, AND I AND I HAVE SPOKEN HERE SEVERAL TIMES, ALWAYS ON THE SAME ISSUE.

YOU CAN MOVE THE PODIUM DOWN IF WE'RE HAVING A, THANK YOU.

BETTER. TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT A RECAP OF ALL THAT I HAVE SPOKEN. NOW, I HAVE POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE SOME AGENCIES IN THIS COUNTY THAT ARE USING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BATTER THE CITIZENS, MYSELF BEING ONE. TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO RECAP.

I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THE COURTS. NOW, IT IS TRUE THAT THE COURTS PROBABLY GET THEIR MONEY FROM THE STATE, BUT UNLESS THEY'RE RECEIVING FUNDING FROM THE SALE OF GIRL SCOUT COOKIES, I'M THINKING IT COMES SOMEHOW FROM THE CITIZENS, SOMEHOW. AND THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, WHO HAS NEVER RETURNED ONE OF MY PHONE CALLS AND THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

MANY OF THESE AGENCIES HAVE BEEN DERELICT IN THEIR DUTY.

NOW, ONE AGENCY WHICH I HAVE NEVER HAD TIME TO TALK ABOUT.

HERE IT IS THE COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT. THEY HAVE BEEN POLITE.

THEY HAVE BEEN COURTEOUS. THEY HAVE BEEN PATIENT.

[00:15:04]

NOW, THE CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT AGENCY.

THE COUNTY IS EXEMPLARY. NOW, IN ADDITION TO BEING A BATTERED CITIZEN, I HAVE THIS THING CALLED A BLUE DRESS. AND IT STEMS FROM WHEN BILL CLINTON WAS NOTICED OF HAVING AN UNUSUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE OF HIS INTERNS, AND HE CAME ON THE PUBLIC AIRWAVES AROUND ABOUT NOON THAT DAY. AND HE WENT ON AND ON ABOUT HOW THIS INTERN STUCK LIKE FLYPAPER.

HE NONE OF THEM COULD GET AWAY FROM HER. HE COULDN'T EVEN QUITE REMEMBER HER NAME.

HE GOT OFF THE AIRWAVES A COUPLE OF WEEKS PAST.

I'M THINKING THE BLUE DRESS WAS SURFACING. AFTER TWO WEEKS, IT BECAME KNOWN THERE WAS A BLUE DRESS.

NOW I HAVE A BLUE DRESS IN THE FORM OF A FORMER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE TELLING ONE AND ALL THAT THIS EMPLOYEE WISHED THAT ALL LANDLORDS WERE LIKE ME.

SO I GUESS I CAN'T BE THIS TERRIBLE LANDLORD.

YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

OKAY. SEEING NO ONE ELSE, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

[CONSENT CALENDAR]

AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 14.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 14 IS NOW CLOSED.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. CALL FOR THE VOTE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. ITEM PASSES.

WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO BOARD ACTION, BEGINNING WITH PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 15 AND 16.

[BOARD ACTION]

AFTER. BEFORE. BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. GO AHEAD.

SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL. NO, I JUST. THANK YOU, MISTER CHAIR.

THIS IS ACTUALLY ON THE CONSENT ITEM. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT THE BUHACH BRIDGE THAT WE CONTINUED THE EMERGENCY STATUS ON THAT. I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERN CONSTITUENTS OUT IN THAT AREA WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THAT BECAUSE ALSO THE BRIDGE BEING OUT.

SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT JUST SIGNIFIES THAT WE ARE WORKING ON THIS AND TRYING TO EXPEDIATE IT.

SO APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK. PUBLIC WORKS IS DOING ON THAT.

THANKS. OKAY, NOW I WILL OPEN UP. ANYBODY ELSE? NOW I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS 15 AND 16.

SEEING NO PUBLIC COMMENT, THE COMMENT FOR ITEMS 15 AND 16 IS NOW CLOSED.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

ITEM 17 AND 18. BOTH ITEMS REQUIRE A FOUR FIFTH VOTE.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BHRS ITEMS 17 AND 18.

OKAY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BHRS ITEMS 17 AND 18 IS NOW CLOSED.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, SECONDED BY SCOTT SILVEIRA.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

UNANIMOUSLY PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND AT THIS TIME MARK MIMS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ITEM.

[00:20:01]

MARK MIMS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IN LATE 2023, FIVE COUNTIES WERE IDENTIFIED FOR DISASTER RELIEF FUNDING THROUGH THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, CDBG, DUE TO THE FLOODING IN JANUARY OF 2023.

THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS THE RESOLUTION, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY ACCEPT THE CDBG DISASTER RELIEF FUNDING THAT ALLOCATES $6,274,102 TO MERCED COUNTY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND RAZING OF ELEVATIONS OF THE ELIGIBLE MOBILE HOME UNITS DAMAGED DURING THE FLOODS. THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT, COMPLETED BY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, WHICH IDENTIFIED 16 MOBILE HOMES IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, FOCUSED ON THE HIGHWAY 59 MOBILE HOME PARK. SINCE TIME HAS PASSED SINCE THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT, A NEW ASSESSMENT WILL BE COMPLETED WITH THE FUNDS.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE UP TO 350,000.

CD WILL CONTRACT WITH SELF-HELP, WHO WILL ADMINISTER THE GRANT FOR THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU AND STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. MIMS? OKAY. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA NOT A QUESTION. JUST A THANK YOU TO DIRECTOR MIMS FOR THE ONE FOLLOW UP QUESTION THAT I THAT I HAD ON THIS WAS, IS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A $6.2 MILLION GRANT, AND WE'RE GOING TO PARTNER WITH SELF-HELP, AND THERE'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE CAP OF 10% THAT THEY CAN CHARGE TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE THE PROGRAM.

AND SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME. AND I CAN JUST SAY FROM MY EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH SELF-HELP ON THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AND SOME, WELL, WATER STUFF, THEY'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB.

AND SO I APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP THERE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NOW OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM FOR NUMBER 19.

OKAY. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEM 19 IS NOW CLOSED.

IS THERE A MOTION? A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIES. NEXT, WE HAVE SHERIFF AT THIS POINT.

AT THIS TIME, UNDERSHERIFF COREY GIBSON WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ITEM. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING BOARD, CO MENENDEZ, COUNCIL HANSON.

COREY GIBSON, UNDERSHERIFF, MERCED COUNTY. IN JULY 2024, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AUTHORIZED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO APPLY FOR THE STATE CRIMINAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT, ALSO KNOWN AS SCAP, FROM THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, THROUGH THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FEDERAL HOMELAND SECURITY.

THE SCAP PROGRAM PROVIDES FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO STATES AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS, INCURRING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INCARCERATED AND CONVICTED OF STATE AND LOCAL OFFENSES. SCAP FUNDS ARE INTENDED TO BE USED FOR CORRECTIONAL PURPOSES SUCH AS STAFFING PROGRAMS, MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE MERCED COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES NOT DO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

AND WE FOLLOW THE CALIFORNIA VALUES ACT, INTRODUCED AS SB 54 AND CODIFIED IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 7282 AND 7280 2.5.

SCAP FUNDS DO NOT INTERFERE WITH OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER CALIFORNIA VALUES ACT AND ARE NOT FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, WE WERE NOTIFIED BY THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE THAT THE MERCED COUNTY WAS AWARDED $211,621.

THIS AWARD COVERS JULY 2022 THROUGH DECEMBER 2025.

TODAY, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE REQUESTS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ACCEPT THE SCAP AWARD.

AND I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, ALONG WITH CAPTAIN SULLIVAN. ALL RIGHT.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY, I'LL GO AHEAD.

AND AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SHERIFF ITEM NUMBER 20.

MY QUESTION IS, IF THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PAST OR THIS IS GOING FORWARD? SHE HAS THE COMMENT IF YOU WANT THE QUESTION ANSWER, YOU NEED TO ASK THE QUESTION.

OKAY. SO THE QUESTION WAS IS THIS A REIMBURSEMENT OR IS IT A GRANT MOVING FORWARD? IT'S FOR THE PERIOD OF TIME FROM JULY 2022 THROUGH DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU. OKAY. ANYBODY ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEM NUMBER 20 IS NOW CLOSED.

AND I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

[00:25:07]

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY. NEXT, WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE ITEM NUMBER 21.

AT THIS TIME, MARK HENDRICKSON, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 21.

GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO AND COUNTY COUNCIL.

AGAIN, MARK HENDRICKSON, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER. HAVING A PRESENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC HAS LIKELY NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT, AS COUNTIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL.

AS IT HAS DECISIONS, THERE MAY IMPACT FUNDING STREAMS THAT WE RELY UPON TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR RESIDENTS.

IN THIS REGARD, HAVING A SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH A FEDERAL ADVOCATE IS VITALLY IMPORTANT AND HAS PROVEN HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FOR MERCED COUNTY IN THE PAST IN THE FORM OF SECURING EARMARKS, GRANTS AND ALLOCATIONS. FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, MERCED COUNTY HAS CONTRACTED FOR THESE SERVICES AND OUR MOST RECENT CONTRACT ENDED ON JANUARY 31ST. AND IN THIS REGARD, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A BRIEF OPPORTUNITY TO THANK LYNN JACQUES FOR HER MANY YEARS OF EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONALISM AND SUCCESSES ON THE COUNTY'S BEHALF.

NOW, AS I MENTIONED, HAVING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH FEDERAL ADVOCATES ARE CRUCIAL AS THEY FACILITATE ACCESS TO POLICYMAKERS.

THEY OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION, AND THEY INCREASE THE CHANCES OF INFLUENCING LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO THE COUNTY.

THIS BOARD HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN IDENTIFYING A HIGHLY QUALIFIED FIRM THAT HAS GOOD, ESTABLISHED LOCAL CONNECTIONS, WHO ALSO HAS A FIRSTHAND UNDERSTANDING OF THE KEY ISSUES FACING MERCED COUNTY.

IN THIS REGARD, THERE ARE TWO FIRMS WHO HAVE NOW EXPRESSED INTEREST IN PROVIDING THESE SERVICES. TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND DENTONS US LLP.

BOTH FIRMS ARE HIGHLY REPUTABLE AND IN THE END, THE SELECTION IS ENTIRELY THE PURVIEW OF THIS BOARD.

SO I THOUGHT I WOULD TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH SOME BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS OF EACH FIRM.

TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS IS LED BY FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT CHRISTOPHER TOWNSEND, WHO CITES A PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN FEDERAL ADVOCACY BUILT ON DELIVERING LEGISLATIVE AND FUNDING SUCCESS THROUGH THE FOLLOWING CORE SERVICES ON THE GROUND ADVOCACY, FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS EXPERTISE, GUIDANCE ON COMPLEX FEDERAL LEGISLATION, AND PROACTIVE AND TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 26 YEARS, AND HAVE SECURED ABOUT $3.2 BILLION IN VARIOUS STATE, FEDERAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS, AS WELL AS GRANTS FROM NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND PRIVATE COMPANIES, AND THEY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 22 EMPLOYEES. DENTONS US LLP WAS FOUNDED IN 2013 AND HAS SEVERAL VARYING PRACTICES ON A GLOBAL SCALE, PROVIDING A RANGE OF SERVICES FROM LEGAL TO ADVISORY TO ADVOCACY AS A PART OF THEIR PUBLIC POLICY PRACTICE.

THEY REPRESENT COUNTIES, CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES, AIRPORTS, TRANSIT AND COMMUTER RAIL AGENCIES, WATER DISTRICTS, AND OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

THEY HAVE MORE THAN 1100 LAWYERS AND 2700 EMPLOYEES, AND THEIR PUBLIC POLICY AND REGULATION PRACTICES INCLUDES OVER 40 LAWYERS AND PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING A BIPARTISAN WHO'S WHO LIST OF FORMER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

THREE FORMER ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND DOZENS OF FORMER CONGRESSIONAL AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH STAFF.

AND SPECIFICALLY, THEY ARE LED BY FORMER CONGRESSMAN JEFF DENHAM, ALONG WITH FORMER DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, MR. JOE CROWLEY. AGAIN, BOTH FIRMS ARE HIGHLY REPUTABLE, AND THE CHOICE IS ULTIMATELY THE BOARD'S.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM TODAY IS SIMPLY TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION AND TO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE BOARD RELATED TO THE AFOREMENTIONED FIRMS. THE BOARD MAY CHOOSE TO SELECT ONE FIRM, THE OTHER, NONE AT ALL, OR TO PROVIDE OTHER GUIDANCE THE BOARD WISHES STAFF TO INCORPORATE, INCLUDING PERHAPS A POTENTIAL LENGTH OF TERM OF A CONTRACT.

NOW, SHOULD THE BOARD IDENTIFY A PREFERRED FIRM TODAY? STAFF WILL THEN PREPARE THE CONTRACT FOR EXECUTION BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE.

SO AT THIS POINT, THIS CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS.

AND OF COURSE, STAFF WILL BE PLEASED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. BUT AGAIN, TODAY IS REALLY ABOUT FACILITATING DISCUSSION AMONGST THE BOARD.

THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU, MARK, FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

WITH CW LAKE AND LYNN JAQUES HAS SERVED US VERY WELL AND JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT OUT THE APPRECIATION OF THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE IN THE YEARS THAT THEY'VE BEEN HERE AT MERCED COUNTY. WE STILL WILL HAVE CONTACTS. SHE IS STILL THE LEAD LOBBYIST FOR THE AIR BOARD HERE IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, SO THAT'S GOOD. AFTER REALLY CONSIDERING ALL THIS AND LOOKING AT WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US TOWNSEND AFFAIRS

[00:30:04]

I THINK BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM WILL REPRESENT MERCED COUNTY VERY WELL.

THEY HAVE MR. DENHAM DEFINITELY HAS EVERY ASPECT OF OUR COUNTY WITHIN HIS BLOOD, BECAUSE HE HE'S LIVED HERE.

AND I JUST THINK MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLY RECOMMEND DENTONS AS WELL AS I'D LIKE FOR THE STAFF TO NEGOTIATE A THREE YEAR CONTRACT WITH MAYBE A FIVE YEAR WITH A THREE YEAR, CONSIDERING THE TWO EXTENDED TWO ONE YEAR EXTENSIONS. TWO ONE YEAR EXTENSIONS.

CORRECT. AND IF I CAN, I'LL MAKE THAT A MOTION.

WELL, WE HAVE TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC AND. OKAY.

THE MOTIONS. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. YEAH, I WAS JUST GOING TO SECOND THE MOTION, BUT IF YOU WANT TO.

OKAY. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEM NUMBER 21.

OKAY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CEO ITEM NUMBER 21 IS NOW CLOSED.

IS SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE? OKAY. SO, OH SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. YEAH. I JUST WANT TO COMMENT.

IS, IS, YOU KNOW MYSELF AND AT LEAST ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL BE BACK IN DC AT THE END OF END OF THIS MONTH FOR OUR FEDERAL ADVOCACY TRIP AND THE NACO LEDGE CONFERENCE. AND SO IF THE MOTION IN THE SECOND AND IT'S SUCCESSFUL IS TO I JUST WANT TO ASK THE CEO TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING A CONTRACT DONE AND TURNED AROUND, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE NEEDING THESE SERVICES LITERALLY IN LESS THAN A MONTH FROM NOW.

AND YOU KNOW IT'S NOT LOST ON ME THAT WHEN WE GO BACK TO WASHINGTON DC, YOU KNOW, WE'RE USING TAXPAYER RESOURCES TO SEND US BACK THERE.

AND MY GOAL ALWAYS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GIVING OUR CITIZENS HERE THE BEST BANG FOR THEIR BUCK WHEN WE'RE BACK THERE.

AND SO, IT'S GOING TO BE KIND OF SHORT ORDER TO GET STUFF TURNED AROUND, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SOME REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES OUT THERE.

ONE OF THEM BEING BLACK RASCAL CREEK THAT WE'RE RELYING ON FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR AND WANT TO EXPRESS THE IMPORTANCE THERE.

ANOTHER ONE IS WE'RE A PART OF YARTS, WHICH IS THE YOSEMITE AREA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

WE WANT TO MEET WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR TO DISCUSS THOSE ISSUES.

I ACTUALLY HAD A DREAM ABOUT THEM THE OTHER NIGHT LIKE I ACTUALLY MET WITH, LIKE, THE SECRETARY OR SOMETHING.

SO MAYBE THAT WAS JUST KIND OF LIKE FORESHADOWING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. SO ANYWAYS, LONG WAY OF SAYING IS THE IMPORTANCE THAT THIS GOES THROUGH, THAT WE GET THAT CONTRACT TURNED AROUND AND DONE SO THAT WE ACTUALLY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A NEW FIRM ON OUR TRIP OUT THERE HERE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

THANK YOU. MR. MENDEZ. YES. THANK YOU. I HIT YOUR BUTTON.

HELLO. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SORRY I DID THAT.

DIRECTION THAT I'M HEARING BASED ON THE EMOTION IS ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH DENTON FOR FEDERAL ADVOCACY SERVICES.

THIS CONTRACT NORMALLY FALLS WITHIN MY AUTHORITY.

AND SO HAPPY TO DO THAT. OUR STANDARD AGREEMENTS TYPICALLY ARE THREE YEARS WITH TWO ONE YEAR EXTENSION OPTIONS.

SO IF THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE MOTION IN THE SECOND, HAPPY TO GET THAT WORK STARTED AND GET THAT ENGAGEMENT AND EXECUTED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. OKAY. SO I'LL MAKE SOME OF MY COMMENTS REALLY QUICKLY.

I DO WANT TO THANK LYNN. SHE'S THE ONLY ONE THAT I'VE KNOWN SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

AND I THINK SHE'S DONE A FANTASTIC JOB REPRESENTING MERCED COUNTY AND REALLY BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR MERCED COUNTY AND ALWAYS TAKES THE TIME TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE OUR CALLS EVEN WHEN WE'RE BACK THERE, WHEN WE'RE NOT BACK THERE.

AND WHEN I TALK TO HER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND SHE KIND OF INFORMED US OF WHAT WAS GOING ON, SHE STILL WORKS FOR THE ALMOND BOARD OR SHE'S WORKING A LOT WITH THE FARM BILL.

AND SO SHE SAID SHE'D ALWAYS TAKE OUR CALLS WHEN? WHENEVER. THE ONLY ISSUE I HAVE WITH DENTON'S GROUP IS JUST THE SIZE OF IT.

[00:35:02]

BUT WITH THE CONNECTIONS THAT I THINK THAT WE HAVE.

AND I KNOW THAT TOWNSEND IS STILL WORKING WITH US THROUGH MCAG.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS IMPORTANT, AND I BELIEVE THAT EVERY SO OFTEN WE SHOULD TAKE THESE OUT TO BID TO SEE WHAT'S OUT THERE AND WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES WE CAN GET.

SO ALL RIGHT, SO I THINK WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO PUT IT ON THERE AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

ALL RIGHT. NEXT, WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE ITEM NUMBER 22.

AND AT THIS TIME, RAUL MENDEZ, COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER WILL BEGIN THE PRESENTATION OF ITEM 22.

YES. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

I WAS GOING TO MAKE SOME OPENING REMARKS BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO OUR TEAM.

THAT'S GOING TO BE PRESENTING THIS ITEM. SO BACK ON DECEMBER 5TH OF 2024, DURING YOUR REGULAR BOARD MEETING, COUNTY STAFF DID PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF LOCAL HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT ISSUES AND RELATED POLICY INFORMATION, INCLUDING A RECAP OF THE US SUPREME COURT DECISION IN THE CITY OF GRANTS, PASS VERSUS JOHNSON.

THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER PERTAINING TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, AND RESEARCH ON BEST PRACTICES FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTIES AND LOCAL CITIES.

FOLLOWING THAT DISCUSSION, A TEAM OF COUNTY STAFF MET TO DEVELOP POTENTIAL UPDATES TO THE MERCED COUNTY CODE BASED ON YOUR DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE, WITH THE GOAL OF STRIKING THE CORRECT BALANCE BETWEEN COMPASSION AND ENFORCEMENT.

THIS TEAM INCLUDES THE LIKES OF KUMIKO VANG, ALEXANDRA PIERCE FROM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES, MARK MIMS FROM COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

FORREST HANSON AND RENA GONZALEZ FROM COUNTY COUNCIL.

MARK HENDRICKSON, MARCI BARRERA. LORENA BUTLER FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY NICOLE SILVERA. DOCTOR YVONNE BROWN AND JOHN CECCOLI FROM THE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.

ADAM AMARAL, FROM THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.

CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER HAND. TOM MCLEAN, REPRESENTING PUBLIC DEFENDER ANDRADE.

NATHAN BRAY FROM PUBLIC WORKS AND THE UNDERSHERIFF AND LIEUTENANT FRAMSTAD, REPRESENTING SHERIFF WARNKE.

SO A VERY COMPREHENSIVE TEAM THAT'S LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE ON YOUR BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO, CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL GONZALEZ AND HSA DEPUTY DIRECTOR CECCOLI WILL BE PRESENTING THE TEAM'S PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE CODE AND SEEK YOUR APPROVAL ON THE SCOPE AND FOCUS OF THE CODE REVISIONS. THEY WILL ALSO OUTLINE FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TOPIC AND NEXT STEPS TO FORMALLY ENACT THE CHANGES THAT WILL BE PRESENTING TODAY. BASED ON YOUR DIRECTION AND APPROVAL.

AND I AT THIS POINT, I WOULD NOW LIKE TO PASS IT ON TO LENA AND JOHN FOR THE PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CEO MENDEZ AND COUNTY COUNSEL HANSEN.

AGAIN, RENA GONZALEZ, CHIEF DEPUTY WITH COUNTY COUNSEL'S OFFICE.

I AM HERE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS FOR MERCED COUNTY CODE, CHAPTER 10.32, REGARDING OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PROPERTY AND IN PARTICULAR, THE CODE SECTIONS THAT RELATE TO UNLAWFUL CAMPING, WHICH INCLUDES PROPOSED AMENDMENTS FOR DEFINITIONS, ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP, PRIVATE PROPERTY, AND A LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION PROCESS TO HANDLE TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY PENALTIES AND ALSO A PENALTY SECTION WITH DIVERSION AND OPTION FOR RESOURCES.

I'LL FIRST GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE DEFINITIONS THAT WILL BE UPDATED.

FOLLOW UPDATED FOR THE FOLLOWING TERMS. CAMP OR CAMPING, CAMP FACILITIES OR MATERIALS.

CAMP PARAPHERNALIA, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, PERSONAL PROPERTY, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WATERWAYS. AS AN INITIAL MATTER, ALL DEFINITIONS ARE THE BASIS FOR REGULATION AND PROHIBITIONS RELATING TO UNLAWFUL CAMPING. THE DEFINITIONS OF THE PARAMETERS IN WHICH THE COUNTY CAN REGULATE AND DEAL WITH THE PHYSICAL CONCERNS SUCH AS TENTS, VEHICLES, TIRES, TRASH, AND FIRES, AND THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY UNLAWFUL CAMPING.

CAMPING ON COUNTY PROPERTY FOR THE TERM CAMP OR CAMPING.

[00:40:01]

WE REFERRED TO A RECENT AMENDMENT BY SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY IN DEVELOPING THIS LANGUAGE.

THIS REVISION WILL PROHIBIT ERECTING A TENT, ARRANGING BEDDING OR OTHER FORM OF SHELTER FOR THE PURPOSE OF SLEEPING OR USING A STANDING OR PARKED VEHICLE. FOR THE PURPOSE OF SLEEPING LONGER THAN 60 MINUTES OR WITHIN 500FT OF ANY PREVIOUS STOPPING POINT IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. FOR THE TERMS. CAMP FACILITIES OR MATERIALS, AND CAMP PARAPHERNALIA.

THE PROPOSED REVISIONS WILL EXPAND THE TYPES OF ITEMS INCLUDED IN THIS IN THIS DEFINITION, IT NOW INCLUDES MORE ITEMS THAT ARE TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH UNLAWFUL CAMPING AREAS, INCLUDING THE TERM WARMING FIRES, AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE BLUE UNDERLINED ITEMS ARE THE NEW LANGUAGE.

YOU WILL ALSO NOTE THAT THE TERM COMMON OPEN SPACE HAS BEEN STRUCK FROM THIS CODE SECTION, AND THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER PART OF THE COUNTY ZONING CODE WITH THE CODES UPDATE IN 2019.

THAT TERM WAS TAKEN OUT. FOR THE TERM CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS IS A NEW PROPOSED DEFINITION.

WE REFERRED TO SACRAMENTO COUNTY'S CODE AND WORKED INTERNALLY TO DETERMINE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS TERM.

SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE INCLUDED GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.

FIRE STATION, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, COURTHOUSES, PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND MAINTENANCE ACCESS ROADS, TO NAME A FEW TYPES OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAD INPUT FROM THE OFFICE OF OES, CED, AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN DEVELOPING THIS DEFINITION FOR THE TERMS PERSONAL PROPERTY AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

I'LL TAKE THESE SEPARATELY. FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY, WE REFERRED TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S POLICY DIRECTIVE AND FRESNO COUNTY'S RECENTLY ADOPTED CODE SECTIONS RELATING TO ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HELPED WITH REVIEW AND INPUT ON THIS SECTION.

AND IN GENERAL, PERSONAL PROPERTY PERTAINS TO THINGS LIKE ID CARDS, MEDICATIONS, EYEGLASSES, PHOTOS, AND NON-SOILED ITEMS SUCH AS TENTS AND CLOTHES.

FOR THE TERM PUBLIC BUILDINGS, WE REFER TO THE MERCED COUNTY ZONING CODE.

DEFINITION. COUNTY BUILDINGS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS DEFINITION AND ALSO IN THE DEFINITION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND THAT'S MEANT TO KIND OF PROVIDE AN OVERLAP IN REALLY SAYING THAT WE ARE WE'RE PROTECTING COUNTY PROPERTY.

FOR THE TERM WATERWAYS. THIS TERM WE DID REFER TO THE CITY OF LOS BANOS RECENTLY ADOPTED CODE, AND OUR LARGE GROUP ALSO PROVIDED INPUT TO MAKE THIS DEFINITION USEFUL FOR THE COUNTY'S PURPOSES.

FOR ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP, THERE WILL BE A NEW SECTION OF THE COUNTY CODE.

THE CURRENT PRACTICE FOR CLEANING ENCAMPMENTS WILL REMAIN THE SAME WITH THE NEW CODE PROVISIONS.

AND I JUST WANTED TO WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR.

GENERALLY WRITTEN NOTICE WILL BE PROVIDED PRIOR TO A CLEANUP BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THAT IS A 48 HOUR NOTICE THAT IS POSTED AT THE SITE TO BE CLEANED.

NO NOTICE WILL BE PROVIDED IF AN ENCAMPMENT POSES AN IMMINENT AND SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, LIFE, OR IS LOCATED ON OR NEAR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS INCREASED RISK OF FIRE AND FLOODING, OBSTRUCTION, AND ACCESS FOR PEDESTRIAN VEHICLES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

A NON-EXCLUSIVE LIST OF ITEMS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO ABATEMENT INCLUDE.

AND WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE DEFINITIONS. I'VE JUST GONE OVER CAMP FACILITIES AND MATERIALS, CAMP PARAPHERNALIA, AND ALSO THINGS LIKE FURNITURE SHOPPING CARTS, TRASH, TIRES AND VEHICLES.

ITEMS THAT FALL UNDER PERSONAL PROPERTY. AND THAT DEFINITION THAT I EXPLAINED ARE COLLECTED AND STORED FOR 60 DAYS AND ARE SUBJECT TO COUNTY POLICIES.

[00:45:09]

PENAL CODE 6020 ALLOWS PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS IN LAWFUL POSSESSION OF PROPERTY, TO REQUEST THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST WHEN THERE ARE TRESPASSERS ON THEIR PROPERTY. A LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION CAN BE AUTHORIZED FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS.

THIS NEW SECTION WILL FURTHER IMPLEMENT WHAT IS CURRENT PRACTICE BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND ALSO PROVIDES THE CEO AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE WITH AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO PROACTIVELY KEEP LETTERS ON FILE AND ENCOURAGE CARE AND MAINTENANCE.

AND IT ALSO WILL ALLOW FOR QUICK ABATEMENT IF NECESSARY.

AND THAT THERE'S AN. THIS IS THE ACTUAL LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION THAT IS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW ON THE SHERIFF'S WEBSITE.

SO JUST WANTED TO SHOW THAT THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE ON THROUGH SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THERE WILL BE AN UPDATE TO THE PENALTY SECTION OF THE CODE.

THE FIRST PORTION OF THE PENALTY SECTION IS AN UPDATE TO THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

A VIOLATION WILL REMAIN A MISDEMEANOR AND ALSO PROVIDE THAT THERE WILL BE SIX MONTHS OF JAIL TIME AND A 500 PER 500 FINE PER VIOLATION.

CURRENTLY, THE CODE PROVIDES THAT A VIOLATION IS A MISDEMEANOR AND A $1,000 FINE.

THE SECOND PORTION PROVIDES THE OPTION FOR DIVERSION, INCLUDING BEING TAKEN TO A FACILITY PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH, HOUSING AND OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT. ALSO IN THIS DIVERSION SECTION IS THE ABILITY TO HAVE A IN LIEU OF FINES, PROBATION OR JAIL SENTENCE DIVERSION, WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO PARTAKE IN HOMELESS COURT OR IN ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM.

THIS SECTION WAS DEVELOPED WITH THE INPUT FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, HSA AND BHRS.

THIS CONCLUDES MY SUMMARY OF THE NEW PROPOSED REVISIONS OF CHAPTER 10.32.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M AVAILABLE FOR THEM NOW OR LATER.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

OKAY. FIRST ONE BACK ON PAGE ONE. I GUESS WOULD BE C, IS USE OF A STANDING OR PARKED VEHICLE. WHAT IS STANDING MEAN? IS IT? WHEN THEY, I THINK THAT ONE'S IMMOBILE. OKAY. AND THEN ON THE DEFINITION OF WATERWAYS, ONE ITEM THAT I'VE SEEN HOMELESS PEOPLE USE IS THE GUTTERS, WHERE THEY'LL SET UP, YOU KNOW, IN THE GUTTER.

SO IS THAT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE ADDED, OR DOES THE FACT THAT WHEN THEY'RE IN THE GUTTER, IT'S ALSO IN THE ROADWAY? SO THAT WOULD COVER THAT ITEM.

OKAY. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REFER TO IF YOU GO TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, IT, IT DOES SAY DRAINAGE SYSTEMS. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN I THINK I HAD ONE MORE. NOPE.

THAT WAS IT. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. OKAY, I HAVE A ONE QUESTION.

AND THAT RELATES TO THE WHERE IT SAYS. THE IF IMMINENT AND SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY FOR LOCATION IS NEAR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. THE AREA MAY BE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE ABATEMENT.

HOW DOES THIS WORK FOR PROPERTIES AROUND THE RAILROADS THAT WERE THE PROPERTIES ARE OWNED BY THE RAILROADS THEMSELVES.

WOULD WE STILL NEED TO GET A LETTER FOR IT OR BECAUSE IT'S CRITICAL OR COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE? WE CAN GO IN AND CLEAN IT OUT. I WOULD DEFER TO I WOULD WANT TO CHECK WITH SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON HOW THEY'RE DEALING WITH THINGS LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW.

[00:50:05]

SO I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO LEAVE IT, TO LEAVE IT OPEN SO THAT WE COULD GO IN AND DO THAT.

BUT I THINK IT WILL REQUIRE SOME TYPE OF LOGISTICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES TO, TO MAKE CLEANUP HAPPEN.

BUT WE'RE GIVING US OURSELVES THE TOOL TO DO SO WITH THE LANGUAGE.

BUT WE WOULD NEED THE LETTER FROM THE RAILROADS.

OR MAYBE I CAN GET COREY TO COME UP. THAT'S WHY.

SO WE DO WORK CLOSELY WITH BNSF AND SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYS.

WE HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH THEM AND CONTACTS. AND SO, THERE IS SOMETHING THAT'S CRITICAL THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP RIGHT AWAY.

AND WE CONTACT THEM AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CLEAN THE PROPERTY UP, SO THEY GENERALLY WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO DO SO IF IT'S IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUT IT IS PERSONAL PROPERTY AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CLEAN. THANK YOU.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. YEAH, I FOUND MY THIRD ONE.

UNDER THE DEFINITIONS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IT SAYS THE DEFINITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY DOES NOT INCLUDE CONTRABAND.

AND YOU JUST CAN'T YOU SHARE 4 OR 5 EXAMPLES OF WHAT CONTRABAND WOULD BE? CONTRABAND WOULD BE PROBABLY THINGS THAT ARE OPENED NEEDLES THINGS THAT ARE, THAT ARE USED. I THINK THAT IT'S TO DECIPHER BETWEEN.

SO MEDICATIONS IF IT'S A MEDICATION MEDICAL BOTTLE IT WOULD FALL UNDER BEING KEPT.

BUT IF IT'S CONTRABAND AND IT'S NOT A LABELED PRESCRIPTION OF ANY NATURE LIKE THAT, HOW ABOUT LIKE WOULD IT BE STOLEN ITEMS LIKE, I MEAN, LIKE IF IT WAS SHOPPING CARTS OR THOSE ARE THOSE ALSO CONSIDERED CONTRABAND OR NOT? SHOPPING CARTS ARE LISTED IN IN IN THE SECTION ON MATERIALS.

SO THOSE THERE WOULD BE NO EXPECTATION THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP THAT.

SO CONTRABAND IS JUST LIKE ILLEGAL DRUG AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE.

SO GO AHEAD AND THANK YOU, JOHN. THANK YOU, REENA.

GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERVISOR JOHN CECCOLI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MERCED COUNTY HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY.

SO, WHAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU HERE IS A SLIDE REPRESENTING SOME OF THE SERVICES.

THIS BOARD HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FOR ALMOST A DECADE THAT WE LEAD THIS EFFORT WITH COMPASSION IN OUR, IN OUR MINDS AND IN OUR IN OUR THOUGHTS. AND YOU SEE THAT IN THE EXPANSIONS OF SERVICES.

GOING BACK TO 2017, I THINK THIS BOARD REALLY PUT US IN AN ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE, THIS PUBLIC SPACE ISSUE. YOU HAD FOR FORESIGHT IN WHAT WAS COMING.

YOU'VE CREATED POSITIONS. YOU'VE ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITIES.

YOU'VE INSERTED LEADERSHIP IN THIS AND IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU SEE THAT.

I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY WAS THE COUNTY AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AGREEING TO BECOME THE COLLABORATIVE APPLICANT ADMINISTRATIVE ENTITY BACK IN 2017.

THE COMMUNITY WAS AT RISK OF LOSING POTENTIALLY OVER $1 MILLION IN SERVICES THAT WAS FORMERLY UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE UNITED WAY.

THAT OPPORTUNITY CAME UP, AND THIS BOARD ASSUMED THAT ROLE AS A COLLABORATIVE APPLICANT AND REALLY ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION.

BUT VERY IMPORTANT. THE BODY OF THAT COLLABORATIVE APPLICANT IS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.

AND THIS BOARD HAS HAD MEMBERS, INCLUDING SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND NOW SUPERVISOR PEDROZO ON THAT BOARD TO HELP OUT WITH THAT STRATEGY.

THIS IS REALLY A PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.

THE CITY OF MERCED, YOU SEE, WE ESTABLISHED VERY EARLY ON NEW DIRECTION, WHICH WAS AN OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER.

WE REALLY WANTED TO KNOW WHO WAS OUT THERE, HOW WE CAN HELP THEM, WHAT THEIR NEEDS WERE, AND THEN CRAFT SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

PART OF THOSE SOLUTIONS WAS TO EXPAND OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER.

AND WE'VE DONE SO. WE'VE DONE SO IN THE CITY OF MERCED WITH THE COUNTY NAVIGATION CENTER THAT PROVIDES 76 BEDS, RECEIVES PARTNERS, PETS AND POSSESSIONS. IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS FULL.

SO OBVIOUSLY A GREAT RESOURCE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ABLE TO STAY THERE AND TO FRAME THIS CHALLENGE FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNSHELTERED SPACES, IT'S REALLY A HEALTH AND SAFETY. WE TRY TO PROVIDE THEM SOME ALLEVIATE SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS THROUGH THE NAVIGATION CENTER.

[00:55:06]

WE HAVE 25 BEDS THAT ARE FUNDED THROUGH A COUNTY CONTRACT AS WELL.

I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE REALLY FOCUSED ON SHELTER INITIALLY, AND NOW WE'RE BRANCHING OUT INTO PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS.

AND YOU'VE SEEN THAT HERE IN THE CITY OF MERCED WITH 12, 13, 94 UNITS.

THAT'S PARTIALLY SUPPORTED BY THE CITY OF MERCED ITSELF, THE CONTINUUM OF CARE, AND THE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

THE RETREAT APARTMENTS, WHICH WAS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT.

30 OF THOSE UNITS WERE ACTUALLY SET ASIDE FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THAT'S IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR MANAGED CARE PLAN, THE CITY OF MERCED AND OUR PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

AND THEN PENDING, WE'VE GOT 144 UNITS, 144 UNITS THAT ARE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, BUT THEY'RE ALSO FURTHER RESTRICTED TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THOSE ARE UNDER SOME FORM OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHT NOW WITHIN THE CITY OF MERCED, THROUGH THREE DIFFERENT GRANT FUNDING SOURCES.

ONE OF THOSE IS ACTUALLY THROUGH OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

MERCY VILLAGE, AS WELL AS ONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS.

THAT'S THE HOMEKEY 2.0 PROJECT YOU SEE IN THE CITY OF LOS BANOS.

WE HAVE WE, THE COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY CONTINUUM OF CARE AND CITY OF LOS BANOS HAVE 30 BEDS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SUTTER HOSPITAL, FOR EXAMPLE. AND I'M TRYING TO PAINT THIS PICTURE.

THIS IS A VERY COMPLICATED CHALLENGE THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS TO COME TO THE TABLE.

AND I THINK CEO MENDEZ DID A REALLY GOOD JOB JUST TALKING ABOUT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS.

I JUST WANT TO CAST THAT VISION. THIS IS WAY BEYOND JUST COUNTY DEPARTMENTS COMING TOGETHER TO SOLVE AN ISSUE.

IT'S MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS, JURISDICTIONAL STAKEHOLDERS, CONTINUUM OF CARE, MANAGED CARE PLAN HOSPITALS.

JUST THIS MORNING, WE WERE MEETING WITH A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION TO SEE IF WE CAN DO TEN UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON SOME PROPERTY THEY HAVE.

SO AGAIN, A VERY BROAD NET OF OF STAKEHOLDERS.

MAYBE MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR THE CITY OF LOS BANOS, THEY RECEIVED AN AWARD THROUGH ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDING FOR 55 UNITS OF AGAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT FURTHER RESTRICTED TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

AND THE MANAGED CARE PLAN IS A PARTNER ON THAT, AS WELL AS THE STATE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA.

WE'VE ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION COMPETITIVE GRANT BRIDGE HOMES.

BASICALLY, WE'LL RENT A HOME IN THE COMMUNITY AND OFFER THAT AS SHELTER TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LIVING IN PUBLIC SPACES.

AND THEN LASTLY, THE VILLAGE OF HOPE ON CONE AVENUE, CURRENTLY OPERATING 32 RESPITE CARE BEDS THAT ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE MANAGED CARE PLAN, CURRENTLY OPERATING 20 PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE FUNDED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS FOR TEN VETERANS AND 32 RESPITE CARE BEDS FOR PEOPLE DISCHARGING FROM THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT A ALSO RECEIVED ANOTHER AWARD FROM THE MANAGED CARE PLAN FOR EXPANSION OF THEIR PHASE TWO.

IN TOTAL, WE HAVE 219 PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS IN SOME FORM OF PRODUCTION, PARTIALLY FUNDED OR FULLY FUNDED, AND JUST WAITING FOR ALL OF THE PLANNING DOCUMENTS TO GO THROUGH.

SO I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE SERVICES WE'RE LEADING WITH SERVICES AT THE AT THE BEHEST OF THIS BOARD, AND THAT THAT'S FURTHER PROVEN NOT ONLY ADMINISTRATIVELY, HOW YOU ALL HAVE HELPED ESTABLISH THE FRAMEWORK IN MERCED COUNTY, BUT WHEN THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD, $4 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDING WAS ALLOCATED TO MAINTAIN THESE EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS.

SO I DO IT MAY NOT FEEL LIKE WE ARE IN AN ADVANTAGEOUS POINT RIGHT NOW.

WE DO HAVE RESOURCES THAT ARE STILL COMING ONLINE.

AND I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH NOT ONLY OUR JURISDICTIONAL PARTNERS, BUT WITH THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE, TAMARA.

I WANTED TO SPEND A LITTLE TIME, A COUPLE SLIDES HERE JUST REVIEWING THE CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE STUDY ON PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THIS WAS RELEASED IN 2023. THEY DID 3200 ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRES.

THESE ARE ALL SELF-REPORTS, BUT FAIRLY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE SEE LOCALLY.

THEY ALSO DID 365 IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS. ONE THING THAT REALLY STANDS OUT AND HAS BEEN CONSISTENT, AGAIN, WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION, NINE OUT OF TEN PARTICIPANTS LOST THEIR HOUSING IN CALIFORNIA AND 75% OF THOSE OF THOSE PARTICIPANTS LIVED IN THE SAME COUNTY AS THEIR LAST HOUSING. AGAIN, VERY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE SEE HERE.

THESE AREN'T NECESSARILY WITHIN MERCED COUNTY.

INDIVIDUALS FROM ILLINOIS, BECAUSE IT'S WARMER HERE.

THESE ARE TYPICALLY INDIVIDUALS WHO RESIDED HERE AND LOST THEIR HOUSING HERE WITHIN OUR LOCATION.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, I THINK EVERYONE HERE WOULD AGREE THERE'S A COUPLE TWIN FACTORS.

IT'S A MULTIFACTORIAL CHALLENGE, WHICH IS WHAT MAKES IT SO, SO UNIQUE WHEN IT COMES TO GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

YOU HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND POVERTY, THE INTERSECTION OF THOSE TWO.

AND THEN JUST COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS WITHIN THE FAMILY NETWORK THAT LEAD PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS.

[01:00:05]

AGAIN, SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS NOT DIAGNOSED.

THESE ARE AGAIN SELF-REPORTED. AND THEN POVERTY.

THE HOMELESS MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME PRIOR TO BECOMING HOMELESS WAS HOMELESS WAS $960.

AFFORDABILITY IS A HUGE CHALLENGE IN CALIFORNIA.

IF YOU'RE ON A $960 INCOME, IT'S EVEN MORE SO 19% DISCHARGING FROM AN INSTITUTION, I.E.

PRISON, RIGHT? ONE OUT OF ONE OUT OF FIVE INDIVIDUALS MAY BE DISCHARGING TO THE STREETS AND THEN 49%.

THIS WAS SOMETHING I LEARNED WERE NON LEASEHOLDERS.

SO DOUBLED UP WITH MOM STAYING WITH A FRIEND.

THAT FRIEND SAYS, HEY, I WANT YOU OUT OF HERE. FOR WHATEVER REASON YOU HAVE NO LEGAL RECOURSE.

SO AGAIN, VERY MULTIFACTORIAL BUT A GREAT STUDY.

NEXT SLIDE TAMARA. JUST SOME MORE STATS THAT WERE GLEANED FROM THIS SURVEY.

MEDIAN AGE OF PARTICIPANT WAS 47. AND WE SEE THAT TRENDING UP JUST LIKE ANY YOU KNOW, JUST IN GENERAL CALIFORNIA IS GETTING OLDER.

WE'RE SEEING THAT AMONGST THIS POPULATION, VERY VULNERABLE POPULATION AGAIN ON FIXED INCOME.

AND AGAIN, SOME OF THESE OTHER FACTORS THAT ARE LISTED HERE MORE LIKELY TO BE SUFFERING FROM A CHRONIC DISEASE, MORE LIKELY TO REPORT THEIR REPORT THEIR HEALTH IS POOR OR FAIR.

MORE LIKELY TO HAVE LIMITATIONS IN THEIR ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING.

MORE LIKELY TO HAVE MOBILITY LIMITATIONS AND THEN FEWER THAN HALF REPORTED NOT RECEIVING ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REENTERING HOUSING.

A BIG CHALLENGE, AND IT'S WHY THIS BOARD AND THIS COMMUNITY LED WITH NEW DIRECTION OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER.

WE HAVE TO KNOW WHO'S OUT THERE. WE HAVE TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE RAPPORT WITH THEM. AND LASTLY, I'M GOING TO CONCLUDE ON SOME OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.

AND WE PROBABLY, LIKE ANY COMPLICATED ISSUE, COULD HAVE SPENT A MAJORITY OF OUR TIME ON THIS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY THIS IS JUST A STEP.

IT'S NOT WE'RE NOT PRESENTING A SOLUTION TO PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT HERE.

WE'RE PRESENTING A TOOL IN THAT TOOLBOX TO HELP PEOPLE.

ONE OF OUR CHALLENGES HAS BEEN TO GET INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER.

THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A TOOL TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS THAT.

THERE'S GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL NEEDS. AND I WOULD HUMBLY SUBMIT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL OF THOSE ADDITIONAL NEEDS WILL BE.

THIS WILL BE A NEW A NEW COURSE. OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS, THIS HASN'T BEEN AN OPTION.

SO ANY CHANGES TO THAT CODE ARE GOING TO JUST INEVITABLY COME UP WITH SOME UNMET NEEDS.

OBVIOUSLY, OUR JOB IS TO PROVIDE AS MUCH SUNLIGHT ON WHAT THOSE MIGHT BE AS POSSIBLE.

SO ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SOLID WASTE. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING IF WE ARE GOING TO ABATE ENCAMPMENTS, WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE FUNDING BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO COME DIRECTLY OUT OF OUR, OUR, OUR, OUR ALLOCATIONS. AND ONE INTERESTING THING, WE TALKED WE LISTED ALL OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS JUST THE OTHER DAY, THE LIBRARY REACHED OUT. THEY HAD AN ENCAMPMENT IN FRONT OF.

WE SENT OUT OUTREACH WORKERS. EVENTUALLY THEY HAD TO LEAVE, AND I LEARNED THAT THE LIBRARY BUDGETS $5,000 FOR SOLID WASTE REMOVAL.

IT'S A LOT OF BOOKS, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T ANTICIPATE THAT A DEPARTMENT, THE LIBRARY WOULD HAVE TO DO THAT.

BUT THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE LAST TEN YEARS AND THE PERMISSIVENESS OF ALLOWING ENCAMPMENTS.

THEY JUST, AS A MATTER OF COURSE, BUDGET TO REMOVE ENCAMPMENTS IN SOLID WASTE, POTENTIAL CONTRACTS FOR COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP US WITH THAT REMOVAL.

A GOOD EXAMPLE IS RESTORE MERCED. THEY DO SITE, FIX SITE, FIXED ROUTE, LITTER ABATEMENT.

NOW, IS THAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PARTNER WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THROUGH A JOBS PROGRAM AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC BENEFIT, WILL THEY PROVIDE A PUBLIC SERVICE? ONE THING THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING IN ANY OF THIS, AND I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW, IS THE COMMUNITY NEED EXCEEDING OUR COMMUNITY RESOURCES? THAT HAS BEEN CONSISTENT. WE COULD GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE AND TALK ABOUT THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER FUNDED SHELTERS AND HOUSING, EITHER THROUGH THE STATE, THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OR EVEN HERE LOCALLY.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH THE NEED.

THE NEED HAS REALLY EXPANDED. WE'VE SEEN THAT OVER THE LAST DECADE.

SO HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON PROVIDING THOSE RESOURCES? AND AND THAT'S WHY I DO SAY WE ARE IN AN ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION.

WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS, AND WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE COMING ONLINE.

BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO PAINT A PICTURE OF THERE'S STILL SOME MORE NEED OUT THERE, AN UNCERTAIN LANDSCAPE I MAY NAVIGATE IN A MORE UNCERTAIN LANDSCAPE THAN MOST OF MY COLLEAGUES. JUST HOMELESS FUNDING IN GENERAL.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO COME FROM. IT'S TYPICALLY ONE TIME.

IT'S VERY RESTRICTED. WILL THE STATE CONTINUE? AND I CAN SAY FROM THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET IN JANUARY TO FUND THE BILLION DOLLARS OF THE HOMELESS HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION? SO FAR, WE RECEIVED SIX ROUNDS. IT WASN'T AROUND SEVEN.

YOU KNOW WHAT IS THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT? WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE? WHAT HOMEKEY PROJECTS, WHAT RESOURCES, WHAT ARE, WE HAD A PRESENTATION EARLIER ABOUT FEDERAL FUNDING.

[01:05:06]

WE'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT MERCED COUNTY'S CODE.

IN MERCED COUNTY, THERE MAY BE 50 TO 70 PEOPLE AT ANY TIME EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMES.

WE HAVE SIX OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVING SOME TYPE OF REGIONAL ALIGNMENT ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO APPROACH THIS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE REVIEWED ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE, CITY OF LOS BANOS WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT EFFORT WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTIONS.

HOW DO WE SUPPORT THEM AND HOW DO WE COME ALONGSIDE THEM AS EITHER LEAD SERVICE PROVIDERS, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AT THIS POINT? POLITICAL WILL AND HELP, WHATEVER THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, HAVING SOME TYPE OF REGIONAL ALIGNMENT WITH OUR OTHER PARTNERS, INCLUDING NOT ONLY, YOU KNOW, ELECTED BOARDS, BUT THE STAKEHOLDERS, THE MANAGED CARE PLAN, THE, THE HOSPITALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ETC.. AND LASTLY, I'M GOING TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE RENA HERE FOR SOME FINAL WORDS.

THANK YOU, PENDING ANY QUESTIONS? I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD.

AND I THINK WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR JOHN. SO, SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JOHN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.

I KNOW FROM THE BEGINNING THAT YOU STARTED. YOUR GOAL WAS ALWAYS TO WORK YOURSELF OUT OF A JOB, NOT OUT OF A JOB WITH THE COUNTY, BUT OUT OF THIS POSITION.

AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS ON THAT. AND YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH.

THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PAREIRA AND THANK YOU SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

THERE WAS A NICE HANDOFF THERE. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA DOVE INTO IT WHEN HE FIRST GOT INTO OFFICE.

AND THEN THE SAME THING WITH SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

IT'S A HARD ONE AND WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS AND I'M LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, I KNOW AT THE POINT IN TIME COUNT, WE'RE ALWAYS EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO SEE IS THERE LESS PEOPLE OUT THERE? OR IF THERE'S MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE? AND WE KIND OF JUDGE OUR SUCCESS ON THAT, BUT I WANT TO DO WE DIVE INTO THE NUMBERS A LITTLE FURTHER.

SO, EVERY YEAR WE DO THE POINT IN TIME COUNT.

IS IT THE SAME PEOPLE OUT THERE EVERY YEAR OR DO WE? IS THERE A MEASURE OF SUCCESS OF SOME OF THESE FOLKS THAT WE'RE GIVING, GETTING THEM INTO SERVICES? AND I KNOW THERE'S A QUICK TURNAROUND ON FOLKS WHO JUST HAD BAD LUCK AND STILL HAD THEIR JOB, BUT DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF THAT? SO THAT'S ONE OF THE MAJOR LIMITATIONS OF THE POINT IN TIME COUNT.

IT'S REALLY JUST AN AGGREGATE DATA THAT'S PUT TOGETHER.

THERE'S NO NAME BY NAME ANALYSIS OF IT. NOW OF COURSE WE DO ANALYSIS.

WE LOOK FOR CERTAIN TRENDS. ONE OF THOSE WOULD BE LIKE A DEPENDENT AGE CHILDREN BEING HOMELESS WITHIN MERCER COUNTY.

THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A POLICY AT HSA.

NO NO HOMELESS FAMILIES. SO WE DO COME ACROSS THEM.

ONE TWO. THIS LAST POINT IN TIME COUNT, WE HAD TWO.

BUT THERE IS NO NO REAL ANALYSIS OF IT. THERE ARE SOME SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASURES, SUCH AS HOUSING RETENTION, BUT I THINK THIS IS ONE OF OUR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND OPPORTUNITY.

AND AND MAYBE THAT WAS SOMETHING WE SHOULD HAVE COVERED A LITTLE MORE IN THOSE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.

WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE BETTER ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING OUT REALLY ASSESSING FOLKS.

REALLY. YOU KNOW, I THINK HOUSING FIRST HAD SOME LIMITATIONS.

AND THIS THIS MAY BE ONE OF THEM. PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DENY.

SO IF I AM AN OUTREACH WORKER AND I SAY, HEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO TO OUR NICE SHELTER? AND YOU SAY, NO, I'M INCENTIVIZED TO FIND I HAVE A BED. SO I'M GOING TO MOVE ON AND MAYBE CHARACTERIZE THAT AS JUST SOMEONE WHO'S RESISTANT TO RESOURCES VERSUS MAYBE GOING A LITTLE MORE IN DEPTH TO YOUR POINT AND SAYING, WELL, WHY NOT? WELL, I DISCHARGED FROM AN INSTITUTION.

SO WHAT DO YOU NEED? THAT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND MAYBE SOME BANDWIDTH THAT'S NOT BEING EXPENDED.

AND I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HOUSING. FIRST, YOU HAVE A SHELTER BED. YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO GET TO. YES. AND THAT'S A VERY SMALL ALL POPULATION ON THIS CONTINUUM OF SERVICES.

SO THEN HOW? HOW DO WE MORE MORE DIRECTLY REALLY START TO ADDRESS THOSE? AND I THINK WE HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESS. ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS EMBEDS A SOCIAL WORKER WITH THE MERCED CITY PD TEAM, DISRUPTED AREA RESPONSE TEAM, WHERE SHE DOES HAVE VERY DETAILED INFORMATION ON EVEN TO THE POINT OF HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE, YOU KNOW, REDUCED THEIR DEPENDENCY ON EMERGENCY ROOM BEDS, BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF THE SERVICES.

MERCED COUNTY WE HAVE AND OUR CONSTITUENCY JUST SEES THE ENCAMPMENTS AND WE GET THE CALLS FROM OUR CONSTITUENCY ON THAT.

BUT WHAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND, THE HARD WORK THAT THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE DOING TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES TO THESE FOLKS AND THE FACT THAT THEY'RE NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THEIR SERVICES OR THEY'RE DENYING SERVICES. AND I CAN UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION, BUT THAT'S JUST I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A MEASURE OF SUCCESS THAT WE

[01:10:03]

I CAN SPEAK TO THE NAVIGATION CENTER OPERATIONAL NOW COMING UP ON THREE YEARS, ABOUT 109 HOUSING PLACEMENTS THROUGH THAT.

WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER. BUT ON THE BACK END OF THAT, YOU MAY HAVE 200 FOLKS COMING INTO THE FIRST TIME.

AND THAT INFLOW IS ONE WHERE WE REALLY STRUGGLE.

AND I'M HOPING THROUGH THE MANAGED CARE PLAN, CAL AIM ENHANCED CARE MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY SUPPORTS WHERE THEY'VE IDENTIFIED POPULATIONS OF FOCUS INCLUDING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, PEOPLE DISCHARGING FROM INSTITUTIONS. WE CAN GET TO THEM EARLY AND REALLY STOP AN INFLOW HIGH UTILIZE OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT SERVICES.

ALL OF THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE FOLKS IN OUR FOSTER YOUTH AND CHILD SERVICES BRANCH, ALL OF THOSE FOLKS HAVE A HIGHER PROPENSITY OF EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

SO IS THERE A POSSIBILITY TO PARTNER WITH THEM? TO YOUR POINT, REALLY START CAPTURING THOSE FOLKS BEFORE THEY COME IN.

THE REAL ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS NO. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ANALYSIS ON IT.

AND AGAIN, I WOULD PUT THAT AS AN AS AN OPPORTUNITY. WELL, THANKS, JOHN. I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU'RE DOING. YOU STARTED OUT YOU WERE REALLY GOOD AT GETTING VETERANS OFF THE STREETS, BUT NOW YOU'VE BECOME OUR EXPERT NOT ONLY IN MERCED COUNTY, BUT I THINK IN THE REGION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. WELL, I WANT TO I JUST MY THOUGHTS WERE SIMILAR TO SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO MERCED COUNTY'S RESIDENTS AND THEN THOSE THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE IN MERCED COUNTY.

SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT SUCCESS. AND SO I JOTTED DOWN SOME NUMBERS THAT I THINK WILL KIND OF SHARE THAT PICTURE.

JOHN IS A VERY HUMBLE MAN, AND DOESN'T NECESSARILY LIKE TO SHARE HIS ROLE IN THE SUCCESS, BUT AND JUST FROM A STORYLINE BACK IN 2017, WHEN I JOINED THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 80 BEDS AVAILABLE IN MERCED COUNTY FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. TODAY, THAT NUMBER IS, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT ABOUT 430 BEDS AND WE HAVE PENDING RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 220 BEDS TAKEN OUR NUMBER TO SOMEWHERE POTENTIALLY TO 650 BEDS.

SO, THE EFFORT THAT THAT AND YOU KNOW, SO SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL WAS ON THE BOARD WITH ME BACK THEN AND WE MADE A BIG RISK RIGHT.

YOU KNOW THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS I GUESS ALLOWED THE HSA TO BECOME THE COLLABORATIVE APPLICANT, WHICH CHANGED THE DYNAMICS. CONGRESSMAN. NOW, CONGRESSMAN GRAY, WHO WAS AN ASSEMBLYMAN AT THE TIME, REALLY HELPED US KIND OF, I DON'T KNOW, BLOW UP THE SYSTEM THAT WASN'T WORKING AND THEN REBUILD IT, YOU KNOW, AND THEN HAVING JOHN PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE, LEADERSHIP ALONG THE WAY HAS JUST KIND OF WOVEN THIS THING INTO WHAT I THINK IS A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL UNHOUSED HOMELESS PERSON MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND FACILITIES.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN I HEAR THE STATE MISSING $24 BILLION, I FEEL VERY, VERY CONFIDENT THAT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MERCED COUNTY JOHN CECCOLI THAT THAT NUMBER IN MERCED COUNTY IS NOT MISSING HERE, THAT EVERY DOLLAR WE'VE BEEN GIVEN HAS PUT TO GREAT USE.

AND WE COULD DO AN AUDIT AND GO BACK AND SHOW WHERE EVERY DOLLAR WENT.

NOTHING IS MISSING. AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK JOHN FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

YOU KNOW, HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE, IN MY OPINION, THE LEAST OF THESE.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT I USE TO GET MY COLLEAGUES, THERE WAS A COUPLE OF COLLEAGUES, THREE COLLEAGUES THAT AREN'T HERE AND IN GETTING THE COUNTY TO STEP UP WAS THAT 80% OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE HAVE A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUE, WHETHER IT'S DRUGS OR PREVIOUS DRUG USE OR REALLY JUST MENTAL ILLNESS, NOT DRUG INDUCED.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY. AND I'M JUST PROUD OF YOU.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HSA SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. YOU KNOW EVERYBODY, OUR COUNCIL EVERYBODY THAT'S REALLY PRESSED A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY INTO THIS. AND I THINK WE'RE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT.

AND THEN AND THEN THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE LEGAL, YOU KNOW POLICIES THAT ARE GOING TO ALLOW US TO, TO CLEAN UP ENCAMPMENTS AND THAT KIND OF SITUATION.

AND I HAVE PEOPLE SAYING, WELL, THAT'S TERRIBLE. YOU'RE YOU'RE YOU'RE WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO HOMELESS.

AND MY THOUGHT IS, IS THAT, THAT IS COMPASSION.

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T MAKE THEM UNCOMFORTABLE WHERE THEY ARE, YOU'LL NEVER GET THEM TO ACCEPT SERVICES AND HOUSING.

AND ANYWAY, SO JOHN, THANK YOU AGAIN. APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAMS AND ALL THE TEAMS.

[01:15:07]

THANK YOU. WELL, I DON'T WANT TO GET YOUR HEAD TOO BIG OR ANYTHING, BUT, NO, I'M JUST KIDDING JOHN.

JOHN, YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE, AND I'LL SAVE SOME OF MY OTHER COMMENTS, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, YOU TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS ON THIS ISSUE ALONG WITH BHRS, HSA, I MEAN, EVERYBODY, OUR COUNSEL'S OFFICE, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, CEO'S OFFICE, EVERYBODY A PUBLIC DEFENDER, I MEAN, JUST THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

AND I THINK YOU SAID IT EARLIER WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY HAVE TAKEN THIS AS A SERIOUS ISSUE BECAUSE OUR CONSTITUENTS SEE IT, BUT WE ALSO DO HAVE THAT COMPASSIONATE ASPECT TO IT BY LOOKING FOR THE DIFFERENT AREAS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING SOME OF THOSE FUNDS FOR THE HOUSING.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION, THOUGH, AND THEN I'LL SAVE THE REST OF MY COMMENTS FOR LATER. IN THE IN THE CITY OF MERCED WHEN YOU SAID PENDING WITH THE 144, YOU SAID THEY WERE ALL IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.

DO WE HAVE ANY ESTIMATION ON TIME OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? ROUGH ONES. SO HOMEKEY 3.0, WHICH WAS THE FIRST ONE BACK ON SLIDE 18 TAMARA.

THAT 3.0 RECENT AWARD STILL PUTTING OUT, YOU KNOW, GETTING THE PLANNING.

YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THE STANDARD AGREEMENT, ETC..

SO IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME. I WOULD ESTIMATE 18 MONTHS OR SO, PROBABLY FROM RIGHT AROUND NOW WITH A HUGE ASTERISK OF ESTIMATE ON THAT, JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT IMPACT WE ALL EXPERIENCE COVID, BUT I THINK THAT'S A SAFE ESTIMATE.

MERCY VILLAGE IS ONE THAT OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES, AND I APPRECIATE THE KIND WORDS.

THERE IS NO SUCCESS WITHOUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BEING RIGHT NEXT TO US.

LIKE WE ALL REALLY STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, INCLUDING THE INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY AND MANAGED CARE PLAN. I CAN'T PRAISE THEM ENOUGH.

BUT MERCY VILLAGE AGAIN IS ONE WHERE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE $10 MILLION THROUGH NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

AND NOW WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR DEVELOPER UPHOLDING ON APPLYING FOR HOMEKEY PLUS.

SO POTENTIALLY, AGAIN, MAYBE 24 MONTHS IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL THERE ON THE GAP FINANCING AND THEN THE HOMEKEY 2.0.

ONE OF THE REASONS I PUT SUCH A SUBSTANTIAL ASTERISK, THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OPEN A YEAR AGO.

AND IT HASN'T BEEN IT HASN'T BEEN OPENED. WE'VE MET WITH THE DEVELOPER DOWN THERE.

WE'VE MET WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR, OBVIOUSLY, CITY OF MERCED STAFF.

THERE WERE JUST SOME ISSUES WITH THE MODEL AND, AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT SUCCESS.

ONE OF OUR LESSONS LEARNED HERE IS IN SOME OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS YOU GET QUALITY SPEED OR PRICE.

AND IN THIS ONE RIGHT NOW WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY OF THOSE, JUST TO BE FRANK.

WE JUST HAVEN'T. SO THAT ONE HAS LINGERED ON.

WE'RE HOPING MAYBE BY MAY WAS THE LAST NUMBER.

THERE'S LITERALLY BOXES DOWN, ETC., BUT THERE MAY BE SOME GAP FINANCING THAT'S GOT TO BE PUT TOGETHER.

SO WE'RE LOOKING BETWEEN THE NEXT, I WOULD SAY 6 TO 24 MONTHS FOR ALL THREE OF THESE PROJECTS.

BUT IT'S JUST IT'S TAKING TIME. IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO GO AWAY WHEN YOU SAY PENDING, IT'S ACTUALLY I MEAN WE'RE WE. YEAH. EXCELLENT.

OR AT LEAST PARTIALLY FUNDED. MERCY VILLAGE IS ONE WHERE WE STILL DO NEED AN AWARD TO BREAK GROUND.

GREAT. THANK YOU, JOHN. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YEAH, JOHN. I MEAN, THEY'VE SAID SO MUCH ALREADY THAT I WANTED TO SAY, BUT THE ONE THING I'LL SAY IS, IS WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE AND WE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT THE TEN YEAR PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS, THAT WAS ALWAYS TEN YEARS AWAY FROM BEING DONE. AND I'VE SEEN THE SHIFT.

I'VE SEEN THE SHIFT WHERE WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT ANYMORE.

WE'RE TALKING IN MORE REALISTIC TERMS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THAT I, ABOVE ALL ELSE, THAT I GIVE YOU JUST THE UTMOST RESPECT AND CREDIT FOR, IS ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE. AND THE FACT THAT YOU'RE STILL YOU'RE NOT YOU'RE NEVER SATISFIED.

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING. YOU'RE NOT SATISFIED. WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THAT NEXT, THAT NEXT STEP, THAT NEXT STEP OF WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT PIECE OF PIECE OF THIS.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE NAVIGATION CENTER WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US.

I THINK IT'S THE WAY THAT WE YOU BRING THE SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL COMMIT FROM MY POINT, AND I THINK I CAN GET MY COLLEAGUES TO GO RIGHT ALONG WITH ME, IS CONTINUING THE ADVOCACY FOR THESE DELAYS THAT IT'S HERE WE ARE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE HOMELESS, HOMELESS PROBLEMS, THE ISSUES THAT COME ALONG WITH IT, BUT YET TO TRY TO BUILD SOME DAMN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT ALWAYS GETS DELAYED IN BUREAUCRATIC NONSENSE, RIGHT? AND THAT'S THE FRUSTRATING PART. YOU SIT THERE AND TALK ABOUT IT ON ONE HAND, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THE THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY.

NOT YOU, BUT THE BUREAUCRACY. OH, HERE'S ONE MORE HOOP THAT YOU HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH IN ORDER TO GET THAT DONE.

THAT'S THE FRUSTRATING PART. WE HAVE A TALENTED GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE READY TO GO AND TO JUST GET STUFF DONE.

BUT YET WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH OTHER AGENCIES IT GETS FRUSTRATING THAT THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE PUTTING THE PUTTING THE DELAYS AND DELAYS EQUAL COST MONEY, RIGHT? IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD HAVE BUILT TWO YEARS AGO.

WE BUILT IT TWO YEARS FROM NOW. THERE'S GOING TO BE YOU TALKED ABOUT SOME GAP FUNDING.

WELL, WHEN YOU SIT THERE AND DESIGN A PROJECT AND SAY, OKAY, WE GOT THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY, WE DESIGNED THAT PROJECT FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY. ALL

[01:20:02]

I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AND THEN I'M GOING TO I'M GOING TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY. IT'S SOMETHING I WAS GOING TO BRING UP LATER, BUT I WAS TALKING TO A GENTLEMAN. I WAS AT A CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO A FEW WEEKS BACK, AND THIS GENTLEMAN NAME, RYAN NAPIER.

I HAD NEVER MET HIM BEFORE, BUT HE BROUGHT UP, HE WAS TALKING, HE WAS GIVING HIS LITTLE SPIEL ON THE WORK THAT THEY DO FOR COUNTIES, AND HE BROUGHT UP MERCED COUNTY. AND I'M GOING TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE AND TELL SOME OF THE SUCCESS STORIES.

THIS GENTLEMAN BASICALLY IN A NUTSHELL AND OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE COMPANY, BUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS DESIGNING AN INTERFACE THAT WHETHER THAT PERSON, WHOEVER THEY ARE, COMES INTO OUR SYSTEM AT BHRS, IN THE, IN ON THE SHERIFF'S SIDE OF STUFF IN HSA.

IT CREATES THIS UNIQUE FILE ON THIS PERSON SO THAT WHEN YOU ENTER INTO ANOTHER, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES. WHEN YOU ENTER IT IN, JUST THINK ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND RESOURCES THAT SOMEBODY HAS TO NOW GO THROUGH TO TRY TO GET ALL THIS INFORMATION FROM THIS PERSON.

AND IN SOME CASES, IT'S NOT VERY EASY FOR THESE PEOPLE TO PASS ON THAT INFORMATION.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU ASK A PERSON, HEY, WHAT'S YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER? WHAT'S YOUR ADDRESS? WHAT WERE THESE THINGS? THEY USUALLY COME RIGHT TO TOP OF MIND, AND YOU CAN RECITE THEM FOR SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH. THEY CAN'T DO THAT.

AND SO HAVING THAT UNIQUE FILE, I WANT TO SAY, THIS GENTLEMAN JUST WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO TELL ME HOW MUCH HE ENJOYS WORKING WITH OUR TEAM AT MERCED COUNTY BHRS. AND THAT'S A THAT'S A TESTAMENT OF DIRECTOR VANG'S LEADERSHIP AND ALONG WITH ALEX PEARCE AND THE WHOLE REST OF THE TEAM.

SO, WE'RE DOING THE GOOD WORK. WE REALLY ARE.

AND THAT'S THE PART THAT I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND. AND NOW, TO TIE THIS BACK TO WHAT WERE THE CONVERSATION WE'RE HAVING ON THIS ORDINANCE. I THINK THAT YOU GUYS LISTENED TO WHAT KIND OF WHAT WE THOUGHT.

WHEN WE HAD THIS ORIGINAL MEETING, WAS IT IN DECEMBER? RIGHT.

YOU LISTEN TO OUR ORIGINAL THOUGHTS, AND I THINK YOU PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER.

YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COMES FROM A PLACE OF COMPASSION.

THIS ISN'T THAT WE JUST WANT TO MOVE PEOPLE ALONG AND KICK THEM OUT OF AN ENCAMPMENT OR WHATEVER. BUT THE REALITY SAYS THAT IF IT'S KIND OF THE STICK AND CARROT RIGHT.

THAT IF WE DON'T GIVE THEM A REASON TO WANT TO CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR, THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

AND I THINK WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES, THIS IS A WE WANT TO GET YOU HELP FIRST ORDINANCE.

THAT'S I THINK THAT EVERYBODY UP HERE WOULD AGREE.

THIS IS A WE WANT TO GET YOU HELP FIRST. WE DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE PENALTY PHASE.

WE DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU IN JAIL. BUT IT'S SAD TO SAY THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION, THAT THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANOTHER WAY TO GET THEM THE HELP THAT THEY NEED, UNLESS THAT'S A REAL THREAT TO THEM.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS ORDINANCE ACCOMPLISHES. I THINK EVERYTHING THAT EVERYTHING THAT I SAW HERE IT REPRESENTS WHAT THE DISCUSSION WAS THAT WE HAD AT OUR LAST MEETING.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS, BUT I THINK THAT WE ARE TAKING STEPS.

IT IS OUR NUMBERS AREN'T LIKE THEY ARE IN OTHER PLACES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

OUR NUMBERS ARE THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND AND WITH A CONCERTED EFFORT, WITH PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR WITH OUR SIX CITY JURISDICTIONS COUNTY, STATE, FEDERAL, EVERYBODY IN BETWEEN HOSPITALS.

WE CAN GET THERE. WE CAN GET TO. IS IT GOING TO BE PERFECT? NO, LIFE'S NOT PERFECT. BUT IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL SIT HERE AND SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ACTUALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE? I THINK ABSOLUTELY, WE GET THERE WITH THIS.

AND SO I DO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT TWO.

YOU KNOW, HE WAS ONE OF THE DRIVERS ON THIS ON GETTING THIS ORDINANCE TO, TO WHERE IT IS TODAY.

AND I THINK THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY SEE SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. AGAIN, THESE ARE JUST TOOLS FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT, THAT, THAT THESE FOLKS TOUCH. RIGHT? THIS, THIS, THIS GIVES THEM A TOOL TO HELP THEM, GUIDE THEM ALONG THE WAY, STEER THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND THEN THE LAST THING I WILL LEAVE WITH IS JUST, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO.

IN LA, MASSIVE FIRE DESTRUCTION, TALKS ABOUT WAIVING CEQA LAWS, DOING ALL THESE THINGS RIGHT.

AND WHAT IRRITATES ME ABOUT IT IS, IS I LISTEN, THERE ARE SOME HOMELESS FOLKS IN LA, IN THE LA AREA THAT GOT AFFECTED.

THERE ARE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING BELOW THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME LEVEL GOT AFFECTED.

BUT I ALSO SAW SOME OF THE ZILLOW PAGES ON THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THESE ARE ALL TWO AND A HALF, THREE, 4 OR $5 MILLION HOMES. SO WE'RE GOING TO WAIVE IT FOR THEM, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO WAIVE THIS STUFF FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S IRRITATING ALL OF US. AND WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS.

BUT POLICY DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE, THINGS ARE BEING WAIVED, AND IT SURE LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE DOING IT FOR THE HAVES AND NOT THE HAVE NOTS.

AND THAT'S THE PART THAT I WILL COMMIT TO, IS CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE TO CALL THEM OUT AND SAY, NO, YOU DON'T GET TO USE THOSE WORDS. YOU DON'T GET TO SAY THOSE THINGS UNLESS YOU TRULY MEAN THEM. IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME, NOW IS THE TIME THAT WE WAIVE SOME OF THIS STUFF, AND WE GET THE HOUSING BILL AND GIVE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO START HAVING A PRODUCTIVE LIFE. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, JOHN, AND EVERYBODY ON THE TEAM.

TAMARA, COULD I, COULD I HAVE YOU GO BACK TO SLIDE 14 QUICKLY, PLEASE?

[01:25:02]

THE SHERIFF DOES NOT HAVE TO HAVE THAT. I APPRECIATE THE FACT IT'S ON THERE, BUT THAT'S JUST AN EXAMPLE OF JUST WHAT YOU SAID.

THIS IS A CONSISTENT PRACTICE THAT WE'VE BEEN WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS THAT THE AMENDMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT GOING TO STOP THAT PRACTICE.

IF ANYTHING, IT'S GOING TO ENHANCE IT. SO I JUST WANTED TO REINFORCE THAT WITH THAT ONE LAST STATEMENT.

THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT, JOHN. SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

COMMENT THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE PRETTY MUCH SAID EVERYTHING, BUT I JUST I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR COMMUNICATION. I THINK THAT'S KEY IN ANY SITUATION. AND I MEAN, EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT JOBS BUT THIS GROUP. BUT YOU GUYS DID A GOOD JOB OF PUTTING TOGETHER AND JUST COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER, WITH EACH OTHER AND NOT ONLY YOU, BUT MEETING WITH THE PUBLIC. I THINK HAVING THE ENFORCEMENT TREATMENT AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES ALL WORKING TOGETHER, IT'S ALL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND LIKE I SAID, JUST A GOOD TOOL TO HAVE AND HOPEFULLY MOVING FORWARD, THIS WILL ALL BE SUCCESSFUL. THANK YOU. OKAY. I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE FROM THE BOARD.

OH, OKAY. ONE MORE SLIDE. GOOD. RINA. I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY GO OVER THE PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTATION.

THE PROPOSED SCHEDULE AND MOVING FORWARD FOR THE FOR THE ORDINANCE WOULD REQUIRE TWO READINGS OF THE ORDINANCE.

THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD NEED TO RETURN FOR INTRODUCTION AND THEN FOLLOW WITH THE SECOND READING FOR ADOPTION, PROVIDED THAT NO SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES ARE INCLUDED AFTER THE FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE.

THE PROPOSED DATE TO RETURN FOR INTRODUCTION IS MARCH 11TH, AND THE SECOND READING WOULD FOLLOW ON MARCH 25TH.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. SO, AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CEO ITEM NUMBER 22.

GLORIA SANDOVAL. THANK YOU. IT WAS VERY HARD TO READ THE COPY THAT WAS PLACED ON YOUR AGENDA.

THE TEMPORARY STUFF THAT WE COULD ACCESS. SO, I'M NOT REALLY, YOU KNOW TOTALLY AWARE OF WHAT THE ORDINANCE, THE NEW ORDINANCE CALLS FOR. BUT I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE AS I KNOW THE SUPERVISOR KNOW, FOR MANY YEARS, I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH A LOT OF THE LEGISLATION, NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, AT THE, AT THE STATE LEVEL, AT DIFFERENT CITIES, BUT AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, MAYBE AS AN EDUCATOR, I ALWAYS FEEL THAT PREVENTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST, YOU KNOW, TO ANYTHING THAT WE, WE ARE FACING. A FEW OF US IN MY ORGANIZATION ATTENDED OR WITNESSED EVICTION COURT, AND WE PROPOSED TO THE CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT THERE COULD BE MAYBE A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS. I REALLY THINK IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT CAUSES HOMELESSNESS, IT'S NOT JUST NOT HAVING THE MONEY, NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THE RENTS. THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE WE NEED TO THINK, YOU KNOW, FURTHER OUT AND THE PREVENTION PART OF IT. I THINK THE OTHER IS THAT THE COMPASSION IS ON A CONTINUUM.

THERE'S A LITTLE COMPASSION THAT THERE COULD BE A LOT OF COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING.

AND I REALLY I REALLY DO APPRECIATE JOHN CECCOLI.

HE'S ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR MY HARD QUESTIONS THAT I ASK HIM.

AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMIND US THAT I THINK WE'RE ALL, YOU KNOW, BELIEVERS IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

AND I REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE TO DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO DO UNTO YOU.

AND I DON'T THINK SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE SEE HERE ARE NOT ALWAYS THERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO ESPECIALLY RECOMMEND THAT THERE IS MORE OF AN EMPHASIS ON THE INTERVENTIONS THAT WE HAVE. NOT HOW WE'RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, DING YOU FOR BEING ON THE SIDEWALK, DING YOU FOR HAVING THIS DING YOU FOR HAVING THAT.

I REALLY THINK THAT WE HAVE WE HAVE TO DO MORE EDUCATION WITH THE WITH THE PUBLIC.

OKAY. SO I REALLY I ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE TIME AND COUNT AND ACTUALLY THERE WAS A ONE LADY,

[01:30:06]

YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK TO NOBODY. AND AS I THINK ABOUT IT, I GAVE FEEDBACK TO PHIL SCMATZ ALSO THAT IF WE CAME WITH A CUP OF COFFEE INSTEAD OF A HYGIENE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THE COMPASSION ASPECT OF IT, RIGHT? YOU WAKE UP SOMEBODY, SUN COMES UP. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANY MORE PUBLIC COMMENT? THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CO ITEM NUMBER 22 IS NOW CLOSED, AND WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. OH, SORRY. I JUST WANT TO COMMENT TO MISS SANDOVAL'S COMMENT.

AND IT'S NOTHING BAD. IT'S JUST THAT I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING.

I THINK THAT I CAN TELL YOU THAT ANYTIME, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE FLIP SIDE OF IT OVER ON THE RAIL TRAIL IN LAS BANOS.

RIGHT. THIS, THIS, THIS, THE LADY THAT REACHED OUT TO ME, LIVES THERE, AND HER BACK WALL IS THE CINDER BLOCK WALL THAT IS ON THE RAIL TRAIL.

AND THIS IS A PERSON, HARDWORKING FAMILY GOES TO WORK.

YOU KNOW HAS A NICE HOME, PAYS A MORTGAGE, DOES ALL THESE THINGS, AND CAN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE EVERY NIGHT THE FOLKS THAT ARE LIVING ON THE RAIL TRAIL ARE RAISING RUCKUS OUT THERE, BURNING STUFF COMING RIGHT INTO HER BACKYARD.

RIGHT. SO, SO THERE'S MORE TO THE JUST ONE SIDE OF THE STORY.

THAT'S THE FLIP SIDE OF IT, RIGHT? AND I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING.

AND SO WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS IS, IS WHENEVER I'VE GOTTEN THAT CONSTITUENT CALL, I CALL JOHN AND I CAN TELL YOU I CAN I CAN TELL YOU THIS WITH 100% DEGREE CERTAINTY THAT HIS ANSWER FIRST IS EDUCATION. HERE'S THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

THIS IS HOW WE CAN HELP YOU TO GET THEM. IT'S THIS IS WHERE I THINK THIS ORDINANCE IS COMING FROM, A PLACE OF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. IT'S NOT ENOUGH DOING THAT EDUCATION AND THAT OUTREACH AND OFFERING PEOPLE SERVICES.

BECAUSE WITHOUT AN INCENTIVE TO CHANGE, THEY'RE JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO.

AND I DON'T WANT TO CAST A BROAD STROKE THERE.

I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THAT HAVE TAKEN UP THE SERVICES, AND MAYBE THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT AND THAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE SOMEBODY CALLED AND A CASEWORKER, SOMEBODY FROM JOHN'S OUTFIT OR OURS OR SOMEBODY CAME OUT THERE, REACHED OUT TO HIM AND SAID, HEY, THESE ARE THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THEM. THIS, AGAIN, IS GOING FOR THE ONES THAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF SERVICES AVAILABLE AND THEY'RE NOT WILLING AND DON'T WANT TO TAKE THEM.

AND THIS IS WHERE THIS THIS ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION THAT WE'RE CALLING IT IS, IS TO GIVE US THAT EXTRA TOOL STILL LEADING FROM A PLACE OF COMPASSION, STILL LEADING FROM A PLACE THAT WE WANT TO GIVE YOU HELP FIRST.

BUT FOR THOSE ONES THAT THAT CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT, WE NOW ARE IN A WE HAVE ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOL BAG THAT SAYS, WELL, IF YOU DON'T THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE OTHER CONSEQUENCES TO FACING IT.

SO THAT'S JUST KIND OF A COMMENT I HAD ON THAT. THANK YOU.

DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING. ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY. SO I WANT TO AGREE. WELL, FIRST I WANT TO SAY AGAIN, THANK YOU TO ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WORKED ON THIS AND ALL THE INDIVIDUALS I KNOW.

THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT I HAD ASKED FOR IN DECEMBER 5TH.

FIVE. AND, YOU KNOW, I DID A LOT OF THE RESEARCH IN REGARDS TO WHAT SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES WERE DOING.

AND I THINK BY INCLUDING SOME OF THAT, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALIZED JUST TO US, BUT IT REALLY KIND OF TOOK SOME BEST PRACTICES.

AND WE WORKED WITH OUR OTHER NEIGHBORS. BECAUSE REALLY IT IS A REGIONAL ISSUE.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK A SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SAID IT BEST IS THAT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST AND FOREMOST THING IS WHEN WE TALK TO JOHN ABOUT THIS, JOHN, IF HE DOESN'T GO OUT PERSONALLY, HE HAS PEOPLE THAT WILL GO OUT PERSONALLY AND SAY, HEY, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU NEED? WHAT ARE THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE? OR THIS IS WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO, YOU KNOW, UTILIZE THE SERVICES.

NEVER A FORCE. IT'S NEVER FORCED ON THEM. WE DON'T FORCE THIS STUFF ON PEOPLE.

HOWEVER, JUST LIKE MY COLLEAGUE SAID, IT'S A CARROT AND STICK APPROACH, RIGHT? THERE'S ONLY SO MANY TIMES THAT YOU COULD DO THIS, BUT NOW IT HAS TO.

YOU HAVE TO START USING THE STICK. UNFORTUNATELY. AND I THINK THAT THIS DOES THIS, YOU KNOW, I WAS LOOKING AT IT AT IT THIS MORNING. THERE'S 293,630 PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN MERCED COUNTY.

AND WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME TALKING ABOUT THE 900 THAT ARE AFFECTING THE BLIGHT AND AFFECTING THINGS IN MERCED COUNTY.

WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO HELP THEM, WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE SERVICES TO THEM.

AND SO BY US TOUGHENING UP OR TIGHTENING UP THIS THIS ENCAMPMENT ORDINANCE, THIS ALLOWS FOR US TO DO JUST THAT, WITH THAT COMPASSION THAT, HEY, WE'RE NOT JUST GOING TO COME THROUGH AND THROW ALL YOUR STUFF AWAY. WE'RE NOT GOING TO ARREST YOU BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

WE'RE TRYING TO DIRECT YOU TO THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE SPENDING MILLIONS UPON, MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S TO THE QUOTE THAT WAS MADE, YOU KNOW, DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE DONE UNTO YOU.

[01:35:04]

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WE HAD PEOPLE DIGGING INTO THE CREEK BEDS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, DYING THAT THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. SO, I MEAN, IT'S WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF MERCED COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE? YOU CAN SEE AND MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED FIRES.

THE FIRES THAT STARTED IN SAN DIEGO WERE FROM A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT.

THAT'S SCARY. YOU KNOW, I DROVE BY THIS MORNING AT TEN MINUTES TO FIVE.

THERE WAS A FIRE. FIRE GOING ON AT THE IN THE RITE AID PARKING LOT WITH PEOPLE JUST HANGING OUT.

THAT'S NOT OKAY. THIS IS 2025. THOSE PEOPLE NEED THEIR SERVICES AVAILABLE, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE THOSE SERVICES.

AND SO I THINK THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO HELP PUSH THOSE PEOPLE INTO THOSE SERVICES.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK, YOU KNOW, THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.

YOU KNOW, THAT MEETING THOSE MEETINGS THAT I GO TO, YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE IS A PASSION TO HELP PEOPLE.

AND THEY RECOGNIZE THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

AND THERE'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH.

I JUST THINK THIS ADDS TO THE ABILITY OF US TO CLEAN UP SOME OF THIS.

AND SO I COULD NOT I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS AGAIN, I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF THE MERCED COUNTY TEAM FOR REALLY TAKING THIS.

AND I ASKED FOR 60 DAYS AND THEY DID IT IN 60 DAYS.

AND THAT'S WITH THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL THAT STUFF.

I'M VERY IMPRESSED AND VERY HAPPY WITH THIS WITH THE DIRECTION.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY MYSELF. SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

CALL FOR THE VOTE, PLEASE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. NOW, NEXT WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE ITEM NUMBER 23.

ITEM NUMBER 23 IS TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF DOCTOR KRISTEN SULLIVAN AS PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR AT THE ANNUAL SALARY OF 176,467 AND $0.20 AND APPROVE A LEVEL BENEFITS EFFECTIVE MARCH 10TH, 2025.

ARE YOU SURE? NO, I'M JUST KIDDING. AT THIS TIME, RAUL LOMELI MENDEZ, OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 23.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

YES. VERY BRIEFLY HERE. JUST WANTED TO SHARE.

STAFF RECENTLY CONDUCTED AN EXTENSIVE RECRUITMENT TO FILL THE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR POSITION.

A POSITION THAT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

IT'S A CRITICAL LEADERSHIP POSITION WITH THE ORGANIZATION.

FOLLOWING OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BASED ON HER EXTENSIVE, EXTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE, DOCTOR KRISTEN SULLIVAN WOULD BE THE BEST FIT FOR OUR ORGANIZATION IN THAT DEPARTMENT.

DOCTOR SULLIVAN HAS MORE THAN TEN YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT.

HER EXPERTISE ENCOMPASSES BOTH PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS AND SENIOR ADMINISTRATION ROLES.

SHE EARNED A DOCTORATE IN QUANTITATIVE PSYCHOLOGY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HERE IN MERCED.

DOCTOR SULLIVAN, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, PREVIOUSLY HELD A POSITION WITH PUBLIC HEALTH BUT ACTUALLY LEFT COUNTY SERVICE TO EXPAND HER KNOWLEDGE AND LEADERSHIP SCOPE, TOOK AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH, BASED IN MERCED COUNTY, A FEW YEARS AGO. IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS GOING THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS, TALKING TO SOME OF THE INTERVIEW PANEL, HIGHLY REGARDED AMONGST PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HERE IN THE REGION, AND IT'S ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING BACK TO COUNTY SERVICE FOLLOWING YOUR CONFIRMATION OF HER APPOINTMENT. IF APPROVED, HER APPOINTMENT WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE MARCH 10TH AND HER FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WILL BE TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTING HER LEADERSHIP TEAM. SO SHE IS HERE OBVIOUSLY TO ADDRESS YOU, MAYBE AFTER YOU TAKE ACTION.

BUT THAT'S A LITTLE BIT BACKGROUND ON DOCTOR SULLIVAN.

WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO BRING HER ON BOARD. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEM NUMBER 23.

SEEING NO PUBLIC COMMENT. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CEO.

ITEM NUMBER 23 IS NOW CLOSED. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'VE HAD I WORKED WITH KRISTEN WHEN SHE WAS HERE THE FIRST TIME,

[01:40:01]

AND I'VE SEEN HOW MUCH SHE REALLY CARES ABOUT MERCED COUNTY AND THE WORK THAT SHE DOES.

AND I THINK THAT WE'RE GETTING ANOTHER COMING BACK IS I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING FOR MERCED COUNTY.

SO AT THIS TIME I WILL TAKE A MOTION. SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. AND THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

CONGRATULATIONS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME SAY SOME STUFF? GOOD MORNING BOARD, CEO MENDEZ COUNTY COUNSEL HANSEN.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, FOR TRUSTING ME WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADING THIS DEPARTMENT.

MERCED COUNTY HAS BEEN MY HOME FOR 15 YEARS. I DO VERY MUCH LOVE IT HERE.

I'M RAISING MY FAMILY HERE. I'VE DEDICATED MY CAREER TO SERVICE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

AND I HAVE PREVIOUSLY WORKED IN THE DEPARTMENT, SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO RETURN TO THIS DEPARTMENT.

I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE RESILIENCE, THE DEDICATION AND THE COMPASSION THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF OF MERCED COUNTY USE TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY, AND IT'S AN HONOR TO RETURN TO THEM AND TO THE COUNTY IN THIS CAPACITY, AND TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THEM TO BETTER THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

DID YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE ANY OF YOUR FAMILY THAT'S HERE? SURE.

MY MOM AND DAD ARE HERE. I ACTUALLY LOVE MERCED SO MUCH.

I JUST RECRUITED THEM TO MOVE HERE FROM VIRGINIA.

SO MY MOM AND DAD ARE HERE, AND THEN RIGHT BEHIND THEM IS MY HUSBAND, SO.

RIGHT ON. WELL, CONGRATULATIONS. AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 24 AND 25. AT THIS TIME. I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

ITEM 24 AND 25. OKAY, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 24 AND 25 IS NOW CLOSED.

JUST A NO ACTION ITEM. ACTION ITEM SEVEN OF ITEM NUMBER 24 REQUIRES US TO IDENTIFY A SECOND BOARD MEMBER TO BE ON THE DISTRICT PROJECT FUNDS AD HOC COMMITTEE. WHO WITH ME? I WOULD RECOMMEND SUPERVISOR PAREIRA SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL REGAN.

I'LL SECOND THAT. OK PAREIRA. PAREIRA. YEAH, YOU GOT VOLUNTOLD.

ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ARE THERE ANY OTHER MOTIONS? OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH FOR DIRECTOR? OKAY. CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. AND THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

OKAY. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE BOARD REPORTS, STARTING WITH SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]

THAT WAS ON THE 29TH. IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.

THE STAFF DID A REALLY GOOD JOB, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS GOING ON.

THERE'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE SEVEN WORKSHOPS. THEY'VE HAD FOUR ALREADY.

THE NEXT ONES ARE GOING TO BE IN GUSTINE AND LIVINGSTON AND IN ATWATER.

I THINK THE LOCATIONS ARE ON THE ON OUR COUNTY WEBSITE.

AND IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED IN THAT, THEY HAVE PROVIDE INFORMATION ON SERVICES NOT ONLY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THOSE GROUPS, BUT ALSO PEOPLE THAT ARE ASSISTING THOSE GROUPS. SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO AND CHECK OUT THE MEETINGS.

IT WAS REALLY INFORMATIVE. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

SURE. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST WANT TO REPORT OUT THAT I WAS ON A CALL WITH OUR CRC, WITH ASSEMBLY MEMBER WICKS, WHO HAPPENS TO BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ASSEMBLY, WHO IS TRYING TO STREAMLINE A LOT OF THE PERMITTING PROCESSES.

AND IT WENT VERY WELL. SHE'S DEFINITELY ON OUR SIDE.

I JUST HOPE SHE CAN CONVINCE THE REST OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR TO BE ON OUR SIDE BECAUSE IT HOLDS UP A LOT OF REALLY, REALLY GOOD PROJECTS THAT ARE MOVING FORWARD.

I THINK AS WE DEMONSTRATED HERE AND SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE ARE WORKING ON BIG THANK YOU TO CHIEF HENNE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE TOUR. THE PROBATION DEPARTMENTS I GOT TO SAY YOUR GUYS ARE VERY MOTIVATED, AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A YOU GOT A REALLY GOOD THING GOING THERE. AND THEN WE WALKED ACROSS THE STREET AND ACTUALLY TOURED THE FACILITY THAT WE DO WITH THE MERCED PD.

[01:45:09]

IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE. AS SOON AS THE OUTSIDE GETS CAUGHT UP, WE'LL BE READY TO DO SOMETHING.

THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RIBBON CUTTING IN APRIL.

ALSO ATTENDED A REALLY GOOD MEETING OUT AT CASTLE.

AND I LIKE TO THANK ERIC SERRATO FOR PUTTING IT TOGETHER.

BUT WE HAD THE EPA SECRETARY GARCIA AS WELL AS THE LABOR SECRETARY KNOX.

VISIT AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AT CASTLE. WE CHECK A LOT OF BOXES THAT THEY WANT TO CHECK AT THE STATE THAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING WITHOUT THEM EMPHASIZING IT. AND I WAS VERY CLEAR TO TELL THEM THAT WE IDENTIFIED THE INLAND PORT AT CASTLE BEFORE COVID EVER HIT, BEFORE WE HAD THE LINE OF SHIPS OUTSIDE OF THE PORT OF LA WAITING TO BRING GOODS IN.

AND THAT WENT REALLY WELL. AND I THINK THAT'S JUST ABOUT IT.

HOLD ON. I DON'T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING MR. CHAIR.

NO, I THINK THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. OH, AND I JUST WANT TO WELCOME DOCTOR SULLIVAN BACK TO MERCED COUNTY.

AND A LITTLE NOTE. I JUST WANT TO SAY, YOU SEE, MERCED HAS BEEN HERE FOR HOW LONG? 20 YEARS. I THINK THIS IS OUR FIRST DEPARTMENT HEAD AS A UC MERCED GRADUATE, SO CONGRATULATIONS.

SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YEAH, JUST A COUPLE THINGS, DR.

SULLIVAN. WELCOME BACK. I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

I KNOW I MADE A COMMENT EARLIER IN CLOSED SESSION.

I THINK I'LL BE SAFE. SAYING THIS COMMENT OUT LOUD IS JUST, YOU KNOW, AND THIS IS NO OFFENSE TO MY IT FRIENDS, BUT YOU DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT THE IT PEOPLE UNTIL YOUR IT IS BROKEN AND THEN YOU NEED THEM.

RIGHT. AND THEN YOU'RE LIKE THEY'RE LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE. AND I KIND OF THINK LIKE, PUBLIC HEALTH SOMETIMES GETS THAT SAME KIND OF MONIKER.

IF EVERYTHING'S GOING SMOOTH, YOU REALLY DON'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH. WELL, WHEN DOCTOR SULLIVAN WAS LAST YEAR, WE GOT TO VISIT HER A LOT WITH VERY LONG MEETINGS.

WE CHATTED QUITE A BIT. IT WAS BAPTISM BY FIRE WITH THAT WHOLE SITUATION.

AND I APPRECIATED SOME COMMENTS ALONG THE LINES OF EVERYBODY THOUGHT THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING, BUT NOBODY REALLY KNEW WHAT WE WERE DOING. AND THEN YOU HAD THE STATE WHO WOULD CHANGE THEIR MIND 27 TIMES A WEEK.

AND SO, IT WAS REALLY CHAOTIC TIME. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME CALMNESS OVER THERE.

AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE BACK ON BOARD WITH THE MERCED COUNTY TEAM.

I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO WHAT I HAD MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER. THE GENTLEMAN'S NAME IS RYAN NAPIER.

AND IT'S THE CHORUS PLATFORM IS WHAT WE'RE USING.

AND THEN ALSO JULIE SIMS IS A PART OF THAT AS WELL.

AGAIN, THIS LEADS TO I GUESS IT WAS I'M LOOKING AT MY CALENDAR HERE.

IT WAS LAST TWO WEEKS AGO. I WAS IN SAN DIEGO FOR THE CSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP FORUM.

AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE THERE'S SO MANY FOLKS OUT THERE THAT DO BUSINESS WITH COUNTIES.

THEY ARE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T DO IT ALL OURSELVES.

WE USE OUTSIDE VENDORS FOR THINGS. AND THIS ONE IS SO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, THESE ALL THESE DIFFERENT PARTNERS THAT ARE THERE, THEY KIND OF, YOU KNOW, THEY STAND UP AND THEY KIND OF TELL YOU WHAT THEY DO FOR COUNTIES AND THEY TEND TO LIKE TO MENTION THE COUNTIES THAT THEY DO BUSINESS WITH. AND I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, EVERYTHING DIDN'T CLICK RIGHT.

AND WHEN HE MENTIONED MERCED COUNTY. AND SO IT WAS LATER ON IN THE AFTERNOON THAT WE WERE CHATTING. AND AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THAT HAD NOTHING BUT GREAT THINGS TO SAY ABOUT OUR DEPARTMENT AND THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.

AND REALLY IT'S NOT AT A HUGE COST TO US. AND I THINK THAT IT SAVES US A LOT OF TIME.

AND I THINK THAT THEY'RE UTILIZING MERCED COUNTY TO DEVELOP THE SYSTEM, IF YOU WILL.

AND I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER COUNTY THAT THEY'RE WORKING WITH AND I THINK SOME OTHER STATES. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ONCE THEY DEVELOP THE SYSTEM, IT'S EASILY THE NEXT COUNTY WILL BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THIS SYSTEM, THE NEXT DEPARTMENT WILL BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THIS SYSTEM.

AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THAT.

AND IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HEAR GOOD FEEDBACK. I ALREADY KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE GREAT, BUT YOU KNOW TRUST BUT VERIFY, RIGHT. AND SO I GOT TO VERIFY IT WITH OUTSIDE SOURCES.

AND THEN I WILL REPORT OUT THAT THAT'S ALL I GOT ON MY CALENDAR.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. FIRST, DR. SULLIVAN, WELCOME BACK. YOU KNOW, THE THING THAT MAKES MERCED COUNTY GREAT IS OUR PEOPLE, RIGHT? BOTH OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR STAFF. AND SO THANK YOU FOR BEING BOTH.

AND I WISH YOU WELL AND GREAT SUCCESS. YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT A DEPARTMENT THAT, YOU KNOW, HAS COME THROUGH SOME THINGS.

AND SO I KNOW YOU'RE UP TO THE CHALLENGE, AND SO I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

THANK YOU. AND TO YOUR PARENTS, YOU RAISED A FINE YOUNG DAUGHTER, AND SO, ANYWAYS, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT, AH SUPERVISOR PEDROZO AND I ATTENDED THE MERCED COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING AT THE WOMEN'S CLUBHOUSE,

[01:50:06]

BUT ANYWAYS. AND SO THEY DID A GREAT, A GREAT PRESENTATION.

JOYCE MATISSE IS THEIR NEW PRESIDENT. AND THEY ALSO HAD A PRESENTATION ON THE YOSEMITE VALLEY RAILROAD.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT WAS IRAN AND MERCED COUNTY FROM 1907 TO 1945 WENT FROM MERCED ALL THE WAY TO YOSEMITE.

AND IT WAS KIND OF A STORIED CAREER FOR THOSE YEARS.

AND IN FACT, SUPERVISOR DAVENPORT, I BELIEVE, AROUND 1980, TRIED TO REVIVE IT AS KIND OF A TOURIST ATTRACTION TO MERCED COUNTY AND DIDN'T GET THE STEAM THAT HE NEEDED. BUT ANYWAYS, IT WAS JUST INTERESTING TO GO BACK AND TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MERCED AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T LOOK BACK AND APPRECIATE YOUR HISTORY. YOU KNOW, YOU'LL MAKE A LOT OF MISTAKES GOING FORWARD. SO, THANK YOU TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THAT. I AM ALSO ON THE LISA PROJECT COMMITTEE, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, IT IS A HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HUMAN ABUSE. I DON'T KNOW.

I'LL CALL IT A PRESENTATION, BUT BASICALLY THE COMMITTEE WILL SET UP A ROOM OR A FOUR ROOMS THAT KIND OF HAVE STORIES.

YOU WALK IN WITH A SET OF HEADSETS, AND YOU LISTEN TO FOUR INDIVIDUAL STORIES ABOUT THEIR ABUSE AND THEIR TRAFFICKING, AND YOU COME OUT. IT'S PRETTY EMOTIONAL. AND SO, DENIS HAINES FROM MCOE HAS REALLY BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING THAT PROJECT HERE.

AND WE BORROWED THE COUNTY TULARE'S SETUP, AND NOW MERCED COUNTY OR THIS COMMITTEE HAS THEIR OWN SET UP.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO PUT IT ON YOUR RADAR TO LOOK FOR THE LISA PROJECT.

AND, AND IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO COME THROUGH OR HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IT WITH PEOPLE.

I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. AND THEN I'D LIKE TO THANK THE CITY OF GUSTINE.

WE HAVE A CITY COUNTY RELATIONS DINNER ONCE A QUARTER, AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN HOSTED IT THIS PAST WEEK.

AND THEY DID A GREAT JOB. PAT BORELLI AND THE FIREMEN COOKED THE MEAL.

IT WAS PHENOMENAL. AND THEN THE GUEST SPEAKER WAS A LADY NAMED PAT SNOOK, WHO IS 93 YEARS OLD.

HER FAMILY'S BEEN IN MERCED COUNTY FOR GENERATIONS.

WHICH, YOU KNOW, 93 YEARS AGO, SHE WAS BORN. AND SO IT WAS GENERATIONS BEFORE THAT.

AND SO SHE TOLD SOME STORIES ABOUT GUSTINE AND MERCED COUNTY THAT WERE PHENOMENAL.

AND THEN IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE THEN ON THAT FOLLOWING SUNDAY WAS THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING.

AND SO SHE WAS THERE TO PRESENT AN AWARD NAMED AFTER HER GRANDFATHER, GREAT GRANDFATHER, WHO SETTLED IN MERCED COUNTY BACK IN THE MID 1800S. AND THIS GAL I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU HAD YOU HAD A CHANCE TO MEET HER, BUT, YOU KNOW, SHE'S ABOUT FIVE FOOT ZERO AND 93 YEARS OLD AND HAS AS MUCH ENERGY AS ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM, AND IT'S JUST A PLEASURE TO LISTEN TO HER. I THINK MY COLLEAGUES ENJOYED HER SPEAKING.

AND I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SUCH GREAT PEOPLE LIVING IN MERCED COUNTY, AND I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM ANYTIME I CAN.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SHE'S GOT SO MUCH ENERGY.

I THINK SHE TOLD YOU WHEN YOU WENT TO HELP HER UP THE STAIRS. SHE'S LIKE, I GOT IT. LEAVE ME ALONE. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

THANK YOU. SORRY ABOUT THAT. I WENT THROUGH MY LIST AND NUMBER ONE THAT I THOUGHT I WOULDN'T SKIP OVER, IT'S MY SON CONNOR MCDANIEL'S BIRTHDAY TODAY.

SO, HE TURNS 26 TODAY. AND I'M VERY, VERY PROUD OF HIM.

AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I DO A SHOUT OUT TO MY SON.

THANKS. THANK YOU. COUNSEL HANSON CEO. YES, THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST A COUPLE COMMENTS. FIRST, I DID WANT TO REMIND THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC THAT COUNTY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH, AND THEN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH TO COMMEMORATE PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAYS.

SO JUST A REMINDER THERE. ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ONCE AGAIN CONGRATULATE DOCTOR SULLIVAN AND HER ENTIRE TEAM.

OBVIOUSLY, THE FAMILY IS IS CRITICAL AS YOU GET TO THESE LEVELS, THESE POSITIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES.

AND THEN I THINK I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T ALSO THANK MARK HENDRICKSON, WHO'S BEEN PROVIDING SUPPORT OR ASSISTANCE CEO TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS, PROBABLY QUITE A BIT MORE THAN HE ALREADY KNEW ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE TWO WORKING TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION.

AND THANK YOU BOTH. APPRECIATE IT. THAT'S IT, MISTER CHAIR.

THANKS. OKAY. THANK YOU. I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THEM.

I, TOO WAS AT THE CASTLE WITH THE DIRECTOR OR WITH THE SECRETARY GARCIA ANN KNOX.

AND I WANT TO THANK ERIC SERRATO AND MARK MIMS, HENDRICKSON, NATHAN AND BRAY, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND CEO MENDEZ.

I THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING PRESENTATION AND TO SEE ESPECIALLY OUR THREE DEPARTMENT HEADS REALLY TEE UP A REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION AND

[01:55:08]

AND THEN ALSO GOING OUT TO SEE TRC AGAIN, IT'S ALWAYS A FUN, FUN TIME.

I TOO WAS AT THE AS MENTIONED THAT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENT, THAT BUILDING, IF YOU'VE BEEN IN THERE BEFORE, IT WAS KIND OF DARK, BUT NOW THEY TOOK THE PAINT OFF THE WINDOWS AND THEY REALLY OPENED IT UP.

AND THEN I GUESS THEY JUST HUNG THIS BIG CHANDELIER IN THERE, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY COOL.

I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GO SEE IT JUST YET, BUT I WANT TO GO SEE IT.

THE DAY BEFORE THAT, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PASS OUT.

AND I'VE DONE THIS EVERY YEAR SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD. WE GET INVITED TO THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

CITIZENSHIP AWARD. AND IT'S A SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING SENIORS.

AND THEY PROVIDE AN ESSAY, BUT THEY ONLY HAVE LIKE THEY GET A TOPIC AND THEN THEY HAVE LIKE AN HOUR TO WRITE AN ESSAY.

AND THEN THE WINNER READS THE ESSAY. AND IT WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

EVERY TIME I GO TO THESE THINGS, IT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE ABOUT THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING. ALSO, IT'S THE SAME THING WITH SUPERVISOR PACHECO AND I ATTENDED THE MERCED MARIPOSA FFA PROJECT COMPETITION DINNER AND AWARDS. AND WHAT PROJECT COMP IS? IT'S THE FFA STUDENTS TAKE ON A PROJECT AND THEY REALLY SEE IT THROUGH, AND IT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE STUFF. AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE I WAS AT CONGRESSMAN GRAY'S SWEARING IN, AND THEN I KNOW THAT ASSEMBLYMEMBER SORIA'S SWEARING IN IS ON THIS THURSDAY AS WELL.

THEN. I WANTED TO ADJOURN FOR TWO PEOPLE TODAY.

THE FIRST ONE IS JAMES THOMPSON. JAMES THOMPSON WAS A VETERAN OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND UPON RETURNING FROM HIS TOUR OF SERVICE, WORKED WITH MERCER COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER AND MCOE AND A BUNCH OF OTHER PLACES IN MERCED COUNTY.

I PERSONALLY DID NOT KNOW JAMES, BUT I KNOW HIS MOM PRETTY WELL.

HIS MOM IS JEN LOBECKI, WHO OWNS THE BARBER SHOP HERE IN TOWN, AND THEN SHE ALSO WAS THE ONE HER AND HER HUSBAND AND FAMILY PROVIDED YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT DURING CHRISTMAS TIME WITH THEIR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS OFF OF CHEROKEE AND THIS WAS THE LAST YEAR THEY DID IT.

BUT JAMES WAS MY AGE, 42 AND WASN'T FEELING WELL ONE DAY.

AND THEN A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, I GUESS THE CANCER JUST SPREAD THAT QUICKLY.

AND FROM EVERYTHING I'VE READ AND HEARD ABOUT HIM, HE WAS JUST PROBABLY A REALLY GOOD, GOOD GUY WILLING TO HELP ANYBODY.

AND THEN THE SECOND ONE THAT I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN FOR, AND THIS ONE WAS REALLY TOUGH.

I SEE OUR PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR IN THE AUDIENCE FROM THE CITY OF MERCED.

BUT JEANETTE CAREY PASSED AWAY. MRS. CAREY WAS, IF YOU IF ANYBODY KNEW, SHE FIRST AND FOREMOST, SHE WAS GOLDEN VALLEY. SHE WAS THE STUDENT BODY SECRETARY THAT STARTED AT EAST CAMPUS AND THEN MERCED HIGH.

AND THEN WHEN GOLDEN VALLEY OPENED UP, SHE WAS THERE AND THERE WAS TWO LADIES THAT WERE REALLY INSTRUMENTAL AT THAT CAMPUS.

AND IT WAS MRS. CAREY AND MRS. IVEY, AND MRS. IVEY IS STILL WITH US. MRS. CAREY UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY, BUT SHE WAS, SHE WAS LIKE, ALMOST LIKE THE MOM ON CAMPUS.

AND YOU COULD GO TO HER FOR ANYTHING. SHE WAS NOT A JUDGMENTAL PERSON.

EVERYBODY LIKED MS. CAREY, BECAUSE SHE WAS JUST SO, SHE HAD A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY.

HER PERSONALITY, I DON'T THINK SHE EVER HAD A BAD DAY. SHE WAS ALWAYS SMILING, JUST ONE OF THE NICEST, SWEETEST LADIES. SHE ALONG WITH MYSELF, WERE INDUCTED INTO THE GOLDEN VALLEY HALL OF FAME TOGETHER, AND SHE'S TRULY GOING TO BE MISSED BECAUSE SHE REALLY DID LOVE THAT SCHOOL UNTIL THE DAY SHE DIED.

AND THAT WAS AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS SOMETHING WHEN THEY FIRST OPENED GOLDEN VALLEY, IT WAS, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE NEW SCHOOL. MERCED WAS THE KING FOR SO LONG.

AND THEN A LOT OF PEOPLE TOOK THE CHANCE AND WENT TO GOLDEN VALLEY. AND I THINK LEADING BY EXAMPLE WITH MRS. CAREY AND MRS. IVEY AND, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY INVOLVED WITH IT, I THINK IT WAS A GOOD JOB.

SO I KNOW SHE IMPACTED A LOT OF LIVES IN MERCED COUNTY, AND SO I WANTED TO ADJOURN FOR THEM.

SO WITH THAT, OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING THIS CONCLUDES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING FOR FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025. I DO WANT TO SAY THIS. I WANT TO THANK STAFF AGAIN, AND I'LL SAY THIS AGAIN NEXT WEEK BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO TURN AROUND.

WE HAVE A HOLIDAY TOMORROW, A HOLIDAY MONDAY, AND THEN A BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY.

AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TURN EVERYTHING AROUND AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN STILL HAVE OUR BOARD MEETING.

SO OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH, 2025 AT 10 A.M..

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.