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 9/14/21 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 here20210914-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. The County’s link for this meeting includes all of their background information.
The County’s Public Health people reported on Covid — good, useful information. It had been three weeks since their last report and during that we had 465 more cases — that’s out of a total number of 3,145 total cases since they started tracking Covid. There was a review of the Medical Order regarding after-school sports and extra-curricular activities. Doug Archer – Dignity Health, reported that since July 1st they had admitted 30 patients for Covid, of 30 only 2 vaccinated = 93% unvaccinated. Of 30, 3 died and all were unvaccinated. Supervisor Stopper also discussed his experience having Covid — and is actively encouraging people to get vaccinated and wear masks.
This meeting had 15 consent items and five regular agenda items. Item 23 included a lengthy discussion on the budget. Please look through Janet’s (excellent) notes or review the video.
Public meeting called to order at 9:34 a.m.
Staff Announcements
• Lisa Medina – Environmental Management Agency – Free rabies and microchip to be held October 2 in San Andreas. They have added documents to the Calaveras County Animal website re pet disaster kit checklist for your go box, what supplies and documents you should have for your pets if evacuated. Also, they have information for livestock owners.
• Rebecca Turner – voting today until 8 p.m; locations in San Andreas, Valley Springs, and Angels; drop boxes in San Andreas, Angels, Arnold, Copper, West Point, and Jenny Lind. Look on back side of your ballot for specific locations. Results will be posted on their website starting tonight.
Public Health Update
• Cori Allen – HHSA Director – three weeks since last update. 3,145 cases = 465 more cases; 64 active; 4 hospitalized; 67 deaths. Seeing 50% is fully vaccinated. We are moving in right direction. 24.3% of eligible youth are fully vaccinated – low number. Reactivated Covid hotline – 209.754.2896 – Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Testing in mobile vaccine van – see website for locations and times. Open every day except Wednesday. Testing – walk in only and can get vaccinated too.
• Testing today 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. – test or vaccine; Thursday – Valley Springs; Friday – Angels; Saturday – Arnold, Sunday – Moke Hill. Refer to website for detailed information.
• New Health Office Order – re school sports and extra curricular activity – CDC recommends cancelling events if high transmission. We are in this area due to low vaccination. Outdoors and indoors masking is required regardless of vaccination status. Players actively participating may remove mask during sports but must put masks back on when on sidelines, etc. See website for detailed information.
• Don’t have an instant testing with the county but the schools do their own testing and can do testing through their doctor.
• Dr. Rene Ramirez – Calaveras County Health Officer – met with other counties nearby re sports. Want to make sure we are all on same page and working in the best interest of the students. Our rates are very low regarding vaccinations. Hospitals are rapidly filling up with patients, not all Covid patients, but they are adding stress to already stressed ERs. Patients are being transferred to anywhere they can take them, in or out of state. Some counties are mandating vaccinations for sports. Parents and physicians should come up with best practice guidance. We are in red tier and in that tier we were supposed to cancel sports. We need to get vaccinated, wear masks which is in the best interest of everyone and safety of the community. It was suggested but had to be changed to an order because it was not being followed.
• We worked with surrounding Superintendents. Want to work in the best interest of the students and want them to be able to be kids and play sports. A vaccine will help to keep you out of the hospital. As hospital cases went up, and cases went up, we had to make revisions and put forward as an order. Want us to move out of the red tier and our numbers to come down. We want our numbers to go down and live a normal life.
• Regarding variant MU – possible it is here but not confirmed. Vaccines are safe and effective and prevent serious infection and hospitalization. We use the scientific method which show us this is accurate.
• Regarding booster – Announcement was done prematurely, we don’t have all the data yet. You should get the same booster shot; if you got Pfizer get Pfizer booster, etc. However, this study has not been completed yet.
• Some people feel winter is going to be dark and gloomy. Last year, when people were sheltered in place – flu happened much later. Concern now is as things are open – sporting events, concerts, we may see a winter surge of Covid and/or flu or other viruses. All eager to get bak to normal. Hope that people will get flu shots. Covid has shown to be very effective, in fact, more effective than the flu shot. Hope is that everyone will get the flu shot and Covid vaccine.
• Doug Archer – Dignity Health – as of today, 3 Covid positive patients in ICU – 1 is on ventilator. There are 9 patients today which is average in the hospital. Covid is down – was at 9 now at 3. Since July 1st – admitted 30 patients for Covid, of 30 only 2 vaccinated = 93%
unvaccinated. Of 30, 3 died and all unvaccinated. Still seeing high number of Covid related visits to ER. ER has been steadily high. Typically, have 30 per day in ER, now averaging 36. Still offering limited testing in San Andreas. Next week will add Angels.
• We are still fully functional for any type of ER visit, not just for Covid. ER staff is solid and are here to help if you need it.
• Chair Stopper – Unfortunately, Covid has been very politicized. If current trends continues, feels the State will have to shut more things down. We want to keep businesses open, I am asking everyone to take responsibility for yourself. Mask up, social distance, vaccinate when you can. Last month my family had a serious issue with Covid. I was solidly sick for two weeks and still have low energy. My wife and daughter were sick too. I should have gotten the vaccine earlier. I have lost family members to Covid. I am thinking of businesses and keeping them open, take care of yourself and each other.
• Re sports – feels Dr. Ramirez is working in the best interest of the community. You worked with the various county superintendents. You are doing the order as the state has guided. Schools can put forward their own rules but can’t be less strict than the state. The schools don’t have to follow the county.
• Thanked them for all their support.
Public Comment • None
Recognition and Acknowledgments
3. Proclamation – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6284) Adopt a Proclamation honoring the lives lost 20 years ago on September 11, 2001.
Public Comment • None
Motion to approve proclamation – Passed – 5 – 0.
General Public Comment
• None
Consent Agenda
4. Minutes of Board of Supervisors – Regular Meeting – Aug 10, 2021 8:00 AM
5. Minutes of Board of Supervisors – Special Meeting – Aug 17, 2021 8:00 AM
6. Resolution – Auditor/Controller (ID # 6281) Adopt a Resolution Establishing Ad Valorem Property Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
7. Resolution – Behavioral Health Services – Mental Health Program (ID # 6277) 1) Adopt a Resolution approving the Agreement for the Mental Health Performance Contract No. 21-10075 between Calaveras County and the California Department of Health Care Services for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024; and 2) Authorize the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to sign aforementioned Agreement.
8. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6232) Authorize the Board Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding – Disaster-CalFresh Program Northern Regional Counties Mutual Aid Plan Protocol for Post-Disaster Support/Services Accommodation for a two-year period through June 30, 2023.
9. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6261) Authorize the Board Chair to sign Amendment 01 to the Agreement with Denise Cintron Perales for the provision of evaluation services, as mandated for the Tobacco Control Program, in an amount not to exceed $130,500 for the period of July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021.
10. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6239) Authorize the Board Chair to sign Amendment 01 to the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District Lease Agreement for the leasing of office space for Veteran Services for the term of October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2022 in the amount of $63,359.39.
11. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6253) Authorize the Board Chair to execute an agreement with The Resource Connection of Amador and Calaveras Counties, Inc., for the provision of CalWORKs’ Stage 1 Childcare services in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
12. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6266) Authorize the Board Chair to execute Amendment 01 to the Agreement with Five Claw, LLC in the not-toexceed amount of $150,000 for janitorial services in the Health and Human Services Agency buildings located in San Andreas, for the period of August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022.
13. Resolution – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6278) Adopt a Resolution authorizing the application for and acceptance of the Calaveras County Allocation Award under the Housing Navigators Program resulting in revenue of $8,650 to be expended by June 30, 2022.
14. Resolution – Human Resources (ID # 6271) Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Changes to the Deputy Sheriff Corporal Job Description.
15. Agreement – OES (ID # 6250) Approve, and authorize the Board Chair to execute facility use agreements expiring August 1, 2031 with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), to establish Community Resiliency Centers at three County locations during Calaveras County Non-Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.
16. Agreement – Public Works (ID # 6222) 1) Award Invitation to Bid #21-1020-01-926 for hauling services related to road maintenance activities; and 2) Authorize the Board Chair to execute an agreement with Sacramento Aggregates & Transportation, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $255,000 for the term of September 14, 2021 through August 31, 2024.
17. Agreement – Public Works (ID # 6251) Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute Amendment 02 to the Regional Surface Transportation Program Exchange Program Agreement with the Calaveras Council of Governments, reallocating the programming of funds from the Mountain Ranch Road State Route 49 Government Center project to the Valley Springs School Safety Improvement project.
18. Action Item – Public Works (ID # 6258) Authorize a refund of Commercial Road ImpactMitigation Fees associated with Assessor’s Parcel Number 068-056-001-000 in the amount of $5,232 to Metal Mike Steel Building.
Supervisor Garamendi wants to pull item 15 for discussion.
Motion to approve consent agenda items 4 through 18, with the exception of 15 – Passed 5 – 0.
• Supervisor Garamendi – doesn’t have problem with PG&E. Believes $350 per day should go to people who are losing the use of their building. Should have it brought forward with accompanying resolution that states there is a pass through to the companies that use it.
• Jason Osborne – happy to do so and other thought is to include the return, the PSPS agreements as well. Have agreements with PG&E to utilize sites during power shut offs but these are for wildfires, earthquakes, etc where PG&E would likely provide assistance. Would be appropriate to pass through this to lessor for loss of use of building.
Will bring back with additional resolution.
Public Comments • None
Regular Agenda
19. Informational Item – Administrative Office (ID # 6268) Receive a report out from Supervisor Tofanelli regarding the Mountain Valley Emergency Medical Services (MVEMS) Agency.
• Supervisor Tofanelli – wanting to bring back in two weeks because there is additional information that should be forthcoming. Would like to bring back later in September.
Public Comments
• None
Motion to bring back this item on September 28, 2021 – passed 5 – 0.
20. Action Item – Clerk of the Board of Supervisors (ID # 6208) Appointment of applicants to serve on various Committees, Commissions, Advisory Boards and County Service Areas.
Public Comments• None
Motion to approve Terry Lane – Passed – 5 – 0.
21. Action Item – County Counsel (ID # 6274) Introduce, waive full reading, and authorize summary publication of an ordinance amending County Code Section 2.04.010 regarding the Board of Supervisors meeting schedule.
• Sarah Edwards – Attorney – code states regular meetings on second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Board has several third meetings in the month so we amended ordinance stating board can add additional meetings and they can be considered regular meetings, not special meetings.
Public Comments • None
Motion to approve – Passed – 5 – 0.
22. Action Item – Administrative Office (ID # 6275) Adopt a Policy Allowing Elected Officials to Waive Compensation.
• Sarah Edwards – Attorney – at Board direction, we surveyed many other counties, and we modeled policy and form on other counties approaches and ran it by auditor’s office. Board is adopting a policy stating they can waive all or some of their compensation for a period of 12 months but can’t dictate how the money gets utilized for due to tax reasons. Sarah Edwards clarified she is not giving tax advice – seek guidance for that issue.
Public Comments
Motion to approve – Passed – 5 – 0.
23. Action Item – Administrative Office (ID # 6287) Conduct the FY 2021-22 County Budget Hearings and direct Staff to return on September 28, 2021 with the County Budget Resolutions.
• Christa Von Lotta – CAO – Presented power point presentation. Please review for detailed information..
• Here to present recommended budget. Did preliminary budget in June, received final fund balances, some adjustments to internal cost sharing.
• CAO 5.3% reduction from FY 2020-21 included. Reserves are just below Board approved policy level – 7.6%. General Fund Reserve – $4.2 million.
• CARES Act Funds have been absorbed in county budget now.
• Budget includes: salary savings of $2 million; contingencies $2.3 million; general reserve is $4.2 million.
• General Fund Balance as of 6.30.21 – $6.2 million; salary savings – $3.25 million, no teeter transfer to balance.Forecasting policy – conservative: revenues low/expenditures high. Benefit – reduces likelihood of shortfall, risk – harder to balance budget initially, larger swings.
• Objective: project revenues/expenses accurately; benefit – typically easier to balance; risk – increased risk of shortfall.
• Unknowns – Covid-19, potential economic downturn, collective bargaining, American rescue plan act, local business impacts, unemployment, CalPERS unfunded liability, other unknowns.
• Reviewed what happened in last budget 2019-20.
• Projected Revenue Increases – 1.8 million for Measure G; $1.4 for Sales and Use Taxes;
$800k for Prop 172; $1 million for Transient Occupancy Tax.
• Extensive notes removed. Please review the notes and/or video.
• Chair Stopper – understand concern for the whole county but this is a high issue for my people in the community and don’t ask for much from the county. Polled the board – Passed – 5 – 0.
• Chair Stopper – regarding Cosgrove Creek – benefit would be to remove underbrush and water has free flow issues. Discussed how it would have to be rebuilt, asking $22,000 – Polled the board – Passed 5 – 0.
• Christa Von Lotta – just received bill from UMRA – invoice is almost $2,700. Brings capital asset to $45,000 and reduce 5271 by $10,000. Provided updated information based on Board’s direction. See updated power point for detailed information. Polled board with changes made – Passed – 5 – 0.
Public Comments• None
Motion to approve – Passed – 5 – 0.
Supervisor Announcements
• Supervisor Folendorf – County did a good job with town hall regarding redistricting, great turn out and the community was engaged and asked good questions. Had COG meeting, most of it was
routine, county transportation plan was proposed and will come back at next board meeting.
• Supervisor Garamendi – had District 1 and 2 town halls regarding redistricting — good meeting.
Encourage everyone to vote and compliments to our registrar and clerk.
• Supervisor Tofanelli – town halls were done well, Rebecca Turner and staff did a great job.
• Supervisor Callaway – the proposal from CA Dept of Aging and HHS to abandon our Area
Agency 12 and put it with local and HHSA. Have a JPA for Area 12 and oppose it. Discussed
this with Cori Allen and she agrees. Would break up an agency that has worked well for years.
Would like to write a letter opposing Hubs & Spokes legislation on behalf of the Board. I will
put a letter on the next agenda. Polled Board regarding writing the letter – Passed 5 – 0.
• Chair Stopper – had good meetings with District 1/5 and 4/5, appreciated presentation by
Registrar Turner, they are valued.
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