Thread by @AndyHS

March 8, 2022 Fresno County Board of Supervisors! They will hear from County’s State lobbyists with some of the goals being to widen Freeway 99 from Kern to Sacramento, water storage,combat fires,support fracking,restore Prop 47 theft levels, Other items on the agenda include

Putting another Zoo Parcel tax on the Ballot (Measure Z);Add another County Public Information Officer to “ tell our story” to both the
community we serve and our own employees…”

Among the Consent Agenda items:18.1 Adjourn in Memory of Lillian Zamora

22. Ratification of Agreements with local hospitals for expanded care due to on-going
COVID-19 impacts Community Regional Medical Center and Clovis Community Medical Center), and Saint
Agnes Medical Center, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer, acting as the

Emergency Services Director, to provide up to $2,000,000 of State and Local Fiscal Recovery
Funds to each hospital for expanded care due to on-going impacts of COVID-19 ($6,000,000).

25. Resolutions Rejecting Claims for Damages The Board has delegated authority to the Department to accept claims for damages in amounts up to
$50,000 and reject claims up to $25,000. Claims exceeding that amount are referred to the Board after
evaluation by the Claims Review

Committee (CRC). The CRC considers various claim elements, which
include jurisdiction, allocation of fault, immunities, and compliance with the Government Tort Claims Act by
claimants. The CRC consists of Department staff, a Deputy County Counsel, and an Independent Legal
Counsel

.
ONE EXAMPLE:Lucy Acosta - Claims $150,000.00 and alleges a County of Fresno employee was watering trees in a center
median and the hose on the truck struck the claimants vehicle, which was the proximate cause of the
claimant’s injuries. Claimant is represented by Attorney,

Salahuddin Temueri. This incident does not involve
the County of Fresno.

37. West Annex Jail - Change Order Process and Status. The construction budget for this project is $85,843,800 and includes a base construction cost of $81,756,000 and a 5% allowance for contingencies of $4,087,800. The total project budget of 101,767,800 which includes the

construction costs of $85,843,800 and $15,924,000 for Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E), Architectural Services, Construction Management and Inspections, and State fees. The project is funded with State SB 1022 (Adult Local Criminal Justice Facilities Construction

Financing Program) totaling $79,194,000 and the required County match of $22,573,800.

This morning's Agenda:

You can watch the Live Video beginning at 9:30 at this link:fresnocounty.granicus.com/player/event/b…

Supervisors meeting begins (I am not hearing any audio)

Meeting begins with invocation from a Sheriff Deputy. ( I missed her name and position). No changes to Agenda or Consent Agenda.

3.Presentation of Retirement Plaque to Laurie Little - County Library - 19 Years of Service Library's Sally Gomez with presentation who worked with Little at Kingsburg. Scott Berner is Little's supervisor. she knows her customers and persistent. Always pushed for Friday hours for

patrons. She helped with autistic students as well as Christmas Parties. Little:Loved working at the library and the patrons!Pacheco: Little and her family will be the first to have their photo without plexiglass in the way in two years!

4.Proclaim March 2022 as Red Cross Month and encourage all citizens of Fresno County to reach
out and support its humanitarian mission. Laurie Wilson and Lisa Berger with presentation. The volunteers are amazing with fires, veterans, going cross country to help others.

5.Recognition of Awards for the Big Fresno Fair Quintero:they have won the 5th Merrill Award which is the "Oscars" of Fairs! Stacy Rianda and laurie King are co-directors

2020 Fair was a drive thru event due to Covid. This year they returned in person but also safely.

(Video played as an example of PSA they used)Lauri King says signage was used to push safety. Attendance

was up to 590,000. We thank the county's Health Dept for making this happen! They present a proclamation to the County staff.October 5-16 is 2022 Fair!

Health Director thanks fair for calling early and getting it implemented. Brandau:We still had as much fun this year while being safe!

6. Receive presentation from Paul Yoder and Michael Corbett, State lobbyists, regarding legislative
Actions

Paul and Michael

Because of difficulty with Covid the State wanted to fast tracked Budget but not as many as big decisions yet but they have done some flood control in Central Valley.Paid sick leave for those with covid and help for businesses.Care Court as a way to help with homeless

with mental issues and substance addiction. We don't know the funding source today but Governor may say at State of the State tonight 5 pm . Also schools can determine mask requirements. Misinformation of covid by physicians could be sanctioned. Paul: Care Court that more info

will occur over the next two weeks. some opposition to placing someone in conservatorship. This will be controversial. Martha's law is the opposite so Governor will have to walk between the two. $450 M that includes Fresno, Kern and other for redevelopment funds.

That is called "Local Government Stability Fund" Patterson has a bill on Williamson Act. Chairs Valley Priorities will be given a chance to meet with Governor. Magsig:California relies heavily by capital gains/tax income but that can change quickly with Stock market and oil

prices erratically with Russia/Ukraine. Paul: Governor wants to fill the rainy day funds as much as he can Constitutionally. Michael:two weeks ago I would have said the approtiations to match with Ganns Limit by giving rebates to schools and tax payers. They could however give

it in a more targeted way. Brandau:LA County is supposed to create 250,000 new homes by October. What is the outcome? Paul:nobody can see how the can comply by then. But a lot of money for it. Habitat Humanity and Builder's Association are on the same side with this by helping

homeowners purchase it. Brandau: we have a similar problem and would want similar help from Governor. We are opposed to Arambula's Redistricting Commission and want you to mention that as much as possible. I am also against minors as young as 12 getting covid without parents'

permission. I am also against divesting in oil in favor of climate change as it will hurt oil prices. Prop 47 support to lower the amount that warrants a felony. We are in favor. Quintero:Has Self-Help been asked about creating more homes? Also we need more Senior Housing.

The Baby Boomers are hitting that age to be in smaller homes etc. Paul: 3 countries reps came to state event. Everything is on the table as far as housing. Magsig:It is becoming harder and harder to build and market will determine what is built.labor shortage currently.

It is not rocket science to do this. We need to plan for water and infrastructure. Paul:Republican Caucus that put in bills to make a one time investment in water storage above and below.

7.Adopt recommended changes to the Fresno County State Legislative Platform; authorize the
Chairman to execute letters of support, or opposition, in accordance with the platform; and
authorize the County Administrative Office to work with the County’s State Legislative Delegation

,
Sacramento lobbyists, and/or other necessary parties to support, or oppose, legislation in
accordance with the platform

Brandau:support of oil industry and Arambula's Redistricting Commission in this? CAO Nerland:yes. Mendes:Water stabilization and Water Resources will regulate us to death as they have rejected all of our plans. They will put everyone on probation and then come in. They want us to

us to be at 2040 level already. Nerland:Broad window so I think it is covered in this redline. Mendes:Some lawyers say State is not even following the law. Magsig:State wants to control landuse. Mendes:they are taking Soviet style control. Magsig:Weiner's bill on gas. It is used

for clothing, solar, fertilizer etc and they will all be gone if Weiner wants to go that far. A barrel of oil gives 45% to gas and rest for clothing etc. Can we put a letter to Weiner saying our views. Approved 5-0

8. Resolution Resolution to Place Proposed Extension of Measure Z Sales Tax on the June 2022
Ballot Zoo authority Board:We ask to keep Measure Z on Ballot. The foresight of the Supervisors and citizens to build this facility. We want to extend the sunset clause from 10 years to

15 years. This board is made up with appointees from this Supervisor Board and we voted unanimously. Brandua:The taxpayers got their money's worth with this tax. Mendes:2004 it was a zoo to now a world class zoo. The fact a no-tax supervisor like Brandau is in support says some-

-thing! APPROVED 5-0.
9. Approve Amendment to the Salary Resolution adding one Administrative Analyst position
Approval of the recommended action will allow the County Administrative Office Org 0120 to add one
position at an estimated Net County Cost of $42,219 for the .

remainder of the fiscal year. This position will
add capacity to the County’s Public Information unit allowing for a more dedicated, proactive communication
strategy through the addition of one position that will report to Public Information Officer.As one of the

largest Counties in
California and one of the largest organizations in the San Joaquin Valley, it is important that the County
develop a more proactive approach to communications and work specifically to “ tell our story” to both the
community we serve and our own employees.

CAO Nerland says we don't have as many Communication officers as other counties. Staff Sonia:we have a lot of stories to tell.Mendes:we had nothing initially and we moved up to something better and now this will be better! Quintero:Hopefully in Spanish. Sonia:we want Punjabi and

Hmong as well. Brandau:It has gotten better with Sonia in place. (She shares a video) covering Public Works, Sheriff,Behavioral Health, Ag, Weights and Measures,etc

Nerland:this was an introduction and highlighted just a few departments. We want to do the same with all. APPROVED 5-0

10. Receive verbal presentation and provide direction regarding the status of zoning ordinance and
building code enforcement and necessary resources. Nerland:at last meeting Supervisors asked about Code Enforcement. Bernard with presentation.illegal trucking operations, no

building permits. County processes Code Enforcement by "complaint basis only. " It can be sent to County Counsel if need be.

Urban areas of County has Neighborhood Beautification Overlay Districts @Coldrain76 as well as mountain areas. 2419 code violations currently. 42 % are in metropolitan areas

Code Enforcement has 6 full time positions. Magsig:plan checks are part of the 2? Berdard:City of Fresno has 75 Code Enforcement Officers as a comparison.

$1.6 Million spent picking up trash since 2020. Magsig:42 % are in urban areas like Sunnyside and Tarpey Village.What can be done to accelerate clean ups of those who don't comply? Pacheco:I have changed my mind after this presentation. We need at least two more code enforcement

officers but we need to go quicker too. Counsel Cedarborg if this was in front of your house you would want it to go faster. Also $100 fine is too low. We need to be at $1000. City of Fresno does this clean up better and faster than County. We have refrigerated trucks 24/7 and

keeps their neighbors awake from the noise. Mendes:Captain Obvious we need to do something about this. We will need to work with other departments. Do you want to give this back to you Bernard or a task force to help? A:we need task force and work with other departments.

We applied for Cal Trans Green Grant but we were not awarded. Nerland:Working group has already started but we will need Supervisors help as policies are needed. Cedarborg:language is needed from Supervisors but we are doing well operational side.Brandau:My rural colleagues have

issues but Quintero and I have similar problems. It is a societal breakdown leading to this. Policy changes needed. We need an urban and rural representative on this committee. Over at the City we found Code Enforcement worked faster when it was moved under City Attorney. Can we

do that here too? Cedarborg:Trash fines are being modified. But just having ordinance doesn't mean we catch anyone. Quintero:if we had at least one Code Enforcement officer for each district.Once supervisors approved a new hire the hiring should begin. Some departments say they

are waiting for CAO approval still. There are trash piles that have been there for ten years. Tires being dumped at vacant lot when he was at the City. If ordinance is on the books we need to enforce it. Brandau:there was an era when code enforcement officer was assigned to each

City Council district. This allowed clean up to happen quicker as we could call directly. Quintero:Our code enforcement officers include planners. They should be doing planning! Don't pull them off the desk. Mendes:If most of your district is rural where 9 unchartered areas it

would be hard to have just one code enforcement officer for each district. A more urban area has a smaller area to cover. Brandau:We will need to work that out in our committee. Cedarborg:we have primarily one attorney working on it but other attorney can step in if needed. DA

has stepped up in going after illegal trucking firms. Staff:this is a very large county. Different response to urban v rural violations. Bernard:code enforcement classification is needed.Pacheco:this will be on next month's agenda to hear the progress. Magsig:129 were cleared in

but we have 2000 open cases. We need more bodies. We get lots of calls to our Supervisor staff and then we send it to the correct department. We need something digital like City's FresGo app. I am open to having staff working with Code Enforcement. I have the largest district but

half of it is unlivable due to mountains etc. Public Comments:Peggy Lee : I have a neighbor that we have complained since 2016. Property owner lives in El Paso but person who lives there is now in prison. Area is left trashed. Me and my neighbors have filled out all the paperwork

but nothing happened. Housing is being built. We don't know who is living there but at least 12 people. Sheriff can tow the 75 abandoned vehicles there but has not. Does this prisoner have more clout than us? magsig:staff is prepared to state what they have done thus far?

Staff:multiple citations issued. Most of the items noted by the public are law enforcement. Vehicles in front are operable.It doesn't seem to be 75 vehicles in the back. There is a non-permitted stable there. A boat and RV visible. Possibly narcotics. No limit to how

many can live inside. Peggy Lee:there are that many vehicles. Someone is building every night. No fines have been issued. I am insulted what was said just now. This person has a towing business as well as mechanic business. Next:Debbie: I want to thank supervisors for discussing

this and realizing we need more bite in the fines. Sunnyside Property Owners are proud of where we live and go out and pick up trash. @Coldrain76

Supervisor Comments:City of Fresno had Ukraine flagraising event . City and County had an opportunity to share event Also my son is turning 16! Quintero:Raquel Guerra passed away after being with County for 7 years. Brandua:Retiring judge has caused a concern with if Governor or

by election now. I would like citizens to make that determination. Mendes:farmer Tom in Caruthers passed away. Worked as an engineering before going on boards. The federal government has really screwed up as fuel prices have gone up again.

13.Public Presentations: Bob Whalen says he filed to run for judgeship and was unopposed. Registrar James Kus said Governor wants to appoint that position. I couldn't run for another race as filing period was over. He gives legal items that why he should be allowed. If a governor

was a bad actor he could wait until he saw who filed for a seat and then requested for an appointment instead. Mr Kus has the final decision.

CLOSED SESSION 17.1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators - Government Code, Section 54957(a); UMC Campus
located at the corner of South Cedar Avenue and East Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, CA; County
Negotiator: Paul Nerland or designee. Negotiating Parties: City of Fresno,

Under negotiations:
Instructions to County's negotiator may concern sale, lease and escrow terms and conditions
including price.

NEXT MEETINGS:
March 22 - 9:30 AM
April 5, - 9:30 AM

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