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 8/24/21  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 20210824-bos-meeting-notes

The notes include more of the discussion about various measures/ announcements.  It gives you a better appreciation of the work our Supervisors and County personnel do.

We’ve mainly included the detailed notes here from general interest items like the Public Health Updates.  We list all items on the public agenda but often only include the initial paragraph from Janet’s notes.

This week’s meeting included three useful & interesting staff announcements:

• The County Library summer reading program/ summer lunches/ bookmobile status
• Environmental Management Agency Is having a day where you can drop off hazardous waste material.  Also: they have kittens that need adopting.
• The Elections office will be having redistricting meetings.

The County’s Public Health people reported on Covid — good, useful information.  During the end of the Public Health update, there was a discussion of how often the BoS should get the Covid updates but it also slid into a discussion about the BoS meetings.  It looks like they’re going to continue to have on-site meetings BUT practice social distancing & require masks.  If you want to attend but refuse to wear a mask, you’ll need to attend via Zoom.

This meeting had five consent items and three regular agenda items.  The regular agenda items were on County salaries and cannabis fees/issues.  n any case, both items involved quite a bit of discussion not included here.  Please look through Janet’s (excellent) notes or review the video.

Public meeting called to order at 10:21 a.m.

Staff Announcements

• Nancy Giddons – County Librarian – 598 children enrolled in summer reading program, 137 more from last year; did packets for various age groups. Great summer of books about reading and coloring your world in various ways. 476 children participated throughout the entire program, 403 participated the majority of the time, the highest numbers we have ever had. Happy to help bridge the learning gaps; especially, during this past year of Covid. Also, doing lunch at libraries provided by Amador Unified School District – done in San Andreas, Moke Hill, West Point, and Railroad Flats. Gave away 4,077 lunches over the summer program. Providing nutritional and educational value to our students. Looking forward to our bookmobile but the vehicle is still in production, delayed due to Covid. Looks like it will be December before we get the vehicle.
• Lisa Medina – Environmental Management Agency – animal services has several kitties that are available for adoption. Free rabies and microchip to be held September 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at Spences in Angels Camp.
Annual Calaveras County Residential Hazardous Waste Pickup will be on 9/ from 9/11/2021 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the San Andreas Government Center and Arnold County Road Yard; 9/12.2021 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Point Cal Trans Yard. Proof of residency is required for Calaveras and Alpine County residents. Allowed – paint, stains, solvents, hazardous chemicals, motor oil, lawn and pool chemicals, batteries, medications, needles, etc. Not allowed – appliances, electronics, tires, explosives, radioactive materials, ammunitions, etc.
• Rebecca Turner – the county will be holding redistricting meetings. Info posted on their website –elections.calaverasgov.us/Redistricting.
Dates:
Valley Springs – Jenny Lind Veteran’s Hall, September 1 – 6 p.m.,
Copper – Courthouse at Town Square – September 3 – 6 p.m.,
Murphys – Ironstone Vineyards – September 8 – 6 p.m.,
Moke Hill – Town Hall – September 9 – 6 p.m.,
The Agenda can be found on BOS’s webpage.  (Also,please look at: https://calaverasdemocrats.org/calaveras-redistricting/)

Public Health Update

3. Informational Item – Administrative Office (ID # 6265) 1) Receive an update presentation from staff on COVID-19; 2) Provide direction to staff regarding the frequency of future COVID-19 updates to the Board; 3) Provide direction to staff regarding how to conduct future Board meetings in light of recent developments with COVID-19; and 4) Provide direction to staff regarding whether to hold the upcoming town halls regarding redistricting via Zoom.

• Cori Allen – HHSA Director – total confirmed cases 2,660, vaccinations given 41,225, active cases – 97, tests conducted 52,781, active hospitalizations – 1, deaths – 61, 47.58% fully vaccinated. Delta variant is so much more aggressive, spreads more easily and quickly, most serious for those not vaccinated, Continue to wear a mask, now it is critical to do things that will help stop the spread, stay home if ill or have symptoms, wear masks, wash hands, get tested. FDA approved Pfizer as an approved vaccine. Testing this week – full day on Wednesday, August 25, at San Andreas Library – 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., can make an appointment at 754-6460 or walk-ins are welcomed. Sonora is back to the fairgrounds from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; no lines, can make an appointment or walk-ins welcomed. Amador County – HHS Agency – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – 3 days per week. Regarding data – it has gone through full vetting and is usually delayed approximately two weeks. Info from Doug Archer is real-time data. Data delay is one or two days and fatality is about 2 weeks.
• Dr. Rene Ramirez – Calaveras County Health Officer – FDA granted full approval for Pfizer and encourages people to get vaccinated. Vaccines are effective; not 100% but we do know that people who are vaccinated do much better; please help yourself and the community. The state is in crisis mode again with hospitals being full and unable to move patients to other hospitals due to no room availability. Continue to wear masks, social distance, wash hands. September 20th is target date for all Americans who have been at or after 8 months from their last Covid shot to get a booster shot. Any questions, contact your doctor. The intent of the booster shot is to bing your antibodies back up. You should get the same vaccine you previously received.
• Doug Archer – Dignity Health – we have picked up across the board, 16 with 5 covid positive patients; 2 in ICU and 3 in the general med unit; an uptick in ER visits in general and covid related. Staffing has been fairly tight and more staff coming later this week and travelers next week to help out. Yesterday 6 discharges and admitted 7 – a busy day for us. One patient wanted to transfer but the Valley and Sacramento regions are busy and it was difficult to get the transfer complete.
• Micheal Magana – Calaveras County Public Health – CDC recommends booster shots to those with moderately to severely weakened immune systems; to all stating on 9/20/2021; CDC recommends booster shots. Go to myturn.ca.gov to schedule. Delta variant is more contagious and vaccines are effective. Unvaccinated people remain the greatest concern and are more likely to be hospitalized. Fully vaccinated can get breakthrough cases and can spread it but appear to be ill less severe and shorter period of time.

Recognition and Acknowledgements

4. Proclamation – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6264) Proclaim the Month of September 2021, as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in the County of Calaveras, recognizing the role of promoting awareness and resources around suicide prevention.

Motion to approve proclamation – Passed – 5 – 0.

General Public Comments

• Christina McCoy – ADRC Coordinate for Area 12 on Aging – has partnered to create ADRC of the Mother Lode.  It will create a network of partnerships regarding referrals for older adults, disability regarding informed decisions, and support needed to live at home with dignity. We have an online directory resource that provides a variety of information.
• The website is https://adrcmymotherlode.myresourcedirectory.com

Consent Agenda

5. Agreement – Economic & Community Development (ID # 6237) Authorize the Board Chair to execute a five-year lease between Calaveras County and Craig Robinson DBA Custom Equipment Company, Inc. for Fixed Base Operations (FBO) at Calaveras County Airport, in an amount not to exceed $18,240.00, over the five-year term of the lease.

6. Agreement – Environmental Management Agency (ID # 6242) Acting as Air Pollution Control District Board: (1) Accept CAPP Grant G20-CAPP-05, (2) Authorize Board Chair to sign the Community Air Protection Program Grant Agreement, and (3) Authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to sign subsequent grant amendments and requests for payment.

7. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6196) Authorize the Board Chair to execute an Agreement with Pan American Life Insurance Company for the provision of healthcare benefits for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Providers in the not to exceed amount of $230,000.00 for the period of September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2023.

8. Action Item – Library (ID # 6248) 1) Approve the attached quote from SirsiDynix Corporation, and 2) Authorize the County Librarian to sign the Master Agreement between Calaveras County Library and SirsiDynix Corporation for Integrated Library Services System for a term of five years and an aggregate amount of $119,670.68.

9. Resolution – Treasurer-Tax Collector (ID # 6231) Adopt a Resolution approving the Sale of Tax-Defaulted Property Subject to the Power of Sale at Public Auction via internet (Revenue and Taxation Code Sections 3692.2 and 3694) and authorizing re-offer at the end of the Sale or within the 90 day period of any parcel which does not receive the minimum bid.

Motion to approve consent agenda items 6 through 9 – Passed 5 – 0. BOS pulling item #5 to a further date tbd.

Regular Agenda

10. Action Item – Human Resources (ID # 6263) Review and provide direction to staff on certain Elected Officials’ Salaries.

• Judy Hawkins – Director HR and Risk Management – updated salary review of DA, Sheriff, Coroner, Public Administrator. Looked at adjacent counties. DA is below average by 19% because several counties have ranges for the positions. Sheriff – was below 20% to 23% and were Sheriff/ Coroner. Challenges with Coroner and Public Administrator – the only county with a similar position is Inyo and it pays much less than what we pay. Coroner averaged between 40 and 55%. The average over four years would be $10,000. Looked at how positions compare internally as well as externally. Showed a document but it was not readable via Zoom. Changes to DA and Sheriff would impact the internal positions.

11. Resolution – Division of Cannabis Control (ID # 6249) Adopt a Resolution Establishing Application Fees for Cannabis Testing & Distribution Permits.

• Greg Waylan – Director of Cannabis Control – presented PowerPoint presentation.
Please review for detailed information.
• Presenting findings from fee study and included and recommend resolution. On June 22, BOS approved an amendment to testing and resolution. Included a fee study report. Summarized results. The Planning Department will have time allowed for review. Provided EMA fee chart for services provided. Public Works will have administrative fee for permits. Amounts total $1,784.37 and $980.92 and rounded up to $1,785 and $981. Numbers are reflected in resolution.
Motion to approve – Passed – 5 – 0.

12. Action Item – Division of Cannabis Control (ID # 6254) Introduce and Waive Full Reading of an Uncodified Ordinance Establishing a Cannabis Tax Appeal Fee; Authorize Summary Publication.

• Chiar Stopper – removing item #12 to a later date.

Supervisor Announcements

• Supervisor Folendorf – attended COG meeting yesterday and shared she met with Amber Collins and O’Conner, Chief of Staff for Congressman Tom McClintock, to talk about the Wagon Trail project regarding the current infrastructure bill on the table. Asked for a letter of support to DOT.  Will consider letter regarding any grant county will be looking at from his office. Yesterday had a strategic planning committee meeting, will bring back to BOS for dialog rather than go through the committee regarding animal shelter and other topics they have been discussing.
• Supervisor Garamendi – RCRC board met last Wednesday, voted to form a JPA to bring broadband to rural CA and another meeting is scheduled on Thursday.
• Supervisor Tofanelli – Mountain Valley MS board meeting this Thursday. It is an important meeting because Stanislaus County sent a letter with the intent to pull out of JPA in June 2022. Asked Sarah Edwards – Attorney to put this item on BOS agenda in September so we can discuss in an open session.
• Chair Stopper – had a CSEDD meeting (Economic District) with 5 counties re broadband issue and working with them on it and a lot of them attend the RCRC and pushing to follow their direction to avoid duplicating work. Thanked board for working with them.

Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.