Apr 08, 2025 Board Meeting

>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE APRIL 8TH,

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:03]

>> YOUR CLOSED SESSION THIS MORNING IS THE FOLLOWING.

IT IS THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD TO MEET IN CLOSE SESSION, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6 CONCERNING A MEET AND CONFER WITH AGENCY NEGOTIATOR MARCI BARRERA, AND AGENCY NEGOTIATOR BOARD CHAIR OR SUBCOMMITTEE TO BE DETERMINED.

THE LAST ITEM PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT, COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

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

TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS IS NOW CLOSED, AND WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION.

[CLOSED SESSION]

[10:00 A.M. REGULAR MEETING]

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

WE WILL NOW START WITH THE INVITATION LED BY PASTOR STEVE HAMMOND OF BETHEL COMMUNITY CHURCH IN LOS BANOS, AND THEN SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

>> LET'S PRAY TOGETHER. BLESSED HEAVENLY FATHER, WE HUMBLY COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE PEOPLE OF MERCED COUNTY.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICE THAT YOU MADE FOR EACH OF US AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE EASTER SEASON, AND WE REFLECT UPON ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US.

WE ARE TRULY BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE.

WE ARE BLESSED TO LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN GATHER TOGETHER TO CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF OUR COUNTY.

WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD GRANT EACH OF OUR SUPERVISORS WISDOM AND DIVINE DIRECTION THIS MORNING AS THEY WEIGH THE IMPORTANT DECISIONS BEFORE THEM.

GRANT THEM A CLEAR PATH FORWARD THAT THEY WOULD BENEFIT THE PEOPLE THAT THEY REPRESENT.

I ASK YOUR FAVOR UPON EACH OF OUR LEADERS IN MERCED COUNTY.

I PRAY THAT EACH ONE WOULD LEAD HONORABLY AS THEY SERVE THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

MAY WE LOOK TO YOUR EXAMPLE OF LEADERSHIP THAT IS MOVED BY COMPASSION, DETERMINED TO ALWAYS DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND TO TREAT ONE ANOTHER WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

I ASK YOUR BLESSINGS UPON OUR LEADERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, PROTECTION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, PROVISION FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF OUR COUNTY, AND A BRIGHT FUTURE AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE MERCED COUNTY THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

WE ASK THESE THINGS IN THE NAME OF JESUS. AMEN.

>> AMEN.

>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE SALUTE TO OUR FLAG OF THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT IS NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK

[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]

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

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT.

AGAIN, THIS IS FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD, CEO AND STAFF.

MY NAME IS MARCO SORIANO, AND TODAY, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE MERCED HMONG 50 PLANNING COMMITTEE.

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HMONG COMMUNITY'S ARRIVAL AND ESTABLISHMENT IN THE MERCED COUNTY.

IN RECOGNITION OF THIS MILESTONE, WE'RE HOSTING A PUBLIC CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY, MAY 10TH, FROM 9:00 AM TO 3:00 PM.

THAT'LL BE HOSTED AT THE CASTLE MEMORIAL PARADE GROUND IN ATWATER.

THIS EVENT WILL CELEBRATE HMONG AMERICAN DAY, AS IN SHRINE THE LAST YEAR IN MERCED, AND IT WILL FEATURE A VENDOR FAIR SHOWCASING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ARTISANS.

IT WILL FEATURE MANY ART AND DANCE PERFORMANCES SHOWCASING THE VIBRANT HMONG CULTURE, AND ALSO RECOGNITION OF LOCAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO OUR HMONG COMMUNITY.

IN ADDITION, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL FOR HIS ASSISTANCE IN SECURING THIS VENUE, AND ALSO MARK MIMMS AND HIS TEAM FOR MAKING THIS EVENT A POSSIBILITY.

WORKING WITH THE COUNTY HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS SO FAR.

WE WOULD BE HONORED BY YOUR PRESENCE AND YOUR SUPPORT, AND I'VE BROUGHT INVITATIONS THAT I'LL LEAVE IN THE BASKET OVER HERE.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU FOR THIS HISTORIC EVENT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

MY NAME IS SUSAN WELCH, AND I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MERCED COUNTY.

I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.

[00:05:01]

I WANT TO READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS POSITION IN BRIEF ABOUT LIBRARIES.

THE POSITION IN BRIEF IS WE SUPPORT A PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM AS A BASIC COMMUNITY SERVICE WITH A LONG TERM, ASSURED, STABLE, AND ADEQUATE FUNDING SOURCE.

WE SUPPORT ACCESS BY ALL PERSONS TO PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES AS A MAJOR SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR INFORMED ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.

I'VE BROUGHT YOU CELEBRATING NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK CARDS FOR ALL OF YOU, SAYS, I LOVE MY LIBRARY, INCLUDING A SMALL TOKEN OF AFFECTION FOR THE LIBRARIES FROM THE LEAGUE.

>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY ELSE?

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BRIDGET MITCHELL.

I'M HERE WITH THE MERCED COUNTY FOOD BANK.

I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DID SEND OUT EMAILS, INVITING YOU TO AN EVENT THAT WE HAVE CALLED STATE OF HUNGER.

WHAT IT IS IS AN EDUCATIONAL EVENT JUST TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE STATE OF HUNGER IS IN MERCED AND MARIPOSA COUNTIES AND WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO DO ABOUT IT AND HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

I JUST WANTED TO HAVE YOU CHECK YOUR EMAILS BECAUSE WE DID START A NEW PLATFORM, AND I DON'T TRUST IT YET.

ALSO I BROUGHT A PAPER COPY JUST FOR YOU.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN SEE YOU THERE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE ISSUES OF HUNGER IN MERCED AND MARIPOSA COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. SEEING NO ONE ELSE, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED. GO AHEAD.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. I'M NOT AS FAST AS I USED TO BE.

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING THE PUBLIC HEARING.

I WANT TO THANK, I WAS GOING TO SAY COUNCILMAN, BUT BOARD MEMBER MR. SILVEIRA MEETING HERE LAST WEEK AT DOS PALMS. I WANT TO REITERATE AND BRING IT BEFORE THE BOARD THAT THE ISSUE OF THE ROUNDABOUTS OVER IN THE LOS BANOS AREA, SPECIFICALLY, THE ONE ON 165, AND THE ONE OF VOLTA ROAD AND 152.

THERE WERE AT LEAST ONE PUBLIC HEARING FROM THE CALTRANS, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS OF LOS BANOS ARE VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO THESE ROUNDABOUTS.

AGAIN, THEY'RE NOT PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY.

THEY'RE NOT FRIENDLY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO MAY BE TRYING TO CROSS THAT INTERSECTION, ESPECIALLY AT 165.

AS YOU KNOW, LOS BANOS IS INVESTING HEAVILY IN THE AG PARK JUST NORTH OF LOS BANOS.

WE WERE HOPING THAT THIS OPENING OF THIS INTERSECTION WOULD ALLOW THAT NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE WEST TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND GO TO THE PARK.

BUT AGAIN, WITH THIS ROUNDABOUT, IT WOULD BE ANOTHER CONTINUED ISOLATION OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

AGAIN, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU AS A BOARD HAVE A VOICE AND RESPOND TO CALTRANS, AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THE POSITION OF THE RESIDENTS OF LOS BANOS IS THAT WE'D PREFER A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND NOT A ROUNDABOUT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> I THINK WE HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THE CITY TO PROVIDE COMMENT.

>> GOOD MORNING. JENNIFER FLACHMAN, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST FOR THE CITY OF MERCED.

I JUST JOGGED OVER HERE, SO I APOLOGIZE.

I'M A LITTLE BREATHLESS.

I'M HERE TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT TWO PROJECTS THAT ARE STARTING ON MONDAY THAT WILL IMPACT TRAFFIC IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF MERCED.

THE FIRST PROJECT THAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS THE YOSEMITE AVENUE ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME CLOSURES AND DETOURS ON YOSEMITE AVENUE FROM G STREET TO PARSONS.

I'LL JUST GO OVER SOME KEY IMPROVEMENTS VERY QUICKLY.

THERE'S A FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION.

YOSEMITE AVENUE FROM MANCHINET DRIVE TO PARSONS AVENUE, WILL UNDERGO RECLAMATION OR RECONSTRUCTION, ADDING TWO ADDITIONAL LANES, CREATING A FOUR LANE ROAD FROM G STREET TO PARSONS.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE SEWER SYSTEM UPGRADES, TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES,

[00:10:01]

THEY'RE IMPLEMENTING A SYSTEM TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY VEHICLE RESPONSE TIMES, SIDEWALK AND RAMP REPLACEMENT, AND TREE REPLACEMENT.

THESE UPDATES WILL BE STARTING MONDAY, AND THEY'LL GO THROUGH OCTOBER OF 2025.

WE HAVE A PROJECT WEBSITE ON THE CITYOFMERCED.ORG, WHICH WE'LL UPDATE WEEKLY.

THERE'S A PROJECT COORDINATOR JOE CARDOZA, WHO'S THE CITY SURVEYOR.

HE HAS HIS CONTACT INFORMATION ON THERE, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, HE IS THE PERSON TO CALL.

I'M ALSO ON THAT PROJECT SITE, SO I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

I'LL LEAVE BEHIND THERE'S A MAP AND INFORMATION.

THE SECOND ONE THAT WILL BE STARTING ON MONDAY IS THE DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

THIS INCLUDES A MAJOR CHANGE AND AN EXTENSION TO THE ONE WAY TRAFFIC ON MAIN STREET FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING WAY TO O STREET.

WE'LL ADD ABOUT 45 PARKING SPACES.

IT'S PART OF A BROADER DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION, SO TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION, SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS, ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY.

BUT DURING THE TIME, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME ROAD CLOSURE.

THE FIRST PHASE WILL START ON MONDAY.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A HARD CLOSURE ON 16TH STREET FROM M TO CANAL.

THEY HAVE TO DO A WATER MAIN.

THEY'VE GOT TO CLOSE THAT STREET DOWN.

THEY'RE GOING TO REROUTE TRAFFIC IN THAT AREA OFF OF 15TH STREET.

WE'RE WALKING AND CANVASSING TO THOSE BUSINESSES TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THESE CLOSURES, AND WE'LL ALSO PASS OUT THIS INFORMATION.

PHASE 2 WILL START ON MAIN STREET AFTER MOTHER'S DAY SO MID MAY END OF MAY.

THERE'LL BE SOME FULL CLOSURES ON MAIN STREET INTERMITTENT BLOCK TO BLOCK.

AGAIN, WE HAVE A PROJECT WEBSITE THAT'S SET UP.

THAT WILL GIVE PEOPLE INFORMATION IF THEY VISIT CITYOFMERCED.ORG.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION, TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES ON MAIN STREET, SIDEWALKS WILL REMAIN OPEN TO PEDESTRIANS, PARKING ON MAIN STREET WILL BE UNAVAILABLE, SO WE'LL HAVE SOME REDIRECTION FOR CITY PARKING.

AGAIN, EXPECTED LATE SUMMER EARLY FALL TO BE COMPLETED.

I'LL LEAVE THESE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

I'M ACTUALLY FROM DISTRICT 5, WITH MR. SILVEIRA.

MY NAME IS BLANCHE JORGE, J-O-R-G-E, AND I'D LIKE TO ACTUALLY SPEND A MOMENT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS DO, WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

MY NAME IS ERICA HADES.

I'M FROM LOS BANOS, AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOS BANOS FRIENDS LIBRARY.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY SYSTEM.

THANK YOU.

>> SEEING NO ONE ELSE, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE SPRING FAIR MANAGER CINNAMON HOWELL UP TO

[PRESENTATIONS]

>> GOOD MORNING. AS YOU MENTIONED, MY NAME IS CINNAMON HOWELL, AND I'M THE MANAGER OF THE SPRING FAIR.

AS MOST OF YOU ARE AWARE, OUR FAIR OPENS THE END OF THIS MONTH, APRIL 30TH TO MAY 4TH, TO BE EXACT.

IT'S MY PRIVILEGE THIS MORNING TO INTRODUCE TO YOU OUR SPRING FAIR HERITAGE FOUNDATION PRESENTATION TEAM. THAT'S A MOUTHFUL THERE.

THE TEAM IS COMPRISED OF FFA MEMBERS FROM OUR MERCED COUNTY, AND THE CHILDREN HAVE APPLIED.

THEY'VE GONE THROUGH APPLICATIONS, INTERVIEWS, AND THEY'VE BEEN SELECTED TO BE OUR PRESENTATION TEAM FOR THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION TO HELP EDUCATE AND SHARE THE HISTORY OF THE SPRING FAIR, THE HISTORY OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, AND THE RICH HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY AGRICULTURE.

I'D LIKE TO WELCOME THE PRESENTATION TEAM UP TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS MORNING. [APPLAUSE]

>> THE MERCED COUNTY,

[00:15:02]

SINCE THEN, THE PEOPLE OF LOS BANOS HAVE WORKED HARD TO HONOR AND PRESERVE THAT TRADITION SET FORTH BY MILLER, AS HE TRULY VALUED THE SPIRITS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ITS PEOPLE.

WE FIRST START OFF AS A TWO DAY AGRICULTURAL SHOWCASE, AND AS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES HAS SINCE THEN EVOLVED INTO A VIBRANT AND CHERISHED TRADITION OVER THE PAST 125 YEARS.

THE FAIR IS TRULY A DEFINING PART OF LOS BANOS, REFLECTING A COMMUNITY BUILT BY FAMILIES WHO HAVE IMMIGRATED HERE TO EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES OVERALL LIFE AND AGRICULTURE.

THESE TRADITIONS PASSED DOWN FROM FAMILY TO FAMILY, ARE AT THE HEART OF WHO WE ARE, AND ARE CELEBRATED WITH PRIDE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

AS AN EXHIBITOR AT THE FAIR, I AM PROUD TO WEAR THE BLUE CORDUROY FFA JACKET, AND MY HERITAGE FOUNDATION TEAM SHIRT, AS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR HERITAGE COMMUNITY AND THE MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR.

>> FAMILIES, MARK THEIR CALENDARS EACH YEAR AND CLEAR THEIR SCHEDULE FOR THE FAIR TIME.

WHETHER TO ENJOY EXHIBITS, LIVESTOCK SHOWS, FOOD, OR ENTERTAINMENT, ALL THE MEMORIES THEY MAKE THERE WILL LAST A LIFETIME.

I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF PEOPLE PASSIONATE ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND OUR MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR.

MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE MAY DAY FAIR SINCE I CAN REMEMBER.

I'VE HEARD ABOUT SHOWING FROM MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

THEY'VE TOLD ME JUST HOW MUCH THEY LOVED THEIR ANIMALS AND HOW MUCH HARD WORK AND DEDICATION THEY PUT INTO THEIR PROJECTS.

MY FAMILY IS TRULY INVOLVED WITH THE MAY DAY FAIR, JUST LIKE MANY OTHERS, FROM BEING GRAND MARSHALS, FAIR BOARD MEMBERS, WORKING THE SALE ARENA TO ENSURE THAT ALL KIDS MAKE IT TO THE AUCTION RING TO SHOWCASE THEIR PROJECTS AND WORKING THE SHOW RING.

THESE ARE THE TRADITIONS THAT OUR COMMUNITY STRIVES TO KEEP ALIVE.

OUR COMMUNITY HAS PUT THEIR HEART AND SOUL INTO MAKING THE FAIR THE BEST IT CAN BE.

BY SHOWCASING OUR SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND TALENTS, WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP THOSE TRADITIONS ALIVE AND INSPIRE THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY TO LEARN THE 4-H PLEDGE AND FFA MOTTO, LEARNING TO DO, DOING TO LEARN, EARNING TO LIVE, AND LIVING TO SERVE.

>> HERITAGE, BY DEFINITION, MEANS VALUED OBJECTS, QUALITIES, OR TRADITIONS PASSED DOWN FROM PAST GENERATIONS.

I ESPECIALLY HAVE STRONG TIES TO TRADITIONS.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE AND MOST LONG-LASTING TRADITIONS IS PEE-WEE SHOWMANSHIP.

BEING THE WIDE-EYED, EAGER KID, STEPPING FOOT IN THE SHOWING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

REMEMBERING ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE STANDS AND SURROUNDING THE AREA, FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF PARTICIPANTS SNAPPING PHOTOS ALL OVER THE RING.

FINALLY, THE ROAR FROM THE CROWD AS THEY ANNOUNCED THE TOP FINISHERS, THE FIRST TASTE OF THE COMMUNITY AND TRADITION OF OUR FAIR.

LOOKING BACK AT THESE VIVID MEMORIES HAS ME JUST AS EXCITED AS I LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING OUR CURRENT PARTICIPANTS FEEL THE SAME JOY AND EXCITEMENT AS I DID AT THEIR AGE.

PEE-WEE SHOWMANSHIP IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRADITIONS OF OUR MAY DAY FAIR.

PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SO MANY MORE WAYS THAN JUST SHOWING LIVESTOCK, WITH STILL EXHIBITS, SUCH AS AG MECHANICS, HOME ECONOMICS, AND FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS.

IT IS ALL OF THESE EXHIBITS COMING TOGETHER, STRIVING FOR THAT BLUE RIBBON THAT MAKE THIS FIVE-DAY CELEBRATION OF OUR HERITAGE, ONE THAT MAKES LIFELONG MEMORIES FOR ALL WHO PARTICIPATE.

>> HERITAGE AND ITS ESSENCE IS THE LEGACY THAT WE INHERIT FROM PAST GENERATIONS.

IT ENCOMPASSES OUR TRADITIONS, VALUES, AND HISTORICAL LANDMARKS THAT SHAPE OUR IDENTITY AND CONNECT US TO OUR ROOTS.

FROM THE ICONIC BUILDINGS LIKE THE O'BANNON BUILDING, SHOWCASING LOCAL CRAFTS TO THE DELICIOUS AROMAS COMING FROM THE FOOD VENDORS, EACH ASPECT OF THIS FAIR TELLS A STORY.

IT IS A STORY OF HARD WORK, CREATIVITY, AND THE ENDURING SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE.

EACH YEAR, WE COME TOGETHER TO HONOR THE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US.

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE TRADITION OF OUR FAIR IS SHOWING ANIMALS.

THIS PRACTICE, RICH IN HISTORY, NOT ONLY TEACHES US ABOUT AGRICULTURE, BUT ALSO ABOUT DEDICATION, PASSION, AND A HARD WORK ETHIC.

[00:20:03]

FOR GENERATIONS, PEOPLE HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP SUPPORT, RAISE, SHOW, AND SELL ANIMALS, EXPRESSING OUR FAIR'S ESSENCE OF COMMUNITY AND TOGETHERNESS.

THIS TRADITION IS MORE THAN JUST A FUN COMPETITION.

IT'S EVIDENCE OF THE LOVE WE SHARE AS A COMMUNITY, AND A TESTAMENT TO THE SPIRIT OF OUR FAIR, WHERE OLD MEETS NEW AND WHERE EVERY RIBBON IS A CELEBRATION OF OUR SHARED HERITAGE.

>> THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2011 TO HELP SAVE OUR TRADITION OF BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH THE MAY DAY SPRING FAIR.

NOW, HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT THE FUTURE OF THE FOUNDATION WOULD LOOK LIKE? I CAN DEFINITELY SAY THAT THE FUTURE OF THE FOUNDATION IS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

WE PUT OUR TRUST IN THOSE THAT COME BEFORE US LIKE THE YOUTH.

EVERY YEAR, AS I SPEND TIME AT THE MAY DAY FAIR, CARING FOR MY ANIMALS, I SEE THE DOZENS OF KIDS THAT COME THROUGH THE BARNS, AS YOU HEAR THEM SAY, I WANT A SHEEP OR I WANT A COW, AND YOU THINK THAT THEY CAN BE THE FUTURE OF WHAT THIS INDUSTRY IS, AGRICULTURE.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT KEEPING THE INDUSTRY STRONG WITHIN OUR TOWN, BUT PROMOTING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE WITHIN THE YOUTH SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE THE BEST TRADITIONS OF OUR NATIONAL LIVES.

THEY CONTINUE TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATION OF MAKING OUR FAIR BIGGER AND BETTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, AS YOU ALL WORK SO HARD TO DO SO NOW.

>> AS WE ALL KNOW, THE LITTLE HANDS EXHIBIT IS A ONE OF A KIND AGRICULTURE EDUCATION LEARNING CENTER FOR ALL AGES.

AS FAMILIES WALK THROUGH THIS EXHIBIT, THEY LEARNED MANY THINGS FROM THE HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE, TO PLANTING THEIR VERY OWN TOMATO SEEDS AND EVEN SELLING THEIR PRODUCE.

DID YOU KNOW THAT 69% OF THE PEOPLE WHO ATTEND OUR FAIR EACH YEAR LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE BY SIMPLY JUST WALKING THROUGH? OR THAT IF THE 60,000 FAIR GROWERS WHO WALKED THROUGH OUR FAIR EACH YEAR TOOK A SECOND OF CURIOSITY AND TURNED IT INTO A PASSION FOR AGRICULTURE, THE IMPACT WOULD BE AMAZING.

THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND LITTLE HANDS EXHIBIT VOLUNTEERS WHO GUIDE OVER 10,000 CHILDREN EACH YEAR, SUPPORT LIFELONG LEARNING THROUGH AGRICULTURE EDUCATION.

THIS EXHIBIT ISN'T ONLY A FAIR FAVORITE OF THE CHILDREN, BUT OF ADULTS AS WELL, WHO LOVE ENGAGING WITH THIS HANDS-ON DISPLAY, GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR VITAL INDUSTRY.

IN ADDITION TO THE LITTLE HANDS EXHIBIT, WE HAVE OUR HENRY MILLER FARM, 07,200 SQUARE FOOT DISPLAY AS A TRIBUTE TO MERCED COUNTY AGRICULTURE.

>> FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION IN 2011 UNTIL TODAY, THEY'VE MADE A HUGE IMPACT.

BY PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR FAIR IMPROVEMENTS, RENOVATING THE LITTLE HANDS EXHIBIT, HENRY MILLER FARM, AND PROVIDING SHADE CLOTH FOR THE LIVESTOCK FACILITIES.

IN ADDITION, THEY BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUTH, BY HELPING THEM FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL, RAISING $2.7 MILLION AND GIVING OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS.

OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT MANY OF THEM WILL FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO OUR AREA.

HOWEVER, NO MATTER WHERE THEY PUT DOWN ROOTS, THEY WILL REMEMBER AGRICULTURE AND THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAKING THEIR FUTURE EDUCATIONAL GOALS A REALITY.

LET'S KEEP EDUCATING AND RECOGNIZING YOUTH, MAKING MEMORIES, CONTINUING TRADITIONS, AND TAKING PRIDE IN OUR MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR.

AS WE STAND HERE TODAY, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND TAKING PRIDE IN OUR MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR.

PLEASE JOIN US TODAY.

TAKE PRIDE IN OUR FAIRGROUNDS AND HERITAGE FOUNDATION, AS WE CELEBRATE COWS, PLOWS, AND OH WOWS AT THE 2025 MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR.

HELLO. MY NAME IS BROCKTON BORELLI.

I'M CURRENTLY A SENIOR AT LOS BANOS HIGH SCHOOL.

I WILL BE ATTENDING STANFORD UNIVERSITY NEXT YEAR AND MAJOR IN CIVIL ENGINEERING.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ERICA INEZ, CURRENTLY A SENIOR ATTENDING PACHECO HIGH SCHOOL.

I WILL BE ATTENDING TEXAS TECH AND MAJORING IN CONSERVATION LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS RUBEN KENCHURA.

I'M A JUNIOR AT PACHECO HIGH SCHOOL.

AFTER GRADUATION, I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND CAL POLY SLO AND STUDY AG EDUCATION.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS JACI BRETZ.

I'M CURRENTLY A JUNIOR AT LOS BANOS HIGH SCHOOL, AND IN THE FUTURE, I PLAN ON ATTENDING CAL POLY SLO TO MAJOR IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS CARLY ROCHA.

I'M CURRENTLY A JUNIOR AT LOS BANOS HIGH SCHOOL, AND I PLAN ON ATTENDING OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY AND MAJORING IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ANGELINA BORELLI.

I'M CURRENTLY A JUNIOR AT LOS BANOS HIGH SCHOOL, AND I PLAN TO ATTEND A UNIVERSITY AND MAJOR IN BUSINESS ACCOUNTING.

[00:25:06]

>> HI. MY NAME IS ANDREA AGUILAR, AND I'M CURRENTLY A SOPHOMORE AT PACHECO HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'M PLANNING ON ATTENDING CAL POLY SLO TO MAJOR IN AG EDUCATION.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> PICTURE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOT ONE OF THEM HAD ANYTHING TO READ FROM, WHICH IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE, SO THAT'S COOL.

NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE WINNER OF MERCED COUNTY'S MISSION, VISION, VALUES AWARDS PROGRAM FOR 2024.

THE MVV AWARDS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN 2019 WITH THE PURPOSE OF RECOGNIZING COUNTY AGENCIES, PROGRAMS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND DISTRICTS THAT BEST EXEMPLIFY THE COUNTY'S MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES.

THIS YEAR, WE RECEIVED 13 ENTRIES.

ALL WERE COMPETITIVE.

IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WINNERS, A SCORING COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF THE BOARD CHAIR, VICE-CHAIR, AND THREE AT-LARGE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE REMAINING SUPERVISORS WAS CREATED TO RANK THE NOMINEES AND SELECT A WINNER FROM AN INTERNAL COUNTY ORGANIZATION CATEGORY, AS WELL AS AN EXTERNAL ORGANIZATION CATEGORY.

WE'D LIKE TO GIVE A BIG THANK YOU TO THE THREE AT-LARGE MEMBERS OF THE SCORING COMMITTEE, WENDY ALDRICH, NATASHA CRIVELLI, AND OLIVIA GOMEZ.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THEM ARE HERE.

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT RISE TO HIGHER GROUNDS CAFE MOBILE PROGRAM WAS SELECTED AS THIS YEAR'S WINNER.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THE RISE TO HIGHER GROUNDS CAFE MOBILE PROGRAM, OFFERING PEET'S COFFEE, PROVIDES SECOND CHANCES TO OUR COUNTY'S INCARCERATED YOUTH.

THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT'S COMMITMENT TO REHABILITATION AND SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION BY ENCOURAGING YOU TO BECOME KNOWLEDGEABLE LIFELONG LEARNERS AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THE RISE TO HIGHER GROUNDS CAFE MOBILE PROGRAM FOSTERS POSITIVE COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS AND EMPOWERS YOUTH TO PRACTICE THE SKILLS THEY'VE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS. ONCE YOUTH TRANSITION OUT OF CUSTODY, THEY CONTINUE TO RECEIVE EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT THROUGH EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS, TRAINING, PARTICIPATION AND PAID WORK EXPERIENCE, AND/OR OTHER OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING TO PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

AS WE WORK TO TRANSFORM THESE LIVES AND SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATE YOUTH BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES, THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT STRIVES TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THE RISE TO HIGHER GROUNDS CAFE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES, SKILLS, AND RESOURCES THAT HELP THEM TRANSCEND THEIR PASTS AND BECOME RESPONSIBLE, VALUABLE, AND KNOWLEDGEABLE LIFELONG LEARNERS.

THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO BUILD A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES THAT EMPHASIZES COLLABORATION, INTEGRITY, AND INNOVATION ACROSS AGENCIES, WORKING TOWARD A SHARED GOAL OF REDUCING CRIME AND DELINQUENCY.

THIS EFFORT INVOLVES THE INPUT AND ASSISTANCE OF VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL, AND SYSTEM-INVOLVED YOUTH.

OUR SYSTEM PARTNERS ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING ALL PROGRAMS ARE INTEGRATED, INCLUSIVE, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND EVIDENCE-BASED TO CREATE A THRIVING AND INCLUSIVE MERCED COUNTY FOR ALL.

[00:30:02]

BUT WE PERSEVERED AND AT ONE POINT, I REMEMBER TELLING OUR FORMER CHIEF, BECAUSE SHE'S LIKE, I'M JUST READY TO DUMP THE WHOLE THING.

I SAID, WE CAN'T BECAUSE WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE YOUTH THAT ARE GOING TO BE WORKING IN IT.

I'M SO GLAD STUCK WITH IT, AND THAT IT IS STILL GOING STRONG TODAY.

AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE CHIEF HENN AND HIS TEAM TO JOIN ME IN THE FRONT OF THE DAIS FOR A CERTIFICATE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> SAY SOMETHING.

>> WOW. I'M NOT SURE I CAN HANG WITH THOSE KIDS.

[LAUGHTER] I'M GOING TO KEEP THIS REAL SHORT.

I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR THIS RECOGNITION.

I ALSO LIKE TO THANK OUR PARTNERS, MCOE AND WORKFORCE INVESTMENT FOR COLLABORATING WITH THIS PROJECT.

OF COURSE, AS SUPERVISOR PEDROZO SAID, KALISA ROCHESTER FOR HER VISION ON THIS PROJECT AND KEEPING IT GOING.

I JUST GET TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT BECAUSE I KNOW SUPERVISOR PEDROZO TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE PROGRAM, BUT I WILL THROW A QUICK PLUG OUT IF I CAN.

IF YOU COULD PLEASE FOLLOW US, PROBATION AND RISING TO HIGHER GROUNDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO KNOW ALL THE COOL PLACES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE AND THE TIMES.

WE GO OUT TWICE A WEEK.

WE HAVE AN EXCITING NEW LOCATION AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, THE 28TH AND 29TH WE'LL BE AT THE SPRING FAIR IN LOS BANOS.

THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME IN LOS BANOS.

IF YOU'RE OUT THERE, SWING BY, SUPPORT OUR YOUTH AND ENJOY A NICE CUP OF PEET'S COFFEE, SMOOTHIE, TEA, PASTRIES, WHATEVER YOU WANT, WE GOT IT THERE.

THANK YOU AGAIN, AND HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE FAIR OR TOMORROW AT THE YOSEMITE EDUCATION CENTER.

I DON'T KNOW IF TISHA WANTS TO SAY ANYTHING.

NO? I THINK IT'S THE FIRST TIME. [LAUGHTER]

>> THAT I DON'T TALK.

>> THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH. CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE]

[CONSENT CALENDAR]

>> ITEMS 1 THROUGH 22.

PLEASE NOTE, ITEMS 1 THROUGH 3 AND 12 REQUIRE A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 22.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 22 IS NOW CLOSED.

I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

AT THIS TIME, DEPUTY DIRECTOR CESILIA LEON WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 8, THE PROCLAMATION FOR CALFRESH AWARENESS MONTH.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, CHAIR BOARD OF SUPERVISOR CEO COUNTY COUNCIL.

CICELY LEON FAMILY SERVICES DEPUTY DIRECTOR.

CALFRESH, KNOWN FEDERALLY AS THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

SNAP PROVIDES ESSENTIAL FOOD BENEFITS TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF CHILDREN, SENIORS, VETERANS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES.

SINCE 2011, MAY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS CALFRESH AWARENESS MONTH, A TIME TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

THIS YEAR'S THEME, CALFRESH FOR ALL.

EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND OR SITUATION HAS ACCESS TO THE FOOD ASSISTANCE THEY NEED.

BEYOND SERVING THOSE IN NEED, CALFRESH ALSO PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

ACCORDING TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND USDA, FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM, AN ADDITIONAL $1.79 AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IS GENERATED.

[00:35:01]

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE OVER 64,000 RESIDENTS OF MERCED COUNTY THAT BENEFIT FROM CALFRESH.

WHILE PARTICIPATION HAS INCREASED, THERE REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT NEED FOR OUTREACH, AS MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROGRAMS AVAILABILITY OR ELIGIBILITY.

HSA IS DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS, PARTICULARLY IN UNDERSERVED AREAS, WHERE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD IS LIMITED.

WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO BREAK DOWN MYTHS AND REDUCE THE STIGMA THAT CAN PREVENT INDIVIDUALS FROM APPLYING.

APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN PERSON IN MERCED ATWATER OR LOS BANOS OFFICES, ONLINE AT BENEFITSCL.COM OR BY PHONE AT 209-385-3000 OR 855-421-6770.

IN CLOSING, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS MY SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR THE HARD WORK, COLLABORATION, AND COMMITMENT OF OUR FAMILY SERVICES TEAM AT HSA.

THE ONGOING ECONOMIC CHALLENGES HAVE LED TO SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE THROUGH CALFRESH.

DESPITE THIS, THE TEAM HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO PROCESS A HIGHER VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS, PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT, AND ENSURE THAT THE RESIDENTS OF MERCED COUNTY RECEIVE THE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE THAT THEY NEED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.

>> THANK YOU. EACH YEAR DURING PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HONORS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS BY RECOGNIZING THEM AS PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPIONS.

THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE MADE A LASTING IMPACT IN ADVANCING PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH THEIR WORK, SERVICE, AND LEADERSHIP.

THIS YEAR, PUBLIC HEALTH PRO RECOGNIZES FRANKIE ROMERO AS A 2025 PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPION.

FRANKIE, PLEASE JOIN ME UP FRONT, AND FRANKIE EXEMPLIFIES THE CORE VALUES OF DEDICATION, COMPASSION. OH, I'M SORRY.

DR. SULLIVAN FIRST, PLEASE AND FRANKIE.

FRANKIE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE LIVES OF MANY AND HAS SET A HIGH STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS MAKE HIM UNDENIABLY DESERVING OF THIS RECOGNITION.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD, CEO MENDEZ.

COUNTY COUNCIL HANSEN.

IT IS MY GREAT HONOR TODAY TO BRING FRANKIE ROMERO HERE TO YOU AS OUR PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPION FOR 2025.

I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH FRANKIE FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS.

WE STARTED AT THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN A YEAR OF EACH OTHER.

AND I HAVE SEEN HIS DEDICATION THROUGH THAT DECADE TO PUBLIC HEALTH, TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

FRANKIE WAS ACTUALLY NOMINATED BY TWO SEPARATE NOMINATIONS THIS YEAR, BOTH OF WHICH USE WORDS LIKE DEDICATION ABOVE AND BEYOND, GOING THE EXTRA MILE, FRIENDLY, RESPECTFUL, ALWAYS WILLING TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP THE DEPARTMENT AND EMS. FRANKIE'S MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES IS TO OVERSEE OUR CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND PARAMEDICS, AS WELL AS MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE NURSES AND EMS DISPATCHERS.

THESE CRUCIAL INDIVIDUALS MAKE UP OUR LOCAL EMS SYSTEM.

BUT FRANKIE, AS I MENTIONED, IS KNOWN FOR TAKING GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND HIS DAY TO DAY DUTIES AND REALLY STEPPING UP FOR THE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE.

HE TAKES A LEAD IN OUR SURPLUS PROGRAM, AND HE ALSO DOING COVID HELPED MANAGE OUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTION THROUGH OUR LOCAL WAREHOUSE.

FRANKIE ALSO HAS BEEN KNOWN TO MC, A PARTY OR TWO AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE RESPONSIBILITY OF FRANKIE.

AS I MENTIONED, IT'S JUST AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE FRANKIE TODAY.

[APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I'M HONORED TO BE HERE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR HAVING ME.

THANK YOU FOR ALL MY CO HEARTS AND EVERYBODY THAT I WORK WITH AT THE COUNTY.

I'D LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO MY MOTHER, AND AS A YOUNG CHILD, I SEEN THE DIFFERENCE THAT THE COUNTY MADE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND I WANTED TO BE PART OF THAT.

AND SO NOW HERE I AM. I'M JUST GETTING STARTED.

I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE TO SEE ME AROUND, AND I HOPE TO GET TO KNOW A COUPLE MORE OF YOU GUYS.

SCOTT, ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, WORKING WITH YOU, AND THE REST OF YOU, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AS WELL. THANK YOU.

>> BEFORE YOU GO, FRANK, I JUST WANT YOU ALSO TO KNOW THAT, NO MATTER WHAT MEETING YOU GO TO, YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE BEST DRESSED PERSON IN THE ROOM IS GOING TO BE FRANKIE.

HE IS ALWAYS LOOKING DAPPER.

[00:40:01]

>> THE YOUNGEST OF FOUR BOYS GOT HANDY DOWN EVERYTHING.

WHEN I GOT TO THE POINT TO WHERE I DECIDED WHAT I'M WEARING.

YOU AIN'T STOPPING ME FROM LOOKING GOOD.

[LAUGHTER][APPLAUSE]

>> OTHER CO WORKERS.

>> BY CHAIR PREROGATIVE, AT THIS TIME, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.

[BOARD INFORMATION & POSSIBLE ACTION]

>> ITEMS 49 AND 50.

>> ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK HENDRICKSON WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 49.

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

AGAIN, MARK HENDRICKSON ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM TODAY IS TO PROVIDE THE BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY THE PLANADA COMMUNITY WITH AN UPDATE AS TO THE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS UNDERWAY WITH THE PLANADA 20M GRANT PROGRAM.

JUST AS A STARTING POINT, JUST A QUICK SYNOPSIS OF WHERE WE'VE BEEN.

AS THE BOARD MAY RECALL APPROXIMATELY 843 HOUSEHOLDS WERE AFFECTED WITH DAMAGE TO HOMES, PERSONAL PROPERTY AND VEHICLES STEMMING FROM THE FLOODING THAT TOOK PLACE IN JANUARY OF 2023.

MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES ALSO EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

SENATOR CABERO AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN SORIA WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN SECURING $20 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORT IN PLANADA, IN THE FY 2023 2024 STATE BUDGET, AND MERCED COUNTY WAS DESIGNATED AS THE FISCAL AGENT TO ADMINISTER THOSE FUNDS.

NOW, IN THIS REGARD, THE COUNTY WAS TASKED WITH DEVELOPING A PROGRAM FROM SCRATCH WITHOUT DUPLICATING RESOURCES ALREADY EXTENDED TO PLANADA RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES BY OTHER AGENCIES OR INSURANCE COMPANIES.

NOW, TO DO THIS, MERCED COUNTY BUILT A PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY AND UNDERTOOK SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY OUTREACH THAT RESULTED IN SIX COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO GATHER RESIDENT INPUT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HAS BEEN ENTIRELY ADAPTIVE FROM DAY ONE.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT PRIOR TO HEADING INTO INTO THE SLIDE DECK TO THANK A FEW OF OUR PARTNERS AND LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE WORKED INCREDIBLY HARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF PLANADA RESIDENTS.

FROM OLIVIA GOMEZ TO ALICIA RODRIGUEZ, TO THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY, TO VALLEY ONWARD, AND THE UC MERCED COMMUNITY AND LABOR CENTER.

THESE ARE ALL INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH WHOM WE ARE GRATEFUL.

TRUST ME, THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE PROCESS.

BASED ON THE COMMUNITY INPUT THAT WE RECEIVED OVER THOSE AFOREMENTIONED SIX COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS, THE COUNTY DEVELOPED A PROGRAM WITH TWO PRIMARY GOALS.

FIRST, TO PRIORITIZE OUR EFFORTS ON THE HEALTH SAFETY AND WELFARE OF PLANADA RESIDENTS, AND THEN SECOND TO MAKE THE PROCESS AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO APPLY FOR THOSE FUNDS.

THE COUNTY DEVELOPED A PROGRAM WITH CLEAR AREAS OF FOCUS, WHICH INCLUDED PROVIDING DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, REPAIRING HOMES, SUPPORTING WORKERS AND BUSINESSES, AND IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE.

THOSE WERE THE KEY AREAS AS A PART OF THE PROGRAM THAT THIS BOARD APPROVED.

THE BOARD DID APPROVE THIS PROGRAM BACK ON JANUARY 9TH OF 2024,

[00:45:02]

IN FACT, THE COUNTY RECEIVED 1,009 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE, WHICH INCLUDED 843 DIRECT ASSISTANCE REQUESTS, 47 BUSINESS REQUESTS, 287 REQUESTS FOR LOST WAGES TO SUPPORT PLANADA WORKERS, AND 350 REQUEST FOR HOUSING REPAIRS.

EACH OF THESE AREAS OF FOCUS WERE ADMINISTERED BY DIFFERENT COUNTY AGENCIES.

AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN, THANK OUR ENTIRE TEAM FOR THEIR WORK AND THEIR DILIGENCE BRINGING THIS PROGRAM TO FRUITION.

AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE TO INVITE MICHELLE ROE, OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY TO THE PODIUM TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.

>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CEO BINDEZ, AND COUNCIL HANSEN.

I'M MICHELLE ROE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR WITH THE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.

HSA HELD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT.

APPLICATION INTAKE FOR ALL PROGRAMS, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR PLANADA 20M.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS INCLUDED THE APPLICATION INTAKE INTERVIEWS TO APPLY FOR ALL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING HOUSING ASSISTANCE, REPAIRS, LOST WAGES, BUSINESS LOSS, AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE.

THE APPLICATION WINDOW WAS OPENED AS OF MARCH 11, 2024, AND WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR A SIX WEEK PERIOD IN WHICH CLOSING ON APRIL 20TH.

AFTER COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, THE APPLICATION WINDOW WAS EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 1ST.

THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAD CONCLUDED WITH THE LAST APPLICATION APPEAL BEING GRANTED AS OF DECEMBER 24TH.

WE RECEIVED 843 DIRECT ASSISTANCE REQUESTS, WHICH INCLUDED PAYMENTS FOR HOUSING EXPENSES, PERSONAL PROPERTY LOSS, VEHICLE REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT, AND FOOD ASSISTANCE.

FOOD ASSISTANCE WAS NOT ORIGINALLY INCLUDED IN THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PLAN, BUT WAS ADDED DURING THE INTAKE PROCESS AFTER THE NEED WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMUNITY DUE TO THE LONG POWER OUTAGES.

WE RECEIVED 50 APPEAL REQUEST, AND A FAIR HEARING WAS HELD TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF THE APPLICATIONS AND ANY FUNDS TO BE AWARDED WERE ISSUED THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

OVERALL, 858 PAYMENTS TOTALING $2,839,000 HAS BEEN ISSUED OUT OF THE FOUR MILLION THAT WAS ALLOTTED.

THESE PAYMENTS INCLUDED PERSONAL PROPERTY AND THE AMOUNT OF $1.77 MILLION FOOD LOSS FOR $687,000, VEHICLE REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT AT $385,000.

THE APPEALS RESULTED IN AN ADDITIONAL $37,727 FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY, $9,000 FOR FOOD LOSS AND $8,650 FOR VEHICLE REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS.

THESE REIMBURSEMENTS ARE FOR UNDUPLICATED ASSISTANCE, WHICH MEANS ANY CASH DONATIONS OR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS THAT WERE PROVIDED HAD TO BE SUBTRACTED OR DEDUCTED FROM THE TOTAL TO BE REIMBURSED.

THESE SOURCES INCLUDED DOLLARS FROM FMA, UNITED WAY, SALVATION ARMY, AND THE CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS FUND.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR THE STATUS OF INDIVIDUALS APPLICATIONS, THEY MAY CALL AND LEAVE A MESSAGE AT 209-354-2556 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO PLANADA20MILLION@COUNTYOFMERCED.COM, AND SOMEONE WILL RESPOND.

WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE IN PERSON APPOINTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH ANY CONCERNS WITH THEIR APPLICATION PROCESS.

NEXT, I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE INVESTMENT DIRECTOR ERIC SERRATO, WHO WILL NOW BE PRESENTING ON BUSINESS LOSS AND WAGES. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR AND BOARD.

THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE INVESTMENT MANAGED THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS FOR BUSINESS LOSS AND LOST WAGES.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE TWO WAYS THAT PEOPLE SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES IN PLANADA, IT'S EITHER AS A BUSINESS OWNER OR AS A MEMBER OF OUR WORKING COMMUNITY.

DWI IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED FOR THIS AS WE'VE MANAGED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDS IN THE FORM OF SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS, AND CERTAINLY IN THE FORM OF SUPPORT TO THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THIS WORK IN MY DEPARTMENT WAS LED BY ROBERT TYER WITH SUPPORT BY MARTHA TORRES.

OUR AIM IN RESPONDING TO BUSINESS LOSSES WAS TO HELP BUSINESS OWNERS RECOVER A PORTION OF WHAT THEY HAD LOST IN THE FORM OF EQUIPMENT, LOST INVENTORY, AND LOST REVENUE.

WE WERE CAREFUL TO ENSURE THAT THESE THREE CATEGORIES DID NOT OVERLAP.

[00:50:02]

YOU CAN ASK ALL OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT APPLIED.

WE REVIEWED THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF TAX RETURNS THAT COMPARED THE YEAR OF THE STORMS WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR IN TERMS OF REVENUE.

WE SPENT HOURS AND HOURS SHOPPING FOR COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATORS AND OTHER REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT, AND WE EVEN CALLED THE MECHANICS THAT PROVIDED THE ESTIMATES FOR REPAIRS ON AUTOMOBILES AND TRUCKS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE BEING INCREDIBLY EFFICIENT STEWARDS OF THESE FUNDS.

WE BEGAN WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $500,000, AND THAT WAS WHAT WE BELIEVED WOULD COVER AN APPROPRIATE PORTION OF THE LOSSES THAT WE VERIFIED.

WE VISITED EVERY BUSINESS IN PERSON, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE OPPORTUNITY AND THAT THEY APPLIED.

EVEN AFTER THEY APPLIED, WE WERE IN CONSTANT CONTACT ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL JUSTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

IN TOTAL, WE VERIFIED MORE THAN $2 MILLION IN BUSINESS LOSS AND AS YOU CAN SEE, WE DISTRIBUTED AROUND $855,000, FAR BEYOND OUR ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $500,000.

>> WHY WAS THAT? WELL, WHILE OUR HUNCH ON THE NEED WITH THE BUSINESSES THAT WE ARE AWARE OF WAS SPOT ON, THERE WERE FAR MORE BUSINESSES THAT WERE NOT AS VISIBLE TO US.

THESE ARE SMALL AND LARGE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE CONSIDERED EMPLOYEES.

THESE SMALL AND LARGE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS ARE REALLY THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE ECONOMY OF PLANADA, AS WE CAME TO UNDERSTAND.

THESE CONTRACTORS RECEIVED AS LITTLE AS $468 FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS A ONE-MAN PAINTING OPERATION, AND AS MUCH AS $596,000 FOR A DAMAGED SEMI TRUCK.

IN FACT, THESE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS MADE UP 38% OF OUR TOTAL AWARDS, AND IN TOTAL ACROSS ALL OF OUR AWARDS, THE AVERAGE WAS $27,584.

TERMS OF LOST WAGES.

AGAIN, WE STARTED WITH AN ESTIMATE.

IN THIS CASE, IT WAS $600,000, WAS OUR ESTIMATE FOR LOST WAGES, AND THAT WAS INFORMED BY OUR OWN INFORMATION AND OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORKERS THERE IN PLANADA.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY BY THE SURVEYING AND THE RESEARCH BY THE UC MERCED COMMUNITY AND LABOR CENTER AND DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAD WITH THEM BEFORE WE ACTUALLY LAUNCHED THE PROCESS.

OUR AIM HERE WAS DIFFERENT.

IT WAS TO CREATE A PARALLEL SYSTEM, AN UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM SIMILAR TO WHAT THE STATE WOULD NORMALLY PROVIDE.

ONLY OURS WOULD BE AGNOSTIC OF IMMIGRATION AND LEGAL STATUS.

BASED ON THE MODELS THAT ARE PROVIDED BY THE STATE, THE ORIGINAL DESIGN HAD A CAP OF $300 A WEEK FOR FIVE WEEKS AFTER THE FLOOD, OR A TOTAL CAP OF $1,500.

THAT'S HOW WE ACTUALLY PROCESS THOSE FUNDS AND CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE WEREN'T GETTING ENOUGH RESOURCES OUT, AND OUR ESTIMATE ON THE WEEKLY REIMBURSEMENT WAS NOT AS HIGH AS IT SHOULD BE.

WE KEPT THE FIVE-WEEK PARAMETER, BUT LIFTED THE $300 A WEEK LIMIT, AND THAT ALLOWED US TO EXPAND AWARDS FOR 67 OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT APPLIED.

TWENTY-THREE OF THOSE FOLKS THAT APPLIED, INSTEAD OF RECEIVING $1,500, RECEIVED BETWEEN $3,000-$500.

OUR LARGEST AWARD TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WAS $5,280, AND THE AVERAGE WAS 1,383.

NOW, I'LL INTRODUCE MARK MIMMS, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

>> THANK YOU, ERIC, AND GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS MARK MIMMS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AT THE CREATION OF THE HOME REPAIR PORTION OF THE PROGRAM, THE HOME REPAIR PIECE WAS ALWAYS EXPECTED TO TAKE THE LONGEST AND BE THE MOST INTRICATE.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE STILL WORKING TO COMPLETE ALL HOME REPAIRS DAMAGED BY THE FLOODS, WE ARE WORKING QUICKLY TOWARDS THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROGRAM.

FROM THE ONSET, WE HAVE BEEN PARTNERED WITH HABITAT HUMANITY, WHO'S STANDING BESIDE ME, AND SELF-HELP ENTERPRISES, WHO BOTH HELP EVALUATE EACH APPLICATION AND LEAD ALL PROJECTS FROM ONSITE THROUGH COMPLETION.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS THE MAJORITY OF THE REMAINING CASES, AND SELF-HELP HAS COMPLETED THE MAJORITY OF THEIR CASES ASSIGNED TO THEM.

THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM WAS ALLOCATED $8 MILLION, WHICH WAS BROKEN INTO TWO CATEGORIES.

FIRST, THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR HOMEOWNERS OR TENANTS FOR REPAIRS MADE TO THEIR HOMES DUE TO THE FLOOD DAMAGE.

SECOND WERE FOR ANY HOMES THAT STILL NEEDED REPAIRS DUE TO FLOODING.

[00:55:02]

THIS FIGURE REFLECTS THE TOTAL OF BOTH PAID AMOUNTS AND APPROVED SCOPES OF WORK.

IN TOTAL, WE HAVE RECEIVED 350 APPLICATIONS SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THIS PROJECT.

ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN OF THOSE PROJECTS WERE EITHER WITHDRAWN OR DENIED, 48 PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FULLY COMPLETED AND SIGNED OFF, 185 ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE, AND FIVE PROJECTS ARE PENDING INSPECTIONS.

OUR PARTNERS ARE WORKING TO COMPLETE THE ACTIVE PROJECTS.

WE ARE WORKING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ANY NEW APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED.

WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH MULTIPLE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY SHORT-TERM HOUSING OPTIONS FOR THOSE FAMILIES THAT WILL BE DISPLACED DUE TO THEIR HOMES BEING CLASSIFIED AS TOTAL REBUILDS.

THIS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT TASK, AS WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK AROUND ANY FURTHER DISRUPTIONS TO THE APPLICANTS' LIVES AND HAVE BEEN TRYING NOT TO IMPACT THEM MORE THAN THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPACTED WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED.

ALTHOUGH WE FEEL THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN AN OVERALL SUCCESS, IT HAS NOT GONE WITHOUT A FEW CHALLENGES.

CD AND OUR PARTNERS HAVE MOVED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS, AND WE HAVE AIMED TO COMPLETE ALL APPROVED APPLICATIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

AT TIMES, SCHEDULING CERTAIN CONTRACTORS WITH THE RESIDENTS HAS CAUSED A FEW DELAYS DUE TO RESIDENTS' AND CONTRACTORS' WORK SCHEDULES OR OBLIGATIONS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE NEED TO HAVE EACH HOUSE APPRAISED DUE TO FMA REGULATIONS HAS SOMETIMES CAUSED SOME SIGNIFICANT DELAYS.

AS A REGULATION, FMA REQUIRES THAT IF A COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER 50% OF THE APPRAISED VALUE, THEN THIS WILL TRIGGER A TOTAL HOME BUILD, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN APPROXIMATELY SIX TOTAL REBUILDS AS OF NOW.

DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SUCCESSES TO THE PROGRAM.

OUTSIDE OF MANY REPORTED HAPPY RESIDENTS, WHICH INCLUDES ONE REPORT OF A RESIDENT THAT WAS SO HAPPY AND ECSTATIC WITH THEIR REPAIRS, THEY WERE SEEN JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND DANCING IN THEIR HOME.

AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE CLOSED OUT A MAJORITY OF THE REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS FROM RESIDENTS.

ALSO, STAFF HAS BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL NECESSARY PERMITTING IN AN EXPEDITED MANNER TO MOVE ALL PROJECTS FORWARD RELATED TO THIS EFFORT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

I'M ALSO PROUD OF THE STAFF AND COMMUNITY GROUPS, AS THEY HAVE WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RESIDENTS TO HELP DESIGN AND CHOOSE ITEMS LIKE HOME APPLIANCES, CABINETS, AND MANY MORE TO RENOVATE THEIR HOMES THE WAY THEY WOULD LIKE.

THIS HAS TRULY BEEN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN STAFF AND THE RESIDENTS IN HOPES THAT THEY CAN HELP MAKE THEIR HOUSE A HOME THAT THEY CAN TRULY ENJOY FOR YEARS TO COME.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK OUR PARTNERS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND SELF-HELP FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THIS PROGRAM, AND THE ANTI-CD STAFF FOR HELP COMPLETE PERMIT REVIEW EXPEDITIOUSLY, AND TO C KRISTA MCKANE FOR HER WORK IN ADMINISTERING THIS PROGRAM ON BEHALF OF CD.

ALSO, WE WOULD LIKE TO NOTE, WE WILL BE STARTING A COMMUNITY WORK DAY TO BRING COMMUNITY OUT TO ASSIST WITH THESE REPAIRS.

WE WILL KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED.

THIS IS LOOKING TO BE STARTING ON ONE SATURDAY FOR EACH MONTH THROUGH DECEMBER.

THANK YOU, AND I'D LIKE TO PASS THE PRESENTATION PORTION OFF TO NATHAN BRAY.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD CHAIR AND SUPERVISORS.

THE SECTION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR WAS THE INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENT.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENT ORIGINALLY COMPRISED OF $3 MILLION AND THREE SEPARATE, UNIQUE IDENTIFIED PROJECTS.

THOSE THREE PROJECTS WERE TO WORK WITH THE PLANADA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT TO ACQUIRE, INSTALL, AND CONSTRUCT AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL CREEK CLEARING OF MILES CREEK THAT DIRECTLY IS ADJACENT TO AND SUPPORTS THE EFFICIENT FLOW OF WATER THROUGH THE COMMUNITY OF PLANADA.

LAST, THE STUDY OF MILES CREEK WATERSHED.

THIS BOARD TOOK ACTION IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR TO ENTER INTO AND AUTHORIZE THE AGREEMENT WITH PLANADA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT FOR THEIR EMERGENCY GENERATOR.

AGREEMENT HAS BEEN EXECUTED.

WE HAVE ISSUED THE NOTICE TO PROCEED, AND THEY ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON PROCUREMENT AND INSTALLATION OF THAT GENERATOR.

THE CLEARING OF MILES CREEK SO FAR TO DATE, AS OF THIS PRESENTATION, WE'VE CLEARED ROUGHLY 7.42 MILES OF BANKS ON MILES CREEK ALONE.

THIS IS WORK THAT IS VEGETATION REMOVAL PRIMARILY AND IS ONGOING MAINTENANCE.

WE ANTICIPATE BEING OUT CLEARING THE CREEK ONE MORE TIME THIS YEAR IN THE FALL TIME.

[01:00:06]

DURING THE NESTING BIRD SEASON, THERE ARE ADDITIONAL STUDIES AND REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE IN PLACE THAT MAKE IT COST-INEFFECTIVE FOR US TO BE OUT THERE, SO WE WANT TO GET OUT THERE EARLY IN SPRING, SUSPEND FOR A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN GO ONCE AGAIN IN THE FALL.

THEN, LASTLY, THE MILES CREEK WATERSHED, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE.

ACTUALLY, THE COUNTY WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE STATE RECEIVED A GRANT TO DO THE EXACT SAME STUDY THAT WE WERE PLANNING ON DOING.

BOTH AGENCIES SPENDING MONEY, WE ELECTED TO WORK WITH THE STATE AND HELP FACILITATE THEIR PROCESS.

THEREBY FREEING UP ADDITIONALLY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $1.75 TO $2 MILLION TO REINVEST BACK INTO THIS PROGRAM BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY OF PLANADA.

THAT CAN BE THROUGH A VARIETY OF INFRASTRUCTURE, WHETHER IT'S REPAVING ROADS, WHETHER IT'S INSTALLING STORM DRAIN OR CURB GUTTER AND SIDEWALK, REINVESTING THOSE FUNDS BACK INTO THE EXISTING PROGRAMS. WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY STAFF AND THE COUNTY TEAM ON IDENTIFYING SOME POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS, BUT I THINK THAT WILL BE FURTHER IDENTIFIED IN THE PRESENTATION WHAT THOSE OPTIONS ARE.

I THINK THAT CONCLUDES IT FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENT, AND WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK HENRY.

[LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU, NATHAN, MARK, ERIC, AND MICHELLE.

AGAIN, THIS GRANT DOES ALSO ALLOW FOR THE COUNTY TO RECOVER ITS COSTS AS WELL, AND WE INCLUDED ALSO, AT THE TIME OF PROGRAM INCEPTION, A CONTINGENCY FUND TO ADDRESS THE UNFORESEEN OR TO PIVOT BASED UPON COMMUNITY NEED.

BETWEEN THESE TWO AREAS, CUMULATIVELY, $3.9 MILLION WAS ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED.

TO DATE, AS DIRECTOR SERRATO JUST MENTIONED IN HIS COMMENTS, ABOUT $316,000 WAS TRANSFERRED FROM CONTINGENCY TO BUSINESS LOSS TO ACTUALLY COVER THOSE HIGHER-THAN-ANTICIPATED COSTS, AS HE MENTIONED.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS REALLY THIS, AND OUR GOAL HAS BEEN QUITE SIMPLE, TO MINIMIZE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO BEST ENSURE THAT EVERY SINGLE PENNY CAN BE INVESTED DIRECTLY INTO THE COMMUNITY OF PLANADA.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS SCREENSHOT TAKEN FROM THE PLANADA20M.COM WEBSITE, OVER 9.225 MILLION HAS BEEN INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY OF PLANADA AS OF LAST WEEK.

AS MR. MIMMS EXPLAINED, THE HOUSING REPAIRS COMPONENT ALONE WAS ALWAYS CONTEMPLATED TO TAKE THE LONGEST, AND WE ANTICIPATED ANOTHER POTENTIAL $3.2 MILLION BE SPENT IN THAT AREA ALONE.

IN SHORT, WE'LL BE INVESTING AN ADDITIONAL $10.7 MILLION IN THIS COMMUNITY IN THE MONTHS AND DAYS AHEAD.

TO BREAK DOWN SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE HEARD TODAY IN THE PROGRAM SUCCESSES, AGAIN, $9.2 MILLION INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY, 2.8 MILLION OF DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS, $385,000 HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR VEHICLE REPLACEMENT, $687,000 PROVIDED FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR THE FOOD LOSS THAT TOOK PLACE RESULTING FROM THE FLOOD AND LOSS OF POWER, 1.77 MILLION HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

MORE THAN 30 DIFFERENT BUSINESSES RECEIVED DIRECT SUPPORT TO HELP THEM ALSO RECOVER.

AS DIRECTOR SERRATO MENTIONED, WE PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO 195 WORKERS WHO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF WAGES AS A RESULT OF THE FLOODS.

WE HAVE 185 HOMES UNDER ACTIVE REPAIR.

WE HAVE PAID OVER 1,200 CLAIMS, AND AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL $10.7 MILLION YET TO GO, AND WE WILL ENSURE THAT EVERY SINGLE PENNY POSSIBLE IS AGAIN INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY.

AS WE THINK ABOUT MOVING FORWARD, WHILE THERE IS STILL OUTSTANDING INVESTMENTS YET TO BE MADE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE $3.2 MILLION IN HOME REPAIRS ALONE, STAFF HAS ALREADY STARTED THE PROCESS TO IDENTIFY REPROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES.

IN PARTICULAR, AND WHILE NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST, I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE ON THIS SLIDE, WHICH INCLUDE, AS DIRECTOR BRAY MENTIONED, GENERATIONAL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY OF PLANADA, FLOOD FIGHTING BARRIERS, PUBLIC FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS, EVACUATION GO KITS, AND OTHER UNMET COMMUNITY NEEDS.

AGAIN, I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH TODAY.

THE COUNTY IS FULLY COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT EVERY AVAILABLE RESOURCE IS DEDICATED TO THE COMMUNITY.

AS I WIND DOWN THE PRESENTATION, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF KEY POINTS.

FIRST, OUR CURRENT EXPENDITURE DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31ST OF THIS YEAR.

IN THIS REGARD, WE HAVE ALREADY APPROACHED STATE OES,

[01:05:04]

THEN SECONDLY, WE ARE PREPARING FOR ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD, PRIMARILY TO SHARE WITH THEM THE REPROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES I JUST DISCUSSED.

IN CLOSING, THE COUNTY STAFF IS HOPEFUL THAT THE INFORMATION PRESENTED TODAY IS HELPFUL AND SHINES SOME INSIGHT ON THE GOOD WORK UNDERWAY AND/OR ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE COURSE OF THESE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

AGAIN, THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S PRESENTATION, AND YOUR TEAM IS AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

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

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MARK, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. ALL STAFF. THANK YOU.

VERY GOOD PRESENTATION.

IT'S JUST INTERESTING.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE HAD THE MONEY FOR A WHILE, AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OUT FAST ENOUGH, AND I KNOW MY MCSWAIN FOLKS NEVER GOT ANYTHING LIKE THIS, BUT I WAS HAPPY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THIS FOR PLANADA, AND MUCH APPRECIATION TO OUR LEGISLATURES FOR DOING THIS.

BUT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A LITTLE INCONSISTENCY, MAYBE WHAT YOU UC MERCED, NUMBERS PROJECTED, AND WHAT THEY ARE.

THEN, I HAD A PARTICULAR THING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE ON THE HOME REPAIR SLIDE.

AT THE BOTTOM, IT SAID, 119 WITHDRAWN ARE DENIED APPLICATIONS.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF THAT? IT'S INTERESTING THAT FOLKS WOULD WITHDRAW THROUGH THE PROCESS.

WAS THERE A PARTICULAR REASON, OR HOW DID THAT WORK OUT?

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, THROUGH THE CHAIR.

MAYBE I'LL ADDRESS THE FIRST HALF, AND MAYBE I ASK TO COME UP AND ADDRESS THE SECOND. A HANDFUL OF QUICK THOUGHTS.

OF COURSE, AT THE TIME WHEN THE INITIAL ESTIMATES CAME OUT, WE HAVE TO GIVE UC MERCED SOME CREDIT.

IN ALL HONESTY, THAT WAS THE BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION AT THE TIME, TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A VERY QUICK SURVEY TO PROVIDE THE RATIONALE FOR BOTH OUR SENATOR AND OUR ASSEMBLY WOMAN TO ACTUALLY HAVE SOME DATA FROM WHICH TO PURSUE A LEGISLATIVE REQUEST.

THE ONE THING I WOULD ALSO MENTION IS THE SAME $20 MILLION THAT THE MERCED COUNTY RECEIVED FOR THIS AREA, MONTEREY COUNTY ALSO RECEIVED A CORRESPONDING AMOUNT FOR PAJARO VALLEY AS WELL, AND THEY'RE EXPERIENCING MANY OF THE SAME EXACT CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING AS WELL.

WE'RE ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT AHEAD.

AGAIN, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO GIVE UC MERCED FOLKS A GOOD HIGH FIVE, BUT IT WAS BASED UPON A LOT OF REALLY QUICK INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY SO AS TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY NEED, AND OBVIOUSLY, THAT WAS THE BASIS OF THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT.

OBVIOUSLY, ONCE IT WAS ACTUALLY AWARDED THROUGH THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS, THE COUNTY OBVIOUSLY TRIED TO DEVELOP, AS YOU WELL KNOW, AND THIS BOARD APPROVED A STRATEGY FROM WHICH TO DISTRIBUTE THAT $20 MILLION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY DIRECTLY.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST ANSWER I CAN GIVE YOU.

AGAIN, I CAN'T SPEAK TO HOW SCIENTIFIC THE SURVEY WAS.

WHAT I CAN SAY IS I THINK IT WAS VERY WELL INTENDED, OBVIOUSLY WITH THE INTENTION OF HELPING THE SENATOR AND THE ASSEMBLY WOMAN PUT TOGETHER THE BUDGET REQUEST.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, MARK. IT WAS JUST THAT FOR MERCED COUNTY, AS SMALL OF A COUNTY AS WE ARE TO COME ACROSS $20 MILLION AND WITHOUT THE STATE GIVING US ANY DIRECTION OR ANYTHING AND HAVING TO PUT TOGETHER, AND I LOVE IT THAT WE WORKED REAL WELL WITH MONTEREY COUNTY, WHO HAD THE SIMILAR SITUATION THAT WE DID.

BUT, BEING STEWARDS OF THE MONEY AND KNOWING THAT THERE WAS ALL KINDS OF OTHER FUNDING AGENCIES TRYING TO COME IN PER FMA, STATE, AND EVERYTHING ELSE, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE STAFF FOR DOING IT.

THE SECOND PART OF MY QUESTION, YOU DIDN'T TOUCH THAT.

THE 119 WITHDRAWN OR DENIED APPLICATIONS.

WHY WAS THERE A WITHDRAWAL PROCESS?

>> WAS THERE A REASON WE HAVE THAT, OR WAS IT THERE TOO MANY HANG-UPS, OR WHAT WAS IT?

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL THROUGH THE CHAIR, THERE WAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT SOME OF THE EXAMPLES WOULD BE EITHER INSURANCE COVERED SOME OF THE COSTS, SO THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY, OR EVEN SOME OF THE HOMES AND THE REPAIRS WERE NOT DAMAGED CAUSED BY THE FLOODS, SO THEY WITHDREW THEIR APPLICATIONS.

THERE WERE A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS WHY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. MR. CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY QUESTION.

>> SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

>> THIS IS FOR MR. MIMMS, TOO.

DO WE HAVE ANY TYPE OF TIMELINE WHEN ALL THESE HOME REPAIRS ARE GOING TO BE DONE? I KNOW IT'S BEEN QUITE A WHILE, BUT JUST SOME KIND OF TIMELINE.

>> SUPERVISOR PACHECO, AGAIN, THROUGH THE BOARD, WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN.

THE GOAL WAS ALWAYS, AND IT STILL IS TODAY.

THE DEADLINE IS THE END OF THE GRANT, WHICH WERE THE FUNDS, WHICH IS DECEMBER OF 2025, AND WE ARE STILL ON TRACK, WE BELIEVE TO MEET THAT DEADLINE.

>> OKAY. IS THE COUNTY INVOLVED IN MAKING SURE

[01:10:01]

>> YES. WE HAVE BI WEEKLY CALLS, I BELIEVE IT IS, BUT WE ARE CONSTANT CONTACT KRISTA MCKINNEY, IN OUR OFFICE, WHO ADMINISTERS IT ON OUR BEHALF, IS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH BOTH SELF HELP AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

WE ARE DEFINITELY INVOLVED WITH EVERY PART OF THIS, AND MAKING SURE WE HIT EVERY DEADLINE.

>> I SEE THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME COMMUNITY HOURS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT THE TIMELINES AND WHAT THE INVOLVEMENT IS SO THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION. WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THEM? YES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GO AHEAD, MR. CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MR. MIMMS, YOU DON'T NEED TO GET UP, BUT YOU HAD A LADY COME UP WITH YOU, AND SHE DIDN'T GET INTRODUCED HERSELF.

I MET ANITA OUT THERE.

SELF HELP WAS DOING A PROJECT.

A YOUNG COUPLE HAD A HOUSE THAT WAS DAMAGED, AND THEY WERE REHABITATING IT, AND I HAVE A DUMP TRAILER, SO I WENT OUT TO HELP AULD DEBRI AWAY.

ANITA HELLAM IS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OUT OF MODESTO, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> IN MERCED.

>> IN MERCED. BUT ANYWAYS, I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER AND I HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED.

IT'S NOT MY DISTRICT, BUT I JUST KNOW THAT SHE WAS OUT THERE HELPING PEOPLE AND OBVIOUSLY STILL INVOLVED, SO I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, TOOK A LOT OF MY COMMENTS.

I JUST WANT TO THANK STAFF, AND REMIND FOLKS THAT WE HAD THIS EMERGENCY SITUATION.

AGAIN, THANKFUL THAT THE FOLKS THAT YOU SEE MERCED TOOK THE BULL BY THE HORNS, IF YOU WILL, AND CAME UP WITH A NUMBER.

IT'S JUST A NICE, BIG ROUND NUMBER, AND IT CAME FROM BASICALLY A DIRECT ASK FROM THE SENATOR SAYING, "HEY, HELP ME WITH A NUMBER THAT WE CAN ASK THE STATE FOR." IT'S RARE THAT THE STATE JUST FORWARDS THIS POT OF MONEY, IT HAS RESTRICTIONS ON IT, BUT BASICALLY NO PLAN.

IT WAS ON THE FLY AS WE DESIGNED THIS PLAN, AND I WANT TO COMMEND OUR STAFF BECAUSE WE KNEW WE WEREN'T IN THIS ALONE.

I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF OUTREACH TO THE COUNTY OF MONTEREY, WHO BASICALLY WAS GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING.

JUST TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, THEY'RE BOTH BAD FLOODING EVENTS.

I DON'T KNOW WHOSE WAS WORSE OR LESS WORSE, IF YOU WILL, BUT YOU SEE THAT THE STATE SAID, 20 MILLION IS THE NUMBER, AND 20 MILLION IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUT INTO THESE COMMUNITIES.

AGAIN, I KNOW THAT IT'S ALWAYS FRUSTRATION BECAUSE HERE WE ARE HOW MANY MONTHS A YEAR AND HOW MANY MONTHS PAST THE ACTUAL FLOODING EVENT, AND WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT FOLKS THAT ARE STILL TRYING TO RECEIVE SERVICES AND GET THEIR HOMES FIXED AND WHATNOT.

BUT IN GOVERNMENT TERMS, WE'RE WORKING AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT RIGHT NOW, REALLY, FOR THE WAY THAT GOVERNMENT DOES STUFF.

IF YOU'RE SITTING THERE AS A PERSON WHO HAS A HOME THAT'S DAMAGED, IT'S NEVER QUICK ENOUGH.

BUT I JUST WANT TO REST ASSURED TO THE FOLKS IN PLANADA, YOU CAN SEE JUST BY THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION, WE TOOK OUR BEST SHOT AT IT, WE GOT OUT MONEY AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE TO HELP FOLKS AND REALIZE THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY LEFT, AND WE'RE NOT TRYING TO STEAL THE MONEY, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO HIDE THE MONEY.

WE'RE VERY OPEN AND CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT WITH HOW MUCH MONEY'S LEFT.

THE NEXT STEPS ARE IS TO RE-ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AND SEE WHAT ARE THE AREAS THAT THERE ARE THAT WE CAN HELP.

I WANT TO COMMEND OUR STAFF, BECAUSE AS THIS IS ON ALL HANDS ON DECK, IF YOU WEREN'T AWARE, THERE WAS FIVE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS THAT GOT UP HERE AND SPOKE ABOUT THIS.

I CAN TELL YOU, BECAUSE AS THEY MET DOWN HERE IN 310, THIS HERD OF PEOPLE ON A PRETTY REGULAR BASIS THAT WILL WALK BY MY OFFICE.

THIS WAS IN THE EARLY STAGES AND STILL CONTINUES TODAY, MAYBE NOT AS FREQUENTLY AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING, BUT GOING DOWN THERE SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY PEOPLE, IN WHICH WAYS CAN WE BE ABLE TO TOUCH THEM TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM AND STILL ALWAYS KEEPING IN MIND THAT THIS WASN'T JUST A HERE'S $20 MILLION.

GO SPEND IT, HOW YOU WANT.

THERE'S NO CHECKS AND BALANCES.

THERE'S NO REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

NO, ALL THIS MONEY CAME WITH STRINGS ATTACHED.

WITH THE GENERAL BOILER PLATE STATE OF CALIFORNIA STRINGS ATTACHED TO IT AND REALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO LOOSEN UP THE TIGHT STRINGS OF GOVERNMENT AND BE ABLE TO HELP FOLKS IN A WAY IN SHAPE AND FORM THAT THEY NEED TO HELP.

AGAIN, I CAN'T COMMEND STAFF ENOUGH ON THE GOOD WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE ON THIS, AND IT'S NOT OVER YET.

THERE'S STILL ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO BE SPENT, AND THERE'LL BE REAL CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE GOING ON.

AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, AT THE STAFF LEVEL, ON HOW DO WE GET THOSE DOLLARS INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM.

AGAIN, BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY ON THE JOB WELL DONE SO FAR.

>> WELL, I GUESS, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO BE THE BAD GUY.

I THINK THAT ONE OF MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED,

[01:15:04]

BUT SUPERVISOR PACHECO ANSWERED, I WOULD HOPE THAT THERE IS MORE COMMUNICATION BECAUSE THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT IT IS LACKING.

WHEN YOU SAY 185 ACTIVE PROJECTS, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THEY'VE BEEN ASSESSED, THEY'RE READY TO GO, WE'RE JUST STILL WAITING?

>> THROUGH THE CHAIR, I'D PROBABLY ASK ANITA TO ADDRESS THAT ONE, BUT THOSE ARE EITHER ONES THAT THE APPLICATIONS HAS BEEN EVALUATED, WHERE SOME TYPE OF INSPECTION IS GOING ON, AND THE REPORTING IS HAPPENING.

BUT I'LL LET HABITAT ALSO ADDRESS THAT.

>> WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE TRYING TO WORK ON 40 HOUSES AT A TIME.

WE'VE GOT FOUR CREWS OF THREE, THEY'RE UP THERE CONSTANTLY WORKING.

WE'RE BRINGING IN, THEY'RE HELPING TO WORK AROUND THE SUBCONTRACTORS AND THE DIFFERENT SERVICES.

BUT DEPENDING ON THE ISSUES, WE'RE DEALING WITH TOXIC, MOLD LEAD, ASBESTOS THAT HAS TO BE REMEDIATED BEFORE THE WORKERS ARE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GET IN AND WORK ON THE HOUSES.

WE'RE ALSO, IN SOME, AND IN MANY CASES, LOOKING AT THE FOUNDATION.

THE WATER CAME THROUGH WITH THE FORCE, AND IT ACTUALLY MOVED THE FOUNDATION OUT FROM UNDER SEVERAL OF THE HOMES.

WE HAVE DOZENS OF HOMES THAT RIGHT NOW ARE HAVING THEIR FOUNDATIONS EITHER EVALUATED OR REPAIRED.

SOME OF THEM WERE SO TERRIBLY DAMAGED THAT AS MARK MENTIONED EARLIER, THE COST TO DO THE REPAIRS EXCEEDED THE 50% THRESHOLD, SO WE NEEDED TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT WHAT'S THE BETTER VALUE? IS IT BETTER TO REBUILD A HOME, OR IS IT BETTER TO LIFT IT UP OUT OF THE FLOODPLAIN AND THEN BRING IT UP TO CODE? WE WERE LOOKING, IN SOME CASES, WHERE DEMOLISHING A HOUSE IS ACTUALLY MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE.

WE STILL HAVE 23 HOMES THAT ARE BEING APPRAISED IN THEIR VALUE.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO SIT DOWN AND DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THESE ARE GOING TO BE RENOVATED HOMES OR REBUILT HOMES.

THAT NUMBER IS STILL MOVING.

WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE WENT IN AND WE TRIED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE EASIER HOMES TO FIX RIGHT UP FRONT.

WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE FULLY IN THEIR HOMES.

WE'VE GOT HOMES WITH YOUNG KIDS, BUT WE'VE BEEN INTO EVERY SINGLE HOME? WE'VE EVALUATED? WE'VE DONE INSPECTIONS ON EVERY SINGLE HOME.

MY COLLEAGUE ESMERALDA, SHE'S HERE WITH US.

SHE'S IN COMMUNICATION EVERY DAY, SIX DAYS A WEEK, TALKING TO PEOPLE AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS.

SHE'S GOT ABLE TO GIVE UPDATES, AND I KNOW THAT SINCE SHE'S BEEN ON OUR CREW, THAT THERE ARE A LOT FEWER PEOPLE THAT DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE INFORMATION.

I THINK PEOPLE DO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE INFORMATION.

WE'RE LITERALLY IN PLANADA 6-7 DAYS A WEEK, AND THE PEOPLE SEE US, THEY KNOW TO COME OUT AND TO ASK QUESTIONS.

>> THE ASSESSMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE ON EVERYTHING.

WHEN YOU SAY 185 ACTIVE, THOSE ASSESSMENTS, EXCEPT FOR THE APPRAISALS THAT YOU'RE STILL WAITING ON?

>> THOSE ARE APPROVED APPLICATIONS.

THOSE ARE APPLICATIONS THAT WERE APPROVED THAT WERE ASSIGNED TO US.

OF THOSE, WE'VE ALREADY FINISHED A NUMBER.

WE'VE GOT 23 THAT ARE COMPLETELY CLOSED.

THEN WE HAVE RIGHT NOW 51 UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THIS WEEK, WE ANTICIPATE CLOSING 10 MORE.

THAT'LL BRING IT UP TO 33 CLOSED.

THEN WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP 40 HOMES UNDER ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE KEEP ON BRINGING IT IN FIVE HOMES OR WE ADD 10 HOMES.

AS WE CLOSE A HOME, WE BRING ON ANOTHER HOME AND START CONSTRUCTION.

>> THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> JUST ONE COMMENT TOO THAT I WANT TO ADD TO THAT AND THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING IT FOR ME, IS THAT IN A LOT OF CASES, THESE HOMES, I DON'T KNOW, THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

WHEN WE'RE GOING INTO IT, JUST LIKE ANY PROJECT THAT WE'VE DONE AT THE COUNTY, YOU'VE DONE A RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS, WHATEVER IT IS, BRINGING THESE HOMES UP TO CURRENT STANDARDS, THAT'S A CHALLENGE IN ITSELF, AND QUITE A COSTLY CHALLENGE.

AGAIN, APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, BUT JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IN A LOT OF CASES, IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS HAPPENED.

BUT SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE WALKING AWAY IN A LOT SAFER, BETTER TO HANDLE, GOD FORBID, SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN.

I THINK THAT TAKES TIME.

LISTEN, I LOVE MY CONTRACTOR FRIENDS, BUT I FEEL LIKE THEY ALL THINK THAT THEY'RE LIKE GOD AND CAN GET IT DONE IN A DAY, AND REALITY SAYS THAT IT PROBABLY TAKES TWO OR THREE DAYS, BUT THEY'LL PROMISE YOU A DAY. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

>> [INAUDIBLE] THERE. JUST A COMMENT.

WE MET WITH SOME RESIDENTS, AND I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS THAT IT'S EASIER TO GET THE EASIER HOMES DONE THAT WAY THEY CAN GET IN AND OUT OF THE PROCESS.

BUT I THINK AGAIN, COMMUNICATION BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT SOMEBODY THAT'S LIVING IN THE MOLD, YOU SAY, THE WORKERS CAN'T GO IN THERE BECAUSE OF

[01:20:02]

ANYWAY, THEIR HOUSES WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED, AND THEY'RE SEEING OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING THEIR HOUSES DONE WHILE THEY'RE IN WORSE SHAPE, AND THEY'RE NOT GETTING THEIR HOUSES DONE.

LIKE I SAID, I UNDERSTAND THE PRICE YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH, BUT I THINK JUST SOME COMMUNICATION.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE ARE COMMUNICATING REGULARLY.

WE COMMUNICATE ALL THE TIME.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOMEONE WHOSE ONLY JOB IS TO COMMUNICATE.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE INFORMATION.

THERE'S NOT A SINGLE HOME AT THIS POINT THAT THAT HAS NOT BEEN EVALUATED FROM MOLD, AND IF IT HAS, IT'S BEEN SCHEDULED OR HAS BEEN REMEDIATED.

THEN AS SOON AS THAT'S DONE, OUR CREWS CAN COME IN, BUT WE CAN'T SEND WORKERS IN TO A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT.

IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED, AND WE NEED TO ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THE FAMILIES ARE SAFE, TOO.

OBVIOUSLY, THE MOLD REMEDIATION IS FIRST THING, BUT IF THEY HAVE A BAD FOUNDATION ALSO, THERE'S NO POINT IN FIXING WHAT'S UPSTAIRS BECAUSE THE FIXING OF THE FOUNDATION IS GOING TO PROBABLY DAMAGE EVERYTHING AGAIN.

IT WOULD BE DOING THE REPAIRS TWICE.

THAT'S WHERE IT'S BEEN REALLY FRUSTRATING FOR FOLKS.

WE'VE GOT PROBABLY 15 HOUSEHOLDS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE IN LIMBO.

WE DON'T KNOW YET WHICH WAY IT'S GOING TO GO, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR HOME REPAIR OR IT'S GOING TO BE A REBUILD.

>> I UNDERSTAND. LIKE I SAID THAT LIMBO IS PROBABLY WHAT FRUSTRATES EVERYBODY, BUT THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO JUST MAKE THE COMMENT THAT SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA DID AND THE INCONVENIENCE AND THE DAMAGE THAT'S CAUSED OUT THERE IS JUST TERRIBLE.

BUT THE GOOD THING IS, IS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING A HOUSE THAT WILL LAST THEM THE NEXT 30 OR 40 YEARS.

NOT NEED MAJOR REPAIRS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IN THE FUTURE.

IF I WAS IN IT, I WOULD BE FRUSTRATED, EVEN IF I WAS HEARING FROM PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.

YOU CAN'T BLAME PEOPLE FOR THAT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT THE WORK THAT'S GOING ON IS LEAVING THESE HOUSES IN A LOT BETTER CONDITION, AND FOR THOSE THAT'S, I GUESS, HOPEFULLY, THE SILVER LINING AND THE INCONVENIENCE THAT EVERYBODY'S GOING THROUGH. THANK YOU.

>> AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR INFORMATION ITEMS 49 AND 50.

>> THERE'S NO TIME.

>> IS ABOUT THREE MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

I AM ALICIA RODRIGUEZ.

I'VE BEEN PART OF THE $20 MILLION FOR A LONG TIME.

I'M THE ONE THAT'S A VOLUNTEER.

DOESN'T GET PAID FOR IT, BUT I ALSO LIVE IN PLANADA, AND I GO THROUGH PLANADA, AND I ALSO VISIT PEOPLE'S HOMES AND I HAVE LOTS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

I'M CONCERNED WITH TODAY'S REPORT, AND I'M CONCERNED WHEN IT COMES TO HOME REPAIRS BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE BUDGET.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET, IT SHOWS THAT ONLY 20% OF THE HOMES HAVE BEEN FIXED, LIKE IT WAS SAID, THE EASY HOMES, BUT HALF OF THE MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ALREADY OR IS SUPPOSED TO BE PUT IN THE BUDGET.

IT CONCERNS ME THAT WE DON'T KNOW WE HAVEN'T VISITED ALL THE HOMES TO SEE THE FOUNDATIONS, IF THEY'RE GOING TO NEED A NEW HOME OR NOT, THE BUDGET IS NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS.

HALF OF THE MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NOTES, AND ONLY 20% OF THE HOMES HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT.

THAT'S CONCERNING TO ME.

I WAS HERE ON MARCH OF 25TH, WHICH WAS TWO WEEKS AGO THAT AFTERNOON IN DAYS TO FOLLOW.

WE HAD SURPRISING UPDATES.

I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR UPDATES FOR A WHILE FOR THE RESIDES.

ON APRIL 2, 2025, THE REPORT OF THE 2023 WINTER STORM FLOOD RELIEF FUNDING DISTRIBUTED CHART WAS DISPOSED ON THE WEBSITE.

THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL IT. I'M JUST TELLING YOU WHAT THEY CALL IT.

IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED TO HAVE THE FACEBOOK PLAN OUT A $20 MILLION PAGE ALSO UPDATED.

IT IS WHAT THE RESIDES WERE USING.

WHEN THEY CAME AND DID THE WORKSHOPS, THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY ACTUALLY EVEN CHANGED THE VERBIAGE, AND THEY CAN TELL YOU BECAUSE IT WASN'T RESIDENT FRIENDLY FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND IT.

I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE SCHOOLS FOR 20 YEARS.

I HAVE TO REDO THIS OVER AND OVER AND IT'S HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND IT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHART, H ITEM, FOR INSTANCE, HOUSING REPAIRS, RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF TWO LINES TO SEPARATE THE FUNDS THAT THE RESIDENTS RECEIVE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENTS ON THEIR HOME REPAIRS.

WE DO NEED TO HAVE CLARIFICATION ON THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS BROUGHT UP TODAY AGAIN.

WE'RE ASKING THESE QUESTIONS. YOU GUYS ARE ASKING THESE QUESTIONS.

WHICH WERE THE REPAIRS THAT WERE GIVEN TO THE RESIDENTS? PUT THAT IN ANOTHER COLUMN, SO WE CAN SEE IT AND WE CAN SEE EXACTLY WHO GOT THE MONEY BECAUSE THEY GOT REIMBURSED FOR FIXING THEIR HOME.

WE NEED TO BREAK DOWN THIS BUDGET.

THE OTHER THING IS ANOTHER LINE OF FUNDS USED BY AGENCIES IN CASE.

IN THIS CASE, IT WOULD BE HABITAT AND SELF HELP.

AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, SELF HELP WAS ALREADY DONE.

THEY WERE IN CHARGE OF THE RENTER HOMES AND HABITATS IN CHARGE OF THE OWNER HOMES.

WE SHOULD HAVE THOSE TWO BUDGETS SEPARATED.

[01:25:02]

THIS HELPS CLARIFICATION ON THE BUDGET.

LIKE I SAID, IF YOU LOOK AT PAGE 8, IT IS CONCERNING THAT HALF OF THE MONEY IS ALREADY PUT TO SIDE, I GUESS, OR IT HAS BEEN SPENT.

SEE, WE DON'T KNOW THOSE QUESTIONS.

LIKE HALF OF THAT FOUR MILLION. WHAT IS THAT MONEY? IS THAT MONEY THAT'S BEEN GIVEN TO THE RESIDENTS? IS THAT MONEY THAT'S ALREADY BEEN SPENT? IS THAT MONEY TO HELP THE GONZALEZ'S HOUSE? WE DON'T KNOW.

WE NEED TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS NOW.

THIS IS WHY I ASKED FOR AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FROM THE BEGINNING WHEN WE DID THE $20 MILLION.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> [INAUDIBLE] THAT SHE WAS PLANNING YESTERDAY.

>> SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MR. MIMMS, ON THE 4.6 MILLION THAT'S IN DEDICATED FUNDS, THAT IS ENCOMPASSING AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED, BUT THAT'S NOT ONLY MONEY THAT'S BEEN SPENT, BUT THAT'S MONEY THAT'S BEEN ALLOCATED, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> PERFECT. I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT I HEARD, AND I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC? PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR INFORMATION ITEMS 49 AND 50 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. CALL FOR THE VOTE.

>> PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO BOARD ACTION BEGINNING WITH PUBLIC WORKS.

[BOARD ACTION]

>> HOW ABOUT NOW? YEAH, THERE WE GO. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, BOARD CHAIR, AND SUPERVISORS.

ITEM 23 IS A LITTLE BIT OF A UNIQUE ITEM.

STAFF RECEIVED MULTIPLE REQUESTS REGARDING THE CONDITIONS AND THE ACCESSIBILITY OF DAN MCNAMARA ROAD, RANGING FROM VEHICLES GETTING STUCK, RANGING FROM TRASH BEING DUMPED AND VANDALISM AND ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

THIS IS A QUASI PAVED, QUASI DIRT ROAD THAT REALLY ONLY SERVES SOME ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS, LARGE FARM OWNERS, AND STAFF TOOK A LOOK AT THE CONCERNS, TOOK A LOOK AT THE AREA, AND WE BELIEVE WE FOUND A UNIQUE SOLUTION FOR THIS AREA TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS FROM THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

ESSENTIALLY, STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE SECTION 1486 ALLOWS FOR GATES TO BE PLACED ON COUNTY HIGHWAYS.

WE'RE NOT PROPOSING TO GO THROUGH A FORMAL VACATION PROCESS.

WE'RE NOT PROPOSING TO GO THROUGH A TERMINATION OF MAINTENANCE.

THE COUNTY WILL STILL OWN THE ROAD, BUT WE WILL ALLOW THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO PLACE GATES ON THE ROAD TO SECURE ACCESS.

WE ARE PROPOSING TO HAVE A KEY THAT WE WILL CHECK OUT AT OUR FRONT COUNTER.

IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, SO ANYONE COULD COME IN, CHECK OUT A KEY.

THAT'S A WAY FOR US TO ENSURE THAT SOMEONE ACTUALLY HAS A NEED TO BE GOING ON THE ROAD AND NOT CREATING ISSUES DOWN THE LINE.

ADDITIONALLY, SECTION 966 OF THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE FORMALIZES THIS PROCESS.

LIKE I SAID, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT UNIQUE APPROACH.

THIS IS NOT AN APPROACH THAT WE WANT TO TAKE EVERYWHERE.

WE DON'T WANT TO RESTRICT ACCESS ON A THROUGH MOVEMENT ROAD.

BUT WHAT THIS WOULD DO IS IT WOULD INSTALL GATES ON DAN MCNAMARA ROAD, ESSENTIALLY JUST NORTH OF SANDY MUSH AND JUST SOUTH OF GREENHOUSE ROAD.

IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM OR ANYTHING ELSE ON THE SCHEDULE ITEMS ITEM NUMBER 24, BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

>> SUPERVISORY MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I KNOW THIS WAS A PROBLEM BEFORE YOU HAD YOUR POSITION, AND I JUST APPRECIATE THIS COMING FORWARD.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT IN MY DISTRICT, I DO HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO OWN THE PROPERTY AND STUFF OUT THERE.

I THINK THERE'S EVEN SOME TARGET PRACTICES BEING TAKEN PLACE OUT THERE THAT MAYBE SHOULDN'T BE DONE, BUT I APPRECIATE THIS COMING FORWARD NOW.

I KNOW EVEN WHENEVER YOU GOT INTO CONVERSATIONS, THEY ALL COULDN'T GET ON THE SAME PAGE.

[01:30:02]

I DO SUPPORT THIS. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. YEAH, THIS USED TO BE PART OF MY DISTRICT NOW.

IT'S PART OF MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT ONE'S DISTRICT.

IF YOU GUYS AREN'T FAMILIAR, JUST NORTH OF SANDY MUSH IS THE SAN JOAQUIN RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH THERE.

MOST TIMES OF THE YEAR, IT'S NOT EVEN PASSABLE THROUGH THERE.

BUT THIS LITTLE THING CALLED WAYS AND GOOGLE MAPS DOESN'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THERE IS NO BRIDGE THERE.

YOU ACTUALLY DRIVE THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER BED TO GET ACROSS THERE.

I KNOW THAT IT CREATES CHALLENGES THERE, AND THE BAD ACTORS THAT WANT TO GO DUMP THEIR TRASH A LITTLE BIT FURTHER OFF OF THE ROAD WHEN THEY CAN'T PASS THE WATER, THEY JUST DUMP IT RIGHT THERE RIGHT AT THE WATER'S EDGE.

I KNOW IN TALKING WITH PROPERTY OWNERS, THE CONCERN, AND THEY'RE PERFECTLY FINE WITH BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A TRUE REASON TO BE OUT THERE, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THE TIME TO COME TO THE PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE, PICK UP A KEY AND BE ABLE TO USE IT.

WE'RE NOT RESTRICTING PUBLIC ACCESS.

ALL WE'RE DOING IS SAY, IF YOU REALLY NEED TO BE OUT THERE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE PLANNING ON IT.

I THINK THIS IS THE GOOD COMPROMISE, IF YOU WILL, THAT THEY'RE ALLOWED TO PUT GATES ACROSS THERE TO KEEP FOLKS THAT HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING OUT THERE OUT THERE.

I'M THANKFUL THAT THIS IS COMING FORWARD. THANK YOU NATHAN.

>> SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

>> AS MY COLLEAGUES POINTED OUT IN DISTRICT 1, SO I JUST WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO SICK ONE.

>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 23 AND 24.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 23, 24 IS NOW CLOSED, AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> ITEM 25.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ITEM NUMBER 25.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ITEM 25 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

>> ITEM 26.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BHRS ITEM 26.

SEEING NONE. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BHRS.

ITEM 26 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

IF YOU HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE SHERIFF.

>> FIRE ITEM 27.

>> I'M SORRY. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FIRE ITEM NUMBER 27.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FIRE ITEM 27 IS NOW CLOSED.

I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE PROBATION.

>> AT THIS TIME. [OVERLAPPING]

>> ITEMS 28 AND 29.

>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PROBATION ITEMS 28 AND 29.

SEEING NONE, WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NOW WE HAVE SHERIFF.

>> ITEMS 30 THROUGH 32.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SHERIFF ITEMS 30 THROUGH 32.

I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS 30 THROUGH 32. SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST ON ITEM 31, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR BEING WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS.

THIS IS AN MCE SCHOOL THAT'S IN MY DISTRICT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT POLITICALLY CORRECT TERM THERE IS, BUT I WILL SAY THAT THESE ARE YOUTH THAT DON'T FIT IN AN NORMAL HIGH SCHOOL AND MAYBE HAVE SOME BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

[01:35:04]

THEY HAVE TO DRIVE PAST MY HOUSE AS ONE OF THE ROUTES TO GET THERE.

I SEE THEM OFTEN.

ANYWAYS, I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT WE'RE ABLE TO WORK WITH MCE THANKFUL TO THEM FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND AND ASK THEM FOR SOME HELP.

I THINK IT'LL MAKE SOME FOLKS, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT WORK THERE, THEY'RE THE ONES AT RISK, BUT THIS WILL SAVE OFF SOME PROBLEMS, AND JUST I'M THANKFUL AND MY COMMUNITY, RIGHT, I LIVE THERE, MY AUNT AND UNCLE LIVE THERE A COUSINS AND NEIGHBORS, AND EVERYBODY'S BEEN CONCERNED, AND I THINK THEY'LL GO A LONG WAYS IN STOPPING THOSE ISSUES. THANK YOU.

>> WE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> ITEM 33.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CED ITEM NUMBER 33.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CED ITEM NUMBER 33 IS NOW CLOSED.

PLEASE BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT.

>> ITEMS 34 AND 35.

>> AT THIS TIME, DIRECTOR ERIC SERRATO WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THESE ITEMS.

>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS LESLIE ABASTA CUMMINGS, AND I AM YOUR CURRENT BOARD CHAIR FOR THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

I AM REALLY JUST HERE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HELPING TO EXPAND OUR FOOTPRINT AND THE VERY MEANINGFUL WORK THAT WE DO.

IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE OUR DIRECTOR ERIC SERRATO.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR.

YOU HAVE TWO ITEMS BEFORE YOU, AND BOTH OF THEM ARE REALLY ABOUT EXPANDING OUR SERVICE FOOTPRINT.

THE FIRST IS A LEASE FOR A NEW FLAGSHIP CENTER THAT WE ARE BUILDING OUT AT THE MERCED MALL.

IT'S GOING TO BE 8,000 SQUARE FEET AMOUNT OF A STATE OF THE ART CENTER THAT IS GOING TO BRING TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WORKFORCE SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT WOULD REALLY BE FIRST IN THE NATION.

THE SECOND IS ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF OUR OVERALL FOOTPRINT.

WE'RE GOING TO GO FROM TWO HONESTLY SUBSTANDARD JOB CENTER ENVIRONMENTS IN THE COUNTY TO FOUR GLEAMING CENTERS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THIS WORK CAN BE COSTLY.

WE'VE GOTTEN HERE THROUGH A SERIES OF EFFICIENCIES THAT WE FOUND IN OUR OWN OPERATIONS, IN SOME CASES, MOVING INTO CENTERS THAT ARE MORE COST EFFECTIVE, AS WELL AS SECURING A $350,000 GRANT FROM THE JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION.

PART OF THIS WORK IS A MOVE TO THE LOS BANOS CAMPUS OF MERCED COLLEGE.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE CO LOCATED WITH A COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WE'VE SENT STAFF TO STUDY SIMILAR COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN WORKFORCE CENTERS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND WE FEEL REALLY CONFIDENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOMETHING UNIQUE, PARTICULARLY FOR JOB SEEKERS ON THE WEST SIDE.

WE'LL BE THERE LOCATED, WHERE THEY'RE NOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING A FORMAL GRAND OPENING IN ABOUT A MONTH.

THIS CENTER WILL BE FOCUSED ON CONNECTING JOB SEEKERS TO TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY DESERVE. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR ERIC. I APPLAUD.

IT SEEMS LIKE SINCE YOU'VE BEEN IN THIS POSITION SHOPPING AROUND FOR OTHER PLACES AND HOW WE CAN EXPAND OUR SERVICES AND APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THAT.

I DO LIKE THIS IDEA OF COHABITATING AT THE COLLEGE BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN I WENT TO MERCED COLLEGE, THE JOB CENTER WAS THE PLACE WHERE YOU FOUND WHETHER IT WAS A WEEKEND JOB, WHETHER IT WAS PICK AND PEACHES.

I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT ONE.

BUT THROUGH ALL THAT, IT'S ALWAYS THERE.

IT'S NICE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO WRAP OUR SERVICES AROUND WITH WHAT THE COLLEGE IS DOING AS WELL.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE WORKING OUT REALLY NICE.

MY COLLEAGUE, MR. SILVEIRA FROM THE WEST SIDE IS ACTUALLY WORKING ON A BIKE PATH, WHICH WILL BE VERY HELPFUL AS WELL TO THE COLLEGE AND FOR THE JOB SERVICES.

BUT NO, I APPRECIATE THIS AND APPRECIATE THIS FOCUS.

I THINK BOTH OF THESE ARE REALLY GOOD STUFF.

IT'S A LOT BETTER IN THE EDD BUILDING THAT WE WERE COHABITATING IN,

[01:40:04]

>> SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> CHAIR. YEAH, I THINK IT'S THE LOCATION.

I WAS GOING TO BRING UP THERE'S TALKS ABOUT A BIKE PATH, A WALK PATH OUT TO THE COLLEGE FROM IN TOWN THERE.

I THINK THAT TIES CLOSE WITH THIS, AND I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT YOU'RE PROVIDING SERVICES IN A PLACE WHERE A LOT OF THESE YOUNG FOLKS WILL BE LOOKING FOR WORK, AND SO THE COLLEGE HAS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

WE WERE JUST AT THE STATE OF THE COLLEGE EVENT YESTERDAY AND TALKING ABOUT WITH THE NEW MEASURE THAT PASSED FOR THE LAS BANOS CAMPUS, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE. I THINK IT'S REALLY GREAT.

THEN THE THING WHERE I WILL DISAGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT 3 ON IS IS THAT I DON'T THINK PICKING PEACHES IS A BAD THING.

I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE TO DO IT.

THE ONE THING THAT I WILL TELL YOU IS, IF YOU'VE EVER PICKED PEACHES, THAT'S REAL WORK.

THAT'S REAL HANDS ON LABOR, OUT IN THE ELEMENTS.

ANY JOB THAT YOU HAVE AFTER THAT, YOU WILL APPRECIATE MUCH BETTER AFTER HAVING PICKED PEACHES.

>> I CONCUR. NO, I THINK IT'S GREAT TO HAVE IT AT THE COLLEGE, BUT THEN ALSO, I THINK THAT REALLY TAKING OVER THAT 635, IF IT PASSES AT FAIRFIELD, THAT'S BEEN AN EYESORE FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.

IF ANYBODY DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THAT'S AT, THAT'S THE MOVIE THEATER AT THE MALL THAT'S BEEN ABANDONED FOR A LONG TIME.

I THINK THAT'LL BE A GOOD AND IT'S ALSO CLOSER TO MERCED COLLEGE AS WELL, WHICH I THINK IS THE MAIN CAMPUS HERE, SO I THINK IT'S GREAT.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR DWI ITEMS 34 AND 35.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DWI ITEMS 34 AND 35 IS NOW CLOSED. BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA. PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

>> YOU HAVE ME SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

>> PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE AUDITOR CONTROLLER.

>> ITEM 36.

>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AUDITOR CONTROLLER, ITEM 36.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR AUDITOR CONTROLLER ITEM 36 IS NOW CLOSED.

BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.

>> ITEMS 37 AND 38.

>> AT THIS TIME, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK HENDRICKSON, WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 37.

>> AGAIN, GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO AND COUNTY COUNCIL AGAIN, MARK HENDRICKSON, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

>> SORRY. I'VE BEEN REQUESTED TO TAKE ABOUT A FIVE MINUTE BREAK.

>> TAKE AS LONG AS YOU NEED.

>> THANK YOU. FIVE MINUTES.

NOW WE WILL GET BACK TO ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK HENDRICKSON.

>> GOOD MORNING CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO, AND COUNTY COUNSEL, AGAIN, MARK HENDRICKSON, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM TODAY IS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF STAFF'S OPIOID SETTLEMENT PHASE TWO FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT, THOUGH, HOWEVER, TO THANK OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, OUR SHERIFF, OUR CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER, AND OUR TEAMS FROM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, HSA, PUBLIC HEALTH, OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER, COUNTY COUNSEL, AND THE COS OFFICE FOR THEIR COLLABORATIVE WORK BRINGING TO YOU THIS ITEM TODAY.

AS THE BOARD MAY RECALL, FROM OUR FIRST WAVE OF INVESTMENTS, ABOUT A YEAR AGO, OUR GOALS HAVE BEEN QUITE SIMPLE, ONE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OPIOID RELATED DEATHS, OVERDOSES, ARREST, ER VISITS, AND THEN ALSO TO LESSEN THE IMPACT ON OUR AMBULATORY SYSTEM.

NOW, TO DO SO, YOUR TEAM DEVELOPED A TACTICAL APPROACH THAT FOCUSED ON ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, DEVELOPING PREVENTIVE MEASURES, ENHANCING OUR SURVEILLANCE EFFORT TO TARGET OUR EFFORTS, AND PROVIDING ENHANCED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFLICTED WITH OPIOID USE, OR DEPENDENCY.

LIKE OTHER AREAS AROUND THE COUNTRY, MERCED COUNTY IS NOT IMMUNE TO THIS ISSUE, AND TRAGICALLY, WE HAVE SEEN DEATH, OVERDOSE, AND DESPAIR.

FOR THESE REASONS, YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING THE STRATEGIES NECESSARY TO MOVE THE NEEDLE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> SINCE 2023, THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS AND OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY SPECIFICALLY, OVER 900,000 FINAL PILLS HAVE BEEN SEIZED AND 88 RELATED ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

AGAIN, WE NEED TO TAKE OUR HATS OFF TO THEM FOR THEIR WORK.

IN OUR FIRST PHASE, OUR EFFORT LARGELY FOCUSED ON EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT.

[01:45:02]

OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM, AS YOU SO WELL KNOW USED DATA EFFECTIVELY TO TARGET HIGH RISK AREAS AND DISTRIBUTED DETERRA MAIL POUCHES FOR AT-HOME DRUG DEACTIVATION AND DISPOSAL.

IN THIS REGARD, MORE THAN 27,000 POUCHES WERE MAILED ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF OVERDOSES.

NOW AS WE SHIFT OUR EFFORTS TO PHASE 2, WHICH AIMS TO FURTHER ADVANCE OUR EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS WHICH WILL NOT STOP, BUT IT ALSO SHIFTS TO ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE AND TREATMENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY NOW TO INVITE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, NICOLE SILVERA, LIEUTENANT RAY FRAMSTAD, CAPTAIN GREG SULLIVAN, AND DIRECTOR CAMICO VANG TO PROVIDE SOME BRIEF COMMENTS ON THE SUCCESSES OF THEIR PHASE 1 WORK, BUT ALSO THE RATIONALE WITH EACH OF THE PHASE 2 INVESTMENTS DEPICTED ON THIS SLIDE.

THIS POINT, I'LL ASK THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO COME UP AND MAKE SOME COMMENTS.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

CHAIR, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TODAY.

AS ASSISTANT CEO JUST POINTED OUT, WE SAW EXTREME AMOUNTS OF SUCCESS WITH OUR FIRST PHASE FOCUSING ON YOUTH OUTREACH.

THE CRUX OF OUR CAMPAIGN WAS TO HIT OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, JUNIOR HIGHS AND GIVE THEM INFORMATION ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL AND OPIOIDS IN GENERAL.

I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT FROM 2023-2024, WE DID SEE A REDUCE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS FROM THE AGES OF 18-25 SHOWING THAT OUR TARGET POPULATION WAS RECEIVING THE INFORMATION AND RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN DEATHS FOR THAT TARGET AGE GROUP.

AS WE CONTINUE OUR PROGRAM, WE DO WANT TO EXTEND OUR EFFORTS INTO MORE TECHNOLOGY BASED SOFTWARE AND APPROACHES, AND SO I'LL LET LIEUTENANT FRAMSTAD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> GOOD MORNING, CO MENDEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT TODAY.

WE'RE HERE TO REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT AND APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH PEREGRINE TECHNOLOGIES.

PEREGRINE IS AN ADVANCED DATA ANALYTIC COMPANY WHOSE PLATFORM WILL CONSIDERABLY ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO RESPOND TO THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT CONTINUES TO PLAGUE MERCED COUNTY.

WE'RE LOOKING INTO PEREGRINE BECAUSE IT IS THE SUPREME PLATFORM THAT DRIVES INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY WITH NOT ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND OTHER COLLABORATES IN OUR COUNTY.

IT ENHANCES OFFICER AND FIRST RESPONDER SAFETY, AUTOMATES ALERTS FOR EXPOSURE TO DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES SUCH AS FITNOL, TRACKS, HIGH RISK CALLS FOR SCENES, NARCAN USAGE, AND IDENTIFY STAFF EXPOSURE TO OVERDOSES AND TRAUMATIC INCIDENTS.

IMPROVES PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH REAL TIME DATA, CAPTURES CRITICAL INFORMATION LIKE OVERDOSES, OPIOID RELATED CALLS FOR SERVICE, ENCAMPMENT LOCATION, AND ALLOWS FOR STRATEGIC DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES IN THESE HIGH RISK AREAS.

EMPOWERS SUPERVISORS, SEARCHABLE DASHBOARDS, OFFER SUPERVISOR ACTION INSIGHTS TO FIELD ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT AREAS, AND ALSO SUPPORTS THE COUNTY'S WELLNESS INITIATIVE WITH DATA DRIVEN APPROACH.

PROMOTES COUNTY WIDE COLLABORATION, SHARING CRITICAL DATA WITH COLLABORATES INCLUDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH, EMS, AND EVEN ALLOWS FOR REAL TIME DASHBOARDS FOR EACH ONE OF YOUR DISTRICTS TO MONITOR REAL TIME DATA AS IT UNFOLDS.

PROMOTES COUNTY WIDE COLLABORATION WITH BETTER COORDINATION, SO WE CAN BRING YOU UP REAL TIME STATISTICS RATHER THAN STATISTICS THAT ARE ONE OR TWO-YEARS-OLD.

WE CAN PULL THEM UP THE DAY THAT THEY'RE REQUESTED.

PREDICTIVE AND PREVENTIVE POWER, IDENTIFYING OVERDOSE PATTERNS, CRIMINAL TRANS ACTIVITY, SOME OF THE HOT SPOTS THAT WE KNOW THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

IT'S ALL DATA DRIVEN PREVENTION STRATEGIES.

THE MAJORITY OF LARGER AREAS, INCLUDING STANISLAUS COUNTY ARE USING PEREGRINE.

YOU'RE ABLE TO WRITE MOUS AND SHARE DATA, NOT ONLY ON THE PATROL SIDE, BUT ALSO IN OUR JAIL.

IT BRINGS TOGETHER OUR CAD RESOURCES, RMS, BODY WORN CAMERAS, ALPR DATA, AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT INNOVATIONS UNDER ONE PLATFORM TO REALLY GIVE US A GOOD LOOK AND A GOOD SET OF TOOLS TO GET THE JOB DONE MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY.

FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT, IT SUPPORTS BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH OBJECTIVES, SAVES TIME, IMPROVES OUTCOMES, AND REDUCES COMMUNITY HARM THROUGH SMARTER INTERVENTIONS.

DIRECTLY ALIGNS WITH THE COUNTY'S MISSION TO COMBAT FENTANYL AND OPIOID CRISIS.

IT'S A CRITICAL TOOL THAT WE NEED TO FIGHT AGAINST THE GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY CRISIS OF FENTANYL AND SYNTHETIC OPIOID ABUSE.

[01:50:02]

WE HAVE THINGS SUCH AS XYLAZINE COMING INTO THE MIX, ALL THESE DIFFERENT DRUG PLATFORMS THAT I'M HONORED TO REPRESENT OUR COUNTY AND ALSO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE SCHOOL BOARD, WITH PRESENTING THESE FENTANYL IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS TO ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, ALL THE WAY FROM THE THIRD GRADE, ALL THE WAY UP TO CHURCHES, TEACHERS, AND REALLY IMPACT THE STUDENTS THAT ATTEND THESE HIGH SCHOOLS AND GIVE THEM A REAL LIFE LOOK AT THE DANGERS OF BAD DECISIONS AND HOW THIS CAN AFFECT THEM FOR THE LONG TERM.

IN CLOSING, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT BY THIS SOFTWARE BEING APPROVED TODAY, YOU'RE REALLY GIVING US A TOOL FOR THE INVESTIGATIVE BUREAU TO COLLECT, ORGANIZE, AND USE REAL TIME DATA FOR THE PROSECUTION OF FENTANYL DATA AND USE THIS DATA TO HOLD THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT PUSHING THESE PILLS TO OUR KIDS, GOING AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE PLATFORMS, THE DRUG DEALERS THAT REFER TO AS THE PLUG THAT OPERATE ON SNAPCHAT, ON SOCIAL MEDIA, USE ALL THE DIFFERENT PAY SOURCES AND REVENUE, NOT LIKE THE OLD STYLE OF DRUG DEALING THAT I SAW BACK WHEN I STARTED WORKING HERE IN THIS COUNTY 20 YEARS AGO.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PEREGRINE TECHNOLOGIES WILL EQUIP MERCED COUNTY, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH TOOLS TO ADDRESS ONE OF OUR MOST URGENT THREATS FACING OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

THE PLATFORM WILL ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO ACT QUICKLY, COLLABORATIVELY, AND PROTECT BOTH THE RESIDENTS AND THE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE THEM.

WE RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WE CONTINUE WITH OUR COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A SAFER AND HEALTHIER MERCED COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

CAPTAIN GREG SULLIVAN, MERCED COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL FOR ENHANCED MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT, WE CALL IT MAT.

IT COMBINES FDA APPROVED MEDICATIONS WITH COUNSELING AND BEHAVIORAL THERAPIES TO TREAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS.

THE MAT PROGRAM WILL TARGET OPIOID ADDICTION WITHIN OUR JAIL POPULATION AND PROVIDE LONG TERM MANAGEMENT OF THEIR ADDICTIONS.

THE OPIOID FUNDING WILL PROVIDE $300,000 INTO OUR NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO ENHANCE THE MAT PROGRAM IN THE JAILS.

OUR JAIL MEDICAL PROVIDER WILL PROVIDE THESE SERVICES TO OUR INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.

WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR A MEDICAL PROVIDER COMING UP, AND WE HOPEFULLY WILL MAKE AN ENHANCED PROGRAM, MAT COMBINED IN WITH THE SELECTED MEDICAL PROVIDER.

THIS PROGRAM WILL REALLY HELP PROVIDE WARM HANDOFFS WHEN PEOPLE COME OUT OF CUSTODY TO THE OUTSIDE PROVIDERS.

THE KEY IS, THESE MEDICATIONS ARE EXPENSIVE.

THIS WILL TRULY HELP US DEAL WITH THE OPIOID RELATED POPULATION, AND HOPEFULLY REDUCED DEATHS. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS CO MENDEZ, COUNTY COUNCIL HANSEN [INAUDIBLE] BHRS DIRECTOR.

I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH JUST AN UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES UNDER PHASE 1.

AS PART OF PHASE 1 OF THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND PLAN FOR MERCED COUNTY, THIS BOARD APPROVED A MAILING CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF MEDICATIONS, INCLUDING OPIOIDS THROUGH THE USE OF A DRUG DEACTIVATION AND DISPOSAL POUCH CALLED DETERRA.

IN DECEMBER OF 2024, DETERRA DRUG DISPOSAL KITS WERE MAILED OUT TO 27,559 [INAUDIBLE] WITH A PRIORITY ON ZIP CODES WITH HIGH LEVELS OF OVERDOSE RATES BASED ON MAP DATA.

AN ADDITIONAL 860 PACKETS HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE COUNTY.

AS PART OF THE EDUCATION EFFORTS, BHRS HAS ALSO LAUNCHED A WEBSITE IN DECEMBER OF 2024, WHICH PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE DANGERS OF OPIOIDS AND HOW TO GET HELP.

IN THIS NEXT PHASE, PHASE 2, BHRS PROPOSES TO CONTINUE OVERDOSE PREVENTION EFFORTS WITH OPIOID RESPONSE MARKETING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE TO GET HELP AND LINK INDIVIDUALS BACK TO THE COUNTY WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

BHRS ALSO PROPOSES NALOXONE AND FENTANYL TEST STRIP DISTRIBUTION DISPLAY

[01:55:04]

THIS ACTIVITY IS BOTH PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION WITH A MINIMUM OF 1,200 FREE NALOXONE KITS THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

BHRS HAS ALSO PROVIDED TRAINING TO OUR STAFF OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS ON HOW TO UTILIZE NALOXONE.

WITH THIS BOARD'S APPROVAL, TRAINED COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ACTIVELY CARRYING NALOXONE WILL BE VISIBLY IDENTIFIABLE WITH NALOXONE IDENTIFICATION PINS, WHICH THEY WILL WEAR FOR QUICK INTERVENTION WHEN NEEDED.

BHRS REQUESTS SEED FUNDING TO START A COMMUNITY DRIVEN OPIOID RESPONSE COALITION SIMILAR TO SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL OPIOID COALITIONS IN OTHER COUNTIES, SUCH AS DANISLA, SACRAMENTO, SAN LUIS OBISPO.

THIS OPIOID RESPONSE COALITION WILL ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY COORDINATED OVERDOSE PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES.

THE WORK OF COALITIONS IN OTHER COUNTIES HAS LED TO ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING, AND IT IS OUR HOPE AND INTENTION THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES AND ACCESS FURTHER FUNDING POST OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS IN MERCED COUNTY.

FINALLY, BHRS IS REQUESTING START UP FUNDING FOR A MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT OR MAT CLINIC TO BE OPERATED OUT OF OUR MAIN BHRS BUILDING ON 13TH STREET IN MERCED.

AS CAPTAIN SULLIVAN MENTIONED IN HIS PRESENTATION, MAT IS THE PAIRING OF PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTION WITH AN FDA APPROVED MEDICATION TO TREAT OPIOID USED DISORDER.

MAT HAS SHOWN TO REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS.

HOWEVER, ACCESS TO MAT IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS IS LIMITED BY SHORTAGES OF ADDICTION MEDICINE TRAINED PROVIDERS AND LIMITED OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAMS. THE REQUESTED FUNDING WILL COVER FACILITY FEES, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, NARCOTIC MEDICATIONS, AND SOME STAFF TIME TO START OFFERING THIS VITAL SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU, COMICO. AGAIN, THANK YOU MADAM DIE.

THANK YOU, CAPTAIN SULLIVAN.

THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT FRAMSTAD FOR THE WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO ON THIS FRONT.

JUST A FEW BRIEF POINTS OR REMINDERS.

FIRST, THESE RESOURCES WILL BE DIMINISHING OVER TIME.

SECOND, THE PROPOSED PHASE 2 INVESTMENTS ARE ALIGNED WITH YOUR PRIOR APPROVED STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND TACTICS.

THIRD, OUR EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON EDUCATION, PREVENTION, SURVEILLANCE, AND SERVICES.

THEN LASTLY, EACH OF THE PROPOSED INVESTMENTS DO ALIGN WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT THERE MUST BE A NEXUS TO THE HIGH IMPACT ABATEMENT ACTIVITIES AS INCLUDED WITHIN YOUR STAFF REPORT.

JUST AS AN ADVISORY TO THE BOARD, STAFF WILL BE PREPARING AN ADDITIONAL ITEMS SLATED FOR YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET THAT WILL BE INCLUSIVE OF OPIOID FIGHTING POSITIONS FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, FOR THE SHERIFF, FOR PROBATION, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

THEN ALSO, SHOULD BHRS BE SUCCESSFUL IN SECURING A GRANT TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN SUD CLINIC IN WINTON, STAFF WILL ALSO RETURN AT THAT TIME, SEEKING BOARD AUTHORITY TO UTILIZE SOME OF THESE SETTLEMENT FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSES OF MEETING THE ASSOCIATED MATCHING REQUIREMENT.

BUT AGAIN, THOSE WILL BE COMING AS A PART OF PHASE 2B IN JUNE.

MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AT THIS TIME, STAFF DOES RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PHASE 2 FUNDING STRATEGY, LEVERAGING THESE RESOURCES TOTALING 1.565 MILLION, AND WOULD BE PLEASED TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS THIS BOARD MAY HAVE. AGAIN, THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> I THINK MY QUESTION IS FOR DIRECTOR VANG.

IN THE MAT PROGRAM AND THE MEDICATIONS, WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE ON THOSE? DO YOU EXPECT THAT YOU'LL USE THEM BEFORE THEY EXPIRE? THEN THE SAME QUESTION IS ON THE NARCAN, DO THEY HAVE A SHELF LIFE?

>> WE HAVE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JULIANNE SAMS HERE, WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER A COUPLE OF THOSE QUESTIONS, ALTHOUGH THE QUESTION ABOUT THE MEDICATION MIGHT BE BEST ANSWERED BY MAYBE DR. BOB WHO IS ALSO HERE.

>> I LIKE TO HEAR THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

IT IS NOW AFTERNOON.

JULIE SAMS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

THE NALOXONE DOES HAVE A EXPIRATION DATE ON IT, AND IT LASTS ABOUT TWO YEARS.

I DO NOT KNOW THE SHELF LIFE OF THE MEDICATION.

>> IT'S FOUR YEARS.

[02:00:01]

>> FOUR YEARS.

>> THAT'S THE NARCAN IS FOUR YEARS.

THEN WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT SPECIALIZED MEDICINE TO HELP FOLKS THAT ARE ADDICTED THAT THEY WOULD BE GETTING TREATMENT? I'LL WAIT FOR YOU TO GET TO THE MICROPHONE.

THAT'S OKAY. WELCOME.

>> I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW THE SHELF LIFE.

WELL, BRIEF ANSWER IS, I DON'T KNOW YET.

BUT THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT MEDICINES.

IT COULD BE SUBOXONE, IT COULD BE BUPROPION, IT COULD BE SUBUTEX.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT IS GOING TO BE USED, OR IT COULD BE METHADONE.

>> I GUESS THE GIST OF THE QUESTION IS, AS I KNOW THIS IS WHAT WE'RE STARTING THIS OUT.

I GUESS I WOULD HOPE THAT WE START OUT WHEN WE HAVE THIS SUPPLY AND WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO USE IT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO USE IT.

BUT THEN JUST MONITORING TO SAY IF WE BUY 100 OF THEM, AND WE'RE ONLY USING ON AVERAGE OF 50 OR 60, THEN WE WOULD TRIM THAT DOWN TO WHERE WE'RE KEEPING LIKE MAYBE 70 AND NOT 100.

>> THE WAY THAT WORKS IS, WHEN A PATIENT IS PRESCRIBED THE MEDICINE, THEY GO TO THE PHARMACY AND GET IT.

WE DON'T KEEP IT ON STOCK.

LIKE THE DOCTOR'S PRESCRIBING JUST LIKE ANYTHING.

THE PHARMACY KEEPS IT IN STOCK.

THE KITS ARE NALOXONE, AND THAT HAS A SHELF LIFE.

I BELIEVE THAT THE HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP THESE KITS FOR FOUR YEARS BECAUSE THAT'S THE SHELF LIFE.

THE SECOND THING I WOULD SAY, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY BECAUSE IT'S JUST LIKE GOING TO GET YOUR ANTIBIOTICS OR WHATEVER ELSE FROM YOUR PHARMACIST, AND THEY WILL MANAGE IT.

>> I'M GLAD THAT YOU WERE HERE TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

I FEEL A LOT BETTER ABOUT IT NOW.

THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR PETRACO.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS IS A GREAT PROGRAM.

I KNOW EVERYBODY HAS SEEN THE BILLBOARDS ACROSS THE COUNTY, THE ONE PILL WILL KILL, WHICH IS A GOOD SLOGAN.

FOR ME, IT'S BEEN A GOOD CONVERSATION STARTER.

I'M DRIVING AROUND WITH MY KIDS AND MY GRANDKIDS, AND JUST TALK ABOUT THAT.

I'VE SEEN THE PROGRAM THAT LIEUTENANT FRAMPTON HAS PUT ON. I WANT TO GIVE THEM A SHOUT OUT.

THAT'S A GREAT PROGRAM THEY'RE ENGAGED AND ENGAGE THESE KIDS.

I SAID, I THINK IT'S MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

I WANT TO COMMEND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS FOR COMING TOGETHER AND WORKING HARD AND COLLABORATING.

I THINK WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I THINK MY COLLEAGUES SAID MOST OF WHAT I WANT TO DO, BUT WE'VE SEEN THE RESULTS.

NUMBERS ARE SHOWING THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE GOOD.

I DO KNOW I DID LIKE THE TERRA PROGRAM THAT WE DID BY SENDING IT OUT, AND A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE, WHETHER THEY RECEIVED IT IN THE MAIL, ASKED ME QUESTIONS ABOUT IT, AND IT'S BEEN VERY POSITIVE.

IT'S BEEN SO POSITIVE. ACTUALLY, THERE'S LEGISLATION AT THE STATE NOW TO REQUIRE ANYTIME ANYTHING IS PRESCRIBED, THEY GET A POUCH WITH PRESCRIPTION, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S DOING VERY WELL AT THE STATE LEVEL NOW.

ACTUALLY, I THINK THERE'S A PHARMACY HERE IN MERCED THAT'S ACTUALLY HANDING IT OUT NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATION PASSED AND EDUCATING FOLKS ON HOW TO GET RID OF THESE PROBLEMS. BECAUSE I THINK MOST OF THE PROBLEMS ARE IS PEOPLE RATING THE CABINETS OF GRANDPARENTS AND PARENTS. THANKS.

>> SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

>> THANKS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I ATTENDED THE ONE PILL WILL KILL PRESENTATION OUT IN HILMAR AND FOUND IT VERY, VERY INFORMATIVE.

I WASN'T SURE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS ARE, AND IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LONG AND THEY GOT TO CHITCHATTING.

BUT LATER AT TWO OF MY MAC MEETINGS, THERE WERE YOUTH THERE, AND I HAVE THE LITTLE BLUE PILL THAT HAS THE SCAN CODE ON THE BACK OF IT THAT GOES TO THE WEBSITE THAT DISCUSSES IT AND HELPS FOLKS HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THEIR KIDS.

ANYWAY. I ASKED, HEY, DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT THIS ONE PILL WILL KILL? AT ONE MEETING, TWO YOUTH, AND ANOTHER MEETING, WELL, IN DELHI AND IN HILMAR, THREE YOUTH SAID, YEAH, THAT'S THE FENTANYL PILL OR WHATEVER AWARENESS PROGRAM.

I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU THAT IT'S NEED TO SEE WHEN A COUNTY DOES AN OUTREACH AND THEN TO KNOW THAT IT'S REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T.

WE GIVE THE INFORMATION, AND THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO, SO GOOD JOB, AND THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. LIEUTENANT FRAM, WHEN YOU SAID, WHEN YOU STARTED DEALING, I WAS LIKE, WAIT, WHAT? YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE.

[LAUGHTER] I'M JUST KIDDING.

I WANTED TO SAY, YES, THANK YOU TO GOING OUT TO THE SCHOOLS.

I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AS SOMEBODY THAT HAS YOUNG CHILDREN, IT REALLY SCARES ME.

THE MORE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO GET OUT THERE,

[02:05:03]

MY SON SAW THE PRESENTATION AND A LOT OF TIMES OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL IS LEFT OUT, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR GOING OVER THERE AND TALKING TO THEM ALSO BECAUSE I THINK THAT WHEN THEY GET TO HEAR THAT STUFF, THEY NEED TO, BECAUSE WHEN THEY GO FROM EIGHTH GRADE TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL, GOING INTO A PUBLIC SCHOOL, THEY'RE EXPOSED TO A WHOLE ANOTHER WORLD.

I THINK THAT BY YOU GUYS BEING ABLE TO GO OUT THERE AND EXPLAIN TO HIM THIS STUFF, I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THE MOTION JUST YET BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DR. SULLIVAN INTRODUCE DR. BOPARAI.

AND THEN WE'LL GO OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> HELLO AGAIN.

I AM EXCITED TO REINTRODUCE.

AS SHE WAS HERE JUST A SECOND AGO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, DR. BOPARAI, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING WITH BHRS FOR SINCE 2021 IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES, AND AS YOU HEARD, PREVIOUSLY, AS AN EXPERTISE IN BOTH ADULT AND CHILD PSYCHIATRY.

DR. BOPARAI HAS ALSO AGREED TO STEP IN AND SERVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS OUR INTERIM COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER WHILE WE ARE CONDUCTING AN ONGOING SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT HEALTH OFFICER.

DR. BOPARAI IN COLLABORATION WITH DR. SANTANA WILL BE CONTINUING TO SERVE THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY DOCTOR.

WE ARE EVER SO GRATEFUL FOR HER SERVICE IN THIS AREA.

I WANTED TO JUST HIGHLIGHT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DR. BOPARAI.

AS I SAID, SHE'S BEEN WORKING WITH BHRS IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES FOR 2021.

PREVIOUS TO THAT, SHE'S HAD A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES IN BOTH INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SETTINGS.

SHE'S RECEIVED POST DOCTORATE TRAINING IN BOTH ADULT AND CHILD PSYCHIATRY, AND SHE REALLY HAS A FOCUS ON BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL NEEDS, AS WELL AS SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS THAT OUR CLIENTS ALL PRESENT WITH.

WE SERVE A LOT OF THE SAME POPULATION, AND THIS IS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THE BOND AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN BOTH PUBLIC HEALTH AND BHRS.

THEN ALSO, AS A FUN FACT ABOUT DR. BOPARAI, SHE HAS WRITTEN A BICYCLE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO WASHINGTON, DC, WHICH IS TRULY INCREDIBLE.

I WILL ALSO BE TAPPING HER KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE IN THAT AREA FOR OUR ACTIVE LIVING PROGRAMS. WITH THAT, I JUST WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO DR. BOPARAI TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

I THINK YOU COVERED EVERYTHING.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER.

>> SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

>> I JUST HEARD YOU SAY, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT I REALLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING TO STEP UP.

BECAUSE I MET YOU IN THE BEHAVIOR HEALTH WORLD, AND THEN WHEN I SAW YOU SIT NEXT TO DR. SULLIVAN, I'M THINKING, OH, BUT ANYWAY, YEAH, THANK YOU.

IT'S TWO ROLES, BUT REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

WE HAD A, I GUESS, WOULD BE A PERIOD WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE A MEDICAL OFFICER AND IT REALLY THREW A WRENCH INTO A LOT OF US, ESPECIALLY SCHOOL PROGRAM AND FOR PHYSICALS.

I KNOW HOW CRITICAL IT IS TO OUR COMMUNITY. I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU.

JUST ONE OTHER QUESTION ABOUT THAT BIKE RIDE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO DC.

WAS IT ON A 757 OR 747 OR WAS IT ON THE ROAD? [LAUGHTER]

>> I CAN TALK ABOUT THAT FOREVER, BUT I'LL KEEP IT SHORT BECAUSE I LOVE IT.

IT'S MY BEST ACHIEVEMENT FOR ME, AT LEAST.

IT WAS ALL OFF HIGHWAYS.

WE CYCLED SIX DAYS A WEEK.

IT TOOK 2.5 MONTHS BECAUSE IT'S 3,800 MILES.

THEN EVERY SEVENTH DAY, WE BASICALLY VOLUNTEERED WITH A GROUP OF 18 FOLKS, VOLUNTEERED TO CLEAR NATIONAL PARKS, WHATEVER WAS OPPORTUNITY THAT WAS GIVEN TO US, AND GOES BACK TO WHAT MR. SILVEIRA HAD SAID ABOUT PICKING PEACHES.

ONCE YOU DO THAT, WHICH IS WHAT I DID BEFORE I STARTED COLLEGE, I BELIEVE YOU CAN DO SO MUCH.

YOU APPRECIATE IT.

[LAUGHTER] WHEN YOU HAVE TO SLEEP IN A BASEBALL FIELD WITH SPRINKLERS AROUND YOU, SUDDENLY, BECAUSE THERE'S NO PLACE, THINGS DIDN'T WORK OUT, THEN YOU WERE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE BED AND THE QUILT.

YES. ANYWAY, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR SHARING.

>> YEAH.

>> WELL, THANK YOU AND WELCOME.

IF YOU REALLY WANTED TO IMPRESS US, YOU WOULD HAVE WROTE A UNICYCLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT BICYCLES ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

[LAUGHTER]

>> NEXT TIME.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CEO ITEMS 37 AND 38.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CEO ITEMS 37 AND 38 IS NOW CLOSED.

[02:10:05]

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD ITEMS 39 AND 40.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD ITEMS 39 AND 40 IS NOW CLOSED.

BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE ITEMS HERE IS FOR THE DISTRICT 3 PROJECT FUNDS, GOING TO THE ATWATER LIBRARY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK NATHAN FOR WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO THIS.

WE HAVE A VETERAN THAT WALKS BY THERE EVERY DAY, AND I GET THE PHONE CALL FROM HIM THAT THERE'S NOT A FLAG UP, AND I APPRECIATE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT WE CAN KEEP THE LIGHTS ON THE FLAG AND CONTINUE TO LET IT FLYING.

I'VE COORDINATED WITH CONGRESSMAN GRAY'S OFFICE AS WELL.

THEY WILL BE DONATING A FLAG FOR THE POLE, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AND DO A LITTLE CEREMONY OUT THERE ON BEHALF OF THE ATWATER LIBRARY. THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

>> ITEMS 41 THROUGH 48.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 41 THROUGH 48.

OKAY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS ITEMS 41 THROUGH 48 IS NOW CLOSED.

I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE A SCHEDULED ITEM,

[SCHEDULED ITEMS]

>> NEXT, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FROM PUBLIC WORKS TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR THE GENERAL VACATION OF CORRAL ROAD IN THE LOS BANOS AREA. CORRAL.

>> AT THIS TIME, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR NATHAN BRAY WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ITEM.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD CHAIR AND SUPERVISORS.

THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS CONSIDERATION TO VACATE CORRAL ROAD IN THE LOS BANOS AREA.

THE ACTIONS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE STAFF REPORT INCLUDE HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

AFTER CONSIDERATION OF COMMENTS RECEIVED, FIND THE PROPOSED VACATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OR CEQA PURSUANT TO SECTION 153 OH ONE OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES, AND ADOPT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION AS IDENTIFIED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

STAFF RECEIVED A REQUEST TO VACATE CORRAL ROAD DUE TO BREAK INS AT THE SURROUNDING DUCK CLUBS ALONG THE ROAD.

THE SECTION OF CORRAL ROAD PROPOSED TO BE VACATED, STARTS AT STATE ROUTE 165 AND CONTINUES NORTHERLY FOR ABOUT TWO MILES WHERE THE SECTION OF CORRAL ROAD DEAD ENDS.

THIS IS NOT A THROUGH STREET.

THE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOUND THIS ACTION TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN FROM A CIRCULATION PERSPECTIVE.

NOTIFICATION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS NOTICED AND POSTED ON SITE PURSUANT TO STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE SECTIONS 8320, 8322, AND 8323.

IF AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, THE BOARD FINDS THE SECTION OF CORRAL ROAD IS UNNECESSARY FOR USE AND VACATION IS IN THE PUBLIC'S BEST INTEREST, THE BOARD MAY APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR GENERAL VACATION.

TO CLOSE, THE BOARD SHOULD OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, RECEIVE COMMENTS, AND AFTER CONSIDERATION OF ANY COMMENTS, MAY TAKE ACTION TO VACATE THIS ROAD.

I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS NOW OR AFTER PUBLIC COMMENTS HAVE BEEN CLOSED.

>> I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND AT THIS TIME, I WILL ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THIS ITEM.

TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

MY NAME IS STEVE CRONIN.

I'M REPRESENTING THE LANDOWNERS OF SOME OF THE DUCK CLUBS THERE ON CORRAL ROAD.

AS THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ME, HE SAID, CORRAL ROADS, APPROXIMATELY A TWO-MILE UNIMPROVED ROAD PROVIDES THE SOLE ACCESS

[02:15:01]

HE SAID, IT IS NOT A THOROUGH ROAD, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE ARE VERY FEW REASONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE ON THAT ROAD.

LAWFUL REASONS THAT IS.

LATELY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE BEEN SEEING AN INCREASE IN LEGAL ACTIVITY ON THIS ROAD.

ONE OF THE CLUBS WAS BURGLARIZED FOUR TIMES LAST SUMMER.

WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN VANDALISM, I BELIEVE IT'S SAID EARLIER IN THE MEETING ABOUT PEOPLE USING TARGET PRACTICE ON DAN MCNAMARA ROAD.

WE'RE SEEING SIMILAR ISSUES.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF ILLEGAL DUMPING AND TRESPASSING.

THOSE ALL KEEP GOING INCREASING, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE OUT IN A RURAL AREA, AND IT'S VERY HARD TO GET THE SHERIFFS OUT THERE AS WELL, AND THEY PROBABLY HAVE MUCH BETTER THINGS TO DO.

IN ORDER TO CURB THIS COSTLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, I URGE YOUR SUPPORT OF THE VACATION OF THE CORRAL ROAD AND ALLOWING US TO ERECT GATES ON THE ROAD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THIS ROAD WAS ALWAYS INTERESTING.

I GREW UP IN LOS BANOS AND IT'S REALLY A ROAD THAT ONLY GOES, IT DEAD ENDS DOWN THERE.

IT PARALLELS MERCY SPRINGS.

THIS IS ANOTHER SITUATION WHERE I THINK THE RIGHT THING TO DO HERE IS IS TO VACATE THIS ROAD.

WE DON'T HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT ANYMORE.

IT'S NOW ON THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO MAINTAIN IT.

PUTTING A GATE THERE, I THINK PROBABLY SOLVES MOST OF YOUR PROBLEMS, NOT ALL, BUT MOST OF YOUR PROBLEMS. I AM DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF THIS.

THIS USED TO BE IN MY DISTRICT.

THIS IS NOW CURRENTLY IN MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT 1'S DISTRICT.

>> THIS IS A VOICE MOTION.

>> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CONSIDER THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL VACATION OF CORRAL ROAD IN LOS BANOS AREA.

>> YOU HAVE TO DO THREE FIRST, RIGHT?

>> YEAH. I THINK WE HAVE TO FIND IT.

>> FIND THE PROPOSED VACATION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 SUBDIVISION C FOR THE REASONS STATED IN THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION.

>> SECOND.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED SAY NAY? MOTION CARRIES.

>> LAST IS BOARD REPORTS.

[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]

>> AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE BOARD REPORTS STARTING WITH SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. A COUPLE OF THINGS.

DID YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING? GO AHEAD.

>> CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I THINK WE HEARD THE MOTION FOR THE CEQA ACTION.

WAS THERE ALSO A CORRESPONDING MOTION FOR?

>> HE MADE THAT ONE FIRST.

>> JUST MAKING SURE. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD TIME TO CATCH IT.

>> YEAH. COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT.

LAST WEEK, I WAS IN LODI FOR THE STATE ASSOCIATION OFF COUNTY'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING.

A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON BILLS THAT ARE CURRENTLY OUT, IT'S THAT SEASON IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S ONE BILL THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS AB 1441, IT'S A BILL THAT IS THRUST UPON US FOR A CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE.

I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT I'M NOT OPPOSED TO HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT.

I'M JUST DON'T REALLY LIKE THAT A BILL THAT AFFECTS OUR COUNTY AND OUR COUNTY ONLY GETS PRESENTED TO US AND REALLY WITH NO INITIAL DISCUSSION, THERE ARE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS NOW.

THAT'S ONE OF THEM. THERE'S A PLETHORA OF BILLS, TOO MANY TO LIST THAT AFFECT COUNTIES, COUNTY SERVICES, LOCAL CONTROL, THAT OUR BOARD, I KNOW, ARE VERY STRONG ADVOCATES IN ORGANIZATIONS, WHETHER IT BE RCRC, NACO, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, OR CSAC, THE STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, WILL ALL BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THOSE.

ALSO, YESTERDAY, I ATTENDED THE STATE OF THE COLLEGE FOR MERCED COLLEGE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR 11 YEARS, THEY HELD IT IN LOS BANOS.

THEY HONORED THE ANDERSON FAMILY, WHO WAS THE DONATORS OF THE ORIGINAL 120 ACRES THAT THE CURRENT LOS BANOS CAMPUS OF THE MERCED COLLEGE SITS ON.

THERE'S SOME PRETTY EXCITING THINGS GOING ON OUT THERE.

YOU GUYS HEARD US TALK A LITTLE BIT EARLIER.

THERE'S TALKS ABOUT A BIKE PATH OUT THERE.

THE VOTERS ON THE WEST SIDE PASSED, I BELIEVE IT WAS MEASURE P, WHICH WAS A CONTINUATION OF A BOND MEASURE THAT'S GOING TO REALLY ENHANCE THE SERVICES THAT MERCED COLLEGE PROVIDES OUT THERE AND EXCITED FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY,

[02:20:03]

I WANT TO THANK PASTOR STEVE HAMMOND, WHO ALWAYS COMES AND DOES A GREAT JOB.

AS WE ROTATE MONTHS, EACH SUPERVISOR GETS A MONTH TO ASK OR TO HAVE SOMEONE COME AND DO OUR OPENING PRAYER.

IT'S ALWAYS A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGING BECAUSE MY FOLKS ARE COMING FROM THE WEST SIDE, SO I ALWAYS APPRECIATE HIS DEDICATION TO US OVER HERE.

I WANT TO WELCOME DR. BO.

>> PARAI.

>> BILL PARAI.

>> BILL PARAI. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU SAY THAT RIGHT.

THANK YOU. ALSO, I WANT TO THANK THE HERITAGE TEAM THAT SHOWED UP.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE YOUNGSTERS, AND I'VE ALWAYS SAID THIS, AND YOU'VE HEARD ME, AND I BELIEVE SUPERVISOR PAREIRA SAID THIS BEFORE, IS YOU SHOW ME A KID THAT'S BEEN INVOLVED IN 4-H AND FFA, AND I'LL SHOW YOU SOMEBODY THAT'S GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.

WITH THAT GROUP OF KIDS THERE, ALL THE CRAZINESS IN THE WORLD AND EVERYBODY WORRIES ABOUT THE FUTURE, I THINK WE GOT A GOOD SHOT WITH STUDENTS LIKE THOSE.

I'M EXCITED THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND NOT ONLY MY COLLAGES, BUT WHOEVER'S WATCHING ONLINE, AND YOU FOLKS THAT WERE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE GOT TO SEE WHAT I GET TO SEE ON A PRETTY REGULAR BASIS WITH THOSE FINE TALENTED YOUNG INDIVIDUALS.

WITH THAT, THE LAST THING I WILL HIGHLIGHT IS THAT THE THE TRUE MERCED COUNTY FAIR STARTS APRIL 30TH AND GOES THROUGH MAY THE 4TH.

AS YOU GO TO THESE EVENTS, IT'S A STAYCATION.

YOU'RE GOING AND BEING ABLE TO DO STUFF LOCALLY.

WELL, STARTING ON APRIL 1ST, WHICH HAS ALREADY PASSED, YOU CAN GO INTO THE FAIR OFFICE AT 403F STREET IN LAS PANAS, AND YOU COULD BUY ADMISSION PASSES, CARNIVAL WRISTBAND PASSES AT A DISCOUNTED RATE.

FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO SAVE A FEW PENNIES, IT'S WORTH THE TIME TO GO IN THERE.

I WILL TELL YOU, IT'S OPEN NOW, SO YOU CAN GO NOW.

WHAT TYPICALLY HAPPENS IS PEOPLE WAIT UNTIL LIKE THE TUESDAY BEFORE THE FAIR, AND THERE'LL BE A LINE STRETCHED DOWN THE STREET AND AROUND THE CORNER OF EVERYBODY TRYING TO GET THEIR DISCOUNTED ADMISSION AND CARNIVAL PASSES.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT DOING, TO HEAD IN THERE A LITTLE BIT EARLY AND AVOID THE LINES.

>> COUNTY DAY.

>> OH, AND COUNTY DAY IS ON THURSDAY.

LET ME LOOK AT MY CALENDAR, THURSDAY, MAY THE FIRST.

IT WILL BE COUNTY DAY, SO THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE INVITED OVER AND IN THE DIRECTOR'S ROOM THERE THAT WILL PROVIDE LUNCH.

INVITE ALL OF YOU TO COME OUT AND SEE THE JEWEL THAT WE HAVE IN MERCED COUNTY THAT IS MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR [INAUDIBLE].

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I TOO ATTENDED THE STATE OF THE MERCED COLLEGE CEREMONY YESTERDAY IN LAS PANAS AS AN ALUMNI.

IT'S ALWAYS FUN FOR ME.

USUALLY, THE FOUNDATION DIRECTOR JILL CUNNINGHAM, WILL ASK, WILL THE ALUMNI RAISE YOUR HAND? IT'S JUST NEAT TO SEE THE FOLKS IN MERCED COUNTY THAT ARE THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS THAT ARE THERE RAISE THEIR HAND, AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A QUARTER OR A THIRD OR MAYBE EVEN MORE RAISE YOUR HAND.

IT'S FUN FOR ME AND KIND OF TAKES ME BACK TO SOME OF MY COLLEGE DAYS.

WHILE I WAS AT MERCED COLLEGE, I DID NOT COHABITATE.

I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OUT THERE FOR THE RECORD.

NEXT, I'D LIKE TO SHARE THAT CED DIRECTOR, MIMMS AND I AND ANNA MINES ATTENDED A MEETING WITH THE PORT OF OAKLAND AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE INLAND PORT AND STARTING THE PROCESS.

SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL COULDN'T BE THERE, BUT HE'S REALLY BEEN DRIVING THE PORT PROJECT, AND SO IT WAS INTERESTING.

THE PORT OF OAKLAND HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGING IN THE PROCESS AS SOME OF THE OTHER PORTS, AND THE DIRECTOR SAID HE WAS NEW, I THOUGHT, BUT HE'S BEEN THERE FIVE YEARS.

BUT THEY HAVE A NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, AND SO MAYBE SHE PUT IT ON HIS RADAR, AND REAL RECEPTIVE GAVE US SOME ADVICE SO THAT WE MIGHT DO SOME DESIGNING AND WORK THAT WE COULD WORK WITH THEM.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS REAL POSITIVE FOR THE COUNTY OF MERCED, AND WOULD LIKE TO THANK DIRECTOR MIMMS FOR PUTTING THAT ALL TOGETHER AND REALLY FOSTERING THAT RELATIONSHIP AND ALLOWING ME TO BE A PART OF IT.

I MET WITH SENATOR ALVARADO GILL WEEK BEFORE LAST.

SHE IS THE STATE SENATOR FOR A SMALL PORTION OF MERCED COUNTY, WHICH ALL LIES WITHIN MY DISTRICT.

SHE HAS 13 COUNTIES THAT SHE HAS IN HER DISTRICT, SO IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT FOR HER TO GET OUR WAY, BUT SHE TOOK SOME TIME AND HAD SOME GOOD DISCUSSIONS.

ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT I BROUGHT UP WITH HER AND I HAVE IN THE PAST IS J59 GOES FROM MERCED FALLS ROAD IN SNELLING AT THE END OF NORTH HIGHWAY 59, AND GOES UP TO HIGHWAY 12108.

IT'S BASICALLY A STATE HIGHWAY IN MY MIND, AND SO I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THE STATE FOR CALTRANS TO TAKE THAT OVER.

WITH A RENEWED SENSE OF MOTIVATION WITH IT'S ALSO TAME COUNTY AND STASLAS COUNTY,

[02:25:04]

HOPEFULLY, WITH DIRECTOR BRAY'S HELP, WE CAN GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED HERE IN THE NEXT YEAR, TWO OR THREE.

THEN, DR. BILL PARAI, I MET HER THROUGH THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BOARD, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER.

JUST A REAL I DON'T KNOW.

I GUESS YOU COULD USE THE WORD PISTOL TO DESCRIBE HER ATTITUDE.

SHE'S A GO GETTER. OBVIOUSLY, TO RIDE A BIKE ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS PRETTY AMAZING.

BUT ANYWAY, JUST THANKFUL FOR HER CHOOSING MERCED COUNTY.

THEN LASTLY, I JUST WANT TO RAISE UP TO PEOPLE AS I DO ALL THE TIME, THAT THE FFA AND 4-H PROGRAMS IN MERCED COUNTY ARE PHENOMENAL AND REALLY DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

PEOPLE THINK OF 4-H AND FFA IS COWS AND PIGS AND CHICKENS AND RABBITS, BUT IT'S SO MUCH MORE.

I JUST ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO HAS YOUTH THAT THEY TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE PROGRAMS FOR SOMETHING FOR THEIR KIDS TO DO.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

>>THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I ALSO ATTENDED THE MERCED COUNTY LUNCH AND AN ALUMNI OF MERCED COLLEGE, AND HAVING TWO DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE ATTENDED JUNIOR COLLEGE.

I'M VERY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT OUR LOCAL COLLEGE HAS DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND I CONGRATULATE THEM.

IT'S VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I ATTENDED THE APRIL 1ST LIVINGSTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING WHERE THE LIVINGSTON POLICE EXPLORERS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR OVER 500 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.

A VERY IMPRESSIVE GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING GREAT THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LIVINGSTON.

I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THEM IN ALL THE EXPLORER PROGRAMS IN MERCED COUNTY.

JUST AS FOUR H AND FFA DOES, I THINK THESE GROUPS PUT OUR YOUTH ON THE RIGHT PATH, SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THEM.

THAT'S WHAT I HAPPEN. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, HAIR. LAST WEEK, I DID ATTEND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WORKFORCE BOARDS WITH ERIC SERRATO AND STACY AND VALENTE.

I GOT TO SAY THAT ERIC DID A FANTASTIC PRESENTATION THERE.

BUT I JUST GOT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT ERIC.

HE DOESN'T LET ME KNOW THAT I'M PART OF THE PRESENTATION UNTIL WE'RE IN WASHINGTON, DC LITERALLY THE MORNING BEFORE WE WALK UP AND I LEARNED THERE'S A NEW TERM THAT I WAS CONSIDERED.

>> A CLIO.

>> A CLIO. I'M A CLIO.

WHENEVER HE INTRODUCED ME AS THE CLIO, AND THIS WAS A PACKED ROOM, BY THE WAY, THERE WAS LITERALLY GAS THAT THE CLIO WAS THERE.

I WAS HONORED TO BE THERE ON BEHALF OF V IN THE CLIO ON BEHALF OF WORKFORCE.

BUT I DEFINITELY SAY THAT WE KNOCKED IT OUT. YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL BY THE LINE OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO TALK TO YOU AFTERWARDS.

THEY ACTUALLY WANTED TO TALK TO THE CLIO AS WELL, NOT JUST ERIC AFTERWARDS, BUT NO.

LIKE I SAID, STACY AND VALENTE DID A FANTASTIC JOB AS WELL.

APPRECIATE THAT. ERIC.

>> WHAT'S A CLIO?

>> T HE CHIEF LEGISLATIVELY ELECTED OFFICIAL.

>>THERE I GET CALLED CHIEF.

>> I DON'T GET CALLED CHIEF MUCH. THAT'S RIGHT.

I GOT TO TELL YOU, EVEN IN THE ELEVATOR, SOMEBODY BROUGHT IT UP THAT I WORE A COWBOY HAT FROM CALIFORNIA, AND I'M THE CLIO.

IT WAS A COUPLE OF TIMES JUST IN PASSING PEOPLE.

I WAS RECOGNIZED A A CLIO, AND I TOLD ERIC THE REST OF THE TIME AGO, H, I'M A CLIO.

I LIKE THAT. THAT'S A NICE TERM.

BUT THANKS, ERIC. YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

WELL REPRESENTED IN DC, AND IN CALIFORNIA.

OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS DEFINITELY AHEAD OF A LOT OF OTHER ONES, AND WITH THE JOBS PROGRAM WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WELL.

THEY ARE DEFINITELY HIGHLIGHTING WHAT WE'RE DOING.

ALSO, I ATTENDED THE STATE OF MERCED COLLEGE LUNCH.

IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD TIME BEING AN ALUMNI AS WELL.

IT FEELS REALLY GOOD BEING THERE, AND LIKE YOU SAID, I THINK THERE'S ALMOST HALF THE PEOPLE ACTUALLY RAISE THEIR HAND WHO HAVE ATTENDED THERE.

ALSO, I WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT MY MOBILE DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS ARE ALWAYS THE FOURTH THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH IN THE ATWATER CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

I DO IT FOR TW0 HOURS, 1:30 TO 3:30.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE WELL ATTENDED, AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE NOT.

BUT, WE'RE OPEN. WE'RE THERE.

IT'S A PUBLIC SPACE.

USUALLY, I HAVE CONGRESSIONAL STAFF WITH ME ALONG WITH STATE LEGISLATIVE STAFF.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN THERE AS OFTEN, BUT IT'S NICE BECAUSE WHEN FOLKS USUALLY COME TO TALK TO ME, I CAN TELL YOU MOST OF THE TIME, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE COUNTY.

IT'S USUALLY WITH A STATE CITY OR FEDERAL, BUT I'M ABLE TO HELP DIRECT THEM IN THAT DIRECTION.

WHEN ALL STAFF IS THERE, WE'RE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PROBLEMS RIGHT THEN.

THEN I HAD A QUESTION FOR SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA ABOUT THE FAIR.

[02:30:06]

>> LET'S SAY MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ACEO.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD JUST A COUPLE OF ITEMS THIS AFTERNOON.

FIRST, I DID WANT TO REPORT, AS THE BOARD IS AWARE, EVERY YEAR, TYPICALLY, WE ARE IN FORM OF CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING REQUESTS IN TIME FRAMES.

MARCH 31, BOTH SENATOR BADA AND SENATOR SHIP ENTERTAIN PROPOSALS FROM COUNTIES.

WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN WORKING WITH OUR DENTON TEAM TO SUBMIT SOMETHING BY THE MARCH 31 DEADLINE.

MIKE NORTH AND OUR LADS TEAM WORKED WITH THEM.

TWO ITEMS CONSISTENT WITH YOUR LADS PLATFORM ADOPTED EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE SHERIFF ADMIN BUILDING AND THEN WINTON LIBRARY.

WE WILL REPORT BACK IF WE HERE WE ARE SUCCESSFUL OR IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

JUST WANTED TO ASSURE THE BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR FUNDING FOR IMPORTANT PROJECTS.

THEN THE SECOND ITEM IS REALLY JUST COMPLIMENT OUR STAFF TODAY.

I THINK WHAT YOU SAW WAS COUNTY TEAMS COMING TOGETHER TO GIVE UPDATES ON VERY IMPORTANT PROJECTS, INITIATIVES FOR THIS COUNTY, AND REALLY PLEASED TO SEE THE COLLABORATION AND THEN THE PROGRESS.

I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES WE RECEIVE A LOT OF CRITICISM FOR NOT DOING THINGS QUICKLY ENOUGH OR NOT GETTING THINGS DONE, BUT THEY ARE HAPPENING.

BUT AS THE BOARD MENTIONED EARLIER IN YOUR COMMENT, SOMETIMES IT JUST TAKES TIME.

JUST WANTED TO COMPLIMENT OUR TEAMS FOR TODAY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT AND FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE STAFF.

I THINK THAT TODAY WAS A REALLY BUSY AGENDA, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO GET A LOT OF STUFF DONE.

A LOT OF THAT, THANK YOU FOR STAFF FOR PUTTING THAT TOGETHER. REAL QUICK.

SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, I HELD MY TOWN HALL, WHICH I ALSO WANT TO THANK STAFF AGAIN FOR COMING OUT TO SUPPORT AND TALK TO THE COMMUNITY.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY GOOD SETUP IN REGARDS TO I TOOK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, BUT THEN THE STAFF OR THE COMMUNITY WERE ABLE TO GO OUT AND ACTUALLY TALK TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS IN WHICH I THOUGHT WAS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF TIMES THEY DON'T GET TO DO.

MATT MAY, OUR ASSESSOR EVEN GOT QUESTIONS, AND HE WAS HOPING FOR ONE, AND HE GOT THREE, SO HE WAS PRETTY EXCITED.

I WANT TO THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR THAT.

ALSO, AND I'VE MENTIONED THIS TO CEO, MENDEZ, AND I'VE TALKED WITH SUPERVISOR PACHECO THAT JUST BECAUSE IT'S PART IN MY DISTRICT AND PARTNER SUPERVISOR PACHECO'S, I KNOW THAT STAFF HAS BEEN MEETING WITH THE CITY AND WITH INTERNAL STAFF IN REGARDS TO THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT OVER BEHIND THE CEMETERY.

I'M RECEIVING CALLS.

I KNOW SUPERVISOR PACHECO IS RECEIVING CALLS, AND SO I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO BE INCLUDED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS IN THOSE MEETINGS.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPEN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER BECAUSE IT'S GETTING REALLY OUT OF CONTROL.

I THINK IT'S UNSAFE.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE THAT GO TO THE CEMETERY OVER THERE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR SAFETY OR THE PEOPLE MESSING WITH THEIR LOVED ONES.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO REALLY ADDRESS AND DO IT QUICKLY.

WHATEVER WE CAN DO IN THE SHORT-TERM, I KNOW WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS OF CLOSING DOWN SOME OF THOSE ROADS. I THINK WE SHOULD.

BUT I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR MYSELF AND SUPERVISOR PACHECO TO BE INCLUDED IN THOSE BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE SOMETHING BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

ALSO, I'M GLAD THAT SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA BROUGHT UP THE AB1441.

TOMORROW, MYSELF, ALONG WITH ACEO, HENDRICKSON, WILL BE HEADING TO SACRAMENTO, AND I'LL PROVIDE SOME TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION AGAINST THE BILL.

I WOULD REALLY AND WE'VE HAD A MEETING WITH ASSEMBLY MEMBER SORIA AND HER STAFF, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION.

I THINK SHE TOO WANTS TO CONTINUE TO THE DISCUSSION.

WE JUST HAVE TO SEE HOW WE CAN GET THIS THING GOING WITH SOME COMPROMISE.

I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE STUDENTS WHO DID THE MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION SPEECH FESTIVAL, ESPECIALLY MY SON, WHO GOT SECOND PLACE IN THAT AS AN EIGHTH GRADER, WHICH WAS REALLY COOL.

I TOO WENT TO THE STATE OF THE COLLEGE.

YESTERDAY, I MYSELF DID NOT GO TO MERCED COLLEGE, BUT I KNOW MY SISTER DID, MY PARENTS DID, AND I HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY THAT DIDN'T, AND MY SON'S GOING TO START THERE THIS SUMMER.

[02:35:01]

IT NOT ONLY PROMOTES THE LEADERSHIP ASPECT OF IT, I ALSO TEACHES YOU HOW BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE IN THE LIVESTOCK OR ANYTHING ELSE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO KEEP RECORD BOOKS.

I WAS IN FFA, AND THE HIGHER YOU GO UP IN THE ORGANIZATION, THE RECORD BOOKS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

YOU GET YOUR GREENHAND DEGREE, THEN YOU GET YOUR CHAPTER DEGREE, THEN YOU GET YOUR STATE DEGREE.

THE REGION, STATE, AND THEN IF YOU STAY WITH IT, YOU CAN GET YOUR NATIONAL AMERICAN FARMER DEGREE, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THAT, BUT IT'S A LOT IT'S A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF TIME GOES INTO THAT.

THOSE KIDS THAT CAME UP AND WERE ABLE TO TALK LIKE THAT, IT SHOWS YOU THE SKILLS THAT THEY HAVE.

THEN FINALLY, JUST SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND SOMETHING THAT I'VE TALKED ABOUT QUITE A BIT.

THAT'S JUST THE ARTS IN GENERAL.

THIS PAST WEEKEND, THERE WAS THREE DIFFERENT ARTS PROGRAMS GOING ON.

YOU HAD SOMETHING ROTTEN JUNIOR, WHICH WAS AT THE MAC.

YOU HAD THE COMPLETE YOU HAD IN THE HEIGHTS, WHICH IS AT MERCED COLLEGE.

THEN YOU ALSO HAD THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

I WENT TO THAT ONE, AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, IF ANYBODY, IF YOU WANT 97 MINUTES OF JUST STRAIGHT LAUGHTER, THEY CLOSE THIS WEEKEND, BUT IT WAS GREAT.

IT WAS REALLY FUNNY. WITH THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.