[00:00:04]
[CALL TO ORDER]
AND WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.[CLOSED SESSION]
THIS MORNING IS THE FOLLOWING.IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE BOARD TO MEET IN CLOSED SESSION CONCERNING A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.
PROPERTY APPROXIMATELY 1.75 ACRES LOCATED ON 16TH STREET SOUTH OF SPACECRAFT, SPACECRAFT DRIVE AND NORTH OF SHUTTLE DRIVE AT CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER IN ATWATER.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR MARK MIMS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, NEGOTIATING PARTY'S NEW BEGINNINGS FOR MERCED COUNTY ANIMALS, UNDER NEGOTIATION TO REQUEST AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AND VALUE.
AND UNDER THE SAME CODE, ANOTHER REAL PROPERTY ITEM REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 27 ACRE PORTION OF APNS 170-220-012 AND 170-220-011 AT 5714 LAKE ROAD BORDERED ON THE SOUTH BY THE FAIRFIELD CANAL AND ON THE EAST BY THE LE GRANDE CANAL.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR DAVID MARIONE, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NEGOTIATING PARTIES MERCED COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT NATHAN DEVINE, UNDER NEGOTIATION TO REQUEST AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE THE SALE AND VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
THE PUBLIC WILL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION PRIOR TO THE BOARD ADJOURNING INTO THE CLOSED SESSION.
TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
FOR THOSE ATTENDING IN PERSON, PLEASE SIGN, UH, STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.
FOR OUR REMOTE ATTENDEES, PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND FEATURE ON ZOOM OR PRESS STAR NINE IF YOU'RE CALLING BY PHONE.
TO BETTER FACILITATE THE MEETING AND ENSURE FAIRNESS, WE WILL START WITH FIVE SPEAKERS IN PERSON, FOLLOWED BY FIVE REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THAT WAS QUITE A LOT TO, TO READ OFF THERE.
SO AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. SEEING NOBODY IN THE ROOM, I WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS IS NOW CLOSED.
WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION.
WHAT KIND OF MOVE? GOOD MORNING
[10:00 A.M. REGULAR MEETING]
AND WELCOME BACK TO THE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.THIS MORNING WE HAD CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION.
WE WILL NOW START WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY ADAM CHIPANARI, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, AND THEN SUPERVISOR PEREIRA WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
AND THERE IS A BUTTON TO THE RIGHT WHERE YOU CAN LIFT THE MICROPHONE UP TO YOU.
BOW YOUR HEADS IF YOU WOULD WITH ME.
HEAVENLY FATHER, LORD JESUS CHRIST, WE COME TO YOU THIS MORNING AND GIVE YOU THANKS FOR ANOTHER DAY, LORD, WHERE WE CAN TAKE IN A BREATH OF YOUR AIR.
WE PRAY, LORD, THAT YOU COME UPON US AND THAT YOU LEAD US, GOD, IN A WAY THAT WOULD HONOR YOU, GOD.
AS ISAIAH 43: SEVEN SAYS, "YOU CREATED US, LORD, FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF GIVING YOU GLORY." MAY WE DO THAT, LORD.
MAY EVERY ONE OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN IN THIS ROOM SEEK TO GLORIFY YOUR NAME ALL OF THIS DAY AND ALL OF THE REMAINING DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
GOD, THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE PEOPLE HERE, LORD, GIVE THEM HEARTS OF SERVITUDE AS YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST KNELT DOWN AND WASH THE DISCIPLES' FEET WHEN HE WAS THE KING OF ALL KINGS.
LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN HERE, LORD.
HUMBLE THEIR HEARTS, HELP THEM TO SEEK YOU FIRST IN ALL THINGS.
AND GOD, IN YOUR GREAT SON'S NAME, JESUS CHRIST, WE PRAY.
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[PUBLIC COMMENT]
TIME FOR PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION, EXCLUDING ITEMS ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA.TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
FOR THOSE ATTENDING IN PERSON, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.
FOR OUR REMOTE ATTENDEES, PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND FEATURE ON ZOOM OR PRESS STAR NINE IF YOU ARE CALLING BY PHONE TO BETTER FACILITATE THE MEETING AND ENSURE FAIRNESS.
WE WILL START WITH FIVE SPEAKERS IN PERSON, FOLLOWED BY FIVE REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.
[00:05:01]
ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT.
AGAIN, THIS IS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO REGISTER OR RAISE YOUR HAND IN TIME TO SPEAK DURING THE REGULAR AGENDA, I WILL CHECK BACK AT THE END OF THE MEETING TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY REMOTE, UH, PARTICIPANTS WISHING TO COMMENT.
UM, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, KAREN ADAMS, MERCED COUNTY TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR.
I BELIEVE EVERYONE CAN ATTEST THAT I HAVE BEEN A TEAM MEMBER OVER THE PAST 24 YEARS.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PLACED THE TROUBLED COUNTY CLERK, REGISTRAR VOTERS AND REVENUE REIMBURSEMENT OFFICES UNDER MY ELECTED AUTHORITY, DESPITE MY PUBLIC OBJECTION AT THIS VERY PODIUM.
THESE OFFICES FACE SIGNIFICANT STAFFING CHALLENGES AND CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE PREVIOUS COUNTY CLERK'S REFUSAL TO PERFORM SAME SEX MARRIAGES.
I ACCEPTED THE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROUDLY PERFORMED THE SAME SEX MARRIAGES THE FIRST SAME SEX MARRIAGE IN, IN MERCED COUNTY AND OVERSAW ELECTIONS FOR THE TWO OBAMA TERMS. I HAVE REQUEST...
I HAD REQUESTED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, YET REGRETFULLY, THEY WERE NOT PROVIDED.
THE ELECTION OFFICE DEMONSTRATES THAT INVESTING IN CONSOLIDATING, UH, FACILITIES AND ADEQUATE STAFFING ENHANCES THE CENTRAL PUBLIC SERVICE.
SINCE MOVING THE OFFICE UNDER THE BOARD'S AUTHORITY, OUR OUTSTANDING REGISTRAR VOTERS, VOTER AND HIS DEDICATED STAFF HAVE FLOURISHED.
ADEQUATE STAFFING SUPPORTS THAT SUCCESS.
I RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S AN IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF EVERY DEPARTMENT.
IN 1996, 30 YEARS AGO, THE TREASURY TAX COLLECTOR HAD 14 PERMANENT POSITIONS.
OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL REDUCTIONS OF FORCE, INCLUDING DURING COVID WHEN WE LOST TWO CRITICAL POSITIONS.
ONLY LAST YEAR WAS THE MUCH NEEDED CHIEF OF INVESTMENTS CREATED FROM ONE OF THE COVID POSITIONS LOST, FINALLY BRINGING OUR PERMANENT STAFF POSITIONS BACK UP TO THE SAME LEVEL AS 30 YEARS AGO.
THE HISTORY UNDERSCORES THE URGENCY OF MY STAFFING REQUEST.
I SINCERELY HOPE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CEO'S OFFICE TO BRING ADDITIONAL STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MID-YEAR BOARD CONSIDERATION, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE COUNTY ONLY FUNDS UP TO 34% WITH NO DIRECT OUT OF POCKET FOR TREASURY POSITIONS AND THERE IS EXTRA HELP SALARY SAVINGS AVAILABLE TO OFFSET.
STAFFING DECISIONS SHOULD REFLECT WORKFORCE, LOAD, STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE DUTY TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC FUNDS.
THE TREASURY TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE SEEKS THE SAME COMMITMENT TO ADEQUATE RESOURCES THAT HAS HELPED OTHER DEPARTMENTS UNDER THE BOARD'S AUTHORITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND I VOTED EARLY AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOTE.
GOOD MORNING, LADY, OR GENTLEMEN FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I'M HERE TO COMPLAIN, A COMPLAINT TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WHICH CONSIDERS THEMSELVES AN ORGANIZATION THAT, THAT, UH, COULD REFUSE ME MY CIVIL RIGHTS.
I'M HERE TO S - TO B - REAS - AND THE REASON I'M HERE IS BECAUSE THE VA HAS ACCUSED ME FOR A CRIME THAT I DIDN'T COMMIT.
THEN THEY W - THEN TOOK MY DOCTOR AWAY, TOOK MY APPOINTMENTS AWAY, TOOK MY, UH...
YES, WE, WE'LL GIVE YOU A REVIEW.
WHEN, WHERE SHOULD I BE TO CLEAR MY NAME?" YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE ALLOWED IN IT.
NOW, WHAT KIND OF A GOVERNMENT IS THAT? NOW, I'M HERE BECAUSE YOU HAVE REFUSED ME TO BE, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARADE, EXERCISING MY CIVIL RIGHTS, WHICH YOU ARE AGAINST, AND THAT IS TWICE YOU REFUSED ME BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE IN THE PARADE DEMONSTRATING MY EXPRESS AND, AND, UH, THAT IS, I WANTED TO EX - TO EXPRESS MYSELF BY FLYING MY, MY UNITED STATES FLAG UPSIDE DOWN, WHICH IS MY
[00:10:01]
PRIVILEGE, WHICH YOU FOLKS DO NOT SEE IT THAT WAY.LET ME SAY THAT, UH, UM, I THINK IT'S...
I TRIED TO FIGHT THIS W - AND NOT, NOT EVEN, NOT ONE OF MY CONGRESS PEOPLE, SENATORS, LEGISLATORS WOULD HEAR MY CASE.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU IS THAT WE VETERANS HAVE NO, NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER, THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE THE S**T THAT YOU GUYS WANNA PUT ONTO ME.
I'M AN, I'M AN AMERICAN VETERAN, PROUD OF MY COUNTRY, AND YOU, YOU CAN'T TREAT ME THIS WAY.
I AM HERE REPRESENTING MY DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.
I'VE BEEN IN THE TOWN OF MERCED FOR THREE YEARS NOW, ACCORDING TO LAST MONTH.
I'M HERE REGARDING THE WATER ISSUE OF BEAR CREEK THAT WILL POSSIBLY FLOOD THIS YEAR.
I AM UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS RECEIVED NOTICE FROM, UM, SORIA THAT THERE WERE FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THIS AREA REGARDING THAT ISSUE.
DUE TO I AM THE FLOOD ZONED RIGHT ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS.
UM, I DO NOTICE IN THE RAMBLER STREET AREA OF OUR AND, UH, SANTA FE ZONE, THERE ARE SANDBAGS THAT ARE BEING REPLACED FOR THIS ISSUE.
I DO NOT KNOW MY RECOURSE OR SHOULD I CHOOSE TO GET, UH, FLOOD INSURANCE OR WHAT RAMIFICATIONS ARE THERE GOING TO BE IN THIS, UH, UM, CONSIDERATION.
I GUESS, UH, IN CLOSED SESSION YOU MAY CONSIDER.
UM, I JUST BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.
GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, SUPERVISORS, CEO, AND MEMBERS OF OUR MERCED COUNTY COMMUNITY.
TODAY, ON ELECTION DAY, I WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO MERCED COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, MEL LEVY, AND THE ENTIRE MERCED COUNTY ELECTIONS TEAM.
TODAY, THOUSANDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE EXERCISING ONE OF THE MOST PRECIOUS RIGHTS WE HAVE AS AMERICANS, THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
AND BEHIND EVERY BALLOT CAST, EVERY VOTE CENTER OPENED AND EVERY VOTE COUNTED IS A DEDICATED TEAM OF OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS WORKING TIRELESSLY TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT.
MEL, YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE COMMITMENT OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF DESERVE OUR RESPECT, OUR GRATITUDE.
WE OFTEN CELEBRATE RESULTS OF ELECTIONS, BUT RARELY DO WE PAUSE TO RECOGNIZE THE EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT MEL AND HIS TEAM ARE REQUIRED TO DO TO CONDUCT THEM.
THE LONG HOURS, METICULOUS PREPARATION, THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ENSURING THAT EVERY ELIGIBLE VOTER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.
DEMOCRACY DOES NOT HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT.
IT HAPPENS BECAUSE DEDICATED PEOPLE LIKE MEL AND HIS TEAM MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.
TO EVERY ELECTION WORKER, EVERY VOLUNTEER, EVERY PERSON ANSWERING QUESTIONS, ASSISTING VOTERS, PROCESSING BALLOTS, AND SAFEGUARDING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, THANK YOU.
YOU MAY WORK BEHIND THE SCENES, BUT ITS IMPACT REACHES EVERY CORNER OF THE COUNTY OF MERCED.
YOU SERVE DOUB - DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, AND THOSE WHO MAY BE VOTING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
YOU SERVE ALL OF US, AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES YOUR SERVICE SO EXTRAORDINARY.
AS A ROTARIAN AND A PROUD MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY, I UNDERSTAND THAT SERVICE ABOVE SELF IS NOT SIMPLY A MOTTO.
MEL AND HIS TEAM DEMONSTRATE THAT COMMITMENT.
REGARDLESS OF TONIGHT'S ELECTION OUTCOMES, WE OWE MEL OUR APPRECIATION BECAUSE ELECTIONS ARE MORE ABOUT...
ARE MORE THAN WHO WINS OR LOSES.
THEY'RE ABOUT PRESERVING TRUST, FREEDOM, AND THE VOICE
[00:15:01]
OF THE PEOPLE.SO ON THIS ELECTION DAY, I SIMPLY WANNA SAY THANK YOU, MEL.
THANK YOU TO YOUR REMARKABLE ELECTIONS TEAM, AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING ENSURE THAT DEMOCRACY REMAINS STRONG, ACCESSIBLE, AND WORTHY OF PUBLIC TRUST HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
MAY WE NEVER TAKE YOUR SERVICE OR OUR RIGHT TO VOTE FOR GRANTED? THANK YOU.
SEEING NO MORE SPEAKERS HERE IN THE ROOM, WE WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
WE WILL NOW START ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 10.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEM TWO REQUIRES A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE.
PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON FOR THOSE ATTENDING IN PERSON.
PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM FOR OUR REMOTE ATTENDEES.
PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND FEATURE ON ZOOM OR PRESS STAR NINE IF YOU ARE CALLING BY PHONE.
TO BETTER FACILITATE THE MEETING AND ENSURE FAIRNESS, WE WILL START WITH FIVE SPEAKERS IN PERSON, FOLLOWED BY FIVE REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT ITEMS ONE THROUGH 10.
SEEING NO SPEAKERS IN THE ROOM, WE WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 10 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS.
SEEING NO SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE, I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEREZ, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE QUESTION.
[BOARD ACTION]
MOVE ON TO BOARD ACTION.WE WILL NOW BEGIN WITH PUBLIC WORKS.
ITEMS 11 AND 12 NOTE THAT ITEM 11 HAS BEEN PULLED AND ITEM 12 REQUIRES A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 11 AND 12.
SEEING NO SPEAKERS IN THE ROOM, I WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS 11 AND 12 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I SEE NO SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE, AND I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVERA.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE.
ITEMS 13 AND 14, NOTE THAT ITEM 14 REQUIRES A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR HEALTH ITEMS 13 AND 14.
SEEING NOBODY IN THE ROOM, WE WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR HEALTH ITEMS 13 AND 14 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS.
I ALREADY HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PROBATION ITEM 15.
SEEING NOBODY IN THE ROOM, WE WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PROBATION, ITEM 15 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS.
FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION, THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR SILVERA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
NEXT, WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
ITEM 16, WHICH REQUIRES A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC, UH, COMMENT FOR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEM 16.
[00:20:01]
SEEING NOBODY IN THE ROOM, WE WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEM 16 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DIOCESE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
NEXT, WE HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
AT THIS TIME, I OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ITEM NUMBER 17.
SEEING NO SPEAKERS HERE IN THE ROOM, WE'LL CHECK FOR REMOTE COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT, UH, PERIOD FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, ITEM 17 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DIOCESE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I SEE NO SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE.
NEXT, WE HAVE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ITEM 18.
SEEING NOBODY IN THE ROOM, WE WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE ITEM 18 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
SEEING NO SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE, I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY SUPERVISOR SILVERA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE.
NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE, UH, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ITEM 19.
SEEING NO COMMENTS HERE IN THE ROOM, WE'LL CHECK FOR REMOTE COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE PARTICIPANTS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ITEM 19 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DIOCESE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
YOU WANT THIS ONE? DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION? YES, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR THIS.
WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, UH, BY MYSELF, AND THEN SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVERA.
GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE.
NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 20 AND 21.
SEEING NO SPEAKERS IN THE ROOM, WE WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS, ITEMS 20 AND 21 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIOS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I DO HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PAJECO.
SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
DO YOU WANNA PUSH TO SPEAK? NO.
SHE'LL, SHE'LL ANNOUNCE IT AND THEN HE'LL RECUSE.
[SCHEDULED ITEMS]
NEXT, WE HAVE SCHEDULED ITEMS SUBMITTED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE TO CONSIDER CONDUIT FINANCING FOR THE LUMIRA HEALTHCARE PROJECT.
MR. CHAIR, UM, BECAUSE MY FATHER IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR LUMIRA, I AM GOING TO STEP OFF EVEN THOUGH I DON'T HAVE TO BECAUSE THERE'S NO FINANCIAL GAIN FOR EITHER MYSELF OR MY FAMILY.
I JUST THINK IT'S BEST FOR PERCEPTION-WISE.
[00:25:01]
THANK YOU.AT THIS TIME, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER DAVID MARIONE WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ITEM.
GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MCDANIEL, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO HENDRICKSON AND COUNTY COUNCIL HANSON, DAVID MARIONE, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
TODAY'S PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNS LUMIRA'S HEALTHCARE'S REQUEST TO FINANCE WORK AT TWO FACILITIES IN MERCED COUNTY.
BEFORE THEY DESCRIBE THEIR PROJECT, I'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN TO YOU WHY THIS ITEM IS BEFORE YOUR BOARD AND WHAT YOUR APPROVAL WOULD MEAN FOR THE COUNTY.
SO LUMIRA HAS ASKED THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE UP TO $26 MILLION IN TAX-EXEMPT BONDS.
UNDER THE FEDERAL TAX EQUITY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT, COMMONLY CALLED TEFRA, THE PUBLIC MUST HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSED FINANCING.
FEDERAL LAW ALSO REQUIRES APPROVAL FROM ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JURISDICTION WHERE THE FACILITIES ARE LOCATED.
BOTH FACILITIES ARE IN MERCED COUNTY, WHICH IS WHY THE REQUEST COMES TO YOUR BOARD.
AFTER HEARING PUBLIC COMMENT AND CLOSING THE HEARING, YOUR BO- BOARD WILL CONSIDER A RESOLUTION GRANTING THAT LIMITED APPROVAL.
LUMERA OWNS THE FACILITIES, THE FINANCE AUTHORITY WOULD ISSUE THE BONDS, AND LUMIRA ALONE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAYMENT.
TODAY'S ACTION REQUIRES NO COUNTY FUNDING AND CREATES NO FINANCIAL RISK FOR THE COUNTY.
EVEN IF LUMIRA WAS UNABLE TO MAKE ITS PAYMENTS, THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO COVER THEM.
WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME LUMERA HEALTHCARE'S BOARD CHAIR, JOHN PEDROZZO, AND ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LESLIE ABOSTA, TO GIVE THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT.
YEAH, THANK YOU FOR COMING, LESLIE.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE BOARD CHAIR WAS PRESENT AS WELL.
I AM THE CEO FOR LUMERA HEALTHCARE, FORMERLY LIVINGSTON COMMUNITY HEALTH.
UM, AS STATED, MY BOARD CHAIRMAN, JOHN PEDROZO, IS HERE, UH, TO REPRESENT, UH, THE BOARD'S INTEREST AS WELL AS THEIR APPROVAL OF WHAT I WILL PRESENT TO YOU TODAY.
UM, MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT THIS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE LATE '60S, EARLY '70S.
UH, WE BECAME ONE OF THE FIRST NONPROFIT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS HERE IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY, UM, IN, IN LIVINGSTON.
UM, WE CURRENTLY OPERATE 10 SERVICE DELIVERY SITES ACROSS MERCED AND SANISLAUS COUNTIES, UM, AND IN 2025, WE SERVED OVER 27,000 PATIENTS AT THOSE LOCATIONS AND OVER 131,000 PATIENT ENCOUNTERS ACROSS OUR VARIOUS SERVICE LINES.
UM, THE PROJECTS BEFORE YOU TODAY, SPECIFICALLY TO MERCED COUNTY, ARE TO OUR, UH, OUR FLAGSHIP WHERE WE STARTED AT 1140 MAIN STREET IN LIVINGSTON.
UM, THAT LOCATION WILL RECEIVE A RENOVATION, UM, UH, UPGRADED EQUIPMENT, UM, AND IT'S EXISTING PROPERTY.
THERE'LL BE MAINTENANCE, ADMINISTRATIVE, UM, FUNCTIONS, STORAGE, AND VARIOUS SUPPORT FUNCTIONS.
WE ALSO ARE ENTERTAINING SOME IDEAS AROUND ARTS AND CULTURE IN DOWNTOWN LIVINGSTON, UM, THROUGH THAT BUILDING AS WELL.
SO, UM, THAT PROJECT IS, UM, IS ONE OF THE FIVE.
THE SECOND WOULD BE, UH, ONE THAT, UH, THAT IS IN THE UNINCORPORATED TOWN OF DELHI AT KING STREET.
THIS, UH, LOCATION HAS BEEN AROUND NOW SINCE 2014, UM, AND THIS FI- FINANCING WILL REFINANCE EXISTING DEBT ASSOCIATED WITH THE HEALTH CENTER THAT HAS BEEN BUILT THAT OFFERS EVERY SERVICE LINE OUT OF IT, UM, IN THAT, IN THAT AREA.
UM, I THINK THAT THE, THE FINAL THING I WANNA SAY ABOUT, UH, THE, THE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FINANCING IS THAT, UH, APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THIS BOND FINANCING, UM, RELATES TO PROJECTS HERE LOCATED IN MERCED COUNTY, ALSO DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE THREE OTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN STANISLAUS COUNTY THROUGH THIS EXACT, UM, EXEMPT BOND FINANCING REQUEST, UM, WOULDN'T PROHIBIT ANYBODY FROM MERCED COUNTY TO UTILIZE THOSE SERVICES AS WELL.
UM, AND, UM, AS, UH, THE ASSISTANT CEO, DAVID MARIONI, MENTIONED, THIS BOND ISSUANCE WON'T EXCEED MORE THAN $26 MILLION.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS AT CMFA, UM, AS WELL AS, UM, MULTIPLE OTHERS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
UM, SO I'LL, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
AND DO YOU WANNA ADD ANYTHING, BOARD CHAIRMAN? NO, YOU DID, YOU DID FINE.
I THINK WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE.
DOES THE, DOES THE, DOES THE BOARD CHAIR HAVE ANY COMMENTS? NOT AT ALL.
IS THAT IT? KIND OF LIKE SEEING YOU ON THAT SIDE
[00:30:01]
OF THE MICROPHONE.I WILL NOW OPEN UP, UH, THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND AT THIS TIME I'LL ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THIS ITEM.
TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.
SEEING NOBODY IN THE ROOM, I WILL CHECK FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE NO REMOTE ATTENDEES IN THE QUEUE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THIS ITEM IS NOW CLOSED.
WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS.
MR. CHAIR, IF THERE ARE NO OTHER FURTHER COMMENTS, A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 20 MILLION BY THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FINANCING AUTHORITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF LUMERA HEALTHCARE, A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE FINANCING OF THE PROJECT.
SUCH ADOPTION IS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF SATISFYING THE REQUIREMENTS OF TEFRA AND THE CODES AND THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 6500.
OKAY, FOR A POINT OF ORDER, I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, SAY THAT'S 26 MILLION, NOT 20.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
UH, LET THE RECORD REFLECT IT WAS A FOUR ZERO VOTE.
CONTINUATION OF THE 30 MINUTE PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FOR REMOTE PARTICIPANTS.
IF NECESSARY, I WILL CHECK TO SEE.
MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO REMOTE ATTENDEES IN THE QUEUE.
[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]
TO BOARD REPORTS.AT THIS TIME I'LL HAVE BOARD REPORTS STARTING WITH SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
THANK YOU FOR, UH, PICKING ME FIRST, UH, MR. CHAIR.
UH, SO, UM, THAT'S BEEN A, A BUSY, A BUSY TIME SINCE, UH, OUR LAST MEETING.
UH, I ATTENDED THE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS OUT AT UC MERCED WHERE, UH, THEY BROUGHT, UM, A SPEAKER, UH, CARISSA PHELPS, UH, WHO, UM, IS A FORMERLY TRAFFICKED, UH, LADY THAT IS NOW AN ATTORNEY WORKING ON, UM, BEHALF OF HUMAN TRAFFICKED INDIVIDUALS.
AND, UH, I'LL TELL YOU, IT REALLY WAS, UM, UH, KIND OF A STIRRING, UH, STORY TO HEAR.
AND, UH, IT LEFT ME, UM, YOU KNOW, THINKING THAT THERE'S MORE WE COULD DO HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
I, I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, UH, THANK, UH, UH, CEO MARK HENDRICKSON WHO SENT OUT, UH, AN EMAIL TO ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, UH, S- SUGGESTING THAT THEY SEND PEOPLE AND, AND, UM, A- AND, AND IT WAS KIND OF INTERESTING, UH, GOD BLESS YOU, MA'AM.
UH, DURING THE, UM, QUESTION AND ANSWER, I ASKED HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE THERE THAT WERE EMPLOYEES OF MERCED COUNTY.
AND I WOULD SAY A QU - AT LEAST A QUARTER AND MAYBE EVEN A THIRD OF THE INDIVIDUALS, UM, YOU KNOW, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WAS THERE, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT, HSA AND, AND, UH, OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS REPRESENTED AND, UH, PUBLIC HEALTH, I BELIEVE, AS WELL.
SO ANYWAYS, UH, I JUST, I, I BELIEVE THAT THAT CONVERSATION GETTING STARTED IN MERCED COUNTY WAS A GOOD ONE.
AND, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS GONNA TAKE UP, UH, THE MANTRA OF TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A TASK FORCE, UH, HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
UM, I ATTENDED THE, UM, CASA, UH, ADVOCATE SWEARING IN, UH, LAST WEEK.
UH, THERE WERE FOUR NEW ADVOCATES AND, AND I SAY THAT NOT TO SAY BECAUSE I WAS THERE, BUT JUST TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE CASA ADVOCATES HERE IN MERCED COUNTY.
UH, WHAT THEY DO IS BECOME A, ACTUALLY A PORT, A COURT APPOINTED ADVOCATE FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE.
AND, UH, THEY, THEY MEET WITH THEM, THEY MENTOR THEM, AND THEN THEY ALSO DO REPORTS THAT ARE GIVEN TO THE COURTS, UH, THAT HELP, UH, IN THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE REGARDING THOSE INDIVIDUAL YOUTH.
SO, UH, FROM THOSE THAT, UH, THAT I KNOW THAT, UM, ARE ADVOCATES, IT'S A PRETTY REWARDING, UM, UH, ENDEAVOR.
UH, THERE ARE ABOUT 120 OR 130 YOUTH THAT ARE REPRESENTED BY ADVOCATES, BUT THERE ARE OVER 600 YOUTH IN MERCED IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, AND SO THERE'S ALWAYS A, A NEED FOR MORE ADVOCATES.
SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, PLEASE REACH OUT TO, UH, CASA OF MERCED COUNTY AND, AND I'M SURE THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO GET YOU, UH, CONNECTED.
UH, ALSO ATTENDED THE, UH, SONS OF LIBERTY TREE, UH, CEREMONY THAT WAS, UH, SPONSORED AND PUT ON BY THE, UH, MERCED CHAPTER OF THE, UH, DAUGHTERS
[00:35:01]
OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.SO THERE'S NOW A NEW TREE OVER BY THE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM, AND, UH, HOPEFULLY IN 250 YEARS, UH, THERE WILL BE, UH, A CEREMONY, UH, SUCH AS THE ONE THAT WAS HELD TO, UH, HONOR ANOTHER 250 YEARS OF AMERICA.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK, UH, CEO HENDRICKSON AND, UH, SOME OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, UH, FOR ATTENDING A CRESSEY COMMUNITY MEETING WITH ME.
AND IT WAS, UM, UH, WE HAD A MEETING BACK IN JUNE AND IT WAS A LITTLE CONTENTIOUS.
I THINK THEY FELT LIKE THE COUNTY HAD BEEN IGNORING THEM AND, AND PROBABLY IN, IN SOME CASES RIGHTLY SO, UH, IN OTHER CASES MAYBE NOT.
BUT ANYWAYS, WE WERE ABLE TO COME BACK WITH SOME INFORMATION THAT I THINK WAS PLEASING TO, TO THE GROUP AND, AND SO SOME THINGS HAVE BEEN STARTED, UH, ESPECIALLY, UH, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, UH, RECEIVING A $400,000 GRANT TO, UH, TO PLAN AND DESIGN AND MAKE SHOVEL READY, UH, SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT DISTRICT, UH, REGARDING, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE.
UM, THAT ACTUALLY, THAT GRANT WILL ALSO HELP, UH, THE COMMUNITY OF BELICO.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT, UH, NATHAN BRAY, UM, AND HIS TEAM.
UH, UH, CO HENDRICKSON AND I ATTENDED A MEETING WITH THE, UM, UH, CITY MANAGER OF GUSTINE, AND THEN, UH, WELL, ACTUALLY THE, THE MAYOR ALSO ATTENDED, BUT BY PHONE.
AND, UH, ANYWAYS, IT WAS JUST PRETTY FRUITFUL DISCUSSIONS WHERE, WHERE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND HELP EACH OTHER OUT.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME OUT THERE.
UM, I ATTENDED THE PORTUGUESE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA'S AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP, UH, CEREMONY LAST WEEKEND AND, UH, THEY GAVE OUT 25 SCHOLARSHIPS AND THEN HONORED FOUR, UH, PORTUGUESE INDIVIDUALS.
UM, ONE, UM, UH, A STUDENT WHO, UH, ACTUALLY HAS BECOME A DOCTOR AND, UM, AND THEN, UH, THERE WAS AN EDUCATOR, UH, FROM THE MERCED UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT, UH, HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND IN, IN HER, UM, WORK CAREER, AND SHE'S NOW RETIRED.
AND THEN, UM, JOE AND JUDY SOUZA WERE HONORED, UH, AS, UH, THAT'S AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.
BUT, UH, WHAT WAS SPECIAL ABOUT THEM IS, UM, IS THEY HELPED, UH, GET THE BULLFIGHTING ARENA BROUGHT TO STEVENSON, CALIFORNIA SOME, I DON'T KNOW, 45 YEARS AGO, AND, UH, SO IT'S KIND OF NEAT TO, TO HEAR THOSE STORIES AND RELIVE THAT A BIT.
UM, AND THEN BILL MATTIS, WHO, UH, WHO, UM, GREW UP IN GUSTINE WAS, UH, THEIR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR.
AND, UH, BILL'S A PRETTY HUMBLE MAN AND, AND DIDN'T REALLY WANNA BE HONORED, BUT, UH, HE, HE WAS AND, AND LET THEM, AND SO THAT WAS KIND OF, UH, UH, AMAZING TO SEE A GUY WHO'S WORKED SO HARD FOR AGRICULTURE OVER THE YEARS TO, TO BE HONORED.
AND THEN I ATTENDED THE, A SWEARING IN OF 16 TEAM MEMBERS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, UH, YESTERDAY MORNING, AND, UH, IT WAS PRETTY, PRETTY AWESOME TO, TO STAND THERE AND WATCH PEOPLE ACCEPT, UH, SOME RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES, UH, FAR ABOVE WHAT MOST, UH, CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF MERCED COUNTY DO.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR PROTECTION.
AND THAT IS IT, UH, MR. CHAIR, THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
UH, CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR PEDROZO.
UM, TWO WEEKS AGO, I WAS ELECTED TO SERVE, UM, AS A CENTRAL REGION REP FOR THE CALAFCO, WHICH IS THE LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION THAT ARE INDEPENDENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED BY STATE.
AND I WAS, UM, APPOINTED TO DO SO, UH, EVEN THOUGH I WAS AT THE MEETING AND MY COLLEAGUE SILVERA WASN'T.
AND IF YOU'RE, THERE'S A RULE IF YOU'RE NOT THERE, YOU GET APPOINTED, BUT APPARENTLY I, I, I WAS, BUT IT'S GONNA BE A...
I'M, I'M PRETTY EXCITED TO, UH, TO REPRESENT MERCED COUNTY AND THE CENTRAL REGION ON THAT BOARD.
UM, I TOO, UH, WENT TO THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION SONS OF LIBERTY TREE PLANNING AT THE COURTHOUSE.
TO HEAR THE STORY AND TO KNOW THE STORY ABOUT IT, I THINK IS REALLY COOL, UM, TO HONOR WHAT, WHAT THAT TREE MEANS.
UM, AND THEN I TOO ATTENDED THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
UM, I THOUGH IT WAS REALLY COOL TO SEE ONE OF, UH, OUR OWN'S, UH, FELICIA GRAY'S DAUGHTER, UH, WAS AN, SWORN IN AS AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER, WHICH, UH, CONGRATULATIONS TO THAT, UM, AND JUST SHOWS THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE WILLING, ARE WANTING TO DO THE, THIS TYPE OF WORK AND, AND I COULDN'T APPRECIATE THAT MORE.
UM, I ALSO ATTENDED THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUND TABLE, UH, LAST WEEK.
THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY GOOD STUFF THAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COLLEGE AND I WAS REALLY PROUD TO HEAR, YOU KNOW, THERE'S, I THINK, ALMOST 23,000 STUDENTS, UH, OVER THERE NOW, UM, 7,000 PLUS, WHICH ARE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DOING DUAL ENROLLMENT CLASSES, MY SON BEING ONE OF THEM, BECAUSE THEY, OF THE PROGRAMS AND THE WAY THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO OFFER.
AND THEN THERE'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MERCED COUNTY AND THE COLLEGE, UH, IN REGARDS TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF THE COLLABORATIVE E- EFFORTS ON THAT.
AND THEN, UM, I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE NOTE, UH,
[00:40:01]
I DO THIS EVERY TIME THAT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT MY, UH, SHOW THAT MY SON IS IN TO SUPPORT THE ARTS.UM, ADAMS FAMILY OPENS AT PLAYHOUSE MERCED ON FRIDAY AND RUNS THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS.
UM, SO IF YOU SEE A, A KID IN A BALD CAP, UH, WITH WHITE MAKEUP ALL OVER HIS FACE, IT'S BECAUSE IT'S NOT ME.
UH, BUT YEAH, THAT'S, UH, STARTS ON FRIDAY.
IT RUNS FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND THEN THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND AS WELL.
AND THEN I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADJOURN FOR CHUCK MEYER, A LONG TIME, UH, CITIZEN OF MERCED COUNTY, UH, JUST A VERY GOOD MAN AND, UM, HE WAS 90, UH, PLUS YEARS OLD WHEN HE PASSED AWAY.
CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR SILVERA.
UM, I ATTENDED OUR PARAMEDIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
I'VE, I'VE MENTIONED THAT UP HERE BEFORE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS, UM, BEING DONE THROUGH THE COLLEGE AND I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT, UH, THE, THE PARAMEDIC, UH, COURSES HAVE BEEN ACCREDITED NOW BY THE, BY THE FEDERAL AGENCY THAT, THAT ACCREDITS THOSE THINGS.
AND IN FOUR SHORT YEARS, THEY HAVE FULL ACCREDITATION WITH NO RECOMMENDED CHANGES.
UM, AGAIN, AND THEN I WANNA KINDA HIGHLIGHTS THAT I DID TOO ATTEND THE, UH, COMMUNITY COLLEGE KINDA ROUND TABLE.
THEY HAD ONE OUT ON THE WEST SIDE.
VITALE, THE, THE COLLEGE IS LUCKY TO HAVE A GUY LIKE HIM.
IT'S, THEY'RE SO QUICK TO REACT.
THEY FIND A NEED IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND IF THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO TIE THAT INTO A PROGRAM, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
AND THAT'S HOW THIS PARAMEDIC ADVISORY COMMISSION STARTED.
IT WAS SIMPLY, THERE WAS A NEED FOR PARAMEDICS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND, AND AS PART OF WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS COAMP, THIS WHOLE PROCESS, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A C - A LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL.
THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO WANT IT.
I WAS ASKED TO BE A PART OF IT.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE AND, UM, STEVE MELANDER JUST DOES GREAT PHENOMENAL WORK OVER THERE AND THEY HAVE A TOP-NOTCH PROGRAM.
AND, AND WHAT THE REALLY COOL PART ABOUT IT IS, IS FOR OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS, UH, THEY GO THROUGH THE STATS OF THE COHORTS AND WE'RE ON, I BELIEVE COHORT NUMBER SIX IS WHAT THEY'RE TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR.
UM, THEY DO THE BACKGROUND ON IT AND SHOW YOU HOW MANY OF THEM ARE ACTUALLY WORKING IN, IN THE FIELD, IN THAT INDUSTRY AND HOW MANY OF THEM ARE WORKING LOCALLY.
AND, AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IS THERE ARE PRIVATE COLLEGES THAT OFFER THIS SERVICE AT A MUCH, MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE RATE.
YOU'RE BEING ABLE TO DO THIS THROUGH AT, WITH A, THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRICING, BASICALLY.
SO GREAT PROGRAM, REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING THERE.
UM, I MET WITH, UH, PETER IBRAM, WHO IS THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, UM, PERSON FOR SUTTER HEALTH, AND HE COVERS SAN JOAQUIN, STANISLAUS, AND MERCED COUNTY'S HAD A GREAT MEETING WITH HIM AND HAS HAPPENED TO BE THAT DR.
VITELLI WAS COMING FROM A MEETING, UM, AND STOPPED BY MY OFFICE AND THEY HAD A REALLY GREAT CONVERSATION.
IT GOES TO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS LOOKING TO, FOR THESE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND HOW CAN THEY PARTNER WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BE A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.
SO I THINK SOME GREAT THINGS ARE GONNA COME OF THAT.
AND THEN LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, TODAY IS ELECTION DAY.
THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PEREIRA, BECAUSE I ACTUALLY VOTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I GOT MY BALLOT.
I S - I FILLED IT OUT AND I SENT IT IN, BUT I WANNA REMIND EVERYBODY, I KNOW THAT THE, THE FOLKS IN THE ELECTIONS OFFICE ARE WORKING VERY HARD.
UM, AS OF THIS MORNING, I S - WANNA SAY OUR EMAIL SAID THAT OVER 40,000, UM, VOTES HAD ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED AND, AND THERE'S GONNA BE A BIG CHUNK OF THOSE.
THE 34,000 OF THEM WILL COME OUT AT THE 8:15 - ISH, UM, READING TONIGHT.
SO I SAY GOOD LUCK TO ALL THOSE CANDIDATES OUT THERE.
AND, UM, I KNOW AS A PERSON THAT'S WENT THROUGH AN ELECTION, JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS DAY TO GET HERE.
AND THEN IT, SO IT'S FINALLY HERE AND NOW YOU CAN TAKE A BREATH AND THEN IT'S ALL GONNA BE IN GOD'S HANDS IF THEY, EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FOR A REASON.
UH, MR. PEDROZO, YOU SAID YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO ADD? YES.
I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT, UH, MERCED COUNTY IS PRES - UH, DOING EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAININGS.
THE LIST OF DATES, UM, ARE ON THE WEBSITE.
YOU CAN GO TO THAT AND GET THEM.
THE NEXT ONE IS NOVEMBER 13TH, UM, AND THAT'S GONNA BE AT THE MERCED LAO FAMILY.
THAT'S IN MONG ONLY, BUT THEN THE ONE AFTER THAT IS AT DELHILL HALL.
THEY'RE BOTH ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDE.
THE ONE THING THAT WE ARE ASKING IS FOR PEOPLE TO CALL AN RSVP, UM, SO THAT WAY THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH OF THE TO-GO BAGS.
UM, AND THAT PHONE NUMBER IS 209-385-7550.
AND AGAIN, ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUE SUPERVISOR SILVERA SAID, AND PLEASE GO VOTE.
CHAIR RECOGNIZES SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
UM, LIVING OUT OF TOWN, SO I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT, BUT I DO WANNA HIGHLIGHT SOME, UH, EVENTS THAT ARE COMING UP.
UM, I AGAIN WANT TO REMIND YOU TO VOTE TODAY IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED.
UH, THIS SATURDAY, THE MERCED COUNTY 4-H IS HAVING A FUNDRAISER DINNER AT THE ELKS LODGE IF YOU'D LIKE TO, UH, SUPPORT THE 4-H TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE.
UH, SHERIFF WARNKE AND DA SEVERA WILL BE HOLDING A COFFEE TALK, A COUPLE AROUND THE COUNTY, SPONSORED BY THE FARM BUREAU.
[00:45:01]
UM, I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY COME OUT AND IT'S NOT JUST FARM RELATED, UH, ISSUES.IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ASK THEM ABOUT, UH, THINGS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY, UH, PLEASE ATTEND.
THE, UH, THE FIRST ONE IS ON THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER, BE AT THE FARM BUREAU AT 9:30.
UH, THE SECOND IS ON THE 10TH OF NOVEMBER AT THE LE GRANDE COMMUNITY HALL.
AND FINALLY, ON THE 12TH, THERE'LL BE ONE IN GUSTINE.
AGAIN, THESE ARE 9:30, 10:00 AND, UH, IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES THAT YOU'D LIKE TO BRING TO PUBLIC SAFETY, PLEASE COME OUT AND, UH, AND JOIN THEM.
AND ON NEXT WEDNESDAY IS VETERANS DAY.
UH, THERE'S BEING A COUPLE OF PARADES.
LEMUSTINA IS HAVING A VETERANS DAY PARADE AT 11:00, UH, IF YOU'RE IN THAT AREA.
UH, WE'RE GONNA HAVE OPENING CEREMONIES AT ONE O'CLOCK AND THE PARADE IS AT 2:00.
I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY COME OUT AND, UH, CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY.
AND, UH, ON THAT NOTE, UH, THE LOCAL MERCED ELK LODGE HOSTS A LUNCH FOR ALL VETERANS AND A GUEST.
IF YOU WANT TO COME, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MEMBER, JUST COME AND THE LODGE WILL SERVE YOU A, UH, FREE LUNCH.
SO COME AND, UH, ENJOY LUNCH AND, UM, YOU CAN, UH, MEET SOME, UH, THE VETERANS THERE.
SO, AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE, CHAIR.
COUNTY COUNCIL? MR. HENDERSON.
YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD THE, UH, THE GOOD FORTUNE OF WORKING FOR FOUR CEOS HERE AT THE COUNTY OF MERCED.
AND, UH, ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WAS, WAS MR. LARRY COMBS, WHO WAS OUR CEO BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2009 AND 2011.
LEARNED RECENTLY THAT HE HAD PASSED AWAY, AND SO I WANTED TO JUST, UH, ESPECIALLY WITH FORMER SUPERVISOR, UH, PEDROZO HERE, UH, HE WAS HERE DURING THAT TIME.
AND, UH, CERTAINLY WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, MR. COMBS FOR HIS FRIENDSHIP, HIS MENTORSHIP.
UH, HE'S BEEN IMPACTFUL TO ME AND MANY OTHERS HERE, UH, AS WELL.
AND SO JUST WANNA CONVEY TO HE AND HIS FAMILY.
I DID HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK TO, TO HIS WIFE, CINDY, LAST WEEK.
UM, I'M VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO, UH, TO HAVE LUNCH WITH, UH, WITH MR. COMBS A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.
AND SO JUST WANNA CONVEY, UH, OUR, OUR DEEPEST, UH, REGARDS TO, UH, TO THE COMBS FAMILY.
WE WILL ADJOURN IN HIS MEMORY AS WELL.
UM, YES, I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYBODY TO VOTE.
I MEAN, THAT'S OUR BIGGE - THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIVILEGE THAT WE HAVE.
[POSSIBLE DIRECTION FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]
SO THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 10:00 AM ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH.UH, THIS CONCLUDES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING FOR NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026.