[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:03]
GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE APRIL 7TH, 2026 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
[CLOSED SESSION]
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/ROAD COMMISSIONER, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 AS FOLLOWS.THE PROPERTY IS 3345 WEST AVENUE 2, AT ATWATER, CALIFORNIA AGENCY NEGOTIATOR IS NATHAN BRAY, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/ROAD COMMISSIONER. THE NEGOTIATING PARTIES ARE EXP REALTY UNDER NEGOTIATION TO REQUEST AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AND VALUE.
TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.
OKAY, AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS WILL NOW BE CLOSED.
WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION. GOOD MORNING.
[10:00 A.M. – REGULAR MEETING]
WELCOME BACK TO THE APRIL 7TH, 2026 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.THIS MORNING WE HAD A CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION.
JOSH SAID HE WAS IN THE FOYER. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT.
GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE FROM OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.
AND I'M FEELING VERY GLAD TO BE A PART OF THE MERCED THIS MEETING.
SO. BUT FINALLY, I'M HERE. I'M HERE TODAY. FIRST OF ALL, IN THE SIKHISM PRAYER.
WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH. I HAVE A PRAYER HERE.
IK ONKAR. SATNAM. KARTA PURAKH. NIRBHAU. NIRVAIR.
AKAL MURAT. AJUNI. SAIBHANG. GUR PRASAD. MEANING, UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD.
THE NAME OF TRUTH. CREATIVE BEING. NO FEAR. NO HATRED.
IMAGE OF THE UNDYING. BEYOND THE BIRTH. SELF EXTENDS BY GURU GRACE.
JAP MEANING CHANT THE MEDITATE. AAD SACH. JUGAAD SACH.
HAI BHI SACH. NANAK HOSI BHI SACH. TRUE IS THE BEGINNING.
TRUE THOUGHTFUL OF THE AGE. TRUE EVEN NOW. O NANAK, TRUE FOREVER.
SUCHA SOCH NA HOVAI. JE SOCHI LAKH VAAR. BY WATCHING ONE CANNOT BECOME PURE EVEN IF ONE WASHED THOUSANDS OF TIMES. CHUPAI CHUP NA HOVAI.
JE LAI RAHA LIV TAR. BY REMAINING SILENCE, ONE CANNOT ACHIEVE INTERNAL SILENCE.
EVEN ONE REMAINS DEEPLY IN THE MEDITATION. BHUKHIA BHUKH NA UTRI.
JE BANNA PURIA BHAR. THE HUNGER OF THE GREED IS NOT SATISFIED.
EVEN IF ONE GATHER LOADS OF THE WORLD'S GOOD.
AND THOUSANDS OF CLEVER TRICKS. EVEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WILL NOT GO WITH YOU IN THE END.
KIV SACHIYARA HOIAI? KIV KURAI TUTAI PAL? HOW CAN IT BECOME TRUTHFUL? HOW CAN THE VEIL OF ILLUSION BE TORN AWAY? HUKUM RAJAI CHALNA. NANAK LIKHIA NAL. IT IS A WALK TO THE WAY.
GOD'S WILL WHICH ORIGINALLY GO WITHIN YOU. WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA.
WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH. THANK YOU. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
[PUBLIC COMMENT]
[00:05:05]
IT IS NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER OF INTEREST WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION EXCLUDING ITEMS ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA.TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
AT THIS TIME. I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT AGAIN.
THIS IS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN MCDANIEL. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO HENDRICKSON AND COUNTY COUNCIL HANSEN.
DAVID MIRRIONE, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE RECENT NOTICE OF VIOLATION ISSUED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA REGARDING THE MERCED COUNTY'S HOUSING ELEMENT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO REAFFIRM THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO RECEIVING CERTIFICATION.
FIRST, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE STATE'S CONCERNS. THE HOUSING ELEMENT IS NOT A ROUTINE PLANNING DOCUMENT.
COMPLIANCE IS NOT OPTIONAL, AND WE TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY.
AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT MERCED COUNTY HAS BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS, DEVELOPING A COMPLIANT HOUSING ELEMENT, PARTICULARLY IN A LARGE, LARGELY RURAL COUNTY WITH INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRAINTS, WATER CONSIDERATIONS AND UNIQUE LAND USE PATTERNS IS COMPLEX.
THIS CREATES CHALLENGES AS THE COUNTY DOES NOT OVERSEE THE COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICTS THAT MAINTAIN THE WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. IT REQUIRES BALANCING STATE MANDATES WITH LOCAL REALITIES WHILE ENSURING THAT OUR POLICIES ARE IMPLEMENTABLE AND EFFECTIVE.
SO OUR COMMITMENT MOVING FORWARD IS CLEAR AND ACTIONABLE.
THAT MEANS ALIGNING IT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES SO THE POLICIES WE ADOPT SUPPORT HOUSING PRODUCTION FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. FINALLY, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC INFORMED THROUGH THE PROCESS.
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WILL BE CRITICAL AS WE MOVE TOWARD CERTIFICATION.
AND IN CLOSING, WHILE THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION IS A SERIOUS MATTER, IT IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CEO AND COUNTY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS LAURA IVANCICH.
I'M THE MANAGEMENT ANALYST WITH THE CITY OF MERCED ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
I'M HERE TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO HOST COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEETINGS, TO GATHER INPUT FOR A CITYWIDE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL INITIATIVE.
ATP PROJECTS ARE AIMED AT INCREASING WALKING AND BIKING THROUGH SAFE AND CONNECTED INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH INCLUDES IMPROVING EXISTING PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES TO MEET MODERN STANDARDS SUCH AS ADA IMPROVEMENTS.
SINCE COMMUNITY INPUT IS A KEY PART OF THIS PROCESS, THE CITY WILL BE HOSTING TWO OUTREACH MEETINGS NEXT WEEK ON TUESDAY, APRIL 14TH AT TENAYA MIDDLE SCHOOL AND WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15TH AT THE MERCED CIVIC CENTER IN THE SAM PIPES ROOM.
BOTH MEETINGS WILL BEGIN AT 6 P.M.. WE'VE ALSO CREATED A PROJECT PAGE ON THE CITY'S ENGAGE MERCED PROJECT WEBSITE, WHICH IS ENGAGE.CITYOFMERCED.GOV. THIS INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AS WELL.
I'M HERE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND NEXT WEEK'S MEETINGS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. JENNIFER FLACHMAN, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF MERCED. AND I'M HERE TO INVITE YOU AND EVERYONE TO THE GRAND OPENING OF BOB HART SQUARE.
IT'S A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY NEXT THURSDAY EVENING AT 730, AND IT FEATURES MUSICAL GUESTS ZOE RAY THROUGH THE CITY SPONSORED BROWN BAG CONCERT. SO I HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 AND BOB HART SQUARE.
OKAY, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS.
[PRESENTATIONS]
[00:10:02]
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE SPRING FAIR MANAGER CINNAMON HOWELL UP TO THE PODIUM TO INTRODUCE THE SPRING FAIR'S HERITAGE FOUNDATION'S YOUTH AG PRESENTATION TEAM.GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY COUNCIL.
THIS MORNING, IT'S MY HONOR TO PRESENT TO YOU OUR HERITAGE FOUNDATION SPEAKING TEAM.
THIS TEAM IS SUCH AN ASSET TO US FOR ADVOCATING ON AGRICULTURE IN MERCED COUNTY AND THE SPRING FAIR, AND IT'S MY HONOR TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU THIS MORNING.
DO WE HAVE A CORDLESS MIC? YEP.
THESE EARLY GATHERINGS WERE MORE THAN JUST A CELEBRATION.
THEY WERE A TIME WHEN RANCHERS, FARMERS, WORKERS AND FAMILIES CAN COME TOGETHER AFTER LONG DAYS OF HARD WORK TO SHARE FOOD, MUSIC AND THE PRIDE OF A HARD WORKING AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY.
FROM THESE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS GREW A TRADITION THAT HAS CARRIED ON FOR GENERATIONS.
THESE RANCH GATHERINGS TURNED INTO THE FAIR THAT WE KNOW TODAY.
ONE THAT CELEBRATES OUR AGRICULTURE, SUPPORTS OUR YOUTH, AND BRINGS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
THE LOS BANOS MAY DAY FAIR IS MORE THAN JUST A CELEBRATION.
IT'S A REMINDER OF WHERE WE CAME FROM AND THE SPIRIT THAT CONTINUES TO DEFINE LOS BANOS TODAY.
FAMILY TRADITIONS ARE WHAT MAKE THE MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR SO SPECIAL TO ME.
SOME OF MY EARLIEST MEMORIES GO BACK TO WHEN I WAS JUST THREE YEARS OLD DOING PB SHOWMANSHIP.
SINCE THEN, MY FAMILY HAS PREPARED FOR THE FAIR TOGETHER.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRADITIONS WAS HEADING OUT TO THE RIDES, TO RIDE THE RIDES.
AFTER A LONG DAY IN THE BARNS, THOUGH, THE RIDES ARE ALMOST THE SAME EVERY YEAR.
THEY NEVER GET OLD. SINCE THEN, THE FAIR HAS BEEN A FAMILY EFFORT AS WELL.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE MEMORIES ARE HELPING AT THE LARGE ANIMAL AUCTION ALONGSIDE MY POPS, DAD, AUNT AND BROTHERS. THOSE MOMENTS, WORKING WITH THEM ARE SOME OF THE TRADITIONS THAT I REMEMBER THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.
IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN SCHOLARSHIPS, COMPETE, AND EARN RECOGNITION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
FROM SHOWING LIVESTOCK TO EXHIBITING PROJECTS SUCH AS WELDING, PAINTINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHY, THE FAIR HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. EVEN RUNNING FOR TINY PRINCESS OR MISS MAY DAY.
THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, THE MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR PROVIDES VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS.
SINCE THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED, IT HAS AWARDED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE MERCED COUNTY $246,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS. TWO SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION ARE THE HERITAGE LIVESTOCK PROJECT AND THE HERITAGE PRESENTATION TEAM.
BOTH OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE VERY SPECIAL TO BE PICKED FOR AS THEY ALLOW STUDENTS TO HONOR COMMUNITY TRADITIONS, ALL WHILE WINNING SCHOLARSHIPS. THESE SCHOLARSHIPS CAN GO TOWARDS COLLEGE, AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS OR FUTURE CAREERS.
IMAGINE THIS SEVEN-YEAR-OLD FAITH WALKING THROUGH LITTLE HANDS AT THE MAY DAY FAIR, GETTING MY FIRST REAL LOOK AT HOW AGRICULTURE REALLY WORKS. I DIDN'T KNOW IT THEN, BUT THAT MOMENT WOULD LEAD ME TO BECOMING AN EXHIBITOR.
SHOWING ANIMALS MEANS EARLY MORNINGS BEFORE THE SUN COMES UP FEEDING, BRUSHING, WALKING AND DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. IT TEACHES RESPONSIBILITY, PATIENCE, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO CARE FOR SOMETHING THAT DEPENDS UPON YOU.
AND THEN FAIR WEEK FINALLY ARRIVES AND ALL THAT HARD WORK PAYS OFF.
[00:15:02]
STEPPING INTO THAT SHOWING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, FEELING PROUD OF WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED, AND MEETING OTHER EXHIBITORS THAT SHARE THE SAME PASSION AS YOU, THAT'S THE REWARD.THROUGH SHOWING, I'VE GAINED CONFIDENCE, FRIENDSHIPS AND EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE SHAPED WHO I AM.
AT THE MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR, HERITAGE IS NOT JUST SEEN, IT IS EXPERIENCED.
ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES IS THE LITTLE HANDS EXHIBIT, WHERE KIDS STEP INTO THE ROLE OF FARMERS BY PLANTING SEEDS, HARVESTING CROPS, AND LEARNING WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM.
EACH YEAR, OVER 10,000 VISITORS VISIT THIS EXHIBIT, AND IT GIVES AWAY MORE THAN 3,500 BOOKS ANNUALLY TO HELP CHILDREN CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT AGRICULTURE AT HOME. IN ADDITION, AROUND 1,200 TO 1,500 STUDENTS ATTEND TO SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS WHERE THEY GET HANDS ON EXPERIENCES AND GET TO SEE AGRICULTURE UP CLOSE. THIS CONNECTION CONTINUES AT THE HENRY MILLER FARM EXHIBIT, WHERE VISITORS CAN WALK THROUGH HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND SEE WHAT DAILY LIFE AND AGRICULTURE LOOK LIKE IN EARLY MERCED COUNTY.
EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WALK THROUGH THIS EXHIBIT, HELPING ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY'S HERITAGE IS NOT JUST REMEMBERED, BUT LIVED AND PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS.
THIS IS WHAT MAKES OUR FAIR MORE THAN JUST AN EVENT.
IT MAKES IT A LIVING PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. A FOUNDATION IS THE BASIS OR GROUNDWORK OF ANYTHING.
WHILE THE FAIR IS THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR YEAR, THE COMMUNITY THAT BUILDS IT IS HERE YEAR-ROUND.
THIS EVENT IS BUILT BY HANDS, LED BY A FAIR BOARD THAT TRULY LIVES AND BREATHES THESE FAIRGROUNDS.
WHETHER THEY ARE OUT GATHERING SPONSORS, WORKING THE SHOW RINGS, OR HANDING OUT RIBBONS AT AWARD CEREMONIES, IT TAKES A COMMUNITY PARADE THAT DRAWS OVER 1,200 PARTICIPANTS AND THE TIRELESS WORK OF VOLUNTEERS AT THE EXHIBIT BUILDINGS.
LITTLE HANDS AND HENRY MILLER FARM. IN A TOWN COMMUNITY ISN'T JUST A FORMALITY.
IT IS THE WAY WE SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER, WHETHER THAT IS A BUSINESS OWNER SUPPORTING THE LIVESTOCK AUCTION, OR ONE OF THE 60,000 PEOPLE THAT WALK THROUGH OUR GATES EACH YEAR.
EVERY PERSON IS A SILENT ARCHITECT OF THIS FOUNDATION.
BECAUSE IN THE END, COMMUNITY DOESN'T JUST SUPPORT THE FAIR.
THE MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR HERITAGE FOUNDATION, FOUNDED IN 2011, WAS CREATED TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE FUTURE OF OUR FAIRGROUNDS AND THE AGRICULTURAL TRADITIONS THAT DEFINE OUR COMMUNITY.
IT WAS CREATED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FAIRGROUNDS SUPPORTERS WHO WANTED TO PROTECT OUR AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LOCAL YOUTH, AND CREATE LONG TERM, FAIR SUSTAINABILITY.
AT A TIME WHEN STATE FUNDING FOR FAIRS WAS CUT.
THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES THEIR MISSION TODAY BY RAISING FUNDS, ORGANIZING VOLUNTEERS, AND INVESTING IN OUR FAIRGROUNDS BY ADDING IMPROVEMENTS LIKE SHADE CLOTHS, RABBIT CAGES AND BLEACHERS AROUND THE SHOW RING, ALL WHILE CONTINUOUSLY SUPPORTING OUR 4-H AND FFA YOUTH, WHICH ARE THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF MERCED COUNTY AGRICULTURE.
THEIR HARD WORK ENSURES THAT OUR FAIR REMAINS A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES GATHER, STUDENTS LEARN, AND OUR SHARED HERITAGE IS CELEBRATED. AS WE CELEBRATE THIS YEAR'S THEME ROOTS, RIDES AND RIBBONS.
WE REMEMBER WHAT MAKES OUR FARE SO SPECIAL. OUR ROOTS REMIND US OF THE DEDICATION, FAMILIES, AND HARD WORK THAT BUILT THIS COMMUNITY. THE RIDES BRING THE EXCITEMENT, LAUGHTER, AND MEMORIES SHARED BETWEEN FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. THE RIBBONS REPRESENT THE HARD WORK, DETERMINATION AND PRIDE SHOWN BY EVERY EXHIBITOR.
[00:20:09]
JOIN US IN THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AT OUR SPRING FAIR TO CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF MAKING MEMORIES SUPPORTING THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, INVESTING IN THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.THANK YOU. I AM THOMAS PRICE. I'M CURRENTLY A SENIOR AT PACHECO HIGH SCHOOL AND IN THE FUTURE I WILL BE ATTENDING MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE TO PLAY BASEBALL AND MAJOR IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.
GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS AVERY VIERA.
HELLO, MY NAME IS ANGELINA BORELLI. I AM CURRENTLY A SENIOR AT LOS BANOS HIGH SCHOOL, AND I PLAN TO ATTEND THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY AND MAJOR IN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS RUBY MARTIN.
I CURRENTLY ATTEND PACHECO HIGH SCHOOL AND I PLAN TO ATTEND FRESNO STATE AND MAJOR AG EDUCATION.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THIS PRESENTATION.
IF NOT, COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED. WE'LL BRING IT BACK HERE TO THE DAIS AND I.
IS ANYBODY? HERE IN DISCUSSION. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND START TO MY LEFT BECAUSE SINCE WE LIKE TO, IT IS THE MERCED COUNTY FAIR, BUT WE. PEOPLE REFER TO IT AS A LOS BANOS FAIR.
WELL, FIRST OFF, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU KIDS FOR BEING HERE.
THIS PROGRAM, YOU JUST LISTEN TO WHERE THESE STUDENTS ARE GOING.
AND I'VE WATCHED THESE KIDS GROW UP. I REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE EIGHT AND NINE YEARS, NINE YEARS OLD AND SHOWING THEIR FIRST ANIMALS AT THE FAIR, AND THEN YOU SEE THEM BLOSSOM INTO THESE YOUNG ADULTS.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU GUYS. A GREAT PRESENTATION AS ALWAYS.
SHE'S SHE SPEARHEADS THIS THIS PROGRAM AND IT IS TRUE.
THE MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR IS THE TRUE COUNTY FAIR.
IT IS A TRUE COUNTY FAIR, UNLIKE MERCED COUNTY FAIR, WHICH IS A DISTRICT FAIR, THE STATE.
BUT WE WON'T GET INTO THAT. AND YOU'VE HEARD.
WE WON'T. BUT YOU'VE ALSO HEARD IT STARTED AS THE MAY DAY FAIR.
THAT'S HOW IT GOT STARTED. AND OVER THE YEARS, YOU'VE HEARD IT CALLED THE LOS BANOS FAIR, THE MAY DAY FAIR, THE MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR.
ANY ONE OF THOSE WORKS, IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU'RE AT IN THE GENERATIONS, ON WHAT YOU CALL IT.
BUT THIS IS THE REASON WHY HERITAGE WAS STARTED.
I'M PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION.
THE KIDS HAD MENTIONED STATE CUT FUNDING. WE WERE FORTUNATE.
AND WHEN OUR AFFAIR OCCURS, WE'RE THE FIRST FAIR OF THE SEASON.
AND THIS TEAM WAS PUT TOGETHER TO HELP SPREAD THAT MESSAGE.
SO THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. GREAT JOB. I'M VERY, VERY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU.
VERY. WELL, NOW THAT WE'RE DONE ARGUING. I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. I SHOWED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE LOS BANOS FAIR 54 YEARS AGO, SO PROBABLY BEFORE MOST OF YOUR PARENTS WERE BORN.
BUT ANYWAYS IT BRINGS BACK FOND MEMORIES. AND WHAT I APPRECIATE SO MUCH ABOUT YOU COMING HERE TODAY IS THAT 4-H AND FFA PROGRAMS AND ALSO YOU CAN BE INDEPENDENT NOW.
YOU KNOW, WASN'T AVAILABLE WHEN I WAS A KID, BUT ANYWAYS, AND PARTICIPATE IN THE FAIR AND YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO TAKE YOUR MOMENT TO REALLY HIGHLIGHT THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THINK, WELL, IT'S JUST SHOWING AT THE FAIR,
[00:25:04]
BUT YOU ALL HIGHLIGHTED, YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN ANIMAL, THE RESPONSIBILITY AND HOW IT DEVELOPS YOUNG LEADERS AND YOUTH GROUP ARE OF 8, YEAH, PRIME EXAMPLES OF THE FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY AND OUR COUNTY AND OUR STATE.AND IT MAKES ME PROUD TO WATCH YOU UP HERE. AND SO I WISH YOU ALL WELL.
AND KUDOS TO YOUR PARENTS FOR RAISING FINE YOUNG ADULTS.
THANK YOU. WHAT SUPERVISOR PAREIRA FAILED TO MENTION WAS THE ANIMAL HE SHOWED, WHAT KIND OF DINOSAUR WAS IT? I'M JUST KIDDING. NO, YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB, AND I.
AND I REALLY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING OUT AND PRESENTING THE WAY YOU DID.
YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND AS A FORMER FFA STUDENT AND FORMER 4-H AND SOMEBODY THAT SHOWED AS WELL, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT FFA AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION ISN'T JUST ABOUT THE AGRICULTURE ASPECT OF IT.
IT'S ABOUT THE PUBLIC SPEAKING AND THE LEADERSHIP STUFF THAT YOU GUYS JUST PRESENTED VERY WELL.
AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS DID TODAY AND THE HARD WORK THAT YOU PUT INTO ALL OF THIS AND THE EFFORT TO GET OVER HERE AND TO DO IT, IT'S NOT EASY SPEAKING IN PUBLIC. AND SO FOR YOU GUYS TO MAKE IT LOOK EASY IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.
SO THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT. YOU GUYS ARE GREAT ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE SPRING FAIR, LOS BANOS FAIR.
AND ESPECIALLY WHICH ONE'S GOING TO CAL POLY.
ALL RIGHT. YOU'RE MY FAVORITE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU GUYS.
YOU NEED TO HIT THE Q. HIT IT AGAIN.
GUYS HAD TO SAY PACHECO THIS MORNING. I LIKE THAT. SO JUST ECHO MY COLLEAGUE'S COMMENTS.
I ALSO SHOWED IT TO LOS BANOS. FAIR. NO DINOSAURS, BUT IT'S GREAT YOU GUYS BEING HERE.
VERY TALENTED GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE. AND THE MEMORIZATION WAS COOL.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. IT WAS QUITE IMPRESSIVE. AND JUST JUST TO BE CLEAR, I SEE THERE'S EIGHT PEOPLE WHO NEEDED TO PRESENT TODAY.
AND THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE. BACK IN SCOTT'S DAY, HE COULD DO IT ALL HIMSELF, AS YOU COULD TELL.
THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE. NOW, I ONLY HEARD ONE POLITICAL SCIENCE PERSON OUT OF THE WHOLE GROUP, RIGHT? BE READY. YOU'LL BE A WRITER WHEN YOU'RE DONE.
THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF PAPERS YOU HAVE TO WRITE. SO MY SONS MAJORED IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AS WELL.
AND WITH THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND CINNAMON, DO YOU HAVE A CLOSING FOR US? OKAY, OKAY, YES, I DO, THANK YOU. I WOULD BE REMISS TO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PAT GALLICHIO IS ONE OF OUR HERITAGE BOARD MEMBERS IS IN THE ROOM TODAY.
AND SO WE APPRECIATE OUR HERITAGE FOUNDATION, THEY ARE REALLY THE SUPPORT SYSTEM BEHIND THE SPRING FAIR AND THEY'RE ALWAYS THERE TO RISE UP. AND HERITAGE REALLY SUPPORTS OUR NEEDS. AND YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A NEED AND FUNDING OR, YOU KNOW, A PROBLEM WE HAVE, WE CAN ALWAYS GO TO THEM.
AND THEY WERE ESTABLISHED, AS THE TEAM MENTIONED TODAY, TO SUPPORT THE FAIR.
AND THEY'VE REALLY DONE AN AMAZING JOB AT CONTINUING TO DO THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
AND SO I'M BEYOND APPRECIATIVE FOR THEIR ROLE THAT THEY PLAY WITH OUR FAIR.
AND SO I DEFINITELY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE A BOARD MEMBER PRESENT TODAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE WANTS TO STAND OR WAVE, BUT AND THEN I.
PAT IS FOREVER PRESENT. YES, WE APPRECIATE THAT.
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK SONYA FALASCHI, WHO'S THE AG TEACHER THAT COORDINATES THE SPEAKING TEAM EVERY YEAR OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF HER HEART FOR THE HERITAGE TEAM AND THE SPRING FAIR. AND WITHOUT HER DIRECTION, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS COME TOGETHER.
SO WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF HER. AND THANK YOU.
IS SHE HERE? SHE IS HERE. OH, THERE SHE IS. SHE'S IN THE BACK.
OKAY. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY THIS MORNING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE].
YEAH, YEAH. LET'S GO AHEAD AND BOARD MEMBERS GO OUT FRONT AND HAVE A PICTURE WITH THE TEAM.
FOR THE RECORD BOOKS. GUYS, COME.
[00:31:04]
ALL RIGHT. THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE WINNER OF THE MERCED COUNTY'S MISSION, VISION AND VALUES AWARDS PROGRAM FOR 2025, THE MVV AWARDS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN 2019 WITH THE PURPOSE OF RECOGNIZING COUNTY AGENCIES, PROGRAMS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND DISTRICTS THAT BEST EXEMPLIFY THE COUNTY'S MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES. THIS YEAR, WE RECEIVED EIGHT ENTRIES.ALL WERE COMPETITIVE TO DETERMINE WINNERS AND SCORE A SCORING COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF THE BOARD CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND THREE AT LARGE. MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE REMAINING SUPERVISORS WAS CREATED TO RANK THE NOMINEES AND SELECT THE WINNER.
WE'D LIKE TO GIVE A BIG THANK YOU TO THE THREE AT LARGE MEMBERS FOR SCORING THE COMMITTEE.
SHANON COOK, NATASHA CRIVELLI AND TRACY PROIETTI.
CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]. MERCED COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES PROVIDES VOLUNTARY COURT INVOLVED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH CARE ACT PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH UNTREATED SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDERS, SUPPORTED BY THE STREAMLINED PRE-PETITION REFERRAL PATHWAY THAT MAKES IT EASIER FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO CARE.
THIS INCLUDES SIMPLE, ACCESSIBLE TOOLS SUCH AS BUSINESS CARD SIZE REFERENCE GUIDE, A DEDICATED REFERRAL PHONE LINE AND EMAIL, AND DIRECT SUPPORT FROM BHRS CARE ACT TEAM MEMBER WHO HELPS GUIDE REFERRALS AND DETERMINES NEXT STEPS.
THE COUNTY ALSO LAUNCHED A COMPREHENSIVE OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS.
SINCE THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED ON DECEMBER 1ST, 2024, BHRS HAS RECEIVED 139 REFERRALS RESULTING IN 52 CARE ACT PETITIONS, 35 CARE ACT AGREEMENTS, DIVISIONS OF 57 JUSTICE INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS FROM THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM INTO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND HOUSING SUPPORT FOR 13 INDIVIDUALS. REFERRALS HAVE COME FROM FAMILY MEMBERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUDICIAL PARTNERS AND PROVIDERS WITH THE STREAMLINED APPROACH IMPROVING RESPONSIVENESS AND REDUCING FRUSTRATION FOR CLIENTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. IF I CAN PLEASE HAVE THE REFERRAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM BEAVER HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICE CARE ACT PROGRAM JOIN ME IN THE FRONT OF THE DAIS, AND I COULD ASK MY OTHER BOARD MEMBERS TO JOIN US AS WELL.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BHRS CARE ACT PROGRAM FOR BEING A RECIPIENT OF THIS YEAR'S MVP AWARD.
PLEASE, WE CAN APPLAUD. [APPLAUSE]. AND IF YOU COULD ALL JOIN ME UP FRONT.
HELLO. ARE WE ON? WE'RE ON. GOOD. KIMIKO, VERY GOOD JOB.
NOT ONLY DID THE GOVERNOR RECOGNIZED YOU, BUT YOU GET RECOGNIZED HERE IN THE COUNTY. ON BEHALF OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR ALL THE HARD WORK AND RECOGNITION.
[00:35:06]
AND I'M SURE YOU HAVE MORE TO SAY.GOOD MORNING. ON BEHALF OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES, IT'S MY HONOR TO ACCEPT THE MERCED COUNTY VISION, MISSION AND VALUES AWARD FOR THE CARE ACT PROGRAM.
I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP.
THIS RECOGNITION REFLECTS THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF THE CARE ACT TEAM, WHOSE DEDICATION, CREATIVITY, AND PERSISTENCE BROUGHT THIS PROGRAM FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY.
THROUGH THOUGHTFUL PLANNING AND AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH, THE TEAM HAS BUILT A PROGRAM THAT CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH UNTREATED, SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS TO CRITICAL TREATMENT AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, ENSURING THAT CARE IS RESPONSIVE TO THEIR NEEDS.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK ASSISTANT DIRECTORS ALEXANDRA PIERCE ON MY LEFT, AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JULIANNE SIMS FOR YOUR DILIGENT LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT, DELILAH GARZA, FOR YOUR DILIGENT AND OUTSTANDING WORK AND THE ENTIRE CARE ACT TEAM FOR THE AMAZING JOB THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY SERVING OUR CLIENTS.
WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD THAT THE CARE ACT PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED AS THE STATE INTENDED, CENTERED ON ACCOUNTABILITY, COLLABORATION, AND MEANINGFUL PATHWAYS TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY.
WE ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR VALUED PARTNERS.
THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF STRONG COLLABORATION WITH THE COURTS, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OUR MANY COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
THIS PARTNERSHIP IS A POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF MERCED COUNTY'S MISSION AND VALUES IN ACTION.
THIS AWARD HIGHLIGHTS NOT JUST ONE TEAM, BUT THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT ACROSS BHRS.
IMPLEMENTING THE CARE ACT REQUIRES COORDINATION ACROSS ALL DIVISIONS AND AREAS OF OUR DEPARTMENT.
THIS SUCCESS REFLECTS OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES THAT REFLECTS THE EXCELLENCE THAT BHRS STRIVES FOR EVERY DAY. THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR BHRS STAFF HERE TODAY, AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR STAFF BACK AT THE OFFICE.
AND I WILL NOW HAND IT OVER TO ALEXANDRA PIERCE.
GOOD MORNING. WE ARE TRULY HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF BEECHER'S CARE ACT PROGRAM, AND ESPECIALLY THE INCREDIBLE STAFF AND PARTNER AGENCIES WHO MAKE THIS WORK POSSIBLE EVERY DAY.
THIS RECOGNITION BELONGS TO THEM. THIS AWARD, LIKE KIMIKO SAID, IS NOT JUST ABOUT ONE PROGRAM.
IT REFLECTS HOW OUR ENTIRE BHRS TEAM SHOWS UP EACH DAY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH INTEGRITY, INNOVATION, AND INCLUSION NOT JUST IN WORDS, BUT IN ACTIONS.
ACROSS EVERY DIVISION, PROGRAM AND SERVICE STAFF, BHRS EMBODY MERCED COUNTY'S MISSION TO PROVIDE QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES THAT ENHANCE AND PROTECT OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE OF THIS TEAM'S DEDICATION, WE ARE HELPING BUILD A MORE THRIVING AND INCLUSIVE MERCED COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR AND THANK YOU MOST TO OUR BHRS STAFF FOR YOUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS READY TO GET WELL ON THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY, IT TAKES A VILLAGE. THIS IS JUST SOME OF OUR VILLAGE UP HERE TODAY, AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SUPPORT, BECAUSE THEY ARE WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL AND CONTINUES TO HELP HEAL OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SUCCESSFUL.
SO THANK YOU. AGAIN, LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE CARE ACT TEAM.
[APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
[00:40:22]
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THE PRESENTATION.SEEING NONE, I WILL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE PRESENTATION AT THIS TIME.
WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO CONSENT CALENDAR. ITEMS 1 THROUGH 30.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS 5 THROUGH 7, 12, 13, AND 18 REQUIRE A 4/5 VOTE.PLEASE NOTE ITEM 5, BUDGET TRANSFER ORG KEY SHOULD BE $17,001, NOT $17,000.
AND ITEM 11 SHOULD BE IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,000, NOT $16,000.
THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT ITEMS 1 THROUGH 30.
I HAVE SOMEBODY. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KATIE GATES. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT ITEM 15.
APRIL 19TH THROUGH 25TH IS NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK.
THE THEME THIS YEAR IS LISTEN, ACT, ADVOCATE.
AND WE'RE HERE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S VICTIM WITNESS UNIT IS HOSTING OUR ANNUAL VICTIM'S RIGHTS CEREMONY. AND INVITE ALL OF YOU TO ATTEND TO SUPPORT VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF CRIME.
IT WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23RD AT NOON IN COURTHOUSE PARK.
OKAY. PUBLIC PERIOD FOR CONSENT ITEMS 1 THROUGH 30 IS NOW CLOSED.
PRIOR TO ENTERTAINING THE MOTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR, I'D LIKE TO BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHT ITEM 21 THIS MORNING, WHICH IS TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH AND THANK THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES FOR LEADING THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT SINCE 1991.
COUNTIES PROVIDE A VITAL SERVICE TO THE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.
AND TODAY, BY RECOGNIZING NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH, WE EXPRESS A GRATITUDE TO THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE AND OUR DEDICATED EMPLOYEES WHO DELIVER THOSE SERVICES. THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR COUNTIES AND THEIR CONNECTION WITHOUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. OKAY. WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS.
IS THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON ANY ITEMS? IF NOT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
OH, YOU HAVE SOMETHING? OKAY. SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, AND THANK YOU FOR READING THAT IN REGARDS TO NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH, I KNOW THAT AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES FOR MERCED COUNTY, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HIGHLIGHT.
YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE INTERESTING PARTS OF BEING THE REP FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES IS THAT, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTIES ARE DIFFERENT SIZES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE'RE ALL IN THIS DOING THE SAME THING.
AND THE ONLY THING THAT DIVIDES US IS REALLY THE GEOGRAPHY WHERE WE'RE AT. AND SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT, YOU KNOW, NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH AND I APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS OF SUPPORT. SO THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, AS WELL AS A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPION FOR 2026.
CAN I GO AHEAD AND READ THIS? EACH YEAR DURING PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HONORS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HEALTH AND THE WELL-BEING OF MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS BY RECOGNIZING THEM AS PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPIONS.
THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE MADE A LASTING IMPACT IN ADVANCING PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH THEIR WORK, SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP. THIS YEAR, PUBLIC HEALTH PROUDLY RECOGNIZES HOUSEKEEPING ATTENDANT ALONZO LOZANO AS A 2026 PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPION. ALONZO, WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN US UP FRONT?
[00:45:05]
YOU'RE ALREADY THERE. VERY GOOD. ALONZO EXEMPLIFIES.HIS PROFOUND DEVOTION TO SERVICE IS IMMEASURABLE.
THROUGH HIS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND TIRELESS EFFORTS, ALONZO HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE LIVES OF MANY AND HAS SET A HIGH STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH. HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS MAKE HIM UNDENIABLY DESERVING OF THIS RECOGNITION.
THANK YOU, ALONZO. KRISTYNN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING HERE OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY IT WHEN WE ALL JOIN OUT FRONT? LET'S GO JOIN THEM OUT FRONT.
ALONZO, CONGRATULATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE MERCER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
THANK YOU. AND WE'LL LET KRISTYNN HAVE A FEW KIND WORDS.
IN YOUR ROLE AS A HOUSEKEEPING ATTENDANT, THE WORK YOU DO EACH DAY TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
WHILE MUCH OF YOUR WORK HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES, ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH IS SIGNIFICANT.
YOU TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN YOUR WORK AND IT SHOWS.
I'VE WORKED IN THIS BUILDING FOR TEN YEARS AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN CLEANER THAN IT IS NOW WITH YOU.
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP STANDS OUT. WHETHER ASSISTING WITH ROOM SETUPS OR RESPONDING TO LAST MINUTE REQUESTS, YOU APPROACH EACH TASK WITH A POSITIVE, APPROACHABLE ATTITUDE.
MANY OF YOUR COLLEAGUES MENTIONED HOW YOU WILL SAY, I GOT YOU AND THEN YOU ALWAYS FOLLOW THROUGH.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR GROWTH WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. YOU JOINED US AS EXTRA HELP IN 2025 AND THROUGH YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, EARNED A FULL TIME POSITION IN 2026. ALONZO, WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOU AND THE WORK YOU DO AND THE POSITIVE ENERGY YOU BRING TO THE DEPARTMENT. YOU ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE MERCED COUNTY.
CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]. SAY A FEW WORDS? I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE. IT'S JUST BEEN A LONG JOURNEY, ESPECIALLY WORKING FROM PART TIME TO FULL TIME NOW. I'M JUST THANKFUL AND I JUST APPRECIATE EVERYONE THAT VOTED FOR ME, AND I FEEL HONORED AND VERY THANKFUL FOR IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE COUNTY LIBRARIAN AMY TAYLOR TO SHARE A FEW COMMENTS.
COME ON UP HERE. THANK YOU. DO YOU NEED ME TO HOLD THIS FOR YOU? OR. I CAN DO THIS. OKAY, LET'S DO IT LIKE THIS.
GOOD MORNING. I AM AMY TAYLOR, COUNTY LIBRARIAN.
TODAY I'M HERE TO ACCENTUATE APRIL 19TH THROUGH 25TH NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.
[00:50:05]
THIS IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION TO HIGHLIGHT THE VALUABLE ROLE LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY WORKERS PLAY IN TRANSFORMING RESIDENTS LIVES AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES IN MERCED COUNTY. LIBRARY WORKERS MAKE OUR COMMUNITY STRONGER, SMARTER, AND MORE CONNECTED EVERY DAY.LIBRARIES ARE MORE THAN BUILDINGS FULL OF BOOKS.
THEY ARE VIBRANT HUBS OF KNOWLEDGE, CREATIVITY AND SUPPORT.
LIBRARY WORKERS HELP RESIDENTS FIND INFORMATION NEEDED TO THRIVE, FOSTER CREATIVITY THROUGH LEARNING ACTIVITIES, AND CONNECT RESIDENTS WITH THE LARGER COMMUNITY AROUND THEM.
LIBRARIES FOSTER THE LOVE OF READING AND LIFELONG LEARNING THROUGH STORYTIMES, BOOK DISCUSSIONS, AND SHARING OF INFORMATION. TO MERCED COUNTY LIBRARY WORKERS.
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP, WORKING WITH KINDNESS AND EMPATHY, FOR FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES, FOR OFFERING ASSISTANCE WITH A SMILE AND HELPING RESIDENTS DISCOVER NEW WORLDS AND IDEAS THROUGH READING, FOR CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND FOR SHARING LIBRARY JOY THROUGH READING.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIBRARY EVENTS, VISIT THE LIBRARY'S WEBSITE AT MERCEDCOUNTYLIBRARY.ORG.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 19TH THROUGH 25TH, 2026 TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK. CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. GET IN THERE. YEAH.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO BOARD ACTION, BEGINNING WITH PUBLIC WORKS.
[BOARD ACTION]
ITEMS 31 THROUGH 34. PLEASE NOTE THE ITEM 34 REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN MCDANIEL, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CEO HENDRICKSON, COUNTY COUNCIL HANSON.
THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE MODIFIES EXISTING FEES, ESTABLISHES RATES FOR BALL FIELD RENTALS, AND REMOVES ALL REFERENCES TO LAKE YOSEMITE, NOW THAT WE'RE NO LONGER OPERATING THE LAKE. THESE RATE ADJUSTMENTS ALIGN WITH THE COUNTY'S STRATEGIC PLAN AND WILL HELP RECOVER A PORTION OF THE PARK DIVISION'S DAILY OPERATIONAL COSTS. IF APPROVED BY THE BOARD AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, THE COST WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON MAY 21ST, 2026. I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE. THANK YOU, LINDSAY.
SEEING NOBODY, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 31 THROUGH 34 IS NOW CLOSED.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. PUSH THE QUEUE. SUPERVISOR JIM
[00:55:03]
PACHECO. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 32.THIS MOVES A PROJECT ONE STEP FORWARD FOR GETTING A MUCH NEEDED CROSSWALK AND LIGHT AT HIGHWAY 33.
AND HENRY MILLER AT SANTANELLA, I JUST WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE TO MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE PROJECTS IN THE AREA. SO THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE HEALTH. ITEMS 35 AND 36. PLEASE NOTE ITEM 35 IS TO INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE FEES. HELLO. HELLO. GOOD MORNING AGAIN. SO I'M HERE TO SPEAK TODAY ON THE INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGES TO 9.49, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE FEES. JUST REALLY QUICKLY FOR CLARIFICATION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FEES ARE UNDER THE HEALTH OFFICER'S LICENSURE.
AND SO ALL PUBLIC HEALTH AND EMS FEES ARE ALSO ROLLED UP INTO THAT SECTION OF THE CODE.
BUT WHAT WE'RE HERE TODAY IS TO AMEND FOR EMS FEES WITHIN THAT ORDINANCE STRUCTURE, SPECIFICALLY TO INTRODUCE NEW FEES FOR NEW SERVICES THAT COULD POTENTIALLY COME TO THE COUNTY.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT, THE EMS AGENCY HAS TO APPROVE AND REGULATE THAT SYSTEM.
IT'S A WONDERFUL ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WE WOULD BE THRILLED TO HAVE.
BUT IT DOES COME ALSO, WITH ADDITIONAL WORK FOR THE EMS AGENCY.
AND SO THE FEES PROPOSED IN THIS ORDINANCE ARE TO RECOVER A PORTION OF THOSE ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR BOTH THE TRAUMA CENTER AND FOR A STEMI CENTER, WHICH IS A HEART RELATED DESIGNATION, THAT MERCY MEDICAL CENTER MERCED HAS ALSO EXPRESSED INTEREST IN PURSUING.
AND I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME. OKAY.
THANK YOU. NO QUESTIONS. YOU GOT OFF EASY. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR HEALTH ITEMS 35 THROUGH 36. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR HEALTH ITEMS 35 THROUGH 36 IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE. LET'S RECORD THE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT WE HAVE SHERIFF.
ITEM 37. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SHERIFF ITEM NUMBER 37.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR SHERIFF ITEM NUMBER 37 IS NOW CLOSED.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR LIBRARY ITEMS 38-39 IS NOW CLOSED.
BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? IF NOT, I WILL CALL FOR A MOTION. I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR SPRING FAIR ITEM NUMBER 40 IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO ADD TO THIS? OKAY, I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. LET'S RECORD THE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT WE HAVE TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR.
ITEM 41. AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR ITEM NUMBER 41.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR ITEM 41 IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? IF NOT, I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.
WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[01:00:02]
NEXT WE HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. ITEM 42.AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ITEM NUMBER 42.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE ITEM 42 IS NOW CLOSED.
BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM.
WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
ITEM NUMBER 43. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR AUDITOR CONTROLLER ITEM NUMBER 43 IS NOW CLOSED.
BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
SEEING NO COMMENTS, I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. AGAIN, GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. AGAIN, REGARDING ITEM 45 WITH REGARD TO A FIRE SERVICES MOU WITH THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON, JUST A HANDFUL OF QUICK COMMENTS.
JUST BY WAY OF A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND, THIS MOU IS ACTUALLY DESIGNED TO AFFORD MORE TIME OFF FOR THE CITY TO STAND UP ITS OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF SERVICES TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY DURING THAT INTERIM PERIOD OF TIME.
THIS IS A THREE YEAR PROPOSAL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TODAY FOR A NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL OF $4.72 MILLION, WHICH IS FOR STAFFING COSTS ONLY. THIS FIGURE ALSO INCLUDES ANTICIPATED ANNUAL ESCALATIONS FROM CAL FIRE.
WE'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY, HOWEVER, TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE, TO ACKNOWLEDGE SUPERVISOR PACHECO AND SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ALONG WITH ASSISTANT CEO MARCI BARRERA AND CHIEF MARK PIMENTEL FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ITEM.
WE'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK BOTH THE COUNCIL, STAFF AND THEIR CONSULTANT FOR THEIR COLLABORATION IN THIS PROCESS, MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, STAFF DOES RECOMMEND APPROVAL. THANK YOU.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THESE ITEMS. SEEING NONE, WE NOW CLOSE THE COMMENT PERIOD AND BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, I'LL GO AHEAD AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
LET'S RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
EL NIDO COMMUNITY HALL. IF WE IF THIS IS SUCCESSFUL, WE WILL ENHANCE THE EL NIDO COMMUNITY.
SO I WANT TO THANK THEIR HARD WORK FOR FOR DOING THAT AND CROSS OUR FINGERS THAT WE'RE SUCCESSFUL.
THANK YOU, CHAIR. YOU GOT IT. THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ITEMS 46 AND 47.
AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ITEMS 46 AND 47.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 47.
IN SPEAKING WITH LOS BANOS VETERANS GROUP AND OUR.
GOSH, I JUST LOST. THE AMERICAN LEGION. THEY SHARE A FACILITY IN LOS BANOS.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS, YOU KNOW, AS THEY'RE TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE AND HELPING TO SAVE WITH POWER COSTS IN THEIR KIND OF MAIN CENTER SPACE IN THERE, THEY FELT LIKE IF THEY HAD SOME SKYLIGHTS IN THERE DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS, BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THERE QUITE A BIT WHEN THEY'RE OFFERING VETERAN SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, THAT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE THOSE SKYLIGHTS IN THERE.
AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE YES ON ITEM 47.
[01:05:03]
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU. AND THEN CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR PACHECO.THANK YOU, CHAIR. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 46.
AND THEY WERE HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH GETTING ENOUGH A-FRAMES TO CLOSE OFF ALL THE STREETS.
SO WITH A COOPERATION BETWEEN THEM AND THE SHERIFF'S EXPLORERS.
THE SHERIFF'S EXPLORERS WOULD ACTUALLY STORE THE A-FRAMES AND USE THEM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
BUT THE ONE YEAR FOR COMMUNITY DAY, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO USE THEM. SO IT KIND OF SOLVES TWO PROBLEMS AT ONCE. AND EVERYBODY WAS GOOD WITH THAT. SO YEAH, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD THING. INVITE EVERYBODY TO PLANADA COMMUNITY. IT'LL BE ON MAY 9TH IN PLANADA PARADE, AND A NICE DEEP PIT MEAL. SO I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PUSH THIS THROUGH ALSO.
THANK YOU. GOT IT. I WAS THERE LAST YEAR. YES.
YOU WERE GOOD. YEAH. THAT'S GREAT. OKAY, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND AT THIS TIME, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
NEXT WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS. ITEMS 48 THROUGH 50.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE BOARD APPOINTMENTS ITEMS 48 THROUGH 50.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE BOARD APPOINTMENTS ITEMS 48 THROUGH 50 IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. IF NOT, WE CAN ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 51 AND 52.
[BOARD INFORMATION & POSSIBLE ACTION]
AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD INFO ITEMS 51 AND 52.SEEING NONE, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE BOARD INFO ITEMS 51 AND 52 IS NOW CLOSED. WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS IF THERE'S ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.IF NOT, WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE.
RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT, WE HAVE SCHEDULED ITEMS.
[SCHEDULED ITEMS]
A PUBLIC HEARING AS SUBMITTED BY HUMAN RESOURCES.AND IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE 3502.3 ADDED BY BB 2561. AT THIS TIME, DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER SUMMER MONIZ WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ITEM.
GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN MCDANIEL, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO HENDRICKSON AND COUNTY COUNCIL HANSON.
TOO LOW. ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 AMENDS THE MEYERS MILIAS BROWN ACT TO REQUIRE PUBLIC AGENCIES TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS JOB VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, AND STRATEGIES THAT SUPPORT STREAMLINING THE HIRING PROCESS FOR REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES. PUBLIC AGENCIES ARE REQUIRED TO HOST AT LEAST ONE PUBLIC HEARING ANNUALLY PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC AGENCY FINALIZATION OF THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. THE BILL REQUIRES ADDITIONAL REPORTING FOR BARGAINING UNITS WITH A VACANCY OF 20% OR MORE, IF SO REQUESTED. IN ADDITION, RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO PRESENT INFORMATION DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THE INFORMATION REPORTED TODAY WILL BE FOR THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR.
THIS CHART DEPICTS THE AGGREGATE VACANCY RATE FOR ALL FULL TIME POSITIONS IN 2025.
WE REMAIN WITHIN THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTIES, WHICH FALLS BETWEEN 9% AND 15%, WITH SOME COUNTIES STILL EXPERIENCING VACANCY RATES AS HIGH AS 22%.
KEY RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES SUPPORTING THIS PROGRESS INCLUDE POSTING JOBS ON NEOGAF AND IN INDUSTRY SPECIFIC BOARDS, SHARING RECRUITMENT MATERIALS WITH PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITIES, PARTICIPATING IN JOB FAIRS AND HIGH SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAYS,
[01:10:02]
EXPANDING THE COUNTY'S SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AND HIGHLIGHTING PUBLIC SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.SINCE THE VACANCY REPORT IN AUGUST, WE HAVE ALSO EVALUATED AND STREAMLINED QUALIFICATIONS, ESPECIALLY FOR HEALTH SERVICES ROLES, CREATING A CLEAR PATHWAY FROM GRADUATION TO EMPLOYMENT.
WE'VE EXPANDED INTERNSHIPS COUNTYWIDE, WITH MANY OF THESE LEADING TO FULL TIME POSITIONS.
WE'VE STRENGTHENED OUR TALENT PIPELINES WITH HARD TO FILL POSITIONS FOR HARD TO FILL POSITIONS.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS A HIGH SCHOOL PUBLIC SERVICE PATHWAY.
PUBLIC HEALTH HAS CDPH PATHWAY PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE INTERNS.
DEPARTMENTS HAVE ALSO TARGETED MARKETING, INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA, COMMERCIALS AND EVEN BILLBOARDS.
THESE ALL SHOWCASE OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTRACT CANDIDATES.
THESE HIGHLIGHTS REPRESENT JUST A PORTION OF THE COUNTY'S ONGOING EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN RECRUITMENT.
STAFFING TRENDS FOR 2025. THIS SLIDE DEPICTS SOME OF OUR TRENDS.
WE ADDED 55 ADDITIONAL FULL TIME POSITIONS. WE TOOK 17,563 APPLICATIONS IN WITH A 67% AVERAGE OF ACCEPTANCE. WE HAD 873,000 HITS ON NOAA.GOV. SO PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT OUR JOBS.
WE OPENED 332 RECRUITMENTS AND WE HAD 370 NEW HIRES.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT VACANCY RATES ARE DYNAMIC AS POSITIONS ARE REGULARLY ADDED, DELETED, FILLED AND VACATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE FOLLOWING BARGAINING UNITS EXPERIENCED VACANCY RATES ABOVE THE 20% THRESHOLD IN 2025.
AFSCME UNIT 6 HEALTH SERVICES AT 28.7. MCAA UNIT 7 ATTORNEYS AT 22.5.
MCSCA UNIT 12 SECURITY SYSTEMS OPERATORS AT 38.1.
AND MCPSSU UNIT 14 DISPATCHERS AND CORONERS AT 26.3.
AT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH POSITIONS SUCH AS LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS AND PSYCHIATRIC STAFF NURSES REMAIN DIFFICULT TO FILL DUE TO LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS AND LESS DESIRABLE SHIFTS. THEY HAVE EVENING AND NIGHT WEEKEND POSITIONS.
WE'VE INCREASED VISIBILITY THROUGH JOB FAIRS AND OUTREACH EFFORTS.
AND THERE'S A NEW FOCUS ON INTERNAL EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTIONAL PATHWAYS.
AS OF LAST PAY PERIOD, THE VACANCY RATE HAS IMPROVED TO 26.4%, DOWN FROM 28.7.
RECRUITMENT METRICS FOR THE 25 VACANCIES WERE 681 APPLICANTS, 372 WERE QUALIFIED, AND THE AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETE THE HIRING PROCESS WAS 151 DAYS. LET'S LOOK AT MCAA UNIT 7.
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY POSITIONS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO FILL DUE TO INTENSITY OF WORK, HIGH CASELOADS, AND COMPETITIVE SALARY MARKET. TO ADDRESS THIS, THE COUNTY HAS ADDED A LEVEL FIVE CLASSIFICATION TO IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS.
WE'VE CREATED A POSTBAR LAW CLERK POSITION FOR CANDIDATES THAT ARE STILL AWAITING THEIR BAR RESULTS.
WE'VE INCREASED OUTREACH TO LAW SCHOOL GRADUATES, INCLUDING ATTENDING CAREER EVENTS FAIRS.
WE'VE STREAMLINED INTERNSHIP AND BACKGROUND PROCESSES.
AND DURING 2025, WE OFFERED A $20,000 HIRING BONUS.
AS OF LAST PAY PERIOD, THE VACANCY RATE HAS IMPROVED TO 17.5%, DOWN FROM 22.5%.
RECRUITMENT METRICS HERE ARE NINE VACANCIES. WE TOOK IN 165 APPLICANTS, 67 OF THOSE WERE QUALIFIED, AND THE AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETE THE HIRING PROCESS WAS 105 DAYS.
THIS SLIDE IS UNIT 12 SECURITY SYSTEMS OPERATOR.
THESE POSITIONS ARE IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND PROBATION OFFICES.
[01:15:04]
BACKGROUND CHECKS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY EXTEND THE HIRING TIMELINE FOR THIS KIND OF A POSITION.THERE ARE SEVERAL APPLICANTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THIS STAGE. SOME OF THE RECRUITMENT EFFORTS INCLUDE PARTNERSHIPS WITH MERCED COLLEGE, CSU STANISLAU, AND LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS.
YOUTH AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS LIKE MERCED COUNTY ACTIVITIES LEAVE AND OPERATION CHRISTMAS STAR, AND A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE TO HIGHLIGHT THE OPPORTUNITIES.
RECRUITMENT METRICS WERE FOR THE EIGHT VACANCIES, 227 APPLICANTS, 106 OF THOSE WERE QUALIFIED, AND THE AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETE THE HIRING PROCESS IS 185 DAYS.
OUR FINAL GROUP IS MCPSSU, UNIT 14 DISPATCHER AND CORONERS.
IN LATE 2025, THE COUNTY CREATED A LEVEL THREE DISPATCHER CLASSIFICATION TO PERFORM ADVANCED DUTIES.
THE RECRUITMENT FOR THE LEVEL THREE IS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS.
BACKGROUND CHECKS, AGAIN, CAN SIGNIFICANTLY EXTEND THE HIRING TIMELINE.
AND THERE ARE APPLICANTS CURRENTLY IN THIS STAGE.
ACTUALLY TWO OF THE FIVE POSITIONS ARE STARTING THIS PAY PERIOD.
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS INCLUDE SOME OF THE THINGS I SAID ON THE PRIOR SLIDE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ALONG WITH STREAMLINED APPLICATION PATH FOR LATERAL APPLICANTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCED DISPATCHERS, AND A HIRING BONUS FOR DISPATCHERS WAS OFFERED FROM 3000 TO 16,000 DURING THE 2025 REPORT YEAR.
METRICS ARE FIVE VACANCIES, 398 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, 147 OF THOSE WERE QUALIFIED AND THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS TO COMPLETE THE HIRING PROCESS AT 161 DAYS. IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE COUNTY'S STRATEGIC PLAN AND OUR EFFORTS TO BE THE NUMBER ONE COUNTY IN CALIFORNIA, THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT IS IMPLEMENTING MULTIPLE STRATEGIES TO INCREASE EFFICIENCIES AND IMPROVE BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMER SERVICE.
STRATEGIES INCLUDE LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS AUTOMATION.
WE WILL EVALUATE THE CURRENT RECRUITMENT PROCESS FOR INTERNAL GAPS, PROVIDE SUPPORT TO DEPARTMENTS AND TRAINING ON PROCESS AND RECRUITMENT TIME MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE FULL USE OF OUR GOV SYSTEM FOR TRACKING AND APPLICANT COMMUNICATION.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE LOOKING TO PILOT THE USE OF VIDEO SOFTWARE TO STREAMLINE INITIAL INTERVIEWS.
WE'LL ALSO IMPLEMENT A VACANCY REVIEW COMMITTEE.
WE'VE CREATED A PROCESS FOR EVALUATING VACANT POSITIONS AT SPECIFIC INTERVALS FOR NECESSITY, FOR REPURPOSING OR REASSIGNMENT BEFORE ADDING NEW POSITIONS OR EVEN DELETION.
THE REVIEW IS UNDERWAY IN PREPARATION FOR FINAL BUDGET THIS YEAR.
ANOTHER STRATEGY IS STRENGTHENING WORKFORCE PLANNING AND FORECASTING.
WE WILL PARTNER WITH DEPARTMENTS TO CREATE MULTI-YEAR STAFFING PLANS TIED TO SERVICE DEMANDS, WORKFORCE CHANGES LIKE RETIREMENTS AND VARYING EXPERIENCE LEVEL WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTS AND FUNDING OUTLOOKS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO EVALUATE JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROPRIATENESS OF THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, POTENTIALLY REMOVING BARRIERS FOR NEWLY GRADUATED STUDENTS AND OTHERS WHO JUST WANT TO START A CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE.
AND FINALLY, WE'LL FOCUS ON TARGETED OUTREACH AND RECRUITING.
HUMAN RESOURCES CONTINUALLY EVALUATES MARKET STRATEGIES AND MAKES ADJUSTMENTS WHERE NEEDED.
WE BEGAN USING A RECRUITER FUNCTION ON A POPULAR JOB PLATFORM TO TARGET SPECIFIC INDUSTRY TALENT.
THIS RECRUITER FUNCTION ALSO ALLOWS US TO ENGAGE IN PASSIVE RECRUITMENT, WHICH MEANS WE CAN TARGET PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT ACTIVELY BE LOOKING FOR JOBS, BUT MAY BE OPEN FOR CHANGE. AND ADDITIONALLY, WE WILL TARGET INTERNAL TALENT.
WE'VE DEVELOPED SOME INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT CURRENT STAFF AND SEEKING INTERNAL ADVANCEMENT.
ONE IS AN INTERNAL COUNTY JOB OPENING FLIER THAT WILL COME OUT THIS MONTH.
ANOTHER IS AN INTERNAL INTERVIEW TRAINING SERIES.
HOW TO GET A COUNTY JOB WHEN YOU HAVE ONE? THAT WILL BE OUT THIS SUMMER AS WELL.
THIS CONCLUDES THE REPORT FOR 2025 VACANCIES.
UP NEXT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LABOR TO PRESENT INFORMATION.
I RECEIVED WORD THIS MORNING FROM THE DSA ATTORNEY REPRESENTING UNITS 10 AND 14, THAT DEPUTY TORRES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED, BUT ASKED THAT I SHARE A MESSAGE WITH YOU, BOARD.
IF YOU WOULD LET THE BOARD KNOW THAT THE DSA REALLY APPRECIATES THE BOARD'S SUPPORT ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS FOR THE COUNTY'S DEPUTIES, DISPATCHERS AND CORONERS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
[01:20:02]
ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S AVAILABLE TO OUR EMPLOYEES.YOU CAN MOVE THE PODIUM UP. THERE'S A LITTLE BUTTON THERE TO YOUR RIGHT.
YOU'RE A LITTLE TALLER THAN SUMMER. THANK YOU.
AS YOU SAW BACK IN 2025, THE VACANCY RATE FOR UNIT 7 WAS 22.5%, AND THAT THE PRESENT RATE VACANCY RATE HAS GONE DOWN TO 17.5%. THIS IS DUE TO SOME RECENT NEW HIRES IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
HOWEVER, THAT NUMBER IS ABOUT TO GO BACK UP AGAIN BECAUSE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS LOSING YET ANOTHER EXPERIENCED PROSECUTOR WHO IS MOVING ON TO SACRAMENTO, DUE TO BETTER PAY AND BENEFITS THAT THEY OFFER IN THAT COUNTY.
AS YOU SAW, ALMOST ALL THE VACANCIES IN UNIT 7 ARE FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
AND WHILE THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE SOME NEW HIRES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE HIRES HAVE BEEN BRAND NEW ATTORNEYS WITH NO PROSECUTORIAL EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER. AND THIS HAS BEEN OFFSET BY THE LOSS OF SEVERAL VERY EXPERIENCED PROSECUTORS TO AGENCIES IN SURROUNDING COUNTIES WHERE THE PAY IS HIGHER AND THE BENEFITS, PARTICULARLY HEALTH INSURANCE, ARE FAR SUPERIOR TO WHAT IS OFFERED IN THIS COUNTY.
AND WHEN YOU COMBINE THAT WITH THE CURRENT HEALTH INSURANCE, WHERE COUNTY CONTRIBUTIONS ARE CAPPED, THIS RESULTS IN RISING INSURANCE RATES THAT HAVE SERVED TO CUT DIRECTLY INTO ANY INCREMENTAL RAISES THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE UNIT.
THIS NOT ONLY MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT NEW ATTORNEYS WHO COME INTO THE PROFESSION WITH AN AVERAGE LAW SCHOOL DEBT OF $120,000, BUT IT MAKES IT EQUALLY DIFFICULT TO ATTRACT EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS AS LATERAL HIRES AND TO RETAIN THEM, MANY OF SUCH ATTORNEYS HAVE LEFT FOR OTHER COUNTIES DUE TO BOTH SALARY INSURANCE DISPARITIES OVER THE PAST YEAR OR TWO.
THE LOSS OF EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS IN ANY OFFICE, BUT ESPECIALLY IN A PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, IS A PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN. IT INCREASES THE VOLUME OF SERIOUS CASES FOR THE FEW REMAINING EXPERIENCED PROSECUTORS, THUS INCREASING THEIR STRESS AND BURNOUT RATE AND IN THE END RESULTS IN HIGHER TURNOVER.
THIS TURNOVER CAUSES UNMANAGEABLE CASELOADS FOR THE ATTORNEYS, A BACKLOG OF CASES, DELAY OF TRIALS, AND REDUCED VICTIM SUPPORT. THE ABILITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED PROSECUTORS AND ATTORNEYS TO MERCED COUNTY IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.
WE VALUE THE BOARD'S RECOGNITION OF THIS ISSUE, AND THANK YOU FOR THE ACTIONS THAT YOU'VE BEEN TAKING OVER THE PAST YEAR TO HELP WITH THIS, INCLUDING THE CREATION OF THE LEVEL FIVE, THE SIGN-IN BONUSES AND OTHER ACTIONS THAT THE BOARD HAS TAKEN.
BUT UNLESS WE COMMIT TO EVEN BOLDER SOLUTIONS, THIS PROBLEM IS NOT GOING TO BE SOLVED.
WE MOST IMPORTANTLY NEED TO ADDRESS THE MEDICAL BENEFITS PROBLEMS THAT EMPLOYEES ARE FACING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. I WILL NOW OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THIS ITEM.
TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY? CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SUMMER, I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
BUT I THINK YOU SAID WITH AFSCME, IT WAS LIKE 151 DAY? WHY DOES THAT TAKE SO LONG? GENERALLY IT'S THE TIME IT TAKES FOR GOING THROUGH APPLICATIONS. THE DEPARTMENTS GET THE APPLICATIONS, THEY GO THROUGH THE APPLICATIONS.
SETTING INTERVIEWS, SETTING SECOND INTERVIEWS.
[01:25:06]
OKAY. THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD IS IN REGARDS TO THE VACANCY COMMITTEE THAT YOU SAID IS BEING PLANNED TO START MEETING, IMPLEMENT A VACANCY REVIEW COMMITTEE.WHEN IS THIS GOING TO START? BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE A BUDGET COMING UP SOON.
AND I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CONCERNS ME IS THERE'S POSITIONS ON THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS THAT COST US MONEY. AND SO I KNOW THAT INSTEAD OF, YOU KNOW, MAINTAINING OR HOLDING ON TO THOSE, WE JUST HAD A GENTLEMAN SPEAK ON REGARDS TO, YOU KNOW, THE INSURANCE COSTS AND THE FINANCES AND STUFF IN PUBLIC SAFETY.
CERTAINLY, I BELIEVE AND I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S COMING FROM, BUT IT JUST SEEMS AS IF WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE POSITIONS SOCKING HIM AWAY AND THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY NEEDED. AND SO HAVE WE REALLY DONE A REVIEW AND AN ASSESSMENT OF HOW LONG HAVE THESE THINGS BEEN ON THE BOOKS SO THAT WE CAN LOOK AT HOW CAN WE SAVE MONEY OR BE MORE EFFICIENT? SO I JUST WANTED TO FIGURE OUT WHEN THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
BECAUSE THE LAST THING THAT I WANT TO DO, YOU KNOW, I JUST READ THAT SAN FRANCISCO JUST CUT, YOU KNOW, 125 EMPLOYEES, LAID THEM OFF BECAUSE.
THEY JUST LAID THEM OFF. THEY GOT TOO BIG, IF YOU WILL.
AND THERE'S ANOTHER LIKE 500 THAT THEY HAVE TO CUT.
AND THE WORST THING TO DO IS HAVE TO LAY OFF EMPLOYEES.
SO WHEN COUNTIES HEAD INTO LEANER FINANCIAL TIMES, WE'VE GOT TO BE STRATEGIC IN THAT EFFORT.
SO WE SHOULD HAVE A PRETTY GOOD PICTURE HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. THANK YOU.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON NOW TO BOARD REPORTS.
[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]
THERE'S NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. AND AT THIS TIME, WE WILL START WITH SUPERVISOR PACHECO.THANK YOU, CHAIR. A LITTLE BUSY SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING.
IT WAS A GREAT EVENT TO CELEBRATE THEM. ON THE 18TH, I ATTENDED THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
I THINK IT WAS A BIG SUCCESS AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO CARRY THAT ON.
ON THE 23RD, I ATTENDED THE OATH FOR THE PROMOTION OF SHERIFF'S LIEUTENANT ROYALE, SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE HER ON HER NEXT STEP AND WISH HER ALL THE SUCCESS. ON THE 26TH, I ATTENDED THE MERCED WESTERN HERITAGE BOARD FUNDRAISING EVENT.
AND THAT WAS ALSO THE FARM BUREAU DINNER. SO IT'S NICE TO RECOGNIZE OUR FARMERS OUT THERE.
ON THE 29TH, I ATTENDED THE SIKH PARADE IN LIVINGSTON.
ANOTHER GREAT EVENT. IT CELEBRATES THE CULTURE IN LIVINGSTON.
I'M GOING TO CONGRATULATE THE BEECHWOOD COMMUNITY FOR GETTING A GREAT SPACE OUT THERE AND SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL FOR PUSHING THAT THROUGH, SO. AND ON APRIL 1ST, I ATTENDED THE MEMORIAL FOR RETIRED LIEUTENANT FRANK SWIGGART.
ON MARCH 17TH, THE MERCER COMMUNITY LOST A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL.
FRANK SWIGGART WAS RAISED IN LE GRAND AND WAS A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF MERCED COUNTY.
HE DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH A REMARKABLE 35 YEAR CAREER WITH THE MERCER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WHERE HE RETIRED AS A LIEUTENANT. I WORKED MOST OF MY CAREER WITH HIM.
FRANK TOOK GREAT PRIDE IN GIVING BACK. HE SERVED ON THE MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR BOARD.
HE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE MERCED ELKS LODGE, THE LE GRAND LIONS CLUB, THE LOS BANOS SPORTSMEN'S CLUB AND CLUB MERCEDES, AND MOST RECENTLY ON THE BOARD OF THE MERCED WESTERN HERITAGE FOUNDATION, WHERE HE WAS AGAIN WORKING TO GET THE RODEO BACK TO MERCED.
[01:30:06]
HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS BELOVED WIFE, CONCHITA SWIGGART, HIS DAUGHTERS, TIFFANY SWIGGART AND EMMA PICKARD, AND HIS GRANDSON, CLAY PICKARD. ALSO BY HIS BROTHER, GREG THOMPSON.FRANK'S LOSS WILL BE FELT BY ALL AND LEAVE A VOID IN MERCED COUNTY.
AND CHAIR, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT WE ADJOURN THE BOARD MEETING TODAY IN HIS HONOR. THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YES. I, TOO, ATTENDED ON THE 17TH, THE WOMEN OF AG LUNCH.
WE ALSO HAD A SAN JOAQUIN JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY SPECIAL BOARD MEETING DOWN SOUTH IN KERN.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR LIEUTENANT ROYALE.
AND THEN ON LAST WEEK, THE BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN COMMUNITY PARK RIBBON CUTTING.
SO YEAH. THE MERCED AG TECH ALLIANCE BREAKFAST WAS LAST WEEK AS WELL, WHICH WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE THE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY PEOPLE, NOT JUST THE ONES THAT ARE ACTUALLY WORKING IN THE FIELDS AND DOING THAT STUFF, BUT IT'S KIND OF HOW THEY CAN BRING TECHNOLOGY INTO IT, WITH MERCED COLLEGE AND UC MERCED.
I ALSO HAD A CONVERSATION LAST WEEK. I MET WITH ASSEMBLY MEMBER LORI WILSON, WHO'S THE CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, IN REGARDS TO ISSUES FACING MERCED COUNTY IN REGARDS TO HIGH SPEED RAIL.
I KNOW, LIKE I SAID, AT THE STATE OF THE COUNTY, THERE'S TWO ARGUMENTS, ONE FOR, ONE AGAINST.
AND I'LL BE HAVING THE SAME CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR CORTESE TOMORROW.
IT WILL BE AT THE MONDO BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN MERCED.
AGAIN, THAT'S ON MONDAY, APRIL 13TH FROM 6 TO 8 AT THE MONDO BUILDING.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. IT'S CERTAINLY BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL AND I YESTERDAY DID INTERVIEWS FOR TWO POSITIONS, ONE FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE OTHER FOR THE CEMETERY DISTRICT.
AND SO WE'RE THANKFUL. YOU KNOW, WHEN THE CEMETERY DISTRICT IS GOING THROUGH SOME STRUGGLES AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO STEP UP AND PARTICIPATE ON A, YOU KNOW, IT'S AN UNPAID VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TO GET YELLED AT.
AND SO I FEEL THANKFUL ABOUT THAT. I TOO ATTENDED THE MERCED HERITAGE FOUNDATION DINNER IN SUPPORT OF THE RODEO PCR, A RODEO COMING TO THE MERCED COUNTY FAIR.
AND THEN IT MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE AT THE FAIR. YOU KNOW, IT IS THERE THIS YEAR, BUT YOU KNOW, THE COMMITTEE WANTS TO MAKE IT A PERMANENT FUNCTION.
AND SO IT MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN THAT. AND SO JUST GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE COMMUNITY IS SUPPORTING SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, IS NEAR AND DEAR TO THE HERITAGE OF MERCED COUNTY.
I WAS ABLE TO SIT NEXT TO. OH, SHOOT. I JUST DREW A BLANK ON HER LAST NAME, BUT SHANNON.
AND IT'S JUST ENCOURAGING TO HAVE SOMEBODY SO PASSIONATE ABOUT AG BE IN THAT POSITION.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, OUR LOCAL FOLKS ARE ALSO SUPER PASSIONATE.
I WENT TO THE BOARD OF REALTORS ELECTED OFFICIALS NIGHT AND, YOU KNOW, YOU THINK, WELL, OKAY, SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, KIND OF A NEAT EVENT, BUT, YOU KNOW, WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT TO MERCED COUNTY? AND THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ARE TRYING TO HELP DRIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COUNTY.
AND SO IT WAS GOOD TO. YOU KNOW, THEY'RE SITTING THERE KIND OF INTRODUCING US.
[01:35:08]
THE STATE AND COUNTRY AND TRYING TO DRAW THEM TO MERCED. AND SO I'M THANKFUL FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO.I'D LIKE TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO CEO HENDRICKSON AND HIS TEAM FOR THE STATE OF THE COUNTY.
NOTHING BUT POSITIVE COMMENTS EVERYWHERE I GO, EVEN FROM SUPERVISORS FROM OTHER COUNTIES WISHING THAT THEIR COUNTY COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO REALLY HIGHLIGHTED MERCED COUNTY IN A POSITIVE AND WONDERFUL WAY.
AND SO I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT. GREAT JOB. SO, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK MARK MIMS AND HIS STAFF AT CED AND ALSO THE AG COMMISSIONER, NATHAN BRAY.
THERE'S BEEN A FRUIT FLY INFESTATION OUT IN THE [INAUDIBLE] AREA.
AND, YOU KNOW, THIS FLY INFESTATION WAS KIND OF NESTED OUT OF ONE BUSINESS HAVING SOME ROTTEN PRODUCT THAT HAS EXPLODED INTO THE COMMUNITY AND YOU WERE COMING INTO FRUIT SEASON. SO, YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU'VE GOT THIS EXPANSIVE AMOUNT OF FLIES, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO DISPATCH THEM OVER, YOU KNOW, THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO.
BUT I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY STAFF FOR COMING OUT, AND ANSWERING THE COMMUNITY'S QUESTIONS.
AND THEN NOT ONLY THAT, BUT HOLDING THE BUSINESS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND SO I DIDN'T WANT TODAY TO GO BY WITHOUT A BIG THANK YOU.
AND AND THEN LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST IS, YOU KNOW, HONORING LIEUTENANT SWIGGART.
FRANK WAS A GOOD MAN AND HE PASSED AWAY WAY TOO YOUNG.
AND SO THANK YOU FOR CLOSING THE MEETING IN HIS MEMORY.
THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. WE WERE AT A LOT OF THE SAME EVENTS SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, SO I WON'T GO OVER ALL OF THEM.
BUT THE WOMEN IN AG LUNCHEON. ALWAYS A GREAT TIME EVERY TIME WE'RE RUSHING OUT OF HERE.
I WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR REGISTRAR OF VOTERS MEL LEVY.
SO THEY DID A WEST SIDE PASSPORT EVENT. SO I THINK IT WAS LAST WEEK, WE HAD ON FRIDAY THEY WERE IN GASTEIN WHERE THEY ISSUED 31 PASSPORTS ON FRIDAY ON GASTEIN.
AND THEN THEY WERE IN LOS BANOS ON SATURDAY THE NEXT DAY AND THEY ISSUED 57 PASSPORTS.
THE POST OFFICE'S AREN'T OFFERING THEM ANYMORE. SO I WANT TO THANK MEL AND HIS STAFF.
I STOPPED BY THERE LAST SATURDAY AND JUST A REALLY GREAT EVENT.
I MEAN, THERE WAS STORIES FROM FOLKS, YOU KNOW DAD MAYBE COMMUTES OUT OF TOWN DURING THE WEEK, CAN'T GET OVER TO MERCED. AND IT WAS A FAMILY'S PLANNING TO TAKE A TRIP, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE WHOLE FAMILY DOWN THERE ON A SATURDAY.
SO REALLY ENCOURAGED. AND I THINK WITH THE TURNOUT THAT WE HAD, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MEL'S LOOKING INTO ON A REGULAR BASIS HOW WE CONTINUE TO DO THESE PASSPORT FAIRS OUT THERE. AND THEN ULTIMATELY WORKS TO WHAT IS A LONG TERM GOAL OF MINE IS CO-LOCATING SOME OF THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT ARE ONLY OFFERED HERE AT THE COUNTY BUILDING OUT ON THE WEST SIDE, WE HAVE UPCOMING WITH THE RECORDER'S OFFICE, WE'RE GOING TO START A PILOT PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS FOLKS TO COME IN, AND YOU'RE STILL GOING TO NEED TO COME TO THE COUNTY BUILDING IF YOU'RE RECORDING DEEDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT GETTING SIMPLE THINGS LIKE MARRIAGE LICENSE, DEATH CERTIFICATES, BIRTH CERTIFICATES, FILING A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME, WE'RE WORKING ON HAVING AT LEAST ONE DAY A MONTH THAT YOU CAN COME OUT AND BE ABLE TO DO THOSE SERVICES IN LOS BANOS. SO I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF THOSE OFFICES FOR THAT.
EVERY TIME THERE'S AN ELECTION CYCLE, THEY HAVE WHAT IS CALLED A NEW SUPERVISORS INSTITUTE.
SO YOU GET FOLKS THAT COME FROM MAYBE NOT REALLY WORKED IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, MAYBE THEY CAME FROM CITY COUNCILS, MAYBE THEY HAVE NO EXPERIENCE. IT'S REALLY A KIND OF ONE ON ONE KIND OF UNDERSTANDING, WHAT DOES A COUNTY SUPERVISOR DO? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE, YOU KNOW, A WHOLE HOST OF THINGS.
THEY DIVE A LITTLE BIT INTO KIND OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PART OF THE BUDGET.
AND IT'S KIND OF WHAT THE STATE LEVEL TOUCH INTO IT.
SO I WAS ASKED TO, AS THE PROGRAM WAS CREATED, I BELIEVE, IN 2006.
AND THEY WANT TO REVAMP THAT PROGRAM. THEY'RE KIND OF USING THE SAME MODEL.
A COUPLE EVENTS THAT I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND. STEPHANIE'S HOUSE IN DOS PALOS.
[01:40:02]
JUST A GREAT COMMUNITY. AND IT'S A HOME FOR DISABLED ADULTS THAT ARE LIVING THERE.I BELIEVE IT'S LIKE A 16 ROOM FACILITY. THEY HAVE THEIR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER, AND I GO TO A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND I WILL TELL YOU, YOU CAN TELL THE PASSION OF THE FOLKS THAT SUPPORT THIS EVENT.
AND USUALLY ABOUT WHEN THE AUCTION IS DONE, THREE QUARTERS OF THE ROOM LEAVES.
SOME REALLY COOL PICTURES THAT WERE IN THE WEST SIDE EXPRESS OF SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT LIVE THERE AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND IT WAS 10:00 AT NIGHT, DANCING'S GOING ON, AND THERE'S STILL THREE QUARTERS OF THE ROOM STILL THERE.
SO JUST A REALLY SUCCESSFUL EVENT FOR THEM. ANOTHER ONE I WANT TO SHARE, IT HAPPENED LAST SATURDAY AS WELL, IS CALLED JESS'S BARNYARD BUDDIES. SO A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, KEVIN AND SHAYLYN SORES, THEY HAVE DISADVANTAGED OR.
EXCUSE ME. DISABLED CHILDREN AND THIS IS. SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.
AND SO TYPICALLY, LIKE IF YOU GO TO THE SPRING FAIR, YOU GO TO THE MERCED COUNTY FAIR, YOU ALWAYS SEE SOME OF THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE THERE ABLE TO SHOW THEIR ANIMALS, BUT NOT EVERYBODY IS FUNCTIONING AT THAT LEVEL, THAT THEY CAN BE AROUND THOSE KIND OF BIG CROWDS THAT YOU WOULD SEE AT A FAIR.
THEY CREATED A KIND OF FIELD DAY AND SHOW EXPERIENCE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS.
AND I WILL TELL YOU, IF YOU GO TO THIS EVENT AND YOU SEE.
I MEAN, YOU'RE TALKING ON A SPECTRUM FROM PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY SHY, THAT DON'T REALLY TALK, BUT CONNECT WITH AN ANIMAL, CHANGES THEIR WHOLE WORLD, TO SOME PRETTY EXCITED ONES THAT ARE REALLY HIGH FUNCTIONING, RIGHT? AND IF YOU GO TO THIS EVENT AND EXPERIENCE IT, IF YOU LEAVE, THEY'RE NOT FEELING JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKE FULLER IN YOUR HEART, THEN I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY YOU MIGHT NOT BE HUMAN BEING.
BUT JUST A REALLY, REALLY GREAT EVENT. AND AT THE END OF IT, THESE KIDS GET TO SHOW THE ANIMALS AND ALL THESE ANIMALS, THEY GET DONATED. AND THEN WE HAVE AN AUCTION AT THE END AND THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS THE AUCTION.
AND THEN EVERY ONE OF THE KIDS THAT ENTERS THIS EVENT, COMING FROM A FAMILY THAT HAS SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDRENS, UNDERSTANDING THAT THEIR SITUATION MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN OTHERS, IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE.
IT'S JUST TO MAKE YOUR LIFE A LITTLE BIT EASIER. JUST A GREAT.
THEY'RE ON THEIR THIRD YEAR NOW DOING IT. I WANT TO THANK ALEX RUIZ FROM CHANNEL 30 NEWS.
I HAD MENTIONED TO HIM IT, WAS KIND OF MY FAULT.
LIKE THE DAY OF THE EVENT LAST YEAR, HE WASN'T ABLE TO GET OUT THERE.
AND ON HIS DAY OFF, WENT OUT THERE THIS YEAR AND GOT TO DO A REALLY COOL STORY OUT THERE.
AND SO JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE THAT AND SHARE THAT WITH FOLKS AND KEVIN AND SHAYLYN AND NOT ONLY THEM, BUT JUST A BUNCH OF VOLUNTEERS THAT HELPED MAKE THIS THING SUCCESSFUL.
THEY PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL 4H AND FFAS TO HAVE THEIR KIND OF, YOU KNOW.
THEY HAVE A BUDDY THAT WALKS THEM AROUND. AND SO IT'S JUST A REALLY COOL EVENT AND IT'S GROWING.
AND THEN THE ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION IS THE.
THEY HAD A WEST SIDE HIRING EVENT IN LOS BANOS.
THERE'S A GROUP THAT PUTS IT TOGETHER EVERY YEAR. THEY HAD 50 EMPLOYERS THERE, 29 EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THERE AT THE SPRING FAIR IN THE O'BANION BUILDING. 700 PARTICIPANTS CAME THROUGH. AND SO JUST A REALLY COOL EVENT.
TYPICALLY YOU SEE YOUNGER ONES IN THERE, BUT IT'S OPEN TO EVERYBODY.
BUT LIN COOK AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER PEOPLE.
AND I THINK THAT. AGAIN, THE STATE OF THE COUNTY.
GREAT JOB BY EVERYBODY. MET WITH THE MAYOR OF LOS BANOS AND HE JUST COULDN'T RANT AND RAVE ENOUGH.
AND THEN LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, I WANT TO PASS ON MY CONDOLENCES TO THE SWIGGART FAMILY.
I SAT ON THE SPRING FAIR BOARD WITH FRANK FOR A LOT OF YEARS.
HE WAS A GOOD, SOLID HUMAN BEING, GOOD COMMUNITY SERVANT.
AND I DO AGREE, JUST LOST FAR TOO EARLY. AND JUST, MY HEART GOES OUT TO CONCHITA AND THE FAMILY AND SUPERVISOR PACHECO, THANK YOU FOR ADJOURNING THE MEETING IN HONOR OF FRANK SWIGGART.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
COUNTY COUNSEL HANSEN. CEO HENDRICKSON. THANK YOU, SIR.
JUST VERY BRIEFLY. YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS BOARD AND ITS LEADERSHIP IN A COUPLE OF AREAS, BUT MOST NOTABLY, YOU KNOW, ITS COMMITMENT TO BECOMING MORE OPEN, MORE TRANSPARENT, MORE ACCOUNTABLE.
[01:45:03]
SESSION OF OUR GET TO KNOW YOUR COUNTY SERIES, WHICH IS A SERIES THAT WE'VE DEVELOPED, WHICH IS REALLY DESIGNED TO OPEN THE DOORS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT JUST A LITTLE BIT WIDER AND TO GIVE OUR RESIDENTS A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS DO.PROGRAMS, OUR SERVICES, ETC. OUR FIRST SESSION WAS ACTUALLY LAST WEEK AND IT WAS REALLY FOCUSED ON BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE COUNTY BUDGET AND MAKING IT HOPEFULLY A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND. WE COLLECTED FEEDBACK FROM THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AS TO WHAT THEY BELIEVE THE SPENDING PRIORITIES SHOULD BE.
BEGINNING WITH ASSISTANT CEO MARCI BARRERA FOR HER LEADERSHIP IN HELPING DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM.
JOE WEISS, WHO IS JUST DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB AND HAS PROVEN INSTRUMENTAL.
BUT I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE SEVERAL OTHERS TO INCLUDE ASSISTANT CEO DAVID MIRRIONE, DEPUTY CEO VANESSA ANDERSON FOR HER WORK LAST WEEK, DEPUTY CEO SUMMER MONIS AND OUR OUTSTANDING MULTIMEDIA TEAM WHO HELPED PUT ON A, I THINK A REALLY GOOD INITIAL FIRST START.
IT'S GOING TO BE AGAIN APRIL 8TH, 5:30 P.M. RIGHT HERE IN THE BOARD CHAMBERS.
AND SO, AGAIN, I WOULD JUST INVITE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROCESS.
THIS IS AGAIN, OUR, YOU KNOW, KIND OF FORAY INTO TRYING TO HELP THE COMMUNITY BETTER UNDERSTAND THE LITANY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT THIS COUNTY PROVIDES. AND SO WITH THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I THANK YOU FOR THE MOMENT.
THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. ONE LAST THING THAT I WANTED TO JUST PUT OUT THERE IS FOR THE FOLKS IN DOS PALOS, WORK HAS OFFICIALLY RESTARTED ON O'BANION PARK.
IN WORKING WITH STAFF, THEY SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL, WHICH I KNOW THAT STARTED LAST WEEK, BUT FOR THE FIRST FULL WEEK IN APRIL, I GOT WORD YESTERDAY THAT THE CONTRACTOR WAS ON SITE AND WORK IS GOING ON.
AND SO I HOPE MY FRIENDS IN DOS PALOS ARE LISTENING TO THIS BECAUSE IT'S PROBABLY.
BESIDES ROADS, IT IS THE SINGLE LARGEST QUESTION THAT I GET ANYTIME I'M ANYWHERE AROUND DOS PALOS.
SO WORK HAS STARTED AND MORE TO COME ON TIMELINE AS TO WHEN THAT STUFF WILL FINISH.
I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. YES.
I KNEW FRANK FOR A REALLY LONG TIME BOTH FROM [INAUDIBLE] SCHOOL THROUGH FFA AND THEN BEING A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER PRIOR TO BEING A SUPERVISOR. AND I WANT TO OFFER MY CONDOLENCES AS WELL TO HIS FAMILY.
WHEN I FIRST GOT THE NEWS, YOU KNOW, THAT TERM GUT PUNCH, THAT REALLY WAS A GUT PUNCH.
AND SO FRANK WAS A REALLY GOOD MAN AND MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.
OKAY. THANK YOU. FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I'LL GO AHEAD AND GO THROUGH MINE QUICK.
I SIT BETWEEN YOU GUYS AND LUNCH. WOMEN OF AGRICULTURE LUNCHEON.
WE DID ATTEND THAT. I WANT TO THANK D'ESCOTO AND AMARANTH FAMILY FOR HOSTING ME, AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF HAVING MY WIFE, BUFFY JOIN US THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS GOOD. THAT'S A FUN ONE EVERY YEAR.
WE ALSO HAD A CASTLE STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.
ALSO WANTED TO TOUCH WHAT A UNIQUE EVENT THAT WE HAD WAS THE ON FARM AGTECH INNOVATION RECEPTION.
BIG THANK YOU TO ERIC SERRATO FOR HOSTING THAT, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE GO BIZ.
WE HAD ALMOST 20 DIFFERENT AG TECH COMPANIES TOUR MERCED COUNTY.
THEY WERE VERY IMPRESSED BY MERCED COUNTY. THESE WERE, WHAT, 20 DIFFERENT COMPANIES FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD? AND IT WAS NICE TO SEE EVERYBODY REALLY LIKED IT.
AND THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE DON'T JUST HAVE PALM TREES AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
ALSO, I WOULD. THE STATE OF THE COUNTY, OF COURSE, WAS VERY IMPRESSED.
COUNTY STAFF DID A GREAT JOB OF PUTTING THAT ON.
ALSO, I HAD THE HONOR OF ATTENDING THE EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR FOR NICOLAS DIETZ.
AND IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE. ALSO ATTENDED RCRC LAST WEEK AS WELL AND ATTENDED THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE NEW LIEUTENANT.
AS WELL AS, WE DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE BEACHWOOD FRANKLIN SKATE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
[01:50:08]
GRANT. WE HAD A FURTHER DISCUSSION. MERCEDES IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE AND APPRECIATED BFCI COMING IN AND HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH US AND REALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THEY WANT THAT COMMUNITY CENTER.WE ALREADY HAVE THE LAND NOW SO WE CAN GET THAT DONE.
AND THE SKATE PARK IS STILL ON THE TABLE AS WELL.
IT'S JUST HOW DO WE FIND THE FUNDING? AND WE'LL BE ACTIVELY LOOKING AT THAT.
ALSO, I GOT TO TOUR THE JOHN LATORRACA PROGRESS TOUR.
AMAZING WHAT WE'VE DONE OUT THERE. AND WE GOT TO LOOK AT.
WE ALSO HAD A LITTLE PRESENTATION ON OUR NEW FLEET VEHICLES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BRING.
APPRECIATED SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA'S LEADERSHIP ON THAT BRINGING THAT TO THE TABLE.
THEY'VE BECOME A GREAT COMPANY TO WORK FOR AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE SAVINGS AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT THEY HAVE ALL NEW VEHICLES AS WELL.
AND I'M TRYING TO GO OFF MY CALENDAR HERE TO SEE EVERYTHING THEY WOULD.
ALSO WANT TO TOUCH ON. YOU MENTIONED YOUR TOWN HALL.
I DO ATWATER MOBILE DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY OF ATWATER.
WE DO THAT ON THE FOURTH THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH.
THAT'S A TWO OUR OFFICE HOURS THERE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
ALSO GOT TO DO THE HERITAGE RODEO THING AND WE JUMPED OVER AND DID THE FARM BUREAU AS WELL.
FARM BUREAU WAS WELL ATTENDED. LET ME SEE WHAT ELSE.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. WE STILL HAVE TO CHAIR THAT.
AND THAT'S BECOME LIVELY DISCUSSIONS HERE LATELY.
AND WITH THAT, THE NEXT REGULAR SCHEDULED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 10 A.M.
ON TUESDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2026. THIS CONCLUDES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING FOR APRIL
7TH, 2026. MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.