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 3/16/21 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: 20210316-Calaveras-BoS.  There’s also a Calaveras County CC youtube version which gives a different perspective.

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

None

Public Health Updates

5. Public Health Services (ID # 5933) Receive an update presentation from
staff on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

• Sam Leach – test completed 35,002; positive test 1,946, 1 active hospitalization; 50 fatalities; Received 2,270 doses last week; inventory pretty solid. Vaccines administered – 14,653; Frog Jump clinic today.
• Entered the red tier last Tuesday; some indoor dining and other businesses can open up. Data continues to be in the red tier. Not moving forward yet and would need two weeks of data to move into the next lower tier.
• Testing – today at Ironstone – 10 a.m. to 6 pm.; Friday, West Point Community Hall – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Clinics two days a week at Frog Town – open to doing a lot of doses there. Show up when your appointment is scheduled, not earlier. Putting out 2,000 or more doses per week. Tuesday and Thursday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Go to the MyTurn site for appointments in Calaveras County. If not signed up, go to the site and do so. Appointments are still available this week. Vaccine criteria will continue to open up and fairly quickly.
• People with serious medical conditions will be able to get vaccines; 16 years and older. Some of the categories are cancer, chronic kidney or pulmonary disease, down syndrome, pregnancy, diabetes, heart conditions, severe obesity, etc. We have vaccines to take care of our vulnerable citizens. Sign up in MyTurn and get an appointment. Want to do this ASAP.
• Not allowed nor should we verify medical information. Will do the attestation form and will get the shot if they are a Calaveras County resident.
• Regarding Valley Springs testing – will do a clinic at Veterans Hall probably two weeks from tomorrow; prepared to start clinics and be able to plan ahead and get a date.
• Working toward herd immunity and we have a lot of doses and want to get them in Calaveras residents’ arms.
• Working toward May 1 to have everyone eligible. Feel we will reach that date or it may be sooner.
• Should reach out to your medical provider to get any questions answered you may have regarding if you qualify for the serious medical condition.
• The main goal is they want all residents to get vaccinated.
• Continuing to review MOU from Blue Shield, third-party administrator, but concerned we won’t be able to share doses after signing MOU. Wants to be able to share doses with Mark Twain Hospital. Want to be able to use the partnership moving forward but not sure if they will be able to after signing the MOU. Truly appreciate the partnership with Mark Twain Hospital. Good countywide effort and hope residents see that too.
• Doug Archer – Mark Twain Hospital
• The main focus is to get second doses done. Doing about 400 to 500 per week.
• Our partnership is really helping our County.
• One concern is people are re-engaging in primary visits at the hospital which is good but difficult on staff; will shift clinics to Saturdays; 2 five-hour blocks – 800 doses each Saturday. The benefit is it will take the pressure off the weekly day job and will be able to see patients during the week. Will provide communication to the public. The first proposed date for the Saturday clinic is April 10. Go to MyTurn to schedule the vaccine.
• Have given 6,800 doses to date.
• Have zero Covid patients in the hospital and it is the longest run without a patient in the hospital.
• Starting to see more patients and surgeries now, getting busy and re-engaging in health care.
• Chair Stopper wants them to continue to think about doing clinics in Valley Springs because of the population there and easier access for people who can’t get to Frog Town that easily.
• Doug Archer – 1 hospitalization; one Calaveras resident is hospitalized in San Joaquin County.
• There is an attestation in the registration process to confirm they have a chronic condition; don’t have to show medical records because of confidentiality.
• Dignity Health was receiving J&J vaccine but 5,000 for the entire state. Mark Twain was allocated 100 doses but meant for inpatients.

Public Comments: None

Recognition and Acknowledgements

6. Clerk of the Board of Supervisors (ID # 5957) Adopt a Proclamation recognizing March 2021 as American Red Cross Month in Calaveras County.

Motion to accept the proclamation – Passed – 5-0

General Public Comments
• None

Consent Agenda

Motion to approve consent agenda item – Passed 5-0

Regular Agenda

8. Administrative Office (ID # 5956) Establish an Ad Hoc Committee for the Animal Services Shelter and the Calaveras County Jail, and appoint two Supervisors to said committee.

• Christa VonLotta – County Administration – February 16 the BOS directed us to return with this item to appoint two supervisors and committee for one year and would work with County staff to bring back quarterly recommendations on courses of action. Would begin the process for the next steps. If for one year, would not be a Brown Act ad hoc and would not need to be agendized. Would go until April 2021 and bring a full report and next steps. Jail is part of the ad hoc committee because there have been outstanding ongoing maintenance issues along with Animal Shelter.
• Supervisor Callaway – animal services is looking forward to putting a bond together. Would this committee look at this? Would hope the committee would look at a barn for the livestock in addition to the shelter for dogs and cats.
• Christa Von Loten – putting a bond together would be a part of the committee’s work.
• Chair Stopper – committee would consist of Sheriff Rick DiBasilio as well.
• Sarah Edwards – Attorney – Ad Hoc is only comprised of two BOS but they should and can meet with any additional staff. Can only be less of a quorum of the board; if other people on the committee it will become a Brown Act committee.
• Chair Stopper – will take recommendations from BOS and provide his own.
• Supervisor Callaway – would like to recommend Supervisor Tofanelli and Supervisor Garamendi.
• Supervisor Garamendi – would recommend Supervisor Callaway and Tofanelli.
• Supervisor Tofanelli – does not have a preference re Callaway or Garamendi.  Wants to get this moving forward.
• Chair Stopper – agrees with Supervisor Tofanelli, and would like Supervisor Callaway on the committee as well with their backgrounds and involvements on these matters.

Motion to approve Supervisors Tofanelli and Callaway on the committee – Passed 5-0

9. Administrative Office (ID # 5958) 1) Establish a Standing Brown Act Committee: Strategic and Financial Planning Committee, 2) appoint two Supervisors to said committee, and 3) appoint the County Administrative Officer, the Auditor-Controller and the Treasurer-Tax Collector to said committee.