Jul 07, 2026 Board Meeting

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:02]

GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE JULY 7TH, 2020 MEETING TO THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

[CLOSED SESSION]

YOUR CLOSED SESSIONS THIS MORNING ARE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EXISTING LITIGATION SHORT ET AL. VERSUS MERCED.

COUNTY ET AL. STANISLAUS SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER CV-24-002794 AND NEAL VERSUS COUNTY OF MERCED ET AL. MERCED SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER 25CV-00857.

PROPERTY CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PROPERTY BUILDING 1324, LOCATED AT CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER.

AGENCY NEGOTIATOR DAVID MIRRIONE, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NEGOTIATING PARTIES.

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER UNDER NEGOTIATION TO REQUEST AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AND VALUE CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR. PROPERTY IS 0.75 ACRES AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF JET DRIVE AND STRATOFORTRESS DRIVE AT CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER.

AGENCY NEGOTIATOR DAVID MIRRIONE, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NEGOTIATING PARTY SHEPHERD'S TREE, INC., UNDER NEGOTIATION TO REQUEST AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AND VALUE.

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

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

FOR THOSE ATTENDING IN PERSON, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM FOR OUR.

PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM FOR OUR REMOTE ATTENDEES.

PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND FEATURE ON ZOOM OR PRESS STAR NINE IF YOU'RE CALLING BY PHONE.

TO BETTER FACILITATE THE MEETING AND ENSURE FAIRNESS, WE WILL START WITH FIVE SPEAKERS IN PERSON, FOLLOWED BY FIVE REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. IS THERE ANYBODY FROM THE REMOTE? MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

OKAY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THIS CLOSED SESSION ITEM IS NOW CLOSED.

WE WILL MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION. GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME BACK TO THE JULY 7TH, 2026 MEETING FOR THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF

[10:00 A.M. REGULAR MEETING]

EVERYBODY PLEASE STAND. IF YOU WILL BOW YOUR HEADS, PLEASE.

OUR DEAR AND GRACIOUS AND HOLY FATHER IN HEAVEN, WE'RE THANKFUL.

LORD, FIRST OF ALL, FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE. FOR THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER EACH AND EVERY DAY THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES. WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THIS LAST 4TH OF JULY, CELEBRATING OUR 250 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES.

WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE AND GIVE WISDOM TO EACH OF THE MEMBERS HERE TODAY WHO WILL BE SPEAKING AND TAKING THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION THAT IT WOULD BENEFIT ALL OF OUR CITIZENS HERE IN MERCED, IN THE CITY OF MERCED AND THE COUNTY OF MERCED.

THANK YOU, LORD FOR FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR GUIDANCE.

IN JESUS NAME, AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

[PUBLIC COMMENT]

FOR THOSE ATTENDING IN PERSON, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM FOR OUR REMOTE ATTENDEES, PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND FEATURE ON ZOOM OR PRESS STAR NINE IF YOU ARE CALLING BY PHONE TO BETTER FACILITATE THE MEETING AND ENSURE FAIRNESS.

WE WILL START WITH FIVE SPEAKERS IN PERSON, FOLLOWED BY FIVE REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT AGAIN.

THIS IS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY, AS THIS IS OUR FIRST MEETING UNDER SB-707 AND UTILIZING REMOTE PARTICIPATION EQUIPMENT.

IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED, ABLE TO REGISTER OR RAISE YOUR HAND IN TIME TO SPEAK DURING THE REGULAR AGENDA, I WILL CHECK BACK AT THE END OF THE MEETING TO SEE IF THE REMOTE PARTICIPATIONS, WHO WILL STILL WISH TO GIVE COMMENT,

[00:05:06]

GOOD MORNING CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CEO, SHERIFF AND COUNTY STAFF.

MY NAME IS AGGIE FREEMAN, AND I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE MERCED POLICE CANINE ASSOCIATION TO INVITE THE ENTIRE COUNTY OF MERCED TO JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT THAT CELEBRATES PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTHY LIVING AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP.

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT 9 A.M., WE ARE HOSTING THE INAUGURAL MERCED PAWS ON PATROL FUN RUN AT BEAUTIFUL LAKE YOSEMITE, ONE OF OUR COUNTY'S GREATEST COMMUNITY TREASURES.

THIS EVENT IS MUCH MORE THAN RUNNING OR WALKING.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS FROM EVERY COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT MERCED COUNTY TO COME TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE K9 UNIT AND THE EXTRAORDINARY WORK THESE TEAMS PERFORM EVERY DAY. OUR POLICE K9 TEAMS HELP TRACK DANGEROUS SUSPECTS, LOCATE MISSING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS, DETECT NARCOTICS, AND PROTECT OFFICERS DURING HIGH RISK SITUATIONS WHERE EVERY SECOND COUNTS.

THEIR WORK STRENGTHENS PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE COUNTY.

THE GOALS OF THIS EVENT ARE SIMPLE BUT IMPORTANT.

FIRST, WE WANT TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO THE MERCED POLICE DEPARTMENT K9 UNIT BY RAISING FUNDS FOR VETERINARY CARE AFTER THE DOGS RETIRE FOR SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT AND ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THESE REMARKABLE DOGS AND THEIR DEDICATED HANDLERS.

SECOND, WE WANT TO STRENGTHEN POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.

WHEN FAMILIES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OFFICERS OUTSIDE OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, TRUST GROWS, CONVERSATIONS BEGIN, AND PARTNERSHIPS ARE BUILT.

THOSE RELATIONSHIPS MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER AND STRONGER.

THIRD, WE WANT TO PROMOTE HEALTH, FITNESS, AND FAMILY FUN.

WHETHER SOMEONE CHOOSES TO RUN, WALK, OR JOG, OR SIMPLY ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL OCTOBER MORNING AT LAKE YOSEMITE, EVERYONE IS WELCOME. FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN AND YES, EVEN THEIR WELL-BEHAVED DOGS FOR A DAY OF COMMUNITY CELEBRATION.

FINALLY, THIS EVENT ALLOWS US TO RECOGNIZE THE PROFESSIONALISM, COURAGE, AND UNWAVERING LOYALTY OF OUR CANINE HANDLERS AND THEIR CANINE PARTNERS.

THIS, THESE TEAMS WILLINGLY PLACE THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY TO PROTECT ALL OF US, AND THEY DESERVE OUR GRATITUDE AND SUPPORT.

LAKE YOSEMITE BELONGS TO EVERY RESIDENT OF MERCED COUNTY.

IT IS THE PERFECT SETTING FOR AN EVENT THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER WHILE CELEBRATING SERVICE, WELLNESS AND CIVIC PRIDE. WE RESPECTFULLY ASK EACH MEMBER OF THIS BOARD TO HELP US SPREAD THE WORD BY SHARING THIS EVENT WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS, SCHOOLS, SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

YOUR SUPPORT CAN HELP MAKE THIS INAUGURAL EVENT A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.

BEFORE I CLOSE. OKAY. YEAH. WE NEED YOU TO TO WRAP IT UP.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YOU NEVER GO OVER. AGGIE.

IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE? GOOD MORNING. PRESIDENT AND MR.[INAUDIBLE] I RETIRED FROM THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE.

WE MANAGED THE EASEMENTS 100,000 ACRES OF EASEMENTS TO PRESERVE THE REMAINING 10% OF WETLANDS IN CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL VALLEY.

SO WE'VE LOST 90% OF THE WETLANDS. WE'VE LOST 99% OF THE GRASSLANDS.

SO I'M HERE TO TRY TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SAY YES TO A MEETING WITH SOFIA MURKOWSKI.

WE'VE GOT A DOZEN DIFFERENT AGENCIES, FRIENDS, GROUPS, SUPPORT GROUPS THAT ARE ALL IN FAVOR OF SOLAR PANELS.

I'VE HAD A SOLAR PANEL SINCE 2003. MY HOUSE HAS BEEN ON SOLAR SINCE 2009.

I'VE BEEN A TEACHER OF SUSTAINABILITY. I'VE TAUGHT HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE PHYSICS, BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND ALSO AN AG TEACHER. SO I SUPPORT AG.

RIGHT NOW IN CENTINELA, THERE'S A PROPOSAL BY A PERSON THAT HAS NOT A PERSON, BUT AN ENTITY THAT HAS A SHAM EASEMENT.

[00:10:06]

THOSE EASEMENTS ARE MANAGED BY THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE IN CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. THE EASEMENT IN CENTINELA FOR THE SOLAR PROJECT PIKES PEAK SOLAR PROJECT IS BEING MANAGED BY PIKES PEAK SOLAR, THE SAME COMPANY THAT WANTS TO COVER THAT EASEMENT WITH SOLAR PANELS. THAT'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

SO I SUPPORT SOLAR. I SUPPORT EASEMENTS, BUT I DO NOT SUPPORT EASEMENTS MANAGED BY SOLAR.

SO PLEASE SAY YES TO THE MEETING WITH SOFIA MURKOWSKI.

ANY QUESTIONS? SO THANK YOU FOR THE TWO PARTICIPANTS THAT HAVE ALREADY MET WITH US.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE OTHER THREE TO COME ON BOARD.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE? GO AHEAD. GOOD MORNING. CHAIRMAN, SUPERVISORS.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER. SHERIFF AND STAFF. MY NAME IS KELLY ESCOBAR AND I'M A NEW FIELD REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MERCED, GRADUATED FROM MERCED HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN UC BERKELEY WITH DEGREES IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEGAL STUDIES.

AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE BACK HOME HELPING SERVING THE MERCED COUNTY AREA AND THE GREATER CENTRAL VALLEY.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF ASSEMBLYWOMAN ESMERALDA SORIA'S OFFICE, AND I'M HERE TO EXTEND A HELPING HAND IN STRENGTHENING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MERCED COUNTY BY SERVING MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS TOGETHER. OUR OFFICE WOULD LOVE TO HELP SUPPORT BY FACILITATING CASEWORK WITH STATE AGENCIES AND BY PROVIDING CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FOR OUR MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS. SO PLEASE, IF ANYONE IN THE MEETING NEEDS ANYTHING, LET ME KNOW. SO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT MERCED COUNTY FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND SERVING OUR RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE? IF NOT, WE WILL LOOK. WE WILL CHECK FOR THE REMOTE.

PUBLIC COMMENT. IS THERE ANYBODY. MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE TO SPEAK.

OKAY. AND AT THE SAME TIME, I WILL CHECK AT THE END OF THE MEETING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYBODY WHO HAD TROUBLE TRYING TO LOG IN THE REMOTE.

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

[CONSENT CALENDAR]

PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEM TWO REQUIRES A 4/5 VOTE.

PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.

FOR THOSE ATTENDING IN PERSON, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.

FOR OUR REMOTE ATTENDEES, PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND FEATURE ON ZOOM OR PRESS STAR NINE IF YOU ARE CALLING BY PHONE TO BETTER FACILITATE THE MEETING AND ENSURE FAIRNESS.

WE WILL START WITH FIVE SPEAKERS IN PERSON, FOLLOWED BY FIVE REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL THE TIME IS EXPIRED.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH SB-707. SO AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT ITEMS 1 THROUGH 14.

SEEING NOBODY PRESENT, WE'LL GO AHEAD. AND. IS THERE ANYBODY ONLINE? MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

OKAY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CONSENT ITEMS 1 THROUGH 14 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. IS THERE FURTHER COMMENTS HERE AT THE DAIS? SEEING NONE. I SEE WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. LET'S GO AHEAD AND RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL NOW HAVE A PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION OF CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH.

THAT'S RIGHT. GOOD MORNING BOARD. I'M JEFF WHITTON, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES, AS YOU ALL WELL KNOW. IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.

[00:15:01]

AND I'LL SHOW YOU A VIDEO IN JUST A SHORT VIDEO IN JUST A SECOND.

NORMALLY, MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO OUR KIDS CONNECT EVENTS THAT WE DO IN THESE MONTHS IN AUGUST EVERY YEAR, SEVEN IN A ROW AS A MATTER OF FACT. THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT IN OUR PROGRAM BECAUSE NATIONWIDE CHILD SUPPORT CASES HAVE BEEN FALLING AND AWARENESS HAS BEEN DOWN.

AND SO I APPRECIATE THE PROCLAMATION YOU ISSUED JUST NOW.

AND THIS SORT OF EXPOSURE HELPS, HOPEFULLY, THE COMMUNITY BE MORE AWARE OF OUR PROGRAM.

WHAT WE'LL BE DOING IS ON AUGUST 1ST AND ON AUGUST 8TH, WE WILL BE TAKING BROCHURES IN THE FORM OF A DOOR HANGER THAT HAVE QR CODES ON THEM SO PEOPLE CAN CONTACT US AND EASILY ENROLL IN OUR PROGRAM.

AND WE'LL BE GOING TO VARIOUS COMMUNITIES FOR, OF COURSE, THE CITY OF MERCED.

AND ON THE EIGHTH, I BELIEVE IT'LL BE ATWATER AND LOS BANOS.

SO HOPEFULLY TO TRY TO DIRECTLY INCREASE ENROLLMENT.

HOWEVER, IT WASN'T AS THOUGH WE WERE GOING TO DO NOTHING BIG THIS YEAR.

AND SO THIS YEAR WE DID DID SOMETHING WE CALLED A PARENT'S DAY EVENT AT KIDDIELAND PARK HERE IN MERCED.

AND IT TURNED OUT REALLY WELL. AND IN FACT, IT WAS OUR MOST, OUR HIGHEST, MOST WELL ATTENDED EVENT TO DATE AND I'VE GOT SOME PICTURES, BUT IF WE CAN JUST GO AHEAD AND START THE VIDEO.

THERE'S OUR MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT, SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND FAMILY AND ENHANCING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND BUILDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.

THAT'S OUR OUTREACH STAFF THERE AND ENDING FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2025.

WE HAD 13,471 CASES, 64% CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTED AND DISTRIBUTED, AND 92% OF OUR CASES HAD ORDERS FOR CHILD SUPPORT ESTABLISHED.

ALL OF THAT BROUGHT IN $29.7 MILLION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE CHILDREN THAT WE SERVE, 87.5 OF THAT PERCENT, 26 MILLION WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILIES.

HERE'S OUR TALKING ABOUT OUR KIDDY LAND EVENT BETWEEN MOTHER'S DAY AND FATHER'S DAY.

AND IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. EVERYONE GOT IN FOR FREE FACE PAINTING, A BALLOON, ANIMALS AND COTTON CANDY AND POPCORN.

AND HERE'S THE RESULTS. 280 FAMILIES SERVED ALMOST 5450 ADULTS.

600 OR SO CHILDREN. 1015 TOTAL ATTENDEES. SO THAT BEAT OUR RECORD FROM A COUPLE YEARS AGO IN LOS BANOS BY ABOUT 200.

AND THERE'S MY STAFF, AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THEM.

THEY WORKED IT TO ALL OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND ALL OF THE CHILD SUPPORT COMMUNITY WHO HAVE CASES WITH US.

I JUST DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO THE BOARD.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU JEFF.

I'M GOING TO ASK THE BOARD TO JOIN ME UP FRONT.

WE DO HAVE THE PROCLAMATION WE'D LIKE TO PRESENT TO YOU. GREAT.

THANK YOU. HEY. HOW ARE YOU DOING? GOOD. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. BUT THANK YOU. JEFF, ON BEHALF OF THE WHOLE BOARD ONLY READ THE THE LAST LINE OF THE PROCLAMATION.

BUT NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, WE, THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 2026 AS CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH IN MERCED COUNTY.

WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE DONE. YOU'VE TAKEN IT TO A WHOLE NOTHER LEVEL. THANK YOU SO MUCH [APPLAUSE] .

THANK YOU. THANKS. APPRECIATE IT.

[BOARD ACTION]

FOR THOSE ATTENDING IN PERSON, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.

FOR OUR REMOTE ATTENDEES, PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND FEATURE ON ZOOM OR PRESS STAR NINE IF YOU'RE CALLING BY PHONE TO BETTER FACILITATE THE MEETING AND ENSURE FAIRNESS.

WE WILL START WITH FIVE SPEAKERS IN PERSON, FOLLOWED BY FIVE REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

[00:20:05]

PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH BOTH ITEMS REQUIRE A 4/5 VOTE.

AT THIS TIME. I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 15 AND 16.

SEEING NOBODY PRESENT WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CHECK WITH THE REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 15 AND 16 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

IF NOT, I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.

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

ITEM 17 THROUGH 28. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

ITEM 17 THROUGH 28. SEEING NOBODY PRESENT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. CHAIR. WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICE ITEM 17 AND 28 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

IS THERE? I SEE NOBODY IN THE QUEUE. I HAVE THE MOTION SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA WHO MADE THE MOTION? I MADE IT, IT WAS UP THERE. DISAPPEARED. I DID SEE IT, YES.

DID YOU PUSH IT TWICE? MAYBE 3 OR 4 TIMES. I WAS TRYING TO GET IN.

OKAY. MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE HEALTH. ITEMS 29 AND 30.

AT THIS TIME. I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS 29 AND 30.

SEEING NO COMMENTS PRESENT, WE WILL CHECK WITH REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR HEALTH ITEMS 29 AND 30 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

NOBODY IN THE QUEUE. I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE.

LET'S RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

ITEMS 31 AND 32. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS 31 AND 32.

SEEING NO COMMENTS PRESENT, I WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THANK YOU. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS 31 AND 32 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

SEEING NOBODY IN THE QUEUE, I WILL. WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

WE'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. ITEM 33. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY ITEM NUMBER 33. SEEING NOBODY PRESENT WANTS TO MAKE A COMMENT.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. CHAIR. WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY ITEM 33 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

UNLESS OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS COMMENTS YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE ON THIS ITEM. IF NOT, I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE.

RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES. NEXT WE HAVE LIBRARY ITEM 34.

AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR LIBRARY ITEM NUMBER 34.

[00:25:02]

MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR LIBRARY ITEM NUMBER 34 IS NOW CLOSED.

BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. I SEE NOBODY IN THE QUEUE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION HERE.

WE WILL. OKAY, I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. LET'S CALL FOR THE VOTE.

RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES. NEXT WE HAVE TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR.

ITEMS 35 AND 36. WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE COMMENT BEFORE THE PUBLIC COMMENT? YES. OKAY. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. BOARD. OF COURSE CEO AND COUNTY COUNCIL REGARDING THE APPLICATION FOR RELIEF OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

JUST TO CLARIFY ANY CONFUSION, ESPECIALLY LAST YEAR.

ALL OF THIS DEBT IS DISCHARGED AND HELD IN A PENDING FILE IN [INAUDIBLE].

IF SOMEONE'S GOING TO CLOSE AN ESCROW AND WE HAVE A DEMAND LETTER, ALL OF THAT OLD STALE DEBT IS REQUESTED FOR PAYMENT PENALTIES AND INTEREST FIRST.

SO I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT IT'S NOT A [INAUDIBLE].

OF COURSE, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DON'T WANT ME TO SPEAK, BUT IT'S NOT A DISCHARGE OF THE DEBT.

AUTOMATICALLY IT IS TO ASSIST THE AUDITOR COMPTROLLER TO HAVE RECEIVABLES REPORTED IN THE ANNUAL ACT FOR CORRECTLY NOT OVERSTATING THEM.

AND OF COURSE, THERE IS HOPE THAT WE DO COLLECT ON THIS DATE.

THE LIENS ARE RE RECORDED UP TO 30 YEARS EVERY TEN YEARS.

SO JUST THAT'S JUST A CLARIFYING POINT. SOMETIMES THESE NUMBERS ARE HUGE BECAUSE OF THE AIRCRAFT THAT WE HAD DISCHARGED IN THE PAST YEARS.

BUT I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY TO CLARIFY THAT. SO THERE'S NO MIS CONCEPTION THAT THIS DEBT IS GONE FOREVER.

WE DO HOPE TO COLLECT IT. AND UNLESS THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR ANNUAL MANDATED TAX AUCTION, I'LL JUST DEFER TO ANY QUESTIONS OR THE PUBLIC.

OKAY. THANK YOU. NO QUESTIONS HERE AT THE DAIS.

SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR ITEMS 35 AND 36.

NO COMMENTS HERE. SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CHECK FOR THE REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THANK YOU. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR ITEMS 35 AND 36 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.

ITEM 37. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE ITEM NUMBER 37.

SEEING NOBODY HERE PRESENT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THANK YOU. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE ITEM 37 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES. NEXT WE HAVE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

ITEMS 38 AND 39. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ITEMS 38 AND 39.

SEEING NO COMMENTS HERE LOCALLY, WE'LL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ITEM 38 AND 39 IS NOW CLOSED.

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR PEDROZO. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. ITEM 38 IS IS A REQUEST TO USE DISTRICT PROJECT FUNDS FOR GRAFFITI ABATEMENT IN DISTRICT TWO.

THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE DONE BEFORE. AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU ACTUALLY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT YOU DO IN YOUR DISTRICT. AND I THINK IT'S BEEN WORKING REALLY WELL.

[00:30:02]

THANK YOU. I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS? IF NOT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE.

RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

ITEM 40. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

ITEM 40. SEEING NOBODY HERE LOCALLY WE WILL GO AHEAD AND CHECK FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE REMOTE PORTION. MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

ITEM 40 IS NOW CLOSED. WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

IF NOT, I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.

[BOARD INFORMATION & POSSIBLE ACTION]

SEEING NO COMMENTS HERE, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CHECK FOR REMOTE COMMENTS.

MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY IN THE QUEUE.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD INFO ITEM NUMBER 41 IS NOW CLOSED.

WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS.

IF NOT, I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES. A LITTLE WONKY. NOT BAD. DO WE HAVE ANY PARTICIPANTS REMOTELY FOR THIS MEETING? MISTER CHAIR, WE HAVE PARTICIPANTS, BUT NOBODY IN THE QUEUE TO SPEAK.

OH. VERY GOOD. THAT'S GOOD. I'M GLAD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACCESS PEOPLE LIKE THAT.

[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]

THANK YOU, MISTER CHAIR. YEAH. JUST A FEW THINGS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS SINCE WE LAST MET.

OUR SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA COUNTIES.

WE HAD OUR HYBRID MEETING HERE AT THE COUNTY BUILDING, STILL WORKING ON ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY PERTAINING TO THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY. ALWAYS. THERE'S ALWAYS A FEW NEW THINGS SUPPORTING SOME STUFF THAT OUR COLLEAGUES DOWN IN KERN COUNTY ARE DEALING WITH.

ALSO TALKING WITH OUR FRIENDS UP IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY POTENTIALLY IS THE STATE KEEPS GIVING COUNTIES UNFUNDED MANDATES.

I THINK THAT THERE'S MORE AND MORE GROWING PRESSURE TO PUSH BACK ON, ON THE STATE.

AND I KNOW THAT THE FOLKS IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THAT, I THINK AS WELL AS MERCED COUNTY REALLY COOL EVENT THAT THE PG&E HELICOPTER, THE BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER THAT'S NOW OUT AT CASTLE, THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH PG&E AND THEY USE THAT IT'S AN ON CALL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT FOR FIRES.

AND AS PART OF US HOSTING IT THERE, WE'RE ABLE TO, WE GET SO MANY HOURS A YEAR THAT WE'RE ABLE TO USE IT ON LOCAL RESPONSES.

AND I THINK WE APPROVED THAT CONTRACT. AND IT WASN'T SHORTLY.

IT WAS SHORTLY AFTER THAT THAT WE ACTUALLY UTILIZED IT. SO I WANT TO THANK OUR FRIENDS AT CAL FIRE FOR HELPING SECURE THAT THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OUT THERE.

REALLY, IT'S FOR STATE FIRES, BUT WE ALSO GET ACCESS TO IT IF IT'S AVAILABLE LOCALLY.

I ALSO PARTICIPATED ON THE CSAC CHILD CARE WORKING GROUP.

AND SO IT'S JUST A GROUP OF COUNTY SUPERVISORS FROM UP AND DOWN THE STATE THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ON CHILD CARE AND WHAT IT'S DOING.

ONE OF THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THE TK TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM THAT THE STATE HAS REQUIRED NOW IS THAT THAT TAKES BODIES THAT USED TO FILL THESE CHILD CARE CENTERS AND PUTS THEM THEY'RE IN SCHOOL.

SO THEY'RE REALLY DEALING WITH SOME OF THESE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WHO ARE USED TO HAVING THAT, THAT REVENUE OF HAVING THOSE FOUR YEAR OLDS IN THEIR SYSTEMS, AND NOW THAT'S GONE.

THEY'RE IN A SCHOOL. AND SO THEY'RE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THAT.

THERE'S SOME CREATIVE THINGS THAT COUNTIES THAT ARE A LOT WEALTHIER THAN MERCED COUNTY ARE, ARE DOING TO TRY TO HELP OFFSET THAT. AND SO THE CONCLUSION OF THAT WORKING GROUP WILL HAPPEN.

[00:35:06]

AND THEN JUST MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE EXACT, I KIND OF READ OVER SB 707, BUT IS THERE A WAY THAT INSTEAD OF HEATHER HAVING TO TELL US THAT THERE'S NO ONE IN THE QUEUE AFTER EVERY DEAL, IS THAT CAN WE PUT LIKE A LITTLE LIGHT RIGHT THERE? THAT WHERE ELSE? IF THERE WAS SOMEBODY, THEN SHE JUST LIKE FLIPS ON A LITTLE LIGHT VERSUS HAVING TO READ THAT EVERY TIME.

I DON'T KNOW, IS THAT IS THAT POSSIBLE? LIKE A DECODER FLASHLIGHT? WELL, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU CALL IT, BUT JUST A LITTLE LIGHT THAT WOULD JUST IF THERE'S SOMEBODY THEN THEN THE CHAIR WOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S SOMEBODY ON THERE.

IF THERE'S NOT NO LIGHT ON, THEN WE PROCEED ON.

OKAY, I KNOW THIS IS ALL KIND OF NEW FOR FOR ALL OF US HAVING REMOTE PARTICIPATION, WHICH I DON'T, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A BAD THING. IT'S JUST IT IT'S A LITTLE WONKY, BUT I GUESS IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING USED TO IT.

BUT MAYBE THAT'S JUST A SUGGESTION FOR NEXT TIME. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU.

WANT TO CHAIR RECOGNIZE SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW, BUT THE JUNIOR GIANTS PROGRAM IN WINTON A COUPLE OF THREE WEEKS AGO HAD A SHOOTING AT THE PARK WHILE THEIR PRACTICES WERE HAPPENING.

AND, AND SO THE THE COMMUNITY WAS PRETTY, PRETTY SCARED ABOUT GOING BACK TO THE PARK.

AND SO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS AND MYSELF, ALONG WITH KELLY THOMAS AND SUSAN OCHOA, WHO ARE THE DIRECTORS OF OF THAT PROGRAM, HAD A COMMUNITY MEETING.

THE WYNNTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLOWED US TO USE THEIR GYM.

AND ANYWAYS, IT WAS JUST I JUST WANT TO THANK ESSO AND PUBLIC WORKS FOR SHOWING UP TO THAT MEETING.

I THINK KIND OF ALLEVIATING A LOT OF FEARS THAT THAT PARENTS HAD.

AND THE PROGRAM IS CONTINUING. A LOT OF, LOT OF PARENTS WEREN'T GOING TO COME BACK.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO, YOU KNOW, WHENEVER, WHENEVER WE HAVE A TRAGEDY LIKE THAT, IT'S HOW WE RESPOND DEFINES OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS FOR THAT.

I TOO ATTENDED THE KIND OF THE OPEN HOUSE FOR THE BLACK HAWK FIREFIGHTING HELICOPTER THAT WAS BASICALLY LOANED TO TO MERCED COUNTY BY PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC AND, AND WHAT A GREAT RESOURCE THAT CAN RESPOND SO QUICKLY.

ALSO WITH PG&E I TOURED THEIR DIABLO CANYON POWER PLANT.

IT'S THEIR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT THAT IS OVER NEAR AVILA BEACH.

AND ONE ONE THING THAT YOU KNOW, THAT YOU THINK, WELL, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THAT MAKE TO MERCED COUNTY? BUT UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE THAT IT HAS TO THE GRID IN CALIFORNIA BRINGS THAT VALUE RIGHT HERE TO US.

AND SO ANYWAYS, I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THAT TOUR.

AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU, I LEARNED THIS ON THE TOUR AND I'LL SHARE IT.

WHEN THE THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT LEAKED AND EXPLODED AND, AND PUT NUCLEAR MATERIAL IN THE AIR IN JAPAN AFTER THE TSUNAMI, IT FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLING SYSTEM TO KEEP THE REACTOR COOL FAILED.

AND SO THEN IT BASICALLY MELTED. BUT WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THE AMOUNT OF MATERIAL THAT WAS RELEASED IS ACTUALLY AT THAT SITE WITHIN, WITHIN, ONCE YOU GOT ABOUT A MILE AWAY WAS ACTUALLY LESS THAT NATURALLY OCCURS IN THE ENVIRONMENT.

SO AS BAD AS IT DID SOUND, THE IMPACT AND THE DAMAGE WAS QUITE LESS THAN KIND OF THE MEDIA MADE IT SOUND.

DIABLO CANYON HAS FIVE SYSTEMS THAT ARE IN LINE TO COOL THAT PLANT.

SO IF THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE A TSUNAMI, WHICH, YOU KNOW, THE, THEIR, THEIR PLANT IS 85 TO 140FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL.

SO CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING ARE NIL. BUT SAY SOMETHING WERE A DISASTER WERE TO HAPPEN.

AND THE MAIN SYSTEM THAT COOLS THAT REACTOR DOWN FAILED.

THERE'S FOUR OTHER SYSTEMS. AND THE FINAL ONE IS, IS 5.5 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER THAT ARE PERCHED IN A LAKE UP ABOVE THE SYSTEM THAT A VALVE MANUALLY COULD BE OPENED AND THAT WATER WOULD RUN THROUGH THE PLANT AND COOL IT DOWN.

SO ANYWAYS, I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.

IT PRODUCES 10% OF THE POWER IN CALIFORNIA. AND SO YOU KNOW, IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED IN 2025.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM QUICKLY REALIZED THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE NOT ONLY ROLLING BLACKOUTS, BUT COULD BE SOME PERMANENT BLACKOUTS IN CALIFORNIA.

AND HE PUT TOGETHER LEGISLATION THAT KEPT THE PLANT OPEN.

THEY THEY ARE RELICENSED TO 2045 WITH THE FEDS.

HOWEVER, THE STATE, THEY ONLY HAVE A LICENSE UNTIL 2030.

AND THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO GIVE THEM TO 2025 AS AN EXTENSION.

[00:40:07]

AND THEN YOU CAN SPRAY IT ON THE GROUND, KILLS WEEDS.

REALLY KIND OF NEAT. FIRST NEW BUSINESS TO HAPPEN IN DELHI IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I THINK REALLY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A A BUSINESS THAT WOULD, YOU KNOW WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW, REALLY PROVIDE THE ABILITY FOR FARMERS, BOTH ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONALLY TO USE A NON HERBICIDE AS A WEED CONTROL. AND SO JUST KIND OF EXCITING.

I THINK IT HAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL AND SOMEDAY MAYBE I WOULD THINK WILL BE KIND OF CALM AND EVERYBODY IN THE AG INDUSTRY WILL KNOW THIS PROCESS AND PROBABLY UTILIZE IT AS WELL. I ATTENDED THE ATWATER AND GUSTIN INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVITIES SATURDAY AND BOTH WERE, WERE PHENOMENAL EVENTS. THE ATWATER PARADE, I THINK HAD 89 ENTRIES AND GUSTIN HAD ABOUT 40. AND THEN OF COURSE AFTERWARDS THERE WAS FUND HAD BY ALL AND BOTH.

BOTH TOWNS HAD FIREWORKS AND WERE WELL ATTENDED.

SO THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU. CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I HAVE QUITE A LOT HERE SINCE WE MET A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I'D BE ABLE TO SAY THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO AS A SUPERVISOR IS ATTEND A SWEARING IN FOR A DOG.

PARKER THE DOG, THE DAS VICTIM DOG. IT WAS A REALLY COOL EVENT.

AND SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR YOU KNOW, BRINGING THAT ON BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO HER, HER WORK OVER THERE. I ATTENDED THE RURAL ACTION, NACO'S RURAL ACTION CAUCUS MEETING, AS WELL AS THE NACO AG AND RURAL AFFAIRS MEETING.

I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY LAST WEEK TO GO TO THE MERCY MEDICAL FOUNDATION DOES A WELCOMING RECEPTION FOR NEW DOCTORS THAT ARE COMING IN TO KIND OF HELP THEM STAY IN THE AREA AND SHOW LIKE THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT. I ALSO ATTENDED THE ATWATER FEED GROUNDBREAKING, SOMETHING THAT IS THREE YEARS WITHIN DUE. AND THEN ANOTHER REALLY COOL THING THAT I GOT TO ATTEND LAST WEEK.

THE MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION HAS A PROGRAM FOR TRANSITIONAL TRANSITIONAL ADULTS, SPECIAL ED STUDENTS FROM 18 TO 22, AND THEY GO THROUGH THE EL CAPITAN HOTEL AND THE [INAUDIBLE] MAINZER, AND THEY TEACH THEM VOCATIONAL HOUSEKEEPING PROGRAM.

SO I WAS ABLE TO GO AND RECOGNIZE THOSE STUDENTS, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS THE, THE AMOUNT OF JUST JOY THAT THEY HAD JUST BY COMPLETING THAT PROGRAM WAS IT WAS AMAZING. I ALSO ATTENDED THE CONTOUR AIRLINES INAUGURAL FLIGHT AT MERCED AIRPORT.

I TOO ATTENDED THE ATWATER PARADE. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK THE CITY OF MERCED, ESPECIALLY THE MAYOR AND THE SUNRISE ROTARY FOR THEIR WHAT THEY DID BY PUTTING THE FLAGS UP AROUND MERCED. I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY COOL TO HAVE THEM LOCATED THERE IN TOWN.

AND THEN. WHAT'S THAT? INCLUDING AT THE BEAR, THE MAYOR SAID THEY MADE IT LOOK VERY PRESIDENTIAL, SO IT WAS REALLY COOL. AND SPEAKING OF THE BEAR.

SO WE'VE BEEN ASKED QUITE A BIT LATELY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE NAME OF THE BEAR IS GOING TO BE AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.

SO THE NAMING COMMITTEE CAME UP OR MET YESTERDAY WITH A LIST OF OVER 600 NAMES THAT WERE SUBMITTED.

AND IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE AS IT WASN'T HEATED, BUT IT WAS BACK AND FORTH. AND I THINK I THINK WE PICKED A REALLY GOOD NAME AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'LL EXPLAIN HERE IN JUST A MINUTE.

WE WENT WITH THE NAME OF HENRY. HENRY, BECAUSE IT BRIDGES TWO GAPS OR IT BRIDGES TO THE EAST SIDE AND THE WEST SIDE.

CHARLES HENRY HUFFMAN IS A WELL KNOWN PIONEER IN THE CITY OF MERCED, BUT HE WENT BY THE NAME OF HENRY.

AND THEN YOU HAVE HENRY MILLER, WHO'S THE PIONEER IN LOS BANOS.

AND SO IT KIND OF RECOGNIZES OUR HERITAGE. AND SO IT'S HENRY THE BEAR, AND WE'LL HAVE A CEREMONY OUT THERE AT SOME POINT IN TIME.

BUT I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DID. I'M VERY PROUD OF THE COMMUNITY FOR THE NAME SUBMITTED.

I MEAN, SOME OF THEM WERE, IT WAS REALLY HARD BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD ONES. AND THEN THERE WAS SOME REALLY BAD ONES, BUT I'M, I KIND OF HAVE A DIFFERENT SENSE OF HUMOR.

AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE NAMES WAS MATT FROM ACCOUNTING.

I THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN KIND OF COOL, BUT WE DIDN'T GO THAT DIRECTION.

[00:45:04]

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COUNTY COUNCIL CEO. NOTHING, SIR.

WELL VERY GOOD. THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING FOR THE SUPERVISORS WILL BE HELD AT 10 A.M.

[POSSIBLE DIRECTION FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]

MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.