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

This article is from the 10/25/21  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:  20211025-bos-meeting-notes

This was an exciting meeting.  Besides the Public Health Update, two people were acknowledged, there were 12 Consent Agenda Items, and then the biggie:  #18 which has to do with the redistricting of the Supervisor Districts. Please take the time to read through Janet’s (excellent) notes which include a lot of detail from the discussion and Dates to Pay Attention To.  You might even want to watch the video.

Public meeting called to order at 9:30 a.m.

Staff Announcements

• Lisa Medina – Environmental Management Agency – we have our second annual Halloween event today in San Andreas. Planning another event around Thanksgiving and will provide further information at a later date.
• Cori Allen – HHSA Director – introduced Jennifer Prudent, Supervisor – Copper HHSA has moved, partnered with Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department in Copper, and is excited about the new partnership with Sheriff’s Office substation. We will be open every Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m. in the main office.
General Public Comment • None

Public Health Update

3. Informational Item – Public Health Services (ID # 6332) Receive an update presentation
from staff on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

• Cori Allen – HHSA Director – presented PowerPoint presentation. Please review for detailed information. 3,788 confirmed cases, 76 active cases, 3 hospitalized. 82 deaths to date, tests have exceeded 60,000. 55% fully vaccinated. Less than 30% of youth eligible are
vaccinated – statewide it is at 60% – concerned. Had recent state press release outlined the importance of masking because the vaccine is continuing to grow. We are far behind in youth vaccines. We can’t modify state mandates. In Winter, crucial people are prudent – wear
masks, social distance, get vaccinated. Vaccines are extremely protective against severe disease. Can get vaccine and flu shot at the same time. Flu vaccine clinics can register at MyTurn. The FDA has authorized J&J and Moderna boosters. The FDA will be meeting today re 5-11-year-olds using vaccines. Boosters – 65+ and older, age 18 who live in long term, care settings, underlying medical conditions, high-risk settings – boosters have to be 6 months after 2nd vaccine. J&J – booster must be 2 months after the vaccine. Covid Hotline – 754-2896 – Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Continue to have testing and vaccine mobile. Every day except Wednesday. Recommend using MyTurn.ca.gov but can people can walk in as well. Continue to have a homebound initiative and will come to you.
• Doug Archer – Dignity Health – 3 patients in house, a significant jump, most of October only had 1. ER visits have continued to decrease, yesterday saw 3; September and August saw more like 18-20. Vaccine mandate to hospital workers – not losing a lot of staff over it, 1 planned to retire and retired early, 2 other staff will be on paid admin leave. Staff is about 330 so about 1%. Doing fairly well – the average is about 10. 2 are in ICU and 1 in general. 1 is intubated and 1 doing fairly well.
• Dr. Rene Ramirez – Calaveras County Health Officer – CDC not making big recommendations but are allowing mixing boosters. J&J – booster is recommended for anyone after 2 months. Pfizer and Moderna are only recommended for those in the above-referenced category after 6 months.
Public Comment • None
Recognition and Acknowledgments

4. Proclamation – Clerk of the Board of Supervisors (ID # 6280) Adopt a Proclamation honoring Dixie Linebaugh as a Calaveras County Centenarian.

• Supervisor Callaway – Read proclamation
Public Comment • None
Motion to approve proclamation – Passed 5 – 0

5. Proclamation – Administrative Office (ID # 6357) Adopt a Proclamation recognizing and honoring Ed Lark for 20 years of distinguished public service in the Public Access Television Studio.

• Supervisor Callaway – Read proclamation.
Public Comment • None
Motion to approve proclamation – Passed 5 – 0

General Public Comment • None

Consent Agenda

6. Ordinance – Division of Cannabis Control (ID # 6336) Adopt an Uncodified Ordinance Establishing a Cannabis Tax Appeal Fee Under Chapter 3.56.180(C); Authorize Summary Publication

7. Resolution – Economic & Community Development (ID # 6347) Adopt a Resolution naming the Calaveras County Arts Council as the official Arts Agency and State-Local Partner for Calaveras County to receive funds from State or Federal grants.

8. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6327) Authorize the Board Chair to execute an Agreement with Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC for the provision of Drug Medi-Cal treatment services for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $375,000.00.

9. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6329) Authorize the Board Chair to execute an Agreement with Rite of Passage Adolescent Treatment Centers andcSchools, Inc. for the provision of specialty mental health services in an amount not to exceed $840,000 over the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, to be utilized on an as-needed basis.

10. Agreement – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6330) Authorize the Board Chair to sign an Agreement with Mental Health Management I, Inc. doing business as Canyon Manor in an amount not to exceed $400,000 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, to be utilized on an as-needed basis.

11. Resolution – Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6362) Adopt a Resolution accepting Calaveras’s portion of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) round 3 funding in the total amount of $259,825.65, to be redirected and administered through the Central Sierra Continuum of Care (CSCOC) by Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA).

12. Agreement – Human Services (ID # 6352) Authorize the Board Chair to enter into an Agreement with Braven Agency for the provision of consulting services, for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023 for the not-to-exceed value of $151,800.00.

13. Ordinance – Human Resources (ID # 6373) Approve an Ordinance adopting changes consistent with the modified Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Service Employees’ International Union, Local 1021 (SEIU) for certain Elected Officials.

14. Resolution – Public Works (ID # 6350) Adopt a Resolution to vacate an excess portion of Sierra Parkway adjacent to Lot P-9 in Big Trees Village, Unit 4.

15. Resolution – Public Works (ID # 6358) Adopt a Resolution authorizing the adoption of Caltrans’ Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) Chapter 10 as Public Works’ Consultant Procurement Policies and Procedures for Federal and State funded transportation projects.

16. Resolution – Public Works (ID # 6363) Adopt a Resolution to vacate a portion of the unnamed roadway between Manuel Subdivision and Roberts Subdivision off Blagen Road.

17. Action Item – Planning (ID # 6328) Authorize the Planning Department to issue a partial refund of $8,162.80 for 2021-00042 William and Gail Stark Tentative Parcel Map for withdrawal of project pursuant to County Code Section 17.88.021(B).

Public Comment • None
Kathy Mazzaferro – Pull item 7.
Motion to approve consent agenda items 6 through 17, with the exception of 7 – Passed 5- 0.

Item #7 – Kathy Mazzaferro – Executive Director for Calaveras County Art Center – this county supports our events and studio and education for the arts for all our local children. Wanted to thank the Board for their resolution and it’s a critical step in receiving their next grant. Sold over $3,000 worth of art during the summer/ Covid. Music in the park is coming back and had a wonderful turnout last week. Can’t be in our local schools yet but will have a concert at Ironstone on Sunday, December 5, 2021 – invited all to attend. Will be a Celtic Christmas to kick off the holiday season. Will publish information in the future. Thank you for the recognition of their work.

Public Comment • None
Motion to approve consent agenda items 7 – Passed 5 – 0.

Regular Agenda

18. Informational Item – County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters (ID # 6365) Conduct a public hearing and receive a presentation regarding the 2021 redistricting process and provide staff direction regarding map alternatives.

Rebecca Turner – County Clerk – presented a PowerPoint presentation. Please review for detailed information. The website contains an overview of processes, timelines, and community maps. Any public comment received prior to the agenda will be discussed today. Any received after will be discussed on November 9, 2021 – the next public meeting. The deadline is December 15, last board meeting is December 14. December 7 – resolution adopting maps – must adopt a date by that date. We have five supervisorial districts, cannot adjust the numbers of districts. Every ten years must take population data given by the census and make population equal in the various districts. Counties are required to redistrict every 10 years after the federal census. The last time was done in 2011 but many legislative changes since then. Number 1 requirement is population – equally distributed; our population is 45,306, 9,061 ideal number for each district. Federal requirements include the Voting Rights Act of 1965. AB 1276 requires rank priorities as practical and is new. Make sure districts are geographically contiguous, the integrity of local neighborhood and community of interests in place, easily identifiable and understandable, where it doesn’t conflict, encourage geographical compactness.
• Geographically continuous – can’t create an island, anyone should be able to travel in their district without going through another district.
• Geographic integrity and community of interest – the area where people live and interact with each other.
• Geographic integrity of cities – should not be separating townships or cities.
• Easily identifiable and understandable – districts shouldn’t be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, streets, or boundaries in the county.
• Geographical compactness – encouraged to draw compact districts.
• What else is new: first draft map got adjusted from State population data to make up for prisoners; not allowed – can’t discriminate against any political party – referred to as gerrymandering.
• Many reasons why a district looks like it does – must work with population equality and communities to remain together.
• Census blocks – used from the Federal census done last year. Blocks are not always logical and do not always use straight lines.
• Sarah Edwards –  County Counsel – re census blocks – not illegal to cut but bad idea because we risk inaccuracy and open ourselves up to challenge on how the process was done.
• Population blocks – trying not to split communities but some will end up being split due to population. Rancho Calaveras affects all the districts because it is the most densely populated area.
• Rebecca Turner – County Clerk – 2020 population is slightly estimated because blocks don’t follow supervisorial districts. Reviewed and discussed all maps. Continue to seek public input regarding map and community of interests issues.
• Please read the notes for additional discussion.

General Public Comment
• Please read the notes for additional discussion.

Meeting adjourned at 3:56 p.m.