Oct 21, 2025 Board Meeting

[00:00:01]

>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 21,

[CALL TO ORDER]

[CLOSED SESSION]

>> YOUR CLOSED SESSIONS THIS MORNING ARE MEETING CONFER AGENCY NEGOTIATOR MARCY BARRERA, EXISTING LITIGATION, CAMARGO ET AL VERSUS COUNTY OF MERCED ET AL MERCED SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER 25CV-04073, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, ONE CASE, AND INITIATION OF LITIGATION, ONE CASE.

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

TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. EXCUSE ME. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS IS NOW CLOSED.

WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION.

[10:00 A.M. – REGULAR MEETING]

>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME BACK TO THE OCTOBER 21, 2025 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

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

WE WILL NOW START WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY STACY COLEY, AND THEN SUPERVISOR PACHECO WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

>> DEAR GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF ANOTHER DAY AND FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WALK IN THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED FOR US.

WE INVITE YOUR PRESENCE AND YOUR PEACE INTO THIS MEETING AND ASK FOR YOUR PROTECTION OVER OUR BOARD MEMBERS, COUNTY COUNCIL HANSON, C HENDRICKSON, OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENT HEAD STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES.

I PRAY THAT YOU MEET EVERY NEED SO THAT THEY ARE FREE TO WALK IN THE CALLING YOU HAVE PLACED THEM IN.

I PRAY FOR THIS DAY'S AGENDA THAT YOU WOULD GIVE OUR BOARD AND LEADERS WISDOM FOR EACH ITEM PRESENTED TODAY AND THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THEM THE FORESIGHT TO ANTICIPATE ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS THAT MAY COME FROM THE RESULTS OF TODAY'S DECISIONS.

I ASK FOR THE WISDOM OF PROVERBS, WHICH IN CHAPTER 3 VERSE 36 SAYS, LET LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS NEVER LEAVE YOU.

BIND THEM AROUND YOUR NECK, WRITE THEM ON THE TABLET OF YOUR HEART.

THEN YOU WILL WIN FAVOR AND A GOOD NAME IN THE SIGHT OF GOD AND MAN.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, AND ALL YOUR WAYS SUBMIT TO HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATH STRAIGHT.

LORD I ASK THAT YOU GIVE ALL OF OUR COUNTY LEADERSHIP NOT ONLY THE CREATIVITY, WISDOM, AND INTEGRITY TO DO WHAT YOU'VE CALLED THEM TO DO FOR US, BUT THAT YOU WOULD ALSO GIVE THEM THE FAITH TO BELIEVE FOR THOSE ITEMS THAT MAY SEEM A LITTLE BIT OUT OF REACH FOR US.

I WAS REMINDED JUST RECENTLY OF THE WIDOW AND SECOND KINGS CHAPTER 4, WHO WAS IN NEED AND WAS ASKED TO USE THE LITTLE OLIVE OIL THAT SHE HAD TO POUR INTO ALL THE JARS THEY COULD COLLECT.

NO MATTER HOW MANY JARS SHE WAS ABLE TO COLLECT TO FILL THE SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL SHE HAD KEPT FILLING THEM.

BUT THE MIRACLE WASN'T IN THE AMOUNT OF OIL THAT KEPT PROVIDING.

THE MIRACLE WAS IN THE WIDOW'S FAITH TO KEEP FINDING JARS TO PUT THE OVERFLOW IN.

I ASK THAT YOU GIVE THIS BOARD THE SAME MEASURE OF FAITH TO KEEP SEEKING OUT WHERE TO PLACE THE OVERFLOW OF THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PROVIDE, IF ONLY THEY BELIEVE AND TRUST IN YOU.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO FOR ALL THAT YOU PROVIDE, AND FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO AS LONG AS WE ASK YOU AND HAVE THE FAITH TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL DO EVERYTHING THAT YOU PROMISE IN YOUR WORD.

WE GIVE YOU THIS DAY AND TRUST YOU TO WORK IN AND THROUGH US.

IN JESUS NAME, WE PRAY. AMEN.

>> READY? SALUTE.

>>

>> IT IS NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON

[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. MY NAME IS DORA CRANE.

I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION ABOUT EVERGREEN MEMORIAL PARK FUNERAL HOME, WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL IT THESE DAYS.

I'VE BEEN FIGHTING A BATTLE WITH THEM SINCE 2008.

IN SEPTEMBER 5, I ENDED UP TAKING MY BOYS OUT OF THERE BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A MESS DOWN THERE, AND I JUST CAN'T FIGHT WITH THEM ANYMORE.

I CAN'T DEAL WITH IT ANYMORE.

IT'S TOO PAINFUL TO GO DOWN THERE AND SEE THE STATE THAT MY BOYS REMAINS LIE IN AND ALL THE LEADERS OF MERCED THAT LIE DOWN THERE AND FROM THE INSIDE OF THE BUILDING TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING, IT'S IT'S NOT BEING KEPT UP.

IN 2008 THIS STARTED WHEN THE NEW CIVIC CENTER WAS BUILT, AND ELLIE WOOTTON WAS THE MAYOR, KATHLEEN CALCAGNI.

WE WERE MEETING EVERY MONTH.

THEN WE ENDED UP TAKING 50 PEOPLE UP TO SACRAMENTO AND LOBBYING UP THERE FOR SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING.

[00:05:03]

BY 2014, WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO LIE MY FATHER TO REST, HE COULD NOT SEE PUTTING HIS WIFE DOWN THERE, EVEN THOUGH MY BOYS WERE THERE.

ONE BOY WAS THERE.

HE ENDED UP GOING TO SANAN ELA.

I OWNED A TOTAL OF FIVE CRIPS THAT I PERSONALLY PAID FOR WITH THE COST OF $30,000 BACK THEN.

I'VE GONE DOWN THERE.

I FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THE STATE FUNERAL BOARD.

SOMETIMES THERE WAS A GUY NAMED STEVE, THAT WOULD COME ONCE IN A WHILE AND TALK AND DO STUFF, BUT THINGS WOULD GET A LITTLE BETTER, BUT NOW THEY HAVEN'T.

THINGS DOWN THERE, THEY STARTED CREMATING PEOPLE AGAIN.

THEN IT TOOK US THREE MONTHS TO GET THEM SHUT DOWN BECAUSE IT WAS ILLEGAL.

THEY WERE IN THEIR CREMATING PEOPLE IN A LITTLE STORAGE SHED ABOVE GROUND AND PUT TWO BIG PROPANE TANKS RIGHT NEXT TO MY SON'S AND NEXT TO THE WALL.

THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE ALWAYS COMING OUT OF THERE.

FINALLY, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHUT THEM DOWN, I BELIEVE, AT THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER, AND THE TANKS HAVE BEEN REMOVED, BECAUSE I COULDN'T EVEN WALK TO MY SONS.

THEY PUT THE TANKS ON THE SIDEWALK, SO I COULDN'T WALK TO HIM.

I HAD TO GO ON PEOPLE'S GRAVES TO WALK THERE.

THEY WANT TO BLAME A LOT OF THIS STUFF ON THE HOMELESS. I'M SORRY.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, AND IT'S NOT THE HOMELESS.

THEY HAVE SPRINKLERS DOWN THERE THAT WOULDN'T FIT IN MY BACKYARD AND DO ANY GOOD.

THEY'D HAVE A HAND MOWER NOW, THE POOR GUYS THAT WORK THERE.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAN BE DONE, AND I UNDERSTAND IT'S A PRIVATE PLACE.

BUT FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T THINK, WELL, YOU SHOULDN'T BURY YOUR OWN KIDS ANYHOW, BUT TO HAVE TO DO IT TWICE, AND THEN TO HAVE TO SEE THEIR CASKETS AGAIN, TAKE THEM OUT, HAVE THEM CREMATED, AND NOW I'M SEARCHING FOR A PLACE TO PUT THEM.

BUT I'M HOPING IF YOU AS A GROUP CAN AT LEAST FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE.

I'M NOT A PLAYER ANYMORE. I'M OUT.

THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $8,700 TO TAKE MY BOYS OUT. THEY ARE NOT IN THE GROUND.

YOU JUST HAVE TO UNSCREW THE FOUR SCREWS, TAKE OFF THE MARBLE AND BREAK THAT LITTLE THING, $8,700, AND THEY CAN'T PERFORM FUNERALS DOWN THERE.

THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE WITHOUT SOMEONE THAT HAS A LICENSE.

JUST [INAUDIBLE] FROM NEXT DOOR TO COME AND HELP ME GET THEM OUT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DO IT.

NO ONE DOWN THERE HAS A FUNERAL LICENSE AS OF RIGHT NOW.

I'M JUST LOOKING FOR SOME HELP.

IF YOU CAN DO IT, NOT SO MUCH FOR ME, I'M OUT, BUT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE THAT'S DOWN THERE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN PEDROSO, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO HENDRICKSON.

OWEN, CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING SELECTED AS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THE VETERANS DAY PARADE AND COUNSEL COUNTY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS AGGIE FREEMAN.

I SERVE AS THE ASSISTANT GOVERNOR FOR THE ROTARY DISTRICT 5220 HERE IN CENTRAL VALLEY.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF MERCED SUNRISE TO EXTEND A WARM INVITATION TO EACH OF YOU AND TO THE CITIZENS OF MERCED COUNTY TO JOIN US FOR THE 13TH ANNUAL MERCED FIELD OF HONOR.

ON NOVEMBER 8, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, ON THE FRONT LAWN OF MERCED COLLEGE ON M STREET AND YOSEMITE AVENUE.

THIS POWERFUL AND PATRIOTIC DISPLAY FEATURES HUNDREDS OF AMERICAN FLAGS, EACH ONE HONORING A VETERAN, RETIREE, AND ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER, AND A FIRST RESPONDER.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT OF MERCED SUNRISE AND A PLACE FOR REMEMBRANCE, RESPECT, AND REFLECTION.

WE ALSO INVITE YOU TO THE FIELD OF HONOR OPENING CEREMONY AT 2:00 PM ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AT MERCED COLLEGE.

FLAGS ARE AVAILABLE NOW FOR PURCHASING OR REFLYING ONLINE AT MERCEDFIELDOFHONOR.ORG, AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

PROCEEDS FUND VETERAN FOCUSED COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANTS THROUGH THE MERCED SUNRISE ROTARY.

ONCE AGAIN, THIS YEAR, WE ARE PROUD TO HOST THE RUN FOR THE FALLEN ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT OPEN TO RUNNERS AND WALKERS OF ALL AGES.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH A BRIEF CEREMONY AT 8:45 AM TO HONOR LOCAL FALLEN HEROES, AND WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SIGN UP AND TO JOIN US IN THE WALK RUN FOR THAT SPECIAL MOMENT.

AT 9:00 AM SHARP, WE'LL KICK OFF THE 5K WALK AND THE 10K RUN, AND THIS YEAR, A KIDS WALK AS WELL, STARTING AND FINISHING NEAR THE MERCED FIELD OF HONOR AT MERCED COLLEGE THEATER.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW AND CLOSES FOR THE RUN ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 AT 6:00 PM.

WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS,

[00:10:04]

OUR SPONSORS GENEROUS SUPPORT HELPS US ENSURE THIS FREE AND IMPORTANT TRIBUTE CONTINUES EACH YEAR.

ON BEHALF OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF MERCED SUNRISE, I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION OF OUR VETERANS AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EACH OF YOU ON THE FIELD OF HONOR AND AT THE RUN FOR THE FALLEN. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

ADAM RED ATWATER.

I'M COMING TODAY BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE BOARD.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH A NEIGHBOR OF MINE IN A LITTLE BIT OF A DISPUTE THAT HE'S HAVING WITH THE COUNTY THAT AFFECTS A WIDER RANGE OF PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW, IT JUST SEEMS TO BE TARGETED TOWARDS HIM, BUT IT COULD BRANCH OUT PAST THAT.

IN THE COUNTY ORDINANCE, 9.14.040 THROUGHOUT THAT SECTION.

IT DEALS WITH ABANDONED DISMANTLED CARS.

IT REALLY DOESN'T HAVE VERY MUCH SPECIFIC TOWARDS CLASSIC CARS.

IT RELIES ON THE STATE VEHICLE CODE FOR GETTING SPECIAL LICENSING FOR RECOGNITION OF A CLASSIC HISTORICAL CAR.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF THE COUNTY WOULD LOOK INTO POSSIBLY COMING UP WITH A LITTLE BIT OF THEIR OWN DEFINITION FOR THAT RATHER THAN RELYING ON THAT CODE BECAUSE IT SAYS FROM CARS 1965 AND PRIOR AS THE DATE.

WE'RE A COMMUNITY OF GOOD HARD WORKING PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GO OUT AND SPEND $100,000 TO BUY A 1969 CAMARO.

WHAT WE DO INSTEAD IS WE FIND DEALS ON THEM WHENEVER THEY NEED TO BE, A BUNCH OF WORK PUT INTO IT, AND THAT HAPPENS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

THERE'S A BIG COMMUNITY OF CAR ENTHUSIASTS.

I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU GUYS WOULD THINK ABOUT UPDATING THAT CODE A LITTLE BIT, SO IT DOESN'T AFFECT PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE RESTORING CARS, THAT AREN'T TRASH. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, AND PUBLIC.

I AM HERE THIS MORNING NOT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP.

THIS SATURDAY, WE TRAVELED TO LOS ANGELES TO THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

THEY HAD ABOUT 500 DELEGATES THERE, AND I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MY HUSBAND, DOCTOR SANDOVAL, PROUDLY WAS HONORED WITH THE FREDERICK PLESSNER MEMORIAL AWARD.

THIS IS A STATEWIDE.

PROBABLY MERCED'S FIRST EVER AWARDEE OF THIS TYPE, SO I'M CELEBRATING MY HUSBAND.

WE'VE LIVED HERE ALMOST A HALF A CENTURY, AND WE'RE STILL MOVING FOR SOME CHANGE IN THIS COUNTY TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR EVERYBODY.

I JUST THOUGHT I'D LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS A GREAT HONOR FOR HIM.

THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE CONGRATULATING HIM, AND IT WAS A REALLY FUN AFFAIR.

THEY EVEN PAID THE ROOM FOR US. THANK YOU.

>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS.

[PRESENTATION]

I WILL NOW TURN THE MIC OVER TO COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK HENDRICKSON.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, GOOD MORNING.

LEGAL FOOD VENDORS AND ILLEGAL DUMPING HAVE INCREASINGLY BECOME BIGGER CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMUNITY AS BOTH RESULT IN DIRECT THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE, AND PLACE OPERATIONAL BURDENS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

AS YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR TODAY, ILLEGAL FOOD VENDORS OPERATE WITHOUT HEALTH PERMITS, THE MOST BASIC PROPER SANITATION OR EVEN SAFETY INSPECTIONS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO FOOD BORNE ILLNESSES AND UNFAIR COMPETITION FOR LEGITIMATE LICENSED BUSINESSES.

ILLEGAL DUMPING CREATES ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS, BLIGHT, AND INCREASED CLEANUP COST.

IT DEGRADES NEIGHBORHOODS, POLLUTES WATERWAYS, AND UNDERMINES PUBLIC HEALTH AND COMMUNITY PRIDE.

NOW, TODAY, PER THE BOARD'S REQUEST IS

[00:15:02]

FIRST UP IS GOING TO BE DIRECTOR MARK MIMS AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR AMANDA DURAN, WHO'S GOING TO WALK THE BOARD AND PUBLIC THROUGH THE ILLEGAL FOOD VENDOR PRESENTATION.

THEN FROM THERE, DIRECTOR NATHAN BRAY, WILL DISCUSS ILLEGAL DUMPING. MR. MIMMS.

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

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

AS CEO HENDRICKSON STATED, THE BOARD REQUESTED A FEW MEETINGS AGO FOR AN UPDATE REGARDING THE WORK STAFF HAS BEEN DOING TO COMBAT UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING AND ILLEGAL DUMPING THROUGHOUT MERCED COUNTY.

WE ARE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE UPDATE THIS MORNING FOR THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC.

AMANDA DURAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, WILL BE LEADING THE PRESENTATION ON UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING.

BUT BEFORE SHE DOES, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ARE PARTNERING WITH US TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

FIRST, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD AND CEOS OFFICE FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE JURISDICTIONS AND THEIR STAFF, WHO PARTNER WITH US WHILE CONDUCTING ENFORCEMENT IN THEIR CITIES.

THANK YOU TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE AD COMMISSIONER AND CASTLE MAINTENANCE STAFF, WHO FOR STEPPING UP TO ASSIST DURING LARGER ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS WHEN NEEDED.

THANK YOU TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND HER STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH OUR TEAM ON THE INVESTIGATIONS TO HELP TO WORK TOWARDS ENDING UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING WITHIN THE COUNTY.

LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST.

THANK YOU TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WHO HAVE PARTNERED WITH US TO ASSIST IN EVERY ENFORCEMENT AND HAVE ENSURED EVERYONE REMAINS SAFE.

I WOULD LIKE TO NOW TURN IT OVER TO AMANDA WHO HAS BEEN LEADING THIS EFFORT WITH OUR DEDICATED STAFF.

THEIR SUCCESS HAS ENABLED MERCED COUNTY TO BECOME A LEADER IN COMBATING UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING WITH COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE NOW FOLLOWING OUR LEAD. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'LL BE GIVING YOU THE UPDATE FOR UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING.

FIRST, I'D JUST LIKE TO START OFF WITH OUR UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDORS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE SMALL MOM AND POP STARTUPS.

IN MANY CASES, THESE ARE LARGER OPERATIONS THAT BYPASS FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS AND ENGAGE IN UNSAFE FOOD HANDLING AND PRACTICES WHICH CREATE SERIOUS RISK TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

MERCED COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING PUBLIC FOOD SAFETY BY ENFORCING SAFETY STANDARDS, PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO INSPECTION REPORTS, AND ADDRESSING UNPERMITTED VENDORS WHO POSE SERIOUS HEALTH RISK BY BYPASSING REGULATIONS.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAS AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING SWEEPS UNDER HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 1137 OH, AND HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 114393 GIVES US THE AUTHORITY TO IMPOUND FOOD AND EQUIPMENT THAT IS CONTAMINATED OR UNSANITARY.

UNDER HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 114390D, STATE IT IS A VIOLATION FOR ANY PERSON TO REFUSE INSPECTION OR TO INTERFERE WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DUTIES OF THE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, WHICH IS OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSPECTORS.

OUR PRIMARY STRATEGIES WILL INCLUDE INCREASING UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING SWEEPS BY 54%.

LAST FISCAL YEAR, WE IMPOUNDED EQUIPMENT AND FOOD FROM 40 VENDORS WHO WERE OPERATING AND HANDLING FOOD VERY DANGEROUS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.

IN THIS MONTH OF OCTOBER ALONE, WE HAVE IMPOUNDED EQUIPMENT FROM EIGHT VENDORS, AND HAVE TWO MORE SWEEPS PLANNED FOR THIS MONTH.

WE WILL BE HIRING TWO NEW POSITIONS, FOCUS ON UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING COMPLAINTS.

THE POSITIONS ARE POSTED, AND WE ARE ACTIVELY REVIEWING APPLICATIONS.

WE'LL BE DEVELOPING MATERIALS FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.

WE DO CURRENTLY HAVE SOME POSTCARDS AND EDUCATIONAL HANDOUTS THAT WE DO GIVE OUT TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND WE ARE IMPROVING EFFICIENCY FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS IN COORDINATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGE AUTHORITIES.

AFTER EACH OF OUR SWEEPS, WE DO MEET AND DISCUSS HOW TO IMPROVE AND BE MORE EFFICIENT WITH HOW WE ARE OUT IN THE FIELD.

DANGERS OF UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING, YOU'LL SEE IMPROPER REFRIGERATION.

UNCOOKED RAW MEAT AND ANY OTHER FOOD THAT MUST BE REFRIGERATED SHALL BE STORED AT 41 DEGREES OR BELOW.

MANY TIMES WE GO OUT, AND THE MEAT IS ROOM TEMPERATURE OR WHATEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ON THAT DAY.

IF YOU'RE IN THE SUMMER, 100 DEGREES, THE MEAT JUST SITS STORED IN TRASH BAGS AT THAT TEMPERATURE.

YOU WON'T SEE HAND-WASHING STATIONS AFTER HANDLING RAW MEAT.

EVERY TIME WE GO OUT, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A HAND-WASHING EQUIPMENT, WATER, SOAP, EVEN SANITIZERS AT THE MINIMUM AT THESE SITES.

FOOD STORED UNDER INADEQUATE CONDITIONS.

YOU COULD SEE IN THE BACKGROUND OF THIS PICTURE THERE'S RAW MEAT.

IT'S SITTING NEXT TO CAT PRODUCE.

[00:20:01]

THE SALSA THAT THEY USED TO MARINATE THE MEAT.

THAT MAKES IT SMELL SO GREAT TO EVERYBODY IS BEING STORED IN TRASH CANS.

ALSO, THIS PICTURE HAPPENED TO BE TAKEN AT A HOUSE IN WINTON THAT I HAD GONE TO MYSELF.

WE HAD OPENED THE WAREHOUSE DOOR, AND THERE WAS ABOUT 20 PEOPLE WHO SCATTERED OR HID.

IT VERY MUCH LOOKED LIKE A HUMAN TRAFFICKING OR EXPLOITATION SITUATION.

ALSO, YOU'LL FIND THAT MEAT IS BEING HELD AT DANGEROUS TEMPERATURES.

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 114002.

HOT HOLDING TEMP, COOKED MEAT SHALL MAINTAIN A TEMP OR ABOVE 135 DEGREES.

WE WILL CHECK TEMPS MANY TIMES AND WILL FIND MEAT SITTING AROUND 82 DEGREES IN THIS DANGER ZONE TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR BACTERIA TO GROW, AND THAT'S HOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK.

ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.

WE'RE WORKING WITH MULTIPLE AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY AND COLLECT EVIDENCE OF UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING IN AN EFFORT TO PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST OFFENDERS.

WE'RE EXPLORING HARSHER PENALTIES FOR UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDORS.

WE'RE FINDING THAT MOST OF OUR UNPERMITTED VENDING OPERATIONS ARE NOT MOM AND POPS.

RATHER, EMPLOYEES LINKED TO A COUPLE OF MAIN PERSONS WHO ARE ALSO TIED TO DRUG OPERATIONS.

IN WINTON, WE WENT TO AN UNPERMITTED COMMISSARY WITH OVER 20 EMPLOYEES AND A LARGE WAREHOUSE IN A BACKYARD.

THIS OPERATION WAS TIED TO ONE INDIVIDUAL.

THIS ONE INDIVIDUAL NAME IS LINKED TO MANY OPERATIONS IN MULTIPLE COUNTIES.

WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH OTHER COUNTIES TO GATHER INFORMATION.

HE'S EXPLOITING HIS EMPLOYEES AND PAYING THEM LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE, AND HAVING THEM WORK AND LIVE IN HARSH ENVIRONMENTS.

ALSO WHEN WE GO OUT AND DO THESE FOOD VENDOR SWEEPS, EACH VENDOR GETS CHARGED THREE TIMES THE COST OF A PERMIT FEE, ALONG WITH OUR STAFF TIME SPENT, AND THAT'S IF THEY COME AND PAY.

THAT FEE IS $2,382 IS THREE TIMES THE COST OF A PERMIT FEE.

IF THEY GET A PERMIT, 794, A LOT LESS, JUST TO COME AND GET PERMITTED.

ALONG WITH ENFORCEMENT, WE WILL BE INCREASING OUR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

THE PROCESS TO GET PERMITTED SIMPLY STARTS WITH COMING INTO OUR OFFICE AND DISCUSSING PLANS AND GOALS.

WE COULD HELP PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO THINGS RIGHT REACH THOSE GOALS.

CREATION OF POSTCARDS TO EDUCATE FOOD VENDORS AND RESIDENTS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF ILLEGAL FOOD VENDING AND TO IDENTIFY WHETHER VENDORS ARE OPERATING ILLEGALLY.

RESOURCES HAVE BEEN SECURED TO EXPAND EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

WE RECEIVED THE MCOS GRANT.

THIS HELPS TO FIND EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS FOR PEOPLE SELLING AND COOKING FOOD FROM THEIR HOMES.

I WOULD ADVISE THE PUBLIC TO USE CAUTION BEFORE PURCHASING FOOD FROM SOMEONE OFF SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES, AS WE DO RECEIVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF FOOD ILLNESS COMPLAINTS TOWARDS THESE VENDORS.

AGAIN, THEY MAY NOT KNOW PROPER FOOD HANDLING OR STORAGE TO SERVE SAFE FOOD.

IF A VENDOR IS PERMITTED AND SELLING ONLINE, LIKE A COTTAGE FOOD VENDOR SELLING BREADS AND COOKIES, THEY WILL POST THEIR PERMIT ONLINE.

WE ARE IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR CITY PARTNERS.

OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER HOSTED A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH CITY MANAGERS.

THE CITIES AGREED LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL ASSIST WITH OUR ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.

WE HAVE PARTNERED UP WITH OUR SHERIFFS AND THEIR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

WE HAVE RECENTLY DONE SWEEPS WITH THE CITY OF MERCED, LOS BANOS, AND GUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE CITY OF ATWATER TO DO SOME SWEEPS AS WELL.

IN SUMMARY, UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDORS POSE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK.

I, ALONG WITH MY STAFF AND THE SHERIFFS, WENT OUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND FOUND MAGGOTS IN A TOT THAT WAS HOLDING FOOD.

IN THAT TOT, THERE WAS TORTILLAS, CHEESE, AND PINEAPPLE, AND ALL OF WHICH WERE COVERED IN MAGGOTS THAT WAS BEING SOLD TO THE PUBLIC.

OUR COUNTY IS EXPANDING INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT COLLABORATING WITH CITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENTL.

IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR MY TEAM TO CONTINUE TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT AND GO OUT WITH US TO HELP US KEEP THE OPERATION SAFER FOR MY TEAM.

GROUND FUNDING ENABLES GREATER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION.

ALSO, EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND RECOGNITION PROGRAMS SUPPORT COMPLIANCE.

WE HAVE AWARDED 119 FACILITIES THIS YEAR WITH THE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE.

THIS IS GIVEN TO THE FACILITIES DOING THE RIGHT THING.

YOU CAN FIND A COMPLETE LIST OF RECIPIENTS ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT CONCLUDES UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING UPDATE.

NATHAN WILL BE PRESENTING ON ILLEGAL DUMPING, AND WE'LL SAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE END.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD CHAIR AND SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS NATHAN BRAY.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND ROAD COMMISSIONER, AND HAPPY TO PRESENT OUR UPDATE ON CURBING ILLEGAL DUMPING WITHIN MERCED COUNTY.

MUCH LIKE A THREE-LEGGED STOOL THAT WOULD FALL OVER IF ONE LEG WAS BROKEN,

[00:25:03]

THE COUNTY HAS IDENTIFIED SEVERAL STRATEGIES IN THE THREE APPROACHES, INCLUDING INCREASING THE PENALTIES OF COURT, ENSURING THAT FOLKS ARE AWARE OF ALL THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF THEIR REFUSE, AND MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS ARE AWARE OF THE SEECLICKFIX APP AND HOW TO REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING, SO THE COUNTY CREWS CAN PROMPTLY ADDRESS THEM.

ON THE ENFORCEMENT FRONT, COUNTY STAFF, THROUGH ITS COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, IS LEADING THE BUSINESS LICENSE REVIEW.

WHEN COUNTY STAFF BECOME AWARE OF COMPANIES OR FOLKS OFFERING TO HAUL OFF REFUSE OR DEBRIS, THEY INVESTIGATE TO SEE IF THEY CURRENTLY HAVE A BUSINESS LICENSE, AND IF THEY DON'T, THEY MAKE CONTACT.

THEY EDUCATE THOSE OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO HAVE A BUSINESS LICENSE WHEN OFFERING THOSE SERVICES, AND ALSO THE PENALTIES OF OPERATING WITHOUT A LICENSE.

AS AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE ENFORCEMENT TOOLS, THIS BOARD MAY REMEMBER THAT BACK IN 2021, TITLE 9 OF THE MERCED COUNTY CODE WAS REVISED TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE TO THE EFFECT THAT TWO PIECES OF IDENTIFYING DOCUMENTS WITHIN A DUMPING COULD BE GROUNDS AS EVIDENCE OF RESPONSIBILITY OF SAID DUMPING.

NOW, ANOTHER TOOL THE STAFF IS WORKING ON IS INCREASE IN THE PENALTIES IDENTIFIED IN THE MERCED COUNTY CODE FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING.

RECENTLY, COUNTIES FACING SIMILAR SITUATIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED THEIR FEES AND PENALTIES, AND THEY ACT AS A DETERRENT.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE COUNTIES OF MONTEREY AND SANTA CRUZ HAVE AMENDED THEIR COUNTY CODES TO IDENTIFY PENALTIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,500, 05,000, AND $10,000 FOR THE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD VIOLATIONS, RESPECTIVELY.

STAFF IS WORKING ON REVISING THE RELEVANT PORTIONS OF MERCED COUNTY'S CODE TITLE 9, AND WILL PRESENT TO THE BOARD SOME RECOMMENDED CHANGES, INCLUDING THE INCREASED PENALTIES.

I EXPECT TO PRESENT THOSE PROPOSED CHANGES EARLY SPRING OF 2026.

ANOTHER ENFORCEMENT TOOL THAT STAFF IS EXPLORING IS THE DEPLOYMENT OF CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED AT HOT SPOT AREAS.

THE CAMERAS WOULD BE INSTALLED WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY TO HELP IDENTIFY VEHICLES AND PEOPLE USED IN ILLEGAL DUMPING.

NEXT IS THE EDUCATION COMPONENT.

STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE REFUSE HAULERS TO EDUCATE THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE BULKY ITEM PICKUPS AVAILABLE TO THEM AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE.

FOLKS WOULD CALL AND ARRANGE WITH THEIR HAULER WHEN THEY HAVE BULKY ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE PICKED UP.

AGAIN, THIS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FOR NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO THE RESIDENTS, AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE TWICE A YEAR.

COUNTY STAFF HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING WITH MERCED COUNTY REGIONAL WASTE AUTHORITY ON WHICH ITEMS CAN BE TAKEN TO THE LANDFILL FREE OF CHARGE.

THOSE ITEMS INCLUDE MATTRESSES, ELECTRONICS, PAINT, BATTERIES, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

THE RWA HAS PRODUCED SOME FLYERS, AND WE WILL BE WORKING ON HELPING GETTING THE WORD OUT.

I HAVE SOME OF THEM. I'LL PUT THEM HERE.

ADDITIONALLY, COUNTY STAFF HAS MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INCORPORATED CITIES, AS WELL AS THE RWA, TO HELP ENSURE MESSAGING EDUCATION IS CONSISTENT, AND WE ARE COLLABORATING ON HOW TO MAKE CODES AND ORDINANCES CONSISTENT.

LASTLY, THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO HAVE COMMUNITY CLEANUP DAYS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY OR THE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES.

THESE EVENTS ARE OPEN TO ALL UNINCORPORATED RESIDENTS AT PRACTICALLY NO COST.

THE COST RANGE FROM ANYWHERE FROM $1-4 A LOAD, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE LOAD, AND THERE ARE TWO REMAINING COMMUNITY CLEANUPS LEFT.

WELL, I'M HERE. THEY ARE OCTOBER 25 IN THE MCSWAIN AREA, AND ALSO NOVEMBER 1 IN THE PLANADA AREA.

THE LOCATION AND TIMES, AND ALL THE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE. SORRY, I LOST MY SPOT.

LASTLY, THE COUNTIES CONTINUE TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY CLEANUP DAYS LIKE I HAD JUST SPOKE ABOUT.

THE THIRD LEG OF THAT STOOL THAT I PREVIOUSLY SPOKE ABOUT IS RESPONSE.

THE COUNTY USES THE APPLICATION SEECLICKFIX TO ENABLE REPORTING OF MANY ISSUES, NOT JUST ILLEGAL DUMPING.

I OFTEN SAY THAT THE COUNTY CAN'T ADDRESS WHAT WE AREN'T AWARE OF,

[00:30:02]

FOLKS CAN DOWNLOAD THE APP AND REPORT.

THEY CAN REPORT ON OUR WEBSITE.

THERE'S A TOOL THAT FOLKS CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND REPORT, OR THEY CAN STILL CALL INTO PUBLIC WORKS' MAIN LINE, WHICH IS 209-385-7601.

STAFF WILL TAKE THE REPORT, AND WE WILL CREATE THE REPORT IN SEECLICKFIX FOR OUR FOLKS.

SOME STATISTICS TO NOTE.

WHEN COMPARED TO THE LAST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 25, THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ILLEGAL DUMPING REPORTS WAS DOWN BY 7% FOR A TOTAL OF 290 REPORTS.

THE FIRST QUARTER, JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER, WE'VE RECEIVED 290 UNIQUE REPORTS OF ILLEGAL DUMPING WITHIN THE COUNTY.

THE DAYS TO CLOSE OUT THE WORK ORDERS WAS DOWN 71%.

WHAT THIS REPRESENTS IS FROM THE DAY THAT IT CREATES AN ISSUE WITHIN OUR SYSTEM TO THE DAY THAT WE DO THE WORK AND WE CLOSE IT OUT IN OUR SYSTEM.

WE'VE IMPROVED BY 71% IN TERMS OF THE DAYS TO CLOSE QUARTER TO QUARTER COMPARISON.

AT THE END OF Q1, SO THE END OF SEPTEMBER 30, THERE WERE ONLY SEVEN REPORTS THAT HAD BEEN CREATED WITHIN THE FIRST QUARTER THAT HAD NOT BEEN YET ADDRESSED.

I HAD JUST HEARD FROM MCAG, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF RWA, THAT THE FIVE MONTHS OF 2025 FROM FEBRUARY TO JUNE 30, THE COUNTY HAD PICKED UP OVER 200 TONS OF ILLEGAL DUMPED MATERIALS.

IF YOU WANT TO PUT THIS IN TERMS OF COMPARISON OF REFRIGERATORS AT 1,600 REFRIGERATORS, EQUIVALENT THAT THE COUNTIES PICKED UP JUST IN THOSE FIVE MONTHS.

THE COUNTY IS ALSO LOOKING INTO PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS A PARTNERSHIP WITH USP AND ATWATER.

THEN LASTLY, IN AN EFFORT TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT IN RESPONSE TO CLEANUPS, THE COUNTY PLACED AN ORDER ON A GRAPPLE TRUCK TO LIFT UP LARGE ITEMS AND LARGE PILES, POTENTIALLY, JUST USING ONE STAFF.

RIGHT NOW, MULTIPLE STAFF NEED TO GO OUT TO ADDRESS CLEANUP ISSUES.

THAT TRUCK IS EXPECTED TO BE DELIVERED LATE SPRING OF 2026.

THEN TO WRAP IT UP, CURBING ILLEGAL DUMPING REMAINS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR MERCED COUNTY AND FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

THIS COUNTY IS COLLABORATING WITH THE CITIES AND MCAG TO HAVE A MORE UNIFIED APPROACH.

AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE STRATEGIES THE COUNTY IS ENGAGING IN IN THE CATEGORIES OF EDUCATION, ENFORCEMENT, AND RESPONSE.

THAT WRAPS UP OUR PRESENTATION, AND DIRECTOR MEMZ, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DURANT, AND I ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION, AND I JUST WANT TO GET A REAL QUICK QUESTION.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON AN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS THROUGH THIS.

DO WE HAVE SUCCESSES THAT WE CAN REPORT OUT BECAUSE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS?

>> BOTH. I'M ADDRESSING BOTH, AND I HAVE SOME ABOUT THE HAULER AFTER THIS.

>> FROM AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE, I THINK GETTING THE WORD OUT THERE OF OUR COMMUNITY CLEANUPS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT PRACTICALLY NO CHARGE TO THE CONSTITUENTS.

MOST OF THE LOCATIONS ARE FULL IN TERMS OF CUSTOMERS COMING TO DROP OFF STUFF FOR THE ENTIRE TIME FRAME.

I THINK THAT IF WE WERE NOT GETTING THE WORD OUT THERE, PEOPLE WOULDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT, AND THEY WOULDN'T HAVE THAT AVAILABLE TO THEM.

THAT'S THE FIRST THAT COMES TO MY MIND.

>> YES, BECAUSE I APPRECIATE THE PROCESS OF EDUCATING FIRST, SHOWING THEM THE PERMITTING PROCESS AND HOW TO BECOME LEGAL.

NOW I'M GOING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

ARE WE SEEING SUCCESS? ARE FOLKS ACTUALLY STEPPING UP, AND GETTING THE PERMITS AFTER THEY'VE BEEN CITED.

>> EVERY TIME WE GO OUT TO A VENDOR, WE DO START OFF WITH INTRODUCING OURSELVES.

ARE YOU GUYS PERMITTED, AND WE DO GIVE THEM EDUCATION ON HOW TO GET PERMITTED.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE EMPLOYEES, AND THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT TO START OFF WITH.

THERE'S OPTIONS THERE'S SMALL COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS AND DIFFERENT THINGS.

WE DID HAVE SOMEONE ABOUT A WEEK AGO COME IN, BUT USUALLY WE'RE MET WITH WE DON'T CARE TO TAKE OUR EQUIPMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK BIGGER TOMORROW.

>> THEY ACTUALLY SAY THAT?

>> THEY HAVE SAID THAT IN NOT AS NICE WORDS [LAUGHTER] REGARDLESS OF HOW WE'RE MET EVERY TIME,

[00:35:01]

>> WELL, THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT APPROACH.

BUT IF THEY'RE NOT TAKING IT, THEN WE HAVE TO BE COME WITH A STRONGER APPROACH DEFINITELY ON THAT.

>> HOPING TO GO OUT AND WE DID ORDER, LIKE, A TABLE CLOTH AND POP UP AND HOPING TO GO OUT TO THE NEXT MERCED, IF IT'S HERE IN TIME TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY TALK IN A NON-ENFORCEMENT WAY TO THE PUBLIC OF THESE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WE COULD HELP WITH.

>> VERY GOOD. THANKS. THEN I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE HAULERS.

ARE WE PERMITTING THE HAULERS? HOW'S THAT PROCESS GOING? BECAUSE WHAT I'M SEEING AND WHEN I TRACK IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ON NEXTDOOR APP, FACEBOOK, AND A LOT OF THEM, WE'RE GETTING FOLKS WHO ARE ADVERTISING THEIR HAULING SERVICES.

THEY'RE HAULING SERVICES IS LESS THAN WHAT IT COSTS TO TAKE IT TO THE DUMP.

WHAT I DO LIKE IS MAYBE THROUGH OUR EDUCATIONAL PROCESS, CONSTITUENTS ARE REPLYING GOING, DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THAT PERSON BECAUSE THEY'RE PUTTING IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT COSTS THIS MUCH TO TAKE IT TO THE DUMP.

THEY'RE DOING IT UNDER THE COST OF TAKING IT TO THE DUMP.

WHAT I'VE NOTICED TOO, IS, I'LL START TO TRACK THE ADVERTISING, JUST LIKE WE DO SOME OF THESE SOLAR COMPANIES THAT SAY THERE'S A MERCED COUNTY PROGRAM.

A LOT OF THESE GUYS ARE COMING OUT OF THE SACRAMENTO AREA, STOCKTON AREA, AND ADVERTISING INTO MERCED FOR HAULING SERVICES.

ARE WE PERMITTING THESE HAULERS?

>> IN SHORT, THEY SHOULD BE PERMITTED.

THEY'RE REQUIRED TO BE PERMITTED.

WHETHER THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OR NOT, MOST OF THE TIME, THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THERE ARE UPDATES THAT WE CAN MAKE TO OUR ORDINANCE TO STRENGTHEN OUR POSITIONING AS WELL.

BUT IN TERMS OF THE THREE MAIN FRANCHISE HAULERS, THOSE ARE PERMITTED.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TOO ARE THE COMPANIES THAT ARE WILLING TO HAUL OFF YOUR CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS OR YOUR TRASH, OR YOUR YARD CLIPPINGS OR WHATEVER.

THEY SHOULD BE PERMITTED FOR HAULING WASTE ACCORDING TO OUR CODE.

I'LL TURN IT OVER TO DIRECTOR MIMMS. HE'S BEEN REACHING OUT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY WHENEVER WE SEE THOSE ADVERTISEMENTS.

>> BECAUSE THEY ARE BLATANTLY ADVERTISING.

THEY'RE NOT EVEN HIDING IT.

>> OUR STAFF HAS REVIEWED ALL ACTIVE BUSINESS LICENSE AND THEN ALSO START RESEARCHING THROUGH FACEBOOK, MARKETPLACE, AND OTHER ITEMS, OTHER WAYS THAT THEY ARE MARKETING THEIR BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO THEM TO FIND OUT IF THEY ARE DOING THE WORK, AND THEN ALSO EDUCATING THEM ON HOW TO GET PERMITTED AND TO BECOME LEGAL. WE ARE DOING THAT.

OUR STAFF IS ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE ALSO PARTNERED AND TALKED TO LEGAL TRASH HAULERS, THAT WILL COME TO YOUR HOUSE AND TAKE YOUR TRASH.

THEY ARE ALSO HELPING US AND GIVING US ADVICE OF HOW THEY THINK WE SHOULD HELP MOVE FORWARD.

WE'RE PARTNERING WITH THE LEGAL PERMITTED BUSINESSES, AS WELL AS EDUCATING THE ONES THAT ARE NOT PERMITTED.

>> MAYBE YOU SHOULD JUST CALL THEM UP, SAY YOU HAVE SOMETHING FOR THEM TO PICK UP TO DUMP AND HAVE THEM COME TO THE COUNTY BUILDING, AND YOU CAN ADDRESS IT THERE AT THAT POINT. [LAUGHTER]

>> A LOT OF THE ONES THAT ARE UNPERMITTED RIGHT NOW THAT ARE TRASH HAULING, THEY SAY THE SAME THING THAT WHEN WE ASK, ARE YOU GUYS DOING THIS? NO, WE'RE JUST SEEING IF THIS IS A VIABLE BUSINESS FOR US ALL TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD INTO THE PERMITTING, BUT WE ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO WATCH THEM AS BEST AS WE CAN, AND THEN LOOKING AT WHO'S ON THE FACEBOOK AND WHERE THEY'RE MARKETING TO REACH OUT TO THEM.

>> I'LL ADMIT, I'VE SEEN LARGE BINS BEING HAULED OUT OF ATWATER, AND I HAVE FOLLOWED THEM OUT OF TOWN AND WATCHED THEM GO DOWN A DEAD END ROAD, FOLLOW THEM IN THERE AND JUST PULL OUT MY PHONE AND THEY END UP MAKING A U-TURN AND LEAVING.

THEY'RE ACTIVELY DOING IT, AND THEY'RE ADVERTISING ON THE SIDE OF THEIR TRAILERS.

WE GOT TO PUT SOME STRONGER HOLD ON HERE BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN EDUCATING THESE FOLKS FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS AT THIS POINT, AND IT'S TIME TO PEOPLE TO LEARN A LESSON.

>> I THINK FROM STAFF'S PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING FOR WITH THE INCREASED FEE AND PENALTIES.

IF YOU GET CAUGHT, IT'S NOT A SLAP ON THE WRIST.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS.

HOPEFULLY THAT ACTS AS A DETERRENT.

BUT IF THEY CONTINUED TO UP AND THEY ARE CAUGHT, IT WILL HIT THEM IN THE POCKET BOOK FOR SURE.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE OUR SETS TEAM RIGHT NOW.

IT SEEMS LIKE THOSE GUYS HAVE BEEN MORE EFFECTIVE HERE LATELY OUT OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THAN WE'VE SEEN THEM IN A LONG TIME.

ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE THEY ENJOY THEIR JOB, AND THEY'RE ACTIVELY LOOKING TO HELP CLEAN UP MERCED COUNTY.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

>> SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> MR. CHAIR. NATHAN, REALLY QUICKLY.

I KNOW THAT WE UPDATED THAT ORDINANCE TO SAY THAT IF THERE'S TWO IDENTIFYING PIECES OF INFORMATION THAT WE CAN REASONABLY ASSUME THAT IT CAME FROM YOU.

[00:40:01]

>> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY TIMES.

>> THAT IS PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT OF THE FRUSTRATION.

I GET IT BY THE TIME YOU GUYS ARE GETTING THE CALL TO GO PICK IT UP, I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO PUT A LITTLE BIT MORE EMPHASIS ON LOOKING AND TRYING TO FIND AND SEE IF THAT TWO PIECES OF INFORMATION ARE THERE SO THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE.

SECONDLY, I DO TO AGREE THAT WHEN YOU COME BACK WITH A DIFFERENT FEE STRUCTURE IN THE ORDINANCE, LOOK AT FEES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MEANT TO CORRECT THE BAD BEHAVIOR.

I FEEL LIKE THAT WE'RE QUITE NOT THERE YET.

IT'S BEEN OUR STANDARD POLICY IS WE APPROACH IT FROM AN EDUCATION ASPECT FIRST.

WE WANT TO EDUCATE YOU.

WE'RE NOT READY TO THROW A BUNCH OF FEES AT YOU TO SOMEBODY WHO POTENTIALLY CAN'T EVEN PAY THEM AND WHATNOT.

WE'RE TRYING TO EDUCATE IT.

BUT FOR THE BAD ACTORS, WE DO NEED TO GO AFTER THEM.

I THINK THAT THAT WORD TRAVELS FAST, SO IF THEY'RE TRUE IN WHAT THEY SAY THAT THEY'RE COMING TO OUR AREA TO SEE IF IT COULD BE A VIABLE BUSINESS, WELL, I'M SURE THAT WORD WOULD ALSO TRAVEL FAST THAT IF YOU'RE NOT A LEGIT VIABLE BUSINESS, THEN WE PROBABLY DON'T WANT YOU DOING BUSINESS IN MERCED COUNTY.

THAT'S WHAT I HAD FOR YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE ON THAT.

I KNOW, JUST FROM MY EXPERIENCE, TYPICALLY IT'S NOT WHEN I FIND TRASH.

IT'S TYPICALLY WHEN ONE OF MY CONSTITUENT CALLS ME.

THEY'RE GETTING PRETTY BRAZEN ABOUT IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SCARES ME IS THE FACT THAT WE GOT SANTA FE GREAT OUT THERE ON THE WEST SIDE THAT THEY LITERALLY JUST DUMP IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

THEY'RE NOT EVEN LIKE TRYING TO DUMP IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

YOU GET SOMEBODY, IT'S DARK, WHATEVER COMES DOWN THAT ROAD.

THEY'RE TYPICALLY NOT GOING THAT FAST.

KIDS DO EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, AND THEN THEY COME UPON THAT.

WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING LIKE YOU'RE RUNNING OVER TRASH AND LEAVES.

WE'RE TALKING CONSTRUCTION WASTE, REFRIGERATOR, STOVES, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT ORDINANCE BACK.

THEN NOW THIS IS FOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR DORAN.

THIS IS A PART THAT I GOT AN E MAIL FROM A CONSTITUENT.

I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE AWARE OF THIS IS SHE'S ASKING HERSELF, WHY THE HECK AM I GOING TO BOTHER GOING THROUGH ALL THIS PERMITTING PROCESS? I GO THROUGH IT.

I GET MY VEHICLE OR MY TRAILER OR WHATEVER IT IS INSPECTED EVERY YEAR.

THESE ILLEGAL FOOD VENDORS ARE OUT THERE, AND THEY'RE DOING IT WITH NO PERMITS, NONE OF THE SAME AMOUNT OF OVERHEAD, IF YOU WILL.

SHE'S ASKING HERSELF. WHY BOTHER? IF EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT, THEN WHY AM I GO TO GO THROUGH IT? I GOT TO TELL YOU THAT I DON'T NECESSARILY DISAGREE WITH HER.

IT'S A TOUGH SITUATION.

THEY'RE IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY. I GET IT.

PROBABLY THE CHEAPEST THING YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS THE PERMIT TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE.

I'VE SEEN SOME OF THESE TRAILERS, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY HAVE INVESTED IN THESE THINGS, DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY.

IT'S A COMMITMENT. THIS IS THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

I THINK THERE'S A STORY.

A GENTLEMAN CALLED ME.

THIS IS WHY I THINK THERE'S SOME ILLEGAL ACTIVITY THAT GOES ON WITH THESE THINGS IS YOU GOT THIS GUY SHOWS UP, AND IT'S THE BIG GUY, AND HE'S GOT ALL CARS THAT COME IN THERE.

THEN YOU GOT THE LITTLE GUY THAT SHOWS UP ACROSS THE STREET, AND THERE'S LIKE 20 CARS AT THIS ONE, AND THERE'S NO CARS AT THAT ONE? SOMETHING'S NOT ADDING UP THERE.

IF THESE PEOPLE ARE SEEING IT, I JUST THINK THAT I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD A PARTNERSHIP WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WITH THE DA'S OFFICE.

THERE'S MORE GOING ON THERE.

THEN WHEN IT COMES TO CONFISCATING THE EQUIPMENT, WALK ME THROUGH IF SOMEBODY GOT THEIR EQUIPMENT CONFISCATED TODAY, WHAT HAPPENS? DO WE HOLD IT FOR SO MANY DAYS? ONCE IT'S CONFISCATED, IT'S GONE.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> IF I WAS TO IMPOUND EQUIPMENT RIGHT NOW, THE PERSON WHO I'M IMPOUNDING IT FROM, WE GO OUT THERE AND WE ASK, WHO'S THE OWNER? THEY'RE NEVER THE OWNERS, THEY'RE EMPLOYEES.

IS THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS THIS THE OWNER? THE MANAGEMENT, WE HAVE CLERKS, SO WE'RE ABLE TO ASK LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RUN THE LICENSE PLATES FOR US AND GET OWNER INFORMATION, SO A LOT OF TIMES WE'LL SAY, AMANDA DURAN, IS SHE THE OWNER? HER NAME CAME BACK AS A LICENSE PLATE AND THEY'LL SAY, YEAH AND WE'LL SAY.

WE'RE GOING TO FILL OUT THIS FORM.

IT'S ITEMIZED OF EVERY SINGLE FOOD AND EQUIPMENT THAT WE IMPOUNDED AT THAT MOMENT.

ON THE BACK, IT GIVES THEM 10 DAYS TO SET UP AN APPEAL HEARING TO APPEAL WHY THEY THINK THEY WERE WRONGFULLY APPROACHED.

THEY HAVE 30 DAYS TO PAY THE PENALTY FEE IF THEY WANT TO GET THEIR FOOD, NOT THEIR FOOD.

FOOD GETS DESTROYED, BUT IF THEY WANT TO GET THEIR EQUIPMENT OUT OF IMPOUND.

BUT WE ALWAYS LET THEM KNOW ONLY THE OWNER CAN COME IN.

WE HAVE HAD SOMEONE COME IN AND IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE,

[00:45:03]

IF SOMEONE WAS TO COME IN AND TO PAY THE PENALTY FEE, WE WOULD GET COPY OF THEIR IDENTIFICATION, ALONG WITH THEY SIGN A FORM SAYING THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER SERVE FOOD, UNPERMITTED.

THEY NEED TO GET A PERMIT. THEY NEED TO DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.

THEY SIGN LIKE AN AGREEMENT THAT THEY WON'T DO IT.

PAY THE PENALTY, THEN THEY COULD GET THEIR EQUIPMENT.

THIS HAS NEVER.

>> WORKED.

>> NO ONE'S EVER CAME AND GOT THEIR EQUIPMENT.

>> THEY DON'T COME AND GET IT. AS WE'RE DEVELOPING, I KNOW WE'RE DOING THE EDUCATION PIECE.

WE'RE REACHING OUT TO THE INCORPORATED JURISDICTIONS TO WORK WITH THEM.

I THINK ALL ARE GREAT THINGS.

I THINK AGAIN, THE PENALTY PIECE, IF THEY'RE JUST FLAT OUT TELLING YOU, DON'T WORRY, I'LL JUST COME BACK TOMORROW.

THAT AGAIN, MAKES ME THINK I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PLATES OF FOOD THEY'RE SELLING, BUT TO BE ABLE TO SELL THAT MANY PLATES OF FOOD WHERE THEY'RE JUST GOING TO GO GET MORE EQUIPMENT AND COME BACK.

WE'RE NOT HURTING THEM IN THE RIGHT PLACES, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE ABOUT HURTING PEOPLE.

I DON'T, BUT THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY GOT A WHOLE WAREHOUSE FULL OF THIS STUFF.

IF THEY LOSE THIS ONE TODAY, THEY'RE BACK OUT THERE TOMORROW, AND YOUR GUYS INCREASED ENFORCEMENT ISN'T GOING UNNOTICED.

I HAVE MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC TELLING ME THAT.

BUT LITERALLY, YOU GUYS ARE GONE FOR AN HOUR AND THEY'RE RIGHT BACK THERE.

IF THEY BUST THEM IN THE CITY, THEY JUST MOVE RIGHT OUT TO THE CORNER OF PIONEER AND CENTER AVENUE AND JUST GO ON THE COUNTY SIDE OF THE STREET AND NOT THE CITY SIDE OF THE STREET.

I WOULD HOPE AS WE LOOK AT THIS, THIS WHOLE THREE PRONGED APPROACH TO EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE, YOU DON'T GET THE STUFF BACK.

LISTEN, AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO EDUCATE FIRST, AND WE'RE TRYING TO TELL YOU.

BUT IF YOU GO OUT THERE AND YOU SEE THE SAME PERSON THAT YOU SAW WHEN YOU WERE OUT THERE A WEEK AGO, THERE'S YOUR CHANCE.

YOU OBVIOUSLY DID NOT GET THE MESSAGE, GONE. THAT STUFF IS GONE.

YOU DON'T GET IT BACK. I DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S A QUESTION FOR THE LAWYERS TO ANSWER HOW CAN WE DO THAT? IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE LOCAL BUSINESSES, WHETHER YOU'RE A BRICK AND MORTAR STORE RESTAURANT, OR IF YOU ARE A LEGAL FOOD VENDOR, THEY'RE COMPETING WITH YOU.

THEY HAVE HARDLY ANY OF THE OVERHEAD COST.

THEY DON'T HAVE REST ROOMS. THEY DON'T HAVE HAND WASHING STATIONS.

GOD KNOWS IF THEY'RE EVEN CLEANING STUFF.

I'VE SEEN THE PICTURES ON SOME OF THE STINGS YOU GUYS HAVE DONE, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW ANY LOGICAL HUMAN BEING COULD SEE THESE PICTURES AND WOULD EVER WANT TO EAT AT ONE OF THESE FACILITIES AGAIN.

IT'S DISGUSTING. IT'S GROSS.

IT'S NOT BEING HANDLED SAFELY.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US.

I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.

I APPRECIATE THE STEPPED UP ENFORCEMENT.

WE'VE NOT STRUCK A NERVE YET.

I DON'T CARE DRIVE IN ANY DIRECTION FROM THIS BUILDING ON ANY GIVEN DAY, AND YOU WILL FIND ILLEGAL FOOD VENDORS OUT THERE.

IT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR TAX PAYING PERMIT PAYING RESIDENTS WHO ARE DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS.

I GET IT, THERE'S AN ARGUMENT.

WELL, THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING.

IN SOME CASES, IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I'VE HEARD THE WORD THEY'RE INDENTURED SERVANTS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT THEY GOT THEM WORKING IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS, NOT PAYING MINIMUM WAGE, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

IF WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO CHANGE A CULTURE, THEN WE NEED TO TRY TO HELP EVERYBODY UP.

THIS IS BAD GUYS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE.

THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

>> SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

>> I MISSED. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. A COUPLE OF THINGS, MY COLLEAGUES HAVE HIT A LOT OF REALLY, REALLY GOOD POINTS.

ONE THING I WILL SAY IS THAT I FELT YOU WERE VERY KIND TODAY TO THE ILLEGAL VENDORS.

I'VE SEEN THE SAME PICTURES, AND WE COULD HAVE PUT 100 PICTURES UP THERE OF DISGUSTING STUFF THAT WOULD TURN THESE PEOPLE'S STOMACHS.

FOOD LITERALLY IN A GARBAGE BAG LAYING ON THE GROUND MEAT.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SELLING IT DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THE PERSON BUYING IT, THAT'S FOR SURE.

ONE SUGGESTION THAT I'VE HAD IN THE PAST, AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME IN, TO SUPER SILVEIRA'S POINT IS THAT YOU HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING IT CORRECTLY.

I'M NOT FOR MORE GOVERNMENT COST AND ALL THAT.

BUT IF THE RULES ARE THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE RULES, THEN THESE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE RULES.

WITH THAT, MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE THAT FIRST YEAR PEOPLE COME IN TO GET A PERMIT THAT THEY GET THEIR PERMIT.

THE SECOND YEAR THEY COME, THEY NEED TO SHOW THAT THEY HAVE PAID THEIR EMPLOYEES,

[00:50:02]

THEY NEED TO BE PUTTING SOCIAL SECURITY ON BEHALF OF THEIR EMPLOYEES INTO AN ACCOUNT.

THEY NEED TO PAY THEIR SHARE. THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US LOOK AT THAT, OR HAVE WE?

>> NOT GATHERING EMPLOYEES' SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, BUT I KNOW THERE IS SOME OTHER INFORMATION DRIVER'S LICENSE.

>> NO, I'M NOT SUGGESTING.

SO WHEN I PAY PAYROLL TAXES ARE USED TO WHEN I HAD THE DAIRY.

I HAD TO SEND THEM TO THE STATE.

SO I FILED A 943, I THINK IT WAS.

BUT ANYWAY, SO THEY HAVE DOCUMENTATION WHERE THEY'RE PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, THE SOCIAL SECURITY, STATE DISABILITY, ALL THAT STUFF.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION.

YOU JUST NEED THE COMPANY'S FILINGS.

>> I COULD SEE IF WE COULD LOOK INTO THAT IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE ABLE TO ASK FOR.

>> RIGHT. AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE IT, THEN THEY DON'T GET THEIR PERMIT.

I MEAN, IF WE'RE GOING TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS AND FORCE PEOPLE TO BE LEGIT, THEN LET'S MAKE THEM LEGIT, AND THAT'S WITH ALL OF IT, BECAUSE THEY JUST HAVE A SIGNIFICANT.

PAYROLL TAXES ARE 42%.

IF I'M RUNNING A RESTAURANT, YOU KNOW, MY EMPLOYEES ARE COSTING ME 42% MORE.

IF I'M RUNNING A ILLEGAL FOOD VENDOR OR EVEN AN ILLEGAL FOOD VENDOR, BUT I'M NOT PAYING THAT.

I HAVE A 42% ADVANTAGE.

PLUS, I DON'T HAVE THE UTILITY BILLS, THE RENTS, THE OTHER THINGS THAT THE OTHER BUSINESSES HAVE.

SO AT LEAST LET'S TRY TO MAKE IT EVEN, WOULD BE AND I KNOW YOU'RE DOING THAT, BUT JUST OUTS A SUGGESTION.

BUT YEAH, THANK YOU. AND THEN, NATHAN.

JUST A FEW. SO ONE THING THAT STILL SURPRISES ME IS THAT PEOPLE HAVE LITTLE IDEA THAT THE LANDFILL TAKES MATTRESSES FOR FREE.

AND I HAVE SUGGESTED AT MCAC MEETINGS TO THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL WASTE AUTHORITY THAT WE PUT TOGETHER, LIKE A COUPON, THAT MATTRESS STORES CAN GIVE TO THE PERSON BUYING MATTRESSES.

THAT SAYS YOU CAN GO TO THE LANDFILL AND DROP OFF YOUR OLD MATTRESSES FOR FREE.

BECAUSE I THINK THE PERSON SELLING THE MATTRESS DOESN'T CARE.

BUT IF THEY CAN GIVE THAT COUPON TO THE PERSON, THEN THEY KNOW IT'S TRUE, OR I HAVE A TICKET TO DO THIS.

I FIND A LOT OF TIMES IN SOME OF THE STUFF THAT WE'VE DONE, LIKE AT OUR CHURCH, IF IT'S FREE, BUT THERE'S NO TICKET.

PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THAT.

SOMEBODY'S TELLING, OH, YOU CAN GO THERE FOR FREE. THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT.

BUT IF YOU GOT A COUPON, SO I WOULD MAKE THAT SUGGESTION TO ADD IN.

AND THEN, I KNOW THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH A SPOT WHERE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS UNDERSTAFFED, AND I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE, BUT THEY'RE IN THE ACADEMY, AND THEY'RE NOT BASICALLY YOU KNOW, ON THE STREET YET, SO TO SPEAK, BUT MAYBE KEEP IN MIND THAT WHENEVER THEY GET BACK TO FULL STAFF, THAT WE FIGURE OUT A WAY TO WORK WITH THEM A LITTLE BETTER ON THE ILLEGAL DUMPS AND GET IN SOME OF THE ORDINANCES THAT WE ALREADY HAVE, THAT IF WE FIND INFORMATION IN IT THAT LEADS IT, THAT WE START DOING THAT CAUSE UNTIL, I MEAN, IF I, YOU KNOW, GIVE MY TRASH TO SOMEBODY TO HOLD TO THE LANDFILL, I THINK I'M DONE.

WELL, IF I FIND OUT I'M NOT, IF THEY DON'T DELIVER IT, THEN I'M GOING TO BE A LITTLE MORE CONSCIOUS OF WHO I HIRE AND WHAT THEY DO.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH INCREASED PENALTIES AS WELL.

>> OH, YEAH, FOR SURE.

>> IF YOU CAN FIND $100, BUT YOU PAID $10 TO GET RID OF IT, MAYBE THAT'S NOT AS MUCH OF A DETERRENT, BUT IF YOU GET FINED $2,500, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE GOING THROUGH IT.

>> RIGHT. AND THEN, DO YOU HAVE, AND THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF AN UNFAIR QUESTION, BUT SO I'LL GIVE YOU GRACE IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER.

BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT COSTS US TO PICK UP THE ILLEGAL DUMPING?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE DUMP AND THE LOCATION.

I MEAN, IF IT'S CLOSE TO OUR YARD OR IF IT'S CLOSE TO THE LANDFILL, AND WE DON'T HAVE A BUNCH OF TRAVEL TIME.

I MEAN, ANYWHERE BETWEEN, SO RIGHT NOW, IT'S USUALLY TWO FOLKS GO OUT TO ADDRESS ILLEGAL DUMPING CLEANUP.

AND LET'S SAY THEY'RE GOING OUT TO A SPECIFIC SITE THAT'S CLOSE TO THE LANDFILL.

I MEAN, IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD HOUR AND A HALF, 2 HOURS WORTH OF THEIR TIME.

AND THE FULL BURDEN RATE OF THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS IS PROBABLY CLOSE TO CALL IT 200 BUCKS AN HOUR FOR BOTH.

AT LEAST $400 FOR EACH INSTANCE.

AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE TIPPING FEES.

>> YEAH, OR THE COST OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SYSTEM THAT SEND THEM OUT THERE. CORRECT.

>> THAT IS JUST THE [OVERLAPPING].

>> YEAH. SO WE COULD BE MORE 6- $700 PER.

AND THEN IF YOU DO THAT TIMES 290, IT GETS TO BE SIGNIFICANT MONEY.

>> WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF RESOURCES ON CLEANING UP FOLKS THAT DUMP THEIR TRASH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

>> YEAH. AND THEN THE LAST POINT WOULD BE,

[00:55:03]

DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING ON ILLEGAL DUMPING.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T GO TO THE CLEANUPS BECAUSE THE LINE'S LONG, AND I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN IN LINE, AND THEN THEY GET THERE AND IT'S CLOSED, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MAKE THE LANDFILL ON TIME.

SO MAYBE, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF CLEANUPS, LIKE TO SPRING AND FALL IN EACH COMMUNITY, IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT.

YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, THROUGH SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING WITH MCAG, WE WERE ABLE TO PERFORM TWO ADDITIONAL CLEANUPS, ONE ON THE WEST SIDE AND ONE ON THE EAST SIDE IN JUNE, JUST TO HELP CURB THE ISSUE.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH ALL OF THE ALLERS, ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, TO PUT ON THESE EVENTS.

>> AND THEN THE LAST THING, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE C CLICK FIX.

I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS YOUR DESIGN OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S.

>> IT WAS NOT MINE.

>> BUT I SHARE THAT AT ALL MY MAC MEETINGS.

ANYTIME I GET CALLS FROM PEOPLE, I SHARE THAT APP.

AND I USE IT BECAUSE THE RESPONSE IS QUICK AND ALWAYS.

I MEAN, SO YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB AND KEEP PROMOTING THAT WITH YOUR PEOPLE BECAUSE IT REALLY WORKS AND DO GOOD.

>> THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>. YEAH, THANK YOU. I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP TOO.

I'M GLAD NAV IS SITTING BACK HERE IN THE BACK WITH RWA.

BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS TRUE THAT THEY TAKE MATTRESSES FOR NO COST.

I HAD A CONSTITUENT OF MINE WHO PICKED UP ABOUT FOUR MATTRESSES THAT WERE DUMPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OFF OF HIS PROPERTY.

HE SHOWED UP. THEY CHARGED HIM TO DO IT.

AND HE DID IT ON MY WORD THAT I SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO IT FOR FREE.

SO WHAT YOU SAID, LLOYD, IS VERY SIMILAR.

THEY WANT TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE WHEN THEY GO OUT THERE, AND EVEN SOME HAULIERS WHO ARE TAKING THE MATTRESSES OUT THERE ARE GETTING CHARGED FOR IT.

SO I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO AT MCAG.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT WITH RWA, AND I'VE BROUGHT IT UP THERE A FEW TIMES AT RWA IN TELLING THEM, BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY TAKE THEM FOR NO COST.

AND ANOTHER THING, THIS IS FOR YOU, MARK, MIMS, HOW MANY PERMITTED HAULIERS DO WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN MERCED COUNTY?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I CAN GET THAT FOR YOU PROBABLY BY THE END OF THE DAY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT.

AND IF THEY'RE NOT PART OF THE FRANCHISE HAULIERS, WHICH I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE NOT HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE OTHER HAULIERS.

ARE THEY HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS THE FRANCHISE HAULIERS? BECAUSE WHAT I'M WANTING TO KNOW IS, IF YOU'RE JUST A PERMITTED HAULIER, WHY WOULD YOU GO THROUGH ALL THE WORK TO BECOME A FRANCHISE HAULIER? SO I'M JUST FOR A BUSINESS SENSE OR MOVING FORWARD, I'D LIKE TO.

>> SURE. AND SO I THINK THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT GOVERNING SECTIONS OF TITLE IX, AND REALLY FOR TWO DIFFERENT PURPOSES.

THE FRANCHISE HAULIERS HAUL THE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE AS GENERATED ON SITE FROM THAT USE.

AND SO WE HAVE THREE FRANCHISE HAULIERS AND THREE FRANCHISE AREAS.

THE ADDITIONAL HAULIERS ARE HAULING REFUSE THAT IS GENERATED OUTSIDE OF YOUR TRADITIONAL USE OF THE PROPERTY.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE ONE.

WE MAY HAVE TWO PERMITTED HAULIERS OUTSIDE OF THE THREE FRANCHISE HAULERS RIGHT NOW.

THERE DEFINITELY ARE A LOT MORE OUT THERE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO CURB.

ONE OF THEM IS PAYING FRANCHISE FEES. ONE OF THEM IS.

I BELIEVE THAT'S THE ONLY CURRENT PERMITTED WITH A CURRENT VALID'S RIGHT NOW OUTSIDE OF THE THREE MAIN FRANCHISE HER.

>> AND I KNOW WE'VE HAD A DISCUSSION WITH ONE OF THEM.

IS THAT SOMETHING FURTHER DISCUSSION WE NEED TO HAVE TO DISCUSS, MAYBE SOME OF THESE PERMITTED HAULERS? I MEAN, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THEM AT THE SAME STANDARD. THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING.

>> CORRECT. YES. I MEAN, WE WILL HOLD ALL OF THE WASTE HAULERS TO THE SAME STANDARD.

AGAIN, THE FRANCHISE HAULERS ARE OPERATING UNDER A DIFFERENT, NOT SET OF LAWS, BUT FOR A DIFFERENT PURPOSE AS OPPOSED TO THESE OTHER HAULERS.

>> BECAUSE THEY'RE MORE OF A COMMERCIAL INTENT.

THAT'S A CONTINUOUS USE.

>> CORRECT. IT'S USED TO OFFHAUL YOUR GENERATED WATER, FOOD WASTE, RECYCLING, GARBAGE, AND GREEN WASTE, IF YOU'RE NOT IN A WAIVER ZONE.

AND SO THOSE ARE A LITTLE BIT TREATED A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN SOMEONE THAT GENERATES REFUSE ON AN OCCASIONAL BASIS AND NEEDS TO HAUL IT OFF.

OKAY, SO MAYBE AS A BOARD, GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE NEED TO MAKE THOSE DETERMINATIONS A LITTLE MORE CLEAR.

YEAH, AND I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US WHEN WE BRING BACK TITLE NINE REVISIONS AS IT RELATES TO THE PENALTY STRUT.

[01:00:01]

SO THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A LOT OF CLEANUP OF THAT SECTION OF ORDINANCE.

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. LOOKING FORWARD TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

THANKS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THIS IS FROM [INAUDIBLE].

IS THERE OR CAN THERE BE A MECHANISM, SO LIKE SOMEBODY DUMPS SOME TRASH ON MY PROPERTY AND THERE'S NO NAMES OR ANYTHING, BUT INSTEAD OF CALLING THE COUNTY, I JUST GO AHEAD AND PICK IT UP AND TAKE IT TO THE DUMP MYSELF, THAT MAYBE I CAN GET A PASS ON NOT BEING CHARGED FOR IT? THAT WAY, I KNOW YOU SAID IT TAKES ABOUT FOUR OR $500 FOR THE COUNTY TO MIGHT BE TO RELIEVE A LITTLE BIT OF THE COUNTY.

>> WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE, MAYBE NOT AT THIS LEVEL, BUT KIND OF ONE OFFS.

AND I THINK IT'S GREAT IN THEORY.

THERE ARE SOME NUANCES THAT WE WOULD NEED TO WORK THROUGH.

IS THAT TRASH OR RUBBISH THAT WAS DEPOSITED ON YOUR PROPERTY ILLEGALLY, VERSUS IS IT SOMETHING THAT YOU GENERATED, AND HOW DO WE GO THROUGH AND VERIFY THAT? THE COUNTY ISN'T PAYING FOR THE LANDFILL IS ACCEPTING FREE OF CHARGE.

RUBBISH AND WASTE THAT WAS GENERATED VERSUS DUMPED.

AND SO THERE'S SOME NUANCES THERE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF VALUE TO BE HAD, AND MAYBE IDENTIFYING A PROCESS.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

>> MAYBE CALLING THE SHARES AND JUST GETTING THE CASE NUMBER, AND SO YOU'VE ACTUALLY MADE A REPORT OF ILLEGAL DUMPING, SO YOU GET TO THE CASE NUMBER, AND I KNOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT ANYWAY, JUST AN IDEA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU FOR SURE. AND YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

AND ACTUALLY, IN DISTRICT THREE, I USED MY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO SET UP A VOUCHER PROGRAM THROUGH RWA THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

SO IF YOU SCHEDULE A CLEANUP IN DISTRICT THREE, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN UP, YOU CONTACT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, WE CAN GET YOU A VOUCHER TO BE ABLE TO GO DUMP IT FOR NO COST. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS, ALTHOUGH MOST OF IT'S ALREADY BEEN HANDLED BY EVERYONE UP HERE MULTIPLE TIMES.

BUT ONE THING.

SO IN REGARDS TO THE ILLEGAL FOOD VENDORS, IT SAYS HOW TO SPOT UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDORS, AND THAT'S THE POSTCARD OR WHATEVER, AND THERE'S FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS ON HERE.

THERE'S NO PERMIT, OPERATING A ROADSIDE PARKING LOT, NO HAND WASHING, NO FOOD STORAGE, NO FRIDGE, TRANSPORTED WITHOUT REFRIGERATION.

SO IF THIS IS SEEN, IS IT JUST YOU'RE GOING TO PICK ONE OF THEM, AND IT'S ONLY ONE FINE, OR IS IT IF YOU DO THE NO PERMIT, SAY THEY HAVE NONE OF THIS? YOU FIND THEM AT THE MAX, WHICH IS THE 2,500 PER?

>> IT'S JUST ONE.

SO IF THEY'RE OPERATING WITHOUT A PERMIT, USUALLY, YOU'LL SEE THE OTHER THINGS COINCIDE WITH IT, BUT IT'S NOT PER EACH VIOLATION.

OUR ORDINANCE READS OPERATING WITHOUT A PERMIT, TRIPLE FEE.

>> YEAH, AND THE PERMIT MUST BE DISPLAYED.

I JUST THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THESE FEES, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE A THERE'S GOT TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A HAMMER BEHIND IT.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, AS IT'S BEEN MENTIONED, IT'S NOT ABOUT PUNISHING, IT'S ABOUT EDUCATING, BUT THEN IT IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE PUNISHING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE BAD THINGS BECAUSE BRICK AND MORTAR CAN'T COMPETE, AND IT'S REALLY HARD FOR THEM.

THIS BOARD HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, AND THIS IS REALLY A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE WHEN EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, THERE'S A HUGE, I MEAN, IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE PARTIES THAT ARE GOING ON, AND THERE'S FOOD THAT'S BEING SOLD WITHOUT, YOU KNOW, GOING THROUGH THE PROPER STUFF.

AND WHEN THEY SAY THAT THE PICTURES THAT WE'VE ALL SEEN THEY WERE NICE, LIKE SUPERVISOR PER SAID TODAY, BECAUSE THE STUFF THAT WE'VE SEEN IS RIDICULOUS.

I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK WE'VE WORKED REALLY WELL WITH THE INCORPORATED CITIES, AND WE'VE STARTED THAT COLLABORATION WITH THEM TO SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS, LET US WORK ON OUR STUFF, AND THEN LET'S MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ALL SIMILAR.

AND SO A LOT OF THE CITIES WERE KIND OF WAITING FOR US TO DO IT.

THEY WERE OKAY WITH US PUNTING THIS UNTIL TODAY BECAUSE THERE WAS A BIG ITEM ON OUR OCTOBER 7 AGENDA.

BUT EARLY SPRING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME.

I THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR FAR TOO LONG.

AND SO WHEN WE SAY WE'RE GOING TO WAIT TO EARLY SPRING, WE HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE BY EARLY SPRING.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S ACCEPTABLE ENOUGH FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE CONSISTENTLY HAVING TO FACE THESE ISSUES.

SO I WOULD RECOMMEND OR CHALLENGE YOU TO PLEASE HAVE SOMETHING, I MEAN,

[01:05:02]

I DON'T SEE WHY THAT'S NOT DOABLE.

I'M GOING TO REQUEST THAT.

DID YOU? AND THEN THE LAST THING, THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATIONS AND FOR WORKING ON THIS.

I DO WANT TO SEE THIS, BUT I DO WANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH ALL THE STUFF THAT WE'VE BROUGHT UP.

I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE BACK SOONER RATHER THAN LATER SO THAT WE CAN REALLY ADDRESS THESE ISSUES BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING TO CONTINUOUSLY GET THE CALLS ON THIS STUFF, WE'RE SHOWING THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING.

AND SO THIS PUTS THE BALL IN MOTION, REALLY AND PUTS IT PUTS US ON NOTICE OR PUTS YOU GUYS ON NOTICE THAT, HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING, SO WE CAN TELL OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THAT.

OH, I ALSO WANTED TO THANK MR. BRAY FOR USING THE TERM RUBBISH MULTIPLE TIMES.

I DON'T THINK I WAS PLANNING ON HEARING THAT TODAY.

SO AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THE PRESENTATION IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE FROM THE BOARD.

COME ON.

HOLD ON. GO AHEAD.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, GOOD MORNING. I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, MAINLY FOR AMANDA AND DORAN.

ONE IS, IS THE MATERIAL FOR THE PUBLIC GOING TO BE IN SPANISH AND MONG IN ADDITION TO ENGLISH, BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF THE CLIENTS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE SPANISH SPEAKING.

ALSO, I WAS WONDERING IF THERE'S SOME SEAL OF APPROVAL THAT CAN BE PUT ON SITE TO SAY THAT THEY'VE GONE THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FOOD IS SAFE.

AND THEN THE LAST QUESTION FOR AMANDA IS, THAT I NOTICED THAT THERE'S SPECIFIC SITES WHERE THESE VENDORS ARE, AND THEY MUST MAKE SOME ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER AVENUE THAT I THINK SHOULD BE EXPLORED IN TERMS OF HOW TO APPROACH THIS MATTER.

I JUST WANTED TO COMPLIMENT MR. PEDA.

I THINK INCREASING THE CLEANUPS TO TWICE A MONTH, I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO HAVE THE CLEANUPS.

AND THEN HAVING THE COUPON REQUIREMENT FOR THE MATTRESS VENDORS, I THINK, IS ANOTHER EXCELLENT THING, TOO.

I LIKE THE VOUCHERS FROM THE DISCRETIONARY FUND THAT WAS BROUGHT UP. THANK YOU.

>> AND I THINK THAT THE WAY THAT YOU GET THE SEAL OF APPROVAL IS JUST BY HAVING THE HEALTH PERMIT.

I MEAN, THAT'S REALLY WHAT YOU NEED, AND THAT SHOWS THAT YOU'RE PERMITTED TO BE THERE.

>> PAST. I GOT A LOT TO SAY [LAUGHTER].

MY NAME IS MELISSA MARALLIS, AND MY SIGNIFICANT AKAN, ARE HERE, LOCAL OWNERS OF A RESTAURANT HERE, I MUST SAY SPEAKING NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES, BUT 70 OTHER RESTAURANT AND BUSINESS OWNERS THAT HAVE SIGNED A PETITION THAT WE SUBMITTED THREE WEEKS AGO TO CITY COUNCIL.

MANY MORE THAT WERE IN AGREEMENT, ALTHOUGH WOULD NOT SIGN IN FEAR OF BACKLASH FROM THE LATINO COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK HARD TO BUILD SOMETHING FROM THE GROUND UP, AND WE ARE PROUD TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY THE RIGHT WAY.

WE ARE HERE BECAUSE ILLEGAL UNAUTHORIZED STREET VENDING HAS BECOME A GROWING CRISIS, AND MERCED, FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, ENRICA AND I CONTINUE TO OBSERVE POP UP VENDORS OPERATING IN THE BANK OF AMERICA, EMPTY PARKING LOT AFTER HOURS, NON PERMITTED, NON INSPECTED, UNREGULATED, UNSAFE, AND UNCHECKED.

WE JUST WANT TO SHOW UP AND SAY THAT WE APPRECIATE THE INCREASES OF SWEEPS YOU LISTED IN YOUR STRATEGY.

THERE CONTINUE TO BE MANY MORE PLACES SUCH AS HIGHWAY 59, WHERE THEY ARE IN PLAIN SIGHT, NOT HIDING WITH NO PLACE TO STORE FOOD APPROPRIATELY OR WASH THEIR HANDS.

WE KNOW THIS IS HURTING ALL OF US ON MULTIPLE LEVELS.

IT HURTS OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

HONEST BUSINESS OWNERS WHO PAY TAXES, MAINTAIN PERMITS, AND FOLLOW HEALTH CODES SUCH AS US.

WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH VENDORS WHO BYPASS ALL OF THAT OVERHEAD.

AS I SHARED IN CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY, NATIONALLY, ABOUT 30%-35% OF RESTAURANTS FAIL WITHIN THEIR FIRST TWO YEARS IN SMALLER MARKETS LIKE MERCED.

THAT NUMBER IS EVEN HIGHER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME CUSTOMER BASE OR SAFETY NETS AS BIGGER CITIES.

THAT MEANS NEARLY ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE NEW RESTAURANTS HERE WON'T MAKE IT PAST YEAR TWO, WHICH AFFECTS OUR FAMILY, OUR LIVELIHOODS, AND OUR DREAMS GOING UNDER.

IF WE WANT MERCED TO THRIVE, WE NEED TO BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THOSE BUSINESSES ACTUALLY HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE.

[01:10:02]

VENDORS ARE HANDLING AND SELLING FOOD, OF COURSE, AS MENTIONED, WITH NO SANITATION, NO REFRIGERATION, NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING, AND NO OVERSIGHT.

WHEN PEOPLE GET SICK AND THEY DO, IT IS OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS OVERWHELMED, OUR TAXPAYERS FOOTING THE BILL AND OUR COMMUNITY'S REPUTATION ON THE LINE.

LAST, THIS CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT OF LAWLESSNESS, ALLOWING NOT ONLY VENDORS TO SET UP IN PARKING LOTS, BUT ALSO THE OWNERS OF THE LOTS SENDS A MESSAGE THAT WE DON'T CARE.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR NOT ALLOWING THAT TO BE THE CASE.

THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US.

THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING THE PEOPLE OF MERCED FOR PROTECTING LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES WHO INVEST IN THIS COUNTY EVERY DAY AND STOPPING UNPERMITTED VENDORS WHO NOT ONLY EXPLOIT THE SYSTEM, BUT IN SOME CASES, EXPLOIT HUMAN BEINGS.

MERCED DESERVES BETTER.

WE DESERVE FAIRNESS, SAFETY, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THAT WON'T LOOK THE OTHER WAY. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'D LIKE TO SPEAK AS AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSE.

NOW, I RETIRED HERE TO MERCED COUNTY IN 2021.

I MANAGED AN EMERGENCY ROOM BOTH IN THE NAVY HOSPITAL OAKLAND AND ALSO IN THE COMMUNITY HOSPITALS, AND WE SAW LARGE NUMBERS OF RESIDENTS COME IN WITH FOOD POISONING AND FOOD BORNE ILLNESS AS A RESULT OF PURCHASING FOOD FROM UNLICENSED VENDORS.

I'M SURE IF I WENT TO MERCED HOSPITAL TODAY, THEY WOULD TELL ME THAT'S TRUE FOR THEM IN THEIR EMERGENCY ROOM, AS WELL.

AMANDA TALKS ABOUT EDUCATION.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO TALK WITH THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS GOING TO MCOE AND COMING UP WITH EDUCATION, OUR YOUTH AND GOING OUT TO THE SCHOOLS, THROUGH THE SCHOOL NURSE OR THROUGH WHATEVER EDUCATIONAL APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM THAT WOULD BE AND DO SOME ASSEMBLY PROGRAM WHERE WE TALK WITH THE KIDS DIRECTLY ABOUT BUYING FOOD FROM UNLICENSED VENDORS.

LET'S HIT IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS, NOT ONLY EDUCATING THE VENDOR, THAT'S UNLICENSED, BUT LET'S EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE RISKS OF PURCHASING UNLICENSED VENDOR FOOD. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND THEN I HAVE ONE MORE COMMENT AND THEN ONE MINUTE CLOSE COM. GO AHEAD.

>> THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU. QUESTION FOR COUNSEL.

I BELIEVE IT WAS MISSES MORAL SAID, WHAT ARE WE DOING IF I'M GUESSING BANK AMERICA DIDN'T SAY, HEY, COME IN, SIGN UP, COME USE MY PARKING LOT? BUT AT SOME POINT, IF THEY'RE ALLOWING AN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY TO TAKE PLACE ON THEIR PARKING LOT.

AS PART OF OUR ORDINANCE, COULD YOU LOOK? I DON'T WANT TO WANT TO PUNISH ANYBODY, BUT I ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, IF WE CAN'T FIX IT ALL BY OURSELVES,THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO NEED TO,A STOP GOING TO THESE PLACES, AND B, AGAIN, I THINK, DIRECTOR BRACE SAID IT EARLIER, WE CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE EVERY SECOND ALL OVER THIS WHOLE COUNTY, BUT IF THE PUBLIC HELPS WITH PART OF THAT, IS THAT A POSSIBILITY TO SAY, HEY, IF YOU'RE WARNED AND YOU WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW THIS TO GO ON? IS THERE A WAY THAT YOU COULD SAY, HEY, THERE COULD BE SOME FINANCIAL PENALTIES TOWARDS YOU? I'M JUST USING BANK OF AMERICA BECAUSE I'VE HEARD THAT ONE RECENTLY.

BUT SOME OF THESE SAME SPOTS ARE THEY KEEP CONTINUING TO GO BACK THERE.

I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THOSE ARE LIKE COUNTY RIGHT AWAY.

THEY JUST PARK OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

BUT WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO AN ACTUAL LOCATION, COULD THAT BE LOOKED AT?

>> MARK, I THINK MR. MIMMS CAN ANSWER THAT.

>> I GOT TO DRESS TO A POINT.

FOR THE BANK OF AMERICA, AND FOR OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ALLOW FOR UNPERMITTED FOOD VENDING ON THEIR SITE, WE HAVE SENT NOTICES OF CEASE AND DESIST WITH FINES INCLUDED IN THAT.

UP TO THE FIRST ONES FOR SOME OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE BEEN UP AROUND $11,000 TO START.

WE ARE GOING AFTER PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE VERA VENA AS WELL.

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANKS FOR SHARE. I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD TO THAT, TOO, BECAUSE I HAD SOME PROPERTIES IN MY DISTRICT WHERE WHEN I CONTACTED THE PROPERTY OWNER, THEY ACTUALLY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT GIVE THEM PERMISSION TO DO IT, AND THAT THEY ARE TRESPASSING AT THAT TIME.

THEY ACTUALLY TOOK STEPS OF THEMSELVES TO EITHER PUT BARRIERS OR SOMETHING TO AVOID FOLKS FROM PARKING IN THEIR AREA.

IT'S TOO BAD THEY HAVE TO TAKE THOSE STEPS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY WERE TRESPASSING, AND SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ELIMINATE IT.

OTHERS ARE STILL TRYING TO CHASE PEOPLE OFF WHENEVER THEY PARKED THERE.

>> I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT MAYBE GOING FURTHER.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE PRESENTATION IS NOW CLOSED.

[01:15:03]

>> YES, SIR.

[CONSENT CALENDAR]

>> WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

>> CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 18, PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS 4, 5 AND 11 REQUIRE A FOUR FITS VOTE.

>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 18.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 18 IS NOW CLOSED.

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

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

[Additional Item]

I'M GOING TO READ THE PROCLAMATION.

THEN I'LL ASK MR. CHECKLEY TO COME UP.

THIS IS PROCLAMATION OF OPERATION GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS.

WHEREAS, THE RESIDENTS OF MERCED COUNTY HAVE GREAT RESPECT, ADMIRATION, AND THE UTMOST GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THIS COMMUNITY IN THE ARMED FORCES, AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES OF THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES HAVE BEEN VITAL IN MAINTAINING THE FREEDOM AND WAY OF LIFE ENJOYED BY OUR CITIZENS.

MERCED COUNTY SEEKS TO HONOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE COUNTLESS SACRIFICES FOR FREEDOM BY PLACING THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY FOR THE GOOD OF ALL.

VETERANS CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN THE AMERICAN REGION, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, CIVIL SERVICE, AND BY FUNCTIONING AS COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS AND 29 STATES TO HELP FELLOW FORMER SERVICE MEMBERS ACCESS MORE THAN $52 BILLION IN FEDERAL HEALTH DISABILITY IN COMPENSATION BENEFITS EACH YEAR, AND APPROXIMATELY 200,000 SERVICE MEMBERS TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES ANNUALLY.

AN ESTIMATED 20% INCREASE OF SERVICE MEMBERS WILL TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

STUDIES INDICATE THAT 44%-72% OF SERVICE MEMBERS EXPERIENCE HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS DURING TRANSITION FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE.

ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS TRANSITIONING FROM MILITARY SERVICE ARE AT A HIGH RISK FOR SUICIDE DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR AFTER MILITARY SERVICE, AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ENCOURAGES ALL COUNTIES, PARISHES, AND BOROUGHS TO RECOGNIZE OPERATION GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS.

MERCED COUNTY APPRECIATES THE SACRIFICES OF OUR UNITED STATES MILITARY PERSONNEL, AND BELIEVES SPECIFIC RECOGNITION SHOULD BE GRANTED.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT RESOLVED.

WITH DESIGNATION AS A GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS MERCED COUNTY HEREBY DECLARES FROM OCTOBER THROUGH VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2025, A TIME TO SALUTE AND HONOR THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICES OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, TRANSITIONING FROM ACTIVE SERVICE.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT IN OBSERVANCE OF OPERATION GREEN LIGHT, MERCED COUNTY ENCOURAGES ITS CITIZENS IN PATRIOTIC TRADITION TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF HONORING ALL THOSE WHO MADE IMMEASURABLE SACRIFICES TO PRESERVE FREEDOM BY DISPLAYING GREEN LIGHT IN A WINDOW OF THEIR PLACE OF BUSINESS OR RESIDENTS FROM NOVEMBER 4TH THROUGH 11TH, 2025.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES FOUR YEARS AGO, AND IT'S SOMETHING TO HIGHLIGHT, VETERANS COMING BACK.

I THINK LAST YEAR THEY HAD 300 COUNTIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT PARTICIPATED, AND THEY WANT TO GO UP TO 500.

THEY'RE TRYING TO GET 500 TO PARTICIPATE.

I KNOW WE PARTICIPATED LAST YEAR WITH OUR GREEN LIGHT ON THE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM.

THIS YEAR, IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT BRIGHTER UP THERE BECAUSE THE BUILDING IS REALLY WHITE.

IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE A SPACESHIP, I THINK.

BUT ANYWAYS, SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO HAVE MR. CHECKLEY COME UP AND WE'LL PRESENT THE PRESENT PROCLAMATION.

>> THAT'S DIRECTOR CHECKLEY NOW.

>> THAT COULD BE YOU KNOW THE FINES ON PROPERTY OWNERS ARE VENDORS?

>> I APOLOGIZE. DIRECTOR CHECKLEY.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> A APPRECIATE. CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE.

>> NO. JUST A CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR OUR VETERANS.

EVERYTHING YOU DO, REMINDER.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE MERCED COUNTY VETERANS DAY PARADE BOB HART SQUARE AT 1:00 PM ON NOVEMBER 11TH.

WHAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT THIS IS A LOT OF VETERANS JUST STRUGGLE WITH ANY RECOGNITION.

WHEN I DEPLOYED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WAS REDEPLOYING BACK TO THE STATES, I REMEMBER A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE LINED UP AND THEY'RE LIKE, THANK YOU.

I WENT TO MY CHIEF AT THE TIME, AND I SAID, WHAT DO I SAY? HE SAID, YOU SAY, YOU'RE WELCOME.

I THINK, IT WAS A LESSON. IT WAS HARD.

I VOLUNTEERED. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT TO SAY.

BUT THE OPERATION GREEN LIGHT IS SOMETHING THAT I REALLY LIKE THE LAST, A COUPLE OF SENTENCES THERE.

WE CAN ALL PUT A GREEN LIGHT, AND IT'LL BE A SYMBOL, WHETHER YOU'VE SERVED OR NOT OF THE SUPPORT THAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS FOR VETERANS.

[01:20:01]

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

IT'S OUR HONOR.

AS THE COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICE TO CONNECT YOU TO THOSE BENEFITS IN PARTNERSHIP.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO RESTATE OVER AND OVER.

ALTHOUGH WE MIGHT NOT PROVIDE DIRECT BENEFIT TO VETERANS AT THAT OFFICE, WE ARE CONNECTING VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AS IMPORTANTLY, INCLUDING SURVIVORS TO PENSIONS, INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, TO HEALTH CARE BENEFITS THROUGH EITHER THE, FEDERAL VA OR THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE WEST CARE THAT REALLY SERVES HOMELESS VETERANS WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY.

JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND TO ALL THOSE VETERANS OUT THERE, AND WE'LL SEE YOU NOVEMBER 11TH, 01:00 P.M. BOB HART SQUARE.

I DROVE BY TODAY. IT'S STARTING TO LOOK REALLY NICE OUT THERE. THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU [APPLAUSE].

[BOARD ACTION]

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

>> ITEMS 19 THROUGH 23, PLEASE NOTE ITEMS 22 AND 23 REQUIRE A 4/5 VOTE.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR DPW ITEMS 19 THROUGH 23.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DPW ITEMS 19 THROUGH 23 IS NOW CLOSED.

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

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.

>> ITEMS 24 AND 25.

PLEASE NOTE ITEM 25 REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.

>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR HSA ITEMS 24 AND 25.

AT THIS TIME, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR HSA ITEMS 24 AND 25 IS NOW CLOSED.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE FIRE.

>> ITEM 26.

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

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FIRE ITEM 26 IS NOW CLOSED.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA. PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE SHERIFF?

>> ITEM 27.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SHERIFF ITEM 27.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR SHERIFF ITEM 27 IS NOW CLOSED.

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

CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> ITEM 28.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CED ITEM 28.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CED ITEM 28 IS NOW CLOSED.

THAT'S MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT.

>> ITEM 29.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR DWI ITEM 29.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DWI ITEM 29 IS NOW CLOSED.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO. PLEASE CALL THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE TREASURY TAX COLLECTOR.

>> ITEM 30.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TREASURY TAX COLLECTOR.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR TREASURY TAX COLLECTOR, ITEM 30 IS NOW CLOSED.

[01:25:02]

PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE COUNTY COUNCIL.

>> ITEM 31, TO INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY AND WAIVE FURTHER READING.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR COUNTY COUNCIL ITEM 31.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR COUNTY COUNCIL ITEM 31 IS NOW CLOSED.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CEO ITEMS 32 THROUGH 34.

>> HELLO, GOOD MORNING, SUPERVISORS.

MY NAME IS HUMBERTO SANDOVAL, AND I AM A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF MERCED, PERTAINING TO SUPERVISORY DISTRICT 4, AND I WANTED TO TAKE THE TIME TO VOICE MY DISDAIN FOR THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROP 50.

THE PREMISE OF ADOPTING A RESOLUTION ON A BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT IS ALREADY IN MOTION SEEMS QUITE FRANKLY SILLY.

THE IDEA THAT OUR COUNTY WOULD OPPOSE A SPECIAL ELECTION ON THE PREMISE OF AND I QUOTE, UNDERMINING INDEPENDENCE AND TRANSPARENCY AND REDUCING THE PERCEPTION OF REALITY OR PARTISAN INFLUENCE IN BOUNDARY SETTING SEEMS LIKE A BIG SLAP IN THE FACE TO MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS.

THE PEOPLE OF MERCED COUNTY CAN AND WILL VOICE YOUR CONCERNS ON PROP 50, EITHER IN FAVOR OR AGAINST.

BUT THAT IS A DECISION TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTY.

WE DO NOT NEED OUR COUNTY LEVEL GOVERNMENT TAKING STANCES ON BALLOT INITIATIVES.

OUR BOARD SERVES US, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

THE BOARD DOES NOT, SHOULD NOT, AND WILL NOT TELL US HOW TO THINK OR HOW TO VOTE.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MUST BE FOCUSED ON NOT PLAYING GAMES OF PARTISAN POLITICS THAT WE SEE PLAY OUT IN SACRAMENTO AND DC.

WHAT OUR CEO AND SUPERVISORS SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON IS IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS.

WHY SHOULD WE DEDICATE TIME AND RESOURCES TO A CLEARLY PARTISAN ISSUE, WHEN WE CAN BE DIRECTING COUNTY STAFF TO WORK ON MORE PRESSING MATTERS, LIKE THE INEVITABLE FLOODING THAT IS BOUND TO TAKE PLACE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, THIS UPCOMING RAIN SEASON, THE MANY HEALTH DISPARITIES WE FACE HERE IN MERCED COUNTY, THE HIGH TURNOVER WE SEE IN COUNTY JOBS, OR HOW WE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE RAPID POPULATION GROWTH, MERCED AND IN MERCED COUNTY? ONCE AGAIN, VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHAT THEY BELIEVE COME NOVEMBER.

OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS NO BUSINESS IN INFLUENCING THE UPCOMING ELECTION BY TAKING A STANCE.

I URGE THE BOARD TO VOTE AGAINST ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION AND TO DIRECT OUR CEO AND COUNTY STAFF TO WORK ON MORE PRESSING MATTERS FOR OUR COUNTY THAN TO PLAY PARTISAN GAMES. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SALVADOR SANDOVAL, AND I COME TO YOU AS A PHYSICIAN FOR OVER 40 YEARS IN MERCED COUNTY, AND AS A FORMER HEALTH OFFICER FOR THE COUNTY OF MERCED FOR FIVE YEARS.

I URGE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO REMAIN NEUTRAL ON PROPOSITION FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

PRIMARILY, IT'S A VERY CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.

THERE'S PROS AND CONS THAT ARE BROUGHT UP AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THEN FEDERALLY.

I THINK FOR THE IMMEDIATE BOARD'S CONCERN IS WE DO WANT ELECTIONS THAT ARE NON BIASED, BUT THIS MEASURE IS COMING OUT BECAUSE OF BIAS IN OTHER STATES.

I THINK WE'RE AT A POINT, IN THIS COUNTRY, WHERE WE NEED TO REALLY BE LET THE PUBLIC DECIDE.

SECOND IS THE MATTER OF ASSEMBLY BILL 1441, WHICH TOOK THE DECISION MAKING ABOUT DISTRICTING AWAY FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO PUT IT INTO HAVING THE PUBLIC DECIDE, I THINK WOULD MAKE THIS LOOK CONTENTIOUS AND PUT I THINK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN A LITTLE DIFFICULT SITUATION TRYING TO EXPLAIN THEIR ACTIONS OF SAYING THAT WE WERE AGAINST THE MEASURE THAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM IS PROPOSING,

[01:30:07]

AS A PHYSICIAN, I'VE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF MEDICAID CUTS IN PATIENTS THAT I'VE TAKEN CARE OF.

I THINK FOOD PROGRAMS ALSO THAT ARE STILL WITH OUR GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THAT ARE IN JEOPARDY.

I THINK ALL THESE REASONS, I THINK WE NEED TO LET THE PUBLIC DECIDE, AND I THINK NOVEMBER 4TH SHOULD BE WHERE CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS MAKE THE DECISION ON WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THE MEASURE OR NOT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ACTUALLY, GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS JAZ DIAZ.

I AM A MERCED RESIDENT, AND I'M ALSO HERE TO SPEAK ON THE FACT THAT YOU'RE TAKING A STANCE ON OPPOSING PROP 50.

AS IT WAS SAID BEFORE, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD COME OUT TO DO A STATEMENT.

YOU SHOULD LEAVE IT FOR THE VOTERS.

IF YOU DO WANT TO COME OUT AND MAKE A STATEMENT, I THINK SOMETHING THAT IS CONCERNING THAT CAMPAIGNING ON OPPOSING PROP 50.

TOMORROW, WE'LL BE BRINGING OUT MATT GATES FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THE FACT THAT THIS IS A PERSON WHO IS NOT JUST LIKE A SPEAKER FOR THE PARTY AND FOR THE MAGA PLATFORM, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HIS BACKGROUND.

DO WE WANT TO SUPPORT SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD ALLEGATIONS OF SOLICITATING SEX WITH A MINOR WHILE HE HAD A POLITICAL POSITION? IS THIS WHAT WE'RE STANDING FOR, AND TO TAKE IT, THAT THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE AT THE COMMUNITY SENIOR CENTER.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS CO-FACILITATED WITH THE CITY, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A STATEMENT, MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THAT.

THIS PERSON SHOULD NOT BE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE FACT THAT THEY ARE ALSO CAMPAIGNING TO OPPOSE PROP 50.

I'M A PARENT. THE FACT THAT PROP 50, THIS IS A TIME WHERE WE ARE PUTTING IT TO OUR VOTERS. THIS IS A STAND.

IT'S NOT FOR MERCED, IT'S FOR OUR STATE, SO THAT WE HAVE A SAY IN WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR NATION AND OUR FEDERAL BUDGET.

YOU HAD PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT DISTRICTS FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, FROM MENTAL HEALTH.

THEY'RE TELLING YOU HEALTHCARE IS GETTING CUT.

FOOD STAMP IS GOING TO GET CUT.

HOW ARE WE PREPARING FOR THIS? THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CALIFORNIA TO SAY, HEY, WE'RE ON THESE SEEDS.

WE'RE SPEAKING, AND THIS IS GOING TO TRICKLE TO OUR COUNTY BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE LOSING THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS.

WHY ARE YOU MAKING A STATEMENT TO OPPOSE THIS? PLEASE, DON'T DO THIS. PLEASE SPEAK.

DO YOUR RESEARCH ON WHO THIS PERSON MATT GATES IS, AND MAKE A STATEMENT THAT THIS PERSON SHOULD NOT BE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS CEO 32-34 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION OR MOTION.

SUPERVISOR SILVERA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THERE WAS A LOT OF ISSUES THAT GOT BROUGHT UP THERE THAT ARE REALLY NOT CONCERNING TO PROP 50.

WE HAVE ZERO CONTROL OVER WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DOING RIGHT NOW.

REALLY MY REASON FOR OPPOSING PROP 50 IS LITERALLY BECAUSE OF AB 1441.

YOU DON'T GET TO TELL US IN ONE HAND THAT WE WANT TO UPHOLD CITIZENS REDISTRICTING BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE VOTERS PASSED, BUT WE'RE GOING TO PUT THAT ON PAUSE, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY TRANSPARENT NEW DISTRICTS THAT WILL AFFECT OUR DISTRICT.

OUR DISTRICT CHANGES QUITE A BIT IN THIS NEW ELECTION.

NOW, SPECIFICALLY, MERCED COUNTY DOESN'T BECAUSE WE'RE ENCOMPASSED IN ONE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, BUT IT TAKES US FROM A DISTRICT THAT IS SAN JOAQUIN SOUTHWARD, IF YOU WILL, AND LITTLE PIECES OF SAN JOAQUIN, STANISLAUS, MERCED, MADERA, PARTS OF FRESNO, TO NOW THE CITY OF STOCKTON IS IN OUR DISTRICT.

I GOT I HAD NO SAY IN THAT.

I THINK IT'S VERY HYPOCRITICAL BECAUSE IT WASN'T THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR ULTIMATELY SIGNED IT, BUT IT WAS OUR ASSEMBLY WOMAN WHO PUSH THIS BILL FORWARD WITH REALLY WE HAD NO.

WE DIDN'T GET NOTICED ON THIS BILL UNTIL IT GOT MARKED UP TO BE PUT INTO COMMITTEE.

THAT'S WHEN WE GOT NOTICED ON THIS BILL, AND WE WERE A LITTLE FRUSTRATED.

MAYBE ONE MIGHT THINK IT'S TIT FOR TAT, BUT I THINK THAT IT'S OUR GOVERNOR IS VERY DISINGENUOUS, AND THAT YOU'RE GOING TO TRY TO GO AGAINST WHAT THE VOTERS WANTED BY PUTTING PROP 50 OUT THERE,

[01:35:01]

NO OTHER COUNTY THAT SURROUNDS US HAS THIS WITHOUT EVEN ASKING INPUT FROM THE LOCAL ELECTED ON WHAT THAT LAW SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

THAT'S WHERE I MET WITH IT. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

>> SUPERVISOR PERERA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I DIDN'T PLAN TO COMMENT, JUST I GUESS, THE MISINFORMATION THAT I BELIEVE IS OUT IN THE PUBLIC HAS LED ME TO THINK THAT I SHOULD.

THE VOTERS VOTED TO HAVE THE COMMISSION AND THE STATE LEGISLATOR IS USURPING THAT WILL OF THE PEOPLE BY DOING THIS, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN A TRANSPARENT SYSTEM.

EVEN ASSEMBLY PEOPLE HAD ASKED WHO GREW THE DISTRICTS AND WERE NOT TOLD.

THEY WERE TOLD WELL THE ASSEMBLY DID.

BUT ANYWAY, SO IT'S A VERY DISINGENUOUS, UNTRANSPARENT PROCESS THAT CIRCUMVENTS THE WILL OF THE VOTERS IN THE PAST.

I KNOW VOTES CHANGE, AND SO MAYBE THIS WILL PASS.

BUT I JUST BELIEVE THAT PROP 50 IS TAKING AWAY THE RIGHTS.

THE STATE HAD TO SUSPEND REALLY PARTS OF THE CONSTITUTION TO DO THIS.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO SACRAMENTO THAT YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO US, THAT WE DESERVE TRANSPARENCY AND A FAIR SYSTEM, AND I THINK PROP 50 DIDN'T FOLLOW THOSE RULES.

THAT'S WHY I'M IN SUPPORT OF BEING OPPOSED TO PROP 50. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THE REASON I OPPOSE IT IS BECAUSE WE HAD THE MOST COMPETITIVE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE LAST ONE DECIDED BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN 180 VOTES OF EACH OTHER.

THAT'S A PERFECT SCENARIO.

YET IF PROP 50, AND LET'S BE UNDERSTAND.

THIS IS PARTISAN. IT IS PARTISAN THAT IT HAPPENED THIS WAY.

FROM THE MOST COMPETITIVE DISTRICT, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT EVERY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WISHES IT WAS, WE'RE TAKING THIS AND COMPLETELY BE SKEWED ANOTHER WAY, FORCING OUR CONGRESSMAN TO HAVE TO BE MORE TO THE LEFT SO HE DOESN'T GET PRIMARY.

LET'S BE HONEST. WE'RE NOT MAKING THE DECISION HERE.

THE COAST IS MAKING DECISION.

LA COUNTY IS MAKING THE DECISION.

THE RESIDENTS OF MERCED COUNTY WE'RE GOING TO VOTE, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO VOTE.

LET'S UNDERSTAND AS TO POPULATION CENTERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE MAKING IT HERE IN MERCED COUNTY OR HERE IN CALIFORNIA.

LOOK AT MODOC COUNTY.

WHO'S MAKING THE CONGRESSIONAL DECISIONS FOR MODOC COUNTY? IN THIS REDISTRICTING, MARIN COUNTY, COASTAL FOLKS.

IS THAT A REPRESENTATION OF THAT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT? NOT AT ALL.

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO TEXAS.

IT SAYS IT ON THE VOTE.

WHY ARE WE CONCERNED ABOUT TEXAS? TEXAS REACTION WAS THE SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO THAT DECISION THAT WAS MADE? THAT'S WHY TEXAS MADE THE DECISION TO DO IT.

BECAUSE FOLKS WEREN'T REPRESENTED IN THE AREA, AND YET OUR GOVERNOR WHO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT RIGHT NOW IS MAKING THIS REACTION.

OF COURSE, I OPPOSE IT.

THIS IS WRONG.

WE'RE STANDING UP FOR THE FOLKS WHO VOTED FOR THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS, AND YET WE CAN CIRCUMVENT THE CONSTITUTION OF CALIFORNIA TO REDISTRICT AND MAKE THESE VOTES OURSELVES.

THAT'S WHY I OPPOSE IT.

HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PARTISAN.

IT'S HOW I FEEL.

WE'RE MISREPRESENTING WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS ALREADY PUT IN PLACE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

>> I KNOW THIS IS PRETTY CONTROVERSIAL THAT WE'RE DOING THIS, AND I INITIALLY WAS NOT IN FAVOR OF PUTTING THIS ON OR EVEN VOTING ON IT.

THEN, AND I'M GLAD THAT IT WAS BROUGHT UP.

IT WAS 1441.

1441 WAS A BILL THAT WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATURE TO FORCE MERCED COUNTY TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING ADVISORY COMMISSION.

WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT. I WENT TO SACRAMENTO MULTIPLE TIMES TO TESTIFY AGAINST THE BILL, NOT AGAINST OUR MEMBER, BUT AGAINST THE BILL BECAUSE OF WHAT IT WAS SAYING.

WHAT IT WAS SAYING WAS THAT WHAT YOU GUYS DID IN DRAWING YOUR LINES WAS WRONG.

YOU DID IT THE WRONG WAY BECAUSE YOU HAD TOO MANY PUBLIC MEETINGS.

YOU HAD MEETINGS AT NIGHT DURING THE WEEKEND IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

MULTIPLE ONLINE, WE ALLOWED FOR PEOPLE TO DRAW DISTRICTS.

IT WAS THEN WE VOTED ON THEM.

[01:40:01]

POLITICIANS SHOULDN'T DRAW THEIR OWN LINES IS WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME.. THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING.

WE PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, SAYING, WE NEED TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT, SO LET THE CITIZENS DRAW THE LINES TRANSPARENTLY.

WELL, THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

APPARENTLY, WHAT'S US DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR US, BUT FOR SACRAMENTO, IT IS.

THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF HYPOCRISY.

NOW, IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED WE SHOULDN'T BE FOCUSED ON SOME OF THIS STUFF BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE SHUTDOWN ON ALL THIS OTHER STUFF.

THIS PROPOSITION IS COSTING US THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ANYWHERE $250-300 MILLION.

NOW, LET ME TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

CALFRESH IS RUNNING OUT OF MONEY, AND SOME PEOPLE WILL BE WITHOUT IT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

FAMILIES COULD LOSE FOOD BENEFITS BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

WE HAVE SIX RURAL HOSPITALS THAT ARE CLOSING, AND WE'RE FOCUSED ON PARTISAN POLITICS, AS OPPOSED TO REALLY GOING AFTER THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE NEEDING RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO BICKER OVER PARTISAN GOVERNMENT INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY HELPING THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE HELPING.

THAT'S WHERE I FIND ISSUES WITH THIS.

WHEN SACRAMENTO IS TELLING US THAT WE CAN'T BE TRUSTED TO DRAW THEIR OWN LINES, THEN THEY SHOULD TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY'RE TELLING US WE'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH AT DOING, THEY'RE IN THE SAME POSITION, BUT THEY'RE DOING IT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

AT LEAST WE DID IT IN PUBLIC.

THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY.

THIS IS DEMOCRACY BECAUSE DEMOCRACY IS ABOUT CHOICE, NOT HOLDING ON TO POWER.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IS UNDER THESE REDRAWN LINES, MANY COMMUNITIES, AND AS IT WAS MENTIONED, ESPECIALLY RURAL RUNS, RURAL ONES WILL LIKELY END UP REPRESENTED BY SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER LIVED IN OR EVEN UNDERSTOOD A RURAL AREA.

THAT'S NOT FAIRNESS. THAT'S DISCONNECT.

WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE MAKING DECISIONS, IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO REPRESENTS WEST FRESNO COUNTY, A MAJORITY AGRICULTURE AREA FROM REPRESENTED BY SOMEBODY IN THE BAY AREA, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO UNDERSTAND THE LIVELIHOOD OF THOSE PEOPLE IN FRESNO COUNTY.

SAME THING. MERCED COUNTY PRETTY MUCH STAYS THE SAME, BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS MODOC COUNTY IS GOING TO BE REPRESENTED BY MARIN COUNTY.

THE ISSUES ARE COMPLETELY SEPARATE AND DIFFERENT.

>> TIGHT RACES, AS MENTIONED, FORCE OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO BE PRESENT TO LISTEN TO ENGAGE TO EARN YOUR VOTE EVERY TIME.

ALL THIS DOES IS IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE JUST PROTECTING THE POWER THAT PEOPLE HAVE, WE'RE LOSING SO MUCH FOCUS ON THE REAL REASONS THAT WE SHOULD BE IN THIS ROLE.

IT'S FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE THAT PUT US HERE, NOT TO BICKER OVER PARTISAN GOVERNMENT.

WE CAN HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS.

BUT LET'S REALLY LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE SPENDING THE MONEY ON.

IF WE HAVE ALL OF THESE 59% OF MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE ON SOME TYPE OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAM.

NOW, PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE.

$280 MILLION WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO FIX THAT.

BUT NO, WE CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO THIS, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.

WE'RE GOING TO LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE HOW IT'S GOING TO VOTE.

BUT, AS MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED OR SAID, THIS IS GOING TO BE PAST WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATIONS ARE AND WE KNOW THAT.

IT'S TIME FOR THE CENTRAL VALLEY TO REALLY STAND UP FOR SOMETHING BECAUSE FOR FAR TOO LONG, COUNTIES LIKE OURS JUST ARE BEING BRUSHED TO THE SIDE, WE'RE FLYERS.

THEY DON'T NEED US. WE'RE GOING TO TELL THEM WHAT THEY NEED TO DO VERSUS LETTING THEM DECIDE.

THAT'S NOT OKAY WITH ME.

I'M AGAINST PROP 50.

I WAS AGAINST PROPOSITION AB1441, AND IT'S MAINLY BECAUSE THE DISENGAGEMENT OF ALL OF OUR ELECTEDS, AND REALLY LOOKING AT NOT WHAT'S GOOD FOR WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, BUT JUST SAYING, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO GO AGAINST THIS PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LIKE CALIFORNIA.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO GO VERY FAR.

WHY DON'T WE REALLY LOOK AT THE ISSUES THAT ARE FACING OUR RESIDENTS IN CALIFORNIA? WHY DON'T WE PUT OUR MONEY TO REAL ISSUES? WE'RE NOT DOING THAT. IT'S BEING LOST ON THIS.

NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE COST.

I DID THE MATH LAST NIGHT, A BALLOT FOR A REGISTERED VOTER IN MERCED COUNTY COSTS 11 BUCKS, $11.

IF YOU'RE A REGISTERED VOTER, $11 IS WHAT THAT BALLOT IS GOING TO COST YOU.

I MEAN, FOR WHAT? THIS IS EXACTLY THE REASONS WHY THIS IS NOT GOOD LEGISLATION.

[01:45:06]

WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION YES PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

>> ITEM 35.

>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD APPOINTMENT ITEM 35.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD APPOINTMENT ITEM 35 IS NOW CLOSED.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, CALL FOR THE VOTE.

PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

[BOARD INFORMATION & POSSIBLE ACTION]

>> ITEMS 36 THROUGH 42.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR INFO ITEMS 36 THROUGH 42. SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 39, WHICH IS A BRIDGE THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR A LONG TIME IN MY DISTRICT.

IN FACT, IT WASN'T IN MY DISTRICT, BUT AFTER THE LAST REDISTRICTING, IT BECAME PART OF MY DISTRICT, THE QUINLEY BRIDGE THAT HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR OVER TEN YEARS NOW.

IT'S A LONG, ARDUOUS PROCESS THROUGH THE STATE TO GET TO THIS POINT.

AGAIN, WE COULD HAVE USED SOME OF THAT FUNDING FOR THIS ELECTION THAT COULD HAVE GONE OR THIS WOULDN'T EVEN BE IN A BLINK ON THE RADAR, AND THIS BRIDGE COULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

I DO HAVE ANOTHER BRIDGE THAT'S OUT IN MY AREA THAT WE NEED TO GET FIXED BECAUSE FOLKS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING TO SCHOOL, GETTING THEIR SERVICES, GOODS MOVEMENT AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

MONEY CAN BE BETTER SPENT DEFINITELY IN THIS AREA, BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING THIS AND THANK YOU DPW FOR GETTING US THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET THIS BRIDGE FIXED. THANK YOU.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR INFO ITEMS 36 THROUGH 42.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR INFO ITEMS 36 THROUGH 42 IS NOW CLOSED.

I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

PLEASE RECORD OR CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.

WE WILL NOW RECESS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING

[Additional Item]

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS, AS WELL AS THE ONE ACTION ITEM ON THIS AGENDA.

AS A REMINDER OF THE NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT.

MUST BE REGARDING ITEMS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS THE COUNTY OF MERCED CHALCHILA GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY.

TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES PER PERSON.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOTH NON AGENDA AND THE AGENDA ITEM IS NOW CLOSED, AND WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO BOARD ACTION AS SUBMITTED BY COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> ITEM 1.

>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD OR DO I HAVE A MOTION?

>> I'LL SECOND.

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

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED, SAY NAY, MOTION CARRIES.

THIS SPECIAL MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.

[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]

AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE A BOARD REPORT STARTING WITH SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT.

AFTER OUR LAST BOARD MEETING, I WAS IN EASTERN SIERRAS FOR A CSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OVER IN BISHOP.

BISHOP'S REALLY A NICE PLACE TO GO IT'S JUST THERE'S NOT A GOOD WAY TO GET THERE.

IT'S 5.5 HOURS, EITHER WAY YOU GO, WHETHER YOU GO THROUGH THE PARK OR AROUND THE HORN, THE BOTTOM END.

I WILL TELL YOU THE ONLY BENEFIT THAT I SAW OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WAS YOSEMITE PARK, WAS NOBODY AT THE GATES.

THERE WAS NO LINES AT THE GATE.

IT WAS LITERALLY JUST DROVE UP AND NOBODY STOPPED.

IT SHAVED PROBABLY A GOOD HALF HOUR OFF OF MY TRIP EACH WAY.

WAS IT LAST THURSDAY? THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION WAS IN TOWN, SO I WANT TO THANK STACEY GUZMAN, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR MCAG.

WE HOSTED A BUS TOUR WITH SOME OF THE CTC COMMISSIONERS THAT MORNING WHERE WE TOOK THEM OUT WHERE THEY ACTUALLY GOT TO, THESE FOLKS.

I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE MEETINGS ALL UP AND DOWN THE STATE, BUT THEY VOTE ON PROJECTS, ALL BIG HIGHWAY PROJECTS, SMALL PROJECTS, WHATNOT.

[01:50:03]

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR COUNTY STAFF THAT WE'RE A PART OF THAT AS PART OF THAT BUS TOUR.

I WAS ABLE, ALONG WITH MYSELF AND THE MAYOR OF MERCED, WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE SOME OPENING REMARKS TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE THEIR COMMISSION MEETING.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR YOU TODAY, SIR. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR PAREIRA

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT LAST WEEK, I ATTENDED THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT STUDY WORKSHOP, AND IT'S A LITTLE MORE INFORMAL THAN OUR GENERAL MEETINGS AND A LOT OF DIALOGUE WITH PARTNERS THAT INTERACT WITH US.

FROM LIKE WESTERN GROWERS ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF THE FARMERS.

THERE WAS US FOREST SERVICE FOLKS THERE.

ANYWAYS, ONE ITEM THAT CAME UP WAS THAT THERE IS FUNDING AVAILABLE GRANT FUNDING THAT MIGHT HELP US OUT AT CASTLE TO I DON'T KNOW, ADD MORE TO THE $49 MILLION THAT WE HAVE WITH EDA GRANTS.

I SHARED THAT WITH DIRECTOR MIMS, AND HE SHARED IT WITH TAMRA SPADE.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN ATTRACT SOME MORE DOLLARS DEMERCT COUNTY TO HELP US BUILD THAT OUT.

THEN, I'D LIKE TO CLOSE TODAY'S MEETING IN MEMORY OF CAROL M BONAN LONGTIME RESIDENT OF WINTON, I BELIEVE, 85 YEARS.

HER AND HER HUSBAND OWNED A RESTAURANT THERE FOR MANY YEARS.

THEN AFTER HE PASSED AWAY, AND SHE RETIRED, WELL, AND EVEN EVEN DURING HER WORKING TIME.

SHE WAS ON THE WITTON MAC BOARD FOR I BELIEVE IT'S 28 YEARS.

I DIDN'T GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE EXACT DATE, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS 28 YEARS.

SHE ALSO SERVED ON THE WITTON WATER DISTRICT BOARD FOR MANY YEARS.

JUST A SELFLESS PERSON.

I FIRST MET HER WHEN I STARTED RUNNING FOR OFFICE, AND WENT TO THE MAC MEETINGS.

THERE WAS A LADY NAMED SHEILA SHAMLAN, WHO'S ALSO PASSED.

BOTH OF THEM WOULD COME WALKING OUT.

WHEN I WALKED OUT, BECAUSE IT'S AT NIGHT, IT'S DARK, I'M LOOKING BEHIND THE BUSHES, TO MAKE SURE NOBODY'S THERE AND LOOKING ACROSS THE STREET.

ANYWAYS, AND CAROL AND SHEILA, WOULD JUST COME OUT LAUGHING AND GIGGLING AND TALKING WITH EACH OTHER.

ONE TIME I ASKED HIM, I GO, DON'T YOU WORRY? SHE GOES, MY GOD, SHE GOES, WE'VE BEEN HERE SO LONG.

WE'VE CHANGED DIAPERS ON MOST OF THE KIDS THAT OR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE CAUSING TROUBLE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BOTHER US.

I JUST LOVED HER SPIRIT FOR WINTON AND ALWAYS ADVOCATING. THANK YOU.

>> SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR CHANGE IT UP A LITTLE BIT THERE. CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WE DID THE CTC, AS WELL, CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.

IT'S GOOD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH THESE FOLKS AND HAVE THEM GET EYES ON ON THE PROJECTS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT MERCED COUNTY, AT WATER MERCED EXPRESSWAY, ALONG WITH THE INLAND PORT.

IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE FOLKS WHERE THEY APPROVED THE MONEY TO GO THERE AND TO SEE EXACTLY HOW THIS WAS GOING TO WORK.

IT WAS VERY TELLING.

AGAIN, IT WAS NICE TO HAVE, WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH LEANNE EAGER ON THE CTC, BUT TO GO OVER THE BRIDGES IN MERCED ON HIGHWAY 59, AND YET THE BUS HAD TO STOP AGAIN.

LAST TIME IT WAS, SECRETARY TAVARES WHO HAD TO GO OVER THAT, BUT THE BUS HAS TO STOP TO ALLOW OTHER TRUCKS TO COME OVER BEFORE WE CAN GO ON IT.

WE REMIND THEM THIS IS A STATE HIGHWAY THAT WE'RE DRIVING ON THAT THESE BRIDGES ARE THAT UNSAFE.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 33.

WE DID APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO CHAIR MOU WITH THE COUNTY OF MERCED DEPUTY SERIFFS ASSOCIATION, AS WELL AS THE MERCED COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES UNIT, UNITS 14 AND 10, AND UNIT 20.

THIS BOARD DOES STAND TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE THOSE FOLKS FOR THE TIME THAT IT TOOK, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND APPRECIATE THIS BOARD, LITERALLY GOING INTO THE BUDGET.

LOVE OUR BUDGET FOLKS BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING AT THE PENNIES AND HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK, AND APPRECIATE EVERYBODY ON THAT. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

>> SUPERVISOR PACHECO.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK STACEY GUZMAN THE COUNTY STAFF FOR THE CTC TOUR. I THINK IT WAS GOOD.

SPOTLIGHTED MERCED COUNTY AND OUR NEEDS.

ON FRIDAY, I ATTENDED THE REDEDICATION OF THE MERCED PD SOUTH STATION.

[01:55:02]

HE WAS A LONG TIME MERCED PD OFFICER AND COUNCILMAN.

IS A WELL DESERVED HONOR AS COMMANDER CORTEZ, WAS A GREAT COMMUNITY LEADER AND ADVOCATE.

PERSONALLY, HE WAS A GOOD MENTOR FOR ME WHEN I STARTED MY LAW ENFORCES CAREER.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE CORTEZ FAMILY ON THIS GREAT HONOR FOR THE LATE COMMANDER CORTEZ.

I ALSO ON SATURDAY, ATTENDED THE CASTLE AIR SHOW.

GREAT FOOD, GREAT ENTERTAINMENT. GREAT CAR SHOW.

I MEAN, THERE ARE JUST DOZENS AND DOZENS OF GREAT CARS TO LOOK AT AND I WANT TO CRASH DIRECTOR MIMS AND HIS STAFF.

I'M PUT IT ON A GREAT EVENT.

I ALSO WENT TO THE NUT FESTIVAL AT THE FAIRGROUNDS CELEBRATING OUR LOCAL FARMERS.

AGAIN, ANOTHER GREAT EVENT.

IT WAS A NEAT DAY.

SATURDAY, THAT WAS JUST SO MUCH TO DO, MERCED COUNTY KIND TO PICK AND CHOOSE.

I THINK THAT'S GREAT FOR OUR COUNTY THAT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.

SPEAK OF WHICH THAT NIGHT, I ATTENDED THE MERCED COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CANINE DINNER, WHERE WE'RE SUPPORTING AND CELEBRATING THE HARDWORKING SERVICE DOGS AND THEIR HANDLERS OF MERCED COUNTY.

AGAIN, ANOTHER GREAT EVENT, VERY WELL ATTENDED.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM AND THEIR SERVICE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE MR. CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU. MR. HANSON.

MR. HENDRICKSON. I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

GALLA LAST TWO WEEKS AGO LAST WEEK.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY LAST WEEK TO SPEAK TO THE CHIEF APPRAISERS ASSOCIATION WHO MET HERE IN MERCED.

I TOO DID THE BUS TOUR WITH CTC.

THE CASTLE AIR SHOW ON SATURDAY. IT WAS FUNNY.

SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL HAS A REPUTATION OF PUTTING ON SHOWS, AND SOMEBODY SAID, IS THIS YOUR SHOW? HE WAS TAKING IT BACK.

HE'S LIKE, NO, I DON'T DO THIS.

THEN I WENT TO THE NET FESTIVAL AS WELL.

THEN I ALSO WANT TO THANK MR. HENDRICKSON AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THE CALFIRE DA INVESTIGATORS WHO ATTENDED THE FIRST RESPONDERS PUBLIC SAFETY MASS AT ATLAS MERCY SCHOOL FOR THE KIDS THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME.

THEN ALSO, FINALLY, I WANTED TO YESTERDAY WAS SUPERVISOR PAREIRA'S BIRTHDAY SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

THEN TOMORROW IS SUPERVISOR PACHECO'S BIRTHDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOTH OF THEM.

>> IT'S NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY?

>> IT IS NOT MY BIRTHDAY.

IF YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DO IT TO ME, I'M DOING IT TO YOU.

[LAUGHTER] THIS CONCLUDES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING FOR OCTOBER 21ST, 2025.

[POSSIBLE DIRECTION FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]