The Calaveras Board of Supervisors meetings are much more important than you may realize.  One of our members, Janet, has generously been taking detailed notes which gives you a chance to follow along.

This link is from the 3/23/21 meeting.  If you’d like to see the actual meeting, a video is available through the County’s website.  If you’d like to download Janet’s notes, they can be found here: 20210323-Calaveras-BoS.

We’ve mainly included the detailed notes here from the Public Health Updates.  We’ve mentioned other items but refer you to Janet’s notes and the video for additional information.  Watching the whole video will give you complete information and an appreciation for Janet’s willingness to take these notes.

Pubic meeting called to order at 9:10 a.m.

Staff Announcements

Sheriff Rick DiBasilio – Sheriff Rick DiBasilio introduced Tuolumne County Sherriff Bill Pooley – On February 28, 2021, law enforcement called to Parrotts Ferry Bridge regarding a suicide attempt. Deputy Corporal Long located the individual and Deputy Long and Deputy Markovich assisted in holding onto the person until additional help arrived. Presented Deputy Jason with life-saving award. Got a lot of great press nationwide. Tuolumne County BOS also presented an award to Deputy Jason.
• Deputy Jason stated he was just doing his job. So many aspects to law enforcement and happy he could be of help to assist in saving this person’s life.
• Sheriff DiBasilio stated this shows that law enforcement individuals try to do the right thing and appreciated working with Tuolumne County Sheriff Department.
• Lisa Medina – animal services volunteers have volunteered 200+ hours of time and have cared for animals by walking, feeding, grooming, cleaning cages, monitor behaviors, provide information to public, transportation, etc. Lisa appreciates all the volunteers to do for the shelter.

Public Health Update

1. Public Health Services (ID # 5934) Receive an update presentation from staff on
COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

• Sam Leach – Tests completed 35,881; positive tests 1,972; currently 10 active cases; 1,911 recovered; 0 active hospitalizations; 51 fatalities; 17,638 vaccines administered to date; vaccine doses delivered last week – 3,610; well stocked up; trying to get doses into arms; same tiers being vaccinated; clinics at Frogtown – Tuesday and Thursday. Technical issues on MyTurn went down over the weekend. Technical issues resolved. Doing some small clinics this week but not advertised.
• Administered about 1,000 doses; had 1,400 capacity last week. If you schedule an appointment, please show up because if you don’t show up, you are taking someone else’s slot.
• Next week planning a clinic in Valley Springs on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; smaller registration. Not in MyTurn yet. The next few days should have it set up in MyTurn.
• Testing – free today at Ironstone – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; free at Armory in Copperopolis on Friday, March 26, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Have seen a slight uptick last week. Not enough to panic but need to continue to wear masks, maintain social distance, wash hands, if sick, stay home.
• Currently in the red tier. Will remain for foreseeable future. Have been trying to push toward the orange tier but with a slight uptick will remain in the red tier. Can’t get complacent, we don’t want to go back into the purple tier. We want schools, sports, businesses to open and stay open.
• Outdoor gatherings – CDPH working on revisions regarding what can be done. If you’re a business owner or citizen – it’s all in the blueprint for a safer economy for CA. Look at restrictions and what is allowable.
• Continue to be safe and diligent, we are going to get there. We are vaccinating about 2,000+ per week now. We are moving in the right direction.
• We were required to get on MyTurn on March 7. Unable to lower age just for Calaveras County. Have advocated to open things up more but can’t unilaterally lower the age group. Believes it will happen soon but does not have a date yet. Believes will have an update at the next board meeting. The age needs to be lowered for our residents because we are fairly well saturated in the current age group.
• A lot of doses still going into arms and happy with our progress. The state wants to make sure we hit the targeted group first before going to the next tier.
• Haven’t signed MOU with Blue Shield yet. Will review MOU but appears will be able to continue the partnership in our County. Happy with where MOU stands. Plan to move forward with it.
• Sarah Edwards – Attorney – not an MOU with Blue Shield, MOU with Calaveras and State. Did make positive changes and should be signing very soon.
• Doug Archer – Mark Twain Hospital
• Still in process of signing up for MyTurn. Second dose clinics happening this week, next week, and the first week in April. Will then shift to Saturdays on April 10, 2021. Plan to provide up to 800 doses each Saturday moving forward.
• Not receiving any supply from Dignity Supply. Dignity only received 5,000 statewide and reserved for inpatient/hospitalization patients.
• Appreciates partnership and thinks Frogtown will work well during the week and the hospital on Saturday for commuters/workers.
• Back to doing regular business and elective surgeries. Making effort to get back to normal.
• Continuing to give second doses weekly. No plans to stop giving vaccines.

Public Comments – None

Recognition and Acknowledgements

2. First 5 Calaveras (ID # 5947) Adopt a proclamation declaring April 2021 as BE THE ONE month in Calaveras County

• Supervisor Garamendi – served on First 5 Calaveras for last 4 1/2 years; this is an amazing program and one person can make a difference in a person’s life. Read proclamation. Admire and appreciate all the work the social workers do and their bravery.
• Robin Davis – First 5 Coordinator – have diverse representation who represent children; this raises money each year to support their work to approve well being for their children and families. Great need for adults to volunteer to help with a child. Will have outreach on April 21, 2021, that honors local individuals who have helped a child succeed. Appreciate all social workers, they work so hard with families who have dealt with trauma.
Public Comments – None
Motion to approve proclamation – Passed – 5-0

3. Human Services (ID # 5949) Adopt a proclamation declaring March 2021 as Social Work Appreciation Month

• Supervisor Callaway – read proclamation. The theme this year – social workers are essential.
• Laura Larsen – proclamation highlights a few aspects of what they do daily. They had to adjust work they did during Covid but continued to do their work to help citizens. They work quietly in the community so thank them if you have the opportunity.
Public Comments – None
Motion to approve proclamation – Passed – 5-0

General Public Comments

• Mr. Stoughton – Thanked Code Compliance and Public Health and Environmental Health for doing a fantastic job on Johnny Trail. They have been cleaning it up and found some hazmat items. Still have 20 to 30 cars that need to be removed from the property. This project cost in excess of $70,000. Code Compliance will need additional money in the future to deal with these types of issues. Will be increased patrol for the property. If items found on the property, they will be tagged and towed in 15 days. Look forward to seeing property cleaned up and cars removed.

Consent Agenda

Christa Von Lotta – County Administration – request to withdraw item 10. Will bring it back at a later date.
Motion to approve consent agenda items (with exception of item 10), Passed – 5-0

Regular Agenda

23. Human Services (ID # 5951) 1. Receive a presentation from Health Plan of San Joaquin regarding the Managed Medi-Cal partnership with Calaveras County Health and Human Services Agency and; 2. Authorize the Board Chair to sign a Letter of Intent for the Local Initiation Health Plan.

24. Public Works (ID # 5945) 1) Conduct a Public Hearing for the consideration of vacating public access to Telegraph Road and Telegraph Court in Calaveras County; and 2) Adopt a Resolution vacating Telegraph Road and Telegraph Court.

• Robert Pachinger – Public Works – Approximately 41 properties; 36 ranchers approached and are favorable to vacating the road.
• Have received questions regarding the private easement of two roads. County has more authority to grant private easements.
• We recommend public hearing move forward but no action be taken so families can work out their easement issues and have them addressed. Will bring it back at a later date.
• Supervisor Folendorf – agrees to wait so landowners can have their questions addressed.
• Chair Stopper – appreciates recommendation to hold off while easement concerns are addressed. The public hearing closed and will be brought back at a subsequent date.  Motion not required at this time.
Public Comments – None

Supervisor Announcements

• Supervisor Tofanelli – March is women and history month. We have a lot of women in Calaveras County History. I want to thank them for their contribution to Calaveras County. I also want to pay tribute to Merita Callaway. In 1992, there was a recall election and she won. Merita Callaway has served on the BoS for 22 straight years which is difficult to do. Only one woman has a longer history and she is in San Diego County. I want to thank Merita Callaway and all other women who have served this County.

Went back in to closed session and will officially adjourn meeting when they return.