Jan 14, 2020 Board Meeting

[00:00:01]

GOOD MORNING. I WOULD LIKE TO RECONVENE THE

[Call to Order]

WE DID HAVE A CLOSED SESSION THIS MORNING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION.

AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE HUB WALSH FROM THE CREEKSIDE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH DO THE INVOCATION, AND IF SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA WOULD LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE AFTER THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE TODAY WITH THE INVOCATION.

I'M GOING TO PROPOSE TO SHARE A COUPLE OF VERSES OF SCRIPTURE.

FIRST OUT OF MICAH, IT SAYS, "HE HAS SHOWN YOU WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU TO ACT JUSTLY, TO LOVE MERCY, TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD." THE OTHER VERSE IS IN JEREMIAH.

JEREMIAH 29. COME ON.

MIRACLE OF ELECTRONICS.

"FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD.

PLANS TO PROSPER YOU, NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND FUTURE.

THEN YOU WILL CALL ON ME AND COME AND PRAY TO ME AND I WILL LISTEN TO YOU." SO TODAY, FATHER, WE ASK YOU THAT WE CLAIM THIS ASSISTANCE, WE CLAIM THESE PROMISES.

WE ASK FOR GUIDANCE FOR THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS, STAFF, AS THEY SEEK DIRECTION ON THE CHALLENGES FACING THE COUNTY.

WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE ASSIST THE BOARD AND STAFF AS YOU WANT TO GUIDE AND DIRECT THE EFFORTS, AND TO MOVE THE COUNTY FORWARD.

WE ASK YOU SPECIFICALLY TODAY TO BE WITH THEM AS THEY SELECT THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR THIS COMING YEAR.

WE LIFT UP THE DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 4, AND 5, AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENTS THAT SERVE IN THOSE DISTRICTS, AND THE UNIQUE ISSUES FACING THEM.

WE ASK YOU, FATHER, TO ASSIST THEM AND GUIDE THEM.

AGAIN, WE ASKED YOUR WILL AND DIRECTION FOR THE PLANS THAT ARE IN PLACE IN THE COUNTY AND THOSE THAT ARE BEING DEVELOPED.

GOD BLESS THIS MEETING, BLESS THE SUPERVISORS AND THE COUNTY STAFF, AND YOUR WILL BE DONE, IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

AMEN. [NOISE] [BACKGROUND].

CAN YOU JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE, PLEASE.

MR. WALSH, THANK YOU SO KINDLY FOR THOSE WORDS, AND FOR THE AUDIENCE, ANYBODY THAT MIGHT BE NEW TO US, HUB WALSH WAS A PAST SUPERVISOR FOR A DISTRICT 2 HERE AT MERCED, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

IT'S NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANY

[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

ANYBODY WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

GOOD MORNING.

HELLO.

IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU ALL TODAY, AND I AM HERE TO INVITE EVERY ONE OF YOU AND EVERYONE FROM THE COMMUNITY OF MERCED.

MY NAME IS JAMILA [INAUDIBLE] , I'M WITH THE GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CENTERS, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED THAT WE'RE OPENING A BRAND NEW HOME, A NEW MEDICAL HOME FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME AND GET THEIR HEALTH NEEDS MET.

IT'S GOING TO BE OUR GRAND OPENING, IT'S GOING TO BE ON THURSDAY JANUARY 16TH, AND IT IS AT OUR NEWEST NORTH VIEW HEALTH CENTER, AND THIS IS LOCATED AT 3940 SANDPIPER AVENUE, RIGHT ACROSS FROM MERCED DIGNITY HEALTH HOSPITAL, AND IT STARTS AT 12:00.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE AND THE COMMUNITY TO COME AND CELEBRATE.

WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY VARIOUS DIFFERENT SERVICES OFFERED THERE, INCLUDING AN URGENT CARE THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

SO THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

[00:05:02]

HELLO. GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

I'M ROSANNA CERVANTES, I'M A HOME CARE PROVIDER.

I'VE BEEN CARING FOR MY SON WHO'S SEVERELY AUTISTIC IN THE SPECTRUM DISORDER.

I'M A HOME-CARE PROVIDER, AS WELL AS MY FELLOW MEMBERS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW THAT WE YOU WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF YOU GIVE US A WAGE INCREASE AND BENEFITS, AND IT WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT US AND THE COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME. THANK YOU.

[NOISE] HELLO, GOOD MORNING.

HELLO.

HI. MY NAME IS KATHY COLEMAN AND I AM A HOME CARE PROVIDER FOR A NON-FAMILY MEMBER.

I'M HERE TODAY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE WORK WE DO DOES NOT WORTH MORE THAN JUST 35 CENTS.

WE DO THE WORK THAT A LICENSED CARE PROVIDER DOES.

ALSO, WE DO A RANGE OF WORK AND TAXES THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

EVEN WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND TAKE THEM TO DOCTORS, AND TO THEIR FACILITIES, AND WE ALSO HAVE TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THEM AS WELL.

WE HAVE TO PAY BILLS, WE HAVE FAMILIES TOO AS WELL.

THE PG&E, THE RENT INCREASE IS GOING SKY HIGH, AND WE ASK IF YOU CAN GIVE US AN 80 CENTS RAISE TO HELP US TO MAINTAIN THE JOB AND THE STABILITY THAT WE NEED TO BE A HOME CARE PROVIDER, AND BE GOOD AT WHAT WE DO.

I THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

CHAIRMAN LLOYD PAREIRA.

MY NAME IS PAUL H. GARCIA.

I AM A RESIDENT OF DELHI.

I REALLY WANT TO THANK GOD IN ORDER TO SEE ALL OF YOU GUYS HERE, AND WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND GET READY TO START THE YEAR, AND HOPE THAT YOU WOULD HEAR THESE PEOPLE TODAY, OF THE CRY OF THEIR NEEDS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND THE COUNTY OF MERCED.

I'M HERE ALSO AS WELL WITH THE CONCERNS IN REGARDS TO THE HOMELESS.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

I HOPE THAT THIS COUNTY WOULD BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF GETTING SOMETHING DONE HERE, ESPECIALLY IN DELHI, AND OTHER LITTLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES IN THIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HEARING ME.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

MY NAME IS FERNANDO AGUILERA, I'M THE PRESIDENT OF MERCED [INAUDIBLE] ACADEMY, AND A BUSINESS OWNER, AND A RESIDENCE FOR MERCED.

I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR TOY GIVEAWAY, THAT IT WAS LAST DECEMBER ON THE 22ND.

IT WAS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.

I WANT TO SHARE, WE GIVE AWAY OVER 2,000 TOYS, 1,500 HOTDOGS, 20 GALLONS OF HOT CHOCOLATE.

I MEAN, THE WEATHER, IT WAS NOT GOOD, BUT WE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I WANT TO THANK ALL THE SUPPORTERS, ALL THE COMMUNITY, RODRIGO ESPINOZA.

I WANT TO THANK JEAN COSTA, RICKY AGUILERA, THAT IS RUNNING FOR SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 2.

I WANT TO THANK THE ATTORNEY CARLOS FUENTES, CHRIS VITELLI, THE PRESIDENT OF MERCED COLLEGE, STEVE EUGENE, SUPERINTENDENT [INAUDIBLE] , MERCED POLICE DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF MERCED.

I WANT TO THANK BUSINESSES LIKE [INAUDIBLE] FURNITURE, AGUILERA SATELLITES, MERCED [FOREIGN].

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, IT WAS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.

THANK YOU AGAIN, SUPERVISOR RODRIGO ESPINOZA, FOR YOUR DONATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[00:10:03]

GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS KATRINA [INAUDIBLE] FROM DELHI, MY BROTHER RANDY.

I'VE TAKEN CARE OF HIM SINCE '07, AND TRUST ME, IT'S NOT EASY, [LAUGHTER] BUT I WOULD NEVER PUT HIM IN A HOME OR NOTHING LIKE THAT.

I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW COME IT'S TAKEN SO LONG FOR US TO GET A RAISE IN BENEFITS BECAUSE WE DO THE EXACT SAME THING AS A LOT OF NURSES AND DOCTORS, AND KIND OF SERVED IN DOCTOR PART, LIKE ALL NURSES.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I WAS 17 YEARS OLD.

I'M NEARLY TURNED 58 AND THAT'S JUST ONE JOB I LOVE BECAUSE IF WASN'T FOR MY SISTER-IN-LAW, I WOULDN'T HAVE GOT INTO IT.

BECAUSE SHE USED TO BE A NURSE AND A LOT OF US DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE.

I WORKED OUT AT THE CAREGIVING AND EVERYTHING.

I WORKED AT K-MART BUT THAT JUST [INAUDIBLE] SERIES, AND SO I THINK DEEP DOWN WAS TELLING ME TO GO BACK TO CAREGIVING BECAUSE I ALWAYS GOT TOLD WHEN I WAS LITTLE, I HAVE A VERY SPECIAL HEART FOR PEOPLE [NOISE] AND YOU KNOW THAT WHAT I'VE DONE FOR CHRISTMAS, WE COULDN'T REALLY AFFORD IT.

IF IT WASN'T FOR MORTGAGE DONATIONS LIKE THAT, WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ANYTHING WHEN WE WERE KIDS AND EVERYTHING AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US, THE SAME WITH LIKE TOYS FOR TOTS, WE DO IT EVERY YEAR.

THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE I SAID CAN'T AFFORD IT BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM, WE WOULDN'T HAD NOTHING AND JUST NOT ME, IT'S ALL OF US.

IT'S HAS BEEN, MR. [INAUDIBLE] KNOWS HOW BAD DELHI IS WHEN IT COMES SPEEDING DOWN 24 AND 25 ZONE.

THEY RAISE AND EVERYTHING.

WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE HOMELESS IF WE CAN'T FIND ANOTHER HOUSE BECAUSE OUR LANDLORD RAISED OUR RENT FROM 700 TO 1,300.

IT'S A TWO-BEDROOM AND TRUST ME, IT'S NOT WORTH 1,300 AND EVERYTHING.

SO WE NEED TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE OR WE'RE GOING TO BE HOMELESS.

EVERYBODY SAYS IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE DOGS, YOU USE THE PAYMENT, I'M FINE WITH THAT.

BUT LIKE I TELL EVERYBODY, I'M NOT GETTING RID OF MY BABIES BECAUSE THEY ARE THERAPY FOR HIM AND EVERYTHING, SO THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS ALICIA RODRIGUEZ I'M FROM PLANADA-LE GRAND AREA.

I'M GOING TO KEEP THIS THREE MINUTES SHORT.

I'M GOING TO LET YOU KNOW THIS PROBABLY ONE OF THE 10 TOP THINGS I'VE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE TO BE BRAVE AND TO SPEAK OUT ON.

I DON'T RESPECT RESPONSE BECAUSE I KNOW I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO.

I APPRECIATE WITH RESPECT OF ATTENTION THOUGH I HAD BEEN ATTENDING THE MAT MEETINGS.

I'M GOING TO READ THIS, OKAY? FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS, SOME I HAVE SERVED ON THE PLANADA MAT BOARD.

THE MAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT A COUNCIL THAT CAN ADVISE THE DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON SUCH MATTERS AS RELATE TO THAT AREA CONCERNING STORIES LIKE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY WELFARE, PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING DURING THE PLANNING.

WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION AT THESE MEETINGS, A RESIDENT SHOULD NOT GET A DIGNIFIED RESPONSE FROM ELECTED BOARD SUPERVISOR.

IT SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE, THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR TO FEEL HUMILIATED, THAT ISN'T THE PURPOSE OF THESE MEETINGS FOR THE PUBLIC.

THE DISTRICT SUPERVISOR SHOULD NOT BEHAVE IN THIS UNWANTED MANNER.

IT IS NOT GOOD ETHICS.

I KNOW THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WOULDN'T CONDONE THIS KIND OF CONDUCT.

BUT WHAT ESPINOZA LIKES TO TELL US THAT OTHER BOARD SUPERVISORS DOESN'T SUPPORT THE COMMITTEE.

I BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY.

HIS WORDS THAT HE CHOOSES TO USE AT THESE MEETINGS ARE OFFENSIVE, UNINVITING, AND UNWELCOME AND HAS HIS WAY OF WANTING TO EMBARRASS ME IN PUBLIC, SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE.

I SHOULDN'T FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT TELLING MY RIGHT TO ATTEND MY COMMUNITY MEETINGS BECAUSE HE CHOOSES HIS WAY. I'M SO SORRY.

[00:15:01]

BUT HE CHOOSES, I'M SO NERVOUS, I SHOULDN'T FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT THE RIGHT TO ATTEND THEM COMMITTEE MEETINGS BECAUSE HE CHOOSES HIS WAY OF DEGRADING MY CHARACTER.

A DISTRICT SUPERVISOR BUT IS IT REPRESENTATIVE OF MERCED COUNTY SHOULD MAKE ME FEEL LIKE THIS WAY IN THESE MEETINGS.

I FIND THEM TO BE AS HOSTILE AND INTIMIDATING AND I HAD BEEN DOCUMENTING SEVERAL OFFENSES AND SINCE IT HAD TAKE IN PLACE SINCE SUPERVISOR HAS TAKEN IN POSITION AND THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH.

I DON'T WANT HIS UNWANTED BEHAVIOR TOWARDS ME AND THE LAST INCIDENT TOOK PLACE LAST WEEK FOR HIM TO MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS REGARDING MY WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT I HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR AND WHAT I HAVE DONE IS TO HAVE BROUGHT ME HERE TODAY.

HIM BEING DISHONEST AT THESE MEETINGS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.

I AM HERE TO SAY IT PUBLICLY, MR. ESPINOZA, BUT I WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR ANY MORE.

ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSED THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

NEXT WE HAVE A NOMINATION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE YEAR 2020.

[NOMINATION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE YEAR 2020]

MR. CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, GOOD MORNING.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHERE YOUR FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR IS WHERE THE BOARD ELECTS THE UPCOMING YEARS, CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR.

THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THE NOMINATIONS HAD BEEN DONE IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

BOARDS HAVE DONE THEM BY THE SLATE WHERE TOGETHER THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR, THEY'VE DONE THEM SEPARATELY.

IT'S REALLY UP TO YOU AS A BOARD OF HOW YOU WANT TO APPROACH THAT PROCESS.

SO IF THERE'S REALLY NO QUESTIONS, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND JUST KEEP GOING WITH IT AND MOVE FORWARD.

SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN UP THE NOMINATIONS FOR YOUR 2020 CHAIR AND/OR VICE-CHAIR.

WE HAVE A SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

MR. BROWN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IN CARRYING ON WITH TRADITION HERE AT MERCED COUNTY AND GOING BY THE DISTRICTS, I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MY DISTINGUISHED FRIEND IN DISTRICT 1 TO BE THE CHAIRMAN AND MY FRIEND IN DISTRICT NUMBER 2 TO BE THE VICE-CHAIRMAN.

OKAY. WE HAVE A NOMINATION ON THE FLOOR FOR SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA AS CHAIR AND SUPERVISOR LOR AS VICE CHAIR.

SEEING NO OTHER, WE'LL CLOSE.

WE SHOULD ASK FOR A SECOND.

OH, OKAY. THANK YOU.

SORRY, IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND.

OKAY.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA.

NOW WE'LL GO CALL FOR THE QUESTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE.

ANY IN OPPOSITION, SIGNIFY WITH NO.

SAYING NONE CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA AS THE 2020 CHAIRMAN AND SUPERVISOR LOWE AS VICE CHAIR FOR 2020.

THANK YOU SUPERVISOR PEREIRA FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THROUGH 2019.

SO AT THIS POINT, WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR SOME COMMENTS.

THANK YOU, MR. BROWN. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE AS YOUR CHAIRMAN.

BEFORE I BECAME CHAIRMAN, I DIDN'T REALIZE ALL THE RESPONSIBILITIES.

HOWEVER, IT'S JUST BEEN A PLEASURE.

I GET INVITED TO GO PLACES ON YOUR BEHALF AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, AND ALSO TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY.

I HOPE THAT I'VE EARNED YOUR RESPECT AND HONOR OVER THAT TIME.

I TRIED TO GO AND DO AND BE VERY PROFESSIONAL, AND SHOW THAT THE COUNTY CARES AND IS COMPASSIONATE, AS WELL AS HAS FUNCTIONS THAT WE MUST DELIVER TO THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY.

I HAVE DONE A VIDEO THAT'S A YEAR-END REVIEW, AND I WON'T BORE YOU WITH ALL OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE, BUT WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN A LOT OF AREAS, AND SOME OF THEM ARE NEW AREAS THAT REALLY WE'VE JUST WORKED ON THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT I FEEL PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF,

[00:20:01]

IN THE AREA OF HOMELESSNESS, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, I GUESS, IN THE COMMUNITY ON HOW WE DEAL WITH HOMELESS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS.

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS ARE THAT AS A COUNTY, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AS MANDATED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND WE PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.

AS YOU KNOW, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS HAVE ISSUES THAT KEEP THEM FROM FUNCTIONING NORMALLY IN SOCIETY.

SOME WOULD CALL THOSE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES, SOME WILL CALL THEM LIFE CHOICE ISSUES, AND THERE'S A MYRIAD OF WHAT YOU COULD SAY THERE AND WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD.

MY BELIEF IS THAT AS FUNCTIONING CITIZENS, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN US, AND HELP THEM TO GET INTO A BETTER SPOT.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, SOME OF THE STUFF THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, OR I HOPE THAT WE WILL DO LATER IN THIS MEETING, ALTHOUGH IT DOES HELP THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS, IT ALSO HELPS THE REST OF US RECAPTURE AND REGAIN THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES WE HAVE TO USE OUR COMMUNITIES.

AS YOU DRIVE AROUND MERCED, IT'S VERY EASY TO SEE PEOPLE LIVING HOW THEY SHOULDN'T BE LIVING, AND ACTING AND BEHAVING IN WAYS THAT ARE UNBECOMING OF A CITIZEN IN MERCED COUNTY.

I THINK THAT THIS DIRECTION THAT WE'RE TAKING WILL GIVE US THE TOOLS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MERCED COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.

I GUESS WE HELP THE HOMELESS, BUT WE ALSO HELP OURSELVES AND OUR COLLEAGUES.

IN ANOTHER, I GUESS, SIGNIFICANT AREA THAT WE'VE MADE IMPROVEMENTS ON IN THE PAST YEAR AND SEVERAL YEARS, ARE ROADS CONDITIONS.

I MADE A FACEBOOK POST IN A COMMUNITY THAT I SERVE OF 11000 PEOPLE, OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS NEXT YEAR.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS MET WITH A "WELL, YEAH, THAT'S GOOD, BUT YOU'RE NOT DOING THIS AND YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT.

WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THIS? THAT'S MONEY NOT WELL-SPENT." SO EVERYBODY, I GUESS FOR AN ANALOGY, IS AN ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK, AND THAT'S NOT JUST IN FOOTBALL, IT'S IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

SO AT FIRST, IT HURT MY FEELINGS, REALLY, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT ALL MY COMMUNITIES AND I'M TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BUT ANYWAYS, I WAS AT A RIBBON-CUTTING FOR HEAD START YESTERDAY IN DELHI, AND A FRIEND OF MINE AND I WERE HAVING A DISCUSSION AND HE SAID THAT, WHAT WE'RE DOING AS MUCH AS ANYTHING IS TRYING TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S PERCEPTIONS OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITY.

SO THAT GAVE ME A RENEWED ENTHUSIASM.

SO WE'LL WORK ON ROADS AND STREETS GOING FORWARD WITH THE SAME ENTHUSIASM THAT WE'VE HAD THIS PAST YEAR.

ANOTHER CAMPAIGN, I GUESS, PLATFORM THAT I STOOD ON WAS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN MERCED COUNTY WAS ELEVATED.

WE'RE AT A TIME WHERE PEOPLE ARE LEAVING OUR DEPARTMENT AND GOING FOR HIGHER PAYING JOBS IN OTHER AREAS.

SO MY COLLEAGUES AND I, OUT OF NEGOTIATIONS, GAVE AN INCREASE TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT WE'RE BACK AT FULL STAFF.

IT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION.

WE DIDN'T KNOW IF MONEY WAS THAT BIG OF A FACTOR, AND OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS. WE'RE AT FULL STAFF.

WE'RE RUNNING 9-11 DEPUTIES PER SHIFT, WHICH IS OUR GOAL.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO US, I THINK, FOR STEPPING OUTSIDE THE BOX AND DOING SOMETHING THAT WASN'T NORMAL.

BUT I THINK HAS THE RESPONSE TIMES CUT IN HALF, AND HAS OUR COMMUNITY IN A BETTER PLACE SAFETY-WISE.

NOTHING REALLY MATTERS IF YOU DON'T HAVE JOBS, AND THAT'S WHAT CREATES THE INCOME THAT THIS BOARD HAS TO BUDGET AND DISTRIBUTE.

ANYWAYS, I JUST THINK THAT SOME OF THE MOVES THAT WE'VE MADE AT CASTLE, CREATING THE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE SITE, AND WORKING WITH THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES AND BNSF RAILROAD TO CREATE A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER THAT WILL ESSENTIALLY BECOME AN INLAND PORT, THAT WILL ALSO ATTRACT BUSINESS AND JOBS HERE TO MERCED COUNTY.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE'RE REAL CLOSE.

SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL AND I TRAVELED DOWN TO THE

[00:25:02]

SO I FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THAT.

I'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE X NUMBER OF JOBS COMING, WE CAN'T JUST QUITE YET, BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE.

FINALLY, I'M REAL PROUD OF THIS BOARD FOR PASSING A BALANCED BUDGET.

OUR CEO PUT TOGETHER A VERY THOUGHTFUL AND I THINK WELL FITTED OUT BUDGET, AND WE PASSED IT.

IN A LOT OF GOVERNMENTS, THEY SPEND MONEY THEY DON'T HAVE.

I THINK UNFORTUNATELY, OUR STATE TALKS ABOUT HAVING A FIVE BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET SURPLUS, BUT WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE NUMBERS, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A SURPLUS.

IF THE ECONOMY CRASHES, WE HAVE AN IMPENDING DOOM HERE IN CALIFORNIA.

SO LET'S JUST PRAY FOR CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THEN FINALLY, I'M REALLY PLEASED WITH STAFF FOR COMING UP WITH A NEW MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES FOR MERCED COUNTY.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VISION THAT EVERYBODY GETS BEHIND.

WE HAVE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE THEIR OWN VISIONS, AND MISSIONS, AND VALUES, AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, AND IT HELPS THEM MOVE FORWARD.

BUT FOR US TO HAVE A NEW OVERALL MISSION, VISION, AND VALUE.

IF YOU LOOK UP HERE OVER MY RIGHT SHOULDER, YOU WILL SEE THEM POSTED.

THE PLAN IS TO INTEGRATE THEM INTO ALL NEW JOB HIRES, AND REALLY CHANGE A LITTLE BIT OF THE CULTURE OF WORKING FOR GOVERNMENT.

OFTENTIMES, IT'S A JOB AND PEOPLE COME AND GO, AND THEY JUST DO THEIR JOB, AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T DO IT WITH ANY PASSION OR ENTHUSIASM, AND WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT.

SO THANK YOU TO OUR HR DEPARTMENT AND THE TEAM THAT BROUGHT THAT FORWARD TO US.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE INCREASE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DIRECTION OF THE COUNTY AS WE GO FORWARD.

I'M GETTING A LITTLE LONG-WINDED.

WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

I REALLY HAVEN'T TOUCHED ON VERY MUCH OF IT, BUT I DID TOUCH ON THE THINGS THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES, AND HOPEFULLY TO OUR COMMUNITY.

SO WITH THAT, I WILL THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE YOU THIS LAST YEAR. THAT'S IT.

YEAH. SUPERVISOR PEREIRA, IF WE MAY, IF WE CAN HAVE YOU STEP DOWN TO THE CENTER THERE, TO THE PODIUM.

[BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA IS GOING TO SAY.

WELL, THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR.

AS A PRACTICE, WE ALWAYS HAVE A THANK YOU GIFT FOR OUR PAST CHAIR, AND WE EVEN MADE IT MATCH.

[LAUGHTER] SUPERVISOR PEREIRA, DISTRICT FLOOR, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK ON BEHALF OF ALL THE BOARDS OF ADVISORS, AND ALL THE GREAT STAFF THAT WE HAVE HERE, FOR HANDLING A GREAT 2019 AND PASSING ON THE BATON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THE ROAD.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD ALL THIS YEAR AND I THINK HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB, AND I THINK HE'S SAID A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER THIS YEAR.

WE, BY OURSELVES, WE CANNOT DO EVERYTHING TOGETHER, BUT I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE NOT JUST WORKING WITH YOU, BUT ALL OF THE SUPPORT TOGETHER THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE COUNTY, AND AS A LEADER THIS PAST YEAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

[BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]

[00:30:01]

[LAUGHTER] I'LL SAVE IT FOR NEXT TIME. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE].

[LAUGHTER] [NOISE] SUPERVISOR PRAYER FOR YOU PLEASE.

ALSO YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, ALSO HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND A WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU FOR 2019.

MARK COWART IS THE CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

SO IT'S MY HONOR ON DEPARTMENT HEADS, TO PRESENT THIS PLAQUE TO YOU IN APPRECIATION FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, FOR YOUR STRONG LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR INVALUABLE SUPPORT DURING THE YEAR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE].

I KNOW. [BACKGROUND] AT THIS POINT, TRADITIONALLY, AS YOU CHANGE YOUR CHAIR FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR, BOARD MEMBERS HAVE SAT IN DISTRICT ORDER, LOOKING OUT TO THE AUDIENCE FROM RIGHT TO LEFT.

SO WITH THAT, IF WE CAN TAKE A COUPLE MINUTE BREAK.

SO BOARD MEMBERS CAN MOVE TO THEIR NEW RESPECTIVE CHAIRS FOR THE YEAR AND THEN ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO LOG IN SO YOU CAN HAVE YOUR AGENDA FOR THE BOARD MEETING.

SO IF WE CAN JUST TAKE A COUPLE MINUTE BREAK, PLEASE.

WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL MY COLLEAGUES FOR HAVING THE CONFIDENCE TO VOTE FOR ME.

IT'S A ROTATING POLICY, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS BEING ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WHO I THINK IT'S BEEN A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

THREE OF US CAME IN TOGETHER AND THE OTHER TWO THAT WERE HERE AND ALL THAT WERE MISSING SUPERVISOR JERRY OBANION.

SO I THANK HIM FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AS WELL.

I HAD A COUPLE OF YEARS TO WORK WITH THEM AND HE WAS NOT ONLY GREAT BUT AWESOME AND HE LEFT A GREAT LEGACY THAT WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO REACHING IN THIS COUNTY.

BUT I WANT TO SAY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF.

I'M STARTING MY 18TH YEAR HERE ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

I DID A YEAR AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, IN THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON AND THREE TERMS, THREE TWO-YEAR TERMS IN THERE, AS WELL AS MAYOR.

HERE ON MY FOURTH YEAR, I STARTED MY FOURTH YEAR AS A COUNTY SUPERVISOR, GETTING TO THIS LEVEL IT'S REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE ALL THESE 18 YEARS.

I'M GOING ON TO ANOTHER ELECTION AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF ALL THE, NOT JUST MY DISTRICT BUT THE CITIZENS OF MERCED.

LIKE I SAID, EVERYDAY IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

ALL THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, I THINK THAT, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, I'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL WHEREVER I GO, WHATEVER I DO, BUT WE DON'T MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY.

AFTER WE GET ELECTED, OF COURSE THERE'S ALWAYS PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT PLEASED.

THERE'S ALWAYS TWO SIDES.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WHILE AT CITY OF LIVINGSTON, I'VE ALWAYS GOT CITIZENS THAT WERE UPSET WITH ME.

MERCED, THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE HERE.

THERE'S ALWAYS PEOPLE THAT CRITICIZE US AND THEN WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT, NOT JUST MYSELF BUT MY COLLEAGUES.

WE ARE NOT PERFECT BUT WE TRY TO DO THE BEST JOB THAT WE CAN.

AS A COUNTY SUPERVISOR, WE CAN'T GET TO ALL THE PROJECTS THAT WE WOULD LIKE, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW WITH THE SHORT OF FUNDS THAT WITH SB1 AND METRO V. BUT I TRY NOT TO DISRESPECT ANYBODY NOT JUST HERE BUT IN ANY SUBCOMMITTEE THAT WE HAVE, ESPECIALLY MY MACS.

THIS PAST WEDNESDAY, WE HAD A MAT MEETING AND I HAD THE DIRECTOR OF CALTRANS THERE AND

[00:35:02]

I ALWAYS TRY TO EXPLAIN THE LEGALITIES AND THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT I DID IN FRONT OF THE DIRECTOR AND ALL THE MY MAC BOARD MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC.

SO I KNOW THAT PEOPLE TAKE IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT I KNOW THERE'S NEVER AN INTENT FOR ANY OF US TO, ESPECIALLY MYSELF, TO OFFEND ANYBODY.

BUT ALSO TOO LIKE I SAID, 18 YEARS HERE AND 14 IN LIVINGSTON, WE CONSTANTLY GET ATTACKED.

THERE WAS ONE PERSON THAT TAGGED ME FOR A WHOLE YEAR.

BECAUSE FOR WHATEVER REASON.

WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT AS PUBLIC SERVANTS.

THEY CAN SAY WHATEVER THEY WANT AGAINST US BUT THE PUBLIC IS THE LAST JUDGE AND JURY AND IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, THERE'LL BE AN ELECTION.

IF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THE WAY I AM, THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO NOT VOTE FOR ME.

BUT I THINK THAT I'VE DONE A GREAT JOB THIS PAST THREE YEARS.

WELL, NOT A PERFECT JOB BUT I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE HAPPY AND I THINK THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE THAT WAY AND IF I GET THE CHANCE TO GET RE-ELECTED, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND CONTINUE STRIVING TO THE BEST PERSONS AND DO THE BEST ABILITY THAT WE CAN.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO DRAG IT TOO LONG, BUT I THANK MY COLLEAGUES AGAIN AND MY STAFF.

I JUST WANT TO SAY ABOUT THIS COUNTY.

I THINK THAT THE LAST THREE YEARS HAS BEEN GREAT WORKING WITH EVERYBODY HERE IN THE COUNTY, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GREAT FEELINGS WITH DEALING WITH OUR SECRETARIES, OUR CLERKS, THEY'RE BEING GREAT WHEN WE NEED ANYTHING THEY'RE OUT FOR THE PUBLIC TO HELP THE CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY'RE RESOURCEFUL AND THEY DO THEIR JOB FAST.

OUR CEO HAS BEEN JUST TREMENDOUSLY VERY HELPFUL AND GREAT WITH WITH ALL OF US I THINK HIS A FAIR PERSON AND OUR COUNTY COUNCIL AND WHATEVER LEGALITIES WE THROW AT HIM, I THINK HE'S RESPONSIVE RIGHT AWAY.

MY COLLEAGUES, WE DON'T AGREE ON EVERYTHING BUT I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP AND THEN WE'RE READY TO MOVE THIS COUNTY FORWARD.

SO I APPRECIATE YOUR CONFIDENCE AGAIN.

WE'LL GET THIS MEETING MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU. I GUESS WE'LL START WITH CONSENT CALENDAR.

THIS IS APPROVAL OF CONSENT, AGENDA CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH NINE.

[CONSENT CALENDAR]

I'LL SECOND.

OKAY. IT'S BEEN MOVED BY THE SUPERVISOR LOR AND SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEMS? OKAY. WE'LL BRING IT BACK.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR [INAUDIBLE] SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN.

OKAY. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS BOARD ACTION PUBLIC WORKS, ITEMS 10 AND 11.

[BOARD ACTION]

ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON 10 OR 11? NO PUBLIC COMMENTS. SO BRING IT BACK.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNAL BY SAYING AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSE? THANK YOU.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT ARE ITEMS 12 AND 13.

THERE IS THE OTHER PRESENTATION.

OH, THERE IS A PRESENTATION? YEAH.

OKAY.

GOOD MORNING MR. CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I'M ALEXANDRA PIERCE WITH THE CEO'S OFFICE.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ITEMS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TODAY REGARDING PLANS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND THE NEED FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER WITHIN OUR COUNTY.

ITEM 12 AND 13 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

THEN LATER ON IN THE AGENDA, ITEM 21 FROM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

MY COLLEAGUE JOHN CECCOLI AND I WILL BE PROVIDING

[00:40:03]

AT THIS TIME, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST TO SUBMIT THE PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD.

GIVE ME ONE MOMENT I'M GOING TO JOIN JOHN.

THANK YOU. [NOISE] FOR THE PRESENTATION TODAY WE'LL BE PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTY HISTORICAL SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO MEET THE NEED FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITHIN OUR COUNTY.

WE WILL ALSO BE ADDRESSING A REGIONAL SUMMARY FROM LAST YEAR, 2019 AND THEN BE MOVING FORWARD TO ADDRESS THE PROJECT PROPOSALS THAT ARE BEFORE YOU TODAY.

OUR HISTORICAL COUNTY HOMELESS SERVICES HAVE REALLY FOCUSED ON TWO SPECIFIC AREAS.

THE MERCED COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY HAS PROVIDED LONG-TERM SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND HOUSING RESOURCES FOR INCOME ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN.

PRIMARILY, THOSE SERVICES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED THROUGH CALWORKS HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND MORE RECENTLY, THROUGH THE HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM.

IN ADDITION, MERCED COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES HAVE ALSO PROVIDED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND HOUSING RESOURCES FOR THOSE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AND DIAGNOSIS OF A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

THOSE HAD BEEN PROVIDED THROUGH PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OTHER SERVICES HAVE ALSO BEEN PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THROUGH OTHER PROGRAMS THROUGH HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES, INCLUDING CALFRESH, GENERAL ASSISTANCE MEDI-CAL PROGRAMS, AND ALSO ISSUES TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL BE TURNING IT OVER TO JOHN TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT RECENT FUNDING THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED WITHIN OUR COUNTY, TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

THANK YOU, MS. PIERCE. MR. CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, WHAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU, THERE WILL BE A COUPLE OF SLIDES OF SOME NEW PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE COUNTY.

WHAT MAKES THIS UNIQUE, AS MS. PIERCE STATED, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE SERVED THESE CLIENTS HISTORICALLY THROUGH CALFRESH OR GENERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S EXPANDED THE POPULATION TO INCLUDE HOUSING SERVICES DIRECTLY.

SO THE PROGRAMS YOU SEE HERE, SUCH AS HOUSING DISABILITY ADVOCACY PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED THE HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY TO START ACTUALLY PROVIDING HOUSING SUPPORT, IN ADDITION TO THOSE OTHER PROGRAMS. WE SEE THE SAME THING WITH HOME SAFE, WHICH IS TARGETING PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR DEPENDENT AGE ADULTS.

WHOLE PERSON CARE IS FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS OF MEDI-CAL BENEFICIARIES THAT ALSO UTILIZE MEDI-CAL FOR MULTIPLE DIFFERENT SECTORS.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME WAS PROPOSITION 2.

WE'VE RECEIVED DIRECT FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND REHABILITATION OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS WHO ARE ALSO HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESS.

LASTLY, ON THIS SLIDE, THE HOMELESS MENTALLY ILL OUTREACH AND TREATMENT PROGRAM PROVIDED FUNDING TO AUGMENT OUR EXISTING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

WE ALSO RECEIVED, THROUGH THE STATE HOMELESS HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM, AN ALLOCATION THIS YEAR, ONETIME BLOCK GRANT FUNDING TO HELP WITH REGIONAL COORDINATION AND EXPANDING LOCAL CAPACITY FOR ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS CHALLENGES.

THERE'S SB2, WHICH IN YEAR TWO IS PROVIDING A PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION.

THIS WILL BE A RECURRING FUND TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK, AS WELL AS SERVICES TO ASSIST PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR EXPERIENCE OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

LASTLY, WE'VE RECEIVED TWO ONETIME ALLOCATIONS THROUGH ASSEMBLY MEMBER ADAM GRAY AND THE STATE AND AB 97 AND SB 850, TOTALING $7.5 MILLION IN FURTHERANCE WITH THE CREATION OF A HOMELESS NAVIGATION CENTER.

2.5 MILLION OF THAT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO INITIATE A COUNTY-WIDE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT TEAM, FUNDED CONVERSION OF THE D STREET SHELTER TO A NAVIGATION CENTER.

ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRIBUTIVE HOME IN THE CITY OF MERCED TO REALLY HELP ADDRESS PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT.

THE DEMOLITION OF THE FORMER JUVENILE HALL BUILDING AND RETAINING PLANNING SERVICES FROM REGIONAL EXPERTS.

WE'VE SEEN A GRADUALLY INCREASING COUNTY ROLE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE MERCED THE CITY AND COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE, THAT'S THE HARD DESIGNATED BODY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESS.

WE'VE SEEN SUPERVISOR LLOYD PAREIRA JOIN THAT BOARD.

[00:45:04]

WE'VE SEEN REGIONAL PLANNING COORDINATION AND PARTICIPATED IN ASSEMBLY MEMBER LEAD MULTI JURISDICTIONAL REGIONAL PLANNING EFFORT TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

WE'VE DEVELOPED STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND FRAMEWORK FOR COUNTY WIDE REGIONAL HOMELESS PLAN IMPLEMENTATION.

WE'VE HELPED INITIATE PILOT PROJECTS SUCH AS THE CONVERSION OF THE DISTRICT SHELTER TO A NAVIGATION CENTER, ESTABLISHMENT OF A DISTRIBUTIVE HOME IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DIGNITY HOSPITAL.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW DIRECTION OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER, AND LASTLY, PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT.

WE'VE HAD AN INCREASED IMPACT ON OUR COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A RESULT OF THE MARTIN VERSUS BOISE RULING, THAT RULING ON SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2018 FROM THE NINTH CIRCUIT.

BASICALLY, AS LONG AS THERE'S NO OPTION OF SLEEPING INDOORS, GOVERNMENT CANNOT CRIMINALIZE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS FOR SLEEPING OUTDOORS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.

THAT'S AN EIGHTH AMENDMENT VIOLATION.

THEN THE SUPREME COURT IN DECEMBER OF THIS LAST YEAR, DECIDED NOT TO REVIEW THAT CASE.

SO THAT HAS ESSENTIALLY BECOME LAW OF THE LAND, WITHOUT PROVIDING AN EMERGENCY SHELTER SOLUTION FOR SOMEONE.

WE CANNOT ENFORCE IN PUBLIC SPACES FOR THINGS LIKE CAMPING, IMPROPER STORAGE, TRESPASSING.

SO IN 2019, AS A REGIONAL SUMMARY, THE POINT-IN- TIME COUNT WAS CONDUCTED IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR AND SHOWED A TOTAL OF 607 INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO OF THOSE WERE SHELTERED.

SO THEY WERE IN A SHELTER OF SOME SORT, WHETHER IT WAS A MOTEL OR AN EMERGENCY SHELTER SPACE.

BUT 285 OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE UNSHELTERED.

AS YOU CAN SEE IN THAT BREAKDOWN, THERE'S QUITE AN ARRAY OF DIFFERENT NUMBERS THERE.

SO YOU GET THE CITY OF MERCED WITH 204 UNSHELTERED AND THE CITY OF DELHI, DOS PALOS, EXCUSE ME, WITH FIVE.

SO THAT SHOWS THE SOLUTIONS IN THESE DIFFERENT AREAS AND DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO VARY.

IN 2019, WE DID FOCUS ON INCREASING SHELTER BEDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND 66 BEDS HAVE BEEN ADDED SINCE JANUARY 1ST OF 2019, THROUGH COC AND COUNTY FUNDING.

THEN ALSO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW DIRECTION, WHERE WE COULD TARGET OUTREACH, AND ENGAGEMENT, AND ASSESSMENT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, IN A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH.

YOU ALSO SEE A SUMMARY OF THOSE PROJECTS, IN WHICH JURISDICTIONS TO CAPITAL EXPENSE AND ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSE FOR EACH OF THESE PROJECTS.

WHICH LEADS US TO THE 2020 HOMELESS LANDSCAPE.

CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL PLANNING DOCUMENT INCORPORATING PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS COUNTY WIDE, HAS BEEN VERY CONSISTENT FROM THE STATE, THAT THEY WANT THIS IN A REGIONALLY COORDINATED APPROACH, SO THAT ALL JURISDICTIONS, HOMELESSNESS IS BEING ADDRESSED.

THEN AS WE WORK TOWARDS A REGIONAL PLANNING DOCUMENT, WE WOULD PURSUE ADOPTION BY GOVERNING BODIES COUNTY WIDE.

IT WOULD GIVE US A TARGET OF WHAT OUR GOALS ARE, WHAT OUR MILESTONES WILL LOOK LIKE.

WE ALSO WANT A COORDINATED APPROACH WITH OUR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

YOU SEE THAT IN THE BRIDGE HOME WE OPENED WITH DIGNITY, AS WELL AS OTHER APPROACHES WE HAVE WITH THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

THEN WE HAVE A REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS EXPERT, ANDRAE BAILEY, PROVIDING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFORTS MADE SO FAR WITHIN MERCED COUNTY.

WE DO ANTICIPATE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MR. BAILEY WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR.

WE ARE PLANNING ON A COMMUNITY SUMMIT ON HOMELESSNESS IN THE SPRING OF 2020, TO TALK ABOUT PAST INITIATIVES AND OUR FUTURE APPROACH.

WE DO ANTICIPATE CONTINUED ONETIME STATE FUNDING TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET AND WE ALSO SEE NO LEGAL RELIEF FOR JURISDICTIONS FROM THE MARTIN VERSUS BOISE RULING.

SO THERE IS A NEED TO INCREASE EMERGENCY SHELTER CAPACITY.

LASTLY, WE'D LIKE TO SPOTLIGHT A COUPLE PROJECTS HERE, INCLUDING THE CITY OF MERCED GROUNDBREAKING WE ANTICIPATE IN 2020 ON 119 UNIT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX.

THEY ARE ALSO SETTING ASIDE 30 OF THOSE UNITS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

LASTLY, THE COUNTY NAVIGATION CENTER PROPOSALS.

SO WHAT YOU SEE HERE, THE IMAGES DEPICTED ARE CONVERTED SHIPPING CONTAINERS, THAT ARE TURNED INTO MODULAR BUILDINGS.

[NOISE] THESE ARE BEING USED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BY A COMPANY CALLED CRATE MODULAR.

SO WHAT IS A NAVIGATION CENTER? THERE'S A FEW REQUIREMENTS.

IT NEEDS TO BE HOUSING FIRST, SO THERE'S NO PRECONDITIONS ON SOBRIETY.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS PEOPLE'S WHERE THEY'RE AT AND PROVIDE THEM A SPOT.

IT NEEDS TO BE LOW BARRIER,

[00:50:01]

THEN IT NEEDS TO BE SERVICE ENRICHED.

IT CAN'T JUST BE A SPOT WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO WITHOUT A FOCUS ON LONG-TERM AND PERMANENT HOUSING.

IT DOES PROVIDE TEMPORARY LIVING FACILITIES THAT ADDRESS HYGIENE CONCERNS, PROVIDES MEALS, AND GIVES PEOPLE A SAFE PLACE TO SHELTER.

LASTLY, AND PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, IS CASE MANAGERS TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO INCOME, PUBLIC BENEFITS, HEALTH SERVICES, SHELTER AND HOUSING, THE SERVICES THAT INDIVIDUALS NEED TO GAIN PERMANENT HOUSING.

THEY'LL BE AN OUTREACH COMPONENT IN OUR NAVIGATION CENTER AND HOUSING NAVIGATION COMPONENT AS WELL, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CHECKING.

ALL OF THE ROLES ARE VERY INDIVIDUALIZED ROLES AND EACH ONE OF THOSE COMPONENTS IS IMPORTANT TO GETTING INDIVIDUALS TO PERMANENT HOUSING.

THE FIRST PROJECT BEFORE IS WITHIN THE CITY OF MERCED, LOCATED ON THE FORMER JUVENILE HALL SITE.

WE'RE ANTICIPATING A CAPACITY OF 75 PLUS ADULT INDIVIDUALS AND THE ABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUAL'S PARTNERS, PETS AND POSSESSIONS.

SO THE PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU WILL BE FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PRE-MANUFACTURED MODULAR BUILDING.

THIS ALLOWS US AN EXPEDITED TIMEFRAME.

OTHER PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE COMMUNITY, USING MORE TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS, REALLY PUSHED US OUT INTO 2021.

THERE'S AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR SHELTER.

SO WE HAD LOOKED AT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT MODELS.

IT'S ALSO A SUBSTANTIAL COST SAVINGS WHEN COMPARED TO THOSE TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS.

IT IS ALSO DURABLE AND HAS POTENTIAL FOR RE-PURPOSING.

THE CAPITAL BUDGET ESTIMATE FOR THIS AND THAT'S A DEPICTION OF IT AT THE BOTTOM THERE, FROM BUENA PARK, WHO HAS PROCURED ONE AS WELL, IS FIVE MILLION DOLLARS AND AN ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ESTIMATE OF TWO MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH IS INCLUSIVE OF ALL OF THOSE COMPONENTS.

WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THE OUTREACH, THE HOUSING NAVIGATION, AND GET PEOPLE READY FOR PERMANENT HOUSING, AND THEN THE POST PLACEMENT CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP THEM SUSTAIN AND MAINTAIN THAT HOUSING.

PROJECT NUMBER 2 IS ALSO A NAVIGATION CENTER BUT OF A DIFFERENT MODEL.

WE'RE PROPOSING COUNTY WIDE DISTRIBUTIVE HOUSING.

SO WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE POINT IN TIME COUNT NUMBERS AND SAW THE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE POPULATION THAT'S UNSHELTERED IN THE CITY OF MERCED, WHEN COMPARED TO SAY, THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON, THERE NEEDS TO BE A DIFFERENT MODEL.

SO DISTRIBUTIVE HOUSING IS THE UTILIZATION OF SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTS AS NAVIGATION CENTERS.

SAME SERVICES YOU WOULD SEE IN THE INITIAL PROJECT NUMBER 1, YOU'LL SEE OUT OF PROJECT NUMBER 2.

THESE ARE ALSO DISTRIBUTABLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY OF MERCED, BASED ON NEED.

SO THE LESSON AT THE JURISDICTIONS SUCH AS A CITY OF ATWATER OR EVEN THE CITY OF LOS BANOS, WHERE WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED TWO DISTRIBUTIVE HOUSING UNITS, ARE ABLE TO QUICKLY BE IMPLEMENTED, MINIMAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT, AND TARGETED BASED ON POINT IN TIME, COUNT, AND NEED.

THIS PROVIDES A MORE ATTRACTIVE OPTION FOR MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WHEN COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL CONGREGATE SHELTER.

SO IT'LL PROVIDE A RAY OF HOUSING SERVICES AND CHOICES FOR THE INDIVIDUALS, WHO WE WILL BE ENGAGING WITH AND OFFERING THEM A PLACE TO STAY.

SO THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE IF TO GO INTO CONTRACT WITH MERCED RESCUE MISSION, FOR THE RENTAL OF 10 DISTRIBUTIVE HOUSING UNITS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY OF MERCED.

THIS WILL CREATE 50-70 BRIDGING BEDS TO TARGET ENCAMPMENTS, IN VERY, VERY CLOSE COORDINATION WITH LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THEY WILL BE HELPING US PRIORITIZING, WHO IS THE MOST IMPACTFUL INDIVIDUAL IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND HELPING US TO ENGAGE WITH THEM.

WE ANTICIPATE A PHASED ROLL-OUT BEGINNING IN SPRING OF 2020.

THIS IS QUICKLY IMPLEMENTABLE.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

IF IT'S THE BOARD'S PLEASURE TO SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL, WITH AN ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET OF $986,000.

SO 2020 AVAILABLE REGIONAL FUNDING.

WE WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT WE'RE SEEKING PARTNERSHIPS AND WE'VE BEEN CONTINUING TO SEEK PARTNERSHIP IN ENGAGED IN OUR REGIONAL PLANNING EFFORTS WITH ALL THE JURISDICTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, INCLUDING THE COC, EVERY JURISDICTIONAL CITY, THE COUNTY, AND THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY.

WE NEED THESE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ONGOING SUSTAINABILITY AND SUCCESS.

[NOISE] IT DOESN'T GET ANY MORE CLEAR THAN THAT.

WE NEED THOSE PARTNERSHIPS AND WE'RE ACTIVELY CULTIVATING THOSE PARTNERSHIPS AND PARTICIPATING WITH THOSE JURISDICTIONS.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THERE IS RECURRING, NON-COMPETITIVE, ANNUAL FUNDING FROM SB2.

THE COUNTY OF MERCED IS NON-COMPETITIVE ALLOCATION IS ABOUT $246,000 ESTIMATED.

SB2 IS A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION FEE THAT WILL BE RECURRING ANNUALLY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THE BALANCE OF COUNTY WIDE JURISDICTIONS IS ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS.

WE DO RECEIVE ONETIME HOMELESS ASSISTANCE FROM THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM.

WE WOULD PROPOSE, AT A FUTURE BOARD DATE, THAT WE USE THIS FUNDING FOR THE NAVIGATION CENTERS CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION.

[00:55:02]

THERE ARE ANNUAL PROGRAMS THAT THESE EFFORTS CAN BE APPLIED TO, THIS WILL BE THE CDBG, NON-ENTITLEMENT PUBLIC SERVICES, THE EMERGENCY SOLUTION GRANTS, COMPETITIVE AND NON-COMPETITIVE, AND SB2.

THERE IS A COMPETITIVE PORTION FOR NON-ENTITLEMENT JURISDICTIONS.

OTHER PROGRAMS THAT HAVE EITHER COME TO THE COUNTY OR WILL SHORTLY COME TO THE COUNTY, INCLUDE THE CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS IN HOUSING, THERE'S AN ALLOCATION THAT WENT TO THE COC FOR $592,000.

THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $482,000 AT A FUTURE DATE, FOR WHOLE-PERSON CARE.

SB 850, WHICH IS THE FIVE MILLION DOLLAR ONE-TIME FUNDING THAT ADAM GRAY WAS ABLE TO HELP SECURE FOR THE COUNTY.

LASTLY, ONE OF THE ITEMS BEFORE YOU WILL BE FOR ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH CAPITAL IMPLEMENTATION GRANT OF $2.5 MILLION, WHICH AGAIN, WE WOULD PROPOSE FOR THE FIRST YEAR CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE NAVIGATION CENTER.

TO BE VERY CLEAR WITH THE FUNDING WE HAVE IN HAND OR WILL SHORTLY HAVE IN HAND, WITHOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH CAPITAL IMPLEMENTATION GRANT, WE CAN FUND OPERATIONS THROUGH JUNE OF 2021.

IF WE DO RECEIVE THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH CAPITAL IMPLEMENTATION GRANT, WE CAN EXTEND THAT EXCLUSIVELY WITH THE FUNDING WE WILL EITHER HAVE RECEIVED OR WILL RECEIVE, THROUGH JUNE OF 2022.

THAT'S WHY PARTNERSHIPS ARE SO VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS EFFORT.

I THINK ANY SUCCESS IN THE HOMELESSNESS ARENA, IS VERY RELIANT ON PARTNERSHIPS.

FOR NEXT STEP, SO I'M GOING TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO MS. PIERCE.

THANK YOU. [NOISE] THANK YOU. WE'VE PROVIDED MUCH INFORMATION TODAY AND SO WE WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE BEFORE YOUR CONSIDERATION.

ITEM 12, DPW'S ITEM REGARDING THE NAVIGATION CENTER PROJECT 1.

WE'RE REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD FIND THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM CEQA REVIEW UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65660, SUBDIVISION B,AND SECTION 1526 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

IN ADDITION, WE'RE REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT FROM 64,000 SQUARE FEET TO APPROXIMATELY 15,000 SQUARE FEET FOR THE NAVIGATION CENTER.

WE'RE ALSO REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROJECT BUDGET AT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.

THIS FIVE MILLION CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL OF THE RELATED BUDGET TRANSFERS AND AWARD OF THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH GRANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE FIVE MILLION DOLLARS IS BOTH INCLUSIVE OF THE PURCHASE OF THE MODULAR BUILDING DESIGN AS WELL AS THE SITE WORK THAT WOULD BE CONDUCTED ON THE SITE AND FOR CONNECTIONS OF THE FACILITY ONCE THE MODULAR BUILDING IS PLACED.

IN ADDITION, WE ANTICIPATE A SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS THAT THE PROJECT SHOULD COME IN CLOSER TO FOUR MILLION DOLLARS.

HOWEVER, AS WITH ANY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT THAT WE HAVE BUILT IN A CONTINGENCY, AND WE WOULD MUCH RATHER COME BACK TO THE BOARD AND LET YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS ON THE PROJECT RATHER THAN REQUEST ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

IN ADDITION, WE'RE REQUESTING CONFIRMATION OF THE PROJECT SITE ADDRESS AT 1411 B STREET WHICH IS AT EAST 13TH AND B STREET, THE OLD JUVENILE HALL SITE.

WE'RE REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN BACK TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT DESIGN AND OPERATIONS, AND ALSO AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE WITHOUT ENGAGING IN THE COMPETITIVE PROCESS AND AFTER REVIEW BY COUNTY COUNSEL, PURCHASING, AND RISK, A CONTRACT WITH CRATE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 2,750,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF APPROXIMATELY 45 MODIFIED SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR USE IN THE CREATION OF THE NAVIGATION CENTER AND HOMELESS SHELTER WHICH SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF HOUSING AT LEAST 75 PEOPLE IN A DORMITORY STYLE ACCOMMODATION.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHILE WE'RE ASKING FOR AT LEAST 75 PEOPLE IN A DORMITORY STYLE, THE TYPE OF DESIGN ALSO ALLOWS FOR EXPANSION SHOULD THERE BE A NEED IN THE FUTURE.

IN ADDITION, WE'RE REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE RELATED BUDGET TRANSFERS.

FOR ITEM 13, ALSO RELATED TO THE NAVIGATION CENTER PROJECT 1, WE'RE REQUESTING THE BOARD AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT A TWO-AND-A-HALF MILLION DOLLAR GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH PRIOR TO THE JANUARY 21ST DEADLINE AND ALSO TO AUTHORIZE A MATCH OF THE 2,500,000 FROM

[01:00:01]

FURTHER, WE'RE REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO SIGN OUR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE GRANT APPLICATION AND THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WOULD RETURN TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WITH THE APPLICATION RESULTS AND TO ACCEPT THE AWARD.

FINALLY, FOR YOUR REVIEW LATER IN THE AGENDA IS ITEM 21.

IT IS REGARDING THE NAVIGATION CENTER PROJECT 2 WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO THE CREATION OF 10 DISTRIBUTIVE HOUSING UNITS AS NAVIGATION CENTERS WHICH WOULD CREATE 50-70 ADDITIONAL BRIDGING BEDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND WE'RE REQUESTING APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE BOARD CHAIR TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH MERCED RESCUE MISSION FOR HOMELESS SERVICES IN THE FORM OF 10 DISTRIBUTIVE HOUSES FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2020 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2021 IN THE AMOUNT OF 986,354.

WE'RE ALSO REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE RELATED BUDGET TRANSFER FOR THAT ITEM.

ALTHOUGH THESE ARE SEVERAL ACTIONS THAT ARE BROUGHT BEFORE YOU TODAY, THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST STEP IN SEVERAL ACTIONS THAT WILL COME BEFORE YOU RELATED TO THE COUNTY AND COMMUNITY WE'LL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS, HOMELESSNESS WITHIN OUR COUNTY.

SORRY. THERE YOU GO.

WE SHOWED THE BOARD, PROVIDE DIRECTION TODAY REGARDING THE NAVIGATION CENTER OF PROJECT 1 THAT WE WILL SOON RELEASE THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR A MANAGEMENT ENTITY OF THIS NAVIGATION CENTER WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD.

IN ADDITION, WE WILL BE BRINGING FORTH A BOARD AGENDA ITEM FOR THE CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE SELECTIVE NAVIGATION CENTRAL MANAGEMENT ENTITY AT A FUTURE DATE AS WELL AS A BOARD AGENDA ITEM FOR THE ANTICIPATED SITE WORK AND MODULAR NAVIGATION CENTER ASSEMBLY.

FINALLY FOR THE NAVIGATION CENTER, BOTH PROJECTS 1 AND 2, WE WOULD ALSO BE BRINGING FORTH A FURTHER AGENDA ITEM RECOMMENDING POTENTIAL FEATURE OPERATIONAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT BOTH PROJECTS.

AS JOHN SAID EARLIER IN THE PRESENTATION, ALL OF THIS IS CONTINGENT WITH THE GOAL OF CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE COC, ANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS, AS WELL AS WITH FOCUSING ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

FOR THOSE AS NOTED BEFORE, WE ANTICIPATE THE FUTURE COMMUNITY SUMMIT ON HOMELESSNESS, WHICH WILL BE COMING IN SPRING OF 2020, AND AS WELL AS WORKING ON COUNTYWIDE ADOPTION OF THE REGIONAL PLAN.

WITH THAT, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND ARE OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.

QUESTION FOR [INAUDIBLE]? THANK YOU, NEWLY ELECTED CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

ALEX AND JOHN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THIS IS A VERY COMPLEX PRESENTATION.

IT'S A LOT TO DIGEST, BUT I APPRECIATE US BEING KEPT UP TO DATE ON THIS AS WE'VE BEEN GOING FORWARD.

I'VE GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS AND SOME MIGHT BE NEW BUT OTHERS AREN'T.

HOW MANY HOMELESS DO WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN MERCED COUNTY? OUR MOST RECENT POINT IN TIME COUNT WAS FROM JANUARY 2019 AND I BELIEVE IT WAS AT 607 TOTAL.

WE ARE GETTING READY IN WORKING ON THE POINT IN TIME COUNT THAT WILL BE HAPPENING AT THE END OF JANUARY FOR 2020.

VERY GOOD. THIS IS A VERY COMPLEX WHERE WE'RE ADDING A LOT OF BEDS.

DO WE HAVE A COUNT ON HOW MANY BEDS, NOT JUST THE ONE FACILITY BUT THE WHOLE PRESENTATION.

HOW MANY BEDS WILL THAT PROVIDE? THE PROPOSAL AT A MINIMUM WOULD PROVIDE 125 NEW BEDS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH UPWARDS OF 145 AT THE CURRENT CAPACITY OR AT LEAST INITIAL CAPACITY.

I'M STILL A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT MARTIN VERSUS CITY OF BOISE.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR JUST SAID IT IS OKAY FOR THE HOMELESS TO DO ENCAMPMENT ON CALTRANS PROPERTY.

I THINK THAT WAS YESTERDAY THAT HE OKAY THAT. THIS IS A GREAT EFFORT.

I WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT SOMEBODY REMEMBER ADAM GRAY HAS DONE AND I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY PASSIONATE TO HIM AS WELL AS VERY PASSIONATE TO OUR FORMER CHAIR AND SUPERVISOR OVER IN DISTRICT FOUR.

BUT I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO AND I REALLY HAVE FAITH IN THESE FOLKS THAT IF WE CAN GET OUR SERVICES IN FRONT OF THEM BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE THE SERVICE AND THE CAPACITY, HOW DO WE HOLD

[01:05:01]

WE DON'T LIKE THEM ON THE BRIDGE AND MY DISTRICT THERE IN DISTRICT THREE AND WE SAW SOME EARTH MOVEMENT THAT GOT THEM A LITTLE UPSTAGED, A LITTLE BIT OVER THERE.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN THERE WAS AN ENCAMPMENT BEHIND MY HOUSE, WE ACTUALLY OFFERED THEM VOUCHERS.

THEY HAD PLACES TO STAY AND THEY REFUSED THOSE VOUCHERS AND THEY REFUSED OUR SERVICE.

THIS IS A BAND-AID TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE.

WHAT'S OUR IMPLEMENTATION TO CONTINUED EDUCATION TO HELP THESE FOLKS OUT OF IT? THEN, MY SECOND PART OF THAT QUESTION WHICH GOES ON IS WE ALREADY SEEN IT'S GOING TO COST $2 MILLION OF FUNDING EACH TIME.

WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOOD UNTIL JUNE OF '22, WHAT DO WE DO THEN BEYOND THAT? BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE ASKING US FOR A LOT OF MONEY HERE AT THE COUNTY.

WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.

I HATE IT WHEN I SHOW UP FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND SAY I'M HERE TO HELP WHENEVER.

I DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP.

I JUST WANT US TO ENCOURAGE US TO DO IT ON OUR OWN.

WITH THAT MR. CHAIR, IF THEY COULD JUST ANSWER THOSE LAST QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SUPERVISOR DALE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.

I THINK THE MARTIN VERSUS BOISE RULING REALLY, IT DOESN'T ALLOW US FLEXIBILITY WITHOUT PROVIDING EMERGENCY SHELTER.

THERE WOULD BE A GRADUAL ENGAGEMENT AND AT LEAST HAVING THE ABILITY TO OFFER SOMEONE WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE THAT ABILITY AS THE SHELTER CAPACITY CURRENTLY EXISTS.

WHAT WILL ALLOW US TO DO IS ENGAGE, OFFER PEOPLE NOT ONLY ONE CHOICE AND MAYBE A CONCRETE SHELTER, BUT ALSO SECONDARY SHORT CHOICE AND UNDISTRIBUTED HOUSING MODEL.

THERE IS AN ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT BEHIND THIS.

ONCE CAPACITY IS INCREASED, WE WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO ENFORCE FOR TRESPASSING OR ILLEGAL CAMPING THAT WE DO NOT HAVE CURRENTLY IN MOST JURISDICTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

IMPLEMENTATION WOULD BE GRADUAL OVER THE NEXT YEAR WITH INCREASED ENGAGEMENT AS WELL AS A FOCUS ON HOUSING FIRST.

WE CANNOT GET AWAY FROM HOUSING FIRST.

THERE WILL BE INDIVIDUALS WHO REFUSE TO STAY AT THE SHELTER.

THE LEAST IDEAL OF THING I WOULD CONCEDE IS TO TRY TO ARREST YOUR WAY OUT OF THIS.

OUR HOMELESS NATIONAL EXPERT ACTUALLY CAME BACK WITH SOME PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WILL IMPACT STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE.

I THINK ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE KEY TO THAT, IT'S HAVING A STRUCTURE IN PLACE TO THE CONTINUUM OF CARE BOARD, THE FUNDING AGENCIES TO HOLD FUNDED COMMUNITY- BASED ORGANIZATIONS ACCOUNTABLE TO THOSE MILESTONES THAT WILL BE SETTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT INTERESTED IN STAYING IN HOUSING WILL HAVE AN ENFORCEMENT OPTION AT THAT POINT.

WE'LL HAVE HOUSING FIRST AS AN OPTION AT THAT POINT, I THINK THE ENFORCEMENT OPTION WILL BECOME CRUCIAL.

I ALSO THINK IT WON'T BE AS NEEDED AS MOST PEOPLE THINK.

ONCE WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER SOMEONE A PLACE TO STAY, WE NEED TO LOOK AT INCREASED LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT.

SO THIS IS REALLY THE INITIAL ARRAY OF SERVICES THAT THE REAL WORK WILL COME WITH THE LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT, GETTING THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED, RESTRUCTURING OF THAT GOVERNANCE THAT WILL INCORPORATE THE FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THE POPULATION IN GENERAL.

THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT DOWN SOLUTION.

THIS IS A GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP TO ADDRESS THEM.

THAT'S SOMEWHAT LEADS INTO YOUR SECOND QUESTION BEYOND THAT, WHAT IS THE PLAN? THE PLAN IS REALLY TO CONTINUE ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

WE'VE HAD GREAT SUCCESS, THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH BUSINESS COMMUNITY DURING OUR REGIONAL PLANNING MEETING.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THOUGH THE ONE INDIVIDUAL'S COMMENT, SEMI MEMBER, TURNED ON, WHAT DO YOU THINK AND HE GOES, "I THINK YOU GUYS NEED TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.

THEY WOULD BE REASSURED TO KNOW THIS LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP IS FOCUSING ON THIS PROBLEM." SINCE THEN, THERE'S BEEN OTHER PRESENTATIONS AT THE CLC BOARD AND THE SAME TYPE OF RESPONSE.

I THINK THE COMMUNITY AND EVEN LAST NIGHT, ALEXANDER AND I WERE AT A TOWN HALL, I GUESS, FOR LACK OF A BETTER AND ONE OF THE LADIES AFTER OUR PRESENTATION CAME UP AND SAID, "I'M A LANDLORD, I'D LIKE TO HELP.

I HAVE A HOUSE. CAN I UTILIZE THAT TO HOUSE A FAMILY?" THAT'S THE TYPE OF ENGAGEMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED FOR ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION SUCCESS.

GOOD.

[NOISE] ONE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.

ARE CURRENT SHELTERS AND BEDS FULL? THEY ARE NOT. THERE'S DEFINITELY SOME TURNOVER THERE.

[01:10:03]

WE ARE GETTING BETTER AT COORDINATING.

WE DO HAVE THE DISTRICT SHELTER AND COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY REACHING OUT TO US DAILY THROUGH OUR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER TO NOTIFY US HOW MANY BEDS ARE AVAILABLE.

THE SAME THING WITH THE MERCED RESCUE MISSION ON THE BRIDGE HOME,THAT WE'RE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DIGNITY, WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

DEFINITELY I AM PERSONALLY GRATEFUL TO THAT LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION, WHICH HAS BEEN KEY.

THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS FULL, BUT WE ARE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY ARE NOT AND WE'RE USING THOSE TO ACTIVELY GO OUT AND OUTREACH AND OFFER THOSE TO PEOPLE.

VERY GOOD. ALEX, JOHN, THANK YOU.

THIS IS VERY COMPLEX PROBLEM THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH AND THIS PRESENTATION IS FANTASTIC.

THANK YOU. MR CHAIR.

GOOD. THANK YOU, ARE THERE COMMENTS? I AM IN THE QUEUE.

GOOD. GO AHEAD.

[NOISE] SORRY ABOUT THAT. ONE TECHNICAL QUESTION.

IN THE PRESENTATION ON PAGE 16, IT SAYS, "AUTHORIZE A MATCH OF 2.5 MILLION." BUT IS THAT CORRECT? I THOUGHT THE ALLIANCE MATCH AMOUNT WAS SMALLER. CAN YOU CLARIFY? YES, ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S ACTUALLY OVER-MATCHED.

THE MATCH THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH IS ONLY A QUARTER OF THE TOTAL PROJECT, $5 MILLION.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

THEN, NO DISRESPECT TO MY COLLEAGUE, SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL AND THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE TIME THAT I'VE PUT IN.

BUT THIS ISN'T A BAND-AID ON A WOUND.

WHEN YOU PUT A BANDAGE ON, YOU HOPE IT HEALS ITSELF.

THIS IS MORE LIKE SURGERY WHERE YOU'RE GETTING INVOLVED AND YOU ARE EFFECTING THE OUTCOMES.

ANYWAYS, THAT'S MY POINT.

YEAH. [LAUGHTER] I KNOW.

THIS GIVES THE COUNTY THE NON-PROFITS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, A LOT OF TOOLS THAT ALLOW US TO REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT.

UNLESS A PERSON IS SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL, WE CAN'T REALLY SEQUESTER THEM, AND SO IT HAS TO BE THEIR CHOICE.

THIS CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE WE CAN BUILD RELATIONSHIPS FAR ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WE HAVE.

THE OTHER INTERESTING THING IS WE DO HAVE A FEW EMPTY BEDS BUT BECAUSE OF THE BOISE RULING, LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN VERY RELUCTANT TO GO IN AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE REALLY CAUSING TROUBLE OR LIVE IN WAY OUTSIDE, WHAT EVEN IS NORMAL FOR A HOMELESS PERSON, THEY'D BEEN RELUCTANT TO ACT AND SO EVERY DAY, THERE WILL BE SOME EMPTY BEDS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO TAKE AND ENCOURAGE THOSE THAT AREN'T WILLING TO ACCEPT HELP YET TO BE ONE STEP CLOSER.

ANYWAYS, JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND THEN ONE QUESTION TO EITHER JOHN OR ALEXANDER, AS YOU'VE GONE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND SHARED THIS PLAN, HAS THERE BEEN ANY NEGATIVE FEEDBACK OR ITEMS THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF GOING FORWARD? SO AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT IN THE PUBLIC, WE DID MAKE A PRESENTATION LAST WEEK AT THE CONTINUUM OF CARE AND RECEIVED VERY POSITIVE FEEDBACK NOT ONLY FROM THE BOARD BUT THE OTHER MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC THAT WAS IN ATTENDANCE.

SIMILAR TO JOHN'S COMMENT EARLIER REGARDING THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SAID THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS GOING ON AND REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INFORMATION WAS OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC, THAT COMMENT WAS ALSO MADE.

IN ADDITION, YOU WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE A PRESENTATION LAST NIGHT TO A RESIDENTIAL COUNSEL AND YOU WERE MET WITH WITH QUESTIONS, AND I THINK THE PUBLIC IS HUNGRY FOR THE INFORMATION.

BUT IT WAS HELPFUL TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PLAN AND THAT WE WERE VERY CLEAR THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING STAGES OF MOVING FORWARD, AND AS SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL IDENTIFIED, THIS IS A CONTINUAL WORK THAT WE NEED IT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SUSTAINABILITY AND ONGOING SUCCESS.

OKAY.

IF I COULD JUST ADD TO THAT, I DON'T WANT TO CHARACTERIZE IT AS A NEGATIVE COMMENT.

WE DID HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL TO CLC BOARD TO SUPERVISE A MCDANIELS POINT.

YOU CAN'T FORCE PEOPLE TO DO THIS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE PEOPLE THAT JUST, THIS IS THEIR LIFESTYLE.

THEY WANT TO LIVE NOMADIC.

THE RESPONSE, AND I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE AS WELL TO YOUR QUESTION,

[01:15:03]

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT NOW AND THERE'S HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNSHELTERED, TO REALLY IDENTIFY AND MARSHAL THE RESOURCES, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE UP A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE JUST CONCEDING, YOU KNOW THIS IS THE LIFE I WANT AND CHOOSE TO LIVE.

THIS PROJECT AND THESE PROPOSALS WILL ALLOW US, BY INCREASING SHELTER BED, TO REALLY ZERO-DOWN ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS, STRUCTURE A TEAM THAT INCLUDES LAW ENFORCEMENT OUTREACH WORKERS, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TO TARGET THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

THEY'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT MORE HELP THAN SOME PEOPLE THAT WE SEE UNSHELTERED.

IT'LL ALSO HELP US DISPEL SOME OF THE MYTHS THAT EVERYBODY IS A SUBSTANCE USER, EVERYBODY'S A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLIENT.

THAT'S JUST NOT THE REALITY.

WHEN YOU GO OUT ON OUTREACH, YOU'LL FIND INDIVIDUALS WHO JUST DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO SUSTAIN HOUSING AND NEED A LITTLE HELP UP.

IT'S MY BELIEF THAT THESE PROJECTS WILL HELP US REALLY ZERO-IN ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED A LOT OF HELP.

THEN ONE LAST COMMENT IS THAT, WHEN I SPOKE A LITTLE BIT AGO AND GIVEN UP THE GAVEL, I MENTIONED THAT THESE ARE TAXPAYER, I DIDN'T MENTION, BUT I WANT TO MENTION NOW, BUT THESE ARE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, RIGHT? WE TALK ABOUT GRANTS, WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HUD ALLOCATIONS,BUT IT'S REALLY TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

SO I DON'T WANT US TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT A PROJECT LIKE THIS HAS THE ABILITY TO HELP THE REST OF THE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN MERCED COUNTY BE ABLE TO GO DOWNTOWN MERCED, AND HAVE DINNER WITHOUT HAVING TO SEE SOMEBODY AND BE ACCOSTED EVEN BY SOMEBODY WHO'S HOMELESS, WHO'S LOOKING FOR A FEW BUCKS.

WHEN YOU GO TO THE PARKS, THERE SHOULDN'T BE THE PEOPLE THERE THAT NOW HAVE PARENTS AFRAID TO LET THEIR KIDS GO THERE.

I MEAN, IT SOLVES A LOT OF QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES FOR THE REST OF US AND SO THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN WILLING TO PUT MY SUPPORT TOWARDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THANK YOU.

YEAH. [INAUDIBLE].

ALL RIGHT. SO MINE ARE MOSTLY COMMENTS AND NOT QUESTIONS.

SO I THINK YOU GUYS, THIS PRESENTATION WAS EXCELLENT.

I THINK THAT YOU'RE REALLY LAYING, IT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION, BUT THIS IS THE THOUGHT PROCESS THAT GOES BEHIND PUTTING SOMETHING LIKE THIS TOGETHER.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT OUR ASSEMBLY MEMBER AND HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE AND BEING ABLE TO GET ALLOCATED DOLLARS, THEY'RE ALL TAXPAYER DOLLARS, I AGREE WITH YOU SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.

BUT WE ALL PAY INTO IT AND IT'S OUR WAY OF TRYING TO GET SOME OF IT BACK.

I THINK THAT OUR PROBLEM IS STILL MANAGEABLE.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THERE'S 600, GIVE OR TAKE, HOMELESS FOLKS IN MERCED COUNTY AS OF LAST YEAR'S POINT IN TIME COUNT, COMPARED TO WHEN YOU GO TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, OR IN SAN FRANCISCO, THEIR NUMBERS ARE JUST ASTRONOMICAL COMPARED TO OURS.

WE CAN MAKE REAL PROGRESS IN TRYING TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HOMELESS, AND I'M PROUD OF THIS TEAM THAT THAT'S THE APPROACH.

WE'RE NOT IN THE 10 YEAR PLANNED IN HOMELESSNESS, IT'S ALWAYS 10 YEARS AWAY.

THE APPROACH NOW IS HOW DO WE BETTER MANAGE OUR HOMELESS PROBLEMS? SO KUDOS TO YOU GUYS.

I DO WANT TO COMMENT ON THE ITEM THAT WE'LL BE VOTING ON.

I THINK IT'S THE APPROACH THAT WE NEED TO TAKE MORE IN GOVERNMENT WHERE WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE THE BIG NEW FANCY SHINY BUILDING IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WE ALL AGREE EXISTS.

WE HAVE TAKEN THE APPROACH THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE DID.

THEY'VE SPENT THE MONEY ALREADY IN ORDER TO HAVE THE PROJECT DESIGN, AND ALL WE'RE SAYING IS LOOK, WE'RE JUST GOING TO MIRROR THEIR'S.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THEIR EXACT BUILDING AND WE'RE GOING TO PLUG IT INTO SOMEWHERE IN MERCED COUNTY, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE OVER ON B STREET. WHAT DOES THAT DO? THAT SAVES THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, RIGHT? BY MY ESTIMATION, WE SAVE $650,000 BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO REINVENT THE WHEEL.

SO GOOD ON YOU GUYS.

I APPRECIATE THAT APPROACH.

SO YOU SAY, "WELL, WHERE DOES THAT $650,000 GO?" WELL, THIS IS THE KEY ON THIS THING.

THE CHEAPEST THING WE'RE GOING TO DO IS BUILD THIS FACILITY.

IT'S TWO MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO VOTE FOR THE ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP TO ADMINISTER THESE PROGRAMS, AND WHEN THE MONEY'S GOOD IT'S EASY, IT'S AN EASY DECISION TO MAKE, BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT EVENTUALLY AT SOME POINT THE ECONOMY'S GOING TO TAKE A DOWNTURN.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE REAL CHOICES ON WHERE THESE DOLLARS GO.

SO THIS IS ONE WAY WHERE WE'RE TAKING THE DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE, MAKING THEM STRETCH FURTHER AND NOW WE GET TO, HAVING THIS SERVICE PROVIDED UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF 2021 VERSUS MAYBE ONLY TILL THE FIRST PART OF 2021.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

MY OTHER COMMENT ON THE NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS AND THE SUPREME COURT DENIED TAKING THAT UP.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU? LET'S BE REAL ABOUT IT.

THEY ARE TELLING YOU THIS IS A CALIFORNIA PROBLEM, THIS ISN'T A UNITED STATES PROBLEM.

I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THEM, BUT THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT I READ BY THAT.

IS THEY'RE SAYING, "YEAH, YOU KNOW, IN NORTH DAKOTA, WE DON'T HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT YOU HAVE OUT IN CALIFORNIA, AND WE CAN GET INTO THE DISCUSSION AS TO WHY WE THINK THOSE PROBLEMS EXIST."

[01:20:03]

BECAUSE WE ARE PART OF THE GSD PARTY HERE.

WE JUST WANT TO GET STUFF DONE, AND WE SEE THERE'S A PROBLEM AND WE WANT TO FIX IT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, AND I THINK WITH THIS BOARD, OUR STAFF, THE LEADERSHIP FROM OUR ASSEMBLY MEMBERS OFFICE, WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY, SHOW PEOPLE HOW IT'S DONE AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE COMING AND WANTING TO TAKE TOURS OF THIS STUFF, JOHN.

SO YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO POLISH UP THE PRESENTATION BECAUSE I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE GIVING IT A LOT.

THE OTHER THING IS ON THE SECOND PART OF IT, THE SECOND PHASE, THE HOUSES IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AGAIN, SOLVING A PROBLEM.

DOS PALOS HAS FIVE HOMELESS PEOPLE DELHI , MAYBE SIX.

I'M NOT SURE ON THE EXACT NUMBERS.

WE DON'T NEED TO GO BUILD A FIVE MILLION DOLLAR SHELTER IN DOS PALOS, THAT IS NOT A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

BUT IF WE CAN BE ABLE TO GET ONE HOUSE THERE, AND THAT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM THERE.

THAT HELPS SERVICES THESE LITTLE SMALLER UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES.

IN THE CASE OF DOS PALOS, IT IS INCORPORATED.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT APPROACH.

THE LAST THING THAT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT THIS IS AN EVERYONE-PROBLEM.

THIS ISN'T THE COUNTY'S PROBLEM.

THIS ISN'T THE CITY OF MERCED'S PROBLEM, IT ISN'T THE CITY OF LOS BANOS'S PROBLEM AND ALL THE OTHER CITIES IN UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTY.

THIS IS AN EVERYBODY PROBLEM.

I THINK THAT THIS IS ONE THING, DOESN'T MATTER WHICH PARTY AFFILIATION, WHICH GROUP YOU'RE PART OF OR NOT A PART OF.

THE ONE THING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON IS THAT WE HAVE A HOMELESS PROBLEM AND THAT WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO ADDRESS THOSE PROBLEMS. I WILL TELL YOU, I AM PROUD OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT OUR STAFF HAS SHOWN ON THIS ISSUE, OF WANTING TO GET STUFF DONE WITH A REALISTIC TIMELINE.

YES, IS IT A TAJ MAHAL? NO. BUT IT'S FUNCTIONAL.

I MEAN, THOSE SEALING CONTAINERS, THOSE CONTAINERS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO RE-PURPOSE, THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE BOARDING ON, THAT'S SUCH A BRIGHT IDEA.

THOSE THINGS ARE ALMOST INDESTRUCTIBLE.

AT THE END, TO BE ABLE TO RE-PURPOSE THIS BUILDING, IT'S FUNCTIONAL, AND THE OTHER PART IS, THAT IF WE HAVE TO ADD ON TO IT, IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, THEY'RE SQUARE CONTAINERS, IS JUST PLUG AND PLAY, IS LIKE LEGOS.

SO AGAIN, MINE ARE ALL MORE COMMENTS.

I APPRECIATE THE APPROACH TO EVERYTHING AND I SAY FULL STEAM AHEAD.

THAT'S THE APPROACH WE NEEDED DOWN BECAUSE WE WANTED TO GET STUFF DONE AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO REPORT BACK TO THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER THAT THAT MONEY THAT HE FOUGHT HARD FOR, OUR MONEY IN SACRAMENTO TO GET BACK TO US, THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT IN A VERY SHORT EIGHT TO NINE MONTHS FROM NOW. SO THANK YOU.

[INAUDIBLE].

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT AND I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES COMMENTS, ESPECIALLY SUPERVISOR [INAUDIBLE] COMMENTS.

I WANT TO THANK JOHN AND ALEXANDRA FOR COMING OUT LAST NIGHT TO SPEAK TO RESIDENTS.

IT WAS A NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP MEETING AND WE HAD GREAT DIALOGUE.

I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT FOLKS WERE FRUSTRATED AT THE BEGINNING, BUT WE SAW THAT THROUGH CONVERSATION.

IT WAS UNDERSTANDING AND THEN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LANDLORD OFFERING TO HELP.

WE DO NEED MORE OF THAT.

I KNOW WE'RE WORKING ON THE BEST WAYS TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION AND I WANT TO REITERATE MY SUPPORT FOR VIDEOS THAT WE CAN SHARE BROADLY.

IT'S NOT THAT IT'LL BE A SOLUTION, BUT IT'S A WAY IN WHICH FOLKS CAN RECEIVE INFORMATION.

SOMETHING WE ALSO NEED TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE PUBLIC WON'T SEE CHANGES OVERNIGHT.

SO WE CAN CLEAN UP A SITE TODAY AND IT'LL BE BACK UP IN A DAY OR TWO.

IT'LL BE THERE TODAY, WE'LL CLEAN IT UP TOMORROW, AND YOU CAN DRIVE BY IN TWO DAYS AND IT WILL BE BACK UP THEN IT'LL LOOK LIKE NOTHING IS BEING DONE.

SO I JUST WANT TO ASK THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR CONTINUED PATIENT AS WE WORK TO HELP OUR FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THEN ONE THING THAT I'D LIKE YOU BOTH TO TOUCH ON IS THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THEN ALSO IF YOU COULD SHARE WITH US THE USAGE AT THE NAVIGATION CENTER, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, A NUMBER OF FOLKS MAYBE AND WHAT TYPE OF SERVICES THAT THEY'RE REACHING OUT FOR? ABSOLUTELY. SO WITH REGARD TO THE FIRST QUESTION RELATED TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE WITHIN MERCED COUNTY IN LARGE PART TO THE WORK BY THE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY TO REALLY ADDRESS FAMILIES WHO ARE EITHER AT RISK OR CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO BE ABLE TO MEET THEIR NEED FOR BOTH TEMPORARY SHELTERING SITUATIONS.

OFTEN TIMES, THROUGH A HOTEL VOUCHER,

[01:25:02]

TO BE ABLE TO FIND AND ASSIST THEM WITH HOUSING NAVIGATION, TO FIND A LONGER TERM PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTION AND THEN BE ABLE TO COME ALONGSIDE THEM WHILE THEY FIND THAT SOLUTION AND ASSIST WITH CONNECTING THEM WITH ONGOING SERVICES AND SUPPORTS.

WITHIN MERCED COUNTY, THERE IS NO OVERWHELMING RECURRENT NEED TO HAVE EMERGENCY SHELTERING SITUATION THAT IS SPECIFIC TO FAMILIES, AND I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO JOHN TO REITERATE THIS.

IN REGARDS TO FAMILIES, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY AND THE JOB THEY DO THAT WE JUST DON'T RUN INTO FAMILIES VERY FREQUENTLY IN DOING OUTREACH.

WHEN WE DO, THEY'RE GENERALLY A PHONE CALL AWAY FROM SERVICES.

MY BEST EXAMPLE OF THAT IS WHEN THERE WAS A FAMILY LIVING IN AN ALLEY RIGHT OVER HERE, AND STILL, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MOMENTS OF MY LIFE IN THIS BUSINESS.

A HOMELESS VETERAN WHO WAS LIVING IN A HALLWAY CAME UP TO THIS THIRD FLOOR, KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND SAID, "HEY JOHN, MY FAMILY ARE LIVING IN THIS ALLEY WAY." WE WENT DOWN, CALLED HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY.

WITHIN AN HOUR THEY WERE THERE DOING AN ASSESSMENT.

IT WAS AN UNDOCUMENTED MOTHER WITH THREE CHILDREN.

WITHIN AN HOUR OF THEM ARRIVING ON SITE, THE MERCED RESCUE MISSION CAME IN WITH A VAN, THEY LOADED UP AND WENT TO A MOTEL IN ATWATER.

IN REGARDS TO FAMILIES, WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE WORKING FOR THE COUNTY AND ALSO FOR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

WE DON'T SEE THAT VERY FREQUENTLY.

OUR PROJECTS WILL BE ONLY FOR ADULT INDIVIDUALS.

WE WOULD NOT BE LOOKING TO UTILIZE THAT FOR ANY TYPE OF FAMILIES EXISTING RESOURCES.

AS FAR AS THE NAVIGATION CENTER, MS. PIERCE TALKED ABOUT IT WITH THE RELEASE OF AN RFP, WE WILL BE IDENTIFYING A MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

THE PROPOSALS WILL GO A LONG WAY ON DETERMINING WHO WOULD BE SELECTED FOR THAT AND WHAT SERVICES THEY WOULD BE PROVIDING.

WE WOULD LOOK FOR A VERY ROBUST DIVERSION PROGRAM, SOMETHING WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN SELF-CORRECT AND RELY ON EITHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

WHAT WE SEE TIME AND TIME AGAIN IS THAT NO MATTER WHERE SOMEONE IS, AND YOU'RE OUT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF DELHI, NEXT TO THE MERCED RIVER AND YOU'RE JUST LIKE, "HEY, CAN I OFFER YOU A SPOT SOMEWHERE ELSE?" THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED.

INDIVIDUALS WANT TO STAY IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE THEY HAVE SOCIAL SUPPORTS.

WE WILL LOOK TO UTILIZE THAT THROUGH A VERY ROBUST DIVERSION PROGRAM, AT LEAST INITIALLY UPON INTAKE.

WE'LL LOOK FOR SOME TYPE OF ASSESSMENT.

THERE'S A COORDINATED ASSESSMENT TOOL THAT WE USE, IT'S CALLED THE [INAUDIBLE] , TO DETERMINE VULNERABILITY.

THAT DETERMINES ON WHAT RESOURCES AND REFERRALS WE WOULD DO.

IT ALSO IDENTIFIED SUB-POPULATIONS SUCH AS SOMEONE WITH A DEPENDENT-AGE CHILD SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE LINKAGE TO CALWORKS OR HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY.

MAYBE A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS OR A SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS, WHERE WE WOULD LOOK TO CONNECT THEM IF THEY HAD PASSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH VETERANS.

LOTS OF RESOURCES FOR VETERANS IS ANOTHER THING THAT THE COMMUNITY DESERVES A LOT OF ACCOLADES FOR TACKLING VETERANS.

WE HAVE A BY-NAME LIST, WE WORK ON IT EVERY OTHER WEEK TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

WE HAVE RESOURCES HERE THROUGH HUD-VASH.

SO INITIALLY, WE'D WANT TO IDENTIFY THOSE SUB-POPULATIONS, AND THEN JUST IN GENERAL NEED, SO SOCIAL NEEDS, WHETHER IT'S INCOME, HOUSING SUPPORT, GETTING VITAL DOCUMENTS IS CRUCIAL.

GETTING SOME TYPE OF IDENTIFICATION, A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, YOU CAN'T ACCESS A LOT OF THE MAINSTREAM RESOURCES.

THEN AGAIN, JUST PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, PARTNERSHIP WITH SIERRA SAVING GRACE, PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RESCUE MISSION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY DOING SERVICES AND MAKING SURE THERE'S A VERY STREAMLINE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH. THAT'S OUR APPROACH TO THIS.

RIGHT NOW IT'S DISPARATE SERVICES THAT ARE BEING MORE WELL-COORDINATED THAN EVER, BUT WE BELIEVE THERE'S ROOM FOR CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT.

THE NAVIGATION CENTER WILL ALLOW US TO PROVIDE THAT EMERGENCY SHELTER.

DO THE ASSESSMENT, DO THE PRIORITIZATION, DO THE REFERRAL, HELP GET SOMEONE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING, BE A BASE FOR LANDLORD RECRUITMENT AND INCENTIVE, AND THEN FOLLOW IT ON WITH CASE MANAGEMENT POST PLACEMENT.

THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR A MANAGEMENT ENTITY FOR ANY OF THESE PROJECTS.

IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS COME UP AS A BARRIER BEFORE IS RELATED TO THE SHELTER BEING ABLE TO ADDRESS AND HAVE SPACE FOR PETS, PARTNERS, AND POSSESSIONS.

THE PROPOSAL THAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR THE NAVIGATION CENTER PROJECT IN MERCED DOES ACCOMMODATE FOR PETS, PARTNERS, AND POSSESSIONS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO ADDRESS A NEED, BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER.

THAT IS THAT LOW BARRIER.

FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE A PARTNER AND WANT TO BE ABLE TO STAY TOGETHER SHELTERED, THEY WOULD HAVE THAT OPTION.

FOR INDIVIDUALS, AND MANY OF THEM DO HAVE PETS, THAT IS THEIR COMPANION AND THAT'S THEIR SAFE PLACE,

[01:30:01]

THEN ALSO FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHERE A MORE CONGREGATE SHELTER SITUATION IN A DORMITORY STYLE IS NOT APPROPRIATE, THE SECOND PROPOSAL RELATED TO THE DISTRIBUTIVE HOUSING GIVES US YET ANOTHER TOOL OR RESOURCE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER FOR INDIVIDUALS WHERE DORMITORY STYLE IS NOT APPROPRIATE.

THANK YOU. COUNTER COUNSELOR HAS A COMMENT.

[BACKGROUND] SORRY.

YES. I WANTED TO POINT OUT A TYPO, NOT TO EMBARRASS ANYONE, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY LEGALLY NECESSARY.

ON PAGE 15, FIRST BULLET, THE EXEMPTION WE'RE USING UNDER CEQA, IS CEQA GUIDELINE 15268.

IT'S CORRECT IN THE BAI BUT WRONG IN THE SLIDE.

I JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT THE CORRECT EXEMPTION IS 15268.

THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING] DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? BECAUSE I'M READY TO MAKE A MOTION IF WE- [OVERLAPPING] YEAH, REAL QUICK. [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU.

THE HOMELESS PROBLEM HAS BEEN JUST WIDESPREAD AND LIKE EVERYBODY THAT'S COME IN WITH A VERY GOOD COMMENT, AND I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY THANKFUL TO ASSEMBLY MEMBER ADAM GRAY, AND ALSO TO SUPERVISOR [INAUDIBLE] , WHOSE WORK I THINK [INAUDIBLE] , AND OTHER PARTNERS, AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HELPING OUT IN THESE PROGRAMS. WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS SO MUCH, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE HOMELESS.

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE VULNERABLE PEOPLE THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE AND WITH ALL THESE HEALTH ISSUES THAT THEY FACE.

ALSO, THAT WE CAN PROVIDE WITH THESE PROJECTS, HOPEFULLY, BETTER SERVICES SO THEY CAN GET OUT OF THAT.

BUT THERE'S TWO SIDES TO THE HOMELESS.

I THINK THERE'S THE HOMELESS AND ALSO TO THE UPPER [INAUDIBLE] PEOPLE AND [INAUDIBLE] , THEY'RE APPREHENSIVE AND THE FEAR THAT IS THERE.

I THINK WE ALL GET THE CALLS FROM PEOPLE SAYING, "THESE HOMELESS RIGHT NEXT TO THE FREEWAY, I RIGHT IN FRONT.

THEY'RE CREATING ISSUES ALL DAY AND NIGHT, 24 HOURS A DAY.

THEY'RE UP AND DOWN ACROSS THE STREET, THEY ARE BREAKING INTO MY CAR, THEY'VE BREAKING INTO MY HOME," THAT'S PRETTY SAD.

THANK EVERYONE FOR HELPING OUT.

ALSO THE FEAR OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MAYBE THEY CAN'T GET ENOUGH FUNDS TO PAY THE RENT, AND THEN ALREADY THE LANDLORDS ARE SAYING, "NO WAY.

I"LL HAVE TO INCREASE YOUR RENT." I NOTICE WE HAVE RENT CONTROLS TOO, BUT IF SOMEBODY GETS KICKED OUT AND BECAUSE OF WHATEVER, TO REMODEL, AND THEN THEY WANT TO RAISE- WE'VE HAD A COMMENT TODAY ABOUT SOMEBODY MIGHT HAVE TO PAY FROM $7-$1,300, THAT'S UNCONSCIONABLE.

IT'S PRETTY DETRIMENTAL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

SO THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE PRESENTATION AS WELL.

I'LL TAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

THANK YOU.

MR. CHAIR, IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS FROM MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, THIS IS ON ITEM 12.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 12 AND ESTABLISHING ALL OF THE FINDINGS, THE CEQA FINDINGS AND ALL OF THE SUBSEQUENT ACTIONS RECOMMENDED IN THE STAFF REPORT ON PAGE ONE.

THAT'LL BE MY MOTION.

[BACKGROUND].

EXCUSE ME. CAN THE PUBLIC COMMENT? YES. RIGHT NOW, COMES RIGHT AFTER THE MOTION.

IT'S BEEN MOVED BY SUPERVISOR [INAUDIBLE] AND A SECOND BY [INAUDIBLE] DANIEL.

PREPARE THE COMMENTS, PLEASE.

[BACKGROUND].

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS FERNANDO AGUILLERA, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF MERCED AND A BUSINESS OWNER.

EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT, I THINK IT'S A GOOD PROJECT, BUT I GOT A FEW QUESTIONS.

ACCORDINGLY TO YOUR COMMENTS ON SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, WE HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM WITH HOMELESS.

THEY NEVER HAVE ENOUGH ROOMS FOR THEM BECAUSE IF YOU GO TO SAN FRANCISCO AND LA, YOU'LL SEE A BIG AREA WITH THE CAMPING HOMELESS THERE.

I'M A LITTLE SCARED ON BEING ONE OR THOSE CITIES BECAUSE THEY GOT MORE MONEY THAN MERCED COUNTY.

[01:35:04]

RIGHT NOW, ACCORDING TO YOU NUMBERS, IS 600 HOMELESS.

BUT IF YOU ADD OUR BUSINESS AND MAIN STREET, THEN YOU FIND MORE THAN THAT.

THE THING IS GREAT, EVERYTHING IS GREAT, BUT DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY PLANS FOR NEW HOMELESS? LET'S SAY THAT UNDER A PERFECT WORLD, 2021 WE GOT ENOUGH BEDS FOR 600 HOMELESS, WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE NEW HOMELESS THAT IS COMING? BECAUSE THEY SEE THERE IS OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

YOU GUYS HAVE PLANS FOR THAT? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION. ALL RIGHT.

TWO POTENTIAL PIECES OF FEEDBACK TO HELP RESPOND TO THAT.

BUT FIRST IS REGARDING THE NAVIGATION CENTER MANAGEMENT ENTITY THAT WE'RE REQUESTING IS FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE LIVING AND RESIDING IN MERCED COUNTY, WHEN THEY GET THE NAVIGATION CENTER, THERE WILL BE AN ASSESSMENT THAT IS DONE TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE IS.

ONE OF THE GOALS FOR THAT IS REALLY TO GET AT YOUR CONCERN RELATED TO, ARE WE GOING TO BE DRAWING ADDITIONAL FOLKS BECAUSE WE HAVE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE? SO WITHIN OUR CURRENT PLAN, THE GOAL IS FOR AN ASSESSMENT TO BE DONE AND TO BE ABLE TO LINK THE INDIVIDUAL IF THEY ARE NOT A CURRENT RESIDENT OF MERCED COUNTY BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL PLACE OF RESIDENT AND LINK THEM WITH RESOURCES THERE.

IS THAT SOMETHING LEGAL? THAT YOU CAN SEND PEOPLE BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL RESIDENT? BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, IF YOU GUYS DO A LITTLE INQUEST, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY SOMETHING LESS.

BUT IF YOU DO A LITTLE INQUEST WITH THESE 600 HOMELESS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT NOT 100 PERCENT IS FROM MERCED COUNTY.

YEAH. ACTUALLY INTERESTINGLY THIS MORNING WE RECEIVED OUR ANNUAL HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS REPORT, AND IT SHOWED THAT 77 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ENTERED IN THE DATABASE WERE FROM, THE LAST KNOWN ZIP CODE WAS THIS OF COUNTY OF MERCED ZIP CODE.

WHAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING ABOUT THAT 77 PERCENT NUMBER IS THAT EXACTLY MAYORS ARE 2018 NUMBERS AS WELL.

SO PREDOMINANTLY, AND I THINK WHEN WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT DELL HIGH AND INDIVIDUALS GENERALLY STAYING AROUND THEIR SOCIAL SUPPORTS.

I THINK PREDOMINANTLY, WE WON'T SEE AN INFLOW.

THOSE NUMBERS DID SHOW A LITTLE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE GENERAL POPULATION AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO STAY AT EMERGENCY SHELTERS.

THERE IS A POPULATION AT TRADITIONAL EMERGENCY SHELTERS YOU GET A SIX MONTHS STAY AND THEN YOU HAVE TO MOVE.

THERE WAS NO FOCUS ON HOUSING.

SO WHAT WE'LL SEE IS PEOPLE THAT WILL STAY SIX MONTHS IN ONE JURISDICTION AND MAYBE MOVE TO A DIFFERENT ONE.

IN OUR CASE, SINCE WE'VE ONLY GOT ONE EMERGENCY SHELTER, THOSE PEOPLE SOMETIMES ARE FROM OUT OF COUNTY JURISDICTIONS.

WE WOULD, AGAIN, THROUGH DIVERSION AND FOCUSING ON THAT, TRY TO REDIRECT.

THERE'S NO FORCING ANYBODY.

I DON'T SAY GO BACK , BUT DEFINITELY THE FIRST CONVERSATION WOULD BE, WHERE ARE YOUR SOCIAL SUPPORTS? A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BURNED THOSE BRIDGES, BUT WE FIND THAT THROUGH ENGAGEMENT, LITERALLY REACHING OUT TO THE FAMILY, WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED A HOMEWARD BOUND PROGRAM.

WELL, WE'LL RUN ACROSS INDIVIDUALS WHO JUST NEED A BUS TICKET BACK HOME.

WE'RE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF JUST SENDING PEOPLE ANYWHERE ELSE.

WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF TRYING TO IMPROVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.

SO THAT PROCESS WOULD LOOK LIKE US REACHING OUT TO SOMEBODY, AND SOMETIMES AS FAR AWAY AS INDIANA.

CONFIRMING THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS A PLACE TO GO AND THEN RECONNECTING.

THERE'S A GREAT STORY FROM OUR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATORS, SRGS.

HE GOT AN EMAIL FROM A MOTHER IN NEW YORK CITY.

HE RECONNECTED HER ADULT-AGE SON TO HER, AND SHE SAID, "I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS INDIVIDUAL IN 40 YEARS." SO WE WOULD FOCUS ON DIVERSION, ALLOWING PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GO BACK IN THEIR SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORK IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT CONSISTENT 77-80 PERCENT OF INDIVIDUALS ARE FROM MERCED COUNTY, I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT MOVING FORWARD BEING VERY CONSISTENT.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT INFLOW, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO QUANTIFY WHAT'S THE INFLOW AND OUTFLOW FROM HOMELESSNESS BY PROVIDING THESE EXTRA EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GATHER AND REFINE DATA JUST LIKE I TALKED ABOUT WITH THE HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.

SO I WOULD NOT ANTICIPATE THAT, BUT WE WILL HAVE INCONTINGENCIES IN OUR RFP AND WHATEVER MANAGEMENT ENTITY WE IDENTIFY.

THAT'LL BE A QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR THAT OPERATION MANAGEMENT ENTITY.

[01:40:02]

THANK VERY MUCH.

[NOISE].

YEAH. GO AHEAD.

OKAY. CONGRATULATIONS ON CHAIRMAN ESPINOZA.

THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS PAUL H. GARCIA AND I AGREE WITH MCDANIELS IN REGARDS TO THE PRESENTATION THAT YOU HAVE MADE.

IT'S PRETTY COMPLEX.

IF IT'S COMPLEX FOR YOU GUYS, HOW DO YOU THINK IT IS FOR US? I SAY SO.

BUT I AGREED THAT THE EFFORTS AND THE SUPPORT OF HANDLING THIS SITUATION AND IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN HOMELESS, SO YOU DON'T REALLY CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH IT RIGHT NOW.

SOME PEOPLE NEED AN EXTRA HELP BECAUSE THEY LOST THEIR JOB OR THEY LOST THEIR HOMES.

THOSE SITUATIONS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PERCENTAGES ARE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE, BUT I BELIEVE WHAT SILVEIRA STATED THAT THIS THING, AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM IN THE COUNTY OF MERCED? I KNOW THAT OTHER CITIES HAVE SHELTERS AND FULL TO CAPACITY.

SO SOME OF THE PEOPLE MOVE AROUND, AND PEOPLE RUN IN APARTMENTS, THEY NEVER STAY IN THE SAME APARTMENT.

THEY'RE ALWAYS MOVING AROUND EVERY TWO WEEKS OR EVERY WEEK OR EVERY MONTH.

WELL, THE SAME THING WITH THE HOMELESS.

THEY REACH A CERTAIN AREA THEY'RE TERMED THAT THEY HAVE TO MOVE OR THEY HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

THE THING IS THAT WE NEED TO COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF PLAN IN LONG TERMS BECAUSE THIS THING IS NOT GETTING ANY BETTER.

YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE COMING INTO THIS COUNTRY AND SOME ILLEGAL, SOME LEGAL, BUT THEY CAN'T FIND JOBS.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO FOR SHELTER, ESPECIALLY IF THEY DON'T HAVE FAMILIES? SO IT IS A COMMUNITY PROBLEM, IT'S A CITY PROBLEM, AND A COUNTY PROBLEM, AND A STATE PROBLEM.

YEAH. MAYBE THEY ARE THE FIRST ONE TO GET INVOLVED WITH THIS, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT'S EVERYBODY'S PROBLEM BECAUSE I WOULD TELL YOU THAT IF SOMEBODY WAS THERE CAMPING A SUPERVISOR'S LORD, I KNOW SHE'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, THE SAME THING WITH EACH ONE OF YOU.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT IF EVERYBODY CAN COME TOGETHER AND FIND OUT SOME SOLUTIONS, HOW TO THINK TOO AS MAKING PRESENTATIONS TO THEM AT THE MAC MEETINGS AND LET THE PEOPLE KNOW THERE AND THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT THE COUNTY IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THE GOVERNOR HE'S RECOMMENDED THAT MORE FUNDING WILL BE GOING FOR THE HOMELESS.

YEAH, BUT TO WHICH COUNTIES? SO IS IT MERCED COUNTY OR IS IT OTHER BIGGER COUNTIES? [NOISE] DID YOU CUT ME OFF? NO. YOU'VE FINISHED THE THREE MINUTES.

OKAY. ALL I WANT TO SAY IS THAT I VERY SUPPORT ALL OF YOU GUYS HERE AND MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE AND THE RIGHT DECISIONS THAT THE MONEY GOES IN THE SAME TRANSPARENCY AND THAT AREAS.

THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANYONE ELSE PROBABLY COMING? [NOISE].

GOOD MORNING, BARRY ANDERSON? SO HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY? FINE. THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS, MR. MAYOR. GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY.

REAL QUICK, I'M THINKING ABOUT I DIDN'T HEAR UNLESS I DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT OVERSIGHT ON THE FACILITIES WHERE THEY'LL BE LOCATED.

BUT THE RESOURCES FOR THESE LOCATIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE LOCATIONS AND THE PROPER RESOURCES VERY CLOSE TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE I'VE SEEN OTHER CITIES PUT THEM IN LOCATIONS WHERE THERE ARE REALLY NO RESOURCES BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WALKING, IN BICYCLES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

NOW WITH THE TRANSITION INTO HOUSING, I'M WONDERING IF HOW THAT WILL WORK WHEN THE INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVE THEIR LOCATIONS FOR LIVING THROUGH YOUR ASSESSMENT AND HOW WILL THAT WORK? WILL THEY BECOME FREE AGENTS WHERE THEY CAN COME AND GO OR WILL THERE BE SOME MECHANISM TO WHERE EVERYBODY WILL BE MONITORED?

[01:45:07]

SO THAT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

ALSO, DISTANCE FROM CHURCHES, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND OTHER FACILITIES LIKE THAT.

PRESCHOOL FACILITIES, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL.

SO THOSE ARE SOME BASIC THINGS I JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU FROM PAST EXPERIENCES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALSO, THE MENTALLY CHALLENGED.

WHAT WILL BE THE TECHNICAL PROCESS OF THAT FOR ASSESSMENT AS WELL? BECAUSE OF IT'S JUST GENERAL ASSESSMENT, THEY COULD BE STILL RUNNING AROUND WITHOUT THEIR MEDICATION NORMAL OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

IT'S THE EXCEPTION OF TRANSITION.

LIKE YOU SAID, THEY CAN'T BE FORCED INTO THAT.

IT'S INTERESTING THAT I HEAR THAT ALL TREND IS ACCEPTING THE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND THEIR PROPERTY.

DID I HEAR IT BETTER OR AM I WRONG WITH THAT? OR IF I DIDN'T HEAR THAT I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT [INAUDIBLE].

I THINK YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

BUT I THINK IT'S BEEN OUT AND SAY IT SET OUT THERE.

SO WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ASKING ALL THE QUESTIONS.

I JUST WILL TAKE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.

[INAUDIBLE].

YEAH. JUST WE DO TAKE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE WRITE THEM DOWN AND LEAVE THEM ON THE SIDE THERE AND WE'LL ANSWER THEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? AFTER THAT, WE'LL COME BACK TO DICE AND WE HAVE MOTION BY AN ITEM NUMBER 12 BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND THE SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING I.

[OVERLAPPING] THE OPPOSED, THE SAME SIGN.

HERE IS UNANIMOUSLY. NUMBER 13? GO AHEAD, SIR.

MR. CHAIR, AGAIN, IF THERE ARE NO OTHER FURTHER COMMENTS ON ITEM 13, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 13 WITH THE FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAGE 1 OF THE STAFF REPORT.

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEM 13? I BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED THIS TIME? THIS IS UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT IS ADD COMMISSIONER, ITEM NUMBER 14.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

[LAUGHTER] MOVED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, SECOND BY SILVEIRA.

ANY COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON 14? NO. WE COME BACK TO THE BOARD.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? SAME SIGN.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT IS HEALTH, ITEMS 15 THROUGH 19.

MOVED TO APPROVE.

SECOND [INAUDIBLE].

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR LOR. COMMENTS? THANK YOU. SPECIFIC TO ITEM NUMBER 18, I WANTED TO THANK THE PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF FOR THEIR WORK.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND IT TAKES TIME TO CHANGE THE CONVERSATION, CHANGE PERSPECTIVES, CHANGE BEHAVIOR, AND CHANGE CULTURE.

SO I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR STAYING PASSIONATE, POSITIVE, AND CONSISTENT WITH THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC? NO. ON ITEMS 15 TO 19? THAT WOULD BRING IT BACK TO THE AYES.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES, ITEMS 20 THROUGH 22.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

THIS IS MOTIONED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR LEE LOR.

ANY COMMENTS? NO? QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC, 20 TO 22?

[01:50:03]

AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. GO AHEAD.

HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ITEM NUMBER 23.

MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

MOVED BY SUPERVISOR LOR, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

ANY COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC? NO? COME BACK.

ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? UNANIMOUS.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ITEM NUMBER 24.

I MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

MOTIONED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, SUPERVISOR LEE LOR SECOND.

ANY QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC? COME BACK FOR THE COMMENTS.

IF NOT THEN, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

LIBRARY, ITEM NUMBER 25.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

[LAUGHTER] MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

ANY QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC? COME BACK. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

PROBATION, ITEM NUMBER 26.

I MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND WITH COMMENT.

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

SECOND LEE LOR WITH COMMENT. GO AHEAD.

THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO STRESS HOW IMPORTANT INTERNSHIPS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

I'VE BEEN AFTER STAFF FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF INTERNSHIPS THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES.

I WAS A STUDENT AT CSU STANISLAUS, INTERNED WITH ADULT PROBATION AND CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER JEFF KETTERING WAS MY SUPERVISOR'S SUPERVISOR.

EVEN AS A STUDENT INTERN, I HEARD ABOUT THE POSITIVE IMPACTS THAT HE HAS MADE AND HIS LEADERSHIP.

SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU NOW YOU IN YOUR POSITION.

NOW, WE GET TO WORK WITH YOU AGAIN IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY.

SO I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF AT THE TIME.

THEY REALLY HELPED ME DECIDE WHAT CAREER I WANTED, SO I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR THAT.

THE INTERNSHIP AT THE ADULT PROBATION LED ME TO VOLUNTEERING FOR JUVENILE PROBATION AS THE SOCIAL INVESTIGATOR FOR THE THEN YOUTH ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD.

SO I DO HAVE A SMALL EXPERIENCE AND WINDOW INTO THE WORLD OF PROBATION.

SO THANK YOU JEFF, FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU PROBATION FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE AND ALL THAT YOU WILL DO WITH THESE INTERNSHIPS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NUMBER 26? THAT WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE AYES.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSE? SAME SIDE.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ELECTIONS, ITEM NUMBER 27.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

I'LL SECOND.

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECOND BY MCDANIEL.

ANY QUESTIONS ON NUMBER 27 BY THE PUBLIC? NO. WE COME BACK. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? SAME SIDE.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

BUYER, ITEM NUMBER 28.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

I'LL PROBABLY SECOND IT.

[LAUGHTER] MOTION BY SUPERVISOR LOR, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? OKAY, WE BRING IT BACK.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNTY COUNCIL, ITEMS 29 THROUGH 32.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR LOR.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ON 29 THROUGH 32? COME BACK. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? SAME SIDE.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SHERIFF, ITEM NUMBER 33.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

MOVED BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR LOR.

[LAUGHTER] ANY QUESTION FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEM NUMBER 33? THAT WILL BRING IT BACK. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? SAME SIDE.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

FOR THE SUPERVISORS, ITEM 34.

I MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIELS, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR LOR.

ANY QUESTION FROM THE PUBLIC, ITEM NUMBER 34? NO. WE MOVE BACK. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

[01:55:02]

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? SAME SIGN.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT IS BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 35 THROUGH 39.

PLEASE NOTE ITEMS 35 AND NUMBER 38 HAVE BEEN PULLED.

[INAUDIBLE].

GO AHEAD, SIR.

ON ITEM 39, AS A REAPPOINTMENT OF RON [INAUDIBLE] TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE MERCER COUNTY MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT, REPRESENTING COUNTY WESTERN BUREAU TO EITHER A TWO-YEAR OR A FOUR-YEAR TERM.

I DID SPEAK WITH HIM THIS MORNING, AND HE DID IN THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.

HE SAID HE ONLY WANTED TWO YEARS.

I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST RECOMMEND FOUR, BUT I SPOKE WITH HIM THIS MORNING HE REALLY JUST WANTS TWO, SO IF WE COULD NOTE THAT, THEN I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEMS, MINUS THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED, AND NOTE THAT ON ITEM 39, THAT'S TO A TWO-YEAR TERM.

SECOND.

ITEM 36, 37, AND 39, MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? WE'LL BRING IT BACK WITH THE AMENDMENT ON THERE.

ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION,

[BOARD INFORMATION & POSSIBLE ACTION]

I MOVE THE FILE.

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.

SECOND.

SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PAREIRA. ON TO FILE.

ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? NO? BRING IT BACK. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE".

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE JANUARY 28TH, 2020.

[POSSIBLE DIRECTION FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]

[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]

WE'LL START ON MY LEFT, SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.

WE GOT A SECOND FOR DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR APPOINTMENT TO CHAIRMANSHIP.

SUPERVISOR PAREIRA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK STAFF, THANK MY COLLEAGUES IN ONE YEAR UNDER THE BELT.

I FEEL LIKE WE'VE MADE SOME MEANINGFUL PROGRESS OVER THIS FIRST YEAR.

I THINK THAT THERE'S ALWAYS ROOMS FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT I WORK EVERY DAY TO TRY TO HELP FIND US THOSE WAYS TO IMPROVE.

IT'S REALLY BEEN A NICE GETTING TO KNOW, NOT ONLY MY COLLEAGUES BUT BUT THE STAFF THAT WE WORK WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A PERSON THAT, LISTEN, YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE, I BELIEVE IN AN HONEST DAY'S PAY FOR AN HONEST DAY'S WORK, BUT IT MAKES IT SO MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE WHEN YOU HAVE TALENTED PEOPLE AROUND YOU, AND WE'RE ALL PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

THE HARDEST PART FOR ESPECIALLY, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND EXECUTIVE LEVEL STAFF IS DEALING WITH THE FIVE OF US AND I SAY THAT NICELY.

WE COME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

I DON'T HAVE A BACKGROUND, I'VE NOT WORKED IN GOVERNMENT MY WHOLE LIFE, AND SO I BRING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES I CAN BE CHALLENGING IN THE WAY THAT I SEE THE WORLD, AND HOW I SHARE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.

IT WOULD BE A LOT EASIER IF THEY JUST SAW THE WORLD THE SAME WAY AS ME, BUT ANYHOW I'VE BEEN APPRECIATED THIS FIRST YEAR, I'VE LEARNED A LOT.

AGAIN, I SAID IT EARLY ON THIS, YOU COME INTO THIS JOB KNOWING THAT YOU DON'T KNOW A LOT OF STUFF, AND THEN YOU GET HERE AND YOU REALIZED YOU KNOW EVEN LESS.

LET ME SAY IT THAT WAY. I FEEL LIKE THAT I'M GETTING A GRASP ON THINGS.

I FEEL THAT I UNDERSTAND STUFF A LOT BETTER.

SO AGAIN, MY COMMITMENT IS TO JUST KEEP WORKING AT THAT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT WE'RE DOING BUSINESS.

BUT I STILL LOVE COMING TO WORK EVERY DAY, AND THAT'S TO ME I DO HAVE FUN, I DO ENJOY INTERACTING WITH FOLKS, WHETHER IT BE STAFF OR CONSTITUENTS.

I TALK A LOT ABOUT MY 56,000 BOSSES THAT RESIDE IN THE DISTRICT 5, THE DISTRICT THAT I LIVE IN, AND GETTING TO INTERACT WITH THOSE FOLKS.

BUT IF YOU CAN'T HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN DOING THIS, THEN I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, YOU MIGHT NOT BE WORTH IT.

SO I ENJOY IT, I ENJOY WORKING WITH EVERYBODY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO AN EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL 2020. THANK YOU.

OH, I DID WANT TO ADJOURN THE MEETING TODAY IN MEMORY OF A LONG-TIME DOS PALOS RESIDENT, EARL K. WONG.

HIS MEMORIAL SERVICES ARE SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH, AND THIS WAS PASSED ON TO ME BY MY PREDECESSOR SUPERVISOR, JERRY O'BANNON.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO ADJOURN TODAY'S MEETING IN THE MEMORY OF EARL K. WONG. THANK YOU.

I WON'T CONTINUE TO SAY WHAT I SAID,

[02:00:03]

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SINCERE THANK YOU TO OUR ASSEMBLYMAN, ADAM GRAY, TO OUR CEO, JIM BROWN, MY COLLEAGUES, JOHN CHECKLEY, AND ALEXANDRA PEERS FOR WORKING SO HARD ON THIS PROJECT WE PASSED TODAY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO IT BEING MONUMENTAL AND CHANGING THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE CURRENTLY WITH [INAUDIBLE] AND MERCED COUNTY, AND I THINK IT WAS A GREAT CHOICE.

SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN.

I'D LIKE TO CLOSE TODAY'S MEETING IN MEMORY OF SCOTT SMITH, HE'S A DENTIST HERE IN MERCED.

THE UNIQUE THING ABOUT SCOTT, HE WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS, BUT YOU NEVER KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING BEHIND THE SCENES BECAUSE HE WAS DONATING AND GIVING AND DOING A LOT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND REALLY NEVER ASK AND WANTED ANY CREDIT.

HE DIED UNEXPECTEDLY THE OTHER NIGHT, AND SO ANYWAY, SO I LIKE TO CLOSE IN HIS MEMORY.

THEN CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SUPERVISOR ESPINOZA, AND LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER GREAT YEAR.

THANK YOU SIR. SUPERVISOR LOR.

OKAY.

OKAY. [LAUGHTER] CHANGING THE GRAPH.

I WAS THINKING, OH, YOU'RE GOING TO MEET SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL THIS YEAR, THAT'S GREAT.

THANK YOU SUPERVISOR PAREIRA FOR SERVING AS OUR CHAIR LAST YEAR.

I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU HIGHLIGHTED THE SUCCESSES, AND YOU TOUCHED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAMWORK.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN INDIRECTLY, BUT YOU'VE ALWAYS SHARED SUCCESSES AS A RESULT OF TEAMWORK.

IT'S NEVER BEEN ANY ONE PERSON ALONE, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

THE PUBLIC MAY HEAR A LOT ABOUT THE PROJECTS, AND THE INITIATIVES, AND THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, I WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT THERE'S A LOT OF BEHIND THE SCENES THAT GOES ON.

IT'S BEHIND THE SCENES, SO THE PUBLIC DOES NOT SEE THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND THE AMOUNT OF HOURS STAFF PUT INTO MAKING THINGS HAPPEN.

I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2019, BECAUSE WE LAUNCHED A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS, BUT I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO 2020 AS WELL, BECAUSE NOW WE GET TO IMPLEMENT AND FINE TUNE EVERYTHING THAT WE LAUNCHED IN 2019.

I WANT TO THANK AGAIN STAFF FOR A GREAT YEAR AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, LOOKING FORWARD TO 2020. THANK YOU.

SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL. SORRY. I APOLOGIZE, I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE END. [LAUGHTER] THAT'S OKAY. DO YOU WANT TO GO TO THE CEO OR THE COUNCIL FIRST BEFORE ME HERE? [LAUGHTER] NO, I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

THANK YOU.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN, AND WHEN JIM BROWN IS CALLING YOU AT ALL HOURS IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT, I HOPE YOU'RE READY FOR THAT, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS 2020 YEAR.

ALSO, I'D LIKE TO GIVE A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO OUR PREVIOUS CHAIRMAN, IF NOT ALL THE TIME WHENEVER YOU HAVE FOLKS WHO GOVERNED IN A WAY THAT HE GOVERNS IT, VERY HEARTFELT AND VERY PASSION.

HE'S DRIVEN BY SOMETHING WITHIN, AND HE WORKS VERY HARD AT WHAT HE DOES, AND I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

WE MIGHT ARGUE A LITTLE BIT ON THE DAIS, BUT IT'S HEARTFELT, AND I DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL.

[LAUGHTER] COMMENT COUNCIL? COMMENTS.

NO, HOLD ON, I'M NOT DONE YET.

GREAT. [LAUGHTER] I APOLOGIZE, [LAUGHTER] I THINK WE'RE DONE.

TRYING TO RUSH AS OFF HERE MR. CHAIR. GOOD JOB, THOUGH BY THE WAY.

ALSO I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF DAVE HONEY.

HE WAS A BOARD TRUSTEE FOR THE MERCED UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, HE'S KNOWN AS MR. ATWATER.

HE WAS A LONGTIME ADMINISTRATOR IN ATWATER HIGH SCHOOL, AND SO I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN HIS.

I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYBODY UP TO SACRAMENTO TOMORROW I DO GET SWORN IN AS OR NEW RC CHAIRMAN, RURAL COUNTIES REPRESENTING CALIFORNIA.

IT'S A BIG HONOR REPRESENTING 37 OF OUR RURAL COUNTIES HERE IN CALIFORNIA.

CONGRATULATION.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

WE HAVE COMMENTS OVER HERE. SO IT'S YOU? COMMENTS? [INAUDIBLE] NO? OKAY. MY COMMENTS, FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK AGAIN MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE CONFIDENCE, AN ALSO I'VE REACHED OUT TO MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS IN CITY OF LIVINGSTON REGARDING THE REVENUE SHARING AGREEMENT.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET A MEETING, SO WE CAN HAVE SOMETHING BACK FROM THEM,

[02:05:03]

I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I ENJOY THE HMONG'S NE YEAR CELEBRATION THIS YEAR, SO IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED, AND IT WAS A VERY NICE.

WE HAD SOME COMMENTS FROM PAST CHAIRMAN PAREIRA THERE.

I ALSO ENJOYED THE [INAUDIBLE] CHRISTMAS TOY GIVEAWAY.

I WAS GLAD TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY WITH 10 BIKES FOR THE KIDS, AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FREEZING, THERE WAS A HUGE LINE, I THINK OVER 1,000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP.

I KNOW WITH THE FREEZING WEATHER SOME LEFT, BUT THEY STILL READY TO THE END AND THE KIDS WERE ENJOYING.

ALSO I WANT TO CLOSE THIS MEETING AND ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF THE [INAUDIBLE] WHO PASSED A WAY JUST THIS WEEK, AND I JUST FINISHED TALKING TO HER A FEW DAY AGO, AND UNFORTUNATELY, SHE FELL ILL AND PASSED AWAY.

SO MY HEART FELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY IN LIVINGSTON.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WITH THAT, I'LL END THE MEETING TONIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.