Thread by @AndyHS

Fresno City Council meeting November 4, 2021!Among the items include Club One Casino increase in card room tables;WORKSHOP - Police Department Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program;Actions pertaining to the acquisition of the UMC Campus Property;Authorize the Chief of

Police to enter into a First Amendment to the existing contract with ShotSpotter Inc., (SST) for an additional three square miles in the City of Fresno for a total cost of $535,849;6 PM HEARING Regarding redistricting;

Among the Consent Calendar items: 1-C Actions related to the Airline Operations Agreement with ExpressJet Airlines LLC.,:

1-D Actions pertaining to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport SMART Program Bid File No. 3817 (Council District 4): 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (a) and (d) (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines

2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,755,000 to S&L Specialty Construction, of Syracuse, New York for the acoustic treatment of 40 homes in the vicinity of Fresno Yosemite International Airport

1-G Actions pertaining to the award of a Vendor Agreement with Neighborhood Industries, Inc.,: 1. Affirm the City Manager’s determination that Neighborhood Industries is uniquely qualified to perform litter abatement and alley way maintenance services employing individuals

living in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty 2. Approve a Vendor Agreement with Neighborhood Industries, Inc., for a total amount of $125,000 to provide litter
abatement and alley way maintenance services in the Tower District Neighborhood (Council District 1)

1-I Approve an increase the Requirements Contract with Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., by $580,000 to the amount of $1,798,821.80 for first year of the contract & by $336,018.20 to the amount of $1,554,840.00 for the remaining one-year terms,to purchase additional ferric chloride

1-N Actions pertaining to Commercial Cannabis Activity: 1. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 564th Amendment to the Master Fee Schedule Resolution No. 80-420 adding fees relating to Commercial Cannabis Business Permits (Subject to Mayor's Veto).

1-O Approve the Mayor's appointments of Nicole Turpin and Bill Hyatt to the Disability Advisory Commission

1-Q Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a First Amendment to the existing contract with ShotSpotter Inc., (SST) through the end of FY 2024 to provide gunshot detection coverage for an additional three square miles in the City of Fresno for a total cost of $535,849

1-W Confirming emergency conditions continue to directly impact the ability of legislative bodies to meet safely in person, and authorizing remote teleconference meetings of City legislative bodies for 30 days, pursuant to Brown Act provisions

1-X Approve the appointment of Jessica Vaugh to the Council District 2 Project Review Committee.

You can watch beginning at 9 am cmac.tv/gov/ @CMACTV

#Fresno @fresnoland

Meeting begins at 9:05 am. Reza Nekumanesh with the Invocation this morning.Club One Casino item continued until Dec. 2. Liquor item 10 am continued. 1-E removed. Items 1-Q,1-T,1-U,1-G,1-W,1-R moved to contested consent

Proclamation for “Veterans Day” sponsored by Karbassi. He notes we have one Veteran on the Council in @GarryBredefeld Bredefeld says we have no freedom that wasn't brought to us by Veterans' sacrifice. @District5Chavez We need to honor our veterans with a Fresno Memorial District

@Esmeralda_Soria I salute all our veterans. I have many cousins actively serving including a Navy Seal. One of the largest Veteran Parades occurs in Fresno.@MayorJerryDyer Veterans do things behind the scenes. My Uncle was a Prisoner of War in Korea.

Proclamation for “Prematurity Awareness Month” for
November 2021 sponsored by Soria.Doulas help prevent premature births.

Proclamation for “Youth Leadership Institute's (YLI) 30th Year” Sponsored by Mayor ;Soria and all Councilmembers. Soria:Helps Youth see the value in themselves and improve their neighborhood.Youth commission creation came out of YLI as well as liquor licensing. @Maxwell4Fresno

Every major piece of policy I have worked on this year were by Youth. Wifi on buses;zero bus fares, parks etc. They will leave us a better city than we inherited. @D7Esparza Smoke Free ordinance, Liquor Store ordinance have come from YLI advocacy.Patty:when youth are engaged they

will later sit in those Council seats. Mayor Dyer:Congratulates YLI and thank you for setting up the Youth Forums where I could hear from Youth.The youth are not the leaders of the Future but today. Soria:i have hired 47 youth as paid interns in my time on council.

@MiguelArias_D3 Tables 1-P until a later date and time. Soria:Thanks Parks Dept for Fall Festival at Inspiration Park with 500 in attendance. Utility's little blue cans are very popular! Fire Dept handed out bike helmets. Sidewalk improvements north of Olive has been much

appreciated by residents. Beautification of Tower District continue with Neighborhood Industries , Inc. Arias:Congratulates our new Parks Director! Parking Meters Downtown are about ready to launch but I want a pause so businesses as any time there is a concert at Chukchansi

Stadium patrons park at the meters rather than pay the $20 to park at parking garage. This causes 40% drop in business for the downtown owners. Esqueda:Pause is welcome as thieves have found away ton steal the meters too. Bredefeld:Veterans Parade next Thursday at 11 am. Also

visit City's Vet wall too. @D7Esparza Please attend the Redistricting meeting tonight at 6 pm. Chavez:Senior Citizens Village Center will be having a safety meeting after sexual predator broke in. Also Michael Cabellero past away so we will be adjourning in his honor. Dyer: I

worked decades with Michael. Dyer honors Aaron the new Parks Director. He is homegrown.We did a national search but he rose to the top.Maxwell: I can vouch for him. Chavez:He is a great choice. Karbassi:Glad he has a local angle.Esparza:Welcome him to Parks! Dyer:Interim Parks

TJ Miller did a great job. She is working on hiring a lot of the new parks employees. American Rescue Plan dollars (ARPA) and I have met with all of the councilmembers on it. Homeless Committee is working on Version 2. this Saturday Fire Chief Donis is having a Girls Empowerment

event to encourage females applying to Fire Dept. Esqueda:Compactors downtown has found tenants interested in it so it is getting closer. Convention Complex is going to be advertised to see who may be interested in purchasing. Fresno State qualified for potentially in National

Championship. Sold out game this Saturday v Boise. Arthop tonight! Esparza:come to redistricting meeting tonight too! Esqueda:Equipment for D7 Cleanup is waiting on equipment.Arias:Cannabis license:can we not to appeals during Christmas. Chavez:maybe a free sample for Christmas;)

@LisaYFlores1 I cannot open the Redistricting information. Also several conflicts happening at the same time. Also is @GarryBredefeld tweeting during the meeting? If you are the comments are not Christian. Calling people clowns. Next:Ivanka Sauders :Environmental Impact Report

was approved despite many comments from residents.These are some of the most pollution impacted areas in California. Impact of trucks will not help. City must heed residents needs in all neighborhoods.Carlas Martinez:@LCJandA Please Agendize December 9 about eviction protections.

What we have now is limited. Rents have gone up 24% and with so many residents being renters this will be an issue.Please protect all renters. Fernando Alassando:Equal justice. I have sent all of you letters but I have yet to hear from any of you. That is why the FBI is investi-

-gating. Code Enforcement has to go. Today the truth has come out. (Reads from Scriptures) Next:Amber Crowell:Safe and stabilized rent control. Most families won't be able to find decent housing to rent especially in a competitive market. Slum landlords are prevalent. They should

not be able to unjustly evict renters.Janine Nkoski from Fresno State @FaithInFresno Our students are struggling to eat due to rent increases. Hard to focus on schoolwork when they are skipping meals and trying to make rent each month.@AshleyEWerner of Leadership Counsel. On the

removed 1-P item public review is needed and settlement. ISR compliance. Amazon Warehouse never paid the required ISR fees for 6 years. It took lots of complaints to get them to pay. Francesca Albaz (in Spanish)

@LovesMercy ARPA needs to have shelter demands. I support the lawsuit on EIR as people shouldn't have health risk due to where they live. 1-K we need affordable housing 1-G hiring homeless is a good idea.Need to make all meetings accessible and advertised on social media and

given adequate notice. Townhall didn't have anything posted until 20 minutes into it.Ariel Rodriguez:Fresno State student. Rent control is needed as we have the highest rent increase in nation. Alexandra Alvarado with @FaithInFresno This is a great place to live if people are not

having to worry about being displaced from their rental home. Profits are placed over a safe place to live. Jasmin:Need to protect Fresno renters. Fully funded rent protection. Clean air, safe roads and healthy homes are needed.

1-G Actions pertaining to the award of a Vendor Agreement with Neighborhood Industries, Inc.,: 1. Affirm the City Manager’s determination that Neighborhood Industries is uniquely qualified to perform litter abatement and alley way maintenance services employing individuals

living in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty 2. Approve a Vendor Agreement with Neighborhood Industries, Inc., for a total amount of $125,000 to provide litter
abatement and alley way maintenance services in the Tower District Neighborhood (Council District 1)
I am in

support of this but wondering why not citywide asks Bredefeld. Soria:we budgeted it. Employs those housing poor. There may be state dollars for that reason. Chavez:great model for citywide. Illegal dumping is a major complaint especially our main corridors.This model recruits

who are often hard to employ. Approved.1-Q Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a First Amendment to the existing contract with ShotSpotter Inc., (SST) through the end of FY 2024 to provide gunshot detection coverage for an additional three square miles cost of $535,849.

Arias asks Police
Chief @BalderramaPaco the numbers. Chief:arrests from spotspotter response. We highly benefit as there are a lot of guns and shootings in Fresno. $700,000 a year for Shotspotter. Esqueda:we will update trade memo to give total cost over the years. Arias: I want

to know cost v # of arrests. Karbassi:Advance Peace mentioned the cost of each shooting so this tech will help. We are adding 4 new districts citywide. Approved

1-R Actions pertaining to the Veterans Boulevard Interchange Project (Council District 2): 1. RESOLUTION - Adopting findings pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15091 and 15093 as required by CEQA Guidelines Section 15096 2. Award a

Construction Contract in the amount of $48,025,000 to A. Teichert & Son Inc., M.C.M. Construction, Inc. (Joint Venture), of Sacramento, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder 3. Approve a Distribution and Service Extension Agreement with Pacific Gas and

Electric Company in the amount of $58,427.40 to install electric service facilities for the Veterans Boulevard Interchange Project. Soria:Project Labor agreement was passed recently. Will local employees be hired? Infrastructure investment helps Granville get houses built. Morris

-son says Federal dollars limit requiring local employees. However this contractor has a local presence so probably local. Also trying to use small businesses with disadvantages try to be used as well. Arias:Veteran Blvd cost? A:$140 Million with 50% from local dollars. Arias:I

don't think we ever paid that portion for infrastructure. Infrastructure is needed for SE, SW and Downtown. We made that investment in north Fresno If we make this investment the stores etc will come. @kmkarbassi Veterans Blvd will help those in District 1 and not just my

district. We have just a few local developers and high cost of lumber. We are holding ourselves back by not having more competition. West Fresno will benefit from Vet Blvd. Arias:If we expand 180 to allow Kerman to be a suburb it will skip over West Fresno. We need to see what

Fresno will get back from Measure C funds. Dyer:Those dollars need to be invested in neighborhoods and not creating another Clovis or Madera suburbs to Fresno. We have seen neglect in West Fresno as kids don't have sidewalks to walk to school. 30% of ARPA funds will be for

neighborhoods. Chavez:In past Measure C funding was 75% was for Freeways and we need to flip that script. Approved.

1-T Approve three on-call agreements with 1) Hamner, Jewell & Associates, 2) Continental Field Services, and 3) Universal Field Services, for Right of Way Acquisition Project Management Services, each with three-year terms and a total compensation not to exceed $500,000

individually to assist Public Works staff with the acquisition of privately owned real property and land rights to facilitate City public infrastructure projects
Staff:this could be used for any type of projects such as FAX. Arias: we are going to go on a buying spree with parks

Staff:we are getting lots of developer completely funded but we often acquire the land. Esqueda:We have to increase capacity up so we are using outside staff. Approved.

1-U Approve Contract Change Order No. 3 to the Highway Litter Control Contract with Landscape Maintenance of America dba California Highway Adoption Company, in the amount of $119,500, increasing the total two year contract from $709,446 to $828,946 (Citywide) Arias : this is the

4th time we have had to change this. Do we now have to put this out to bid again? Scott Mozier:yes it is time to bid. We are pleased with this vendor but time to have new fair bidding.We went from once a month cleaning to 4 times, and hence the increase the cost. Arias:can we

do this inhouse?Mozier:The cons outweigh the pros.Arias: we want to hire local. Bredefeld:how effective has this been?Mozier:People comment that the 168 in Clovis is much dirtier than Fresno portion and that is due to this monthly cleanup.Chavez:Trash clean up ?Esqueda:litter

clean up crews focus on medians. We have the bodies now but waiting for heavy equipment.Mozier:Street sweepers pick up light litter but illegal dumping is different. Chavez:our parks are not as clean as they should be. Esqueda:item 3-C is focused on parks. Karbassi:i had a meet-

-ing with parks at 8 am I noticed they picked up trash while waiting. Arias:When RFP goes out I want to be sure not just the freeway that people see but the surrounding alleys etc. Dyer:@BeautifyFresno and non-profits are helping to clean our city and taking back our city. We

don't have the staff to do what we need. Chavez: we know that but we will have the plan and what is needed to go further. Approved

1-W Confirming emergency conditions continue to directly impact the ability of legislative bodies to meet safely in person, and authorizing remote teleconference meetings of City legislative bodies for 30 days, pursuant to Brown Act provisions
@GarryBredefeld I am against keep-

-ing this going. Kids go to school, churches and football games. Hospitals are not overwhelmed. Vaccines are lasting months.These emergencies are never ending. This has gone on two years. I went to a state where there is no mask mandate. They are not living in fear.We will lose

police officers and other staff if we have vaccine mandate. Most people do well even if they are vaccinated but if healthy do well. My son got covid but was well after 2 days due to monoclonal antibodies. Clovis and Fresno County don't have mandates. We need to stop mandating and

controlling lives. Esparza:people are still getting covid and not everyone can get vaccine such as my 3 year old daughter. This covid is not going away. October we had 90 employees coming down with it. I hope if one of my colleagues was feeling sick they would stay home and zoom

Arias:when my son got covid it wasn't a 2 day problem and Children's hospital was overwhelmed. Karbassi:We need to have all options open. Approved 6-1 with Bredefeld voting NO.

-C
Actions Related to Improving Operations and Maintenance in Parks and Trails: 1. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 22nd Amendment to Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2021-178 appropriating $3,235,800 for Measure P Operating and Capital Projects in the PARCS and Public Works

Departments (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes)(Subject to Mayor's Veto) 2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 2nd Amendment to Position Authorization Resolution No. 2021-179, adding 13 Positions in the Public Works Department and 41 Positions in the PARCS Department New Parks director

Aaron Aguirre is presenting.

Aguirre:Measure P Commission wants money not for just for parks but for homeless in parks. Chavez: it will be up to council to decide where money is spent.

Ed:5 divisions. Currently 305 temporary employees. 80 parks. About 1 Full time employee for each park.Soria:we have a record number of dollars. Chavez:we have non-profits running our community centers. These numbers are not included.Dyer:presentation from Mozier on how to build

new parks. Then we have old dilapidated parks.Arias:we need grant writers to get state and federal dollars. Esqueda:officially we have zero now and we need to reclassify that position as they have other duties.We need to get that fixed.Arias:I get 3000 code enforcement calls but

Bredefeld 300. We can't apply these positions equally. Soria:Unlocking gates and clean restrooms be covered? A:7 am staff arrives to unlock and clean restrooms and report any graffiti to 311. Previously one person unlocked multiple parks and so opening /closing times varied.

Now just one person dedicated to one park. Highway City Center will stay open in response to Karbassi. Maxwell:"most needs park"has not been defined by council or Measure P Commission. Why assign workers until we do that? Esqueda:We currently need bodies with what are just "paper

-weights" and just being passive. The large changes will be later December 2. This allows surveillance of parks and greeting visitors. We want people to be hired and working by January. Dyer:I want all the parks to be good. All 80 parks will be cleaned.Maxwell:lots of parks have

issues. Dyer:all parks will have attendants. Arias:this is just Measure P but we have other monies that can be used. Bodies need to be hired now. Bredefeld:Great needs in South and North. I share Maxwell's concern that some parks will be ignored but attended.Esqueda:time

sensitive as we need to hire bodies. Arias: I want to see us fix based on who voted for Measure P. Karbasi:I want to see parks fixed by who is paying the Measure P tax. (Bredefeld cackles). Maxwell:I won't vote for this in future if my district is not considered in SE. Chavez:

I worry the same for Sunnyside. @LisaYFlores1 We need tree arborists in this city.

council goes to Lunch break. They will go directly into Closed Session. Chavez recuses himself from 5-A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - (UMC Campus) Negotiating Parties: City Manager, County of Fresno Under negotiations: Price and terms of sale due to his home is

in proximity to the site. (I thought he said he is recusing himself from 5-E as well) 5-E CONSIDER PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT - Government : Consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee. Position: City Clerk

There is a 4:45 WORKSHOP - Police Department Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program as well.

2:20 Beginning 3-D Actions pertaining to the acquisition of the UMC Campus Property (APN 461-02-003T): 1. *** RESOLUTION - Authorize the Administration to submit an offer to purchase the University Medical Center (UMC) Campus (APN 461-02-003T) in the vicinity of East Kings Canyon

Esqueda: $4.25 M offer to county.Really help with housing shortage. @D7Esparza We can really take this to to the next level. Demo site. @LovesMercy online "Be sure we have affordable housing. We need green space as well and nearby" Arias:this property has been vacant for decades

This is a fire hazard. Huntington Blvd is the most walkable place in Fresno. It is a safe place near Roosevelt High School.Soria:a tremendous opportunity to work in partnership with County. We are in a crisis with housing.It is a win win for City, County and the

area that has often been left behind. County will get the $4.25 M PLUS the tax base when this is complete and adjacent stores etc. Bredefeld asks what would ultimate cost? A:$14.6 M clear current land and asbestos; $8 M sewer $9 M street scape and $3 M greenspace.

A fair cost to county and I advise and ask County to accept the offer. Dyer:it will hopefully take 36 months and occupancy will occurred. Arias thanks Esqueda for quick movement on this property. approved 6-0 with Chavez back after recusing himself. City Attorney Sloan announces

that Todd Sterner (sp.) has been hired as City Clerk (replacing the interim Clerk Briana Parra). The Council will be back at 4:45 pm for Police Department Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program followed by two items sandwiched between 6 pm sharp Redistricting item.

4:45 pm WORKSHOP - &&&Police Department Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program
Beginning at 5:00. Georanne White introducing Damon.

4:45 pm WORKSHOP - Police Department Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program
Beginning at 5:00. Georanne White introducing Damon.

Get early treatment. We were able to reduce litigation by 90% but had some issues. We were first municipality to do this. Los Angeles and SF now use our model. People still get injured in this profession.

Get early treatment. We were able to reduce litigation by 90% but had some issues. We were first municipality to do this. Los Angeles and SF now use our model. People still get injured in this profession.

Without ADR a seargant would be retired but now are able to work.A cost saving to City and POA. We used peer pressure and it helped get staff back to work. Soria:intended goal had merit but 5 years later not all that was promised happened.Sometimes A,B, C were promised but only A

Without ADR a seargant would be retired but now are able to work.A cost saving to City and LTA. We used peer pressure and it helped get staff back to work. Soria:intended goal had merit but 5 years later not all that was promised happened.Sometimes A,B, C were promised but only A

is happening. In LA the A, B, C are happening even though we were the one who invented it. Arias:Workers Comp has tripled, a record number of long term Officers out and not just from Covid.White:Judge Steimer (sp) will speak. Chavez:LTA,Is there savings?

Judge:Workers Comp Judge in SF/Oakland and for Governor Davis.Worked with basic craft then and covered several trades.Amagalated Union brought me to Fresno but didn't work out. Then maybe work with PD occurred. Work on premise that what is good for Employer and Employee is the

Judge:Workers Comp Judge in SF/Oakland and for Governor Davis.Worked with basic craft then and covered several trades.Amagalated Union brought me to Fresno but didn't work out. Then maybe work with PD occurred. Work on premise that what is good for Employer and Employee is the

same. I was unfortunately marginalized when that happened. This today was carved out for trades.Arias:previous personal director is at fault? I have been here awhile but I never heard program is not working. This is scary that is might happen again but we won't know for two years

When rank and file have a complaint they come to this podium and we hear about it. But I have not heard any complaints about this. Steimer:I never thought I could go over former Personal Director head and come here.White:if we decided to abandon this program what happens?Steimer:

Those claims would need to be handled. Will they go to ADR or to Workers Comp.White:lost 52 days lost preADR Now 17 days.Savings every year with 8 %. Arias:is this apple to apple comparison?why is one 3 years and other is 5 years.Damon:we did 3 years prior as baseline. Data is

Those claims would need to be handled. Will they go to ADR or to Workers Comp.White:lost 52 days lost preADR Now 17 days.Savings every year with 8 %. Arias:is this apple to apple comparison?why is one 3 years and other is 5 years.Damon:we did 3 years prior as baseline. Data is

compiled by an outside actuary. Maxwell:disturbing to see savings dropping. White:more things loaded onto Savings.Arias:Did program get more expensive? White:if you have to backfill for Officers who are out by using overtime. This was charged against the program.Longterm absences

compiled by an outside actuary. Maxwell:disturbing to see savings dropping. White:more things loaded onto Savings.Arias:Did program get more expensive? White:if you have to backfill for Officers who are out by using overtime. This was charged against the program.Longterm absences

compiled by an outside actuary. Maxwell:disturbing to see savings dropping. White:more things loaded onto Savings.Arias:Did program get more expensive? White:if you have to backfill for Officers who are out by using overtime. This was charged against the program.Longterm absences

is not reason for program. Cumulative Trauma (CT) appear to correspond to retirements.

is not reason for program. Cumulative Trauma (CT) appear to correspond to retirements which gave lower savings in the past year. @BalderramaPaco I want to provide best care for my officers.70 officers are on workers comp. 30 are on light duty but don't get full salary.

is not reason for program. Cumulative Trauma (CT) appear to correspond to retirements which gave lower savings in the past year. @BalderramaPaco I want to provide best care for my officers.70 officers are on workers comp. 30 are on light duty but don't get full salary.

Wellness investigative unit helps hold people responsible.I think we need to make it less of incentive to be on leave. If you get paid more to be on your couch than at work is an issue. LA uses same program and have 5% officers on leave. Fresno has 13%! If I had 5% I wouldn't

have to rob Peter to pay Paul. Karbassi:health care has risen the past year. California have some of the highest Worker Comps rate in the country.Every business has employees gaming the system.Chief:anxiety level is high due to lack of officers plus moral is low due to national

view of police. Karbassi: we are trying to make this system better and not attacking police. Dyer:Prior ADR officers complained about not being able to see a physician. After ADR that was not an issue.I also wanted to reduce number of officers on LTA. That is why it went from 54

days to 17 after ADR. Officers were able to get to surgeries quicker but during covid elective surgeries were delayed. That is why rate increased. We should not only keep this program but expand it to other departments. Arias:Do we have long-term absences issues in other dept?

White:Fresno County Sheriff and City of Clovis doesn't have ADR. Hanford does. Sheriff is looking at it.Arias:what safeguards are in place to keep what happened with previous personal director? White: we have data every year and can share it.Paco:we do investigate whether officer

got hurt on or off the job. Dyer:sentiment towards PD recently and delay of surgeries.Bredefeld:defund police and that makes police who got hurt make them wonder if they should go back . Officers left in droves in Minneapolis. Paco:Officers who are constantly getting hurt get

more investigation to be sure they are not just milking system. I had officers off for over 3 years. Chavez:it is 6 pm for redistricting portion so we need to end here.

I won't be able to cover this part of City Council. Next meetings:NOVEMBER 11, 2021 – NO MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2021 – NO MEETING (CANCELLED) NOVEMBER 25, 2021 – NO MEETING

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