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GOOD MORNING EVERYONE, I'D LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2025 MEETING
[CALL TO ORDER]
OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL ROLL CALL? - SUPERVISOR DE SERPA.
[MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
NEXT, IF ANY BOARD MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO, UH, DEDICATE TODAY'S MOMENT OF SILENCE.SEEING NONE, WE'LL TAKE A GENERAL MOMENT OF SILENCE.
AND PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
- I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[CONSIDERATION OF LATE ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA; ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO CONSENT AND REGULAR AGENDAS]
- I'D LIKE TO SEE IF THE CEO, CARLOS PALACIOS, IF THERE'S ANY LATE ADDITIONS, DELETIONS TO THE REGULAR OR CONSENT AGENDA OR ANY OTHER UPDATES.- YES, GOOD MORNING CHAIR HERNANDEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
WE DO HAVE ONE CORRECTION THAT IS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA, ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PLANNING MATERIAL, ADDITIONAL MATERIALS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH ARE LATE MAIL ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE.
WHICH SHOULD BE INSERTED AFTER PAGE 116.
IN ADDITION, UH, WE DO HAVE A LATE ITEM TO ADD TO THE AGENDA THAT CAME TO OUR ATTENTION YESTERDAY, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH.
THIS IS ITEM 3.1, WHICH IS TO DIRECT THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD TO SEND A LETTER OF LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR HR 4669, THE FIXING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR AMERICA'S ACT WHICH INCLUDES SEVERAL CHANGES FOR THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OPERATIONS, AND WHICH IS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY COUNTIES NATIONWIDE.
THE PREVIOUSLY AGENDIZED MATTER WAS LOST FROM THE AGENDA DURING THE REGENERATION PROCESS COMPLETED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2025.
THIS ITEM REMAINED AS PART OF THE PACKET UNDER AGENDA ITEM 21 BUT WAS INADVERTENTLY REMOVED FROM THE PDF AGENDA AND THE HTML AGENDA DUE TO A TECHNICAL ERROR.
THIS LEGISLATIVE MATTER IS TIME SENSITIVE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.
THEREFORE, WHAT I'D REQUEST IS THAT THE BOARD, UH, VOTE, MAKE A MOTION AND VOTE TO PLACE THIS ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS ITEM 46.
AND THEN, UH, YOU'LL HAVE TO, UH, DO THAT NOW.
SO MAKE A MOTION, PLACE IT ON THE AGENDA AS ITEM 46.
YOU'LL NEED TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT JUST ON THIS ITEM, AND THEN YOU WOULD COME BACK TO THE BOARD AND VOTE ON IT.
- IS THERE ANY OTHER UPDATES? - OH, THAT CONCLUDES THE UPDATES, THANK YOU.
SO FIRST I'LL TAKE IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
- THANK YOU, BECKY STEINBRUNNER.
CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC IN MORE DETAIL WHAT THIS IS? IT SEEMS TO BE VERY IMPORTANT.
AND I JUST WANNA SAY THAT THIS NEW, UH, PUBLIC PORTAL AND THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT THE COUNTY HAS CHANGED TO IS VERY PROBLEMATIC, VERY PROBLEMATIC.
AND THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF IT.
SO IF YOU WILL PLEASE EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC WHAT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS.
- RACHEL SOTOS, I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THAT.
I DID WALK IN A BIT LATE, BUT IT SEEMS THAT THAT'S A SORT OF SUDDEN WAY TO GO TO PROCEED ABOUT THINGS.
AND IT WOULD BE VERY GOOD TO HAVE PUBLIC DISCUSSION ABOUT ANYTHING THAT'S IMPORTANT.
AND SO I WOULD SECOND THE PREVIOUS SUGGESTION.
- GOOD MORNING, NAME IS JAMES EWING WHITMAN.
AS A POINT OF ORDER AND CLARITY, IS THIS A PRE PUBLIC COMMENTS JUST ON THIS ITEM? OKAY, WELL, I WOULD AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS PUBLIC SPEAKERS THAT IT'S NOT REALLY CLEAR TO ME, BUT I WALKED IN A LITTLE BIT LATE.
SO I'LL SAVE MY COMMENTS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[00:05:02]
THANK YOU.- UH, RESPECTFULLY, I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED IF THIS WAS PROPERLY NOTICED.
SO THAT'S A QUESTION FOR COUNTY COUNCIL, BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GONNA BE VOTING ON SOMETHING, I BELIEVE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE NOTICED 72 HOURS PRIOR.
- ANYONE ONLINE? - YES, CHAIR.
CALLING USER ONE, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
- I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS ITEMS NEED TO BE ON THE AGENDA 72 HOURS BEFORE BEING PRINTED.
WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? I ALWAYS HAVE QUESTIONS WHEN SOMETHING IS RUSHED THROUGH UNDER THE RUBRIC OF EMERGENCY AND THERE IS NO CLARITY.
IT WAS REMOVED BY TECHNICAL ERROR.
THIS IS VERY PROBLEMATIC AND I QUESTION THE LEGALITY OF, UH, DOING THIS.
WHAT SPECIFICALLY, PLEASE GIVE AN EXPLANATION OF THIS SYSTEM THAT IS BEING PROPOSED NATIONWIDE.
UM, PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE INFORMED IN A DEMOCRACY.
AND SHOULD YOU NOT ANSWER THIS QUESTION AND PROVIDE CLARITY, WHAT COMES TO MY MIND IS THERE'S SOME KIND OF COVER UP HERE.
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS PUT BY THE PREVIOUS PUBLIC SPEAKERS, PLEASE AND DO IT NOW.
- YEAH, YOU ALREADY SPOKE, MA'AM.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD AND SEE IF COUNTY COUNCIL WOULD WANNA ADDRESS ANY OF THE QUESTIONS.
- YEAH, THERE'S A SPECIFIC EXCEPTION UNDER THE BROWN ACT THAT ALLOWS YOUR BOARD TO ADD A LATE ITEM TO THE AGENDA.
UH, IT'S SOMETHING WE DO PROBABLY ON OCCASION, MAYBE ONCE A YEAR WHEN SOMETHING COMES TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION AFTER THE NOTICE AGENDA WAS PUBLISHED, UH, BUT IS NECESSARY FOR TIME CONSTRAINTS TO ADD IT.
UH, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL, UH, FOR AGENCIES TO DO THIS.
IT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE BROWN ACT.
ALL OF THE MATERIALS, UM, HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO REVIEW.
THE MATTER THAT THE BOARD IS ADDING TO THE AGENDA RIGHT NOW IS SIMPLY TO, UH, SEND A LETTER TO CONGRESS TO SUPPORT PENDING LEGISLATION.
AND THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO ADD IT LATE IS BECAUSE WE WANNA GET THAT LETTER TO CONGRESS SO THEY CAN READ IT BEFORE ACTING ON THE PENDING LEGISLATION.
- THANK YOU. WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD TO PLACE ITEM NUMBER 46, HR 4649 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
- WE HAVE A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS AND A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ SO WE CAN TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE.
- AYE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[ANNOUNCEMENT BY BOARD MEMBERS OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT TO REGULAR AGENDA]
WITH THAT WILL CONTINUE TO SEE IF ANY OF THE BOARD MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ANY ITEMS FROM CONSENT.- CHAIR, I LIKE TO PULL ITEM NUMBER 35 FOR DISCUSSION.
- IF YOU WANT TO HEAR IT NOW, YOU COULD DO IT AS...
IF YOU WANT TO HEAR IT IMMEDIATELY - YES AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT YOU COULD DO 6.1.
[PUBLIC COMMENT]
WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.UM, THIS IS OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO MAKE, UH, SPEAK REGARDING ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA, ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[00:10:02]
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO US REGARDING AN ITEM IN THE AGENDA, PLEASE WAIT FOR THAT AGENDA ITEM TO COME UP.- YEAH, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JAMES EWING WHITMAN.
I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING EXPLANATION AND I QUESTION SOME THINGS IN THIS ROOM AND I QUESTION DON'T, THANK GOODNESS THERE WERE FOUR AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE THAT SUGGESTED A CAUTION AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH WHAT JASON HEATH'S EXPLANATION IS, BUT WHAT I PRIMARILY LIKE TO TALK ABOUT 18 US CODE 2384 SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY AND 18 US CODE 2382, MISPRISION OF TREASON, WHICH ALL OF YOU ARE GUILTY OF.
SO I THINK ONE OF THE BETTER, SOMETHING I HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY CAPTURING, BECAUSE IT KEEPS GETTING ERASED, WAS SOME MISLEADING INFORMATION.
SO I'M GONNA READ THIS INTO THE SYSTEM, IF MY DEVICE ALLOWS ME.
SO I THINK THE VACCINE ISSUE IS A PSYOP, NOT THAT VACCINES AREN'T TERRIBLE.
BUT THAT THE VACCINE ISSUE IS BEING USED AS A PSYOP TO GET US FOCUSED ON JUST THAT RATHER THAN RECOGNIZING THAT WE'RE BEING BOMBARDED WITH NANOTECH VIA CHEMTRAILS, FOOD, WATER, PERSONAL PRODUCTS, ET CETERA.
SO THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A PURE BLOOD ANYMORE.
SO NOW THAT THEY'VE GOT US ALL FIGHTING AND DIVIDING, I THINK THEY'RE GONNA MAKE VACCINES NON-MANDATORY, AT LEAST IN THE US.
AND THE LEVEL OF ONE TRUTHERS ARE GONNA CELEBRATE AND THINK WE WON AND RFK IS A HERO AND ALL THAT CRAP.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THE NEWEST VACCINES ARE OFFICIALLY QUOTE "SELF-AMPLIFYING", MEANING WHATEVER IS IN THEM SPREADS FROM THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK IT TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND THEM IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS LIKE THIS DAMN ROOM.
AND WE ARE STILL BEING SPRAYED AND WE'RE STILL BEING ZAPPED BY FREQUENCIES.
SO THE NANO NETWORKS ARE STILL GROWING IN OUR BODIES AND THE AGENDA CAN CONTINUE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE GET VAXXED OR NOT.
MAKING VACCINE VOLUNTARY IS MEANINGLESS UNLESS SPRAYING STOPS AND THEY STOP PUTTING SHANKIER FOOD AND- - THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT'D LIKE TO SPEAK AS WELL.
I CAME TO TALK WITH YOU TODAY ABOUT AN ITEM THAT YOU HAD ON YOUR AGENDA ON AUGUST 19TH.
I ASK THAT YOU DROP THE IDEA ALTOGETHER AND NOT EVER BRING IT UP FOR RECONCILIATION, RECONSIDERATION BECAUSE IT WOULD ONLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS FOLKS LIVING ON THE STREET, WHICH I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE IS NOT WHAT WE WANT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT AT THE LAST BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS, YOU ALL WERE CONSIDERING TAKING PEOPLE'S LAST REFUGE TOWING VEHICULAR HOMES AND DESTROYING THEM WITHOUT EVEN WAITING FOR THE VICTIM TO HAVE A CHANCE TO RECLAIM ANY OF THEIR PROPERTY.
WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE YOU? I CAN TELL YOU THAT ALLOWING TOWING COMPANIES TO DESTROY VEHICLES THAT PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN TO SAVE YOU FROM HAVING TO PAY THE COST FOR BOTH TOWING AND STORING, IT'S A DISTRACTION FROM THE REAL PROBLEMS WE FACE.
IT'S LIKE YOU WERE TRYING TO ARRANGE THE DECK CHAIRS ON THE TITANIC INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH THE SINKING SHIP.
CAN YOU IMAGINE YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION? AND RIGHT NOW IN THIS COUNTRY, WE ARE ALL VULNERABLE, EVEN THOSE WHO DON'T THINK THEY ARE.
WOULD YOU HOPE THAT SOMEONE WOULD REACH OUT A HAND TO HELP? RVS GET TOWED WHILE PEOPLE ARE STANDING BY CRYING AND BEGGING THEM NOT TO TOW THEIR HOME.
I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF SOME OF THE TOW COMPANIES FOLKS DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF THIS.
IF YOU WERE THERE, YOU MIGHT PROBABLY FEEL THE SAME.
I HELP REPRESENT A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES AND ON THEIR BEHALF, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO DROP THE IDEA OF DESTROYING MORE PEOPLE'S VEHICULAR HOMES.
IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO FIND MORE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO SAFELY PARK LEGALLY AND SAFELY, UNLESS YOU ARE REALLY TRYING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.
LOGICALLY, THE MORE HOMES YOU TOW THE MORE PEOPLE WE WILL HAVE LIVING ON THE STREETS.
PLEASE DON'T ENTERTAIN SUCH HEARTLESS IDEAS.
GOOD MORNING BOARD. NAME IS- - LIFT THE MIC UP CLOSER.
UH, I'M HERE TO, UM, READ THE PROCLAMATION.
I WORK FOR THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ.
I USED TO BE THE SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM COORDINATOR UNTIL THAT JOB WAS CUT IN JUNE.
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BUT IT'S STILL SOMETHING THAT I CARE ABOUT DEEPLY AS WE ALL SHOULD.SO I'M HERE TO READ THE PROCLAMATION.
PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER AS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
WHEREAS SUICIDE IS A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS CLAIMING MORE THAN 720,000 LIVES GLOBALLY EACH YEAR AND REPRESENTING A PROFOUND LOSS OF HUMAN POTENTIAL AND COMMUNITY STRENGTH.
IT AFFECTS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
AND WHEREAS THE CAUSES OF SUICIDE ARE COMPLEX AND MULTIFACETED, INFLUENCED BY AN INTERCONNECTED WEB OF SOCIAL, CULTURAL, BIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT DEVELOP AND INTERACT ACROSS AN INDIVIDUAL'S ENTIRE LIFE.
AND WHEREAS SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS, COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES, AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS INVOLVING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
AND WHEREAS FOR EVERY DEATH BY SUICIDE, THERE ARE MANY MORE INDIVIDUALS WHO ATTEMPT SUICIDE AND RESEARCH DEMONSTRATES THAT A PRIOR SUICIDE ATTEMPT IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK FACTOR FOR FUTURE SUICIDE IN THE GENERAL POPULATION.
AND WHEREAS SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF ALL RESIDENTS THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE SUICIDE PREVENTION APPROACHES.
AND WHEREAS REDUCING MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA AND PROMOTING AWARENESS OF WARNING SIGNS, RISK FACTORS AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES IS ESSENTIAL TO ENCOURAGING INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK HELP AND SUPPORT IT WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST.
GOOD MORNING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF MEALS ON WHEELS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SHARE DATA WITH YOU FROM THE FISCAL YEAR THAT JUST ENDED ON JUNE 30TH.
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERED NEARLY 164,000 MEALS TO 988 HOMEBOUND SENIORS.
WE CONDUCTED OVER 2,100 WELLNESS CHECKS WITH OUR PARTICIPANTS TO ENSURE THEIR WELLBEING AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES.
OUR 47 VOLUNTEER DRIVERS PROVIDE WEEKLY GREETINGS AND LET MEALS ON WHEELS STAFF KNOW IF THEY ENCOUNTER ANY ISSUE OF CONCERN THAT REQUIRES FURTHER ATTENTION.
AT OUR CONGREGATE DINING SITES, WE SERVE CLOSE TO 32,000 MEALS TO 638 OLDER ADULTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2025.
WE ALSO ARRANGED FOR EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS ON FRAUD AND SCAM PREVENTION, A TOPIC OF GREAT CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY, DENTAL HEALTH, AND LOWERING PG&E BILLS.
WE ROUTINELY HAVE VOLUNTEER MUSICIANS PLAY AT LONDON NELSON AND WATSONVILLE SENIOR CENTER AND OUR DINING LOCATIONS AT FOUR COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTERS PROMOTE SOCIALIZATION, ACTIVITY AND WELLBEING.
SENIORS PARTICIPATING IN MEALS ON WHEELS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE THEY RECEIVE.
100% OF THOSE RECEIVING HOME DELIVERED MEALS STATED THAT OUR SERVICE HELPS THEM AVOID INSTITUTIONAL PLACEMENT AND 96% OF CONGREGATE DINERS STATE THAT THE CONGREGATE MEALS HELP THEM TO EAT HEALTHIER.
I WANTED TO PRESENT THESE NUMBERS TODAY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT COUNTY DOLLARS ARE WELL SPENT AND OPTIMALLY UTILIZED TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR GROWING SENIOR POPULATION.
ON BEHALF OF OVER 1600 SENIORS PARTICIPATING IN MEALS ON WHEELS I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
- GOOD MORNING CHAIR HERNANDEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
TODAY I'M PLEASED TO INTRODUCE KIMBERLY FINLEY AS THE COUNTY'S NEW DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES.
KIMBERLY HAS BUILT A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN CAPITAL PROJECTS, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND REAL PROPERTY PROGRAMS. SINCE JOINING THE COUNTY IN 2020, SHE HAS SERVED AS CHIEF REAL PROPERTY AGENT AND MOST RECENTLY AS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL PROJECTS WHERE SHE PROVIDED LEADERSHIP FOR MORE THAN $75 MILLION IN ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT.
HER WORK HAS INCLUDED OVERSIGHT OF COMPLEX ACQUISITIONS, HIGH VISIBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND STRENGTHENED COLLABORATION ACROSS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, REGIONAL AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT PRIOR TO JOINING THE COUNTY, KIMBERLY SERVED AS THE STATEWIDE LEASING AND FACILITIES MANAGER FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA, WHERE SHE MANAGED MORE THAN 500 LEASES AND 1.5 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF STATE-OWNED FACILITIES.
SHE ALSO BRINGS PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE AS A LICENSED CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE AGENT.
THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, KIMBERLY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR HER COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP, FINANCIAL EXPERTISE, AND ABILITY TO DELIVER RESULTS ON COMPLEX POLITICALLY SENSITIVE PROJECTS.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING KIMBERLY ON HER NEW ROLE.
[00:20:06]
- THANK YOU SO MUCH.I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW HONORED I AM FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR SUPPORT AS WELL.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THIS BOARD AND COLLABORATE WITH YOU TO SUPPORT OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
UH, REBECCA DOWNING HERE, YOUR CHAIR FROM SANTA CRUZ METRO, ALONG WITH TIFFANY MARTINEZ TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROCLAMATION, UH, IN ADVANCE OF WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING BEGINNING LATER THIS MONTH.
THE RTC, SANTA CRUZ METRO, THE COMMUNITY TRAFFIC SAFETY COALITION AND THE COUNTY OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE ANNOUNCING THEIR PARTICIPATION WITH ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS PLANNED FOR THE WEEK, INCLUDING THE COUNTYWIDE CELEBRATION AT THE CAPITOLA MALL ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH.
SO DURING THE WEEK, WE INVITE OUR COUNTY TO TAKE A TRIP WITHOUT A CAR.
WALK IF YOU CAN, RIDE YOUR BIKE, TAKE A BUS AND SEE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE A SIDEWALK, A CROSSWALK, A RAMP, A PROTECTED BIKE LANE OR A BUS SHELTER.
AND WHEN WE DRIVE, IT'S SIMPLE.
PAY ATTENTION SO ALL OF US CAN MAKE IT TO OUR DESTINATIONS.
SOME OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING, AND METRO BOARD MEMBERS ARE JOINING SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ AND MAYOR, UH, OROSCO OF WATSONVILLE ON ROUTE 78 FOR A RIDE AROUND WATSONVILLE ON OCTOBER 1ST.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING PLANNED, A WALK, OR A BIKE RIDE OR SOMETHING ELSE, PLEASE LET US KNOW SO WE CAN SHARE IT WITH THE COMMUNITY.
ACCESS TO MOBILITY IS A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
CONNECTING RESIDENTS TO EACH OTHER SAFELY IS THE SIGN OF A STRONG COMMUNITY AND POSES A CHALLENGE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A CAR.
THE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE DECISIONS THAT YOU MAKE REALLY AFFECT THE TRAVEL FOR ALL OF US, ESPECIALLY NON-DRIVERS.
SO THE WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING PRESENTS A WEEK OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO GET OUT OF OUR CAR, UH, AND GIVE US A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO WALK, CYCLE, ROLL, AND USE TRANSIT.
MY NAME IS SHIRLEY FLORES MUNOZ.
I'M A RESIDENT BORN AND RAISED IN WATSONVILLE.
UM, I'M HERE TO SAY THAT I'D GO OUT EVERY WEEK AND TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE LITHIUM BATTERY SITE ON MINTO ROAD AND THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, IN FACT, ONLY ONE PERSON I EVER TALKED TO WAS WILLING TO HAVE IT THERE.
EVERYONE ELSE IS WILLING TO SIGN MY PETITION, WHICH I MAIL TO YOU WEEKLY, TO SHOW YOU THE NAMES OF PEOPLE IN WATSONVILLE WHO DO NOT WANT THIS.
TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY, PUBLIC HEALTH, ANIMAL POISONING, AND A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE SEA AND OCEAN LIFE.
I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING, I KNOW YOU'RE, UH, WELL-MEANING, WELL-MINDED, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT THE PLANT TO MOSS LANDING WERE THE SAME BUT I'LL TELL YOU ALSO THAT I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU PUT ON PAPER WHO SIGNS IT, WHAT GUARANTEES THEY GIVE YOU, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE.
I'M SURE THAT PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THAT FIRE WAS GONNA GO OFF IN MOSS LANDING AND AFFECT THE COMMUNITY THAT WAY.
SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR US? I'M GONNA TELL YOU STRAIGHT UP.
UH, MY HOUSE, THE HOUSING AREA WHERE I LIVE, HOMES ARE SELLING FOR $2 MILLION.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU? COFFERS OF $20,000 PROPERTY TAX TO THE COUNTY.
THAT WILL END BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL NOT WANNA MOVE TO SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
THEY'RE MOVING HERE BECAUSE IT'S A CLEAN COMMUNITY, AIR IS GOOD.
WE HAVE HAD, UH, MARTY WORMHOLT, MIKE RODKIN, UH, PREVIOUSLY JOHN LAIRD ON THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORIAL PANEL, AND THEY PROTECTED THE COMMUNITY.
I'M ASKING YOU, PLEASE, FOR THAT PROTECTION.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THAT FOSSIL FUEL IS AN ISSUE.
BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I BELIEVE THAT THERE'S OTHER WAYS OF GETTING THERE.
UM, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLACE THESE PLANTS RIGHT NEXT TO PEOPLE'S HOMES.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLACE IT OVER THE STRAWBERRY FIELDS.
40% OF THE STRAWBERRIES IN CALIFORNIA COMES FROM CALIFORNIA FOR THE WORLD.
GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT IN THE WORLD, CALIFORNIA'S FIFTH.
WE DON'T WANNA LOSE THAT STATUS, AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANNA LOSE IT IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
WE'RE GONNA PRESENT A THREAT TO THAT WHOLE PROCESS, AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPENING.
UM, NEW YORK, YOU WOULD BE JOINING... IS IT ALREADY DONE? - YEAH, THANK YOU.
- SORRY, LOOK UP NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH BECAUSE THEY'RE BACKING OUT ON ALL OF THEIR CONTRACTS BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THE VULNERABILITY.
ONE MORE THING IS GIVE EVERY CHILD IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT A BUS PASS, AND LET'S START THE GENERATION OF GOING IN THE FUTURE.
BECAUSE LITHIUM'S GONNA RUN OUT, FOSSIL FUELS ARE GONNA RUN OUT.
[00:25:02]
50 YEARS, WE'RE GONNA END THERE.- HELLO, MY NAME IS RACHEL SOTOS, AND I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS YOU ON BEHALF OF THE GOOD FAIRIES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE.
IF YOU WILL CONSENT, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A BLESSING FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE, BUT ONLY IF YOU CONSENT, CUZ CONSENT SHOULD BE PRIMARY IN EVERYTHING WE DO.
UM, MY BLESSING WOULD BE FOR POLICIES THAT ARE GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE SENSE THAT THEY'RE SYNCHRONISTIC, MEANING A CERTAIN TYPE OF POLICY MIGHT HAVE MORE THAN ONE BENEFIT.
I'M NOT TOTALLY SURE ABOUT WHAT WAS RECOMMENDED PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE FACT THAT AN ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES RECOMMENDS IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY CORRESPOND WITH STRENGTHENING LOCAL DEMOCRACY.
SO MY IDEA OF SYNCHRONISTIC POLICIES ARE THOSE WHICH PURSUE THE PUBLIC GOOD, AND AT THE SAME TIME STRENGTHEN LOCAL DEMOCRACY.
FOR THAT REASON, I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE MY CALL FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSIONS THAT RELATE TO EVERY ASPECT OF THE COVID ERA.
AND UM, THERE'S MANY CREATIVE WAYS THAT WE CAN THINK ABOUT THIS.
UM, THERE WAS A POINT IN THE FRENCH REVOLUTION WHEN BEFORE THE TERROR HAPPENED AND EVERYTHING KIND OF WENT ASTRAY, WHERE THERE WERE LISTS OF GRIEVANCES READ IN EVERY PROVINCE OF FRANCE, AND THERE WAS MUCH PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
AND WHILE THAT MIGHT SOUND LIKE A FAR-FETCHED HISTORICAL, UH, ANALOGY, YOU MIGHT PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN FRANCE RIGHT NOW, OR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ENGLAND RIGHT NOW, OR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN GERMANY RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WE ARE IN A REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD, AND I KNOW THAT, UH, IN CALIFORNIA, SOME PEOPLE ARE TAKING THE APPROACH THAT THEY WANNA OPPOSE, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY, AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.
AND JIMMY PANETTA SENT OUT A TWEET YESTERDAY SAYING THAT HE WAS GOING TO OPPOSE ROBERT KENNEDY, AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.
MR. KENNEDY SAID ON TUCKER CARLSON'S SHOW THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSIONS.
I WANNA INVITE YOU ALL TO SHOW SOME LEADERSHIP.
NO NEED TO HIRE A FANCY CONSULTANT.
JUST GET TESTIMONY ON THE RECORD FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED.
- GOOD MORNING, CO BRITAIN, MATS, AND BRITAIN ARCHITECTS.
UM, A NUMBER OF THE PUBLIC, QUITE A FEW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC EXPECTED THERE TO BE A HEARING TODAY ON THE SB9 ISSUE.
UNFORTUNATELY, YOU ALL PASSED IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ON AUGUST, UH, 19TH.
THAT'S A VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE 30503 AND 30006.
THAT'S PART OF THE COASTAL ACT, AND YOU ADMINISTER THE COASTAL ACT.
THAT REQUIRES FULL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FROM THOSE THAT REQUESTED TO PARTICIPATE SUCH AS SUSAN PORTER, JOHN VORIS, JUST TO NAME TWO, THAT SPECIFICALLY ASKED TO BE KEPT INFORMED REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
THIS IS A DISTURBING TREND HERE AT THE COUNTY OF NOT FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW, NOT EVEN FOLLOWING, AT TIMES, THE ACTUAL LAW.
SPECIFICALLY, WHAT HAPPENED TODAY REGARDING THE BROWN ACT.
EXCEPTIONS WERE FOR THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED, NOT WANTED, NEEDED.
SO THIS GOES BACK TO WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO KNOW, YOU KEEP THEM INFORMED.
SO I'M REQUESTING AT LEAST 2 OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD TO WRITE TO THE COASTAL COMMISSION AND NOTE THAT THERE'S A FATAL FLAW IN WHAT WAS GIVEN TO THEM, THAT IT VIOLATED THE COASTAL ACT, AND THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT STILL WANT TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THIS BOARD.
UH, MY NAME IS KATE MCGREW, AND I STAFF THE LATINO AFFAIRS COMMISSION.
ON MONDAY THE 15TH, WE'LL BE OPENING OUR ARTWALL CELEBRATION FOR, UH, CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
I'D LIKE TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION SIGNED BY CHAIR HERNANDEZ.
WHEREAS THE COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CAB WAS FOUNDED IN 1965 AS PART OF THE NATIONAL WAR ON POVERTY WITH THE MISSION OF ELIMINATING POVERTY AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
AND WHEREAS FOR 6 DECADES, CAB HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY NET, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING HOUSING SUPPORT, EMPLOYMENT TRAINING, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, IMMIGRATION SERVICES, AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
AND WHEREAS CAB HAS BEEN A TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S LATINO COMMUNITY, OFFERING CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY ACCESSIBLE SERVICES,
[00:30:03]
EMPOWERING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, ADVANCING WORKERS' RIGHTS, AND STRENGTHENING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS OF LATINO RESIDENTS.AND WHEREAS CAB'S PROGRAMS, FROM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO DAY LABOR CENTERS TO YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION, HAVE HELPED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS, INCLUDING MANY LATINO FAMILIES, STABILIZE THEIR LIVES, PURSUE EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT, AND CONTRIBUTE FULLY TO THE VITALITY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
AND WHEREAS CAB HAS THRIVED BECAUSE OF ITS STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND VOLUNTEERS, REFLECTING THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE ACTION TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE.
AND WHEREAS THE YEAR 2025 MARKS THE CAB'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AN EXTRAORDINARY MILESTONE THAT DEMONSTRATES THE ORGANIZATION'S RESILIENCE, INNOVATION, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND COMPASSION.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FELIPE HERNANDEZ, CHAIR OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, HEREBY HONOR AND CONGRATULATE THE COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ON ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY, COMMENDING ITS LEADERSHIP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR TIRELESS SERVICE, AND EXTEND MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR CAB'S ONGOING WORK TO ENSURE THAT ALL RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE.
- MY NAME IS SALLY LUSSIER, AND I LIVE IN BROOKDALE IN THE SAN LORENZO VALLEY.
I'M ADDRESSING THE 2024-25 CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT ON NAVIGATING THE BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS.
WHEREAS THE GRAND JURY ADDRESSED MINISTERIAL PERMITS COVERING SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON STANDARD LOTS WITH UNSURPRISING FEATURES, MANY OF US WHO LOST HOMES 5 YEARS AGO IN THE CZU FIRE DID NOT HAVE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON STANDARD LOTS.
HOWEVER, I'M SUGGESTING THAT SOME OF THE GRAND JURY'S AND BAKER TILLY'S RECOMMENDATIONS DO APPLY TO LEGAL MULTI-RESIDENCES IN THE SAN LORENZO VALLEY.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2025, I'VE HAD THE SUPPORT AND CONSULTATION WITH SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ.
I'VE ALSO HAD THE HELP AND SUPPORT OF CDI'S MATT MACHADO.
I'VE ATTENDED EVERY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING, AND MY SON AND I HAVE MET WEEKLY WITH THE RECOVERY PERMIT CENTER BUILDING OR ZONING.
I HAVE TO THANK BAILEY AND JASMINE.
THEY'VE BEEN EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND VERY HELPFUL.
HERE ARE MY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PERMITTING PROCESS.
NUMBER 1: WORK ON SIMPLIFYING THE LANGUAGE OF THE PERMITTING PROCESS.
ENCOURAGE OWNER BUILDERS TO MEET REGULARLY, REGULARLY, WITH UPC STAFF.
A WORD OF CAUTION, BE CAREFUL IN SELECTING PROFESSIONALS TO HELP YOU.
SO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR WORKING WITH CDI AND BAKER TILLY TO MAKE THE PERMITTING PROCESS LESS COMPLEX FOR OWNER BUILDERS.
- BEFORE YOU START MY CLOCK, I'D LIKE CLARIFICATION ON THE ITEM THAT WAS PULLED.
NUMBER 35, WHICH I THINK HAS TO DO WITH PUBLIC COMMENT, IS NOT WHAT ITEM 35 IS IN THE, UH, MATERIALS, THE BOOK OF MATERIALS.
CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY WHAT ITEM HAS BEEN PULLED FOR THE PUBLIC? - I DON'T THINK THAT WAS [INAUDIBLE] PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM.
- ALL RIGHT, VERY GOOD. THANK YOU.
IT'S ITEM 36 OUT THERE IN THE BINDER, SO THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS BECKY STEINBRUNNER, AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE AT THE FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE CZU FIRE.
I WANNA THANK THE FORMER SPEAKER FOR GIVING YOU, UH, A POSITIVE SOLUTIONS TO HELP REBUILD.
UM, TO THAT END, YOUR BOARD NEEDS TO LOOK AT, UH, HOW YOU ARE ALLOCATING THE STATE'S PUBLIC SAFETY MONIES FOR PROPOSITION 172 THAT WOULD BETTER FUND LOCAL FIRE DISTRICTS.
FELTON FIRE RIGHT NOW IS STRUGGLING.
PAJARO VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT IS STRUGGLING.
YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO ALLOCATE MONEY FROM THE HALF-CENT STATEWIDE SALES TAX THAT WAS PASSED IN 1992 TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY.
NOW, DON'T YOU THINK THAT THAT SHOULD INCLUDE FIRE? BUT RIGHT NOW, THIS COUNTY ALLOCATES ONE-HALF OF 1% OF THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT COME IN EVERY YEAR IN PERPETUITY, IT WILL COME.
ONE-HALF OF 1% THAT GOES THROUGH COUNTY FIRES ACCOUNT
[00:35:02]
AND GOES TO THE COUNTY FIRE CHIEF ACCOUNT.THIS IS WRONG, AND YOU HAVE GOT TO CHANGE IT, AND YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT.
I WANNA SAY THAT, UM, THIS WEEK IS THE COUNTY FAIR.
JUST ACROSS FROM COLLEGE LAKE IS THE SEAHAWK BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE PROJECT IN PERMITTING.
I'M SAD TO SAY THAT BECAUSE YOUR BOARD CHOSE TO PUT OFF FOR ONE YEAR AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THESE, THAT NOW NEW LEAF ENERGY IS SAYING THEY'RE LIKELY TO GO TO THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION FOR AN OPT-IN CERTIFICATION THAT WILL BYPASS US COMPLETELY.
YOU NEED TO GET A PANEL, YOU NEED TO GET GOING, AND WE NEED TO STOP LITHIUM BATTERY STORAGE IN OUR COUNTY.
- I'M GONNA LOOK THIS WAY BECAUSE I LOOK LIKE SHAMU IF I [INAUDIBLE].
UH, I'VE GOT PRESENTS FIRST, SO I'LL START WITH PRESENTS.
- YOU WANNA SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE IF YOU WANNA SPEAK INTO...
- YOU WANNA ARREST ME, RIGHT, SERGEANT? I DIDN'T STEAL THE BREAD.
I DIDN'T GET THE BREAD FROM BECKMAN'S FREE WHEN THEY TOLD ME I COULDN'T GET BREAD AT BECKMAN'S, AND YOU SAID, I'M GOING TO ARREST YOU FOR TRESPASSING.
I JUST REMEMBERED THAT WHEN I SAW YOU IN THE ELEVATOR, BUT YOU CAN HAVE THESE CUZ YOU NEED IT NOTHING FOR THIS IS FOR THIS MAN HERE.
I JUST SAW HIM. I SAID, DID YOU READ THE BOOK? AND HE LOOKED AT ME LIKE I HAD 2 HEADS.
SO I SAID, I GUESS YOU DIDN'T.
AND MY MAIN THING IS THAT I'M HERE IS WHY, WHO THE HECK KNOWS WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACTION NETWORK, CLIENT ACTION, WHO KNOWS? COME ON NOW, SOMEBODY KNOWS.
OH, I'M GONNA TAKE ALL MY STUFF THAT I GET THERE FROM GRAY BEARS AND BRING IT HERE.
IS THAT OKAY, MANU? I'M GONNA BRING ALL MY STUFF HERE, SLEEPING BAGS, AND ESPECIALLY FOR A WOMAN NAMED MINDY, WHO I MET 4 MONDAYS AGO.
SHE SAID, I'M BEING DRUGGED AND RAPED, ALONG WITH OTHER WOMEN BETWEEN THE FIRE STATION AND CHARLIE HONG KONG'S, IN THE BACK PARKING LOT THERE.
SO I'LL BRING HER AND THE TENT HERE.
SHE CAN COME HERE CUZ YOU ARE ALWAYS OPEN.
IS THAT OKAY WITH EVERYBODY? I DON'T WANNA TALK TO HIM EVER CUZ HE JUST LOOKED AT ME LIKE I DIDN'T EXIST.
SO, IS THAT OKAY IF I BRING ALL THE STUFF HERE THAT I HAVE IN MY GARAGE? I'M GETTING DONATIONS FROM, UH, PEACE UNITED CHURCH, THANK GOD.
THEY'RE STEPPING UP CUZ THEY GOT BRAINS UP THERE, AND THEY'VE GOT MONEY AND THEY'VE GOT A GARAGE THAT'S FULL OF STUFF.
AND THEN WE COULD GET THEM ON THE BUSES.
THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT, NOT A BACK-AND-FORTH.
- SO, UM, I WANT TO, UH, TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE YOU TO CONNIE MORENO-PARRAZA AS THE NEW DIRECTOR OF COUNTY'S, UH, HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY.
UH, SHE BRINGS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE DELIVERING COUNTY SERVICES ACROSS CALIFORNIA AND A DEEP, UH, BACKGROUND IN MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
UH, SHE HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS VENTURA COUNTY'S HEALTH CARE AGENCY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DIRECTOR OF MADERA COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AS WELL.
SHE HAS ALSO WORKED IN MARIN, NAPA, AND SAN DIEGO AND STANISLAUS COUNTIES, OVERSEEING LARGE COMPLEX SYSTEMS OF CARE AND MULTIMILLION DOLLAR BUDGETS.
UM, FINALLY, UM, CONNIE IS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER BILINGUAL SPANISH SPEAKER.
UH, MS. MORENO, UH, PARRAZA HAS DEDICATED HER CAREER TO EXPANDING ACCESS TO EQUITABLE, CULTURALLY COMPETENT SERVICES.
SO WITH THAT, I PRESENT TO YOU OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY, CONNIE MORENO-PARRAZA.
UH, GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND OUR CHAIRPERSON, HERNANDEZ.
IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE HERE.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL, UH, TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT.
[00:40:01]
I'VE BEEN MEETING WITH SOME OF YOU ALREADY, AND I'M VERY HONORED ALSO OUR AMAZING TEAM.AND OF COURSE, MR. PALACIOS' TEAM HAS BEEN JUST AMAZING EVEN BEFORE ME GETTING HERE.
I KNOW WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES AHEAD OF US, BUT THAT TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND WE WILL GET THE JOB DONE.
- ANYONE ONLINE? - YES, CHAIR.
CALL IN USER 628, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
- YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME? - YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
- YEAH, MY NAME'S RICHARD BUCKINGHAM.
I'D LIKE TO READ AGAIN ANOTHER EXCERPT FROM A BOOK CALLED, THE UNFORTUNATE TRUTH ABOUT VACCINES BY LOCAL AUTHOR, LEON CANEROT.
OKAY, THIS SECTION IS CALLED THE HISTORY OF SMALLPOX AND THE VACCINE.
HISTORY OF SMALLPOX AND THE VACCINE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY PRIDES ITSELF IN IS THE ERADICATION OF SMALLPOX THANKS TO VACCINATION.
IF LOOK AT HISTORY A LITTLE CLOSER, WE SEE THAT THERE IS NOT, THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY THE CASE.
MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES DURING THE LATTER HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY WERE MAKING VACCINATIONS COMPULSORY DESPITE A GROWING NUMBER OF DEATHS.
AS A RESULT OF THE SMALLPOX VACCINE ITSELF.
NEVERTHELESS, WITH THE RARE EXCEPTIONS, THE SMALLPOX VACCINE CONTINUED TO BE DEFENDED BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
IN MARCH 1885, THE OUTRAGE OVER FORCED VACCINATIONS REACHED A BOILING POINT WHEN CITIZENS OF LEICESTER ENGLAND PROTESTED IN THE STREETS AGAINST THE LAW ENFORCING SMALLPOX VACCINATIONS UNDER CONVEYANCE OF FINES OR IMPRISONMENT.
IN SPITE OF MANDATORY VACCINATION, SMALLPOX VACCINATIONS, OUTBREAKS OF SMALLPOX INCREASED, RESULTING IN MORE VACCINE-INDUCED INJURIES AND DEATH.
DR. HODWIN M.D. IN HIS BOOK, THE CASE AGAINST VACCINATION, 1896 WROTE, SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IMPULSORY VACCINATION ACT OF 1853, WE'VE HAD NO LESS THAN THREE DISTINCT EPIDEMICS.
IN 1857 TO 1859, WE HAD MORE THAN 14,000 DEATHS FROM SMALLPOX.
IN 1853 TO '65, THE EPIDEMIC REACHED 20,000 DEATHS.
AND BETWEEN 1871 AND '72, THERE WERE 44,800 DEATHS.
STRICTER ENFORCEMENT LED TO HIGHEST VACCINATION RATE EVER ACHIEVED IN ENGLAND IN 1871.
ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE DYING FROM SMALLPOX, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A 97.5.
- CALL IN USER ONE, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
- MARILYN GARRETT COMMENTING ON THE SURVEILLANCE SOCIETY WE'RE LIVING IN AND THESE FLOCK CAMERAS.
I SEE ON YOUR AGENDA IN THE LETTERS SECTION PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR OPPOSITION.
I WANT TO READ FROM A, UM, FROM THE BRAVE AND FREE AGENDA, UH, WE HAD A MEETING.
THE THEME WAS YOU'RE BEING WATCHED.
THE POLICE WILL BE ON THEIR BEST BEHAVIOR BECAUSE WE ARE CONSTANTLY WATCHING AND RECORDING EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON.
CITIZENS WILL BE ON THEIR BEST BEHAVIOR BECAUSE WE'RE CONSTANTLY RECORDING AND REPORTING EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON.
ORACLE CEO LARRY ELLISON, SEPTEMBER OF 2024, STATED, MASS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS ARE SWEEPING ACROSS AMERICA, ALWAYS BEING WATCHED, ALWAYS BEING ASSESSED.
MAYBE IT FEELS LIKE THEY WANT TO KEEP US IN LINE.
FREEDOMS DON'T COME BACK AND PRIVACY DOESN'T COME BACK.
FOR EXAMPLE, FLOCK IS A 7.5 BILLION SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY COMPANY WITH A PROVEN PLAYBOOK OF SECURING LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
THIS IS ALSO ON THE WATSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA TONIGHT, I WILL ADD.
FLOCK HAS QUIETLY EXPANDED ITS REACH ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
OPERATING IN OVER 5,000 COMMUNITIES ACROSS 49 STATES.
FLOCK'S LICENSE PLATE READERS ARE ONLY PART OF THEIR PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM THAT INCLUDES SOFTWARE LIKE VEHICLE FINGERPRINT AND FLOCK FREE FORM, TURNING IMAGES INTO ACTIONABLE EVIDENCE.
[00:45:01]
NO PLATE RE-... - THANK YOU.- I SEE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE, CHAIR.
- THANK YOU. WITH THAT, WE'LL BRING BACK TO THE BOARD.
OR ANY QUESTIONS OR TO MOVE THE ITEM.
UM, AND WELCOME TO EVERYBODY WHO'S HERE TODAY.
APPRECIATE ALL OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
AND ON THAT NOTE, UM, I WANTED TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY WAS AWARE THAT TODAY IS THE LAST MEETING OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR THAT WILL BE HELD IN THIS ROOM.
AND I WANTED TO ASK IF CEO PALACIOS WILL GIVE US UM, AN UPDATE ON WHERE THE FUTURE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD.
- YES, THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ.
THE BOARD OF, UH, SUPERVISOR CHAMBERS ARE GONNA BE UNDERGOING A REMODEL DURING THIS CONSTRUCTION, THE REMAINING 2025 BOARD MEETINGS.
IN OTHER WORDS, THROUGH THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR, WILL BE HELD AT ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY VENUES.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE FUNDS BEING USED TO REMODEL THESE CHAMBERS ARE RESTRICTED FUNDS COLLECTED FROM CABLE COMPANIES SPECIFICALLY, TO IMPROVE THE BROADCAST AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS.
AND SO THEY CAN BE USED FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE AND NO GENERAL FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR THIS.
ALL MEETINGS WILL BE CONTINUED TO BE AT 9:00 A.M.
WITH REMOTE PARTICIPATION AVAILABLE VIA ZOOM.
WE POSTED THE LOCATION AND ADDRESSES OF THE RELOCATED MEETINGS ON FLYERS, WHICH ARE IN THE HALL HERE AND THEY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE ONLINE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE IN THE WATSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
AGAIN, AT 9:00 A.M., OCTOBER 7TH, WE'LL BE AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER COMMUNITY ROOM HERE AT 701 OCEAN.
THAT'S ON THE BASEMENT OF THIS BUILDING.
OCTOBER 21ST WILL BE AT THE SCOTTS VALLEY CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
NOVEMBER 4TH, THE WATSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
NOVEMBER 18TH, BACK HERE TO 701 OCEAN AT THE COMMUNITY ROOM IN THE BASEMENT OF THIS BUILDING.
DECEMBER 9TH AT THE CAPITOLA CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, AND THEN DECEMBER 16TH UH, THE GOVERNMENT CENTER COMMUNITY ROOM AT 701 OCEAN, AND THEN THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY WILL BE BACK IN THESE CHAMBERS.
AND I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT TODAY BECAUSE I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS IN PUBLIC, AT OUR NEW LOCATIONS, TEMPORARY LOCATIONS, AND, UM, HOPEFULLY ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO COME AS WELL SINCE WE'LL BE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTY.
RELATED TO THE CONSENT AGENDA,
[ACTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 14-46)]
I ONLY HAVE ONE COMMENT AND THAT'S RELATED TO ITEM NUMBER 18, WHICH WAS APPROVING THE RESPONSES TO FOUR OF THE 24/25 GRAND JURY REPORTS.JUST WANNA START OFF BY THANKING THE GRAND JURY FOR PROVIDING THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED.
THESE ARE ALWAYS VERY INTERESTING AND HELPFUL AS A SUPERVISOR.
AND AS IT RELATES TO THE ITEM ON COUNTY PERMITTING, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A LOT OF THE ITEMS IN THAT REPORT ARE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED IN THE BAKER-TILLEY REPORT AND THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE COUNTY ARE COMMITTED TO STREAMLINING THE PERMITTING PROCESS, TAKING SOME OF THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM BOTH THE GRAND JURY REPORT AS WELL AS THE RECOMMENDATIONS COMING FROM BAKER-TILLEY TO CONTINUE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PERMITTING PROCESS.
SO WE'LL BE GETTING ANOTHER UPDATE IN OCTOBER ON HOW THAT IS GOING.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT THAT WHEN IT COMES BEFORE THE BOARD.
- SUPERVISOR KOENIG? - YEAH, THANK YOU, CHAIR.
JUST ONE BRIEF COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ON ITEM 39, IMPROVING A MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION, THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY A MILLION DOLLARS.
JUST WANTED TO THANK OUR HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY AND PARTICULARLY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FOR ALL THEIR WORK ON BOTH THE GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCIES, THE MID-COUNTY GROUNDWATER AGENCY AND THE SANTA MARGARITA GROUNDWATER AGENCY.
THE WORK OF THESE TWO ORGANIZATIONS HAS REALLY PUT US ON A GREAT PATH WHEN IT COMES TO WATER.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY GENERALLY ABOUT, PARTICULARLY AS WE SEE THE DEVELOPMENT PRESSURES ON OUR AREA ABOUT WATER.
AND THE REALITY IS THIS IS A SUCCESS STORY THAT'S LARGELY BEEN SOLVED OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS BECAUSE OF THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN OUR WATER AGENCIES, BECAUSE SOME OF THE WATER SWAPS THAT ARE NOW HAPPENING, THEY'RE STORING HIGH WATER FLOWS FROM THE WINTER IN OUR OVER DRAFTED AQUIFERS, BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED MONITORING, BECAUSE OF EFFORTS ON RECYCLED WATER.
SO, I REALLY THINK THAT, UH, WE COULDN'T BE IN A BETTER SPOT FOR WATER AT THE MOMENT.
AND IT'S LARGELY THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF ALL THE, UH, WATER AGENCIES THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND THE ORGANIZING THAT'S HAPPENED THROUGH THESE GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCIES.
I ALSO APPRECIATE STAFF'S EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY ONGOING FUNDING FOR THESE PROGRAMS AS THEY ALREADY CONSTITUTE
[00:50:02]
A SIGNIFICANT UNFUNDED MANDATE FROM THE STATE ON OUR LOCAL WATER AGENCIES.AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIND WAYS FOR THEM TO BE EFFICIENT, UH, GOING FORWARD.
- SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS? - THANK YOU, CHAIR.
FIRST, I WANNA START BY WELCOMING OUR NEW HSA DIRECTOR CONNIE MORENO-PERAZA.
I'M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
AND THEN ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE KIMBERLY FINLEY ON HER PROMOTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES.
SO REALLY GONNA BE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU BOTH MOVING FORWARD.
UM, ITEM NUMBER 31, THIS IS AN ITEM RELATED TO A, SO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, UH, BUDGETING TO FACILITATE THE ADDITION OF ONE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT.
UM, THIS ITEM IS REALLY GONNA HELP US AS WE'VE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THE TRANSITION OF GREYHOUND ROCKS PROPERTY TO THE COUNTY.
AS PART OF THE MOU, THERE'S A NEED TO ESTABLISH SOME EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.
AND SO THIS BY CREATING THIS POSITION, IT'S REALLY GONNA HELP US CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TRANSFER OF THAT PROPERTY TO THE COUNTY.
AND SO JUST REALLY WANNA THANK, UM, SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ FOR SUPPORT ON MOVING THIS ITEM FORWARD.
THAT'S ALSO GONNA HELP FACILITATE SOME EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN SAN LORENZO VALLEY AS WELL.
THIS IS THE HR 4669 BILL LETTER OF SUPPORT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK CEO PALACIOS FOR PUTTING THIS ON OUR AGENDA.
AND WHILE IT WAS UNFORTUNATE, IT WASN'T ABLE TO COME ON SOONER.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, WE'VE... MANY COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE... MANY NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE WORLD HAVE BEEN GETTING JUST HAMMERED BY NATURAL DISASTERS THAT ARE A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
AND WITH THIS BILL, WHICH IS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT, IS TO REVAMP FEMA TO MAKE THE FEMA PROCESS A LITTLE BIT MORE STREAMLINED AND TO HELP MONEY GET FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTO COMMUNITIES' POCKETS.
AND GIVEN THAT THERE'S A TIGHT TIMELINE ON THE VOTE ON THOSE BILLS UH, I'D ASK IF WE COULD HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA.
AND I'M GLAD THAT CEO PALACIOS WAS ABLE TO PUT THIS ON, STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS, AND HOPE THAT IT'LL ACTUALLY LEAD TO MEANINGFUL CHANGE WITH FEMA AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
AND THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS.
OVER THE WEEKEND, I WAS HONORED TO ATTEND A GATHERING, UH, THAT WAS HOSTED BY ERICA PADILLA CHAVEZ, CRYSTAL SAUCETO, MARIA ROSCOE AND OTHERS, UM, WHERE I WAS ABLE TO SEE ROBERT REBUS IN THE FLESH AND ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
ADDITIONALLY, ON THE SAME DAY I ATTENDED, UH, A GATHERING PUT ON BY THE ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN IN SOUTH COUNTY, UH, ENTITLED ADVANCING EQUITY FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN.
UM, IT WAS A PANEL OF ALL WOMEN OF COLOR WHO ARE ELECTED INTO THEIR POSITIONS AND IT WAS A, UH, BEAUTIFUL DAY AND A LOVELY PRESENTATION.
AND SO I WANNA CONGRATULATE THOSE WOMEN FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO STEP FORWARD AND GOVERN.
AND I WANNA TELL PEOPLE IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO STEP FORWARD AND RUN.
IT'S A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT THING TO DO, BUT WE SHOULD BE GIVING PEOPLE, IN PARTICULAR OUR SISTERS IN SOUTH COUNTY, A LOT OF KUDOS BECAUSE IT'S NOT EASY TO PRESIDE OVER THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING TODAY.
AND FINALLY, I ATTENDED ON SUNDAY THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL UNVEILING AT THE HOME OF PEACE CEMETERY IN SANTA CRUZ.
IT'S THE ONLY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND I WANNA THANK THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR PLACING THAT AT THE HOME OF PEACE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND WELCOMING OUR NEW DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT WE HAVE.
BUT I THINK I'LL KEEP MY COMMENTS CLOSE SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THE MEETING.
BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD TO SEE IF WE CAN HAVE A MOTION.
- I'LL MOVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
- WE HAVE A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ AND A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR KOENIG IF WE TAKE ROLL CALL VOTE.
NEXT WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 6.1, SUPERVISOR KOENIG, I MEAN SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS.
- YEAH, SO THIS ITEM IS RELATED TO, WELL, IT'S BROUGHT FORWARD BY SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ AND SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ, RELATED TO MAKING CHANGES TO THE AGENDA AS IT PERTAINS TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
UM, I GUESS ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IS IF, THIS IS,
[00:55:04]
IF THESE TYPES OF CHANGES NEED TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD BECAUSE PERSONALLY I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, HAVING SERVED AS CHAIR, HAVING SERVED AS MAYOR OF CITY OF SANTA CRUZ, I MEAN, OFTENTIMES IT'S THE CHAIR'S ROLE TO DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF THE MEETINGS, THE LENGTH OF PUBLIC COMMENT, AND I JUST HAVE SOME CONCERN WITH THIS ACTUALLY REDUCING PUBLIC COMMENT AND PUBLIC ACCESS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT WOULD THEN, IT WOULD THEN SEPARATE THE INABILITY TO COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA AND ONLY BEING ABLE TO COMMENT ON THOSE WHEN THOSE ITEMS COME BEFORE US.I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S ACTUALLY BEEN BENEFICIAL HERE AT THE BOARD IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO GO TO WORK AND THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE FULL MEETING, THEY CAN AT LEAST COME IN AND THEY CAN SPEAK TO A REGULAR AGENDA ITEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING AND THEN THEY CAN GO OFF AND KIND OF GO ABOUT THE REST OF THEIR DAY RATHER THAN HAVING TO WAIT FOR SOMETIMES TWO, THREE, FOUR HOURS FOR THAT ITEM TO BE HEARD WHICH MEANS THAT THERE'S A GREATER CHANCE THAT THEIR ABILITY TO BE HEARD WILL BE LOST.
AND SO I JUST THINK THAT THAT FOR ONE SHOULD BE KEPT.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, RATHER THAN THESE CHANGES HAVING TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD ALL THE TIME, I THINK IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS IF THE CHAIR HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE AGENDA ON WHEN ITEMS ARE COMMENTED ON.
AND SO THAT WAY THERE'S MORE FLEXIBILITY BUILT IN, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THERE CAN BE DAYS WHERE RIGHT NOW WE'RE GONNA GO INTO REGULAR, WE'RE HEARING A REGULAR AGENDA AT 10:00 A.M.
WE ONLY HAD AN HOUR OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER DAYS WHERE THERE'S MORE CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS. UM, AND YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT WE HAD, I THINK THAT WAS MENTIONED IN THE AGENDA THAT THERE WERE THREE AND A HALF HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
ONE OF THE BENEFITS THERE IS THAT MEANS THE PUBLIC IS ENGAGING WITH US.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO TRY TO PROMOTE.
SO, UM, WHEN THE TIME COMES TO BE INCLINED TO TRY TO SEE IF WE CAN WORK ON SOME LANGUAGE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CHAIR TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY OF SETTING THE AGENDA.
AND THEN HOWEVER THAT AGENDA IS SET, I MEAN, THAT'S UP TO THE CHAIR.
IT'S THE CHAIR'S PREROGATIVE, BUT RATHER HAVING A CONSTRAINTS THAT ANY CHANGES WE NEED TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD, I THINK IS GONNA CERTAINLY BE MORE PROBLEMATIC FOR THE BOARD RATHER THAN JUST HAVING THE CHAIR MAKE THAT DECISION.
SO THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS.
- THANK YOU FOR PULLING THIS ITEM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS.
UM, TO CLARIFY WHAT THIS ITEM IS, IT'S AN AMENDMENT, A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LANGUAGE ON THE AGENDA AROUND PUBLIC COMMENT THAT HELPS TO SET SOME PROCESS AND PROCEDURE AROUND HOW WE HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT, UH, AND HELPS TO REALLY SET THE EXPECTATION OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHEN THEY MAY BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS. UM, WHAT I HAVE FOUND AS A NEWER SUPERVISOR IS THAT WHEN OUR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS INTERMIXED WITH BOTH COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, COMMENTS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY AND ITEMS COMING UP LATER IN THE DAY ON THE IRREGULAR AGENDA ITEM, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT BOTH FOR ME AS A POLICYMAKER TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL OF THE PUBLIC INPUT ON WHAT'S COMING UP ON THE REGULAR AGENDA ITEM, AS WELL AS CONFUSES THE PUBLIC WHO ARE HERE PERHAPS WAITING FOR THAT ITEM AND THEN THEY FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO COME UP DURING PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE END UP WITH, UH, A LESS ORGANIZED, UM, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
AND IT LEADS TO LESS ORGANIZED DISCUSSION AND DIALOGUE.
AND THEN THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT ABLE TO COME SPEAK WHEN WE'RE ACTUALLY HEARING THE ITEM AND THE BOARD HAS HAD A STAFF REPORT TO DISCUSS THE FULL INFORMATION AROUND THE ITEM.
SO THIS WAS REALLY INTENDED TO CREATE FURTHER CLARITY FOR THE PUBLIC.
AND IT ALSO HELPS TO, UM, EXTEND THE LANGUAGE THAT'S CURRENTLY OR THE TIME THAT'S CURRENTLY LISTED ON THE AGENDA THAT SAYS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS 30 MINUTES, IT EXTENDS IT TO 60 MINUTES.
UM, AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY, I THINK THE CHAIR IS ABLE TO OPERATE THE MEETING AS THE CHAIR CHOOSES THAT'S ROLE OF THE CHAIR.
BUT MY INTENT IS REALLY TO CREATE SOME, UM, CLARITY AND PARAMETERS FOR THE PUBLIC TO FURTHER ENCOURAGE AND ENGAGE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE AND ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO FOLLOW THE AGENDA ITEMS THAT WE'RE ON.
SO FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO CHAIR HERNANDEZ AND SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ FOR WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
I MEAN, I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY HAS BECOME A LITTLE BIT PROBLEMATIC AND JUST IN THAT THE MEETING HAS BECOME SO UNPREDICTABLE IN TERMS OF WHEN WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA HEAR ITEMS. I MEAN, WE'VE HAD TIMES WHEN THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR REGULAR AGENDA, YOU KNOW, AFTER CONSENT AGENDA, OF COURSE, IT ENDS UP BEING HEARD IN THE AFTERNOON, RIGHT? AND THAT DOESN'T HELP PEOPLE EITHER.
SO, UM, I APPRECIATE THAT YOU'RE BRINGING FORWARD A SOLUTION.
UM, I'M WILLING TO TRY IT OUT.
[01:00:03]
UH, I CERTAINLY HEAR WHAT SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS IS SAYING ABOUT ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO GO TO WORK TO COMMENT.I MEAN, ULTIMATELY, IF YOUR SCHEDULE IS THAT DEMANDING OR UNPREDICTABLE, I MEAN, YOU CAN ALWAYS WRITE ALL OF US OR YOUR SUPERVISOR DIRECTLY WHO REPRESENTS YOU ON THIS BOARD.
UM, SO I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS IS THE PERFECT SOLUTION, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY TRY IT OUT.
UM, AND I MEAN, ALREADY JUST THE FACT THAT TODAY WE MAY BEGIN AH HEARING OUR REGULAR AGENDA AROUND 10 O'CLOCK, I THINK IS A GREAT STEP FORWARD. THANKS.
- SO I HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS ABOUT THIS IDEA JUST THAT LIKE EVEN JUST THIS MORNING THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WELL WHO WANTED TO COME AND READ RESOLUTIONS, UM, TALK ABOUT OUTCOMES FOR THEIR AGENCIES, BUT THEY HAVE WORK TO DO TODAY.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE TEACHERS, DOCTORS, NURSES, UH, MOTHERS, FATHERS.
I MEAN, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT SIT IN THIS AUDIENCE AND WAIT FOR THE AGENDA NUMBER TO COME UP.
SO I THINK THAT GIVING PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP AND SAY WHAT THEY NEED TO SAY AND THEN GET TO THEIR LIFE AND GET TO THEIR WORK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
SO IS WHAT... WHAT IS CURRENTLY PROPOSED IS THAT WE WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT PUBLIC COMMENT ANYMORE, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEIR ITEM IS CALLED.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SAYING TO PEOPLE? - RIGHT, WHAT IS PROPOSED IN THE PROCEDURES IN THIS ITEM WOULD BE THAT IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM THAT'S LISTED ON THE AGENDA, THEY WOULD NEED TO HOLD THEIR COMMENTS UNTIL THAT ITEM IS HEARD.
UM, AND AS SUPERVISOR KOENIG SHARED, UM, THEY'RE WELCOME TO WRITE TO US.
UM, THEY'RE WELCOME TO CALL IN IN OUR REMOTE OPTIONS.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY, AGAIN, IT'S, IT'S WITH THE INTENT OF ALLOWING BOTH THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC TO HAVE CLARITY WHEN THAT REGULAR ITEM IS HEARD, THAT THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION IS HEARD AT A SINGLE TIME, UM, AS OPPOSED TO BITS AND PIECES REALLY EARLIER THAT THEN GET FORGOTTEN.
WE MIGHT BE HEARING THE ITEM IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THOSE COMMENTS ARE KIND OF LOST IN THE DIALOGUE.
SO, WHILE I APPRECIATE THAT, I AM WITH, UM, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS I DO THINK THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR PUBLIC COMMENT.
UM, TO ME, THE ONLY SOLUTION IF YOU, IF YOU WANTED TO DO IT THE WAY THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING, IS TO HAVE OUR MEETINGS AT NIGHT WHEN MANY PEOPLE COULD ACTUALLY ATTEND AFTER WORK, STARTING AT LIKE FIVE O'CLOCK.
SO ANYWAY, THAT, THAT, THAT IS NOT, I'M NOT TRYING TO AMEND ANYTHING, BUT I DO THINK PEOPLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COME IN AND HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I MEAN, DANA WAGNER WAS HERE FOR MEALS ON WHEELS.
SHE'S GOT TWO GIANT PROGRAMS TO RUN TODAY.
SHE CANNOT SIT AND WAIT IN THIS AUDIENCE UNTIL FOUR O'CLOCK TO GIVE HER PUBLIC COMMENT.
- WELL, I WOULD SAY SHE SPOKE AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THIS ITEM.
SO, MEALS ON WHEELS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY THAT IS A GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM, AN ITEM NOT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
SO SHE SPOKE AT THE CORRECT TIME AND THAT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE CORRECT TIME.
SO FOR TODAY'S AGENDA, AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE IF PEOPLE WANTED TO SPEAK ON ITEMS SEVEN THROUGH 13 THEY WOULD CALL, THEY WOULD SPEAK ON THOSE ITEMS WHEN WE CALL THOSE ITEMS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
AND IF ANYBODY WANTED TO EITHER SPEAK ON 14 THROUGH 45 OR ANY OTHER ITEM AT ALL, THEY COULD SPEAK IN THE MORNING.
- OKAY, THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
- WITH THAT, I’LL TAKE IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
NO, BUT I WOULD WANNA SAY THAT IF WE'RE TO ADHERE DIRECTLY TO THIS ITEM, I THINK TO SUPERVISOR DE SERPA'S POINT, I MEAN, WE'RE GONNA CUT PUBLIC COMMENT OFF IN ONE HOUR AND SAY, WE'RE GONNA RESERVE THE REST OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS TILL LATER IN THE DAY, WHICH IS WHAT'S OUTLINED HERE.
THEN THAT COULD BECOME A PROBLEM FOR FOLKS WHO WOULD WANT TO SPEAK TO US ON ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA.
AND CURRENTLY, AS IT STANDS, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE'RE ADHERING TO THE POLICY THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN PLACE, WHICH SAYS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR 30 MINUTES, WHICH IS EVEN SHORTER, WHICH I AGREE THAT IT SHOULD BE LONGER.
BUT THAT'S PARTLY WHY I THINK BUILDING IN THE FLEXIBILITY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ATTEND A GENDER REVIEW WORKING WITH, UM, THE CEO TO FIGURE OUT HOW LONG IS PUBLIC COMMENT GONNA TAKE ON THE VARIOUS ITEMS? IT CAN BE A LOT, IT CAN, IT CAN HELP FACILITATE PUBLIC COMMENT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
AND I WILL SAY PRIOR TO THIS YEAR, I MEAN, LAST YEAR MEETINGS WERE GOING A LOT SHORTER.
THE YEAR BEFORE THAT THEY WERE EVEN SHORTER.
AND SO I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RUN THE MEETING I THINK IS ACTUALLY ANOTHER THING THAT CAN HELP, UM, FACILITATE, UH, THIS PROCESS VERSUS CONSTRAINING OURSELVES AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO COMMENT ON VARIOUS ITEMS. - WITH THAT, I'LL TAKE IT TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
ANYONE WISHES TO ADDRESSES ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE DO SO NOW.
[01:05:06]
- MY NAME IS BECKY STEINBRUNNER.THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, FOR PULLING THIS ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS.
I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS AT ALL BECAUSE FOR MANY OF THE REASONS THAT YOU, SOME OF YOU HAVE BROUGHT UP IS, UM, PEOPLE WHO WORK CANNOT STAY ALL DAY AND WAIT UNTIL WHO KNOWS WHEN THEIR ITEM THAT THEY WANNA TALK ABOUT WOULD COME UP.
AND SIMPLY WRITING YOU IS NOT THE SAME AS LOOKING YOU IN THE EYE AND TELLING YOU WHAT I THINK.
THAT'S THE WAY THEY'RE COMING HERE TO MAKE THAT DIRECT CONNECTION WITH YOU.
AND WHO KNOWS, WHEN YOU SEND IN A WRITTEN COMMENT IN THAT PORTAL WHERE IT GOES, THE PUBLIC NEVER SEES THEM.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DO [LAUGH] BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW.
SO I THINK IT'S WRONG TO, TO MAKE THIS RESTRICTION.
I THINK THAT, UH, IF PEOPLE WANT TO COME AND TALK WITH YOU, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO IN THE MORNING SO THAT THEY CAN GO OFF AND DO THEIR WORK.
MAKING THEM SIT AND WAIT ALL DAY IS NOT RIGHT AND IT IS NOT SERVING THE PUBLIC'S GOOD TO DO THAT.
IT MAY BE EASIER FOR YOU, BUT IT IS NOT THE BEST FOR THE PUBLIC AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD ALL BE THINKING OF.
I WANNA SAY THAT IN DECEMBER, YOUR AGENDAS ARE OFTEN VERY, VERY LONG AND I HAVE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY TO SPEAK ON A REGULAR AGENDA ITEM.
SO BY CHANGING THIS, SO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT OR IF IT'S THE END OF THE HOUR AND THE ROOM HAS BEEN FILLED WITH SEIU OR PEOPLE PROTESTING AS WHAT HAPPENED IN APRIL IN THE EXAMPLE GIVEN, UH, CLOSING MHCAN YOU'RE NOT GONNA GET YOUR TIME.
EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THEIR TIME IN THE MORNING.
AND THE EXAMPLE GIVEN IN THE STAFF REPORT WAS INACCURATE.
THREE AND A HALF HOURS WAS PARTLY DUE TO SUPERVISOR KOENIG PULLING TWO ITEMS. - THANK YOU.
- HI, MY NAME IS TIM DELANEY AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEARING ME AGAIN TODAY.
UH, JUST THINKING ABOUT WHAT WAS JUST LAST SAID, UH, I, I'M KIND OF ON HER SIDE ON THIS ONE.
YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND TRYING TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BETTER FOR ALL OF YOU IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS TRYING TO SAY TO YOU AND SO ON, BUT, UH, ANYTHING THAT COMES IN THE WAY OF US TRYING TO SPEAK FREELY IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU PROBABLY OUGHT TO CONSIDER.
AGAIN, YOU KNOW, TO, YOU DON'T WANNA PUT ANY ROADBLOCKS THERE.
YOU KNOW, JUST SO YOU KNOW, MY, MY UNCLES LIKE, YOU KNOW, THEY TOLD ME AFTER THEIR EXPERIENCES IN WAR, THEY SAW HORRIBLE, AWESOME, TERRIBLE THINGS.
THEY, UH, HEARD THE SOUNDS, THE SMELLS, FEELING.
YOU KNOW, IN THE KOREAN WAR, EISENHOWER, I THINK THE WARTIME GENERALS EVEN WROTE, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE MOST AWFUL THINGS ABOUT THE KOREAN WAR WAS THEY HEARD THE SOUNDS OF PEOPLE CRYING AND WHOLE FAMILIES WHOLE COMMUNITIES, THEY HEARD THAT.
SO MY UNCLES WERE QUITE FORTHRIGHT WITH ME BECAUSE THEY, THEY SERVED IN REAL COMBAT.
IT'S NOT LIKE DONALD TRUMP HERE.
THIS REAL COMBAT THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME.
AND UH, SO THERE'S REAL SACRIFICE AND RISK THERE.
SO THEY TOLD ME FLAT OUT, WHEN YOU SEE THINGS GOING WRONG IN AMERICAN SOCIETY, YOU HAVE TO SPEAK UP EVEN IF YOU'RE IN GOVERNMENT.
AND I LOOK AT THIS, YES MAN BRIGADE HERE IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND CEOS HERE ALL PATRONIZING THEM.
AND I JUST GOTTA WONDER, GOSH, THE WHOLE DARN COUNTRY IS SO CHICKEN.
AND MY UNCLES SAW ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS DESTROYED AND KILLED IN WAR.
SO I DON'T KNOW, I WOULDN'T PUT UP ANY ROADBLOCKS.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME UP HERE TO SPEAK.
MORNING CHAIR SUPERVISOR, MIKE [INAUDIBLE].
I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST HERE, AND I'M GONNA RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH BECKY.
UH, WHEN YOU WANNA SPEAK ON AN ITEM THAT'S SCHEDULED FOR A HEARING AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, LIKE MANY PEOPLE DO AND COME, THEY IN PART GAUGE IT BY WHERE IT IS IN THE AGENDA AND THEY COME DOWN.
AND IF ALL OF THAT COMMENT FOR SIX DIFFERENT HEARINGS GETS TO GET PACKED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING AND DELAY EVERYTHING, TWO THINGS ARE GOING ON.
ONE, IT INTERFERES WITH THE ABILITY OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SPEAKING
[01:10:02]
TO THINGS NOT ON THE AGENDA, TO HAVE THEIR TIME AT THAT TIME AND DELAYS THE WHOLE THING AND THEN BREAKS UP WHEN THE COMMENT IS ON THE INDIVIDUAL HEARINGS, WHICH FOR THOSE OF US THAT COME AND MANY DO FOR THOSE, WE WANT TO HEAR OUR FELLOW CITIZENS SPEAK ABOUT IT AND YOU PUT IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME.SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING SO CLEAR ABOUT WHERE THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS, AND I CAN CERTAINLY SEE WHY IT MAKES SENSE THAT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, ESPECIALLY HEARINGS, THAT COMMENT IS PUT IN AT THAT TIME, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'D BE A REAL PROBLEM FOR COUNSEL IF THEY'RE GONNA PRESERVE THE RECORD ON A APPEAL ISSUE.
IF HALF THE COMMENTS CAME AT 9:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M.
INSTEAD OF AT THE 2:00 P.M. HEARING.
SO I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS NEARLY THAT CLEAR.
- COOPER AND MATTSON, BRI ARCHITECTS AS SOMEBODY THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR HOURS, AND HOURS WAITING FOR MY AGENDA ITEM.
UH, I HAVE TO STILL SAY, I THINK THE COURTEOUS THING IS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO SPEAK TOWARDS THE ITEM IF THEY CAN'T STAY.
AND I THINK COURTESY IS A REALLY CRITICAL THING.
WE'RE SEEING A REAL BREAKDOWN OF THAT.
I'D LEAD THAT PARTLY TO OUR PRESIDENT, PARTLY THIS ZEITGEIST.
BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY DISCOURTEOUS TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT THEY HAVE TO WAIT.
I THINK MOST PEOPLE WILL, I THINK MOST PEOPLE WILL BE POLITE AND WAIT UNTIL THE TIME THEY SPEAK, BUT I THINK IT'S BETTER TO EXPECT PEOPLE TO BE POLITE AND ALLOW THEM TO BE POLITE THAN TO INSIST THAT THEY HAVE TO WAIT.
- IS THERE ANYONE ONLINE? - YES, CHAIR.
CALL IN USER TWO, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
- AT THAT TIME WHEN THIS COUNTRY IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE AUTOCRATIC, DICTATORIAL AND THREATENING TO THE PUBLIC, THOSE OF YOU WHO GENERALLY WANT TO REPRESENT YOUR CONSTITUENCY NEED TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE.
UH, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK THE TIME SHOULD NOT BE CURTAILED.
AND I WANNA GIVE A LITTLE HISTORY HERE.
AS SOMEONE WHO'S ATTENDED BOARD MEETINGS FOR OVER 20 YEARS, EXCEPT NOW WITH ALL THE RADIATION EMITTING DEVICES ON THE ROOF AND THE WIFI IS TOO PAINFUL TO COME.
PEOPLE USED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK FOR THREE MINUTES AND THEY USED TO BE ABLE TO PULL AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION.
AND THEN IN 2018 THERE WAS A CHANGE OF THAT POLICY SO THAT CITIZENS CAN NO LONGER PULL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. THAT'S CENSORSHIP.
AND I'M LOOKING HERE AT A DOCUMENT FROM THE COUNTY, AN EMAIL FROM ALLISON ANDER TO RACHEL DAN.
AND IT TALKS ABOUT, THIS IS PART OF IT, THE ISSUE OF NOT LETTING THE PUBLIC PULL ITEMS AND INSTEAD MAKING THE PUBLIC GO THROUGH A BOARD MEMBER.
BOARD MEMBERS ARE THEN IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO TRY AS CONSENT AN ITEM REQUEST AND BE THE ONE TO MAKE PEOPLE UNHAPPY IF WE SAY NO.
I'M NOT SURE, BOARD MEMBERS WILL SAY NO.
SO WHAT IS THE BENEFIT IN THE END EXCEPT MAKING IT LOOK LIKE WE ARE LESS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.
I GUESS WE, IF WE ARE SOLELY THINKING OF BECKY...
- THANK YOU. - THEN SURE MY...
- I SEE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE CHAIR.
- WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
- UH, WE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT ALREADY, SIR.
- OH, I JUST GONNA TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE RIGHT HERE.
- YEAH, WE DID HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THIS.
WE WENT ONLINE, WE WENT IN PUBLIC AND NOW WE'RE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD FOR THE HEARING.
- YEAH, SO - I HERE IS WAS JUST LIKE A GOOD...
- PAM, WILL YOU LET PLEASE LET THE SUPERVISOR SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
[01:15:01]
- THINKING OF IT.- SO, YEAH, SO I'LL, I'LL GO AHEAD AND I'LL TRY TO MAKE THIS MOTION AGAIN.
THIS IS REALLY TRYING TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY.
SO RATHER THAN HAVING TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD, THE MEETING STRUCTURES, IT'S UP TO THE CHAIR.
SO IF THE CHAIR WANTS TO SEPARATE COMMENTS ON REGULAR ITEMS THAT'S THE CHAIR'S PREROGATIVE.
SO THE DIRECTION I WOULD PROVIDE IS MOVE THAT THE BOARD GIVE AUTHORITY TO THE CHAIR TO ADJUST THE TIMING OF PUBLIC COMMENT AS NEEDED.
- DIRECTED THE BOARD GIVE AUTHORITY TO THE CHAIR TO ADJUST THE TIMING OF PUBLIC COMMENT AS NEEDED.
- CAN I ASK FOR SOME CLARIFICATION? SO I LIKE THAT FLEXIBILITY.
UM, DOES THAT MEAN THAT WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED THEN WE GO AWAY AND JUST WE WOULD HAVE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE CHAIR TO MAKE THE DECISION.
I DUNNO HOW EVERYBODY ELSE FEELS ABOUT THAT.
- IS THAT A SECOND? - I'LL SECOND.
I AM LOOKING AT THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS, UM, PRIOR TO THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND I'M WONDERING IF I COULD ADD A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
UH, IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY CHANGING, BUT IT, IT BASICALLY, I WOULD BE OPEN TO ADDING THAT SENTENCE TO THE END OF THE MODIFICATIONS AS PROPOSED.
UM, SO IT ALLOWS THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE CHAIR TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS.
IT STILL WILL, UH, PROVIDE SOME, SOME GREATER CLARITY TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE TIMING AND WHEN THEY CAN EXPECT MEETINGS TO BE HELD, UM, WHICH WAS A PART OF MY INTENT.
AND IT WILL ALLOW THE CHAIR TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY, UM, IF NEEDED.
- BASICALLY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR.
- AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR, AT THE END OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION.
SO I GUESS THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS WOULD BE APPROVE CHANGES TO THE AGENDA LANGUAGE REGULATING PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC COMMENT DURING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS AS OUTLINED BELOW.
AND IN THE OUTLINE BELOW LANGUAGE IT WOULD HAVE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR IN IT.
- WE DO, WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND IT WOULD REQUIRE.
- EITHER THAT OR AN ALTERNATIVE.
- ACCEPT THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
I DUNNO IF, IF, UH, JUSTIN WOULD.
AND, AND THIS ISN'T THE BE ALL END ALL, LIKE IF FOR SOME REASON MAYBE THIS NEW PROCESS WITH THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT DOESN'T WORK, WE COULD REVISIT THIS AND LOOK AT IT AGAIN.
I, I THINK WHAT JUSTIN AND I, BECAUSE I SERVED ON ANOTHER BOARD FOR 14 YEARS, WE HAD THE SAME THING WHERE PEOPLE COULD COME UP AND GIVE, YOU KNOW, HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
AND YEAH, IT WAS HARD AND IT WAS ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT.
SO I THINK WE DON'T WANNA, UM, SQUELCH ANYONE'S ABILITY TO COME AND GIVE THEIR COMMENT IN PERSON BECAUSE THERE'S THE, FOR MANY PEOPLE, THEY, THEY REALLY, THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO COME AND SAY WHAT THEY NEED TO SAY.
SO I THINK IT'S GONNA TAKE A LITTLE MORE WORK ON THE PART OF THE CHAIR WORKING WITH STAFF TO REALLY LOOK AT WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA AND TRY TO SORT OF GUESSTIMATE, UM, THE TIMING THAT WOULD BE NEEDED.
BUT I, BUT I, I'M WILLING TO TRY IT.
I DON'T KNOW. JUSTIN, IF YOU ARE.
- I WANNA ASK, UH, COUNTY COUNCIL, UH, FOR SOME ADVICE HERE BECAUSE I'M WONDERING IF THERE CAN BE, THIS MOTION CAN BE SEPARATED.
'CAUSE THE ONE IS TO ADOPT KINDA THE RECOMMENDATIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT, AND THEN THE OTHERS IS ALSO ADDING THIS ADDITIONAL DIRECTION THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD GIVE THE CHAIR FLEXIBILITY AROUND TIMING.
AND, AND SO I'M JUST WONDERING IF THERE'S...
- THAT, SO THAT, THAT WOULD BE, THAT WOULD BE THREE MOTIONS.
SO IT WOULD BE YOUR, YOUR, YOUR ORIGINAL MOTION WAS SECONDED AND THAT'S, THAT'S ON THE FLOOR.
IT'S UNCLEAR TO ME AT THIS POINT.
UH, I, I BELIEVE THE SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ WAS ASKING FOR A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO THAT MOTION.
UH, SHE COULD ALSO DO A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, UM, TO ADDRESS IT.
UM, AND IF YOU WANTED TO ADD A THIRD OPTION, UM, I, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU SCRAPPING YOUR ORIGINAL MOTION, PULLING YOUR ORIGINAL MOTION BACK IF YOU WANTED TO DO, UM, SOMETHING AKIN TO WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW AND SEPARATING, SEPARATING THE TWO CONCEPTS.
UM, BUT I THINK AT THIS POINT WE NEED TO GET SOME CLARITY ON WHETHER SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ WANTS TO DO A SUBSTITUTE MOTION
[01:20:04]
VERSUS, UM, TRYING TO GET YOU TO MODIFY YOUR ORIGINAL MOTION.- RIGHT, BECAUSE I THINK THE, THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE HERE IS, YOU KNOW, THE LANGUAGE AROUND, UM, NOT ALLOWING PEOPLE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.
I THINK THAT'S [CROSSTALK] - YEAH, AND I, I, I THINK, I THINK WHAT, WHAT, WHAT I UNDERSTOOD UH, SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ TO BE ASKING IS, CAN, CAN THE BOARD JUST GO WITH STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION AND ADD A SENTENCE ON TO THE END THAT SAYS ALL OF THIS, BASICALLY ALL OF THIS IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR TO MODIFY AS THE CHAIR DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
AND, UM, UH, IF, IF, IF YOU WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT THAT WOULD BE THE MOTION.
I THINK STAFF UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
AND YOU WOULD SEE ON THE NEXT AGENDA THE LANGUAGE AS THE, UH, BOARD MEMO RECOMMENDS WITH THAT ADDITIONAL SENTENCE THAT IT CAN BE MODIFIED AT THE CHAIR'S DISCRETION AS THE CHAIR DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
- I'M GONNA BRING IT BACK TO, UH, SUPERVISOR, UH, MARTINEZ BUT I JUST WANNA SAY THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE, THE, THE MAJORITY OF OUR BANDWIDTH IS NOT REALLY ON PUBLIC COMMENT SIDE, BUT ALSO WE HAVE TO TAKE PART OURSELVES, UH, FOR US ON THIS SIDE OF THE DIAS, WE'RE TAKING, UH, SPENDING A GOOD CHUNK OF THAT BANDWIDTH THAT WE HAVE.
UM, I, I THINK THIS ITEM IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE.
WE HAVE A SCHEDULED ITEM FOR 10:45, WHICH WE PROBABLY WON'T MAKE, AND WE HAVE WORKERS WAITING TO SPEAK, UH, ON OUR FIRST, UH, REGULAR AGENDA ITEM.
SO THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE NEED TO CLEAR UP.
SO SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ? - WELL, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND I WAS WONDERING IF SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS WAS GOING TO ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT OR I CAN ALSO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION - YEAH, I THINK THE REASON WHY I'M LESS INCLINED IS BECAUSE THE MOTION THAT I'M TRYING TO PROVIDE WILL GIVE THE CHAIR FLEXIBILITY AND PERSONALLY, DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE VOTING ON ELIMINATING PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO COMMENT ON REGULAR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
BUT IF THE CHAIR WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT HAS BEEN OUTLINED HERE, THE DIRECTION THAT I'M PROVIDING WILL ALLOW THE CHAIR TO BRING BACK.
UM, IF HE WANTS TO CHANGE IT OR IF THE CHAIR OR ANYBODY WHO BECOMES THE CHAIR WANTS TO CHANGE THIS PROCESS, THEY'RE ABLE TO DO SO.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING TO BUILD IN THE FLEXIBILITY TO ALLOW FOR THE CHANGES TO BE MADE AS THE CHAIR WANTS TO MAKE THEM.
BUT THEN IT DOESN'T, FOR EXAMPLE, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE VOTING ON ELIMINATING THE COMMENTS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT ON REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS. SO IT'S TRYING TO BE A HAPPY COMPROMISE HERE TO ALLOW THE CHANGES TO BE MADE WITHOUT BOARD MEMBERS HAVING TO VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT THEY DON'T FEEL IS APPROPRIATE.
UM, I AM ALSO SEEKING COMPROMISE HERE.
SO I THINK, UM, I THINK I'M COMFORTABLE TRYING THIS.
UM, I'M HEARING COMFORT FROM THE CHAIR.
UM, AND SO I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS WITH AN ADDITION OF ADDING THIS PROCESS IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR AT THE END OF THE LANGUAGE OUTLINED IN THE BOARD, IN THE STAFF REPORT OR THE BOARD REPORT. THANK YOU.
- AND CAN STAFF HAVE A LITTLE FLEXIBILITY ON THAT LANGUAGE ON THAT LAST SENTENCE SO THAT WE'RE NOT...
- YES. - ...NOT PUTTING IT IN VERBATIM THE WAY YOU JUST READ IT? OKAY. - THANK YOU.
- THANK YOU. SO WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ AND A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR KOENIG.
IF WE COULD TAKE ROLL CALL VOTE.
MOTION PASSES ONE DISSENTING VOTE FOR SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS.
I'M GONNA LOOK AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL BECAUSE IT IS 10:30 AND WE DO HAVE THE SCHEDULE ITEM FOR 10:45.
AND WE HAVE A LONG AGENDA ITEM FOR THE REGULAR AGENDA, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, SEVEN OR EIGHT, SEVEN.
- I THINK YOU COULD PROCEED WITH ITEM SEVEN AT THIS POINT AND WE WILL HOLD THE 10:45 SCHEDULED ITEM RIGHT AFTER ITEM SEVEN - OKAY. - YEAH.
[7. Consider status report on closure of Health Services Agency Radiology and Laboratory services]
- NEXT WE HAVE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7.[01:25:06]
CONSIDER THE STATUS REPORT ON CLOSURE OF HEALTH SERVICES, AGENCY, RADIOLOGY AND LABORATORY SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICE AGENCIES.- GOOD MORNING. - I'LL TURN IT OVER TO CONNIE MORENO BARRAZA, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY, JANE HERRERA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY, AND AMY PEELER, HEALTH CENTERS DIVISION CHIEF FOR THE PRESENTATION.
- GOOD MORNING, CHAIR HERNANDEZ AND THE REST OF THE MEMBERS OF BOARD.
GOOD MORNING, WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE YOU A STATUS REPORT ON THE STAFF LAYOFFS AND RADIOLOGY LABORATORY ALTERNATIVE SERVICES.
ON JUNE 10TH, 2025, YOUR BOARD ACCEPTED HSA'S BUDGET WITH A DELETION OF 74.4 FTE POSITIONS, 11.6 FTE OF WHICH WERE FILLED.
FUNDING WAS PROVIDED TO HSA TO SUPPORT AN EXTENSION OF OUR LAB AND RADIOLOGY SERVICES THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH.
AND HSA WAS DIRECTED TO RETURN BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH WITH ALTERNATIVES AND AN UPDATE ON THE STAFF LAYOFFS.
SO FIRST A REVIEW OF THE STAFFING UPDATES.
THE STAFF LAYOFFS AS OF AUGUST 20TH, '25, WE HAVE HERE THE 12 STAFF IMPACTED OR THE 11.6 FTE WAS ACTUALLY DIVIDED BETWEEN OUR HEALTH CENTERS AND OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOLDING 4.0 FTE OR FOUR STAFF AND OUR HEALTH CENTERS HOLDING EIGHT STAFF COVERING 7.6 FTE.
OF THE 12 STAFF IMPACTED, UH, AS OF LATE AUGUST, SIX HAVE HAD FOUND COUNTY PLACEMENT.
ONE STILL IS SEEKING COUNTY PLACEMENT.
ONE HAS RESIGNED IN LIEU OF PLACEMENT.
AND TWO, UH, STAFF WILL BE LAID OFF EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30TH DUE TO OUR INABILITY TO PLACE THEM DUE TO PAY PREFERENCE.
AND SUPPORTING THE STAFF HAS BEEN IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR COUNTY HR.
BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO OUR CHIEF OF HEALTH CENTERS, AMY PEELER I WANNA PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT OF THE LANDSCAPE OF WHICH OUR HEALTH CENTER DIVISION LIVES IN, WHICH IS THE HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY.
THIS GRAPH HERE IS SOMETHING YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE.
THIS WAS INCLUDED IN OUR BUDGET PRESENTATION.
IT'S OUR DEPARTMENT'S OPERATING BUDGET INCREASES IN NET COUNTY COSTS OVER SPAN OF 10 YEARS.
THE BLUE BARS INDICATE THE NON-COUNTY REVENUE.
THE ORANGE BARS INDICATE THE GENERAL FUND OR NET COUNTY COSTS.
AND WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS JUST A RISING COST OF EXPENSES OVER TIME AND THE CONTINUED NON-RELIANCE ON GENERAL FUND.
SO AS MUCH AS WE CAN AS A DEPARTMENT BEING ONE OF THE LARGEST OR THE LARGEST DEPARTMENT IN THE AGENCY IN THE COUNTY SYSTEM, WE REALLY TRY TO BE AS SELF-SUFFICIENT AS WE CAN WITH OUR OPERATING EXPENSES BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE ISN'T ENOUGH GENERAL FUND TO REALLOCATE BACK TO OUR SERVICES.
SO THIS IS THE LANDSCAPE THAT OUR HEALTH CENTERS IS LIVING IN.
AS YOU SEE IN THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, 25/26, WE'RE ACTUALLY STARTING TO SEE A REVERSE TREND OF OUR OPERATIONS BECAUSE WE ARE STARTING TO DECREASE BASED ON THE EXPECTED IMPACTS OF OUR BUDGET.
OUR BUDGET IN THIS BLUE AREA IS PRIMARILY MEDI-CAL REIMBURSEMENTS, GRANTS, FEES, UM, AND FINES COLLECTED IN STATE ALLOCATIONS.
THIS, UH, MEDI-CAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AND STATE ALLOCATIONS IS REALLY WHAT HAS HELPED SUBSIDIZE THE BUDGET OVERAGES IN OUR HEALTH CENTERS.
AND WE HAVE NEW PRESSURES ADDED ONTO THAT SAFETY NET FUNDING.
ONE OF THOSE PRESSURES INCLUDE, UH, IS RELATED TO OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFERS.
IT'S ALSO KNOWN AS THE VOLUNTARY RATE RANGE PROGRAM.
THIS IS FUNDING WE RECEIVED FROM THE STATE VIA CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH THAT SUPPORTS MEDI-CAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND STARTING THIS YEAR, THIS FUNDING ALLOCATION IS NOW SPLIT BETWEEN US AND THE PAJARO VALLEY HEALTHCARE DISTRICT AS ANOTHER PUBLIC ENTITY NOW SUPPORTING MEDI-CAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO WE HAVE LESS OF THAT FUNDING COMING IN, WHICH HAS BEEN THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF SUBSIDY FOR OUR HEALTH CENTERS.
WE'RE ALSO, AS THE BOARD IS VERY WELL INFORMED, WE DO HAVE LOW CALAIM REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS. SO THIS IS ANOTHER PULL ON OUR SAFETY NET INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE ARE LASTLY, WE'RE FUNDING MULTIPLE, WHAT I'M CALLING STARTUPS SO OUR HOPE FORWARD PROGRAM, THE NEW YOUTH CRISIS CENTER, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BRIDGE HOUSING IS ANOTHER NEW PROJECT AND WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HAS BEEN A CONTINUED PRIORITY
[01:30:01]
FOR OUR AGENCY TO HELP SUPPORT IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN.UM, AND WITH ANY STARTUP, NEED INITIAL FUNDING AND THEN YOU HAVE TO FIGURE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME SAFETY NET OF FUNDING TO SUPPORT IT AS IT GETS STOOD UP AND, UM, UNTIL IT REACHES ITS OWN SORT SUSTAINABILITY PROCESS.
SO WITH THAT, THAT'S THE LANDSCAPE THAT THE HEALTH CENTERS, UH, DIVISION IS LIVING IN AND SOMETHING IN WHICH IS WHY WE'VE LOOKED AT OUR HEALTH CENTERS AT MAKING SOME ADJUSTMENTS IN ORDER TO, UM, THINK BROADLY ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT THIS FUNDING SOURCE, NOT JUST FOR THE HEALTH CENTERS INFRASTRUCTURE BUT FOR OUR HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE BROADLY IN THE COUNTY.
AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO CHIEF PEELER.
THANK YOU BOARD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT BACK.
SO TO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT OUR HEALTH CENTERS AND WHAT THE TREND HAS BEEN LIKE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THIS GRAPH, OUR EXPENSES RISE AT A QUICKER RATE THAN OUR REVENUE DOES.
AND WE'VE DONE TREMENDOUS WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR TO CLOSE THIS GAP, BUT WE CONTINUE TO SEE OUR EXPENSES RISE AT A FASTER RATE THAN OUR RATE FOR SERVICES.
THIS IS THE GRAPH OF MOST OF THE FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS IN CALIFORNIA.
WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING THIS CUT IN MARGINS OF REVENUE.
AND WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME TRULY SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL HITS WITH CHANGES TO MEDI-CAL AT BOTH THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL.
SO AS WE DEVELOPED OUR PROPOSAL, OUR GOALS WERE TO MAINTAIN ACCESS AND QUALITY OF CARE TO OUR PATIENTS, TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS BY MITIGATING FUTURE FINANCIAL RISKS AND CURRENT FINANCIAL STRAINS LIKE JEN JUST SHOWED US, AND TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT ON OUR STAFF.
SO WE LOOKED AT ALL AREAS OF THE HEALTH CENTERS DIVISIONS, AND WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO COME WITH ALTERNATIVES.
SO THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE DO IN THE HEALTH CENTERS.
OUR MISSION, OUR PRIMARY MISSION IS PRIMARY CARE FOR MEDI-CAL AND INDIGENT POPULATIONS.
AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO BY OUR FEDERAL OVERSIGHT AGENCY, WHICH IS HRSA OR THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND SERVICES AGENCY ADMINISTRATION.
AS WE DELVED INTO ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT SERVICES, LAB AND RADIOLOGY STOOD OUT.
THEY ARE ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR PRIMARY CARE, BUT THERE ARE OPTIONS TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES TO PATIENTS IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO RECONFIGURING THESE SERVICES HAVE THE GREATEST SAVINGS AND THE LEAST IMPACT ON THE NUMBER OF STAFF LAYOFFS.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, THEY HAVE GREAT VALUE TO OUR PATIENTS.
SO TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS AS IT RELATES TO LAB FOR OUR PATIENTS A PATIENT, THIS IS CURRENT, THIS IS THE WAY OUR EXISTING MODEL IS, A PATIENT COMES IN TO ANY OF OUR CLINICS AT EMELINE IN WATSONVILLE, OUR STAFF DRAW THE BLOOD AND IT GETS SENT TO QUEST DIAGNOSTICS.
AND THERE'S ABOUT A ONE TO TWO DAY TURNAROUND.
AND THIS IS HISTORICALLY HOW WE'VE DONE IT AND CURRENTLY HOW WE DO IT AT OUR WATSONVILLE AND OUR EMELINE HEALTH CENTERS.
AT HPHP, TRADITIONALLY, HISTORICALLY, THE STAFF THERE DRAW BLOOD AND THEN IT GETS SENT TO QUEST.
AND THAT ALSO IS HOW THAT WORKS AT JUVENILE HALL WHERE WE PROVIDE CARE FOR THE YOUTH IN JUVENILE HALL.
SO ON THE RIGHT, YOU'LL SEE THE IMPACTS TO OUR BUDGET AND TO OUR STAFF.
AND AS PART OF THIS, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER HOW THE HEALTH CENTERS LAB SUPPORTS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ALSO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
AS WE LOOK TO WHAT THE REDESIGN COULD LOOK LIKE.
[01:35:01]
WE, UM, I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT AS OF THE APPROVAL OF HSA'S BUDGET BACK IN JUNE, INCLUDING THE CLOSURE OF LAB AND X-RAY AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, UM, WE BEGAN WORKING WITH QUEST TO ESTABLISH AN AGREEMENT NOT FOR SERVICES, BUT FOR THE SPACE, THE COUNTY SPACE IN WHICH THEY WOULD PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR PATIENTS.SO IT IS A NEW MODEL, THE LAB PROCESSING TIME WE ANTICIPATE WILL BE THE SAME AS QUEST ALWAYS HAS BEEN FOR US.
AND LIKE I SAID EARLIER, THERE ARE SOME CONSIDERATIONS.
OF OUR SIX LABORATORY STAFF, ONLY TWO REMAIN IN THEIR POSITIONS AND ONE OF THOSE TWO WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
FUNCTIONALLY WE DON'T HAVE UH, A LAB EVERY DAY IN THE WAY THAT WE DID BEFORE JUNE.
SO AS WE LOOK AT THE EXISTING MODEL FOR RADIOLOGY, THE PATIENT COMES IN, WE CAN PROVIDE X-RAYS AT BOTH EMELINE AND OUR WATSONVILLE HEALTH CENTERS, AND THEN THEY GO INTO THE PATIENT'S HEALTH RECORD, WHICH IN OUR CASE IS EPIC.
IF THERE ARE OTHER NEEDS FOR RADIOLOGY, ULTRASOUND, CT, MRI, ET CETERA, THEY ARE REFERRED AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN REFERRED OFF SITE TO VARIOUS RADIOLOGY GROUPS, HOSPITALS, ET CETERA.
AND THEN THEY COME INTO US, INTO OUR HEALTH RECORD FROM THERE.
AND AGAIN, ON THE RIGHT, YOU CAN SEE THE COSTS TO OUR BUDGET, THE STAFFING AND CONSIDERATIONS THAT WE MADE.
WE HAVE, IT IS HIGH COST FOR THE NUMBER OF FTES WE HAVE.
AND THROUGH CALENDAR YEAR 2024, WE DID SEE AN INCREASE IN X-RAYS OF OVER 3000, BUT THIS IS STILL AT ABOUT 20% OF WHAT AN OUTPATIENT BENCHMARK CAPACITY IS.
- WE ALSO WANT TO JUST HIGHLIGHT THE UNIQUE VALUE THAT RADIOLOGY DOES HAVE WITHIN THE HEALTH CENTERS BECAUSE THIS IS A RADIOLOGY THAT IS INTERNAL TO A PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.
MOST COUNTY RESIDENTS, UM, IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH TUBERCULOSIS ARE MANAGED BY OUR HEALTH CENTERS.
SO THERE'S BEEN DEFINITELY SOME UTILITY THERE OF HAVING AN IN-HOUSE RADIOLOGY.
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN EMBEDDED RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, BUT USUALLY THEY DO HAVE SOME SORT OF PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, WHETHER IT'S INTERNALLY OR WITH A PARTNERSHIP WITH ANOTHER HEALTH SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT PATIENTS WITH COMMUNICABLE DISEASES LIKE TUBERCULOSIS, WHICH REQUIRES SOME FREQUENT, UM, RADIOLOGY NEEDS ARE SEEN.
WE ARE ALSO THE LOCAL, JUST TO BE TRANSPARENT, WE ARE ALSO THE ONLY LOCAL SAFETY NET CLINIC WITH AN EMBEDDED ORTHO SPECIALTY.
AND OF OUR RADIOLOGY, SPECIFICALLY X-RAY REFERRALS, 2024, ABOUT 11.6% OF THOSE RADIOLOGY REFERRALS CAME FROM OUR ORTHO.
AND WE DO, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY, BASED ON DATA, MEDI-CAL DATA SHARED WITH US FROM CENTRAL CALIFORNIA FOR ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH, THAT OUR COUNTY HEALTH CENTER PATIENTS DO HAVE HIGHER ACUITIES SPECIFICALLY WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS COMPARED TO OTHER HEALTH CENTERS.
SO WE DO WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT THAT THERE IS HIGH VALUE OF HAVING AN IN-HOUSE RADIOLOGY SERVICE.
UM, HOWEVER, WHAT WE ARE BALANCING IS THE FACT THAT WE DO HAVE PRETTY LOW UTILIZATION BASED ON THE AMOUNT, THE FUNDING AMOUNT IN ALL THE ADDITIONAL PRESSURES ON HEALTH CENTERS AND OUR HEALTH SYSTEM THAT MENTIONED BEFORE.
UH, THE OTHER THING WE'LL MENTION TOO IS THAT WE ALSO HAVE CAPACITY IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR X-RAYS.
WHERE WE DON'T HAVE CAPACITY ARE MORE OF THE HIGHER NEEDS, UH, IMAGING SERVICES LIKE CT, ULTRASOUNDS, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
FOR X-RAYS, OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE SAID THAT THERE IS CAPACITY, BUT WE DO WANNA BE TRANSPARENT THAT THIS WOULD REQUIRE DIFFERENT WORKFLOW, UM, WHICH I BELIEVE, UH, CHIEF PEELER WILL GO INTO IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES.
- THIS IS OUT OF ORDER, BUT THIS IS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW IS SHOWING BACK TO OUR LAB SERVICES, WHAT WILL CHANGE.
SO WHAT WILL CHANGE IS THAT AT EMELINE AND WATSONVILLE, IT WILL BE QUEST WHO IS DRAWING THE BLOOD.
UM, AND OUR STAFF WILL AT HPHP AND JUVENILE HALL
[01:40:05]
WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE BLOOD THAT GETS DRAWN GETS TO QUEST.SO THE REDESIGN WE'RE LOOKING AT IS HAVING PATIENTS BE OFF SITE FOR THEIR RADIOLOGY.
AND THEIR RESULTS WILL COME IN TO OUR ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD.
AND IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT CONNECTION WITH THE PROVIDER OF THE X-RAY, WE WILL ASK PATIENTS TO COME BACK TO US WITH A CD OR A DISC.
BUT IDEALLY WE WOULD LIKE IT TO ALL BE ELECTRONIC AND COME BACK INTO OUR SYSTEM.
SO THE COST TO US IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE COST TO US IS NOW AS IT REFERS TO PAYING FOR THOSE SERVICES.
SO THE OUTSIDE PROVIDERS WILL BE ABLE TO BILL MEDI-CAL OR ANY OTHER INSURANCE A PATIENT MIGHT HAVE.
AND IF A PATIENT IS UNINSURED, IT IS OUR REQUIREMENT AS A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER TO MAKE SURE THAT PATIENT IS ABLE TO GET THEIR X-RAYS, UH, EVEN IF THAT MEANS WE PAY FOR IT.
AND THAT IS THE WAY IT IS NOW AND THAT IS THE WAY IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE.
SO IN THIS SCENARIO, WE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY HSA STAFF AND THE CONSIDERATIONS WE LOOKED AT WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS CAPACITY AND THAT WE DO HAVE THE LOGISTICS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
- SO PART OF THE DIRECTION TO THE HSA STAFF WAS TO WORK WITH STAFF IMPACTED ON ALTERNATIVES TO MAINTAIN SERVICES.
SO WE DID COORDINATE WITH SEIU AND OUR COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES.
UH, ON JUNE 10TH, OUR COUNTY HR DIRECTOR DID REACH OUT TO SEIU RIGHT AWAY.
WE DID COORDINATE AND SCHEDULE A MEETING WHICH WAS HELD ON JULY 17TH.
AND SINCE THAT MEETING, WE'VE CORRESPONDED FORMALLY THROUGH MEMOS.
SO THAT FORMAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED AS ATTACHMENTS IN THE BOARD ITEM.
BUT I DID PULL OUT ON THIS SLIDE SPECIFICALLY THE REVENUE GROWTH STRATEGIES VERBATIM THAT WAS PROPOSED TO US FROM OUR CIU STAFF.
UM, SO IN GENERAL, WE DID TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND BASED ON THE REVENUE GENERATION, THERE'S SOME CONCERN OF HOW IT WOULD BE PRETTY MINIMAL CONSIDERING THE LARGE AMOUNT OF FUNDING OR THE FUNDING GAP THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CLOSE.
UM, AND THE HEALTH CENTER DOES HAVE AN ONGOING DEFICIT FOR MANY YEARS.
AND IT'S BEEN SUBSIDIZED BY THE SAFETY NET FUNDING THAT AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, HAS ADDITIONAL NEW PRESSURES ON.
UH, ALSO, HEALTH CENTER'S PRIMARY MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE MEDI-CAL AND UN OR UNDERINSURED POPULATION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO COMPETE WITH OTHER HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS. WE'RE REALLY MEANT TO BE A SAFETY NET PROGRAM.
AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE WERE KEEPING IN MIND AS WE REVIEWED THE PROPOSALS.
HEALTH CENTERS, UH, WHAT ELSE WAS IN THE PROPOSAL WAS A RECOMMENDATION TO LOOK AT EXPANDING OUR ORTHO SPECIALTY WHICH WE ARE LOOKING INTO AND WE ARE, UH, WORKING WITH OUR OTHER FQHC PARTNERS TO SEE LIKE WHAT THE POTENTIAL SPACE COULD LOOK LIKE TO GET AGAIN IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE MEDI-CAL AND UNINSURED POPULATIONS.
HEALTH CENTERS IS EXPLORING PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER SAFETY NET PARTNERS.
WE HAVE ENGAGED WITH THE OTHER SAFETY NETS TO SEE HOW MANY REFERRALS WE COULD LOOK AT FOR X-RAYS IF THEY WERE GOING TO REFER PATIENTS FOR X-RAYS.
AGAIN, THERE IS CAPACITY IN THE COMMUNITY, SO THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY WHERE THE NEED WAS, BUT THEY ABSOLUTELY WERE WILLING TO HELP AND SUPPORT.
IT WOULD STILL BE PRETTY MINIMAL TO, UM, IN TERMS OF THE VOLUME WE WOULD SEE EVEN IF WE HAD, UM, INVITED OUR SAFETY NET PARTNERS TO REFER X-RAYS TO US.
AND, UH, THE PROPOSAL OF INCREASING REVENUE THROUGH PROVIDER BILLING REALLY IS THE MOST IMPACTFUL.
THIS IS THE PRIMARY REVENUE SOURCE FOR OUR FQHCS, OUR FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER.
HOWEVER, OUR CURRENT PRODUCTIVITY IS LOW.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY GETTING BETTER THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF STAFF.
UM, BUT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH THAT'S GOING TO SEE REVENUE GENERATION IMMEDIATELY.
THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGE MANAGEMENT INVOLVED
[01:45:01]
AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORKING CONDITIONS ARE THE STAFF ARE SUPPORTED IN THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY.AND SO LAB AND RADIOLOGY, THIS REDESIGN OF SERVICES AS CHIEF PEELER MENTIONED, THESE ARE ESSENTIAL.
WE CANNOT DO PRIMARY CARE WITHOUT LAB RADIOLOGY.
WE ARE JUST DOING IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
AND SO THIS REDESIGN IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR HEALTH CENTERS.
IT ALLOWS FOR FLEXIBILITY OF THE SAFETY NET DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE IMPACTS THAT HASN'T EVEN HIT US YET, AND WASN'T EVEN FULLY A CONSIDERATION AT THE TIME OF THIS PROPOSAL, BUT WE KNOW IS COMING AND WE HAVE SOME ESTIMATES OF POTENTIALLY IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HITTING US THIS YEAR AND ONGOING YEARS.
AND WE DO, ONE OF THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR STAFF WAS THE DESIRE TO COLLABORATE ON SOME SOLUTIONS.
AND WE DO WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH STAFF.
AND SPECIFICALLY, WE WANNA COLLABORATE WITH STAFF ON HOW TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING, OUR CORE MISSION OF PRIMARY CARE.
SO HOW DO WE ACTUALLY SUSTAIN HEALTH CENTERS IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, ESPECIALLY KNOWING IF AS AN AGENCY WE HAVE TO, HAVE CLARITY ON WHAT OUR MANDATES ARE, HAVING AN FQHC IS NOT A MANDATE FOR OUR COUNTY TO RUN.
AS DIRECTOR PEELER MENTIONED, ONLY ABOUT 7% OF CALIFORNIA COUNTIES HOLD AN FQHC, UH, HEALTH CENTER.
AND WE SEE THAT THERE'S SUCH A NEED FOR PRIMARY CARE.
AND SO THAT IS OUR PRIMARY MISSION AND SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH STAFF ON FIGURING OUT SOLUTIONS FOR HOW DO WE MAINTAIN PRIMARY CARE.
AND INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BECAUSE THAT IS ALSO HIGH NEEDS OF OUR SPECIFIC PATIENT POPULATION.
SO WITH THAT, UM, THESE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS OF CONSIDERING THIS REPORT AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
- THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS US ON THIS ITEM.
- GOOD MORNING. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
THE REASON THAT I CAME HERE, I WAS NOT AWARE ABOUT THE AGENDA.
I JUST CAME BACK FROM THE DOCTOR.
I HAD A SMALL ACCIDENT AND I HAD A X-RAY THIS MORNING.
AND I HAVE BEEN USING THE CLINIC FOR MANY YEARS AND I WAS EXTREMELY SHOCKED TO UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE NEWS.
AND HEAR YOUR, UH, EXPLANATION, I COULD NOT GRASP THE WHOLE INFORMATION, IS NOT, UH, FOR ME OR FOR MANY PEOPLE PROBABLY.
THIS IS A PREVENTION BECAUSE YOU FEEL THAT THE FUTURE IS COMING WHERE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE MONEY ALLOCATED OR, UH, AS YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE STUFF, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IF IT MAYBE IS THE LACK OF STAFF TO, UH, BE ABLE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AS IS.
AND ALSO, UH, YOU MENTIONED AS WELL AS THE POSSIBILITY OF YOU HAVE A REFER JOB TO THE CLINIC AND THEREFORE THERE IS A REVENUE CAN BE CREATED TO, UH, CLOSE THIS GAP.
UM, AND WHAT KIND OF A CONCERN IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS SO WELL DONE AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST FOR US TO TERMINATE IT AND GO TO QUEST THAT IS A GREAT VENDOR, BUT IT WOULD BE A DISASTER TO BE, I KNOW QUEST VERY WELL.
THEY ARE VERY GOOD, BUT IN TERMS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY IS GONNA BE A DISSERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AND IT'S TOO SOON FOR YOU GUYS TO BE CLOSING THE END OF THE MONTH.
I THINK THIS COULD BE SOMETHING TO BE DISCUSSED AND WE NEEDED TO DO A PETITION...
- THANK YOU. - ... FOR THE PUBLIC.
- GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY APOLOGIES FOR MY FRUSTRATION.
UM, IT'S BEEN A ROUGH WEEK WITH, UH, MHCAN CLOSING THEIR DOORS UNEXPECTEDLY.
WE'VE LOST PLANNED PARENTHOOD.
WE ARE BLEEDING SERVICES LEFT AND RIGHT.
AND I UNDERSTAND, AS I'VE BEEN HERE TWICE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD DIRECTED HSA LEADERSHIP TO SUGGEST ALTERNATIVES.
AND I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED BECAUSE I'M STILL NOT SEEING ALTERNATIVES BEING PROPOSED.
[01:50:02]
THE ONLY ALTERNATIVES THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN THIS PRESENTATION ARE THE ALTERNATIVES THAT WE PRESENTED.AND THERE ARE GOOD REASONS WHY SOME OF THOSE MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH UM, BUT SEIU AS ALWAYS PUTS OUT THE CALL THAT WE ASK FOR HSA LEADERSHIP TO WORK WITH US IN DEVISING ALTERNATIVES, NOT JUST FINDING REASONS WHY THE ALTERNATIVES THAT WE SUGGEST ARE INSUFFICIENT.
WE ARE GOING INTO UNPRECEDENTED TERRITORY AND IN JUST THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'VE SEEN MASSIVE LOSS IN PUBLIC SERVICES.
YOU HAVE A CHANCE HERE TO PROTECT REMAINING PUBLIC SERVICES AND TO INSIST THAT YOUR EARLIER ORDERS ARE FOLLOWED AND THAT ALTERNATIVES ARE PRESENTED.
I ASK YOU PLEASE USE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
PROTECT PUBLIC SERVICES, PROTECT SANTA CRUZ.
- IS THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? - YES, THANK YOU.
UM, BECKY STEINBRENNER, I ALSO FOUND THIS A LITTLE CONFUSING AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN BE A COST SAVING THING WHEN I THINK I HEARD THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT THE SAME TO HAVE QUEST DO THIS SERVICE AS IT WOULD FOR, UH, THE CURRENT SEIU EMPLOYEES.
SO THAT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.
AND I ALSO IN THINKING ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, OF GREAT CONCERN ABOUT SOMEONE COMING IN AND BEING TOLD THAT THEY HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, WHEN MAYBE THEY CAN'T, WHEN MAYBE THAT'S JUST TOO MUCH FOR THEM TO DO.
AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS? SO, UM, I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD CONTINUE THIS ITEM.
I DON'T THINK THAT THINGS SHOULD BE CLOSED DOWN.
I THINK YOU SHOULD TALK, AS THE SPEAKER BEFORE ME IN A MEANINGFUL WAY WITH THOSE WHO ARE, UH, INVOLVED AND COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT SOLUTION.
- ANY FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE DAIS? PLEASE COME UP.
IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE, PLEASE COME UP BEHIND THIS GENTLEMAN.
- YEAH, THANK YOU. JUST A QUICK CLARIFICATION.
I WAS JUST LOOKING AT THE PROPOSED '25/'26 BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY WHICH SHOWS THE ACTUALS FOR THE HEALTH CENTERS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
AND IT SHOWS DIFFERENT NUMBERS THAN WHEN WAS PRESENTED ON THE GRAPH.
I GET WHAT YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFERS BUT ALSO IT SHOWS DIFFERENT NUMBERS, ON, UM, ON THE EXPENDITURES, NOT JUST THE REVENUES.
SO JUST CLARIFICATION ON WHERE THOSE DISCREPANCIES ARE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
CALL IN USER TWO, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
- YES, THERE'S A MASSIVE LOSS IN PUBLIC SERVICES DUE TO TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS.
THAT'S WHY I KIND OF CRINGE JUST NOW WHEN YOU HAVE PUT PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR RATHER THAN RULES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC WELL-BEING.
NEEDED SERVICES ARE BEING CUT WHILE MONEY GOES TO THE MILITARY.
UH, IT'S VERY, VERY DISTURBING AND DAMAGING.
REGARDING RADIOLOGY, I APPRECIATED THE REPORT GIVEN AND THAT SOME SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
RADIATION IS ACTUALLY A DANGEROUS, EXPENSIVE TECHNOLOGY NEEDED SOMETIMES, VERY OVERUSED, AND A CAUSE OF CANCER IS MEDICAL X-RAYS.
WE NEED TO KEEP STAFF AND HAVE MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HELP THAN THIS EXPENSIVE, DANGEROUS TECHNOLOGY.
CAT SCANS ARE, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY X-RAYS THEY'RE EQUIVALENT TO.
SO I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE CITIES AND COUNTIES DEMANDING THAT THE MONEY GOING TOWARDS THE MILITARY BE REDIRECTED TOWARDS OUR NEEDED PUBLIC SERVICES HERE.
SINCE THE CORE MISSION IS PRIMARY CARE, WE NEED TO HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO THAT.
[01:55:02]
AND WE ARE IN A DARK PERIOD IN THIS COUNTRY OF MILITARY DICTATORSHIP.- JASON, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE.
JASON, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO HEAR YOU.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE TRY MUTING AND UNMUTING YOURSELF.
I'M A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT FOR 10 YEARS WITH THE COUNTY CLINIC SYSTEM WORKING IN HOMELESS HEALTHCARE, PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER IN ADDICTION MEDICINE IN WATSONVILLE.
I HELPED PREPARE THE RESPONSE FROM SEIU AND HAVE WRITTEN A RECENT OP-ED IN THE NEWSPAPER, THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF THIS.
I'D ADD I'M ALSO BEING INVESTIGATED BY AJITA PATEL FROM WHAT THE ACTIONS I'VE TAKEN.
IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE BOARD TODAY, WHICH IS CONCERNING AND ILLUSTRATES THE NEED FOR A CHANGE IN THE CULTURE IN HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY TO ALLOW COLLABORATION WITH FRONTLINE STAFF FOR SERVICE IMPROVEMENT, WHICH IS WHAT OUR REPORT TO THE BOARD IS, UH, FOCUSING ON.
YOU ASKED US TO GIVE A DETAILED RESPONSE.
IN GOOD FAITH, WE'VE PUT EXTENSIVE WORK IN PREPARING DETAILED PROPOSALS THAT NOT ONLY IMPROVE REVENUE BUT EXPAND SERVICES.
WE CAN GENERATE TWO TO THREE TIMES THE REVENUE THROUGH IMPROVING SERVICES AND EXPANDING SERVICES THAT YOU CAN GENERATE BY OR THAT YOU CAN SAVE SUPPOSEDLY BY ELIMINATING SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE'VE DETAILED THAT IN OUR REPORT.
WE HAVE, UH, CAPACITY TODAY TO ADD TWO PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS TO THE EMILINE CLINIC, WHICH WOULD GENERATE ENOUGH REVENUE TO FUND LABS AND RADIOLOGY FOR THIS YEAR.
THE BOARD EASILY PASSED A MEASURE TODAY TO DO SO.
WE HAVE EXTENSIVE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT.
LABS ARE DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS RESPONDED TO THE COVID AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
WE SOON RESPONDED TO THE MEASLES OUTBREAK.
UM, ALL JANUS METHADONE PATIENTS IN SANTA CRUZ HAVE LABS DRAWN AT EMELINE HEALTH CENTER.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPENDS ON THEM CRITICALLY.
AND YOU HAVE TENS OF MILLIONS IN DOWNSTREAM COSTS IF YOU CAN PUT UP MORE BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO CARE FOR THESE PATIENTS.
PLEASE CONSIDER THE DOWNSTREAM COSTS AND THE GOOD FAITH ATTEMPT BY THE FRONTLINE STAFF TO COLLABORATE WITH YOU AS YOU REQUESTED US TO DO SO.
- KEVIN, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE.
SUPERVISORS, THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME TODAY.
RIGHT NOW, OUR COUNTY HEALTH CENTERS ARE FACING PAINFUL CUTS.
CLINICS ARE REDUCING HOURS, STAFF ARE BEING LAID OFF, AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING MY OWN MOTHER, ARE LOSING ACCESS TO THE MOST BASIC MEDICAL SERVICES THEY DEPEND ON.
THESE ARE NOT NUMBERS ON A BUDGET SHEET.
THESE ARE PEOPLE'S LIVES AND HEALTH AT STAKE.
YET AT THE JUNE RTC MEETING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SARAH CHRISTENSEN SAID THAT RAIL COULD BE MADE VIABLE IF WE PRIORITIZE THIS OVER OTHER NEEDS YOU CONTINUE TO REVIEW CONSTANT REPORTS FOR THIS PROJECT, BUT THE DRAFT ALREADY SHOWS IT'S NOT FEASIBLE.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, EVEN CONSIDERING A PUT IN RAIL AHEAD OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES- - WE'RE ON ITEM 8.
YES, THIS IS ABOUT FOCUSING ON WHAT WE NEED FOR THE COMMUNITY.
EVERY DOLLAR, EVERY OUNCE WE FOCUS ON.
CHASING A SPECULATIVE PROJECT IS ENERGY TAKEN AWAY FROM THINGS THAT MATTER TODAY, OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, PUBLIC SAFETY, HOUSING, AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
THESE ARE THE AREAS WHERE CUTS ARE HAPPENING TODAY, WHERE OUR COMMUNITY IS ALREADY FEELING THE PAIN.
I URGE YOU AS SUPERVISORS AND RTC COMMISSIONERS TO PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST, PROTECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS, KEEP OUR CLINICS OPEN, INVEST IN SERVICES THAT MAKE OUR COUNTY LIVABLE AND RESILIENT TODAY.
OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES LEADERS WHO PRIORITIZE PEOPLE OVER PROJECTS.
PLEASE SHOW US THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS THAT YOU ARE THOSE LEADERS.
- I SEE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE, CHAIR.
- THANK YOU. WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD STARTING TO MY RIGHT.
I HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I SAW ON THE LIST OF SERVICES WE PROVIDE IS ACUPUNCTURE.
AND I'M WONDERING ABOUT THAT COST.
HOW MUCH DOES ACUPUNCTURE COST OUR CLINIC? - ACUPUNCTURE IS ACTUALLY A MONEYMAKER FOR US BECAUSE IT IS MEDI-CAL REIMBURSABLE.
[02:00:01]
AND SO WE HAVE BOTH A, UH, PHYSICIAN WHO DOES ACUPUNCTURE AND THEN A DOCTOR OF CHINESE MEDICINE WHO ALSO DOES ACUPUNCTURE IN ALL THREE OF OUR CLINIC SITES.AND THEN WE WERE ABLE TO BILL EVERY ONE OF THOSE AND GET THE SAME RATE AS IF IT WAS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT OR A PSYCHIATRIST OR A DOCTOR OF OTHER MEANS.
- SO THAT PARTICULAR LINE ITEM IS SELF-SUSTAINING, IT SOUNDS LIKE. - YES.
- AND THEN, UM, I'D LIKE A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PV HEALTHCARE DISTRICT.
I DIDN'T REALIZE WE WERE SPLITTING, UH, MONEY.
SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM AND WHY NOW ARE WE SPLITTING IT WITH THE PV HEALTH DISTRICT? - SO THIS IS FROM THE STATE.
THIS INTERNALLY WE CALL IT INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFERS.
THE ALLIANCE CALLS IT VOLUNTARY RATE RANGE PROGRAM AS A PUBLIC HEALTHCARE DISTRICT, ARE ALLOWED TO GET SOME OF THIS FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS NOT DIRECT SERVICES, BUT MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
- AND HOW MUCH OF A LOSS WAS THAT TO OUR COUNTY CLINIC SYSTEM? I BELIEVE IT WILL BE A RAMP UP OF EVENTUALLY A LOSS OF 4 MILLION - FOR A YEAR? - YES.
- THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS.
- THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND THANK YOU STAFF, AND THANK YOU MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO COMMENTED ON THIS ITEM.
I GUESS I WANNA START ON PAGE NUMBERS, BUT THE SECOND TO LAST PAGE OF THE STAFF REPORT WHERE IT DISCUSSES THE EXPENDITURES.
AND SO FOR EXAMPLE, LABORATORY SERVICES WOULD BE ABOUT $1,137,600 AND GENERATE APPROXIMATELY 20,000 REVENUE.
AND THEN RADIOLOGY COSTING $393,851 AND GENERATE APPROXIMATELY $60,000 IN REVENUE.
HOW DO WE GET TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE HAD THESE SERVICES GOING ON FOR DECADES AND NOW WE'RE ONLY ABLE TO GENERATE SUCH SMALL AMOUNTS GIVEN THE EXPENSE? IT JUST SAYS, IT'S JUST...
I THINK IT'S REALLY CONFUSING, IT'S...
IT'S REALLY CONFUSING TO ME AND I THINK TO MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HOW WE'VE GOTTEN TO THIS POINT WHERE WE'RE, THERE'S SO MUCH HIGHER EXPENSE THAN THE REVENUE THAT WE'RE BRINGING IN.
SO I'M JUST WONDERING IF YOU ALL CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
- SURE. SO, UM, NOTHING REALLY HAS CHANGED ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH WE ARE ABLE TO BILL FOR THE LAB AND X-RAY SERVICES.
THE LAB AND X-RAY SERVICES ARE SEEN AS ANCILLARY.
UM, WHEN A PATIENT COMES IN AND THEY SEE THEIR PRIMARY CARE CLINICIAN OR THEIR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN OR ACUPUNCTURE OR THE DENTIST, WE ARE ABLE TO BILL OUR PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM RATE FOR THAT VISIT.
WHEN A PATIENT COMES IN WITHOUT A VISIT AND GETS AN X-RAY OR A LAB, WE'RE ABLE TO BILL FOR THAT AND, UH, AND WE GET A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THAT'S THE, THE 20,000 AND 60,000, YOU SEE.
UM, BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT OUR EXPENSES, UM, BY FAR OUR STAFF, OUR PEOPLE ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE PIECE OF OUR BUDGET, AND THAT IS INCREASING INFLATION FOR EVERYTHING WE DO IS INCREASING.
AND CERTAINLY THAT'S NOT, NOT GOING TO GET BETTER IN THE SHORT TERM.
SO OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN SUBSIDIZING THE LAB AND X-RAY, AND WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE STILL HAVE A DEFICIT.
WE'RE LOOKING AT BIGGER DEFICITS WITH THE FEDERAL AND STATE CHALLENGES WITH MEDI-CAL, AND USING OUR CONSIDERATIONS OF LEAST AMOUNT OF IMPACT TO STAFF AND PATIENTS, AND MOST POSITIVE IMPACT TO OUR BUDGET.
THAT'S HOW WE CAME TO THESE TWO SERVICES.
- THANK YOU. AND THEN I GUESS, UM, AND ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IS THAT BACK WHEN WE HAD, WHEN THE BOARD HAD TAKEN ACTION ON THIS ITEM, UM, ON JUNE 3RD AND JUNE 10TH, I THINK THE BOARD'S INTENT WAS REALLY TO HAVE STAFF COME BACK WITH OPTIONS FOR US TO CONSIDER.
AND I THINK PART OF WHY WE WANTED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH IS THAT SEPTEMBER 30TH IS OUR FINAL BUDGET HEARING.
AND THAT WE REALLY WANTED TO TRY TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE, UM, YOU KNOW, WE COULD HAVE STAFF WORKING WITH OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS SO THAT WE COULD TRY TO FIGURE OUT, UM, YOU KNOW, AN ALTERNATIVE BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW IT'S IMPORTANT
[02:05:03]
THESE SERVICES ARE, UM, AND FOR THE COMMUNITY AND REALLY WANTED TO FIGURE OUT IS THERE ANY WAY TO, TO MAINTAIN THESE? AND I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT, I MEAN, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WAS A MEETING WITH SEIU, THEY WERE TO PROVIDE OPTIONS AND MOST OF WHAT WE'VE HEARD IN RESPONSE IS WHY WE CAN'T DO THOSE THINGS AND HAVE TO TRANSITION TO CLOSURE.AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK FOR ME, I'M REALLY CONCERNED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT, UM, WITH SEIU AND THAT, THAT MAYBE THAT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND THAT, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY WANT TO SEE THESE SERVICES NOT JUST CONTINUED, BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY IF PRODUCTIVITY IS LOW INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN.
AND I GET IT THAT WE'RE MOVING INTO REALLY TOUGH TIMES, BUT I ALSO WANNA REMIND THE BOARD THAT WE DO HAVE A NEW HSA DIRECTOR.
I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO POTENTIALLY HAVE HER WORK WITH STAT, WITH SEIU FRONTLINE WORKERS, REALLY TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES.
AND SO WHEN THE TIME COMES, I'M INCLINED TO PROPOSE A MOTION UM, THAT MAYBE PROVIDES A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR HSA DIRECTOR TO WORK WITH OUR STAFF AND TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY TO CLOSE SOME OF THESE GAPS, BRING MORE PATIENTS IN AND MAINTAIN THESE SERVICES FOR OUR COUNTY.
BECAUSE I MEAN, IF WE CAN, AND, AND I GET THAT, UM, YOU KNOW ACUPUNCTURE IS A REVENUE GENERATING SERVICE, UM, BUT IT'S THAT, BUT, YOU KNOW, HAVING THAT SERVICE OVER SOMETHING LIKE X-RAYS AND BLOOD DRAWS, I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US IF PRODUCTIVITY IS LOW, TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN RAISE PRODUCTIVITY AND PROVIDE THESE SERVICES.
- THANK YOU, UH, SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ.
- THANK YOU FOR THE THOROUGH PRESENTATION.
UM, AND I JUST WANNA THANK THE HSA TEAM.
I ALSO WANNA THANK OUR LABOR PARTNERS.
UM, I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOU FOLKS AND REVIEW EVERY DETAIL THAT YOU SENT.
UM, SO I'VE REALLY APPRECIATED THE EFFORT.
UM, AND I'M LOOKING AT THIS AS SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW, WHO'S REALLY, I'VE COMMITTED MY LIFE TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENSURING THAT HEALTHCARE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE MOST, UM, VULNERABLE AND IN OPERATING THE, IN A REALLY CHALLENGING HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT.
UM, SO I'M, I'M WELL AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE AHEAD AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITHIN LIMITED RESOURCES.
IT'S, IT'S NEVER AN EASY PLACE TO BE.
UM, BUT I APPRECIATE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE.
AND, UM, AND I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M HEARING A LOT FROM, UH, KIND OF OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM, THE BROADER CONSTITUENCY ON LIKE KIND OF WHAT, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PREPARE FOR, UH, THE FEDERAL CHANGES AND, YOU KNOW, THE IMPACT OF HR1 AND THE ROLLBACK OF MEDI-CAL.
UM, AND SO I AM SEEING THIS CONVERSATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REALLY WHAT'S AHEAD.
UM, AND, UH, AND WHILE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REALLY DIFFICULT CONVERSATION TO HAVE NOW, I'M GLAD WE'RE HAVING IT NOW, UM, SO WE CAN JUST BE CLEAR AND, AND PROACTIVE WHERE WE CAN UM, AND, AND ENSURE THAT OUR CRITICAL AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES ARE SUSTAINABLE MOVING INTO THE FUTURE.
UM, I DO HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS, SO I HOPE WE CAN KIND OF JUMP INTO THOSE.
UM, YOU KNOW, THIS, THE REPORT, UM, AS SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS SHARED IT IT DIDN'T HAVE REALLY CLEAR ALTERNATIVES FOR US.
AND I'M, AND I'M WONDERING IF THAT'S BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, ARE THERE NO ALTERNATIVES? YOU KNOW, MY, MY QUESTION IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MANDATED SERVICES TO PROVIDE, AND ARE THERE OTHER NON-MANDATED SERVICES THAT WOULD BE ON THE TABLE, IF NOT THESE? UM, YOU SHOWED A SLIDE THAT HAD LIKE TWO COLOR SHADES OF BLUE AND, AND WAS THAT TRYING TO SHOW US THE WHAT'S MANDATED AND WHAT'S NOT? MAYBE YOU COULD GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE AND JUST SHOW US, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT WHEN YOU'RE THINKING, WHEN YOU SORT OF CALLED OUT BOTH LAB AND RADIOLOGY AS THE PLACE FOR CHANGES.
YES. SO WE DID LOOK AT ALL OF THESE AND WE DID REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTIONS FROM SEIU.
WE LOOKED INTO EACH OF THEM, AND THE FACT IS, WE DON'T HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE THAT SAVES US CLOSE TO $2 MILLION WITH ONLY EIGHT POSITIONS BEING AFFECTED ANY OTHER OF THESE BOXES THAT YOU SEE ARE EITHER A MANDATED,
[02:10:07]
WE'RE MANDATED TO HAVE AN ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD FOR EXAMPLE.UM, ANY OF THESE IF WE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE GOT RID OF, UM, HIV CASE MANAGEMENT, THAT WOULD BE LESS THAN $200,000.
NOT, NOT A BIG CHUNK THAT HELPS OUR BUDGET.
UM, IF WE GOT RID OF MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT, THAT WOULD BE, UM, THAT WOULD HURT OUR BUDGET ACTUALLY, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL WITH THAT PROGRAM.
AND OUR PROGRAMS CHANGE AS, AS OUR WORLD CHANGES AND AS HEALTHCARE NEEDS CHANGE.
WHEN I STARTED 14 YEARS AGO, WE DID NOT HAVE MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT.
AND A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN THAT TIME THAT HAS CREATED THE NEED FOR THAT, AND IT'S A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.
SO IT, AGAIN, WHEN WE LOOKED AT THESE SERVICES AND WE LOOKED AT WHAT ALTERNATIVES WE COULD PROVIDE, AND WE LOOKED INTO EVERY ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES THAT WERE PRESENTED TO US, THERE ISN'T AN ALTERNATIVE THAT, UM, HAS LESS OF AN IMPACT ON POSITION ELIMINATION AND LESS OF AN IMPACT ON PATIENTS AND OUT BUDGET.
- AND I'LL, I'LL ADD THAT, UH, THE HEALTH CENTERS WAS, UH, KEEPING IN MIND HOW TO MAINTAIN ALL OF OUR HEALTH CENTERS TO BE SUSTAINABLE.
UM, THE WAY OUR, WE HAVE MULTIPLE HEALTH CENTERS, UM, SOME, UH, PERFORM BETTER IN TERMS OF THE REVENUE.
SOME NEED TO BE SUBSIDIZED, YOU KNOW SUCH AS OUR HPHP SERVICES, AND THAT'S, UM, THAT'S A REALITY WE ACCEPT AND WE TAKE A BIG PICTURE VIEW ON IN TERMS OF HOW WE SPREAD OUT RESOURCES.
SO IN THIS ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW, UM, TO BE TRANSPARENT, WE ARE LOOKING AT CONSOLIDATION OF CLINICS.
WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? WE'RE HOLDING ON A, UH, BACK FILLING OF A HEALTH CENTER MANAGER POSITION IN EMILINE HEALTH CENTER UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT THAT QUESTION.
SO WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW DO WE, HOW DO WE WORK SMARTER WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, WHICH TYPICALLY INCLUDES SOME SORT OF A DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING BUSINESS, A DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING MANAGEMENT, CONSOLIDATING MANAGEMENT RESOURCES.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S A POTENTIAL OF, UM, CONSOLIDATING CLINICS.
AND TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT, REALLY CONSIDERING IS THIS DO, ARE WE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS AS A BUSINESS WITHIN A COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM? LIKE DO WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN PRIMARY CARE, UM, TO THE LEVEL THAT WE HAVE.
UM, YOU KNOW, SO ALL, ALL THOSE CONSIDERATIONS AND, AND WHAT CHIEF PEELER MENTIONED IS, UM, ON THE TABLE AND THE DARK BLUE HERE WERE THE AREAS OF CONSIDERATION.
AGAIN, LAB AND RADIOLOGY SERVICE, I WANNA EMPHASIZE, THEY ARE NECESSARY.
WE CAN'T DO PRIMARY CARE WITHOUT THEM BUT WE ARE, UH, RETHINKING HOW, HOW TO DO IT AND OFFER IT TO OUR PATIENTS.
UM, I AM WONDERING IF IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THINK ABOUT THEM AS TWO DIFFERENT SERVICES, BECAUSE IN TODAY'S BUDGET YOU DID SORT OF PRESENT THEM WITH TWO DIFFERENT PICTURES.
SO KIND OF STARTING WITH THE LABORATORIES, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE PRIMARY CONCERNS THAT I AM, THAT I CARE ABOUT, RIGHT, AND I'M HEARING ABOUT FROM THE PUBLIC IS HOW ELIMINATION OF COUNTY PROVIDED LAB SERVICES WOULD AFFECT PATIENT'S QUALITY OF CARE AND ACCESS TO CARE.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM YOU, WHAT WE SAW DEMONSTRATED ON THE SLIDE WAS THAT YOUR GOAL IS TO PLACE THE BLOOD DRAWING SPECIALISTS INSIDE THE CLINICS, AND THAT THERE WOULD BE BASICALLY A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE FOR THE PATIENTS IN MAKING THIS CHANGE.
UM, SO ARE YOU FEELING CONFIDENT THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO DO? - THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ACTIVELY AND HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY WORKING WITH QUEST ON SINCE JUNE.
THEY ARE RECRUITING FOR PHLEBOTOMISTS AS WE SPEAK.
UM, WE HAVE A CHECK IN THIS WEEK TO SEE HOW THAT PROGRESS IS AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY OUR, OUR GOAL.
AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW AT BOTH - AND SO DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF KIND OF HOW QUICKLY YOU COULD EXPECT THAT THAT WOULD BE IN PLACE IF WE WERE TO MAKE THESE CHANGES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30TH? - WE HAVE ASKED FOR THEM TO BE IN PLACE OCTOBER 1ST.
I THINK THAT WITH ANY PROJECT, WE CAN ANTICIPATE SOME BUMPINESS ALONG THOSE ROADS.
OUR PATIENTS RIGHT NOW ARE EXPERIENCING THAT BUMPINESS AS ALMOST ALL OF OUR STAFF HAVE LEFT.
SO, UM, AS IT IS NOW, THEY'RE BEING REFERRED OUT TO QUEST IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SEE THEM IN OUR, IN OUR ACTUAL CLINICS.
[02:15:03]
- AND THEN KIND OF GOING BACK TO SUPERVISORS CUMMINGS QUESTION UM, YOU KNOW, IF THE COUNTY'S NOT ABLE TO COVER OUR COSTS DOING THIS LAB WORK, WHY WOULD QUEST WANT TO DO THIS? WHY WOULD THEY BE ABLE TO COVER THE COST AND DO THE WORK? - SURE. SO IF A PATIENT COMES IN AND SEES THEIR PHYSICIAN, WHOEVER THEIR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER IS, AND THEY GET LABS ORDERED, AND WE, THEY GO TO OUR LAB, THEY GET THEIR BLOOD DRAWN, MAYBE THEY GET AN X-RAY TOO, UM, MAYBE THEY SEE A THERAPIST THAT DAY, WE GET PAID ONE RATE FOR ALL OF THOSE SERVICES, WHETHER ALL THOSE SERVICES HAPPEN OR ONLY THE PHYSICIAN WHO SAW THE PATIENT.SO WE, WE CAN'T BILL EXTRA FOR THE LAB WE DO IN THAT SCENARIO.
IF A PATIENT COMES IN, IF A PATIENT GOT, UM, LET'S SAY LABS THAT NEED TO BE REPEATED IN THREE WEEKS, AND SO THEY COME AND THEY JUST GET THAT LAB SERVICE, WE CAN BILL FOR THAT.
AND IT IS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT OUR, WHAT OUR RATE IS FOR OUR CLINICIANS, BUT WE CAN BILL FOR IT.
SO WHEN A PATIENT GOES TO QUEST AND THEY HAVE MEDI-CAL OR THEY HAVE ANY OTHER INSURANCE, QUEST CAN BILL THE FULL AMOUNT FOR THAT SERVICE AND GET THEIR FULL AMOUNT BACK.
AND THAT, THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.
UM, SO BASICALLY WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT LARGELY WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT THAT OUR CLIENTS WOULD HAVE A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN CARE IF WE WERE ABLE TO PROCEED WITH THIS CHANGE AND THAT IT WOULD HELP TO ADDRESS A DEFICIT OF NEARLY ABOUT 1.5 MILLION BY MAKING THIS CHANGE.
UM, AND, UM, AM I CORRECT IN READING THAT MOST OF THE EMPLOYEEE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS PART OF THE CHANGE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE PLACED IN OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYMENT? - IN OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYMENT AND ON, TWO...
ONE IS PLANNING TO RETIRE AND ONE TOOK A POSITION OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY AS A PHLEBOTOMIST.
SO, SO GIVEN THAT AS IT RELATES TO LAB, I FEEL INCLINED TO SUPPORT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AS IT RELATES TO LAB.
UM, HOWEVER, WHEN WE MOVE TO RADIOLOGY SERVICES, I ALSO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.
UM, AND I, AND I WOULD RECOMMEND LOOKING AT THEM SEPARATELY.
SO, UM, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT IF, UH, LET'S SEE.
IT'S MY RECOLLECTION THAT BY SHIFTING RADIOLOGY FROM COUNTY PROVIDED SERVICES TO THOSE PROVIDED BY A COMMUNITY PARTNER, UM, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SERVICES PROVIDED TO ABOUT 1800 PATIENTS AT A COST OF ABOUT $443,000 A YEAR.
IS THAT CORRECT? - YES. THAT'S NOT ASSUMING THAT I'M... YES, SORRY.
- AND WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS OF OUR RADIOLOGY STAFF? - WE, OUR RADIOLOGY STAFF ARE STILL WITH US AND PROVIDING SERVICES.
AND IN YOUR PRESENTATION, UM, I, IT, IT SEEMED PRETTY DISTINCT THAT FOR RADIOLOGY, THIS IS WHERE THERE WOULD BE A CHANGE IN WORKFLOW.
- FOLKS WOULD HAVE TO TRANSPORT TO ANOTHER SITE.
UM, WHAT'S YOUR CONFIDENCE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO BE POSSIBLE? WHAT, WHAT TYPE OF VOUCHERS ARE AVAILABLE? WHAT, YOU KNOW, BASED ON, BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH OUR PATIENTS, WHAT, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS POSSIBLE THERE? - SURE. SO ONE WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT IS, UM, IT'S, IT'S A REFERRAL TO GET AN X-RAY AND OUR PATIENTS GET ALL KINDS OF REFERRALS ALL THE TIME TO A CARDIOLOGIST, TO A DERMATOLOGIST FOR AN MRI, UM, FOR A CT SCAN OR ORTHOPEDICS, GASTRO, ALL THE KINDS OF REFERRALS THAT PATIENTS NEED TO GET TO OUT IN COMMUNITY THAT WE DON'T PROVIDE IN HOUSE.
SO IT REALLY IS THE SAME IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE IF A PATIENT HAS A DIFFICULTY GETTING THERE.
UM, OUR, OUR HOMELESS PERSON'S HEALTH PROJECT STAFF DOES QUITE A BIT OF TRANSPORTATION, UM, OFTEN IN MORNINGS TO THE METHADONE CLINIC.
UM, AND WE, AND WE HAVE OUR STREET MEDICINE TEAM AND OUR, AND OUR MOBILE CLINIC.
SO, UH, IN THAT PROGRAM WE REALLY MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE BUT THERE, IT IS TRUE AT THE SAME TIME THAT PATIENTS WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL.
AND WE DO HAVE BUS PASSES AND SOME TAXI VOUCHERS FOR PATIENTS THAT REALLY HAVE A STRUGGLE IN GETTING THERE LIKE WE DO FOR OUR OTHER REFERRALS TOO.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, I WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM MY OTHER COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD.
UM, HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, REALLY THINKING ABOUT THIS,
[02:20:03]
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISRUPTION OF SERVICES FOR, UM, THOSE SEEKING RADIOLOGY.AND, UM, AND WHILE, YOU KNOW, I WISH WE HAD ALL THE RESOURCES WE COULD TO CONTINUE TO SUBSIDIZE ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED.
IF WE NEED TO MAKE HARD CHOICES TODAY, I'D BE MORE INCLINED TO SUPPORT A CONTINUATION OF RADIOLOGY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, UM, WHILE CONTINUING WITH THE PLAN TO, UM, TRANSITION LAB TO QUEST GIVEN THE SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE FOR THE PATIENTS IF WE, UM, USE QUEST FOR LAB VERSUS THE RADIOLOGY.
UM, SO THAT'S WHAT I'LL BE LOOKING TOWARDS WHEN WE GET CLOSER TO, UM, MAKING A DECISION ON THIS.
UM, WITH THAT SAID, I, I'M DONE WITH MY COMMENTS.
- THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR KOENIG.
- THANK YOU CHAIR, UH, AND THANK YOU STAFF AND SEIU FOR ALL THE PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSION ON THIS TOPIC.
UM, YOU KNOW, UH, IT'S TRUE, WE, AS THE LINE OF QUESTIONING THAT SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ JUST, UM, PLAYED OUT, EXPLAINED, I MEAN, WE'RE REALLY FACING SOME PERVERSE INCENTIVES HERE WHERE MEDI-CAL WON'T REIMBURSE US TO DO THIS WORK, BUT THEY WILL REIMBURSE A THIRD PARTY PROVIDER.
UH, AND SO, I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THE APPROACH THAT YOU'VE BROUGHT US, WHICH IS IN DIFFICULT TIMES, LET'S LET SOMEONE WHO CAN ACTUALLY GET PAID TO DO THE WORK, DO THE WORK.
UM, YOU KNOW, ON THE OTHER HAND, OTHER HAND I DO UNDERSTAND UM, YOU KNOW, THE ARGUMENT THAT WE'VE HEARD LARGELY FROM SEIU AND FROM OTHER, UH, PEOPLE WHO UTILIZE THESE SERVICES AND OF COURSE OUR OTHER FOLKS WHO HAVE WORKED IN THE LAB THEMSELVES, WHICH IS THAT, UM, WE WORK WITH A PATIENT BASE THAT ARE DIFFICULT STICKS, RIGHT? UM, AND THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO REPLACE SOMEONE WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THESE KINDS OF PATIENTS FROM, YOU KNOW THEIR BOTH ABILITY TO CONNECT EMOTIONALLY WITH PATIENTS AS WELL AS JUST TO, UM, YOU KNOW, GET, GET BLOOD DRAWS IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.
SO I HEAR THAT LOUD AND CLEAR AND, AND I ABSOLUTELY SHARE SOME CONCERNS THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A ONE FOR ONE REPLACEMENT, EVEN IF IT'S IN THE SAME LOCATION JUST BECAUSE WE'LL BE LOSING THOSE EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES.
UM, AND I MEAN, UNFORTUNATELY THE REALITY IS WE ALREADY HAVE, RIGHT? UM, WE'RE KIND OF MID-SWING ON THIS WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT UM, AND WHILE, YOU KNOW, I SHARE THE SENTIMENT EXPRESSED BY SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT IT WOULD, YOU KNOW, SHOULD... WISH WE HAD ALTERNATIVES.
THE, YOU KNOW, THE DESIRE WAS TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
UM, YOU KNOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PRIMARY ALTERNATIVE THAT, UM, OR APPROACH THAT'S BEEN SUGGESTED OF TRYING TO JUST GENERATE MORE REVENUE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, AS THIS HAS BEEN EXPLAINED, THERE'S AN, I MEAN TO MAKE ONE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER PRODUCTIVE REQUIRES ALL THE SUPPORT STAFF, AND IT REQUIRES, YOU KNOW, THE OPERATIONAL PLAN TO ACTUALLY MAKE THAT WORK.
AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN CHANGE OVERNIGHT AND JUST HIRE MORE REVENUE-GENERATING STAFF.
AND SO, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE OUR REVENUE-GENERATING STAFF, OUR PCPS, MORE PRODUCTIVE AS IT IS, AND MAYBE WE'LL GET THERE, BUT WE'RE NOT THERE TODAY AND WE AND WE CAN'T JUST FLIP THAT SWITCH.
SO, THAT MEANS THAT THE REALITY IS IF WE WERE TO CONTINUE EITHER OF THESE SERVICES, UH, WE WOULD HAVE TO FIND THE GENERAL FUND MONEY TO MAKE THAT WORK.
AND I, I MEAN, EVEN JUST RADIOLOGY, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I I'M ALSO SYMPATHETIC.
I HEAR THE IDEA THAT LIKE, HEY, WE STILL HAVE THE EMPLOYEES FOR THIS.
THERE'S STILL A POSSIBILITY TO SORT OF CONTINUE THE WORK.
YET, I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO FIND $334,000 THIS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR.
I MEAN, WHAT DO WE WANT TO CUT, RIGHT? WE'D HAVE...
SOMETHING ELSE WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT.
UM, SO AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER PIECE OF THIS IS JUST THE UNCERTAINTY FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
I MEAN, IF WE WERE TO TRY TO REVERSE COURSE TODAY AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN LAB SERVICES, I MEAN, WE'VE ALREADY LOST THE MAJORITY OF OUR EMPLOYEES IN LAB.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO GO BACK AND ACTUALLY HIRE PEOPLE WHEN THERE'S NOT A CLEAR COMMITMENT, UH, TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE LIKE IF WE HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCE TO CONTINUE THESE SERVICES, THAT WE HAVE THE WILL TO CONTINUE THEM.
UM, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A, A GREAT WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR ANYBODY UM, AND THAT ULTIMATELY IS, IS TRUE FOR BOTH, UH, LAB AND X-RAY.
SO, UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK WE'RE AT A PLACE WHERE WE'VE, WE'VE REALLY SORT OF ALREADY BEGUN THIS MOVEMENT.
WE'VE GOT TO FOLLOW IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
I THINK WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE TRACKING PATIENT OUTCOMES, UM, AND SEE IF WE ARE SEEING THOSE DROP-OFFS, IF WE CAN ADDRESS THEM THROUGH, UM, YOU KNOW, MORE SORT OF CHAPERONE SERVICES, ENSURING PEOPLE ARE GETTING, YOU KNOW, OFFERING TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO LAB OR X-RAY SERVICES.
UM, AND IF WE FIND THAT, THAT WE JUST SIMPLY CANNOT REPLACE
[02:25:01]
THESE SERVICES, WE SHOULD RECOMMIT WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING AND THAT MOMENTUM, UH, IN A WAY THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW, WE SAY, THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR SERVICE.WE SIMPLY HAVE TO FUND THEM, UM, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO SO GOING FORWARD BECAUSE IT'S AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR MODEL.
UM, I DON'T THINK WE'RE THERE TODAY, UM, BUT IF THAT'S WHAT THE DATA DEMONSTRATES OVER THE COMING YEARS, THEN MAYBE THAT'S THE APPROACH WE CAN TAKE ONCE THE FINANCIAL HURRICANE WE'RE FACING PASSES.
UM, AND SO I'M, I'M PREPARED, UNFORTUNATELY, TO SUPPORT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, WILL BASICALLY ACCEPT THIS REPORT AND, UH, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY CONTINUE WITH THE BUDGET ACTION WE SAID, WHICH WAS 3 MONTHS OF, OF ADDITIONAL BUDGET FOR PERPETUATING THESE SERVICES, AND THEN UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY MORE AND THEREFORE THEY'D COME TO AN END ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.
UM, UNLESS I, YOU KNOW, HEAR SOMETHING THAT SAYS WHERE WE COULD GET THE MONEY TO, TO MAKE IT WORK.
- IF I COULD COMMENT. - GO AHEAD.
YES, UM, I WANTED TO COMMENT ON A FEW THINGS.
ONE IS A PROCESS ISSUE THAT WAS RAISED ABOUT THE BUDGET.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE LAST BUDGET HEARING WAS ON JUNE 10TH.
THAT IS HOW WE DO THIS IN OUR COUNTY, AND I KNOW MOST COUNTIES DO.
SO THE BUDGET WAS APPROVED ON JUNE 10TH.
WE HAVE TO APPROVE IT BY JUNE 30TH.
THAT'S WHEN WE APPROVE THE BUDGET.
UH, SEPTEMBER 30TH, WHEN WE SUBMIT THE FINAL BUDGET TO THE STATE IS PRIMARILY A MINISTERIAL ACTION, NOT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET.
IT'S A MINISTERIAL ACTION TO SUBMIT THE STATE CONTROLLER FORMS AND TO CARRY OUT LAST-DAY ACTIONS THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZED ON JUNE 10TH.
YOU CAN AMEND THE BUDGET ANYTIME YOU WANT, SO, BUT IT'S NOT, JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE BUDGET WAS APPROVED.
IT WOULD BE AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET.
SECOND OF ALL, UM, THE ALTERNATIVES ARE PRIMARILY, YOU KNOW, RAISE REVENUES.
NONE OF THEM ARE A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION.
SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE VIABLE MORE IN A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
WE'RE GONNA WORK ON THOSE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE, BUT NONE OF THEM ARE THE ANSWER RIGHT NOW.
SECOND OF ALL, YOU COULD CUT OTHER PLACES.
HEALTH SERVICES HAS LOOKED AT OTHER PLACES IN THEIR BUDGET, AND NOWHERE ELSE IN THEIR DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO HAVE LESS OF AN IMPACT.
IT'S GOING TO HAVE MORE AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY AND MORE OF AN IMPACT ON STAFF.
SO THIS IS THE WORST OF, OF THE... OF EVILS FACING US.
THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE FOR THE BOARD IS TO LOOK AT OTHER PLACES LIKE THE GENERAL FUND OR ONE-TIME FUNDS.
SO HEALTH SERVICES DOES HAVE RESERVES.
IT'S BAD BUDGET PRACTICE TO USE ONE-TIME FUNDS TO FUND ONGOING OPERATIONS.
IT'S JUST NOT A GOOD PRACTICE, BUT YOU COULD DO THAT.
THERE'S ALSO A GENERAL FUND ONE-TIME SOURCES LIKE OUR CONTINGENCIES.
AGAIN, USING ONE-TIME FUNDS TO FUND ONGOING OPERATIONS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA, BUT YOU COULD DO THAT.
THERE'S CONTINGENCIES IN THE GENERAL FUND.
YOU COULD TAKE 300, 400,000 OUT OF THOSE AND FUND IT FOR ANOTHER YEAR, BUT AGAIN, IT'S NOT A GOOD PRACTICE, WHICH YOU COULD DO THAT.
UH, THIRD THING IS YOU COULD CUT OTHER PLACES.
YOU COULD CUT OTHER DEPARTMENTS, RIGHT? OTHER GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENTS.
YOU KNOW, EVERY, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THEM ARE THERE AND YOU CAN MAKE ONGOING CUTS TO THOSE AND THAT WOULD BE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU REALLY VALUE THIS, YOU KNOW, TO, TO RESTORE IT.
HAVING SAID THAT, THOUGH, I'LL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF CUTS THAT ARE COMING TO HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY.
THERE'S A BILL CALLED HR1, WHICH WAS APPROVED ON JULY 4TH BY THE CONGRESS THAT IS A PRODUCT OF THE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S UM, INITIATIVE TO, TO MAKE THESE KIND OF CUTS.
AND SO THE CUTS ARE STARTING THIS YEAR.
THERE'S 5% LESS PEOPLE WITH MEDI-CAL INSURANCE THAT WILL BE, THAT WE'RE ALREADY SEEING A DECLINE IN, AND EVERYBODY'S SEEN IT ALREADY.
ALL THE FQHCS ARE SEEING IT, WE'RE SEEING IT, THE HOSPITALS ARE SEEING IT.
5% OF PEOPLE ALREADY ARE LOSING THEIR HEALTHCARE INSURANCE.
UH, THE AFFORDABLE, UM, HEALTH ACT, UM, OR CALIFORNIA, WHAT IS IT CALLED, THE, UM...
- COVERED CALIFORNIA, THOSE SUBSIDIES ARE ENDING AS WELL NEXT YEAR.
SO THOSE CUTS ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING AS WELL FOR MANY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COVERED CALIFORNIA.
AND THEN OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ALL THE OTHER CUTS THAT HR1 IMPLEMENTS, AND WE ESTIMATE, THE ALLIANCE ESTIMATES THAT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 20 TO 25% OF PEOPLE ON MEDI-CAL ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR HEALTH CARE INSURANCE.
THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT THE SALUD PARA LA GENTE, SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY HEALTH.
THAT'S GOING TO INCLUDE WATSONVILLE HOSPITAL, DOMINICAN, EVERY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IN OUR AREA AND INCLUDING US, ESPECIALLY US BECAUSE WE CARE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE THINGS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN HR1, WHICH ARE MORE FREQUENT RE-ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS, MORE STRENUOUS AND RIGOROUS RE-ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
[02:30:02]
THAT ARE MEANT BASICALLY TO CREATE BUREAUCRACY TO GET PEOPLE TO DROP THEIR INSURANCE.THAT WAS THE INTENT, IN MY VIEW, OF THE LEGISLATION, AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO THAT AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT IT.
AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS, UH, THE WORK REQUIREMENT, WHICH IS GOING TO REQUIRE AND AFFECT MANY OF OUR PEOPLE.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A, A BIG BATTLE JUST TO KEEP OUR OWN CLINICS OPEN OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AS THE HOSPITALS ARE GOING TO BE IN A BATTLE JUST TO STAY OPEN.
UM, AS YOU CAN SEE, UM, HAZEL HAWKINS, WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ALREADY SERIOUSLY FACING DEFICITS AS IS.
SO ANYWAY, I'LL JUST SAY THAT AS A CAUTION AS YOU GO FORWARD ON THIS.
UM, I'M AFRAID THAT EVEN IF YOU, IF YOU FIND FUNDS, YOU TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, BUT YOU GOT TO FUND IT OR CUT SOMEWHERE ELSE, OR YOU COULD USE ONE-TIME FUNDS, BUT AGAIN, THAT'S A BAD PRACTICE TO DO.
UM, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, BUT AGAIN, THAT'S UP TO YOU FOLKS, IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT.
AND THEN, BUT KNOW THAT IN THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MORE CUTS AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE MORE SEVERE.
AND THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR, YOU'RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO KEEP YOUR CLINICS OPEN.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE AT.
AND AGAIN, WE DON'T WANT THIS.
NONE OF US WANT THIS, BUT THE CONGRESS PASSED IT, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED IT AND, AND IT'S HIS INITIATIVE.
UM, MAYBE IN, YOU KNOW, 2028, THERE'LL BE A NEW ADMINISTRATION, MAYBE THINGS WILL CHANGE.
BUT FOR NOW, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE FACING WITH.
UH, I ONLY HAD ONE, UH, BRIEF QUESTION.
I KNOW IN THE LAST MEETING THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT, UH, KIND OF BRINGING THE LABS OR QUEST IN-HOUSE.
IS THAT STILL A CONSIDERATION? - YES, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE, THAT IS WHAT QUEST HAS PROMISED US, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PLANNING ON HAPPENING.
AND, YOU KNOW, I ALSO AGREE WITH SOME OF THE COMMENTS UH, FROM SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ AND, AND CUMMINGS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THAT I WISH WE WOULD HAVE HAD ALTERNATIVES THAT WERE PROVIDED, DIFFERENT PATHS.
I KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S, UH, BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS THAT WE, WE PROBABLY DON'T.
UM, BUT I STILL WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN, UM, MAYBE OUR NEW UH, HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR, UH, PUT HER HANDS ON IT AND, YOU KNOW, GET INVOLVED AND SEE HOW WE COULD FIX THINGS UP A LITTLE BIT.
UH, I'M SORRY TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT ON YOUR FIRST DAY.
FIX ALL OUR PROBLEMS. BUT, YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, POSSIBLY.
UH, BUT IT'S, UH, TOUGH TIMES, TOUGH BUDGET DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE AHEAD OF US.
- YEAH, SO WITH THAT TO KEEP THIS MEETING MOVING, UM, I'M JUST GONNA MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CONTINUE RADIOLOGY SERVICES THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 USING ONE-TIME FUNDS, DIRECT THE HSA DIRECTOR TO EXPLORE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS PRODUCTIVITY AND REVENUE LOSSES AND REPORT TO THE BOARD AT THE MID-YEAR BUDGET HEARINGS, AND DIRECT STAFF TO INCLUDE HSA DIRECTOR AND HER STAFF TO WORK WITH SEIU AND AFFECTED EMPLOYEES SEEKING OPTIONS TO MAINTAIN RADIOLOGY AND COUNTY SERVICES BROADLY.
AND I WILL SAY, UM, SO THAT'S THE MOTION.
IF THERE'S A SECOND, I JUST HAVE A BRIEF COMMENT TO MAKE.
- I'LL, I'LL SECOND IT IF YOU CAN ADD, YOU KNOW, FOR US TO GET, YEARLY, QUARTERLY REPORTS ON THIS YEAR 4 REPORTS ON THIS, NOT JUST 6 MONTHS AND ONE YEAR, TO SEE HOW PROGRESS IS GOING BUT ALSO TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WITH, UH, THE LABOR UNIONS AND OUR HEALTH DIRECTOR.
- AND IF I CAN JUST MAKE A BRIEF COMMENT.
UM, I TOTALLY HEAR, UM, WHAT OUR CEO PALACIOS IS SAYING ABOUT YOU KNOW, NOT USING ONE-TIME FUNDS AND, UM, AND ACTUALLY THE CUTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING.
BUT I DO THINK WE HAVE A UNIQUE SITUATION HERE WHERE, UM, WE HAVE A NEW HSA DIRECTOR WHO HASN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH STAFF AND WORK WITH SEIU TO POTENTIALLY ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES AROUND PRODUCTIVITY AND REVENUE LOSSES.
AND I THINK THAT USING ONE-TIME FUNDS IN THIS SITUATION REALLY WILL PROVIDE HER THE TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF THERE IS A SOLUTION THAT CAN GET WORKED OUT TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.
I THINK THAT IT'S WORTH US MAKING THAT INVESTMENT RIGHT NOW TO TRY TO SEE IF WE CAN MAINTAIN THESE SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY.
AND SO, THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS.
- SO YOU ACCEPTED THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS ABOUT QUARTERLY REPORTS? - YEAH, SO INSTEAD OF THE MID-YEAR BUDGET HEARINGS WILL BE QUARTERLY REPORTS.
- QUESTION, IS SO THIS WILL BE, UM, THIS IS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR '25 AND '26? - YEAH, THIS FISCAL, THIS FISCAL CYCLE.
- YEAH, SO JUST THIS FISCAL CYCLE.
- OKAY. I JUST HAVE ONE MORE COMMENT, A COUPLE MORE COMMENTS ACTUALLY.
UM, SO MANY OF YOU KNOW I'VE WORKED IN HEALTH CARE ALL OF MY CAREER, UH, DIGNITY HEALTH.
I WORKED IN THE CLINICS THERE, YOU KNOW, WE TAKE MEDI-CAL CLIENTS, UNLIKE KAISER, UNLIKE PAMF, WE ACTUALLY TAKE THEM IN PRIMARY CARE.
WE'VE HAD QUEST LABS ALWAYS ON CAMPUS WITH US, AND THEY DO A A FINE JOB OF COLLECTING SPECIMENS.
[02:35:02]
UM, YES, THESE ARE PEOPLE WITH HARD STICKS, SO I, I UNDERSTAND THAT AT THE COUNTY, POTENTIALLY, UM, THERE'S PEOPLE WITH MANY, MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, THERE ALSO ARE AT QUEST TOO.SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL JUST BE SEAMLESS.
UM, YOU KNOW, AND BECAUSE I MET WITH YOU ALL THAT I DID HAVE VERY GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT LOSING OUR 2 RADIOLOGY TECHS.
UM, OUR DOCS IN THOSE CLINICS AND PROVIDERS DON'T RIGHT NOW HAVE ACCESS TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT FILMS THAT COME OVER FROM, UH, OTHER PROVIDERS.
AND SO THAT THEY COULD JUST HAVE AN X-RAY WALK-IN, TAKE A LOOK AT IT, TO ME SEEMED LIKE A CRITICAL NEED.
THE OTHER THING I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT LIKE, UM, CEO PALACIOS TALKED ABOUT IS THE LOSS OF MEDICAL FOR MANY OF OUR CITIZENS HERE IN THE COUNTY.
SO DIVIDE 22% INTO OUR CURRENT MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL, WE'LL BE LOSING LIKELY OVER THIS NEXT YEAR OR 2.
UM, SO WE HAVE ALL THESE UNINSURED PATIENTS, AND SO OUR, OUR GOAL, NOT OUR GOAL, BUT OUR PROCESS WAS GOING TO BE TO SHIFT THOSE THE COSTS OF THAT OVER TO DIGNITY HEALTH OR, YOU KNOW, DIGNITY RADIOLOGY OR THE WATSONVILLE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY CAN'T BILL ANYBODY FOR THOSE SERVICES.
LIKE THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
THEY'RE ALREADY STRUGGLING, AS YOU KNOW.
SO IT JUST SEEMS TO ME LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE.
THANK YOU, UH, FOR COMING AND TALKING TO US.
AND, AND I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE AS A COUNTY NEED TO MAKE SWIFT AND, AND DEEP CUTS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE REST OF OUR SERVICES ROLLING.
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND, LIKE HPHP, FOR EXAMPLE.
UM, YOU KNOW, IF WE LOSE, WHEN WE LOSE 22% OF OUR REVENUE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME VERY, VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS.
AND THIS ACTUALLY WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE FIRST, BUT I DO THINK THAT BEING ABLE TO, UH, X-RAY THIS POPULATION IN THE CLINICS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
LIKE I CAN'T IMAGINE TAKING SOMEBODY WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA OR SOME KIND OF HORRIBLE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER AND PUTTING THEM IN A CAB OVER TO RADIOLOGY WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE SITTING IN A WAITING ROOM AND MAYBE NOT BEING, NOT ABLE TO, UH, WITHSTAND, YOU KNOW BECAUSE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH THAT PARTICULAR RIDE AND THE SERVICES THAT, UH, WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THEM THERE.
I THINK THEY WOULD GET UP AND WALK OUT, OR MAYBE NEVER GET IN THAT CAB TO BEGIN WITH.
SO, UM, SO ANYWAY, SO I'LL BE SUPPORTING TODAY.
- THANK YOU. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, WE DO HAVE A MOTION, UH, FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS.
- I JUST WANT TO SAY, UM, I MEAN, I APPRECIATE THE PROPOSAL.
I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THE SOLUTION.
WE HAVE DANGEROUSLY LOW RESERVES RIGHT NOW.
I MEAN, LIKE HISTORICALLY LOW RESERVES.
UM, WE HAVE, AGAIN, IT'S NOT LIKE STAFF WANTS TO, TO BE MAKING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THIS IS JUST THE LEAST BAD OPTION.
UH, I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE SPENDING DOWN ON OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT FURTHER, UM, WHEN WE HAVE, YEAH, NOT A PERFECT SOLUTION, BUT A SOLUTION AHEAD OF US RIGHT NOW.
UM, SO FOR THOSE REASONS, I CAN'T SUPPORT THE MOTION.
- SO YOU KNOW WHO DOES HAVE DEEP RESERVES IS CCH RIGHT NOW, AND SO WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO CCH TO HELP FUND THIS PARTICULAR THING.
- UM, CAN I ASK THE MAKER OF THE MOTION TO REPEAT THE MOTION ONE MORE TIME? - SURE, IT'S CONTINUE RADIOLOGY SERVICES THROUGH FISCAL YEAR '25/'26 USING ONE-TIME FUNDS, DIRECT THE HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY DIRECTOR TO EXPLORE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS PRODUCTIVITY AND REVENUE LOSSES AND REPORT TO THE BOARD AT THE MID-YEAR BUDGET HEARINGS, WHICH WAS AMENDED TO BE QUARTERLY AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, AND THEN DIRECT STAFF TO INCLUDE THE HSA DIRECTOR AND HER STAFF TO WORK WITH SEIU AND AFFECTED EMPLOYEES SEEKING OPTIONS TO MAINTAIN RADIOLOGY AND COUNTY SERVICES BROADLY.
- AND IS SO THAT MEANS THAT WE WILL BE CONTINUING WITH THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION RELATED TO LAB SERVICES.
- YES, AND AGAIN, I THINK PART OF THAT BASED ON THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE HAD, SEEING AS HOW THE MAJORITY OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE VACANT NOW UM, AND THOSE PEOPLE MOVED ON TO OTHER JOBS WHILE WE STILL HAVE RADIOLOGY TECHS.
I MEAN, IT'S KIND OF A COMPROMISE, AND RADIOLOGY IS AT A MUCH SMALLER NUMBER IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THE, THE DIFFERENTIAL, RIGHT? IT'S, YOU KNOW, A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS VERSUS LIKE 1.1 MILLION.
SO IT SEEMS LIKE, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME, UM, YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S A MUCH LOWER COST PROGRAM THAT COULD STAY IN-HOUSE AND, YOU KNOW, PROVIDE THAT CONNECTIVITY TO CARE.
I THINK THAT'S THE COMPROMISE THAT I'M TRYING TO MAKE HERE TODAY.
AND, AND, AGAIN, IT'S JUST FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
[02:40:02]
AND WHEN THE BUDGET COMES BACK, IF IT TURNS OUT WE CAN'T MAINTAIN THE SERVICES, SO BE IT, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CUTS AT THAT TIME.BUT I THINK SINCE WE HAVE A NEW DIRECTOR, LET'S PROVIDE IT WHILE WE CAN'T KEEP THE LABS, LET'S AT LEAST HELP GIVE HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF SHE CAN MAINTAIN RADIOLOGY IN SOME WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.
- GREAT. UM, SO JUST A COUPLE COMMENTS ON THIS.
UM, I WANNA JUST START OFF BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TODAY ISN'T WHAT STAFF BROUGHT TO US AS A RECOMMENDATION.
AND I DO WANNA THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE ALL YOUR WORK TO DATE TO GET HERE.
YOU ARE DOING WHAT WE ASKED, WHICH IS TO TRY TO, YOU KNOW, ADDRESS THE SYSTEMIC SHORTFALL IN CLINICS.
UM, AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I FULLY EXPECT YOU'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING TO US SOME REALLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
UM, GIVEN THE REALITY OF HR1, GIVEN THE REALITY OF A DECREASE IN MEDICAL ENROLLEES, UM, GIVEN JUST SO MANY CHANGES IN THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I RECOGNIZE THAT.
AND I HOPE THAT FOR THOSE LABOR PARTNERS IN THE ROOM, FOR THE WORKFORCE IN THE ROOM, YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE REALLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD, UM, THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE.
UM, THAT SAID, UM, YOU KNOW, I AM INSPIRED BY HAVING A NEW HEALTH DIRECTOR.
I'M HOPING THAT BRINGING SOME ALTERNATIVES FROM OTHER COUNTIES MAY HELP US START TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN OUR EXISTING SERVICES.
UM, I REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR WORKFORCE TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S THE GOAL.
UM, I KNOW THAT'S, YOU KNOW, BEEN THE GOAL FOR MANY YEARS.
UM, I, I... WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET.
UM, AND SO TO OUR WORKFORCE PARTNERS, YOU KNOW, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, AND, UM, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL BE LOOKING FOR IN THE FUTURE.
UM, THAT SAID, I AM GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR TODAY, UM, AND I THANK EVERYBODY FOR YOUR GOOD WORK ON THIS.
- I JUST HAVE A CLARIFYING QUESTION FOR THE MOTION WHERE THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS WOULD BE COMING FROM.
- SO WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS THAT WE COME BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING WITH A PLAN TO CARRY OUT THE MOTION.
SO WE'LL COME BACK ON THE 30TH WITH THE, THE SPECIFIC PLAN TO CARRY OUT THE MOTION.
- OKAY, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ.
I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF.
I WANT TO ECHO HER COMMENTS, UH, BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY MY RESERVATIONS MOVING FORWARD.
UM, I KNOW WE ARE IN TOUGH, DIFFICULT, UH, BUDGETARY TIMES, UH, AND THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO GET MORE DIFFICULT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
SO WITH THAT, WE DO HAVE A MOTION.
UH, IF WE CAN TAKE, MADAM CLERK, IF WE COULD TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE.
MOTION PASSES WITH ONE DISSENTING VOTE FROM SUPERVISOR KOENIG.
WE DO HAVE A REGULARLY SCHEDULED ITEM FOR, UH, 10:45.
[13. Consider the Community Engagement Plan for developing the County Strategic Plan 2032, and take related actions]
OKAY, NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS NUMBER 13 TO CONSIDER THE COMMUNITY, WE GOT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN FOR DEVELOPING THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN, 2032 AND TAKE ALL RELATED ACTIONS.I'LL TURN IT OVER TO NICOLE COBURN, UH, ASSISTANT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND ERICA PADILLA CHAVEZ, CEO OF SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK AND SVEN STAFFORD, PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST FOR THE PRESENTATION.
- THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING, ALMOST GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M NICOLE COBURN, DISTRICT COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OR COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
SO TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE PRESENTING TO YOU ON THE COUNTY ENGAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN 2032, WHICH IS THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE COUNTY.
SO TODAY'S PURPOSE, AGAIN, WE'RE GONNA BE REVIEWING THE COUNTY ENGAGEMENT PLAN.
WE'RE BUILDING ON THE PAST WORK IN WHICH WE ARE CENTERING EQUITY, CLARITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS HAS BEEN A PARTNERSHIP FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WHEN WE STARTED THIS FOUNDATIONAL REVIEW EARLIER THIS YEAR.
WE'VE BEEN ENGAGING WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
WE'VE BEEN ENGAGING WITH STAFF, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE PARTNERS HAVE EACH HAD A ROLE.
SO LET'S FIRST OFF BRAND OURSELVES IN THE OVERALL PROJECT TIMELINE.
YOU ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS.
WE'VE BEEN SHOWING IT TO YOU IN EACH OF OUR PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD AND IN OUR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSIONS.
[02:45:03]
SO AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE PLAN RUNS THROUGH KEY MILESTONES.WE JUST COMPLETED THE FOUNDATIONAL REVIEW AND PRESENTED THAT TO YOU IN AUGUST TODAY WE ARE HERE PRESENTING ON OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN.
UM, WE WILL BE ENTERING INTO THE FALL THAT ENGAGEMENT WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY WITH THE INTENTION OF COMING BACK TO THE BOARD IN NOVEMBER TO TALK ABOUT FOCUS AREAS THAT WILL BE, UH, ZEROING IN ON WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING THE BOARD VALIDATE THOSE.
THEN MOVING ON, WE'LL BE DRAFTING THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND WE INTEND TO CONDUCT A BOARD RETREAT IN JANUARY, WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WE'LL BE WORKING ON THEIR PRIORITIES WITHIN THOSE FOCUS AREAS.
UM, WE WILL BRING TO THE BOARD A PROPOSED STRATEGIC PLAN IN THE SPRINGTIME.
WE'LL GET YOUR FEEDBACK AND THEN COME BACK WITH THE FINAL PLAN FOR BOARD APPROVAL IN JUNE.
AT EACH MILESTONE, WE'RE HOPING TO CONNECT AND GET INPUT ON THE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE.
THIS IS A VERY ITERATIVE PROCESS WHERE WE'RE GOING OUT TO COMMUNITY, WE'RE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD.
WE'LL BE GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AGAIN AND THEN COMING BACK TO THE BOARD TO WORK THROUGH TO GET TO THE PLACE WHERE WE HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER.
SO BEFORE WE LOOK FORWARD AT WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED, LET'S TAKE, UH, A QUICK LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE ELEMENTS IN OUR 2018-24 STRATEGIC PLAN.
AS YOU WILL RECALL, THIS WAS THE FIRST PLAN THAT THE COUNTY HAD EVER ENTERED INTO.
IT WAS REALLY SET A SHARED DIRECTION AND BUILT ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY FOR PERFORMANCE AND COLLABORATION.
WE'RE CARRYING FORWARD WITH WHAT WORKED.
WE'RE SETTING CLEAR PRIORITIES, USING DATA AND WORKING ON CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL ALIGNMENT.
WE'RE ALSO REFRESHING ON WHERE WE NEED TO REFLECT ON CURRENT CONDITIONS AND WHAT RESIDENTS ARE ASKING FOR NOW.
SO, UM, WITH THAT IN MIND, WE WANT TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE HAVE PLANS FOR STRATEGIC PLAN 2032.
THE TOP LEVEL VISION, MISSION AND EQUITY STATEMENT THAT THE COUNTY CURRENTLY HAS, WE WANT TO REMAIN LARGELY INTACT.
WE WILL TAKE BOARD DIRECTED CHANGES.
IF THERE'S INPUT THAT COMES OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN THAT WE HEAR FROM PARTNERS, STAFF, THE COMMUNITY, WE CAN LOOK AT TAKING ANY BOARD DIRECTION ON MAKING SOME MODIFICATIONS.
BUT WE REALLY WANT TO FOCUS IN ON THE COUNTY VALUES.
UM, WE HOPE TO GO FROM WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, WHICH IS NINE VALUES WITHIN THE CURRENT STRATEGIC PLAN TO TWO TO THREE VALUES THAT WE CAN REALLY BETTER DEFINE AND SHARE THE KIND OF COUNTY CULTURE THAT WE WANNA DEVELOP.
WE ALSO HAVE WORK THAT WE WANNA DO ON THE FOCUS AREAS.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE SIX FOCUS AREAS IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
AND WE WANT TO, THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY SURVEY, THROUGH FOCUS GROUPS AND BOARD DIRECTION, WE HOPE TO IDENTIFY NEW FOCUS AREAS WITHIN WHICH WE WILL THEN WORK ON IDENTIFYING THE RESULTS THAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE AND WHAT THE WORK WE WANT TO PRIORITIZE WITHIN THOSE FOCUS AREAS.
WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY.
AND AGAIN, THIS WORK IS GOING TO BE LED BY STAFF AND COMMUNITY WORK GROUPS AND VALIDATED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
SO NOW I'M GOING TO PASS IT OVER TO SVEN STAFFORD, WHO IS THE PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST IN OUR OFFICE, WHO'S SERVING AS THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN.
- ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, NICOLE.
THE FOCUS AREAS ARE BROAD ARENAS WHERE THE COUNTY HAS MEANINGFUL INFLUENCE AND CAN MEANINGFULLY INFLUENCE RESULTS.
THEY HELP ORGANIZE OUR EFFORTS ACROSS DEPARTMENTS AND WITH OUR PARTNERS AROUND SHARED OUTCOMES.
EACH AREA WILL CONNECT TO EXISTING INITIATIVES SO THAT WE'RE ALIGNING WORK AND NOT DUPLICATING WORK.
TO DO THIS, WE'RE GONNA GO OUT AND DO A SURVEY.
SO WE'LL BE DOING A PRESS RELEASE TODAY AND WE'LL BE OUT AT THE COUNTY FAIR THE REST OF THIS WEEK WITH A BOOTH, TRYING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT.
WE'LL ALSO BE USING SOCIAL MEDIA AND EMAIL AND OTHER FLYERS AND PARTNERS TO GET THE WORD OUT AROUND THE SURVEY.
WE'LL BE CONDUCTING FOCUS GROUPS WITH SOME OF OUR COMMISSIONS AND ADVISORY GROUPS, UH, TRYING TO HIT ALL THE REGIONS OF THE COUNTY, LOOKING AT THE SLV ROUND TABLE, THE PAJARO VALLEY COLLABORATIVE, HIP COUNCIL, OTHER PLACES WHERE LOTS OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE GATHERING.
WE ACTUALLY MET LAST NIGHT WITH THE TEEN ADVISORY, UH, TASK FORCE AND HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH THE 2024 YOUTH THAT ARE ENGAGED IN THAT.
WE'LL ALSO BE WORKING WITH COUNTY STAFF.
[02:50:02]
FINALLY, WE'LL BRING ALL THAT DATA BACK TO THE BOARD FOR YOU TO LOOK AT AND REVIEW AND HELP US FINALIZE THOSE FOCUS AREAS FOR THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN.SO WITHIN EACH FOCUS AREA, WE'LL TRY TO THEN SPECIFY THE RESULTS AND PRIORITIES THAT WE WANNA SEE.
THE RESULTS IS REALLY WILL BE THE CONDITION OF WELLBEING OR WHAT WE WANNA IMPROVE FOR PEOPLE HERE IN THE COUNTY AND TRYING TO PUT THAT IN PLAIN LANGUAGE.
EACH FOCUS AREA WILL HAVE AN INDICATOR THAT TELLS US IF WE'RE MAKING THE PROGRESS THAT WE WANNA SEE.
AND THEN WITHIN EACH INDICATOR WE'LL LOOK AT PRIORITIES.
SO THE AREAS WHERE IF WE FOCUS, WE CAN ACCELERATE AND MOVE RESULTS MORE QUICKLY.
TO DO THAT, WE'RE GONNA CREATE FOCUS AREA WORK GROUPS.
IT'LL BE A COMBINATION OF COUNTY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
THEY'LL GET TOGETHER FOR A NUMBER OF MEETINGS OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.
AND THEN EM WE'LL BE GOING OUT AND VALIDATING THE WORK OF THOSE GROUPS WITH THE BOARD AND WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A BOARD RETREAT THAT WE'RE GONNA HOLD IN JANUARY AND THEN COMMUNITY ROAD SHOWS THAT WE'LL DO AT LEAST ONE IN EACH DISTRICT AFTERWARDS.
UM, THOSE WILL ALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL ALSO HELP US VALIDATE PRIORITIES.
SO THE IDEA IS TO, UM, IS TO GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY NOW, CREATE THE FOCUS AREAS, DO SOME WORK, TO GET RESULTS AND PRIORITIES WITHIN EACH FOCUS AREA AND THEN VALIDATE THAT WITH THE COMMUNITY AGAIN.
SO THERE'LL BE MULTIPLE PLACES FOR, UH, VARIOUS LEVELS OF INPUT FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARTNERS AND COUNTY STAFF.
UM, SO DELIVERING ON THESE WILL REQUIRE SOME CLEAR ROLES AND COLLABORATION.
AGAIN, I MENTIONED THAT WE'RE GONNA BE CREATING THIS ACROSS.
BOARD OFFICES, DEPARTMENTS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND RESIDENTS UH, THAT LEADERSHIP WILL FROM THE BOARD WILL HELP SET THE DIRECTION.
STAFF WILL HELP STEWARD THAT PROCESS THROUGH AND THEN THE COMMUNITY WILL ULTIMATELY BE INFORMING THE PRIORITIES THAT WE COME FORWARD WITH.
WE HOPE THAT EQUITY AND TRANSPARENCY WILL GUIDE THE WORK SO THAT DECISIONS ARE REFLECTIVE OF THE DIVERSE EXPERTISE AND LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT WE HAVE IN THE COUNTY.
AND I'M GONNA PASS IT TO MS. PADILLA CHAVEZ TO TALK ABOUT THOSE STANDARDS OF INCLUSION AND ENGAGEMENT THAT WE'RE SETTING FOR OURSELVES.
UH, I FIRST OF ALL WANNA CONGRATULATE THE TEAM FOR, UM, INCLUDING A FEW OF US TO BE A PART OF THE DESIGN TEAM.
UM, WHAT A MAGNIFICENT PROCESS THIS HAS BEEN.
AND ONE OF THE INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD IS AROUND THE VALUES THAT WE WILL USE TO GUIDE THIS PROCESS THROUGH, UH, SO EQUITABLE, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE, IT WILL BE KEY TO EVERYTHING WE DO AS WE ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY.
SO WE'LL FACTOR THE TIMING OF WHEN WE MEET WITH COMMUNITY LANGUAGE ACCESS, ALL THE VERY IMPORTANT ELEMENTS THAT WE KNOW WE NEED TO FACTOR TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ENGAGING ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE INTERESTED IN BUILDING TRUST AND WHAT MORE IMPORTANT TIME TO DO THAT THAN NOW.
SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS AS WE ENGAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WE WANNA BE ABLE TO LOOP BACK AND REPORT WHERE WE'RE AT IN THE PROCESS AND HOW THEIR VOICE IS ARTICULATED IN THIS PROCESS.
AND WE'RE GOING TO USE MULTIFACETED AND HEATED WAYS TO ENGAGE THEM.
SO YOU HEARD SVEN TALK ABOUT THE WORK THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN AT THE COUNTY FAIR.
WE'RE GONNA DO SURVEYS, WE'RE GONNA DO CONVERSATIONS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE OUR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND, UM, AS WE CAN, AS WE DO THAT, AND IN YOUR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS, ENGAGE THE MEMBERS OF YOUR, UM, YOUR DISTRICTS, WE ALSO WANT TO BE MINDFUL THAT THERE ARE MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SECTORS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE OFTEN NOT ENGAGED IN THESE KINDS OF CONVERSATIONS OR MAYBE OFTEN UNINTENTIONALLY LEFT OUT.
SO WE'VE IDENTIFIED A GROUP OF ENTITIES THAT WE WANT TO BE MINDFUL AND STRATEGIC AND ENGAGING.
UM, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, THE SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY THE PAJARO VALLEY, WATSONVILLE, THE FREEDOM COMMUNITY IS, UM, INTENTIONALLY SOUGHT.
WE WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.
WE WANT TO ENGAGE WITH PERHAPS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ALREADY MEETING IN THESE PARTICULAR AREAS THAT OFTEN
[02:55:03]
EXPRESS FEELING GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED.WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME THAT WE'RE ENGAGING MEMBERS, UH, OF OUR, UH, AFRICAN AMERICAN BLACK COMMUNITY, OUR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES, OUR FARM WORKER COMMUNITY, OUR LGBTQ, FAITH COMMUNITY LEADERS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ENGAGING THEM.
UM, OF COURSE, THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS UH, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THEM ARE INVITED TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS.
THE MISTEKO SPEAKER POPULATION, MAKING SURE THAT WHEN WE'RE ENGAGING THEM, WE'RE DOING SO, OF COURSE, WITH RESPECT AND LINGUISTICALLY ALIGNED TO THEIR NEEDS.
WE WANNA BE MINDFUL OF FAMILIES WORK SCHEDULE TOO, AND BE MINDFUL TO HOLD SPACES TO ENGAGE OUR FAMILIES WHO ARE WORKING FAMILIES.
UH, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE, UH, VICTIMS OF CRIME AND SURVIVORS THAT HAVE A STORY AND A PARTICULAR PERSPECTIVE IN HOW THEY VIEW OUR LOCAL, UM, ENVIRONMENT AND WE WANNA HEAR FROM THEM.
AND THEN KEY TO THE COUNTY AND TO EVERY JURISDICTION, OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER COMMUNITY, MAKING SURE WE'RE HEARING FROM THEM.
THEY ARE HUGE CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE REACHING THE UNDERSERVED AREAS IN PARTICULAR TO MAKE SURE THOSE MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ARE HEARD.
AND ONE PARTICULAR WAY THAT THE BOARD CAN SUPPORT US FRANKLY IS, ASKING YOU TO HELP US ENGAGE ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN THIS PROCESS IN LIGHT OF THE NARRATIVE THAT AIMS TO PERHAPS DISQUALIFY SOME MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, YOUR PARTICIPATION AND ENCOURAGING ENGAGEMENT WILL BE CRITICAL.
SO I JUST WANT TO END BY SAYING ENGAGEMENT IS GOING TO BE AN ONGOING PARTNERSHIP.
WE WANT TO ENGAGE WITH ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
WE DO HAVE SOME AREAS THAT YOU SAW LISTED THERE WHERE WE ARE PRIORITIZING SOME REALLY THOUGHTFUL ENGAGEMENT BECAUSE THESE ARE THE COMMUNITIES THAT EITHER DON'T KNOW HOW TO ENGAGE WITH THE COUNTY FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES OR THE CAPACITY.
AND SO WE NEED TO BE REALLY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE REACH THEM TO MAKE SURE THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD.
UM, SO THAT'S WHY THEY ARE LISTED THERE.
BUT REALLY EVERYONE WITHIN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, UM, WE ARE OPEN AND WANTING TO HEAR FROM ALL OF THEM.
SO WE'RE EXCITED AS SVEN SAID TO GET STARTED WITH THE SURVEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO LAUNCH TOMORROW AT THE COUNTY FAIR.
WE HAVE A BOOTH, A LOT OF US AS COUNTY STAFF.
ARE GONNA BE STAFFING THE BOOTH AT THE COUNTY FAIR.
SO WE HOPE ALL OF YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO SWING BY AND SEE US AND MEET WITH US.
WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TODAY TO APPROVE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN AND DIRECT OUR OFFICE TO COME BACK IN NOVEMBER WHEN WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THE FOCUS AREAS AND HAVING YOU VALIDATE THOSE.
UM, WITH THIS ROADMAP AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP, UM, WE ARE REALLY HOPING TO FOCUS ON THE ACTIONS THAT THEY'RE GONNA HAVE THE BEST MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENT FOR COMMUNITY WELLBEING.
SO THANK YOU AND WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS.
- THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
YOU KNOW, I HAD MENTIONED BEFORE, THERE'S EVENTS TO FIND THE SPANISH SPEAKERS AND FARM WORKERS.
I THINK ONE OF THEM IS THE FIESTA ESPATRERAS COMING UP ON THE SEPTEMBER 14TH.
UM, AND I THINK THE BOOTHS FOR COMMUNITY AGENCIES ARE FREE AND I CAN EVEN MENTION IT UP THERE ON THE STAGE AS WELL.
BUT WITH THAT, WE'LL TAKE IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS US ON THIS ITEM.
SEEING NONE, ANYONE ONLINE? - YES, CHAIR.
BERNARD, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
- YES, GOOD AFTERNOON, BUENAS TARDES, CHAIR AND BOARD AND STAFF.
BERNIE GOMEZ WITH [INAUDIBLE] I JUST MY COMMENT HERE IS JUST REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO ENGAGING THIS, THIS PROCESS, KNOW LEARNING THIS PROCESS, UM, I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT'S KIND OF DISCOURAGING SOMETIMES TO, TO ENGAGE IN SOME OF THESE THINGS BECAUSE THERE'S LIKE A LEARNING CURVE YOU KNOW AND, AND SPEAKING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FOLKS THAT WE WORK WITH AND JUST OUR OWN FAMILIES, RIGHT? AND JUST, YOU KNOW, BRINGING THIS UP TO THEM AND, YOU KNOW LETTING THEM KNOW LIKE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR OUR VOICE TO BE HEARD, UM, AND LEARN THIS PROCESS, RIGHT? UM, IT JUST, IT FEELS GOOD RIGHT NOW THAT THIS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN IS BEING TAILORED TO ALL RESIDENTS, RIGHT, IN THE SAN CRUZ COUNTY.
UM, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING, WE LOOK FORWARD
[03:00:03]
TO ENGAGING THIS PROCESS AND YEAH, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.- NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE, CHAIR.
- THEN I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE, BACK TO THE BOARD.
- THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS, IT'S REALLY GOOD.
MOVING FORWARD, JUST REALLY GONNA, UM, BE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT COMES BACK AND WHAT FEEDBACK WE GET FROM THE COMMUNITY.
UM, ONE RECOMMENDATION AS WELL, I KNOW SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ RECOMMENDED AN EVENT.
UCSC USUALLY DOES KIND OF LIKE A WELCOME.
TABLING EVENT FOR ALL THE NEW STUDENTS ON CAMPUS.
I'M NOT SURE WHEN THAT'S COMING UP, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE COUNTY TO MAYBE HAVE A TABLE THERE AND TO START ENGAGING WITH UCSC STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE FOLKS WHO ARE NEW TO THE COMMUNITY, WHO MAY BE COMING IN AS FRESHMEN AND MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT, UH, SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COUNTY.
AND SO JUST BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT.
AND THEN JUST PLEASE SHARE ANY INFORMATION WITH US THAT WE CAN SHARE IN OUR NEWSLETTERS SO THAT WE CAN HELP DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION AS WELL AND MAKE SURE THAT OTHER FOLKS LIKE IN MY DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE THE DAVENPORT NORTH COAST ASSOCIATION WE'VE GOT THE RURAL BONNY DOON ASSOCIATION, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE SHARING IT OUT IN THEIR NEWSLETTERS, AND THEN ENCOURAGING FOLKS WHO HAVE NEWSLETTERS TO SHARE THE INFORMATION BROADLY AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU ALL AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL.
OH, AND THEN THE OTHER POINT THAT I WANTED TO MAKE WAS, UM, TRYING TO CONNECT WITH SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS.
I THINK OFTENTIMES SOME OF OUR SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS AREN'T REALLY AS ENGAGED AND KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON.
AND SO MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE LOWER INCOME PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO REALLY STRUGGLE TO, JUST TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.
AND SO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE CONNECTING WITH THEM, I THINK IS REALLY CRITICAL.
- THANK YOU AND ERICA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROCESS.
I KNOW THAT UNDERSERVED VOICES WILL BE AT THE TABLE BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING TO HELP SVEN AND NICOLE AND EVERYONE ELSE.
THANK YOU AND THANK EVERYONE WHO'S PARTICIPATING.
NICELY DONE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE RESULTS.
- THANK YOU FOR THE PLAN THAT YOU'VE BROUGHT US TODAY.
UM, YOU KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST IN A ONE-TIME WAY, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE HOPING TO HAVE MORE ONGOING ENGAGEMENT DIALOGUE AS WE CONTINUE.
AND I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
AND I APPRECIATE YOUR FOCUS ON JUST REALLY AN EQUITY-DRIVEN, A RESULTS-BASED APPROACH, AND I THINK IT'S GONNA PRODUCE AN OUTCOME THAT'S BETTER BECAUSE OF IT.
I DO WANT TO JUST ENSURE THAT DISASTER SURVIVORS ARE INCLUDED.
UM, I SAW THAT IT WAS LISTED IN THE STAFF REPORT, BUT NOT IN THE PRESENTATION.
SO IT'S JUST AN IMPORTANT VOICE AS YOU PROCEED TO GET FEEDBACK.
AND THEN JUST ANOTHER QUESTION.
UM, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD TO TRY TO COMMUNICATE WITH MY CONSTITUENTS BOTH LIKE IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, BOTH USING SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEN LIKE OFF SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL.
AND I'M WONDERING IF THERE, IS THERE ANY, ARE THERE GONNA BE LIKE PAPER FLYERS OR IS EVERYTHING INVOLVING TECHNOLOGY OR? - NO, SO WE ACTUALLY PLAN TO HAVE AN INSERT IN THE PROPERTY TAX BILLS, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT ARE GONNA GO OUT SOON, WITH THE QR CODE FOR THE SURVEY.
UM, SO WE WILL TRY ALTERNATIVE METHODS AND THEN, SVEN, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD.
- YEAH, WE WERE THINKING AS WE GIVE THE ELECTRONIC LINKS TO YOUR OFFICE FOR HOW TO DISSEMINATE THE SURVEY.
THAT WILL ALSO HAVE A MEDIA PACKET AND A PDF OF THINGS THAT CAN BE BOTH POSTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND PRINTED OUT IF, IF YOU'D LIKE.
SO THERE'LL BE MULTIPLE OPTIONS TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT INFORMATION OUT TO FOLKS OR JUST POSTED IN ON BULLETIN BOARDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
- GREAT. I APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL MEDIA IS KIND OF IT CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE SOMETIMES.
SO, SOMETIMES JUST GOOD OLD FASHIONED PAPER AND YOU KNOW, A PENCIL CAN GET, USE THE INFORMATION IN A SAFER, MORE FACT BASED WAY.
UM, SO WITH THAT, YEAH, GOOD LUCK WITH THE REST OF YOUR APPROACH UM, LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING THE FEEDBACK THAT WE GET BACK.
- THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR KOENIG.
- THANK YOU CHAIR. THANK YOU STAFF FOR THIS, UH, INCREDIBLY COMPREHENSIVE OUTREACH PLAN.
I MEAN THIS, I'D SAY FAULTLESS.
UM, YOU KNOW, THE, WE'LL, WE'LL ABSOLUTELY HEAR FROM A GREAT CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THIS OUTREACH PLAN.
UM, I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT THE ANSWERS WE GET ARE ONLY GOOD AS THE QUESTIONS WE ASK.
IF WE ASK, YOU KNOW, AND EVEN A QUESTION AS SIMPLE AS, YOU KNOW, WHAT COUNTY SERVICES DO WE USE? I MEAN, MAYBE NOT THE MOST USEFUL, RIGHT? I MEAN, WE CAN GET THAT RAW DATA JUST BY LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ACCESSING EACH ONE OF OUR SERVICES TODAY.
[03:05:01]
UM, AND THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE MORE ACCURATE THAN THROUGH THE LENS OF THE SURVEY RESPONSES.SO, UM, I THINK IF THE SURVEY DATA IS GOING TO BE USEFUL TO US AS DECISION MAKERS, UH, IT SHOULD INCLUDE A CONSTRAINED CHOICE OPTION, HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE THESE COUNTY SERVICES, UM, WHETHER, YOU KNOW, HEALTH, FOOD, ACCESS, CHILDCARE, UM, ET CETERA, RATE THEM, RIGHT? THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF TRADE-OFFS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE HERE THAT WE JUST MADE TODAY AND THAT'S THE KIND OF INFORMATION WE NEED OF JUST HAVING PEOPLE SAY, YEAH, WE WANT IT ALL.
UM, WE GET IT, BUT WE CAN'T, WE CAN'T AFFORD IT ALL.
UM, AND THE OTHER THING IS BECAUSE WE'RE DOING SUCH COMPREHENSIVE OUTREACH AND ARE SURE TO TOUCH PEOPLE WHO USE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT SERVICES, IT WOULD GREAT, UH, BE GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET QUALITATIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE, UH, EACH OF THOSE SERVICES THAT THEY, THAT THEY ARE USING, WHETHER THAT'S IN TERMS OF ACCESS OR JUST, UM, YOU KNOW, MAKING IT A BETTER SERVICE.
- AND AGAIN, THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE, UH, HAVE BEEN DOING ON THIS, ON THIS ITEM.
I HAVE TO SAY IN SOUTH COUNTY, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
THERE'S ABOUT OVER 30% THAT ARE UNDER 19.
SO I THINK THE VOICE OF YOUNG PEOPLE IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT.
I KNOW THAT, UH, MY STAFF IS GONNA BE WORKING WITH WATSONVILLE HIGH AND PV HIGH TO TRY TO GET SOME OF THOSE SURVEYS OUT TO SOME OF THE STUDENTS THERE, SO STILL GOT WORK AHEAD OF US.
THANK YOU. I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD NOW.
- I WILL MOVE THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS.
- WE HAD A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS AND A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR KOENIG.
WE ARE GONNA BE TAKING, UH, NOT CLOSED SESSION, BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE TAKING A LUNCH BREAK AT THIS POINT.
UH, WE WILL BE BACK AT, WELL, IT'S 12:15, 1:15.
- I THINK WE COULD, I MEAN, ONE O'CLOCK AT THE LATEST.
SEEMS LIKE WE COULD GET THROUGH LUNCH.
- OKAY. - AND OTHERS, I MEAN, NO.
- IF WE'RE GONNA TAKE, IF WE'RE GONNA TAKE A BREAK.
- WE'LL BE BACK AT ONE O'CLOCK.
- UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, CHAIR HERNANDEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, EVAN DITMARS, DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PLANNER WITH CDI PLANNING.
UH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.
UH, THIS ITEM IS A JURISDICTIONAL HEARING, UM, AN APPEAL BY THE APPLICANT MATSON BRITTON ARCHITECTS, UH, ON APPEAL FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION, REQUESTING THAT YOUR BOARD TAKE JURISDICTION OF THE PROJECT WHICH WAS APPROVED BY BOTH THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
UH, THE PROJECT SITE IS LOCATED ON THE SEAWARD SIDE OF OPAL CLIFF DRIVE, UH, JUST EAST OF, UH, 41ST AVENUE.
AND THE PROJECT WOULD REMODEL THE HOME, UM, TO INCLUDE A RECONFIGURATION OF THE INTERIOR LAYOUT, ADDING A BEDROOM, MODIFYING THE ROOF LINE, EXPANDING THE GARAGE, CONSTRUCTING AN ELEVATOR, EXCAVATING THE BASEMENT AND CONSTRUCTING A SECOND STORY, ADU.
UH, THE SQUARE FOOTAGE TOTALS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ARE, UH, INDICATED ON THIS SLIDE HERE.
IN TOTAL, THE PROJECT WOULD ADD JUST UNDER 2000 SQUARE FEET TO THE EXISTING 2000 SQUARE FOOT HOME.
UH, THE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE A VARIANCE FOR A STAIRWAY IN THE FRONT YARD, A COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT, AND A SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.
UH, THIS IS SOME PROJECT BACKGROUND, UH, AND TIMELINE.
UM, IMPORTANTLY THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR ON JUNE 6TH, AND THAT APPROVAL WAS ACCOMP-, UH, WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A CONDITION OF APPROVAL TO, UH, MODIFY THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, AND I WILL DETAIL THAT CONDITION OF APPROVAL IN JUST A MOMENT HERE.
THE APPLICANT APPEALED THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR APPROVAL TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND ON JULY 23RD, THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY UPHELD THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S CONDITIONED APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT.
UH, THE APPLICANT IS NOW APPEALING THAT DECISION, UM, AS INDICATED IN THEIR, UH, REQUEST TO YOUR BOARD TO TAKE JURISDICTION.
SO THE CONDITION OF APPROVAL WAS TO, UM, LIMIT THE EXTENT OF ATTACHED ADDITIONS TO THE PROJECT TO 1012 SQUARE FEET UM, WHICH REPRESENTS 50% OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE.
UM, AND THAT APPROVAL INCLUDED AN ALLOWANCE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 1000 SQUARE FEET OF DETACHED ADU TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE FRONT YARD.
AND THAT APPROVAL DID NOT MANDATE WHETHER THE ADU WERE, WAS ATTACHED OR DETACHED TO THE STRUCTURE, AND IT DID NOT MANDATE THAT THE APPLICANT ELIMINATE THE BASEMENT.
UH, IN OTHER WORDS, THE ATTACHED ADDITIONS ARE LIMITED TO 1012 SQUARE FEET AND A THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF DETACHED ADU
[03:10:02]
WOULD BE ALLOWED IN THE FRONT YARD.HOW THE APPLICANT CHOOSES TO UTILIZE THAT 1012 SQUARE FEET UM, IS UP TO, UH, THE APPLICANT AND THE OWNER.
THE REASON FOR INCLUDING THAT CONDITION IS TO CONFORM WITH THE POLICIES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN COASTAL HAZARD AREAS WHERE, UH, THE COUNTY ADOPTED OBJECTIVES PRIORITIZE THE MITIGATION OF HAZARDS THROUGH AVOIDANCE OR POTENTIALLY RELOCATION THROUGH MANAGED RETREAT.
THE STAFF REPORT AND THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR ELABORATE ON THESE POLICIES, BUT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT SITE THE TECHNICAL SUPPORTS TECHNICAL REPORTS SUBMITTED WITH THE PROJECT ANTICIPATE THIS BLUFF TO RETREAT ABOUT 90 FEET OVER THE NEXT 100 YEARS.
AND IN THESE AREAS WHERE SUBJECT TO BLUFF RETREAT, NEW CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, AND ADDITIONS TO STRUCTURES ARE LIMITED.
THE APPROVAL REFLECTS COMPLIANCE WITH THE HAZARD MITIGATION POLICIES ADOPTED IN COUNTY CODE.
SO CONSIDERATION OF THIS APPEAL FOR YOUR BOARD TO TAKE JURISDICTION, UH, REQUIRES A DETERMINATION THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ON THIS SLIDE ARE DEMONSTRATED.
UH, THE APPELLANT'S LETTER DATED AUGUST 4TH, 2025, UH, INCLUDED IN THE PACKET FOR THIS ITEM DETAILS THE APPELLANT'S GRIEVANCES WITH THE CONDITIONAL OF APPROVAL, BUT DOES NOT PROVIDE A BASIS FOR ANY OF THE REQUIRED FINDINGS IN THIS SLIDE.
THE APPELLANT HAS NOT BROUGHT FORTH ANY NEW INFORMATION THAT WASN'T ALREADY CONSIDERED, UH, DURING, BY STAFF DURING PROJECT REVIEW, UH, THAT WASN'T CONSIDERED BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR ON JUNE 6TH, OR THAT WASN'T CONSIDERED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON JULY 23RD.
UH, THE LETTER DOES NOT, LETTER DOES NOT DEMONSTRATE THAT THERE WAS AN ERROR OR ABUSE OF DISCRETION WHEN THE PLANNING COMMISSION OR ZONING ADMINISTRATOR APPROVED THE PROJECT.
BOTH HEARINGS WERE CONDUCTED FAIRLY AND IN ACCORD...
WERE CONDUCTED FAIRLY AND RIGHTFULLY CONSIDERED THE APPELLANT'S LETTER AND THE LATE CORRESPONDENCE PROVIDED BY THE EL-, UH, BY THE APPELLANT PRIOR TO THE HEARING, AS WELL AS THE APPELLANT'S TESTIMONY WERE CONSIDERED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
NO NEW EVIDENCE SUPPORTING AN ALTERNATIVE DECISION WAS PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.
THE ADDITIONAL MATERIAL SUBMITTED BY THE APPELLANT DID NOT INTRODUCE NEW INFORMATION OR INFORMATION THAT WAS NOT ALREADY CONSIDERED.
THE LETTER ALSO INCORRECTLY CITES THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION AS A DENIAL.
IT ALLEGES THAT STAFF DEMAND A DETACHED ADU WHEN THE STAFF REPORT AND ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD CLEARLY DISPROVE THAT AND ARGUES AGAINST POSITIONS THAT STAFF HAVE NOT TAKEN.
SO STAFF ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU CONSIDER THE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL BY FIVE PLANNING COMMISSIONERS AND A ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AS WELL AS THE MULTITUDE OF PLANNING STAFF WHO HAVE COLLABORATE IN THE PREPARATION OF THE REPORT TO THOSE HEARING BODIES.
THIS APPROVAL IS REFLECTIVE OF THE ADOPTED CODES AND POLICIES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL PLAN AND LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM ADOPTED BY YOUR BOARD AND IMPLEMENTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
SO THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS FOR YOUR BOARD TO CONDUCT THE PUBLIC HEARING AS IS AFFORDED BY THE APPEAL PROCESS IN CHAPTER 18 OF COUNTY CODE, BUT TO DECLINE TO TAKE JURISDICTION OF APPLICATION 241408.
THIS, THIS IS AN APPROVED PROJECT, UH, THE APPLICANT MAY MOVE FORWARD INTO THE BUILDING PERMIT PHASE WITH SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR PROJECT AS TO THAT PROPOSED AND A RECONSIDERATION OF THIS PROJECT BY YOUR BOARD AT BEST MIGHT MARGINALLY ADVANCE THE DISCUSSION OF A BROADER LAND USE POLICY.
THAT DISCUSSION IS ALREADY OCCURRING LATER TODAY.
YOUR BOARD WILL HEAR A STATUS UPDATE FROM OR3 UH, PERTAINING TO THE LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM, WHICH IN ITS CURRENT VERSION, OUTLINES BOTH AVOIDANCE AND RELOCATION OF STRUCTURES AS MITIGATIONS FOR COASTAL HAZARDS.
AS WELL AS THE, UH, DEVELOPMENT OF THE C-LEVEL RISE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.
ADDRESSING THESE POLICIES AT THE COUNTYWIDE LEVEL OR THE MACRO LEVEL RATHER THAN ON A PROJECT BY PROJECT BASIS ENSURES CONSISTENCIES SO THAT WE'RE NOT CONTINUALLY ADJUSTING UH, POLICIES IN REACTION TO AN INDIVIDUAL PROJECT.
UH, THAT DOES CONCLUDE MY PRESENTATION, AND I'M HAPPY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
- THANK FOR THAT PRESENTATION.
AGAIN, THIS IS A HEARING AND WE WILL THEN HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT, UH, FOR A TOTAL OF 10 MINUTES.
[03:15:14]
- UM, GOOD AFTERNOON.COVE BRITTON, MATSON BRITTON ARCHITECTS.
UM, THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.
IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE IT TO YOU, BUT IT IS, AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.
UM, THERE ARE SEVERAL PROCEDURAL ERRORS THAT OCCURRED ON THIS, UH, IGNORING THE FACT THAT THE FACTS PRESENTED BY STAFF ARE INACCURATE AND WHAT WERE PRESENTED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION ARE INACCURATE AND ARE PROVABLE.
UM, PROCEDURALLY THEY LEFT OUT THE LETTERS FROM RICHARD IRISH FORMER MEMBER OF THE APPEALS BOARD FOR THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ.
UM, THE LETTER FROM PACIFIC CREST, UH, FROM ERIC ZINN, GEOLOGIST CHAIR, FORMER CHAIR OF THE LICENSING BOARD.
THESE ARE PEOPLE WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, SO IGNORE ME AND THE FACT I'VE BEEN DOING THIS 35 YEARS.
UM, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO AX TO GRIND OTHER THAN THE FOLLOW THE CODE, THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN, AND TO FOLLOW IT ACCURATELY.
SO PROCEDURALLY THEIR LETTERS WERE LEFT OUT OF YOUR PACKET.
YOU DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY REVIEW THOSE, NOR HAS COUNTY STAFF PROVIDED A RESPONSE TO THEM.
THAT MEANS, PLEASE REFER US BACK TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
GOING TOWARDS PROCEDURAL ERRORS, UH, PLANNING COMMISSIONER NICHOLS TOLD ME AFTERWARDS HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE CODE.
HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE.
THIS IS A GOOD PLANNING COMMISSIONER AND HE SHOULD HAVE ABSTAINED IF HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND.
SO WHILE I ONLY HAVE EIGHT MINUTES TO TALK TO YOU, WHAT I'M HOPING YOU'LL DO IS ASK QUESTIONS SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU.
TOOK ME A LOT OF TIME TO GET HERE.
I'D REALLY APPRECIATE THAT YOU WANT TO HEAR WHAT THIS IS ABOUT AND UNDERSTAND IT.
SECOND, THIRD, PROCEDURAL ERROR IS RICK PARKS.
AFTER THE PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING, WHO'S YOUR COUNTY ENGINEER, WHO ACTUALLY WORKED FOR THE FIRM THAT WORKED ON THIS PROJECT? OKAY? SO HE SAID THAT STAFF IS INCORRECT ON THEIR INTERPRETATION.
I WON'T USE THE SALTY LANGUAGE HE USED.
THAT STAFF IS INCORRECT ON THEIR INTERPRETATION OF COUNTY CODE SPECIFICALLY 1610.
1610 HAS 10 DEFINITIONS OF DEVELOPMENT.
ANY ONE OF THOSE CAN TRIGGER THE REQUIREMENT FOR A GEOLOGY AND GEOTECHNICAL REPORT.
THAT'S WHAT 1610 IS ABOUT, IS WHAT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT.
SO WHY THAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU IS TO TRY TO SIMPLIFY IT, 'CAUSE I CAN EXPLAIN IT FURTHER FOR YOU.
AND MR. IRISH, THE PROJECT ENGINEER IS ALSO HERE.
THIS PROJECT IS EXACTLY THE SAME SITUATION.
UH, MS. UH, MCDANIEL'S MAY DISAGREE WITH ME, BUT ONCE YOU ESTABLISHED A HUNDRED YEAR SETBACK, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH HAVING A HOUSE IN BACK OF THE A HUNDRED YEAR OR THE DEVELOPMENT BEHIND THE YEAR, THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, OR YOU HAVE A SEAWALL, DOESN'T MATTER.
THAT PROJECT WAS FOUGHT TOOTH AND NAIL ALL THE WAY TO THE, UH, COASTAL, UH, JAN BUTTES WAS STANDING ON HER HEAD TO TRY TO STOP THIS PROJECT, TO DO ANYTHING TO MINIMIZE WHAT WE'RE ADDING.
THE REASON WHY IT WAS APPROVED IS BECAUSE WHAT I'M TELLING YOU IS THE FACT THAT THE DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENT THAT STAFF IS USING IS A TRIGGER.
BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY WERE GONNA HAVE TO PROVIDE A GEOLOGY INTO YOUR TECHNICAL REPORT.
OUR CURRENT CODES HAVE CHANGED IN 35 YEARS, BUT BACK AT THE TIME.
IF YOU ADDED MORE THAN 500 SQUARE FEET OR 50% OF AN EXISTING STRUCTURE, THAT TRIGGERED THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE REPORT.
SO I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF TOM BURNS.
HE WAS A PLANNING DIRECTOR OF TIME, BUT HE KNEW THAT WAS THE DEFINITION.
I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF THE COUNTY GEOLOGIST, JOHANNA.
HE KNEW THAT WAS THE DEFINITION.
SO WHAT STAFF IS MENTIONING IS THEY'RE CREATING A POLICY, WHEN YOU ARE THE POLICYMAKERS, YOU ARE THE LEGISLATIVE BODY.
THEY SHOULDN'T BE MAKING CHANGES WITHOUT THE REST OF US NOT KNOWING, YOU KNOW.
SO THIS IS A CHANGE THAT OCCURRED.
I DON'T KNOW WHEN, WAS IT KATHY PREVACID? WAS IT JOCELYN DRAKE?
[03:20:01]
I DON'T KNOW.BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT EQUITY, BUT ALSO TALK ABOUT COUNTY STAFF KEEPS ON USING THE LCP AS THIS MAGICAL THING THAT NEEDS EVERYTHING.
WELL, LCP IS SILENT ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
IT ACTUALLY SAYS THAT ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GO BEYOND THE HUNDRED YEAR WITH THE NEW DEVELOPMENT.
ALL OF OUR DEVELOPMENT, ALL OUR NEW DEVELOPMENT IS BEHIND THAT LINE.
AND AGAIN, I HOPE YOU ALL UNDERSTAND THIS.
IN CHAPTER 1610, THE DEFINITION THAT THEY'RE USING IS EXACTLY THE SAME, WHETHER YOU'RE IN THE COASTAL ZONE OR OUT.
SO CHAPTER 1610, IF YOU LOOK AT THE ONE VERSION VERSUS ANOTHER IN OR OUT OF THE COASTAL ZONE IS THE SAME.
SO STAFF MAY BE TELLING IT, OH, WE'RE NOT GONNA USE THIS IN BONNIE DUNE OR SCOTTS VALLEY OR WATSONVILLE.
PEOPLE WITH A 1500 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE TO 750 SQUARE FEET, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT A COASTAL ZONE.
SO NO, THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS NOT PRESENTED WITH THE FACTS.
THEY PRESENTED SOMETHING ELSE AND CLEARLY THEY ALSO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY REPRESENTED.
THIS IS PERFECTLY SAFE PROJECTS.
PROJECT ENGINEER, THE GEOLOGIST WILL SAY THAT THE EXISTING HOUSE IS PERFECTLY SAFE.
COUNTY STAFF MIGHT BE COMING UP WITH POLICIES.
MR. CUMMINGS MIGHT AGREE THAT PEOPLE CAN'T PROTECT THEIR HOMES AND PROPERTY.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE LAW OF THE LAND.
SO THIS EXISTING HOME HERE IS SAFE NOW, IT WILL PROBABLY BE IN PERPETUITY UNTIL SOMETIME SOMEBODY GOES, WE'RE GONNA REMOVE THESE HOMES THAT ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE OCEAN.
SO THERE'S BEEN A FIRST, A TRIGGER OF MISUNDERSTANDING CODE NOT ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THE GENERAL PLAN, WHICH SAYS, PRESERVE EXISTING HOMES.
NOT FOLLOWING THE ACTUAL LCP, 'CAUSE IT HAS NO, IT'S MOOT ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
AND SO THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE THE ISSUE THAT'S BEEN BECOMING WITH BAKER TILLY, AND WITH THE GRAND JURY WHERE STAFF ARE MOVING AHEAD OF THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC ON DECISIONS THAT REALLY SHOULD BE TOLD TO EVERYBODY.
NOT JUST, OH, BY THE WAY, I WAS STUNNED.
I'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME.
AND THEY GO, YOU ONLY GET 50%.
I'M LIKE GOING, THAT'S ABSURD.
I MEAN, READING COMPREHENSION GOES, THAT'S A TRIGGER.
THERE'S 10 DEFINITIONS OF DEVELOPMENT.
WE WERE ALREADY DEVELOPMENT ALREADY.
I'M GONNA RESERVE MY TIME TO REBUT, INCLUDING STAFF. PLEASE.
- WE'LL NOW TAKE IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS US ON THIS ITEM.
- [INAUDIBLE] - HAVE A [INAUDIBLE] GAVE YOU ALL.
[INAUDIBLE] THAT GAVE YOU ALL, I THINK MY TIME HAS KIND OF STARTED. THANK YOU.
UH, THANK YOU CHAIR SUPERVISORS, MIKE GOTH, UH, LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE.
UM, I'M HERE AGAIN BECAUSE I'M AFRAID YOU'RE GONNA BELIEVE SOME OF THIS STUFF.
ALTHOUGH HAVING HEARD THAT PRESENTATION, I DON'T REALLY THINK THERE WAS ANYTHING UNDERSTANDABLE TO BELIEVE.
WE HAVE POLICIES THAT ARE GOOD POLICIES BASED ON THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
WE HAVE CODES THAT YOUR BOARD HAS APPROVED THAT DO THEIR BEST TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICIES.
I DON'T HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE BASIS IN THIS TWO MINUTES AND THE STAFF DOES ITS BEST TO FILTER THE PROJECTS THROUGH THE CODES THAT YOU'VE PASSED AND THE COASTAL COMMISSION HAS APPROVED.
THEY'RE NOT GETTING AHEAD OF ANYTHING HERE.
THEY'RE FINALLY CATCHING UP TO THE POLICIES AND CODES WE'VE APPROVED.
TOOK A LITTLE KICKING AND SCREAMING OVER A FEW YEARS BECAUSE WE HAD TO GO TO COAST COMMISSION AND GET SHAKY APPROVALS OVERTURNED.
AND WE SAW THAT ENOUGH AND WE GOT AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR CODES REALLY MEAN, THAT NOW WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.
WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS.
A LITTLE BIT OF A SHOCK TO SOME OF THE DEVELOPERS, BUT THERE'S GOOD REASON ON WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
NOW, I WANT TO GO TO THE HANDOUT THAT I SHOWED YOU, THAT IS NOT, PAGE ONE IS NOT THIS PROJECT, THAT IS A DIFFERENT PROJECT THAT'S GONNA BE HEARD FRIDAY BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE REP-, WITH THE RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL.
BE A HUGE PROJECT ON OPAL CLIFF, SAME STREET.
YOU CAN SEE ANOTHER VIEW OF IT, YOU KNOW, JUST SO PEOPLE CAN SEE IT.
THEY'RE CUTTING BACK SOME OF THEIR CLOSEST,
[03:25:02]
MOST AT RISK AREA, PUSHING IT BACK.SO THEY HAVE MORE ADDITION THEY CAN DO TO BE BELOW THE THRESHOLD FOR BEING CONSIDERED DEVELOPMENT.
DEVELOPMENT THRESHOLD IS AT LIKE JUST 50%.
YOU CAN DO A LOT WITH A HOUSE ON THE BLUFF AND NOT HAVE IT BE VIEWED AS DEVELOPMENT.
MAINTAIN YOUR EXISTING STRUCTURE STATUS, SUPER GENEROUS, BUT YOU, BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO GO ABOVE THAT, YOUR WHOLE HOUSE IS CONSIDERED DEVELOPMENT AND IT ALL HAS TO MOVE BACK.
BY THIS PAGE, I WANT YOU TO SEE IS, I GOTTA GO TO THE LAST PAGE.
I JUST WANT YOU TO SEE ON THE LAST PAGE EVERYTHING WITHIN GREEN.
ALL THE GREEN ONES ARE ONES THAT DIDN'T HIT THE THRESHOLD DEVELOPMENT GOT SUBSTANTIALLY REDEVELOPED, BUT WEREN'T DEVELOPMENT.
THE ONLY OUTLIER IS THE ONE IN RED, THE ONE REFERRED TO THERE. - THANK YOU.
BEFORE, BEFORE I, I, I THINK AS A PROCESS POINT, YOU SHOULD ALLOW THE REMAINDER OF PUBLIC COMMENT. - OH YES.
- CONFIRM THAT NOBODY ELSE WANTS TO, WANTS TO COMMENT EITHER ONLINE OR IN, IN, IN THE...
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS US ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. IS THERE ANYONE ONLINE? - I SEE NO SPEAKERS ONLINE CHAIR.
- GOT A LITTLE EXERCISE THERE.
UM, SO I'M GONNA JUST USE ONE MINUTE.
UH, WE STILL GO BACK TO THE DEFINITIONS.
AND REMEMBER THAT PROJECT WENT TO THE COASTAL COMMISSION.
IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO MARK STONE, ACTUALLY LIKED THE PROJECT.
SO YEAH, WE GOT IT APPROVED, AND THEY DIDN'T COME UP WITH THIS IDEA AND THIS INTERPRETATION.
IT'S A VERY RECENT INTERPRETATION.
UH, BUT THAT'S NOT THE, THE CONCERN HERE.
THE LICENSED ENGINEERS, THE ENGINEERS FOR THE COUNTY, THE GEOLOGIST, THE ENGINEER FOR THIS PROJECT, ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS THE WRONG INTERPRETATION.
THERE'S 10 DEFINITIONS OF DEVELOPMENT.
STAFF PICKED ONE AND SAID IT'S A CAP, NOT A TRIGGER.
THOSE 10 DEFINITIONS OF DEVELOPMENT ARE ALL TRIGGERS.
THIS ONE WAS TRIGGERED BY THE FACT IT WAS ON A COASTAL BLUFF.
AND THE CODE STRUCTURE, BUT FUNCTIONALLY MAKES NO SENSE.
LET'S SAY WE HAD A 1500 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE.
I CAN ONLY ADD 750. I HAVE A 5,000.
- I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY, UH, OH.
- WE WANNA HEAR FROM STAFF IF THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSE.
- I'M, I'M HESITANT TO RESPOND TOO MUCH, JUST GIVEN THAT THIS IS A JURISDICTIONAL HEARING.
BUT I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING THAT I WOULD CONSIDER IN LIGHT OF THIS PROJECT, UM, DIFFERENT PROJECT IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION UM, INCLUDED A SEA WALL.
SO SUBJECT TO DIFFERENT STANDARDS.
AND IT WAS CONSIDERED IN THE MID TWO THOUSANDS, 2005, I THINK.
SO, UM, WE ARE NOT GOING BACK TO REEVALUATE PREVIOUS POLICY FOR, UM, ESTABLISHING PRECEDENT.
SO EVEN THOUGH I DO THINK IT'S A DIFFERENT PROJECT, AND I HAVE LOOKED AT IT, I'VE LISTENED TO THE AUDIO TRANSCRIPT OF THAT MEETING, I STILL BELIEVE THAT WE'RE, WE'RE APPLYING THE SAME POLICIES THAT WE APPLIED AT THAT TIME, AND THAT OUR RECOMMENDATION IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT'S IN CODE.
- THINK I STILL HAVE REBUTTAL TIME.
UH, THE FACT IS, IS BOTH A PROJECT ENGINEER, THE COUNTY GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER, AND I ALL AGREE, ONCE YOU ESTABLISH THE 100 YEAR LINE, IT'S ESTABLISHED, IT'S IRRELEVANT.
THE CODE HASN'T CHANGED SINCE 2005 PERIOD.
UM, THE INTERPRETATION CHANGED, BUT WITHOUT NOTIFYING YOU OR THE PUBLIC, THIS IS FOUNDATIONAL CHANGE THAT TECHNICALLY APPLIES COUNTYWIDE.
AND THE COUNTY STAFF HAVEN'T REPLIED TO THOSE STAMPED INSIDE LETTERS, SPECIFICALLY FROM LICENSED INDIVIDUALS.
THEY'RE NOT PRESENTING 'EM TO YOU, OR THEY ONLY PRESENTED THEM TODAY AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE.
SO WE'VE GOT A REAL PROCEDURAL PROBLEM.
I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO APPROVE THIS PROJECT TODAY.
I'M ASKING YOU TO SEND IT BACK TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND GO, WE WANT A RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER.
WE WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND, LET JESSE NICHOLS UNDERSTAND WHAT OCCURRED.
BECAUSE THIS IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE THAN THIS PROJECT.
NOW I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
[03:30:03]
- UH, YES, THANK YOU CHAIR.FIRST OF ALL, I DO WANNA APPRECIATE THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN APPEAL OF AN APPROVAL.
UM, AND THERE'S, THERE'S CLEARLY A DISAGREEMENT BY THE APPELLANT ABOUT STAFF'S INTERPRETATION OF THE CODE, BUT THAT ULTIMATELY STAFF WAS TRYING TO OUTLINE A PATHWAY FOR, UH, THIS PROJECT OR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR PROJECTS.
I JUST WANNA APPRECIATE, UM, THAT THIS, THIS WAS NOT A, NO, THIS WAS SORT OF A YES WITH CONDITION.
AND, UM, AND I, I JUST APPRECIATE THAT APPROACH BY STAFF, UH, TO THE FOLKS WHO ARE, UH, TRYING TO IMPROVE THEIR HOMES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, SO THE TWO SECTIONS OF CODE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE AGENDA MEMO WERE, UH, 161004019C AND 1610070H1A.
UM, THIS, IT SEEMS LIKE AT ISSUE HERE, THE FUNDAMENTAL INTERPRETATION THAT, UH, I BELIEVE IT'S 161004019C, UH, IS THAT WHAT STAFF IS LOOKING AT TO SAY THAT THERE'S A LIMIT OF 50% OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE UM, THAT THAT CAN BE CONSTRUCTED? THAT CAN BE BUILT? - YEAH, THAT'S, THAT'S PART OF IT.
AND ACTUALLY, UM, IT'S ACTUALLY 1610070 WHERE IT, IT DOES REFERENCE IN, UM, THE INITIAL SENTENCES OF THAT SECTION THAT IT DOES TRIGGER GEOLOGIC REVIEW.
AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FOLLOWING SECTION MUST APPLY.
UM, AND SO IT'S, IT INCORPORATES, I MEAN THE, THE ONE SENTENCE INCORPORATES A BROAD SET OF CONDITIONS.
UM, AND, AND THAT IS AT THE BEGINNING OF 1610070.
- UH, SORRY, AT THE BE, UH, NOT, NOT THE SUBSECTION WITHIN - NO, NOT, IT'S...
- JUST, JUST, JUST IN THE OPENING PORTION.
OKAY. UM, DOES THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY HAVE A SEAWALL? - UH, NO SEAWALL CURRENTLY.
- IT DOESN'T. AND YOU DID SAY THAT, UM, THE FINDINGS FOR THAT, THE EXISTING STRUCTURE OR THE ADDITION WERE, WERE WITHIN LIKE THE 90 YEAR.
- ARE ASSUME THAT WITHIN 90 YEARS THOSE STRUCTURE WOULD BE THREATENED? - YES. THE EXISTING STRUCTURE WOULD BE IS, IS, UH, C WORD OF THAT PROJECTED SETBACK.
SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, ANTICIPATING ABOUT 90 FEET OF BLUFF EROSION OVER THE NEXT A HUNDRED YEARS.
UM, AND THAT'LL RUN BACK ALL THE WAY.
AND, UM, THE, WE'RE NOT DISPUTING THAT THE ADU THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING MEETS THE SETBACK.
WE'RE THE, BUT THE WAY THAT THE CODE IS WRITTEN IS THAT YOU MITIGATE THE HAZARD ON THE SITE BEFORE YOU BEGIN DEVELOPING THE STRUCTURE.
AND IT GIVES YOU A CEILING FOR ADDITIONS.
YOU KNOW, FIVE 50%, 500 SQUARE FEET.
AND WE DON'T RUN INTO THIS ALL THAT OFTEN BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT DOING GREATER THAN 50% ADDITIONS TO THEIR HOUSE.
A LOT OF THE HOUSES ON OPAL CLIFF, THEY'RE SIMPLY DEMOLISHING THEM.
THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, BUILDING SUBSTANTIAL HOUSES.
IF YOU GO DOWN THERE, THERE'S A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT OCCURRING.
THOSE ARE ALL SUBJECT TO THAT SAME STANDARD.
IF THEY HAVE A SEA WALL THEY'RE AFFORDED, THAT'S A 25 FOOT SETBACK BECAUSE THE SEAWALL IS PROTECTING IT WITHOUT A SEAWALL THEY'RE SUBJECT TO THIS HUNDRED FOOT, UH, YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S A PROJECTED SETBACK.
IT'S NOT A, IT'S NOT A GUARANTEE OR AN EVALUATION OF THIS SPECIFIC SAFETY.
IT'S JUST ANTICIPATED THAT THE AREA BETWEEN THE CURRENT BLUFF AND THE SETBACK WILL ERODE AWAY OVER TIME.
UM, AND THE, IN THIS CASE, THE, UM, EXISTING HOME IS WITHIN THAT 90 YEAR, UM, HAZARD PACKAGE.
- CORRECT. ALMOST ENTIRELY. YEAH - BUT EVEN THOUGH THE, THE ADU AND THE ADDITION ARE NOT? - CORRECT.
- CAN YOU JUST PUT ME TO THE SECTION OF CODE THAT, THAT SAYS THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, AS YOU SAID, THE HAZARDS NEED TO BE MITIGATED AND THAT THE EXISTING HOME IS CONSIDERED? - TO BE TOTALLY HONEST WITH YOU, I'M NOT, I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME TODAY.
UM, I CAN, I CAN FOLLOW UP WITH IT.
UM, IT IS DETAILED IN THE REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT I'M, I WASN'T PREPARED TO DISCUSS THE POLICY BASIS FOR IT.
TRY, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THESE JURISDICTIONAL HEARINGS KIND OF GET A LITTLE, YOU KNOW, UM, OFF TOPIC WHEN WE'RE CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GONNA DISCUSS THE POLICY.
SO I DON'T HAVE THAT DISCUSSION IN FRONT OF ME NOW.
I CAN FOLLOW UP WITH IT OR, UM, IF YOU, IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO TAKE A MOMENT, I CAN.
- I MEAN, IT MIGHT BE WORTH WAITING.
I FEEL LIKE THAT'S KINDA THE OPERATIONAL THING HERE.
I MEAN, I SEE CLEARLY THAT, YOU KNOW, WITHIN 161004019C
[03:35:05]
THE DEFINITIONS OF DEVELOPMENT THAT YEAH, IF IT'S OVER 50% OF THE EXISTING HOME, IT WILL BE CONSIDERED DEVELOPMENT.UM, I MEAN, I THINK I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THERE THAT SAYS THAT THAT THAT IS A CEILING.
IT'S JUST SORT OF A TRIGGER TO BE CONSIDERED DEVELOPMENT.
UM, BUT THEN AS WAS POINTED OUT IN 1610070, UH, H1A, IF IT'S CONSIDERED DEVELOPMENT, IT NEEDS TO MEET THOSE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS.
UM, AND SO THAT ALSO SEEMS CLEAR.
WHAT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME IS THE DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERED JUST THE ADDITION, OR IF WE'RE CONSIDERING THE WHOLE HOUSE.
AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE OPERATIVE CLAUSE THAT IF, I MEAN, I'M WILLING TO WAIT, I THINK IT'S PROBABLY MORE EFFICIENT OF USE OF OUR TIME RATHER THAN SENDING IT BACK TO A PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A WHOLE SEPARATE HEARING OR, UM, YOU KNOW, SO IF, IF STAFF WANTS TO IDENTIFY THAT SECTION OR, YOU KNOW, WE CAN USE THE TIME BY HEARING FROM ANY, ANY OTHER STAFF ON.
I HAVE IT, I JUST DIDN'T HAVE IT ON HAND.
I'M HAPPY TO CONSIDER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT THE BOARD MIGHT HAVE IF YOU WANT ME TO, TO CLARIFY IT.
- WE CAN ALSO CONTINUE THIS ITEM TILL LATER IN THE DAY.
I MEAN, I IT, OR UNLESS COUNTY COUNCIL HAS AN ANSWER, I MEAN, AGAIN, THIS JUST SEEMS LIKE THAT'S THE OPERATIVE SECTION, RIGHT? IS, OR IF YOU DISAGREE, BY ALL MEANS.
- LOOKS LIKE MR. MACHADO HAS SOMETHING TO ADD.
- WELL, WHAT I, UM, GOOD AFTERNOON.
WHAT I WAS GONNA SUGGEST, WE HAVE COMPUTERS HERE.
WE COULD PULL THAT CODE SECTION UP RIGHT THERE ON THE SCREEN AND, AND LOOK AT IT.
'CAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR.
LET'S LOOK AT THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, DEVELOPMENT TRIGGER THERE AND, AND DOES IT REFLECT, DOES IT AFFECT THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE OR JUST THE NEW CONSTRUCTION? AND WE THINK IT, IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE.
AND I THINK WE PULL THAT CODE SECTION UP PRETTY EASILY AND THEN LOOK AT IT TOGETHER, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.
- SO WHILE THEY LOOK IT UP, I'LL ASK ALL THE OTHER, UH, BOARD MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
- THIS IS NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE, SO BEAR WITH ME.
BUT, UM, AND FROM YOUR, FROM WHERE YOU SIT, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN WITH US, OUR DEPARTMENT BUT DO YOU, OR MAYBE MATT COULD ANSWER THIS, HAS THERE BEEN A CHANGE IN THAT IN THE COUNTY CODE, HOW IT'S INTERPRETED? IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS INTERPRETED 20 YEARS AGO, A BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN IT'S INTERPRETED TODAY.
SO I MEAN, WE'VE GOT AN ARCHITECT, WE HAVE VERY WELL-RESPECTED ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS.
I MEAN, I KNOW RICHARD IRISH, I KNOW ERICSSON, LIKE THESE ARE VERY SMART, WELL-RESPECTED PEOPLE.
SO I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN TELL ME IF [INAUDIBLE]...
- SO, I, I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, BUT THIS DECISION WASN'T DETERMINED SOLELY BY MYSELF.
AND AS I MENTIONED, I WENT BACK AND LOOKED LISTENED TO THAT HEARING WHERE THIS PROJECT ON PLEASURE POINT DRIVE WAS DISCUSSED.
AND THEY EXPLICITLY ACKNOWLEDGED IN THAT MEETING IN 2005 THAT THERE ARE PROJECTS THAT HAVE INADVERTENTLY EXCEEDED THIS THRESHOLD AND DEMOLITION OR RELOCATION WAS REQUIRED.
SO AT LEAST BACK UNTIL 2005, THERE WAS A POLICY OF THIS STRICT CEILING WHERE THERE WERE OCCASIONS THAT DEVELOPMENT WAS COMPELLED TO BE, TO BE RELOCATED OR MOVED.
AND THAT IS IN THE MEETING TRANSCRIPT.
THAT WAS, UM, THAT, THAT WAS PART OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND BOARD HEARINGS IN 2005.
- I ASKED TO BE HEARD RESPECTFULLY.
- DID WE FIND THE MATERIALS THAT WE NEED TO FIND? - SURE. SO IF WE CAN SCROLL DOWN JUST TO, UM, D THERE'S A DEFINITION OF, OF DEVELOPMENT.
- WHAT MR. UH, DIMAR SAID WAS UNTRUE.
- UH, GO UP A LITTLE BIT HERE.
SO UNDER TWO, SO THERE'S A DEFINITION FOR DEVELOPMENT AS MR. BRITTON POINTED OUT THAT THERE'S A SLEW OF DEFINITIONS THAT ARE CONSIDERED DEVELOPMENT.
AND, UM, NUMBER TWO AND NUMBER THREE, TALK ABOUT MODIFYING 50% OF THE MAJOR STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS.
AND NUMBER THREE, ACKNOWLEDGES THE ADDITION OF HABITABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE TO ANY STRUCTURE WHERE THE, IN ADDITION INCREASES HABITABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE BY MORE THAN 50% OR 500 SQUARE FEET, WHICHEVER IS GREATER OVER A CONSECUTIVE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.
THIS ALLOWS A TOTAL INCREASE OF UP TO 50% OF THE ORIGINAL HABIT SPACE OF THE STRUCTURE, WHETHER THE ADDITIONS ARE CONSTRUCTED AT ONE TIME
[03:40:01]
OR THE SUM OF MULTIPLE ADDITIONS OVER A CONSECUTIVE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.SO THIS PUTS THE PROJECT SQUARELY INTO THE DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENT.
NOW, NOW THE ORDER OF OPERATION IS TO GO DOWN TO, UM, IF, UM, WE COULD GO DOWN TO 070.
IT'S, UH, THE SAME, SAME PAGE HERE.
UM, BUT IF YOU CAN SCROLL DOWN.
UM, AND SO IT'S, UH, AT THE BEGINNING IT SAYS THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GEOLOGIC HAZARD ASSESSMENT.
UM, CAN YOU BACK UP TO THE INDEX? THERE'S TWO, UM, SCROLL UP A...
1610 EFFECTIVE WITHIN THE COASTAL ZONE.
UM, SO JUST FOR POSTERITY, I JUST THINK WE'LL GO BACK TO THE DEFINITIONS JUST TO SHOW THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BETWEEN THE DEFINITION, BUT IF YOU SPEED UP, IF YOU GO TO DEFINITIONS, PLEASE, SCROLL DOWN TO D.
SO, UM, OKAY, LET'S STOP THERE.
SO THE SAME DEFINITION, THE ADDITION OF HABIT SQUARE FOOTAGE 500 SQUARE FEET.
UM, NOW IF YOU'D PLEASE SCROLL TO 070.
UM, AND SO AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS SECTION, IT SAYS, THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GEOLOGIC HAZARD ASSESSMENT SHALL BE INCLUDED AS PERMIT CONDITIONS OF ANY PERMIT ISSUED FOR DEVELOPMENT.
IN ADDITION, THE REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED BELOW FOR SPECIFIC GEOLOGIC HAZARDS SHALL BECOME STANDARD CONDITIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT.
NO DEVELOPMENT BUILDING OR LAND DIVISION APPROVALS SHALL BE ISSUED UNLESS SUCH ACTIVITY IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
SO NOW SCROLL DOWN TO, UM, H I BELIEVE IT IS, AND THESE ARE ALL SUBSECTIONS FOR VARIOUS HAZARDS IN THE COUNTY.
SO SPECIFICALLY HERE FOR COASTAL BLUFFS AND BEACHES, THE FIRST PRINCIPLE IS THAT FOR ALL DEVELOPMENT, AND WE DECIDED THAT THIS PROJECT IS DEVELOPMENT, YOU NEED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE SITE IN ITS PRE-DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR A MINIMUM OF 100 YEARS SO THAT THE SITE IS SAFE FOR A PERIOD OF 100 YEARS.
THE GEOLOGIC SETBACK IS RETREATING BACK WITHIN THE, THE BUILDING ENVELOPE.
B, FOR ALL DEVELOPMENT NOT NEW DEVELOPMENT, NOT RIGHT ADDITIONS NOT THERE, INCLUDING THAT IS, WHICH IS CANTILEVER THE DISTANCE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE A STABLE BUILDING SITE OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE STRUCTURE.
- RIGHT. - AND SO THE SUM OF THESE REQUIREMENTS MANDATE THIS, AND IT'S A, IT'S A, IT'S A BROAD POLICY AND IT'S ALSO INFORMED BY LAND USE AND HAZARD MITIGATION.
THIS, I MEAN, IS IT REFINED AND AS CLEAR AS IT COULD BE? I WOULD AGREE THAT IT COULD BE MUCH CLEARER AND MORE EXPLICIT ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT ADDITIONS CAN BE INCLUDED.
I THINK, UM, CLEARLY THE ADVENT OF ADUS WERE NOT CONSIDERED, OR EXCEPTIONS FOR ALLOWING 800 SQUARE FEET TO BE CREDITED.
THE CODE DOESN'T REFLECT THAT.
BUT THE POLICY BASIS IS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A HAZARD, YOU CAN MODIFY AND MAINTAIN YOUR STRUCTURE TO AN EXTENT BUT THERE BECOMES A POINT WHERE YOU'RE COMPELLED TO ADDRESS THAT HAZARD BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WITH DEVELOPMENT.
WE ESTABLISHED 500 SQUARE FEET, 50% A UNDER YOUR SETBACK.
NO ONE CAN PREDICT EXACTLY WHEN THE HAZARD IS GONNA OCCUR.
BUT THE THEORY OF IT IS THAT YOU HAVE A HAZARD AND IT SHOULD BE MITIGATED WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MITIGATE IT PRIOR TO A BIG DEVELOPMENT.
AND, AND THAT IS THE BASIS FOR HOW WE ARRIVE AT, UM, THE REQUIREMENT TO, UM, TO RELOCATE A STRUCTURE POTENTIALLY.
I, I, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, IT DOESN'T COME UP VERY OFTEN, BUT THAT IS THE BASIS FOR HOW THIS CODE IS, IS CRAFTED.
- YEAH. THANK YOU. I THINK THAT THAT IS CLEAR.
UM, IT'S CLEARLY DEVELOPMENT AS DEFINED UNDER 19C AND THEN UNDER H1A, IT'S CLEAR THAT THE, THE SITE IS NOT SAFE IN ITS CURRENT PRE-DEVELOPMENT CONDITION WITHIN A HUNDRED YEARS.
SO, UM, THE OPTIONS ARE, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY AS STAFF SUGGESTED STAY BELOW THE DEFINITION DEVELOPMENT AND, YOU KNOW, WE...
- AND IT'S SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PROJECT.
THEY STILL HAVE A THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF ADDITION, STILL A BASEMENT, STILL A FRONT YARD, ADU,
[03:45:01]
WHICH IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THOSE, BUT THAT THE STATE HAS FACILITATED THAT.
SO IN A, IN A WAY, WE'RE FACILITATED BY SOME OF THESE STATE APPROVALS.
UM, BUT, BUT THAT IS A WAY THAT THEY CAN HAVE A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR PROJECT AS WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING.
IT ALLOWS US TO, TO APPROVE IT WITHIN, UH, WHAT'S PERMITTED BY COUNTY CODE AND, AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
- YEAH. THANK YOU SUPERVISOR KOENIG FOR THE THOROUGH REVIEW OF WHAT'S BEFORE US AS A BOARD, UM, YOU KNOW, THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR HAS WEIGHED IN ON THIS, THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAS WEIGHED ON THIS, IN ON THIS.
UM, I SEE NO REASON TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT SO I'M GONNA MOVE THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS.
- WE HAVE A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ.
SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS.
IF WE CAN TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE, MADAM CLERK.
- CERTAINLY. SUPERVISOR DE SERPA.
DID I HEAR ONE NO VOTE? OKAY, FROM SUPERVISOR DE SERPA.
- WE'RE TAKING AN ITEM OUT OF ORDER SO THAT I [INAUDIBLE].
FOR ALTERNATIVELY, JUST HEAR MY PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE YOU CALL IT.
CAN WE MOVE ITEM 10 FORWARD? [INAUDIBLE].
WE'RE GONNA GO WITH, UH, ITEM NUMBER 10, UH, FULL PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY, AND THE FORMATION OF [INAUDIBLE] DISTRICT AND [INAUDIBLE].
UH, NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS NUMBER 10.
UH, HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW THE TESTIMONY ON THE FORMATION OF THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND THE LIBBY ASSESSMENTS ON WINERIES.
I'LL TURN IT OVER TO, UH, PETER DEADLIFTS, PRINCIPAL, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST, KELLY RANKIN, PROJECT MANAGER AND TEAM ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR FOR CIVITAS AND KEIKI MCKAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN WINE ASSOCIATION.
- GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THIS IS PETER DALLAS, PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST IN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
I AM HERE TODAY WITH KEIKI, UH, MCKAY FROM THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION, AND KELLY RANKIN FROM CIVITAS.
AS YOU MAY RECALL, ON AUGUST 5TH, THE BOARD ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF AN INTENTION TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS TO FORM A SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, AND SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR TODAY.
KEIKI AND KELLY ARE HERE TO PROVIDE A SHORT PRESENTATION AND BE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND WITH THAT I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THEM.
- ALRIGHT, GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND SUPERVISORS.
MY NAME IS KELLY RANKIN, PROJECT MANAGER WITH CIVITAS, WORKING ALONGSIDE THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION ON THE FORMATION OF THE WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
SO TODAY I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE A BRIEF UPDATE ON OUR PROGRESS AND CLARIFY HOW THE DISTRICT WORKS.
SO FAR, WE'VE RECEIVED PETITIONS REPRESENTING NEARLY 60% OF THE TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE OF THE DISTRICT.
OF THE 10 JURISDICTIONS INCLUDED IN THE DISTRICT WE'VE SECURED RESOLUTIONS, GRANTING CONSENT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES CONSENTING TO JOIN.
JUST A COUPLE HOURS AGO WE ALSO RECEIVED THE RESOLUTION FROM SAN MATEO COUNTY, SO ACTUALLY MAKING IT FIVE THEREFORE WE HAVE THE REMAINING FIVE TO GO AND MUST RECEIVE THOSE AHEAD OF OUR OCTOBER 21ST PUBLIC HEARING.
SO HERE I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE MECHANICS AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS.
SO ONCE THE WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IS FORMED, ASSESS WINERIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMITTING THE ASSESSMENT.
HOWEVER, IT'S USUALLY PASSED ALONG TO THE CUSTOMER.
HDL, WHO ACTUALLY ALREADY COLLECTS FOR WINE DISTRICTS IN LOCATIONS LIKE LIVERMORE, AMADOR COUNTY, AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO MANAGE THE COLLECTION ON THE COUNTY'S BEHALF.
FUNDS THEN GO TO THE WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION WHO ADMINISTERS THEM UNDER THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PLAN.
LEGALLY SPEAKING, THOSE ASSESSMENT DOLLARS MUST BE SPENT EXACTLY AS OUTLINED IN OUR MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PLAN, WHICH ENSURES TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
WINERIES WILL HAVE INPUT ON THESE SERVICES AND AN ANNUAL REPORT
[03:50:03]
TO THE COUNTY WILL SHOW HOW FUNDS WERE SPENT, REVENUES RECEIVED, AND PROJECTIONS FOR THE COMING YEAR.THE ASSOCIATION WILL ALSO OPERATE UNDER THE BROWN ACT AND PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST ACT.
SO WITH THAT, UM, I WILL PROGRESS THE NEXT SLIDE, BUT KEIKI WILL ACTUALLY BE TAKING OVER.
- HI, I AM KEIKI MCKAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION FOR SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS.
UM, THIS INITIAL TERM IS FOR FIVE YEARS, UM, THAT GIVES US THE TIME TO RAMP UP, COLLECT THE ASSESSMENT, AND IMPLEMENT ALL MARKETING ACTIVITIES, WHICH, AS YOU KNOW, TAKE A YEAR, A YEAR OR TWO TO KIND OF GET IN THE GROOVE.
IT IS PROPOSED TO BE MANAGED BY THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION WITH A 1%, UM, ASSESSMENT FEE.
BEGINNING IN YEAR TWO THIS COULD BE INCREASE UP TO 2%, BUT ONLY BY A MAX OF, UH, 0.5% PER YEAR.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED, UM, DROPPING THE CEILING TO 1.5.
UM, THE BID ENSURES THAT THOSE WHO BENEFIT THE MOST OR BENEFIT FROM INCREASED TOURISM, CONTRIBUTE FAIRLY TO FUNDING THE MARKETING EFFORTS.
THE SHARED INVESTMENT MODEL IS KIND OF, IT RELIEVES AN INDIVIDUAL WINERIES FROM SHOULDERING THE COST ALONE.
SO WE, WE ARE A DISTRICT OF VERY, VERY SMALL WINERIES AND MOST OF THEM CANNOT FUND ADEQUATE MARKETING FOR THEMSELVES.
KELLY, IS THIS ONE YOURS? SLIDE FIVE. IT'S NOT.
UM, THIS IS THE, UM, WINE DISTRICT PARAMETERS.
SO THIS IS THE BUDGET THAT WE PUT, PUT FORTH IN THE MDP, OUR MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PLAN.
UM, WE'RE ESTIMATING BY YEAR TWO THAT THE REVENUES WOULD BE $575,000.
THAT REPLACES OUR MEMBERSHIP FEES, SO WE WOULD NO LONGER CHARGE UM, MEMBERSHIP DUES.
UM, AND THIS WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO THESE SIX SEGMENTS WITH THE BULK OF IT GOING TO MARKETING AND BRAND AWARENESS.
SOME GOING TO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AND SPECIAL PROJECTS SUCH AS OUR WINE DISTRICT SIGNS THAT I KNOW MANY IN THIS COUNTY HAVE BEEN WANTING FOR A LONG TIME, BUT WE CANNOT FUND.
UM, ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS, UM, CONTINGENCY AND RESERVES AND THEN WE DO PAY, UM, UH, UH, ADMINISTRATION FEE.
THE KEY SERVICES, WHAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO IMPLEMENT HERE IS, UM, LIKE I SAID, STRENGTHENING THE VISIBILITY FOR ALL, DEVELOPING THE BRAND OF THE AVA, BUT THAT ALWAYS, THAT ALSO IMPACTS THE REGION.
IT IMPACTS WINERIES THAT SIT JUST OUTSIDE THE AVA.
IT'S WINE TOURISM, SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND JOBS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
A STRONGER WINE IDENTITY DRIVES MORE VISITORS, WHICH MEANS MORE LOCAL SPENDING, MORE TAX REVENUE.
AND WITHIN THAT BUT WHAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO DO THAT TARGETS DTC OR DIRECT TO CONSUMER SALES HERE IS, UM, THE WINE TRAIL SIGNAGE, MORE PARTICIPATION IN EVENTS AND HOSTING EVENTS.
UM, LARGE SCALE DIGITAL ADVERTISING, GEO TARGETING IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES AND SUB REGIONS.
UM, THE HIGHWAY 17 BILLBOARD, MAYBE MORE TRAVEL PIECES WITHIN THE CHRONICLE.
MORE PUBLIC RELATIONS, SO BRINGING IN MORE MEDIA INTO THE REGION TO TELL OUR STORY MORE BROADLY.
UM, AND I ALREADY KIND OF TOUCHED ON THE DIGITAL MARKETING CAMPAIGNS.
I THINK I'M BACK TO YOU, KELLY, ON THE PARAMETERS.
SO, AS I MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT AGO, THE JURIS-, OR EXCUSE ME, THE WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WILL INCLUDE THESE 11 JURISDICTIONS.
SO WITH SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SERVING AS OUR LEAD JURISDICTION, AND THE OTHER 10 WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE CONSENT IN ORDER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DISTRICT BOUNDARY.
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH VARIOUS WINERIES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR STAFF WITH DISCUSSIONS TO ACTUALLY REDUCE THIS BOUNDARY UPON OUR PUBLIC HEARING WHERE REVISIONS AND REDUCTIONS CAN BE MADE.
SO WE WILL LIKELY BE COMING TO YOU AT OUR PUBLIC HEARING WITH A REDUCED VERSION OF THIS MAP.
SO HERE'S A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF OUR PROCESS AND TIMELINE, WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO AND WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT.
THIS PROCESS BEGAN WITH A FEASIBILITY STUDY IN AUGUST OF 2024.
THIS INCLUDED SURVEYS, OPEN HOUSES, AND ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS TO ENGAGE IN OUTREACH, CONSENSUS BUILDING, AND EDUCATION ABOUT THE DISTRICT.
WITH POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THAT, WE ADVANCED TO DRAFTING THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PLAN AND REALLY ENGAGING IN THE FORMATION PROCESS.
THIS BEGAN IN FEBRUARY WITH OUR PETITION DRIVE, UH, OCCURRING IN MAY.
WE HAD NEARLY 60% IN ITS SUPPORT AS OF AUGUST, AND THAT ALLOWED US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS.
[03:55:02]
SO NOW WE'RE WORKING ON SECURING THE REMAINING JURISDICTIONAL RESOLUTIONS OF CONSENT.SO ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE MET BEFORE OUR OCTOBER 21ST PUBLIC HEARING.
AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION.
- WITH THAT, I'LL TAKE IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND SEE IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO, UH, COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ACCOMMODATING ME.
MY NAME IS ERIN MURPHY BROADDUS.
I HAVE MET SOME OF YOU AND SOME OF YOU THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE HAVE, UH, MET IN PERSON NICE TO MEET YOU.
I AM THE CO-OWNER OF ANATUM WINERY THAT IS LOCATED IN SOUTH COUNTY UM, I WANNA EMPHASIZE THAT THE PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU IS INVITING LEGAL CHALLENGE.
THE REFERENCED PETITIONS FALL FAR SHORT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE.
THE BOARD PACKET ORIGINALLY SAID THAT 42 PETITIONS WERE RECEIVED, BUT IN RESPONSE TO A PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST THAT I MADE, ONLY 30 WERE PRODUCED.
OF THOSE 30, ONLY A FRACTION INCLUDED THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ONE OF THE PETITIONS INCLUDED WAS FROM A WINERY THAT ISN'T EVEN ON THE LIST OF THOSE PROPOSED TO BE ASSESSED.
PETITIONS LACKING REQUIRED MATERIAL SIMPLY CANNOT COUNT TOWARD THE STATUTORY MAJORITY THRESHOLD AND YET THEY WERE COUNTED.
SECOND, THE CLAIMED 57% AND NOW CLAIMED 60% SUPPORT RESTS ON UNDISCLOSED CALCULATIONS USING CONFIDENTIAL SALES TAX DATA.
THE LAW REQUIRES ASSESSMENTS TO BE BASED ON DIRECT TO CONSUMER GROSS SALES, NOT SALES TAX DATA.
NEITHER THE WINERIES NOR THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REVIEW HOW THOSE NUMBERS WERE DERIVED DESPITE REQUESTS.
THAT PETITION PROCESS, UH, MAKES THIS ENTIRE PROCESS NOT TRANSPARENT, AND I BELIEVE LEGALLY VULNERABLE.
THE WINERY LIST ITSELF CONTAINS DUPLICATIONS OUR WINERY' ON THERE TWICE.
WINERY, ONE WINERY IS ON THERE FOUR TIMES.
UM, BUT MORE LIKELY DOES NOT GIVE ADEQUATE NOTICE TO THE WINERIES OF WHICH WILL BE ASSESSED.
I'VE REQUESTED UNDERLYING INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL AND WAS TOLD, UH, BY THE COUNTY THAT MY CORRESPONDENCE WOULD NOT BE RESPONDED TO UNTIL JANUARY, 2026.
WHY WOULD THIS BOARD APPROVE A PROPOSAL SOONER THAN THE PUBLIC CAN EVEN KNOW THE FULL STORY FORMATION OF THIS DISTRICT...
- IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS US ON THIS ITEM? - THANK YOU.
IF YOU WANT TO GO FAST, GO ALONE.
IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, GO TOGETHER.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION.
I'M A WINE GROWER, A WINE MAKER.
I'M GIVING UP MY DUTIES AS WINE MAKING.
TODAY I'M HOURS BEHIND BECAUSE I'M DEDICATED TO THIS PROCESS.
I WILL GO BACK, I'LL WORK TILL LATE IN THE EVENING TO CATCH UP, BUT THAT'S MY DEDICATION.
WINE MAKING IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS STARTED IN 1850.
THE CIVIL WAR HAD NOT BEEN FOUGHT.
LINCOLN WAS A JUNIOR CONGRESSMAN, FRESHMAN CONGRESSMAN, I THINK IN, UH, IN THE, UH, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND CALIFORNIA HAD JUST BECOME A STATE.
WE CERTAINLY HIT SOME ROAD BUMPS AND HAD HARD TIMES OVER THIS, BUT WE WILL PERSEVERE.
THE WINE DISTRICT, WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IS THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN THIS PROCESS, AND PEOPLE HAVE, UH, SPOKEN ABOUT THIS, THE PROCESS.
I HAVE SPENT HOURS OF MY TIME IN CONVERSATIONS, AND I'M HAPPY TO SPEND HOURS MORE TO HELP EXPLAIN THIS PROCESS.
IT'S COMPLICATED, IT'S TAKEN LOTS OF MY TIME AND DEDICATION, WHICH I DO NOT GET PAID FOR.
TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS AND I UNDERSTAND IT AT A HIGH LEVEL AND UNDERSTAND HOW THIS NEEDS TO MOVE US FORWARD.
WE ARE SIMPLY ASKING FOR THE PERMISSION FROM THIS GOVERNING BOARD FOR TO TRY, TO TRY THIS EXPERIMENT, TO TRY THIS PROCESS.
IF WE DON'T TRY, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE DOING THE BEST THING.
THERE ARE EXIT RAMPS FOR THIS THAT WE CAN GET OUT, BUT WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER.
WE'RE A STRONGER COLLECTED VOICE.
WE MAKE WORLD-CLASS WINES HERE IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, AND THE WORLD DOESN'T KNOW IT TODAY.
[04:00:01]
- THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ONLINE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ON THIS ITEM? - YES. CHAIR.- BIG BASIN VINEYARDS, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
- HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? - YES, WE CAN.
I'M THE FOUNDER OF BIG BASIN VINEYARDS.
AND I CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN WINEGROWERS AS WELL.
UM, I FEEL REALLY STRONGLY THAT THIS PROPOSAL NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A CHANCE, UM, TO GO FORWARD.
UH, IT'S BEEN A STRUGGLE AS A WINERY FROM WHEN I STARTED 25 YEARS AGO AND IT'S NOT AN EASY BUSINESS, AND THAT WAS MADE ALL THE MORE DIFFICULT AS WE WERE THE MOST IMPACTED WINERY BY THE CZU LIGHTNING COMPLEX FIRES, WHICH DEVASTATED A LOT OF OUR FACILITIES.
AND, UM, NOT TO MENTION CAUSED HUGE UNINSURED LOSSES IN GRAPES AND WINES THAT WE MADE AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO DESTROY.
UM, WE'VE ALSO, YOU KNOW, AS, AS KEIKI SAID, WE DO NOT HAVE THE KIND OF FUNDS TO SUPPORT BIG MARKETING EFFORTS.
AND I WITNESS, YOU KNOW, I, I, I GO TO PLACES OVER THE HILL IN SAN JOSE OR CUPERTINO, AND I'LL GO TO TASTINGS AND PEOPLE HAVE ALL HEARD ABOUT LIVERMORE.
LIKE LIVERMORE HAS DEFINITELY ACHIEVED A HIGHER LEVEL OF AWARENESS IN THE BAY AREA DUE TO THE INCREASED MARKETING THAT THEY'VE DONE SINCE THEY'VE FORMED, UM, THEIR ASSESSMENT DISTRICT.
SO I'VE SEEN IT ACTUALLY WORK VERY EFFECTIVELY AND I BELIEVE WE REALLY NEED TO GIVE IT A CHANCE.
WE'VE ALSO INVESTED IN OUR TASTE ROOM AND TAPAS BAR IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ, AND IN THE SOUTH OF LAUREL DISTRICT BETTING ON THE COMEAND WE REALLY NEED TO BRING INCREASED AWARENESS TO THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS AND NOT LET SOME PEOPLE NOT INVEST IN THAT PROCESS, WHICH IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW AND THEY'RE BENEFITING FROM ALL THE LARGES THAT WE PROVIDE VIA THE ASSOCIATION DUES THAT WE PAY.
- CHRIS, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
I'M THE OWNER AND WINEMAKER AT ANATUM WINERY.
FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE AS A SMALL FAMILY RUN WINERY, THIS PROPOSAL WOULD HURT RATHER THAN HELP BUSINESSES LIKE OURS.
OUR WINERY MAKES A HUNDRED PERCENT OF ITS SALES DIRECT TO CUSTOMER.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR OF A REVENUE, NOT PROFIT REVENUE WOULD BE TAXED AT 1% AND THAT COULD RAISE TO 2%.
LARGER WINERIES BY CONTRAST, SELL MOST OF THEIR WINE THROUGH WHOLESALE CHANNELS THAT AREN'T EVEN SUBJECT TO THE ASSESSMENT, THAT WOULD CREATE A REGRESSIVE BURDEN.
SMALL WINERIES LIKE OURS PAY DISPROPORTIONATELY MORE WHILE OTHER PLAYERS BARELY FEEL IT.
ON TOP OF THAT, THE ASSESSMENT INCLUDES WINERIES LOCATED OUT THE SANTA CRUZ, OUTSIDE THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, AVA.
THEY CAN'T THEY, CAN'T LEGALLY USE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
[8. Hold public hearing to consider whether to take jurisdiction of appeal of the Planning Commission action to uphold approval of Coastal Development Permit Application 241408]
ON THEIR LABELS, YET WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY INTO A DISTRICT BRANDED AROUND THAT AVA.WE'VE BUILT OUR BUSINESS AROUND MAKING QUALITY WINES AFFORDABLE FOR A COMMUNITY.
WE'VE SACRIFICED PROFIT MARGINS TO ADAPT TO A LANDSCAPE OF REDUCED WINE SALES AND CONSUMPTION.
THIS PROPOSAL WOULD PUSH US TOWARDS RAISING PRICES AND MAKING US LESS COMPETITIVE.
THERE'S NO PROBLEM THAT THIS PROPOSAL SOLVES.
THERE'S ALREADY A VOLUNTARY SYSTEM IN PLACE, THE WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION THAT WINERIES CAN CHOOSE TO JOIN IF THEY SEE VALUE.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE USE THE PAJARO VALLEY CHAMBER AND WE PROUDLY PAY OUR DUES TO THEM.
THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENT WOULD, WOULD FEED MORE MONEY INTO THE ASSOCIATION WHO HAS NO NEW IDEAS, FORCING ALL OF US INTO A MANDATORY ASSESSMENT THAT ISN'T NECESSARILY NECESSARY AND ISN'T FAIR.
I URGE YOU NOT TO APPROVE THIS PROPOSAL IN ITS CURRENT FORM.
- TIM, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
YES. UH, THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME.
UM, INITIALLY I WAS INCLINED TO BE SUPPORTIVE, BUT I'M NOT SURE.
I THINK I NEED TO HOLD OFF AND TALK TO MY FRIENDS.
MY NEIGHBOR, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE SILVER MOUNTAIN WINERY RIGHT BEHIND ME.
'CAUSE I JUST DON'T KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THE WRONG THINGS.
UM, ON THE, ON THE SURFACE, YOU KNOW, IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, YOU KNOW, FROM MY EXPERIENCE, I'VE BEEN TO TAHOE BASIN LATELY UH, IT'S PRETTY POOR.
SO I'M LEERY OF THEM AND I, I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DRIVING OUT SMALLER, YOU KNOW, WINERIES WHICH ARE INCREDIBLE HERE IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS AND SO I DON'T WANT TO DO OR SAY
[04:05:02]
OR SUPPORT ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HURT THEM.SO IN THAT CONTEXT, PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS JUST PULL BACK A LITTLE BIT AND I'D LIKE TO SEE A LARGER AMOUNT OF SUPPORT AND MORE COMMUNICATION GOING OUT TO ALL THE WINERIES TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO SEE BASICALLY A SITUATION WHERE 90% OF THE WINERIES ARE ALL ON BOARD, SMALL AND LARGE.
SO, THAT'S KINDA HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.
ANYWAYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
- I SEE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE CHAIR.
- THANK YOU, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
I JUST WANNA REMIND FOLKS TOO THAT THIS IS A HEARING TO GET IN FROM THE PUBLIC, UM, TODAY.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
FIRST, JUST TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS.
SO THERE'S NOT SORT OF ANY OTHER VOTING PROCESS OTHER THAN THIS PETITION PROCESS, RIGHT? UM, AND IT'S SORT OF EITHER PEOPLE SIGN A PETITION IN FAVOR OR THEY REGISTER THEIR OPPOSITION, BUT THEN ULTIMATELY THE FORMATION OF THE DISTRICT IS THE DECISION OF THIS BOARD BASED ON THE SORT OF STATUTORY MINIMUMS OF NUMBER OF PETITIONS.
UM, AND THEN, YOU, YOU MENTIONED LIKE 59.7% APPROVAL BASED ON SALES RECORDS WITHIN THE AVA.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE OF LIKE WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THAT IS THOSE SALES ARE WITHIN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY? - UM, I BELIEVE AND...
SO THE WAY THAT IT WORKS WITH HGL IS TO KEEP IT 100% CONFIDENTIAL.
YOU CAN ONLY REQUEST AN UPDATE ONCE YOU GET ANOTHER BATCH OF FIVE PETITIONS.
SO WE'VE HAD ADDITIONAL PETITIONS, BUT WE HAVEN'T MET THAT THRESHOLD OF FIVE TO GET OUR NUMBERS.
WE CAN REQUEST FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ONLY LAST I'D HEARD FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ONLY AND KELLY CAN CORRECT ME WAS IN THAT 60% MARK AS WELL.
- YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
I MEAN, WHILE ULTIMATELY, AND WE CARE ABOUT HEALTH OF THE WHOLE REGION, OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE WITHIN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
AND OF COURSE WE'RE DEALING HERE WITH, YOU KNOW, A PROPOSED DISTRICT WITH AN AVA THAT HAS LIKE SOME, YOU KNOW, 800 POUND GORILLAS IN THE ROOM, RIGHT? I MEAN, THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE CLOSER TO SANTA CLARA VALLEY LIKE, UH, RIDGE AND EDEN, WHICH YOU KNOW, HAVE PROBABLY I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THAT SALES, BUT I WOULD IMAGINE LARGE. - [INAUDIBLE] AND THE, AND THE WAY THAT IT WORKS WITH THE LEGALITIES, AND IT WAS SET WITH THE WEIGHTED TO MAKE IT SO THAT THE LARGER, LARGER GET A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A VOICE, BUT THEY DON'T BECAUSE THEY DO SO MUCH MORE WHOLESALE.
SO THEIR VOICE IN THIS CASE IS ACTUALLY STRONG.
SO WHEN I APPLES TO APPLES AND I DON'T KNOW PEOPLE'S SALES DATA AT ALL BECAUSE I CAN'T.
BUT YOU WE HAVE SIMILAR SIZE PEOPLE HERE, WINDY OAKS, EL FARO, STORES, UM, THAT SELL EQUITABLY IN DTC AS YOU KNOW MOUNT EDEN OR RIDGE.
MOUNT EDEN ACTUALLY HAS A VERY, VERY SMALL DTC PRODUCTION.
UM, AND RIDGE IS ONLY BASED, THERE'S SOME MISNUMBERS OUT THERE, BUT RIDGE'S NUMBERS ARE ONLY BASED ON THEIR SALES OF DTC AT MONTEBELLO WINERY.
SO NOT THEIR WINE CLUB, NOT SALES IN SONOMA.
- OKAY, THE DATA THAT'S BEING LOOKED AT IS, WAS THERE ANY...
I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A REDUCED VOICE BECAUSE MORE OF THEIR SALES ARE, UM, WHOLESALE.
I MEAN, ARGUABLY WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM THE SMALL WINERIES LIKE ANATUM ARE THAT, WELL, 100% OF THEIR SALES ARE DIRECT TO CONSUMER.
AND SO THE TAX WILL IMPACT THEM SORT OF DISPROPORTIONATELY.
ARE THERE, ARE THERE ANY OTHER, UM, APPROACHES TO HOW TO LEVY THE TAX THAT THAT WINE DISTRICTS HAVE TAKEN? - I BELIEVE THIS IS THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
UM, AND AGAIN, I'D HAVE TO LET KELLY CHIME IN THERE, BUT I DON'T TRULY BELIEVE IT'S DISPROPORTIONATE.
IF YOU'RE PRODUCING 400 CASES THAT, OR YOU'RE MAKING $200,000 PER SE, YES, THAT'S A $2,000 ASSESSMENT THAT YOU'RE PAYING IN.
BUT IF SOMEONE LARGER HAS 10,000 CASES AND IS DOING, YOU KNOW, $3 MILLION A YEAR, THEY'RE PAYING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE, $30,000 IN.
AND THEN ONCE THE ASSESSMENT IS PAID OR THE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT IS FORMED, ALL VOICES ARE EQUAL.
SO THEY DON'T GET A LARGER DISPROPORTIONATE VOICE IN ACTIONS OR DETERMINING
[04:10:04]
THE PATH OF THE PROGRAMS. - RIGHT, OR MODIFYING THE EXPENDITURE PLAN, FOR EXAMPLE.- EXACTLY. IT'S FOR ONE FOR ONE. - RIGHT. SO CAN, CAN YOU, UM...
- I MEAN YOU KIND OF MENTIONED SOME OF THE MARKETING ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN.
CAN YOU, UM, DISCUSS WHICH OF THOSE ACTIVITIES IN PARTICULAR YOU THINK MIGHT HELP TO UPLIFT SOME OF THE SMALLER WINERIES? - YEAH, I THINK A, A LARGE PORTION OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS FOR SMALLER WINERIES.
YOU KNOW, THE MAJORITY OF OUR WINERIES ARE IN THE WORLD OF CALIFORNIA, MICRO WINERIES.
UM, THEY DON'T HAVE MARKETING MANAGERS.
THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE MARKETING TEAM.
IT'S JUST THEM DOING FACEBOOK AND MAYBE JOINING A CHAMBER AND DOING SOME OUTSIDE EVENTS.
SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TELL THAT STORY FOR EVERYONE.
UM, WE PUBLISH A REGIONAL MAP EVERY YEAR.
WE DISTRIBUTE IT OUT TO WINERIES, HOTELS, UH, DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATIONS, RESTAURANTS, WE'D LIKE TO DO THAT BROADER.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING A DIGITAL ONLINE MAP ON OUR WEBSITE.
WE WOULD CURATE THAT EVERY YEAR.
IT'S INTERACTIVE, IT'S A TRIP PLANNER.
UM, MORE BRAND MARKETING, I MEAN, SORRY, PRINT MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING, UH, THE WINE TRAIL SIGNS.
I'VE BEEN, WE'VE ALL BEEN WANTING TO DO FOR SIX, SEVEN YEARS AND KEEP RUNNING INTO ROADBLOCKS AND ESPECIALLY WITH FUNDING.
UM, WE WERE SO CLOSE LAST YEAR, IT JUST KIND OF DIDN'T CROSS THRESHOLD WHEN EVERYBODY, I MEAN, THE WINE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN STRUGGLING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, HOSPITALITY HAS.
SO, YOU KNOW, TO ASK A WINERY TO PUT IN ANOTHER 13 TO $1,500 FOR WINE TRAIL SIGNS, IT WAS A BIG BURDEN.
WE'D LIKE TO MAXIMIZE TOURISM SPENDS, WORKING MORE WITH THE CONCIERGE, CREATING PREMIUM VISITOR EXPERIENCES.
WE'D LIKE TO DO MORE IN-DEPTH SHELF TALKERS OR CO-BRANDED TERROIR COASTERS FOR RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS, TRAINING KEY SOMMELIERS AND RETAILERS AS AVA ADVOCATES.
WE WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE PAID PARTNERSHIPS WITH WINE ENTHUSIASTS, UM, OTHER CONSUMER EVENTS, UH, JUST ALL THINGS TO BUILD OUR AWARENESS OF WHO WE ARE.
SO WHEN YOU SEE ON A BOTTLE, SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS THAT YOU KNOW THAT IT'S QUALITY.
AND YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT WE HAVE TASTE ROOMS IN SWIFT STREET.
WE HAVE WINERIES IN SOUTH COUNTY THAT AREN'T QUITE IN THE AVA OR THEY SOURCE FRUIT FROM OUT OF AVA AND THEY WOULD BE INCLUDED.
MICHAEL STONES IS ONE OF THOSE AND HE IS A SUPPORTER BECAUSE HE SEES US TELLING THE STORY OF THE GREATER AVA, ACTUALLY, HELPS HIM BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN'T DISCERN SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS VERSUS SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ON A LABEL.
THEY... WE'RE ELEVATING SANTA CRUZ TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST.
THAT'S KIND OF THE CORE BRAND THAT'S BEING INVESTED IN, IT'S THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS AVA.
WE HEARD THE CONCERN FROM ANATUM THAT THEY'RE OUTSIDE THE AVA AND THEREFORE SORT OF WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PUT THAT ON THEIR LABEL.
I MEAN, CAN THE AVA BE EXPANDED, WHATEVER IT IS? - SO THE AVA CAN BE EXPANDED.
I, YOU KNOW, HESITATE TO JOIN THESE TWO TOPICS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT IT TO BE LIKE A INCENTIVE, BUT THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY IN CONVERSATIONS RIGHT NOW OF ADJUSTING SOME OF THE BOUNDARIES.
BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE IN 1981 AND CLIMATE HAS CHANGED.
WE'VE ALSO EXPANDED WHERE WE CAN PLANT I MEAN AVA IS 450,000 ACRES.
IT GOES FROM WOODSIDE TO GILROY.
IT GOES FROM SARATOGA OVER TO THIS SITE.
LIKE IT'S HUGE AND THERE'S ONLY 1500 ACRES PLANTED.
HOW DO WE GET BIGGER? WE CAN ONLY GET BIGGER BY GROWING A LITTLE BIT MORE AND WE'RE NOT GROWING REALLY INSIDE THE AVA.
WE HAVE THE MOST PROTECTED LANDS WITHIN A WINE AVA IN THE NATION, BECAUSE OF ALL OUR PARKS, WHICH IS AMAZING.
NOBODY WANTS TO LIKE, YOU KNOW, CLEAR CUT AND PLANT VINEYARDS.
SO THE ONLY WAY TO KIND OF RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN FRUIT BEING MADE ELSEWHERE IS TO SLIGHTLY ADJUST THOSE BOUNDARIES, WHETHER THAT BE CORALITAS AND A SMALL ADJUSTMENT DOWN THERE, WHETHER THAT'S IN PORTOLA VALLEY TO CAPTURE A FEW ON THAT SIDE.
UM, WE ARE BEING VERY CAREFUL WITH THAT AND JUDICIOUS BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TERROIR, THIS AVA WAS FOUNDED ON GEOLOGY AND BOTANY AND, UH, NOT ON GEOPOLITICAL BOUNDARIES.
AND SO WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO MESS WITH THAT.
SO WE DON'T WANT TO JUST GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH WATSONVILLE AND IT'S NOT THE SAME. - YEAH, I GET IT.
WHO ULTIMATELY MAKES THAT CALL TO THE AMERICAN VITICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OR SOMETHING? - IT'S THE TTB.
- SO WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF REDRAWING SOME MAP LINES RIGHT NOW AND THEN SUBMITTING TO THE TTB.
- WHAT'S THAT ACRONYM STAND FOR?
[04:15:02]
- TAX AND TOBACCO.- AND SO HOW, I MEAN, ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, HOW WILL YOU DEMONSTRATE SUCCESS? I MEAN, ARE YOU GOING TO LOOK AT TOTAL SALES WITHIN THE AVA? ARE YOU GOING TO LOOK AT SORT OF HIGHER PRICE PER TON PRICES FOR SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN GRAPES? I MEAN, CAN YOU JUST...
OR AT LEAST COME BACK HERE... - YEAH, I MEAN I THINK BEST WAY RIGHT NOW IS THROUGH SALES GROWTH.
WE HAVE PARTNERED, WE HAVE A CDFA GRANT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW THAT EXPIRES IN 2027.
BUT PART OF THAT GRANT IS TO PARTNER WITH A, UM, DATA COLLECTOR CALLED COMMUNITY BENCHMARK.
AND WE HAVE ABOUT 17 WINERIES PARTICIPATING RIGHT NOW AND IT TRACKS THEIR SALES ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
THEY OPERATE UP AND DOWN THE STATE IN WASHINGTON, OREGON AS WELL AND THEY GIVE REPORTS SHOWING SALES INCREASES.
UM, WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWRITING THAT FOR ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO JOIN ON WITHIN THE MEMBERSHIP.
WE WOULD EXPAND THAT OBVIOUSLY TO THE DISTRICT STAKEHOLDERS.
UM, SO THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE WAY THAT WE CAN TRACK SALES DATA IN A NEUTRAL, CONFIDENTIAL WAY.
GRAPE TONNAGE IS A LITTLE IFFY WITH HOW, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF GROWERS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE HAVING A HARD TIME SELLING THE GRAPES, SO THEY MIGHT BE DROPPING THEIR PRICE, AND THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH JUST THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE.
- OKAY, THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THIS BOARD COULD RECEIVE SOMETHING TO HELP, UH, KIND OF CLARIFY SOME OF THESE CONCERNS AROUND LIKE DATA INTEGRITY.
I MEAN, AT OF THE DAY, WE DON'T WANT TO PROVE SOMETHING THAT THEN IS, UH, VULNERABLE TO A LAWSUIT.
I MEAN, JUST BECAUSE WE WANT, YOU KNOW.
- YEAH. SO THE 200 ORIGINAL LIST OF 200 ADDRESSES ARE BECAUSE THOSE ARE ALL THE ADDRESSES ON FILE WITH THE ABC AND TTB.
AND SO WE CAN'T JUST STRIP THOSE OUT, EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW I TRIED TO CONDENSE EVERYTHING DOWN FOR A PACKET TO SHOW, LOOK, THIS IS WITHOUT ALL DOUBLE ADDRESSES REMOVED.
BUT WE HAVE TO NOTICE EVERY ONE OF THOSE ADDRESSES BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL ON FILE.
UM, WE DON'T HAVE NO IDEA WHY IF AN ADDRESS HASN'T BEEN REMOVED FROM A DATABASE.
SO, IN THAT, YES, WE STARTED WITH 200 ADDRESSES THAT WE'VE BEEN NOTICING AND WE STILL NOTICE THEM REGARDLESS IF THEY COME BACK.
AND WE'VE PARED IT DOWN, LIKE I SAID, TO ABOUT 134.
OF THOSE 134, AND THIS IS ALL THE ENTIRE DISTRICT, 80 OF THOSE ARE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
OF THE 80 IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, 30 OF THOSE ADDRESSES ARE PEOPLE THAT HOLD AN O2 LICENSE AND PAY THE ANNUAL FEE TO THE ABC TO KEEP THEIR O2 LICENSES VIABLE, BUT THEY DON'T ACTUALLY MAKE OR PRODUCE ANY WINE OR THEY MIGHT PRODUCE 50 CASES BECAUSE THEY'RE A GROWER AND THEY HAVE SOMEBODY MAKE THAT WINE FOR THEM, BUT THEY WANT IT LEGAL SO THAT THEY COULD SELL IT TO THEIR NEIGHBOR.
UM, SO IT REALLY BRINGS US DOWN TO LIKE 80 VIABLE COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
UM, AND I'LL REPACKAGE THAT AGAIN FOR YOU GUYS.
BUT AGAIN, WHAT ON A LEGAL STANDPOINT, YOU'RE ALWAYS GONNA START WITH THE FIRST LIST THAT HAS 200 ADDRESSES AND IT HAS KISSED BY AN ANGEL ON THERE FOUR TIMES.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT HAS ADDRESSES OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE CLOSED THAT DON'T EXIST AND THEY'RE NOT OPERATIONAL ANYMORE.
ALL RIGHT, ONE, JUST ONE LAST TECHNICAL QUESTION.
SO DID I HEAR YOU SAY THAT THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT COULD BE MODIFIED? - THEY CAN THE FRINGES.
- YEAH, AT THE FRINGES. I UNDERSTAND.
WE'RE NOT GONNA LIKE CUT SOMETHING OUT IN THE MIDDLE.
THEY HAVE TO THOUGH MODIFY ACCORDING TO THE STREETS AND ROADS ACT.
SO YOU DON'T JUST GO THROUGH THE WOODS WILLY NILLY.
BUT YES, YOU CAN CARVE OUT AT THE FRINGES.
- AND THAT CAN ONLY BE DONE BEFORE THE FORMATION OR? - I BELIEVE THAT AT THE FORMATION WE CAN RESUB-, MAYBE IN DISCUSSION IT'S, I KNOW THAT WE'RE GONNA COME TO YOU ON IN OCTOBER WITH A SLIGHT MODIFICATION IN SAN MATEO AND A SLIGHT MODIFICATION IN SANTA CLARA.
SO I THINK YOU COULD EVEN MODIFY SANTA CRUZ AT THE MEETING AGAIN KELLY WOULD NEED TO ANSWER THAT.
- YEAH, AND I'LL JUST CHIME IN THERE.
SO THE LAW DOES ALLOW US TO MAKE REVISIONS OR MODIFICATIONS OR REDUCTIONS TO THE DISTRICT AS IT'S WRITTEN RIGHT NOW.
WE JUST CAN'T MAKE ANY ADDITIONS OR INCREASES.
SO WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE WOULD BRING A BRAND-NEW MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PLAN TO YOU WITH THOSE BOUNDARY AREAS KIND OF SHAVED OFF SO THAT WE CAN REDUCE THE BOUNDARY AT THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SO ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS OR MODIFICATIONS THAT ARE REQUESTED AT THAT PUBLIC HEARING COULD ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED.
[04:20:03]
- I HAVE TO SAY, I'VE HEARD THAT THOSE CHANGING THOSE AVA LINES IS ONE OF THE MOST POLITICAL THINGS, ENDEAVORS THAT YOU CAN ENTER INTO.SO LET'S DEFINITELY KEEP THOSE TWO SEPARATED.
- THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, THERE ISN'T ANY ACTION THAT'S REQUIRED OF OUR BOARD AT THIS JUNCTURE, BUT I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOOD WORK THAT'S GONE INTO GETTING US TO THE STATE.
UM, I THINK WE ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE AN AMAZING WINE GROWING INDUSTRY IN THIS COMMUNITY AND REALLY ARE THE ENVY OF A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES AS IT RELATES TO THE TOURISM POTENTIAL HERE.
UM, AND YEAH, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THIS CONTINUES TO PROGRESS, MODIFY AND IMPROVE AS YOU LISTEN TO THE FEEDBACK OF ALL THE IMPACT STAKEHOLDERS.
AND IF A MAJORITY OF OUR LOCAL WINEMAKERS WANT TO CREATE A MECHANISM TO PROMOTE THEIR INDUSTRY, I'M GLAD THAT THERE'S GONNA BE AN OPTION AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO PURSUE.
- THANK YOU, I DO WANNA SAY THAT THERE WERE FIVE SUPPORTERS HERE EARLIER THAT JUST COULDN'T STAY PAST ONE O'CLOCK.
- YEAH, AND I'VE SEEN SOME OF THEM.
- THANK YOU, THANKS FOR THAT GREAT PRESENTATION.
I APPRECIATED TO YOUR PARTNER HERE ON THE SCREEN EXPLAINING SOME OF THE LEGAL ASPECTS.
I WANTED TO ALSO SAY I'M VERY SORRY ABOUT SANTA CRUZ SOCIAL.
UM, YEAH, WE ALL FEEL VERY SAD THAT THAT CLOSED.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK THERE.
UH, MULTIPLE CONSTITUENTS WHO HAVE WINERIES HAVE EMAILED US I THINK ALL OF US.
UM, I'VE OVERWHELMINGLY GOTTEN NOTHING BUT SUPPORT FOR THIS IDEA.
SO WHEN IT COMES BACK, I WILL BE SUPPORTING.
UM, SO I JUST WANT TO APPRECIATE YOU ALL TAKING THE TIME TO PROVIDE YOUR PRESENTATION TODAY.
I DO THINK IT WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE HELPFUL NEXT TIME WHEN YOU ALL BRING THIS BACK, REALLY CLEARLY IDENTIFYING LIKE WHO IS THIS IS GOING TO APPLY TO AND WHO THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO.
CAUSE I'M STILL CONFUSED WITH GROWERS VERSUS TAP ROOMS VERSUS, KNOW, LIKE WHO ARE THE, HOW DOES THIS APPLY? I ALSO THINK IT'D BE GOOD TO BREAK DOWN THE VOTES, UM, HAVING THE RAW VOTES AND THEN THE WEIGHTED VOTES SO THAT WE CAN CLEARLY SEE.
KNOW WHAT WERE THE PERCENTAGE OF, IF WE WERE TO TAKE, TO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SALES TAX AND WE'RE JUST TAKING INTO ACCOUNT, YOU KNOW, OWNERS OF BUSINESSES, LIKE WHAT WOULD THE PERCENTAGE OF VOTES BE IN FAVOR VERSUS WHAT THE WEIGHTED PERCENTAGE WOULD BE? UM, I KNOW I WAS ABLE TO GET, UH, FROM, UM, OUR CEO'S OFFICE, I WAS ABLE TO GET A FORM THAT SHOWED THE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES AND WHICH ONES OPTED IN FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD AND SINCE THE WEIGHTED PERCENTAGE ISN'T THERE, IT'S REALLY HARD TO TELL, BUT IT LOOKED LIKE THE PERCENTAGE, AT LEAST IN SANTA CRUZ, WELL ACROSS THE BOARD, WAS FAIRLY LOW IN TERMS OF THE PERCENT OF PEOPLE WHO VOTED IN FAVOR, BUT OBVIOUSLY SINCE IT'S WEIGHTED, THAT'S GONNA MAKE THINGS DIFFERENT.
UM, BUT I GUESS, YOU KNOW, UM, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PLENTY TRANSPARENCY AROUND VOTING.
AND I ALSO WANTED TO ASK, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I THINK WITH THE CURRENT STRUCTURE, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT CAN OPT OUT OF BEING A PART OF THE WINE DISTRICT OR THE WINE ASSOCIATION.
AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM SOME OF THOSE FOLKS IS THAT YOU KNOW, THEY MAYBE AT ONE POINT IN TIME, WE'RE A PART OF IT OR THEY, OR MAYBE THEY ARE A PART OF IT, BUT THEN THEY DON'T WANT, THEY DON'T LIKE THE STRUCTURE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T ALLOW THEM TO OPT OUT IF THEY WANTED TO OPT OUT.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THERE, THERE IS CONCERN, AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, WINE INDUSTRY IS HURTING, PEOPLE ARE HURTING.
AND IF THIS WERE TO PUT A BURDEN ON, YOU KNOW, A COMPANY THEN IF THEY HAVE NO WAY TO OPT OUT, IT'S LIKE, WE'RE ALSO MAKING A DECISION THEN THAT'S ACTUALLY HURTING, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES.
SO I'M JUST WONDERING IF YOU CAN COMMENT ON THAT BECAUSE THAT'S MY CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS THAT, YES, I'VE GOTTEN EMAILS IN SUPPORT, BUT THEN I'M ALSO GETTING EMAILS IN OPPOSITION, SOME OF WHOM ARE PEOPLE WHO OPERATE BUSINESSES WITHIN MY DISTRICT.
AND THAT'S, THINK, WHAT WE ALL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT TOO IS, YOU KNOW, IF THERE ARE CONSTITUENTS OF OURS WHO ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, YOU KNOW, I GET THE LEGAL PATHWAY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, LIKE WE'RE, YOU KNOW, SELECTED TO REPRESENT THEM AND THEIR INTERESTS, AND IT'S PUTTING US IN A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION IF WE HAVE TO PROVE SOMETHING THAT, UH, PEOPLE WHO ARE IN OUR DISTRICT ARE OPPOSED TO.
AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S SOMETHING NOW THAT ALREADY EXISTS THAT ALLOWS THEM TO EITHER BE A PART OF THIS GROUP OR TO NOT BE A PART OF THE GROUP.
- YEAH, SO LET'S START AT TOP.
WHO'S INCLUDED IS ALL 1720S, WHICH IS A WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR WINEMAKER THAT HAS SOMEBODY ELSE MAKE THEIR WINE AND ALL THE LICENSED O2S, WHICH ARE WINEMAKERS.
IF YOU'RE A GROWER ONLY, YOU'RE NOT INCLUDED.
HOWEVER, MANY GROWERS HAVE AN O2 LICENSE.
SO THEY'RE NOTICED AND PART OF THE GROUP WERE THEY TO SELL WINE.
SO NO TAPROOMS, NO RETAIL STORES, NO WINE BARS.
UM, IT’S PURELY BOTTLE SALES, DTC, DIRECT CONSUMER.
[04:25:04]
UM, BUT THAT O2 PIECE, IF A GROWER HAS A LICENSE TO MAKE WINE, BUT DOESN'T EXERCISE IT WHICH LIKE I SAID, THERE'S 30 ODD OF THOSE IN OUR COUNTY.UM, WE HAVE 80, WE HAVE 20 OF THE 80 IN OUR COUNTY ARE INACTIVE.
IF YOU WERE LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS PURELY LIKE, OH, WELL, THERE'S ONLY 40 IN SUPPORT, BUT YOU HAVE 80, YOU'RE AT 50 OR MAYBE YOU'RE LESS, IT'S UNFAIRLY COUNTING THE WEIGHT OF THOSE 20 THAT JUST DON'T MAKE MONEY.
ON THE OPT OUT, YES, THAT'S AN UNFORTUNATE CONSEQUENCE OF A DISTRICT.
I MEAN, THAT'S THE POINT OF THESE, OF THESE DISTRICTS, THEY'RE A LEGAL ENTITY THAT HAS THIS MECHANISM FOR OPT OUT.
PART OF THE REASON WHY WE'RE DOING IT RIGHT NOW IS LIKE I SAID AND YOU, WE DISCUSSED IS THAT THE WINERIES ARE UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE.
WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SCREAM AT THE TOP OF OUR VOICE ABOUT WHO WE ARE.
UM, WE'RE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT GOING THE WAY OF MONTEREY AND AS THINGS CONTRACT AND PEOPLE NO LONGER PAY DUES.
IT COULD BE THAT IN 2027, WE'RE SHELVING THE ASSOCIATION AS WE KNOW IT.
AND IT'S GOING BACK TO AN ALL-VOLUNTEER RUN ASSOCIATION.
THAT LITERALLY JUST HAPPENED TO THE MONTEREY ASSOCIATION THREE WEEKS AGO.
UM, SO WHAT IS BUILT IN AS MECHANISMS FOR PEOPLE TO KIND OF JIM'S POINT, IT'S, WE COULD TRY THIS.
WE TRY THIS, YES, FOR FIVE YEARS.
WE DISCUSSED, YOU KNOW, MAYBE SHORTEN IT TO THREE, BUT THAT'S A VERY QUICK UP RAMP TO GET TO SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU'RE ALREADY BACK AND THEY'RE HAVING TO DO FORMATION AGAIN.
BUT EVERY YEAR AT THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORMATION, THE WINERIES HAVE THE ABILITY TO BASICALLY PULL THE RIPCORD.
IF 51% SAY WE DON'T WANT TO DO THIS, THIS ISN'T WORKING FOR US.
EVERY YEAR THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
ALSO, THE END OF FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS IN THIS ENTIRETY ONCE AGAIN.
AND IF PEOPLE ARE LIKE, LOOK, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IT AND IT REALLY DIDN'T WORK FOR US, WE CAN STOP.
UM, AND THEN TO KIND OF GO BACK TO THIS OPT IN OR OUT, I THINK WHAT FOR ME, MAKES IT MORE PALATABLE WITH THIS DISTRICT IS IT'S NOT LIKE A DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION OR A PROPERTY DISTRICT WHERE THAT ASSESSMENT IS ON YOU AND YOU'RE PAYING IT.
EVERY ONE OF THE WINERIES HAS THAT ABILITY TO PASS IT THROUGH TO THEIR CUSTOMER.
UM, YES, THAT'S ANOTHER FEE TO THEM.
AND THE CUSTOMER, SOME HAVE EXPRESSED THAT MAYBE THE CUSTOMERS ARE BULK, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO INCREASE THEIR PRICE.
AND WHAT WE FOUND, SURVEYING ALL THE OTHER REGIONS, THIS HAS GONE IN, DOING CUSTOMER SURVEYS, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WINERIES THAT HAVE BEEN ASKING THEIR CUSTOMERS.
MOST, 90% ARE LIKE, WE DON'T GET ANY PUSHBACK ON PASSING THIS THROUGH THE CONSUMER.
WHEN YOU'RE BUYING A 50 TO $60 BOTTLE OF WINE, 50 CENTS IS NOT THE DEAL BREAKER.
DOES THAT, WAS THERE ONE MORE QUESTION THERE? - I THINK THAT'S MOST AND I GUESS, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, MAYBE STAFFS LISTENING TO THIS, BUT I THINK WHEN THIS COMES BACK AGAIN, KIND OF WHAT YOU'VE JUST BROKEN DOWN FOR US WITH LICENSES, LIKE I HEAR IT, BUT I THINK THAT IF IT WAS INCORPORATED...
- IF I PUT IT WRITING - ... INTO A PRE-, PRESENTATION, IT MIGHT ACTUALLY HELP FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BETTER FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE LIKE VERY FAR FROM REMOVED FROM THE WINE INDUSTRY ITSELF, BECAUSE THEN IT REALLY JUST HELPS CLARIFY THINGS.
AND THEN AGAIN, AROUND THE WEIGHTING OF VOTES AND I WILL SAY I STILL HAVE, YOU KNOW I THINK WE GOT A FEW EMAILS TODAY OF FOLKS WHO ARE EXPRESSING CONCERN AND I STILL, STILL SHARE SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS THAT BEING BROUGHT TO US.
SO I'M HOPING THAT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO OUTREACH TO HELP ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE'VE HEARD HERE TODAY, WHAT WE'RE RECEIVING IN THE LETTERS, UM, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK OUR HOPE IS THAT WE'RE GETTING, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PROGRAM THAT PEOPLE OVERWHELMINGLY ARE GONNA BE OKAY WITH, AND THEN IF THERE'S CONCERNS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT UP, THOSE CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED SO THAT WE HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF IMPACT AS POSSIBLE.
- THANK YOU. I JUST, I DO WANT TO REITERATE THAT TODAY THERE IS NO ACTION OTHER THAN TO ACCEPT AND FILE THE REPORT, UM, AND THE HEARING, OF COURSE.
UM, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ASK ALSO TOO, DO WE HAVE PLANS TO WORK WITH LIKE THE TOURISM BOARD, THE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATIONS TO TRY TO GET THE BOTTLES INSIDE
[04:30:05]
THE RESTAURANTS, LOCAL BOTTLES, LOCAL RESTAURANTS, THE HOTEL ASSOCIATIONS TO PUT THOSE PRINTOUT CARDS THAT HAS LIKE THE SOUTH COUNTY WINE TRAIL OR, YOU KNOW, CORRALITOS, KIND OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS AND WORKING WITH BUSINESS COUNCILS, CHAMBERS.- WE'RE ACTIVE WITH VISIT SANTA CRUZ.
WE'RE ACTIVE WITH THE LOS GATOS CHAMBER, WITH VISIT SANTA JOSE.
WE, LIKE I SAID, PRODUCE ABOUT 10,000 REGIONAL MAPS EVERY YEAR.
WE DISTRIBUTE IT TO ALL THE CHAMBERS.
WE DON'T HAVE CURRENTLY THE BANDWIDTH OR THE STAFF TO GET TO DEVELOP A HUGE CONCIERGE PROGRAM, BUT THAT'S ONE OF OUR GOALS.
WE DROP THEM OFF AT SELECT HOTELS.
WE WERE MUCH MORE ACTIVE BEFORE COVID, BUT, YOU KNOW, WITH KIND OF THE, THE IMPETUS OF THIS WAS WATCHING ALL OF OUR BUDGETS SHRINK.
UM, MY WHOLE STAFF IS PART-TIME, I'M PART-TIME.
- YOU KNOW, LIKE THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN DO AND EVERYBODY WANTS A LOT.
WE WANT TO DO SOMMELIER, SOMMELIER TRAINING PROGRAMS. WE WANT TO GO INTO RESTAURANTS AND DO A LOT MORE EDUCATION, UM, ON SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN WINE.
WHAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS, IS A FRACTION OF THAT.
AND SO THAT THAT'S ULTIMATELY OUR GOAL IS TO REALLY PUSH ON ALL THOSE PROGRAMS THAT WAS [INAUDIBLE] FOR A LONG TIME.
YOU KNOW, I VISITED A FEW OF THE WINERIES IN MY DISTRICT.
WELL, THEY'RE ACTUALLY NOT IN MY DISTRICT.
THEY'RE IN, UH, SURPRISINGLY, THE SURPLUS DISTRICT, I ONLY GOT LIKE TWO OR THREE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF ANTICIPATION AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT THIS AH FROM SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT I'VE VISITED.
I DO WANNA VISIT SOME OF THE FOLKS IF THERE'S ANY IN THE SOUTH COUNTY REGION THAT, YOU KNOW, I DO WANNA CONTACT AND SEE WHAT WE COULD WORK OUT WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVES OR OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD SO THAT EVERYONE IS, SO WE COMPROMISE SO THAT EVERYONE'S HAPPY, RIGHT? OR EVERYONE'S NOT HAPPY, EITHER/OR, EITHER IS GOOD.
BUT I THINK THAT, AGAIN, THIS IS, UH, A HEARING JUST TO HEAR THE PUBLIC.
UM, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK OUT SOME OF THE SNAGS THAT WE HAVE HAD.
I'M WILLING TO TALK TO FOLKS AND SEE WHAT WE COULD DO AS WELL.
UH, BUT I, I THINK THAT IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
UM, I KNOW THE HIGHWAY SIGNS ARE, ARE, YOU KNOW, GREAT, ESPECIALLY FOR, UH, SOUTH COUNTY AS WELL.
THE TWO EXITS THAT WE HAVE ARE ACTUALLY JUST THE BEST EXITS, PROBABLY FREEDOM.
UM, BUT I THINK THAT ILLUSTRATING THAT WITH THOSE PAMPHLETS THAT I TALK ABOUT, THE ONES THAT HAVE ALL THE, ALL THE WINES IN A CERTAIN REGION LIST SO THAT HOTEL GOERS, PEOPLE FROM PAJARO DUNES CAN GO VISIT THESE WINERIES.
I HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE OCCASIONAL WINE DRINKERS IN WATSONVILLE THAT I'VE TALKED TO THAT DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THERE'S WINERIES IN THE AREA.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THAT'S ONE WAY TO ADDRESS THAT AS WELL.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
THAT CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC HEARING WE CAN JUST MOVE ON.
DO WE NEED TO ACCEPT AND FILE THE REPORT OR? OKAY, ALL RIGHT.
NOW WE'RE GOING BACK TO NUMBER NINE, WAS IT NINE? CONSIDER THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION PRIORITIES AS A CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN, CEDAW, ACCOUNTING, AND TAKE ALL RELATED ACTIONS.
I'LL TURN IT OVER TO CATHERINE MCGREW, COMMISSIONS MANAGER SUSAN DOTY, WOMEN'S COMMISSION CO-CHAIR, AND PAIGE GORDON, THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION CO-CHAIR FOR THE PRESENTATION.
- YES, I WAS GONNA START BY SAYING GOOD MORNING.
UM, THANKS FOR LETTING US TALK TO YOU TODAY, UM, CHAIR, FELIPA HERNANDEZ AND SUPERVISORS.
I'M SUZANNE DOTY, CO-CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION ON THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION, MY LOVELY.
UM, WE'RE GONNA GO THROUGH, UM, SOME BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW.
OH, I GUESS I'M SUPPOSED TO DO THIS, AREN'T I? I'M DOING THAT ONE.
TEACHING AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS.
UM, SO, UH, BACKGROUND, AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT IT MEANS, THE GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE METHODOLOGY, WE USE PRIORITIES
[04:35:03]
AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS.HOPEFULLY YOU WILL IN THE FUTURE VOTE TO ADOPT A CEDAW ORDINANCE AND FURTHER SOLIDIFY YOUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT EVERYONE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IS TREATED FAIRLY AND EQUITABLY.
SO ON FEBRUARY 27TH, 2024, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REAFFIRMED SANTA CRUZ COUNTY AS A CEDAW COUNTY, AND THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION WAS DIRECTED TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADVANCE GENDER EQUITY IN BOTH COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
THE URGENCY OF THIS WORK HAS UNFORTUNATELY INCREASED IMMEASURABLY DUE TO NEW FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND LEGISLATION RESTRICTING OUR CORE VALUES OF REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS AND PROTECTION FOR IMMIGRANTS.
THESE ACTIONS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT WOMEN, TRANS PEOPLE, WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES, IMMIGRANTS, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
SO WHAT IS CEDAW? AND EVERYONE ALWAYS GOES, CEDAW, WHAT IS THAT? WELL, IT'S A UN TREATY SIMILAR TO THE KYOTO PROTOCOL, UM, OFTEN CALLED THE INTERNATIONAL BILL OF RIGHTS, IT STANDS FOR INTERNATIONAL BILL OF RIGHTS FOR WOMEN.
AND IT STANDS FOR THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN.
IT REQUIRES THOSE GOVERNMENTS WHO HAVE RATIFIED THE TREATY TO TAKE STEPS TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN.
IN OTHER WORDS, TO PUT A GENDER LENS ON HEALTH, EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, AND SAFETY.
SO THE US STATUS, IT WAS SIGNED BY JIMMY CARTER, MAY HE REST IN PEACE, UM, IN 1980, BUT IT WAS NEVER RATIFIED BY THE CONGRESS.
AND WE ARE NOW IN THE ESTEEMED COMPANY OF IRAN, SUDAN, SOMALIA, PALAU, PANGA, THE HOLY SEE IS NOT ON THIS LIST, BUT THEY ARE PART OF THAT.
AND SOUTH SUDAN ACTUALLY VOTED TO RATIFY IT IN 2015, SO THEY SHOULDN'T BE ON THIS LIST.
BUT IN SPITE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, COUNTIES AND CITIES CAN ADOPT CEDAW PRINCIPLES TO FILL GAPS AND TO ENSURE THE GENDER EQUITY, REGARDLESS OF NATIONAL ACTION.
MAYBE WE CAN GET GOVERNOR NEWSOME TO DO SOMETHING WITH US.
SO IN OUR METHODOLOGY, WE, UM, ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, OUR FABULOUS STAFF PERSON WHO STAFFS ABOUT 20,000 COMMISSIONS FOR YOU.
UM, BUT WE WENT WITH A HIGH LEVEL APPROACH, WE WANTED TO DRAW ON EXISTING DATA AND THERE IS GOOD DATA IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, LOCAL REPORTS AND COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE.
WE TOOK, UM, A GENDER LENS AND CONSIDERED ALONGSIDE RACE, DISABILITY, INCOME, GEOGRAPHY, AND IMMIGRATION STATUS.
SO YOU CAN PUT A GENDER LENS ON EVERYTHING ACTUALLY.
AND EACH AREA WAS ASSIGNED TO A COMMISSIONER WITH RELEVANT BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.
BUT WE FOCUSED ON ACTIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY'S AUTHORITY TO ENSURE THAT RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRACTICAL, ACTIONABLE, AND IMPACTFUL.
AND I THINK THAT'S PRETTY CRITICAL.
SO OUR FIRST PRIORITY IS GENDER PAY EQUITY IN THE COUNTY.
ON JUNE 10TH, 1963, THAT'S 62 YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT KENNEDY SIGNED THE EQUAL PAY ACT PROHIBITING ARBITRARY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN IN PAYMENT OF WAGES.
HE CONSIDERED THE PRACTICE OF PAYING WOMEN LESS THAN MEN FOR THE SAME JOB TO BE UNCONSCIONABLE.
NOW WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE GOOD DATA ON GENDER WITHIN THE COUNTY WORKFORCE, BUT THE SALARY INFORMATION IS MISSING FROM THE DATA.
AND IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, THE GENDER PAY GAP EXCEEDS BOTH STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGES.
WOMEN IN EQUIVALENT ROLES EARN AN AVERAGE OF 35% LESS THAN MEN UNDERSCORING A PERSISTENT DISPARITY DESPITE ONGOING EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE PAY EQUITY.
AND I'M JUST REALLY TIRED ABOUT HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS STUFF FOR 50 YEARS.
UM, PERSISTENT WAGE GAPS UNDERVALUE WOMEN'S WORK.
THEY CONTRIBUTED TO LONG-TERM FINANCIAL INSECURITY, ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN OF COLOR, WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES AND SINGLE MOTHERS.
WHITE WOMEN WILL EARN ANYWHERE BETWEEN ONE AND $2 MILLION LESS THAN MEN IN THEIR WORKFORCE LIFE.
WOMEN OF COLOR, SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THAT.
[04:40:03]
SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS WE DIRECT THE OVERWORKED COUNTY EXECUTIVE PALACIOS TO, UH, COMMISSION AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE GENDER ANALYSIS OF COUNTY WORKFORCE COMPENSATION TO IDENTIFY PAY DISPARITIES AND RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS.NOW MY LOVELY CO-CHAIR WILL CONTINUE.
TODAY'S BEEN SO MUCH FUN AND EDUCATIONAL, LIKE BEYOND, IT'S REALLY FUN SITTING HERE, SO THANK YOU.
SO WE'RE GONNA GO OVER THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU GUYS.
THE NEXT ON OUR LIST IS PRIORITY OF OB/GYN SHORTAGES IN SOUTH COUNTY.
25.5% OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY WOMEN REPORT SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO TIMELY HEALTHCARE AS COMPARED TO 17% OF COUNTY MEN.
AND, UH, IN OUR RESEARCH COUNTY HEALTH SERVICE STAFF HAVE IDENTIFIED A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF OB/GYN PROVIDERS IN SOUTH COUNTY, PARTICULARLY, WHICH IS CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTING TO THESE BARRIERS, LIMITING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL REPRODUCTIVE CARE AND DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING LOW-INCOME WOMEN, FARM WORKERS AND WOMEN OF COLOR.
AND THIS SPEAKS TO CDOT ARTICLES 12 AND 14.
AND OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE WITH COUNTY HEALTH SERVICE AGENCY STAFF AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO EXAMINE THE ROOT CAUSES OF WHAT'S GOING ON THERE AND WHY THAT IS, AND ADDRESS THE SYSTEMIC ROOT CAUSES LIKE AS WE KNOW, BRIGHTER COMPETITION, THE COST OF LIVING, AND THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
NEXT FOR OUR RECOMMENDATION, OUR PRIORITY IS PROTECTING ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE.
UH, SO WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TODAY.
UH, THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND LEGISLATION ARE ACTIVELY ATTACKING REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE WHICH DISPROPORTIONATELY HARMS WOMEN, TRANS PEOPLE, AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES BY THREATENING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND THIS SPEAKS TO ARTICLE 12.
WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT THE BOARD ADOPT A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THESE RIGHTS THAT THEY CREATE A HEALTH EQUITY FUND TO SUPPORT PROVIDERS AND CBOS OFFERING REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.
AND ALSO THAT THEY DIRECT HEALTH SERVICE AGENCY TO PRIORITIZE CONTRACTS WITH PROVIDERS WHO MAINTAIN THESE SERVICES DESPITE EXTERNAL THREATS.
THE NEXT RECOMMENDATION THAT WE HAVE, AND THERE'S 11 TOTAL, I THINK, IS ADDRESSING PRENATAL SUBSTANCE USE DISPARITIES.
SO AGAIN, IN OUR RESEARCH, UH, WE'VE HEARD THAT COUNTY HEALTH SERVICE STAFF REPORTS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATES OF PRENATAL SUBSTANCE EXPOSURE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY AS COMPARED TO THE CALIFORNIA AVERAGE AND MOST OTHER COUNTIES IMPACTING MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH AND PERPETUATING CYCLES OF TRAUMA AND SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT FOR LOCAL WOMEN AND THIS ALSO SPEAKS TO CDOT, UH, ARTICLE 12.
SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO SUPPORT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
[10. Hold public hearing to allow public testimony on the formation of the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Improvement District and the levy of assessments on wineries]
THAT ADDRESS SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH PERINATAL SUBSTANCE USE AFFECTING WOMEN AND FETUSES AND ALSO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE HEALTH SERVICE AGENCY, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BUDGET TO ADDRESS THIS.AND, UM, OUR NEXT ONE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, MITIGATE FEDERAL FUNDING LOSSES DUE TO DEI RESTRICTIONS.
SO THIS IS TIMELY, ALL THESE THINGS ARE TIMELY.
THE ROLLBACK OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES WITH DEI INITIATIVES THREATENS CRITICAL PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT WOMEN, PARTICULARLY THOSE FACING RACE-RELATED, ECONOMIC OR HEALTH-RELATED DISPARITIES.
AND THIS SPEAKS TO QUITE A FEW ARTICLES, 5, 10, 11, 12 AND 13.
AND OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO DIRECT COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO WORK WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO ASSESS WHICH PROGRAMS AND FUNDING VULNERABILITIES WE HAVE RELATED TO THIS DEI SITUATION, UM, AND TRY TO IDENTIFY SOME ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES.
I'M TRYING TO SAY THAT SERIOUSLY.
AND NEXT WOULD BE CONVENE A COMMUNITY TAX FORCE TO EVALUATE WHICH COMMUNITY SAFETY NETS SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE MOST AT RISK AND IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES.
THE NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS GENDER SPECIFIC TRAUMA INFORMED SUPPORT FOR INCARCERATED WOMEN.
SO SUSAN GREEN'S 2017 STUDY GENDER MATTERS: A PROFILE OF WOMEN IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAILS, REPORTS THAT WOMEN IN JAIL ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA, ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES YET THE FACILITY IS REALLY SET UP FOR GUYS.
UM, AND IT'S STRUCTURED AMOUNT AROUND THE MALE NEEDS AND BEHAVIORS MAKING IT REALLY DIFFICULT
[04:45:01]
FOR WOMEN TO HAVE ADDRESSED THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS.SO THIS SPEAKS TO ARTICLE 15 AND OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO DIRECT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CORRECTIONS OFFICE TO REVISIT MS. GREEN'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO EVALUATE HOW THEY'RE DOING THERE SINCE THEY CAME OUT, UM, AND SEE WHERE THE GAPS ARE BASICALLY.
AND ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT THE DISTRICT DIRECT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND PROBATION DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT AND FORTIFY GENDER RESPONSE, TRAUMA INFORMED POLICIES AND REENTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMS. OKAY, NEXT IS EXPANDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WOMEN-LED, HOUSEHOLDS.
SO AS WE ALL KNOW, SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HOUSING COSTS ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTY AND COUNTRY COMBINED WITH A KNOWN WAGE GAP THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER WHICH IS DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, ALMOST.
UH, COUNTY WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO STRUGGLE TO SECURE STABLE HOUSING, JUST PERIOD.
SINGLE MOTHERS ARE PARTICULARLY IMPACTED AND THESE DISPARITIES HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF EXAMINING HOUSEHOLD POLICY, HOUSING POLICY THROUGH A GENDER LED AND PRIORITIZING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WOMEN, WOMEN-LED HOUSEHOLDS.
AND THIS SPEAKS TO ARTICLE 13.
OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO DIRECT THE HOUSING FOR HEALTH DIVISION TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF HOUSING TRENDS AND IDENTIFY ANY DISPARITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING WOMEN, PARTICULARLY UNHOUSED WOMEN AND WOMEN-LED HOUSEHOLDS AND IMPLEMENTING HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT PRIORITIZE AND SUPPORT, AND SUPPORT FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES.
THIS ONE'S REALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART COZ I HAVE A ONE AND THREE-YEAR-OLD.
UH, THE, THE NEXT ONE IS EXPANDING AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE ACCESS.
SO CHILDCARE COSTS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY EX-, THEY'RE JUST REALLY EXPENSIVE.
THEY EXCEED BOTH THE CALIFORNIA AVERAGE AND MOST OTHER, UH, CALIFORNIA COUNTIES.
THESE COSTS HAVE STEADILY RISEN OVER TIME.
THE DATA HERE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PULL, UM, HAS THAT A LITTLE OVER $20,000 A YEAR, BUT THIS WAS BACK IN 2021 FOR AN INFANT.
I JUST PULLED THE RATE SHEET UP LAST NIGHT FOR WHERE MY CHILD GOES TO SCHOOL IN LIVE OAK AND FULL TIME FOR AN INFANT IS $32,000 A YEAR FOR FIVE DAYS A WEEK FOR ONE CHILD.
UM, SO THE BURDEN OF CAREGIVING FALLS DISPROPORTIONATELY ON WOMEN AND THE HIGH COST AND LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF CHILDCARE OFTEN FORCES THEM TO REDUCE WORK HOURS OR LEAVE THE WORKFORCE, DEEPENING PAY GAPS AND ECONOMIC INSECURITY FOR WOMEN, WOMEN-LED FAMILIES.
LIKE ALL THIS STUFF IS CONNECTED THAT COMBINED WITH THE WAGE GAP AND THE HOUSING SITUATION.
AND THIS ISN'T ON HERE, BUT OUR AGING POPULATION, WE WANT THESE PEOPLE WORKING.
UM, C-, THIS SPEAKS TO CDOT ARTICLES 11 AND 13.
AND OUR RECOMMENDATION IS WORK WITH HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS TO EXPAND FUNDING AND IDENTIFY NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFFORDABLE TARGET, UH, AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE TARGETED TO THE NEEDS OF SINGLE-INCOME WOMEN-LED HOUSEHOLDS.
AND NEXT IS, THIS IS ALSO TIMELY.
UH, OUR RECOMMENDATION AND PRIORITY HAS TO DO WITH WOMEN AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.
SO WOMEN IMPACTED BY ICE OFTEN FACE FAMILY SEPARATION, ECONOMIC INSTABILITY, AND HEIGHTENED VULNERABILITY DUE TO EXPLOITATION.
AND IN TODAY'S CLIMATE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON, UM, IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF DETENTION, DEPORTATION AND SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE.
UH, AND THIS SPEAKS TO ARTICLES 6, 9, AND 15.
AND OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO ESTABLISH A TAX FORCE TO EVALUATE SUPPORT FOR JUSTICE-INVOLVED IMMIGRANT WOMEN, INCLUDING LEGAL DEFENSE FUNDING, TRACKING OF DEPORTATION IMPACTS AND SYSTEM NAVIGATION SUPPORT.
AND I THINK THIS IS THE LAST ONE I'M SPEAKING ON BUT, UM, OH, IT'S OKAY.
SO THE NEXT ONE IS GENDER-DISAGGREGATED DATA COLLECTION.
UH, SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, UH, OUR COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED TO THE BOARD THAT YOU ADOPT A COUNTY POLICY REQUIRING THAT ALL DATA CONSIDERED TO THE COUNTY POLICYMAKING BE DISAGGREGATED BY GENDER AS APPROPRIATE.
AND, UH, FROM MY UNDERSTAND, UH, A LOT OF IT IS, SO WE'RE DOING WELL THERE.
HOWEVER, UH, IT'S NOT A FORM OF POLICY AND SO SOME OF IT STILL ISN'T.
UM, WHAT THIS REQUIREMENT WOULD DO IS IT WOULD ENSURE CONSISTENT USE OF AN INTERSECTIONAL GENDER LENS AND POLICY DECISIONS, EVEN WHEN DISPARITIES ARE NOT ANTICIPATED TO ENSURE GENDER EQUALITY AND COUNTY POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATION.
AND THIS SPEAKS TO ALL OF THE CEDAW ARTICLES.
AND SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS REQUIRE ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO COLLECT AND REPORT RELEVANT GENDER DISAGGREGATED DATA AND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO THE BOARD TO SUPPORT GENDER-INFORMED BUDGETING AND POLICYMAKING.
[04:50:02]
THANK YOU.- AND OUR LAST PRIORITY IS TO ENACT A CEDAW ORDINANCE.
SO A FORMAL ORDINANCE ENSURES LONG-TERM ACCOUNTABILITY AND ELEVATES GENDER EQUITY FROM A RESOLUTION TO ENFORCEABLE LOCAL POLICY.
AND I THINK THAT'S THE KEY WORD IS ENFORCEABLE.
OTHER CALIFORNIA COUNTIES, AND I COME FROM SANTA CLARA COUNTY WHERE WE HAD CEDAW FOR, FOR MANY YEARS NOW, UM, INCLUDES SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO, AND SANTA CLARA.
THEY'VE ALL ADOPTED CEDAW ORDINANCES REQUIRING GENDER ANALYSIS GENDER ANALYSES, I GUESS, THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION PLANS, ANNUAL REPORTING, AND INTEGRATION OF GENDER EQUITY INTO BUDGETING AND SERVICES.
SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO DRAFT AND ADOPT A CEDAW ORDINANCE TO FURTHER FORMALIZE THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO GENDER EQUITY AND ENHANCE ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ALIGNMENT WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ENSURE ONGOING COMMITMENT TO GENDER EQUITY GOALS.
SO OUR CONCLUSIONS, THESE CAN, THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HIGHLIGHT URGENT CHALLENGES FACING SANTA CRUZ COUNTY WOMEN, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
THEY'RE DESIGNED TO BE PRACTICAL, LOCALLY ACTIONABLE STEPS THAT THE COUNTY CAN TAKE TO ADVANCE GENDER EQUITY AND SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF COUNTY WOMEN.
SO ON OUR NEXT STEPS, THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS THAT THE BOARD CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
WE STAND READY TO MONITOR THE COUNTY'S PROGRESS IN ADVANCING GENDER EQUITY AND TO PROVIDE INPUT AND CONSULTATION IF REQUESTED.
REMEMBER, WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS.
WITH COUNTY LEADERSHIP, IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS CAN HELP TO MAKE THE CEDAW RESOLUTION ACTIONABLE AND DRIVE REAL CHANGE FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY WOMEN.
- THANK YOU FOR THE THOROUGH PRESENTATION.
UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK SOME OF THOSE THINGS WE'VE ALREADY DONE SO I THINK WE CAN WORK ON THESE THINGS.
BUT LET ME TAKE IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC FIRST TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO'D LIKE TO ADDRESS US ON THIS ITEM.
SEEING NONE, ANYONE ONLINE? - YES, CHAIR.
TIM, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY I'M SUPPORTIVE, 100% OF CEDAW.
ANYWAYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, AND YOU ALL HAVE A VERY FINE DAY.
- WE HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE, CHAIR.
- I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
UH, SUPERVISOR KOENIG? - THANK YOU, CHAIR.
UH, AND THANK YOU, CO-CHAIRS DOTY AND GORDON FOR COMING TO PRESENT TO US TODAY.
UH, HOPEFULLY YOU ARE, IN FACT, AS EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT.
A-AS YOU SAY, I UNDERSTAND, UH, IT WAS A LONG TIME TO WAIT.
UM, SO I APPRECIATE YOUR, YOUR PATIENCE.
UM, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEN, WHEN THIS BOARD, UH, ASKED THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION TO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN CEDAW IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT WAS BACK, AS YOU SAID, IN FEBRUARY, 2024, UM, AND IT SEEMED LIKE A NICE THING TO DO.
AND NOW IT SEEMS A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE AN URGENT THING TO DO UH, GIVEN THE CHANGING POLITICAL LANDSCAPE THE REPEAL OF ROE VERSUS WADE, AND JUST ALL OF THE CHALLENGES, UH, THAT WE'RE SEEING, PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN IN OUR SOCIETY.
AND SO, UM, IT'S, IT'S ALSO WONDERFUL THAT AT THE SAME TIME WE NOW HAVE TWO WOMEN ON THIS BOARD, UM, AND A LITTLE BIT, UM, UM, BETTER REPRESENTATION FOR OUR, OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY ON THAT FRONT.
UM, AND CERTAINLY AS, UM, SOMEONE WHO NOW HAS A DAUGHTER, UM, FEEL THE URGENCY OF, UH, ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES AS WELL.
UM, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU'VE GOT UH, DO INVOLVE SOME KIND OF FINANCIAL COMMITMENT BECAUSE AFTER ALL, UM, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT REALLY MOVES THE NEEDLE, IS HOW WE ALLOCATE RESOURCES.
UM, I THINK IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT.
I MEAN, AS YOU HEARD EARLIER TODAY, WE'RE STRUGGLING, UM, WITH HOW TO ALLOCATE SCARCE RESOURCES.
AND SO IT'S SORT OF DIFFICULT TO I THINK MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY OF THOSE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY AT THIS MEETING UM, IT CERTAINLY ALIGNS WITH WE CAN TAKE FORWARD INTO FUTURE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
UM, I WOULD HOPE THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE LOOKING AT CORE FUNDING, UM, INTEGRATE SOME OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, CERTAINLY AROUND LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, CHILDCARE.
UM, I KNOW BOTH MYSELF AND, AND OTHERS ON THIS BOARD HAVE EXPRESSED, UM, YOU KNOW, CONCERNS THAT WE DIDN'T ALLOCATE MORE MONEY TOWARDS CHILDCARE IN THE LAST ROUND OF CORE.
UM, SO YEAH, I THINK, I THINK OVERALL THAT'S, THAT'S A LENS WE CAN TAKE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE RESOURCE
[04:55:02]
UM, ALLOCATION DISCUSSIONS.UM, I THINK TWO THINGS THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY MOVE FORWARD WITH TODAY, UM, LOOKING AT THIS ARE ONE, WE COULD, UH, ASK THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO, UH, LOOK AT THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION, GENDER ANALYSIS OF COUNTY WORKFORCE COMPENSATION, UM, WHETHER THAT'S, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY CAN ACTUALLY DO AN ANALYSIS OF THE DATA THAT, UM, SO-SORT OF BEGINS TO GIVE US A CLEARER PICTURE OR THEY COULD DEVELOP A COST ESTIMATE FOR A CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS.
UM, YOU KNOW, THEY COULD REFERENCE SOME OF THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT WE USE TO TRY TO, UH, ENSURE THAT THERE IS EQUITY, UM, OR ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S ONE PIECE I THINK WE COULD, UM, THAT IS ACTIONABLE TODAY.
UM, ANOTHER, AND ALSO THIS IS RELATED TO, UH, THE PREVIOUS UH, AGENDA ITEM AROUND OUTREACH AND THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN 2032 WOULD SIMPLY BE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE COLLECTING GENDER DISAGGREGATED DATA AS WE, UM, UNDERTAKE A VERY, UM, COMPREHENSIVE OUTREACH EFFORT, UM, AND MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO COUNTY RESIDENTS AND HOW THEY'RE UTILIZING, UH, COUNTY SERVICES THAT WE ARE ABLE TO, UH, LOOK AT HOW THAT EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE WE COULD DIRECT IS TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN, UH, 2032 IS COLLECTING GENDER DISAGGREGATED DATA AND THAT, UM, PERHAPS AS PART OF THAT WE ALSO DEVELOP A POLICY TO ENSURE THAT ALL RELEVANT COUNTY PUBLIC OUTREACH GOING FORWARD COLLECTS GENDER DISAGGREGATED DATA.
- YES, I WANT TO START JUST BY THANKING ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.
UM, I KNOW THAT AT ONE POINT THIS CAME BEFORE THE BOARD AS A CONSENT ITEM AND I THINK IT WAS SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS WHO ASKED FOR IT TO COME FORWARD AS A REGULAR ITEM AND I, I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT COZ IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THIS ITEM THE ATTENTION THAT IT DESERVES BECAUSE YOU CALLED OUT A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS.
AND I THINK REALLY YOUR ENERGY AND YOUR INITIATIVE IS THE TYPE OF, UM, SUPPORT THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE FROM ADVISORY BODIES AND COMMISSIONS AND HOPEFULLY AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE ROLE OF OUR COMMISSIONS THROUGH THE SANTA CRUZ LIKE ME PROJECT AND DIVERSIFY VOICES WILL HAVE EVEN MORE ENGAGEMENT FROM VOLUNTEER MEMBERS WHO ARE HELPING OUR COUNTY, UM, GUIDE THE DIRECTION OF OUR POLICIES AND OUR PRIORITIES MOVING FORWARD.
I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE SUPERVISOR KOENIG THAT A NUMBER OF THESE ITEMS DO COME WITH COST, UM, WHICH MAKES THEM HARD TO MOVE FORWARD IMMEDIATELY, BUT I WAS LOOKING IN THE SAME DIRECTION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND REALLY WOULD LIKE TO ASK, UM, SO-, REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CAO'S OFFICE, UM, PERHAPS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT CAO COBURN, UM, REALLY HOW YOU THINK WE COULD POTENTIALLY INCORPORATE SOME OF THE PRIORITIES CALLED OUT HERE IN BOTH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE O-OPERATIONAL PLAN AS ATTACHED.
- YEAH, HAPPY TO NICOLE COBURN, ASSISTANT CEO.
UM, WE ARE GOING TO BE COLLECTING DATA, UH, THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE, UM, AS WE'RE GETTING RESPONSES, WE'RE GONNA BE GETTING DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION IN OUR SURVEY, AND WE'LL HAVE THAT AS PART OF OUR OTHER EFFORTS.
SO WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT THE FEEDBACK WE'RE GETTING AND HOW IT MIGHT DIFFER BASED ON GENDER AND TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT.
UM, I WOULD INVITE, UM, BEN STAFFORD TO COME UP IF HE HAS OTHER IDEAS BUT SOME OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS FEEL VERY SPECIFIC AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE LOOK AT OUR BUDGET AND OUR OPERATIONAL PLAN TO REALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN RESOURCE IN ANY GIVEN YEAR AND TO TRY TO COME UP WITH, UH, UM, SMARTY OBJECTIVES THAT, TO TRY TO MOVE FORWARD THIS WORK.
SO, UM, I THINK AT A HIGH LEVEL WITHIN THE NEXT STRATEGIC PLAN WE CAN DEFINITELY CONSIDER HOW THIS MIGHT FIT IN AND THEN GOING FORWARD WITH THE OPERATIONAL PLAN, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OBJECTIVES MAKE SENSE IN THE NEXT TWO-YEAR PERIOD BUT I'LL OPEN IT UP TO SVEN TOO.
UM, AND I, I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT WE CAN DO IS WE'RE HAPPY TO COME TO THE NEXT WOMEN'S COMMISSION MEETING AND PRESENT, I THINK, BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN AT A HIGH LEVEL AND THERE ARE HIGH-LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE QUESTION MIGHT BE WHERE CAN WE WORK TOGETHER TO DIG DEEPER INTO A PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT MIGHT HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN TERMS OF MOVING THE NEEDLE FOR WOMEN AND I THINK AS IN ALL OF OUR OTHER OUTREACH, WE WANNA DO THAT IN COLLABORATION WITH NOT IN ISOLATION FROM THE PEOPLE THAT IT IMPACTS THE MOST.
- THANK YOU AND SO REALLY WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS THAT THE TIMING, YOU KNOW, WOULD LOVE TO HAVE DONE IT 50 YEARS AGO, GLAD THAT WE'RE DOING IT TODAY AND THAT REALLY THE TIMING IS GOOD FOR SOME OF THE PRIORITY SETTING BEING DONE AT THE COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BEING DONE AT THE COUNTY WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND LOOK FORWARD
[05:00:01]
TO SEEING THIS GOOD WORK INCORPORATED INTO THAT, SO THANK YOU.- THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS.
- WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING, WELL, AND ALSO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE FOR SITTING THROUGH THIS ENTIRE DAY.
I KNOW, UM, YOU ALL PROBABLY THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA PRESENT EARLIER, BUT YOU KNOW.
- I DID, YEAH. I THOUGHT I'D BE HOME BY 11.
[LAUGHTER] - BUT GLAD THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO, TO STICK IT OUT AND YOU WERE ABLE TO PRESENT FOR US TODAY.
UM, I REALLY JUST WANNA START BY APPRECIATING ALL THE WORK THAT THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION DOES AND, UM, YOUR, THE RECOMMENDATIONS YOU ALL HAVE WORKED SO HARD ON TO BRING TO OUR ATTENTION TODAY.
UM, I DO AGREE WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE THAT I THINK THAT THERE ARE, WHILE THERE ARE SOME, UM, ITEMS THAT DO HAVE, UM, KIND OF DOLLAR SIGNS ATTACHED TO THEM, I DO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, INCORPORATING SOME OF IT INTO THE STRATEGIC PLAN MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
UM, I ALSO HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF DOCUMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE BEING PRODUCED BY OUR COMMISSIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED OVER TIME.
AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE ONE THAT'S BEEN RECENTLY PRODUCED RIGHT AS WE'RE GOING INTO THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND THAT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THAT PLAN.
SO, I MEAN, I, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE GONNA BE GETTING FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY, BUT THIS IS ALSO A BIG SOURCE OF FEEDBACK THAT'S COMING FROM ONE OF OUR COMMISSIONS.
AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE LEANING INTO OUR COMMISSIONS EVEN MORE SO AS WE'RE MOVING INTO, THROUGH THE STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS.
UM, BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY A COUPLE THINGS ON HERE THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH OUTSIDE OF THE, UM, STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS.
AND, AND I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN SEEING IF WE CAN HAVE SOMETHING COME BACK WHERE WE CAN, UM, GET SOME ANALYSIS FROM STAFF ON, LIKE, WHAT IT WOULD COST TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WHAT MIGHT BE SOME ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVES.
LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S A RECOMMENDATION OF A TASK FORCE, WELL, MAYBE WE DON'T NEED A TASK FORCE BECAUSE IT WOULD COST SO MUCH, BUT MAYBE THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON SOME OF THESE PRIORITIES AS WELL.
UM, BUT BEFORE THAT, I JUST, I GUESS, UM, FOR ITEM NUMBER ONE, THIS IS THE, THE RECOMMENDATION AROUND GETTING AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT.
I MEAN, IS THERE, UM, IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO, SIMILAR TO SUPERVISOR KOENIG'S POINT, HAVE OUR HR DO, UH, LIKE A RACIAL AND GENDER ANALYSIS OF THE, OR IS THERE A CONCERN THAT WAS BROUGHT UP BY THE COMMISSION FOR US NOT TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION? - AS I MENTIONED, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS DISCUSSION IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
UM, IT IS CONSIDERED BY ALL WHO ARE ON THIS PROCESS THAT AN OUTSIDE, UM, ANALYSIS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND THE MOST, UM, GIVES YOU THE BEST DATA BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT TALKING TO SOMEBODY FROM HR, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU NEED TO SHARE OR WHATEVER, SO IT'S, IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO USE AN INDEPENDENT ONE.
I DO HAVE SOME CONTACTS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY AND I CAN GIVE THEM TO YOUR STAFF.
SHE CAN SHARE THEM WITH YOU BECAUSE THERE ARE, THERE'S AT LEAST ONE MAN WHO IS SO COMMITTED TO CEDAW THAT HE DROPS HIS RATE TO, TO DO THIS WORK.
AND DOING THE GENDER ANALYSIS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IS CONSIDERABLY DIFFERENT THAN HAVING TO DO IT IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
YOU KNOW, 260,000 VERSUS OVER 2 MILLION.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S, I IMAGINE HE'S, HIS FEE WOULD BE A LOT LOWER THAN WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE SEEN.
SO, UM, ANY OF THE RESOURCES THAT I HAVE, OF COURSE, I'M WILLING TO SHARE.
AND, UM, I THINK THAT'S, THAT'S THE BIGGEST ONE BECAUSE THAT IS AN OUTSIDE PERSON.
EVERYTHING ELSE IS REALLY WITHIN YOUR PURVIEW UM, WITHIN THE COUNTY AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND THINGS.
UM, SO I GUESS WHEN THE TIME COMES, I HAVE SOME LANGUAGE PREPARED, UM, FOR MOTION FOR US TO CONSIDER UM, BUT BEFORE THAT, I WOULD SAY THAT I, IF OF ALL THE THINGS ON HERE, I DO THINK THAT MOVING FORWARD WITH DRAFTING A CEDAW ORDINANCE SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD IMPLEMENT NOW AND WE CAN START MOVING FORWARD WITH.
I MEAN, IF STAFF CAN DO THAT IN, YOU KNOW, ALONG WITH THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
SO WHAT'S DEVELOPED IS KINDA BASED ON OTHER ORDINANCES THAT ALREADY EXIST.
THAT'LL HELP, YOU KNOW, REDUCE SOME OF THE WORK TIME.
AND THEN WORKING WITH YOU ALL, WE CAN HAVE SOMETHING THAT COMES FORWARD THAT WILL BE ACCEPTABLE AND RECOMMENDED BY THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TODAY THAT WE CAN LIKELY MOVE FORWARD WITH AND START WORKING ON.
AND THERE'LL BE A NEW PROJECT FOR THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION TO, TO WORK ON AS WELL.
- [LAUGHTER] SO, UM, WHEN THE TIME COMES, I HAVE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS MAYBE THAT WE COULD, UH, ADOPT.
- THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR DE SERPA.
- THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU BOTH AGAIN FOR BEING HERE SUCH A LONG TIME TODAY.
I KNOW THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND DEAR TO BOTH AND TO ALL OF, UM, THE, THE COMMISSION AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED SO HARD ON THIS.
SO I, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
UM, CAN I ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE? SO UNDER NUMBER TWO, WHERE IT SAYS OB/GYN CARE SHORTAGES
[05:05:01]
IN SOUTH COUNTY, YOU KNOW, I WAS JUST ON, ON THE PHONE YESTERDAY OR MONDAY WITH, UH, MY OWN OGYN AND SHE'S THE ONLY ONE LEFT IN ALL OF DIGNITY HEALTH.- YEAH. - ... RIGHT? SO SHE'S NOT SERVING NECESSARILY SOUTH COUNTY.
SHE'S SERVING, UM, MID AND NORTH FOR THE MOST PART.
- THERE'S TWO THAT WE DISCOVERED IN SOUTH COUNTY.
- AT SALUD PARA LA GENTE, RIGHT, CORRECT? - YEAH. - YEAH.
- I, THAT... THIS ONE WAS THE ONE THAT I DID THE RESEARCH ON.
SO I PROBABLY DIDN'T SPEAK, BUT, UM, I INTERVIEWED, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S APPROPRIATE TO SAY THAT IN PERSON I-IT'S HEALTH SERVICES I INTERVIEWED, BUT, UM, SHE'S THE, UM, SHE'S A HEALTH EQUITY OFFICER.
AND SHE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEN THERE IS A SHORTAGE FOR OB/GYNS JUST GENERALLY WITHIN OUR COUNTY.
- IT IS COUNTYWIDE, BUT SHE SAID IT'S A LOT MORE IF, I-IF SHE HAD TO, IT'S CRITICAL IN SOUTH COUNTY WAS...
- YEAH, THE DIGNITY GROUP HAS SEVEN, UM, CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIVES PROVIDING, YOU KNOW, JUST BASIC CARE IN, IN THE CLINIC AND SOME DELIVERIES TOO, BUT THEY HAVE LITERALLY ONE OB/GYN SURGEON.
SO, AND THAT IS A, THAT'S A DIFFERENCE THAN YEARS AGO WHERE THEY HAD A ENTIRE, YOU KNOW, BUILDING FULL.
- WELL, AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF WOMEN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE IMMIGRANTS AND THE FARM WORKERS AND THINGS WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME KIND OF HEALTHCARE THAT WE DO.
AND WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT, YOU NEED MORE SERVICES.
- RIGHT. SO I THINK WE, I MEAN, I THINK YOU'VE ALREADY NAMED MANY OF THE SYSTEMIC ROOT CAUSES, RIGHT? IT'S EXPENSIVE TO LIVE HERE.
WE, WE DID HAVE, UM, NOBODY REALLY WAS HAVING CHILDREN, ACTUALLY, DURING THE COVID TIMES.
I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A BABY BOOM HAPPENING NOW.
SO, SO THEN I THINK THE NEED IS GREATER.
I'M A SOCIAL WORKER THAT'S USED PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL THERE.
UM, BUT THE MAJORITY OF, UH, BIRTHS HAPPENED DOWN IN WATSONVILLE AND AT ET CETERA. SO.
- SO THAT'S, UH, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
UH, YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE UPCOMING, HOPEFULLY, A COHORT OF, UM, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL BE, UM, HEADING THROUGH THE UC DAVIS, UCSC COLLABORATIVE, SO THAT WE CAN...
- YEAH, I JUST READ ABOUT THAT. THAT'S AWESOME.
- YEAH, SO THAT WE CAN BUILD OUR OWN, UM, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
I ALSO WANTED TO TALK ABOUT PRENATAL SUBSTANCE USE DISPARITIES.
UM, SO FOR MANY YEARS WE'VE HAD AN, A REALLY UNBELIEVABLE COHORT OF SERVICES FOR WOMEN THAT ARE SUBSTANCE USE AND PREGNANT.
UM, WE HAVE JANICE PERINATAL, UM, WHICH IS, UH, YOU KNOW, DEVOTED TO HAVING MOM AND BABY COUPLETS.
LIKE OTHER COUNTIES, JUST DON'T HAVE THAT.
THEY DON'T, I WORKED IN MONTEREY COUNTY THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AND THEY DON'T, THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
UM, OFTENTIMES THE JANICE PERINATAL BEDS ARE NOT COMPLETELY FULL, AND THEY COULD ACCEPT MOMS AND BABIES FROM OTHER COUNTIES.
AND SO FOR SOME REASON, EVEN THOUGH CCH COVERS BOTH COUNTIES, THERE'S CONTRACT ISSUES IN THE MONTEREY COUNTY, MOMS AREN'T ALLOWED TO COME TO SANTA CRUZ, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY, UH, A SHAME BECAUSE I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE WAYS THAT IT COULD ACTUALLY MAKE THAT PROGRAM MORE ROBUST IS IF THEY HAD ALL THE BEDS FULL.
SO I'M WONDERING IF WE COULD LOOK INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT.
UM, THE OTHER THING THAT WE HAVE HERE THAT OTHER COUNTIES DON'T IS WE HAVE ALSO A ROBUST, UH, PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING PROGRAM, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I CAN MAKE A REFERRAL TO A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE TO, FOR ANY MOM THAT IS IN NEED BECAUSE OF MAYBE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, UH, YOUNG AGE TEEN OR BEING A TEENAGER, HAVING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS, I CAN MAKE A REFERRAL AND THAT MOM CAN GET PICKED UP BY A NURSE WHO CAN PARTNER WITH HER THROUGHOUT HER PRENATAL CARE.
THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN OTHER COUNTIES EITHER.
SO I FEEL LIKE THAT'S A VERY ROBUST PROGRAM THAT WE RUN HERE.
SO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO FUND THAT PROGRAM.
THE OTHER ONE I WANNA JUST CALL OUT FOR A SECOND IS CHILDCARE.
'CAUSE I, I WENT TO A PRESENTATION FROM THE STATE THAT THE A AUW PUT ON, UH, PROBABLY ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS AGO.
AND THE STATE HAD COME DOWN TO TALK ABOUT, UM, CHILDCARE ACCESS, ET CETERA.
AND, AND WHAT WAS POINTED OUT IS THAT 50% OF THE VOUCHERS FOR CHILDCARE GO UNUSED IN THIS COUNTY.
AND I'M NOT SURE WHY, YOU KNOW, SO...
- UM, IT'S INTERESTING TO FIND OUT ONE.
- YEAH. AND I DON'T EVEN, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START WITH THAT, BUT I DO FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO PUBLICIZE THAT VOUCHERS ARE AVAILABLE OR THEY HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE AND POTENTIALLY HOW TO ACCESS THOSE, UM, ON BEHALF.
WE ALSO HAVE, THROUGH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THROUGH ENCOMPASS, THROUGH PAJARO VALLEY UNIFIED, VERY ROBUST HEAD START AND THOSE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ABSOLUTELY NO-COST PRESCHOOL.
- AND TK AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT DON'T HAPPEN IN OTHER COMMUNITIES.
[05:10:03]
- IT'S PART OF WHAT MAKES US SO DIFFERENT HERE AND SO WONDERFUL - YEAH. IT'S A SPECIAL PLACE, SANTA CRUZ.AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS ALSO VERY SPECIAL.
UM, I'M VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT MANY OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SO HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE SOME IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO THAT ON OUR VERY LIMITED BUDGET IN THE FUTURE.
- THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR DE SERPA.
AND THANK YOU GUYS OF COURSE, UH, FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE ON, ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
AND I ALWAYS SAY THAT OUR COMMISSIONERS ARE FRONT LINES AND YOU GUYS ARE DOING THAT WORK.
WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO MY, UH, BOARD FOR DIRECTION.
- YEAH. I JUST HAD A QUESTION FOR SUPERVISOR DE SERPA, 'CAUSE I'M GONNA TRY TO INCORPORATE SOME OF THE CONCERNS YOU HAD AROUND THE CHILDCARE VOUCHERS BEING, UM, UNDERUTILIZED.
AND SO IS, ARE THOSE SPECIFIC STATE VOUCHERS OR WHAT'S...? - I BELIEVE THEY ARE.
SO, MOTION I'VE IS TO DIRECT STAFF TO ANALYZE EACH RECOMMENDATION AND RETURN WITH OPTIONS FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER FOR ADOPTION, FOR ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION, INCLUDING COSTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY NO LATER THAN THE SECOND MEETING IN NOVEMBER.
DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT A CEO ORDINANCE IN COLLABORATION WITH COUNTY PARTNERS AND THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION, AND RETURN TO THE BOARD WITH A DRAFT FOR CONSIDERATION BY NO LATER THAN MAY 2026.
AND THEN I MIGHT NEED SOME HELP ON THIS ONE, BUT DIRECT STAFF TO DETERMINE THE REASON WHY STATE CHILDCARE VOUCHERS ARE GOING, GOING UNUTILIZED OR UNDERUTILIZED IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, AND BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS, UM, TO HELP IMPROVE ACCESS TO THOSE VOUCHERS.
UM, I WANNA SEE, UH, WHAT OUR ASSISTANT CEO THINKS OF THE TIMELINES, ARE THOSE, UH, ATTAINABLE THE MAY AND THE, WHAT WAS IT, NOVEMBER? - YEAH. UM, I THINK THAT JUST DEVELOPING A WORK PLAN FOR THE, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR THE NOVEMBER 2ND MEETING IN NOVEMBER, I THINK WE CAN DO THAT.
UM, WE'LL HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS.
UM, SO I, AND THEN THE MAY RETURN FOR THE ORDINANCE, I WOULD DEFER. I THINK THAT'S PLENTY OF TIME.
AND THEN WAS THERE A DATE BACK FOR THE VOUCHERS OR WAS THAT JUST...? - WE CAN HAVE THAT, YOU KNOW, NO, NO, IN NOVEMBER AS WELL.
- YEAH, LET'S, UM, WE'LL JUST INCORPORATE IT INTO OUR INFORMATION IN NOVEMBER, IF THAT'S OKAY. -THAT SOUNDS GREAT.
- AND, UM, AND AGAIN, I THINK THAT'LL GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY BREAK DOWN OF ALL THESE PROGRAMS. LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHICH ONES CAN, FOR EXAMPLE, AS WE'RE, UM, DISCUSSING CHANGES TO CORE, WHAT WE CAN INCORPORATE THERE AS WE'RE DISCUSSING THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WHAT CAN BE INCORPORATED IN THAT PROCESS.
IF THERE'S SOME THAT WE CAN FUND EASILY, THEN I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
BUT I THINK HAVING THAT INFORMATION COME BACK TO US IN NOVEMBER WILL REALLY GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
- OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM, UH, WAIT.
- SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, AND THE SECOND FORM HERNANDEZ.
- UH, CAN I, CAN I JUST OFFER A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT? UH, WHICH IS SORT OF CONCERNING THE, THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS, UM, SOME ELEMENTS ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED, BUT, UM, FOR THE CEO'S OFFICE TO COLLECT GENDER DISAGGREGATED DATA AS PART OF THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN 2032 UH, TO ANALYZE PUBLIC INPUT BASED ON GENDER DATA, AND DEVELOP A POLICY THAT WOULD APPLY TO ALL RELEVANT COUNTY PUBLIC OUTREACH GOING FORWARD.
I'D ALSO JUST ADD, I'D ALSO ADD RACIAL IN THERE TOO, BECAUSE I THINK AS WE HEARD EARLIER, UM, BREAKING DOWN BY GENDER ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE, JUST THE DISPARITIES THAT WOMEN OF COLOR ARE GETTING PAID EVEN LESS THAN WOMEN WHO ARE WHITE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE AGGREGATE THAT AS WELL, SO.
- CAN WE TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE? - SUPERVISOR DE SERPA.
- NEXT, WE MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 11.
CONSIDER AN UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN, AND TAKE ALL RELATED ACTIONS.
I'LL TURN IT OVER TO DAVID REED, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF RESPONSE RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE.
AND CLAIRE PEABODY, EMERGENCY SERVICES ANALYST.
- GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR, BOARD.
UM, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS AFTERNOON TO TAKE A, A BRIEF TOUR OF OUR FIRST MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN PROCESS.
UM, I'M GONNA HAND IT OVER TO CLAIRE PEABODY HERE IN A SECOND BUT JUST WANNA APPRECIATE HER EFFORTS TO SECURE THIS GRANT AND TO BRING ALONG FIVE NEW DISTRICTS AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF SCOTTS VALLEY INTO THIS PROCESS.
[05:15:02]
THAT'LL BE THE FIRST MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL, UM, HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN THAT THEY'VE EVER HAD.SO IT'LL, UH, AFFORD THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR, UH, A NEW SOURCE OF GRANT FUNDING.
SO WE'RE EXCITED TO BE BRINGING ON THESE SIX NEW AGENCIES, UM, AND PARTNERS IN THIS PROCESS.
AND WITH THAT, I'M GONNA HAND IT OVER TO CLAIRE PEABODY.
- GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M AN EMERGENCY SERVICES ANALYST WORKING WITH DAVID REED IN OR3.
AND WE'RE HERE TODAY WITH AN INFORMATIONAL UPDATE ON OUR COUNTIES, AS DAVE MENTIONED OUR FIRST MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN, OR MJHMP FOR SHORT.
SOME BACKGROUND ON THIS PROJECT.
THIS PROJECT BEGAN WITH OR3 SOLICITATION FOR A FEMA HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT TO FUND THIS EFFORT.
WE APPLIED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEVERAL LOCAL CITIES AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS WITH THE INTENT TO MAKE THE COUNTY'S NEXT LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE, WHICH HAPPENS EVERY FIVE YEARS, TO MAINTAIN THE ELIGIBILITY FOR SOME OF FEMA'S LARGEST GRANT PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON MITIGATION.
AND OUR INTENT WAS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF GRANT FUNDING FROM HMGP, TO MAKE THIS A MULTI-JURISDICTION PARTNERSHIP WITH CITIES AND SEVERAL LOCAL SPECIAL DISTRICTS AND WATER DISTRICTS.
JUST TO FRAME THE CONVERSATION, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING, HAZARD MITIGATION ENTAILS REDUCING LONG-TERM RISKS TO LIFE, PROPERTY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND SO THE FOCUS WITH DEVELOPING A HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN IS TO IDENTIFY STRATEGIES THAT OFFER THOSE LONG-TERM REDUCTIONS IN REPETITIVE DAMAGES.
SO PROJECTS LIKE FUEL REDUCTION, FLOOD CONTROL, SEISMIC RETROFITS.
WE HAVE PICTURED HERE, UM, A SHOT OF REACH 6 OF THE PAJARO LEVY PROJECT, OBVIOUSLY RUN BY PRFMA, BUT AN EXAMPLE OF BUILDING LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION CAPACITY IN OUR COUNTY.
AND THIS IS AS OPPOSED TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE OR REPAIR OF DAMAGES, WHICH, UH, IS A FRAMEWORK THROUGH WHICH WE VIEW MUCH OF OUR WORK RIGHT NOW.
THE INTENDED OUTCOMES OF THIS PARTNERSHIP ARE TO REDUCE DUPLICATION OF EFFORT AND LOWER COSTS FOR REPEAT HMP UPDATES OVER TIME.
CURRENTLY, THE COUNTY, THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ, AND THE CITY OF CAPITOLA ARE THE FOUR JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE HMPS IN PLACE.
WE ALL HAVE BEEN ON DIFFERENT CYCLES AND UPDATING OUR PLANS EVERY FIVE YEARS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEMA REQUIREMENTS.
AND SO BY SLOWLY JOINING OUR PLANNING CYCLES, WE CAN, UH, USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT JUST TO LOWER OUR COSTS, TO REPEATEDLY UPDATE THESE PLANS OVER TIME, BUT ALSO TO BUILD SHARED AWARENESS AND COORDINATE OUR PLANNING EFFORTS, UH, UNDERSTANDING THAT HAZARDS DO NOT RESPECT JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES.
SO WITH THE GRANT SECURED IN THE SUMMER OF 2024, WE WORK TO PROCURE A CONSULTANT TEAM TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT, INCLUDING SOME OF THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION WITH 10 PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS AND MANY MORE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PLAN.
SO, DYNAMIC PLANNING AND SCIENCE WAS SELECTED IN LATE FALL OF 2024, AND THE PLANNING PROCESS LAUNCHED IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR WITH OUR PARTNERS.
LISTED HERE ARE THE FORMALLY PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS TO THIS PLAN.
WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY FORMAL PARTICIPANTS IS THESE ARE AGENCIES WHO HAVE ELECTED TO DEVELOP FORMAL ANNEXES THAT WILL GO FORTH TO BE ADOPTED BY THEIR GOVERNING BODIES, AND IS A REQUIREMENT FOR CHECKING THE BOX OF GRANT ELIGIBILITY WHEN YOU GO TO APPLY FOR FEMA'S MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAMS. SO THESE BOLDED JURISDICTIONS, SANTA CRUZ, CAPITOLA, WATSONVILLE, AND ACTUALLY CABRILLO COLLEGE, I FAILED TO MENTION, ALL HAD LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLANS IN PLACE.
AND AS DAVE MENTIONED, WE HAVE THE CITY OF SCOTTS VALLEY JOINING US AND FIVE ADDITIONAL SPECIAL DISTRICTS JOINING US IN THIS PLANNING EFFORT, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE A BROADER ELIGIBILITY NET IN OUR COUNTY OF AGENCIES WHO CAN GO FORTH AS INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS FOR THIS FEMA GRANT PLANNING CYCLE.
WE'RE NEARING THE END OF THIS PLANNING PROCESS, WHICH KICKED OFF IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.
WE HOSTED FOUR STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS THAT INCLUDED PARTICIPATION FROM ALL 10 AGENCIES,
[05:20:04]
UH, PLUS OUTSIDE AGENCY PARTNERS SUCH AS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS AND CEOS.OUR CONSULTANT TEAM WORKED TO AGGREGATE OUR HAZARD DATA, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DATA, AND CONDUCT A FORMAL RISK ASSESSMENT, REALLY IN LINE WITH FEMA GUIDELINES THAT DICTATE WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO DURING THE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE.
AND ALL THE WHILE, WE'VE BEEN CONDUCTING A PUBLIC SURVEY AND ATTENDING IN-PERSON OUTREACH EVENTS TO PUBLICIZE THIS SURVEY.
AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO PUBLICIZE ACROSS THE COMMUNITY AND SOLICIT FEEDBACK TO ENSURE THAT MITIGATION STRATEGIES ARE ALIGNED WITH PUBLIC INPUT IN MIND.
SO WE'RE NEARING THE END ON APPROACHING THE PUBLIC DRAFT RELEASE PHASE, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE COMING TO YOUR BOARD NOW.
UM, THE PUBLIC SURVEY CLOSES THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH.
SO THIS IS OUR, THIS REPRESENTS OUR LAST WEEK TO GET THE WORD OUT THERE ABOUT THIS PUBLIC SURVEY.
AND ON SEPTEMBER 29TH, WE'LL BE RELEASING A PUBLIC DRAFT OF THE PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES A COUNTYWIDE BASE PLAN AS WELL AS ANNEXES SPECIFIC TO EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS.
SO THAT IS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO ON SEPTEMBER 29TH.
AS I MENTIONED, THIS ISN'T JUST LIMITED TO THOSE PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS THAT WERE LISTED EARLIER.
WITHIN EACH JURISDICTION, WE HAD WIDE REPRESENTATION ACROSS DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS FROM PUBLIC WORKS TO PLANNING, TO HUMAN SERVICES, WATER RESOURCES, AND THEN OUTSIDE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THIS ALSO INCLUDES OTHER STAKEHOLDER GROUPS WHO MAYBE WEREN'T DEVELOPING A FORMAL ANNEX, BUT NONETHELESS ARE IMPORTANT IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS.
SO THAT COULD INCLUDE PRIVATE UTILITY COMPANIES, EDUCATION AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FIRE AND LAW, UM, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
AND WHERE POSSIBLE, WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO LEVERAGE EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS.
SO PARTNERSHIPS LIKE THE CLIMATE ACTION AND ADAPTATION PLAN, PROJECT WORKING GROUP, THE CAP WORKING GROUP, UM, AND OUR INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT, UM, FORUM ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE PARTICIPATION OF MULTIPLE WATER DISTRICTS IN THIS PROCESS, HAS BEEN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT REINVENTING MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND WE'RE TRYING TO ALIGN AND DRAW FROM OTHER ESTABLISHED PLANNING MECHANISMS. WE HAVE, UH, MANY REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS TO LEVERAGE HERE IN THE COUNTY.
SO, UM, PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, AS MENTIONED WE HAVE THE PUBLIC SURVEY OUT THROUGH THIS FRIDAY.
REALLY, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE HERE WHEN WE UPDATE A HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN, THAT THE HAZARDS THAT GET PROFILED IN OUR PLAN ARE ALIGNED WITH PUBLIC PRIORITIES.
THAT STRATEGIES REFLECT PUBLIC PRIORITIES, AND WE'RE DRAWING FROM WIDE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY.
AS OF NOW. WE HAVE OVER 400 SURVEY RESPONSES, BUT STILL LOOKING TO GROW THAT.
THIS WEEK WE HOSTED, UH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR CONSULTANT TEAM, MULTIPLE ONE-ON-ONE STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS WHERE ADDITIONAL INPUT WAS NEEDED FROM FIRE DISTRICTS.
OUR LOCAL FIRE SAFE COUNCIL AND OTHERS.
HOSTED WIDE GROUP BREAKOUT MEETINGS WITH ATTENDANCE OF OVER 75 REPRESENTATIVES UM, FROM AROUND THE COUNTY, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL BREAKOUT MEETINGS, WHICH WITH EACH CITY AND WATER DISTRICT TO GET ADDITIONAL DETAIL AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
THESE ARE THE HAZARDS THAT WERE SELECTED FOR PRIORITIZATION AND EACH HAZARD WILL GET ITS OWN CHAPTER DETAILING, UM, FEMA ELEMENTS OF THAT ARE REQUIRED IN OUR HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.
SO FOR EACH OF THESE HAZARDS, YOU'LL SEE CHAPTERS THAT PROFILE ITS EXPECTED POPULATION IMPACTS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT LIES WITHIN EACH HAZARD FOOTPRINT.
AND THE REASON THAT WE HAVE TO UPDATE THIS PLAN EVERY FIVE YEARS IS BECAUSE OUR HAZARD LANDSCAPE CHANGES WITH CHANGING DEVELOPMENT WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.
AND SO THE OBJECTIVE OF REVISITING THIS EVERY FIVE YEARS IS TO CAPTURE ALL THOSE CHANGES WITHIN A COMMUNITY UM, AS WELL AS MITIGATION ACTIONS THAT WE'VE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED THAT HAVE CHANGED OUR RISK AND EXPOSURE OVER THAT TIME PERIOD.
SO WHAT ELSE HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LAST UPDATE? OBVIOUSLY, THIS HAS TAKEN FROM A MARCH BUDGET PRESENTATION BUT OUR COUNTY DISASTER FINANCING IS SHAPED BY DISASTER DAMAGES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS ALONE.
SO I THINK WE INCLUDED THIS JUST TO HIGHLIGHT BOTH A CHALLENGE, A BARRIER, AS WELL AS AN OPPORTUNITY OF HAZARD MITIGATION.
UM, OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION MAKES PROACTIVE RISK INVESTMENT EVEN MORE CHALLENGING AND PERHAPS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, UM, BUT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO INCORPORATE INTO THE LENS
[05:25:02]
OF HOW WE ALLOCATE LIMITED RESOURCES FOR THINGS LIKE MITIGATION.AND THE FUNDING LANDSCAPE ITSELF HAS CHANGED.
SO OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WITH THIS INCOMING ADMINISTRATION WE'VE SEEN THE CANCELLATION OF ONE OF FEMA'S LARGEST GRANT PROGRAMS, BRIC, THAT'S THE BUILDING RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM.
AND WE'VE SEEN DIRECT IMPACTS IN TERMS OF LOST INVESTMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH OUR PHASE TWO OF, UH, A BRIC PROJECT MANAGED BY OR3 FOCUSED ON WILDFIRE RESILIENCE.
AND SO THAT'S A PART OF THIS CHANGING LANDSCAPE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADAPT TO WITH THIS PLANNING CYCLE AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER AGENCIES, IS REDIRECTING FOCUS ON HAZARD MITIGATION PROJECTS TOWARDS STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING SOURCES.
SO AS FAR AS NEXT STEPS, AS I MENTIONED, THE PUBLIC SURVEY IS OPEN THROUGH SEPTEMBER 12TH AND STILL TRYING TO UP THOSE NUMBERS THROUGH THIS FRIDAY AND, AND GET THE WORD OUT, WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC DRAFT GOING TO THE BOARD AND TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY ON SEPTEMBER 29TH THAT WILL BE OPEN FOR COMMENT FOR A PERIOD OF TWO AND A HALF WEEKS, I BELIEVE.
WILL BE SUBMITTING TO CAL OES AND FEMA FOR REQUIRED REVIEW BY THE END OF OCTOBER.
AND THAT'S SO THAT AS WE GET SOME OF THESE CITIES ALIGNED ONTO A SINGLE TIMELINE, WE'RE TRYING TO RESPECT EVERYONE'S, UM, TIMELINE AND MINIMIZE, UH, ELIGIBILITY WINDOWS FOR CITIES WHO HAVE THEIR PLAN EXPIRATION DATES COMING UP SOON.
SO, THAT'LL HAPPEN AT THE END OF OCTOBER.
WE HOPE TO GET THAT REVIEW WRAPPED UP WITHIN THE STATED THREE-MONTH IDEAL WINDOW FOR REVIEW UM, FROM THE STATE AND FEMA.
AND THEN IT WILL GO BACK TO THE BOARD FOR FINAL REVIEW AND ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS, AND IT'S THAT ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS THAT GIVES US THE STAMP OF ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY TO FEMA'S GRANT PROGRAMS. AFTER THAT, PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE, AND REALLY MAINTAINING THESE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE'VE WORKED TO BUILD OVER THIS FIRST MJHMP CYCLE, WILL BE OUR OBJECTIVE FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS.
SO, THANK YOU ALL, AND WE'RE OPEN TO QUESTIONS.
UM, I'LL START OFF BY GOING TO THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE AUDIENCE.
SEEING NONE, IS THERE ANYBODY ON THE PHONE? - YES.
- TIM, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE.
AND RIGHT NOW I'M SEEING THIS LOGGING, YOU KNOW, ON THESE TREES GOING OUT THAT ARE REDWOODS, SO I'M A LITTLE WORRIED.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HERE WITH ALL OF THIS IS A PLAN PUT IN PLACE THAT WOULD MANAGE LOGGING AND WOULD ENCOURAGE OUR GENERATION AND FUTURE GENERATIONS TO CREATE OLD-GROWTH FORESTS IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS.
IT TAKES ABOUT A 1000 YEARS AND YOU HAVE A LARGE TREE EVERY 50 FEET.
NOW, WHAT THAT WOULD DO FOR MITIGATING HAZARDS FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IS IT WOULD IT WOULD HELP WITH HOLDING LAND IN PLACE, FOR INSTANCE, DURING LARGE RAIN EVENTS.
AND UH, ALSO, UH, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD PROTECT OUR AQUIFER DURING DROUGHTS, BECAUSE AS YOU ALL KNOW THAT WHEN ALL THE FORESTS WERE CUT DOWN AROUND HERE, THE WATER TABLE FELL AND YOU KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORY OF KILIMANJARO OVER IN AFRICA WHERE THEY GOT THE BRIGHT IDEA TO CUT ALL THEIR FOREST DOWN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WATER TABLE DROPPED AND THE STREAMS DISAPPEARED.
SO FOR MITIGATING HAZARD FOR DROUGHT, FIRE, FOR EVERYTHING AND YOU KNOW, CREATING A COOLER ENVIRONMENT THAT'S BENEFICIAL TO EVERYBODY, IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE SATELLITE DATA PRESENTED TO OUR COMMUNITY SHOWING THE BEFORE AND AFTER OUR CUTTING THAT'S CURRENTLY GOING ON AND THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE ABLE TO OVERSEE THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT THESE LOGGING OPERATIONS ARE DONE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THAT DEFEND AS FAR INTO THE FUTURE WHERE YOU CREATE AN OLD GROWTH FOREST EVERY 50 FEET.
AND IT'S HARD TO DO WITH HUMAN BEINGS 'CAUSE WE DON'T LIVE THAT LONG, BUT IT WOULD BE AMAZING TO HAVE SAY, 4 GENERATIONS FROM NOW POINT BACK TO US AND SAY, WOW, WE HAVE THESE REALLY LARGE TREES BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY TODAY.
- I SEE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE.
- WITH THAT, WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS
[05:30:01]
AND FOR YOUR PRESENTATION TODAY.I MEAN, CONVENING A BUNCH OF, UM, YOU KNOW, LOCAL JURISDICTIONAL PARTNERS ISN'T ALWAYS THE EASIEST THING,
[9. Consider the Women's Commission’s recommended priorities as a Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) County, and take related actions]
BUT IT'S, IT'S GREAT THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME HAVE THIS, UM, WIDE GROUP OF PARTNERS TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AND ENGAGE ON THIS.I GUESS THE ONE QUESTION I DID HAVE IS I DIDN'T SEE UCSC ON THERE, AND JUST GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF LAND THAT THEY HAVE IN THE COUNTY, JUST CURIOUS IF THERE'S ANY REASON WHY THEY WEREN'T A PART OF THE MITIGATION PLAN PROCESS.
- YES, THEY WEREN'T LISTED AS A FORMAL PARTICIPANT.
UCSC IS ACTUALLY COVERED UNDER THE STATE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN AS A FEMA APPLICANT WHEN THEY GO TO APPLY FOR GRANTS.
SO THEY WERE A PARTICIPATING STAKEHOLDER BECAUSE OF THEIR ROLE AS A LARGE LAND MANAGER.
AND THEN, UM, I GUESS THE OTHER QUESTION IS, UM, WAS THERE ANY ENGAGEMENT WITH SOME OF THE LOCAL TRIBES ON THESE PLANS AT ALL IN TERMS OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT? - WE INCLUDED A LARGE...
WE CASTED A WIDE NET INITIALLY IN TERMS OF, UH, LOCAL CBOS AND PARTNERS THAT WE INVITED TO THE TABLE.
UM, AND ULTIMATELY, I DON'T THINK WE HAD ANY TRIBAL PARTICIPATION IN THE LARGE GROUP PLANNING MEETINGS BUT WE, WE DID INCLUDE THEM IN THE INITIAL INVITATION.
UM, THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS.
JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO UPDATE THIS EVERY 5 YEARS, SO THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE, WE'VE GOT TO DO.
AND SO JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK.
- THANK YOU. UM, THANK YOU TO OR3 FOR LEADING THIS CONVERSATION AND MOVING THIS PROJECT FORWARD.
YOU KNOW, FOR SUCH A SMALL COUNTY, WE'VE HAD OUR DISPROPORTIONATE FAIR SHARE OF, UM, DISASTERS.
AND SO WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE PREPARED FOR WILDFIRE, SEVERE STORMS, TSUNAMIS.
WE EVEN HAD A TORNADO, WHICH I DIDN'T SEE LISTED AS A DISASTER.
UM, AND REALLY, IT'S STRIKING HOW VULNERABLE WE ARE TO THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, UM, YOU KNOW, LIVING SO CLOSE TO THE OCEAN AND IN THE MOUNTAINS, UM, AND ALONG FAULT ZONES.
UM, YOU KNOW, I'M ALSO GLAD THAT THE REPORT CALLS OUT EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO ALIGN HAZARD MITIGATION STRATEGIES WITH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED UNDER MEASURE Q, UM, AND OTHER PROJECTS LIKE WITH THE CAP AND THE PAJARO RESILIENCE PROCESSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UM, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ALL OF OUR REGIONAL EFFORTS ARE ALIGNED, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, PART OF MAKING IT A MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PLAN AS WELL.
UM, JUST A QUESTION ABOUT THE DISTRICTS INVOLVED.
I SAW THAT SLV WATER DISTRICT ISN'T INCLUDED, BUT THEY ARE A STAKEHOLDER.
UM, WHY WERE THEY NOT, IS IT A, IS IT A TIMING ISSUE OR WHAT, WHY WERE THEY NOT INCLUDED? - YEAH, SO INTERESTINGLY, THEY, UM, AFTER THE 23 DISASTERS, THEY APPLIED FOR THEIR OWN GRANT TO GET FUNDING TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN PLAN.
SO THEY WERE KIND OF JUST AHEAD OF US.
UM, THAT PROCESS TOOK PLACE AFTER, LIKE WE ACTUALLY APPLIED ON THEIR BEHALF FOR SOME GRANTS UM, FOR SOME HAZARD MITIGATION GRANTS.
AND SO IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WHEN EACH OF THESE AGENCIES IS ABLE TO HAVE THEIR OWN PLAN, THEY'RE ABLE TO TAKE THAT, THAT INITIATIVE THEMSELVES, BUT WE HELPED THEM BY APPLYING ON THEIR BEHALF, BUT THEY'VE GOT THEIR PLAN KIND OF ALMOST DONE, I THINK.
AND THEN, UM, LOCAL FIRE DISTRICTS, DO THEY USUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN PLANS? UM, DO THEY, ARE THEY ELIGIBLE FOR THIS TYPE OF GRANT, OR ARE THEY JUST MORE OF A STAKEHOLDER BECAUSE THEY'RE AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PARTNER? - AROUND THE STATE, THERE DEFINITELY ARE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PLANS THAT HAVE ANNEXES SPECIFIC FOR FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.
WITH THIS BEING OUR FIRST UPDATE, THE FIRST SWEEP WAS FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON WATER DISTRICTS.
WE ALSO, UM, I THINK FOLLOWING BOARD DIRECTION, ACTUALLY INVITED THE PORT DISTRICT TO THE TABLE, UM, BUT WITH THAT PRIMARY FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE.
UM, AND I THINK IN THE FUTURE, THAT'S DEFINITELY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPANSION.
UM, RIGHT NOW OUR FOCUS WAS ON THOSE INITIAL SWEEP OF LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES, WHICH MANAGE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALSO HAVE ACTIVELY MANAGED THIS CATEGORY OF HAZARD MITIGATION PROJECTS.
- THE OTHER THING I'D ADD TOO IS THAT THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT IS A PARTNER IN THIS AND THEY REALLY ARE MOVING SQUARELY INTO THAT SPACE OF SUPPORTING KIND OF THESE LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS.
SO WE'RE SUPER EXCITED THAT THEY'RE A PART OF THIS PROCESS.
THEY'RE HELPING, UM, IN MANY AVENUES IN THAT REGARD.
SO I THINK FROM THE WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION SPACE, WE'VE GOT GREAT REPRESENTATION WITH THE RCD.
AND THEN FINALLY, WHEN THE DRAFT REPORT COMES OUT,
[05:35:04]
WHAT LEVEL OF DETAIL COULD WE EXPECT RELATED TO ESTIMATED COSTS FOR ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTING THE MITIGATION FACTORS AND LIKE WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING THOSE COSTS? WILL THAT BE IN THE REPORT? - I MEAN, WE DEFINITELY, OUR SHARED GOAL AND THAT OF EVERYBODY IS TO TRY AND MAKE THE STRATEGIES AS ACTIONABLE AS POSSIBLE.SOME OF THEM MAY HAVE FURTHER, YOU KNOW, HAVE KIND OF NOT LISTED IN THE PLAN GOTTEN FURTHER KIND OF DOWN THE PIPELINE OF US KNOWING KIND OF WHAT THAT MAY COST.
UM, BUT WE'LL START TO TRY AND DO THAT, ESPECIALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF MEASURE Q CONVERSATIONS IN THE FUTURE, WHERE WE NOW KNOW WE HAVE THIS FUNDING SOURCE AND, AND TRYING TO ACCESS PROP 4.
WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE PRIORITIZE THE, THE WORK IN THE PLAN IS GONNA BE A BIG PART OF IT AS WELL, 'CAUSE WE KNOW, AS, AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY LIMITED RESOURCES INTERNALLY.
SO HOW DO WE PRIORITIZE THE WORK, AND HOW DO WE GET EXTERNAL FUNDING TO LEVERAGE MEASURE Q OR OTHER SOURCES? - THAT'S HELPFUL. THANK YOU.
UM, THAT'S THE END OF MY QUESTIONS.
SO THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR REPORT.
SO, I JUST THIS WEEK, UM, GOT NOTICE THAT MY, UM, HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE IS CANCELED AS OF DECEMBER.
UH, THE PEOPLE ON EITHER SIDE OF ME WERE CANCELED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, SO I FELT SORT OF FORTUNATE THAT IT, YOU KNOW IT HADN'T HAPPENED YET, BUT WE WERE WAITING, SO HERE WE GO.
SO NOW ALMOST EVERYBODY ON MY ROAD DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO FIRE INSURANCE.
UM, THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM, RIGHT? AND IT'S SO, SO EXPENSIVE.
MOST PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD THE FAIR PLAN, RIGHT? I MEAN, MY NEIGHBORS I THINK ARE PAYING $6,000 FOR THEIR POLICY AND THEN THEY HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER POLICY TOO, SO THERE'S 2 POLICIES THEY'RE PAYING FOR.
UM, SO THAT'S SORT OF ONE THING THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IN TERMS OF HAZARD.
AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS, AND DAVE, YOU KNOW THIS 'CAUSE I CALLED YOU ALL UPSET BECAUSE PG&E POWER GOING OUT ALL THE TIME, AND THOSE OF US THAT LIVE IN RURAL AREAS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ANY CREDIBLE CONNECTIVITY IN THE BACK WOODS WHEN ELECTRICITY GOES OUT.
UM, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A NEW, UM, LIKE 911 SYSTEM WITH TOWERS AND THINGS GOING UP.
DO YOU THINK ANY OF THOSE TOWERS THAT ARE GOING UP IN DIFFERENT PLACES AROUND THE COUNTY COULD THEN BE USED FOR EXTRA CONNECTIVITY BECAUSE THAT FEELS LIKE A HUGE RISK FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING IN THE BACK WHO IF THERE WAS SOME KIND OF HORRIBLE EARTHQUAKE OR WILDFIRES, I MEAN, THEY, NONE OF US WOULD GET ANY PHONE CALLS, TV, WI-FI.
I MEAN, NOTHING AT ALL KIND OF GOES OUT UNLESS YOU HAVE A BATTERY BACKUP OR SOME TYPE OF BACKUP.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A PART OF THIS PLAN, BUT I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO BE THINKING ABOUT LIKE ACTUAL...
- WE, YEAH, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A, A STRATEGY IN THE PLAN THAT THAT SPEAKS TO COMMUNICATION 'CAUSE WE RECOGNIZE HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS BOTH FROM A FIRST RESPONDER STANDPOINT BUT ALSO US AS THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATING TO THE PUBLIC.
SO I THINK WE HAVE AT LEAST ONE STRATEGY THAT, THAT LOOKS AT THAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION BACKBONE.
- OKAY, 'CAUSE THOSE ARE MY 2 BIG ISSUES ARE MAKING SURE THAT NOT JUST THAT WE HAVE THIS SORT OF HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN, BUT THAT IF SOMETHING HORRIBLE WERE TO HAPPEN THAT, UM, WE ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY THAT LIVE IN THE RURAL AREAS.
- OKAY, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR DIRECTION.
- UM, I THINK WE'RE JUST RECEIVING THE, THE INFORMATION TODAY.
I MEAN, I'LL MOVE THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS.
- OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR KOENIG AND A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ.
IF WE COULD TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE.
ALL RIGHT, NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 12, CONSIDER APPROVING AND CONCEPT THE ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 7.160 TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE OF UH, PROHIBITING THE SALE OF OR DISTRIBUTION OF NITROUS OXIDE
[05:40:03]
AND TAKE ALL RELATED ACTIONS.- THANK YOU, UH, CHAIR HERNANDEZ, UM, ASSISTANT CEO COBURN AND UH, JASON HEATH AND UM, OUR VERY SMALL AUDIENCE.
THIS IS OUR, I THINK OUR LAST ITEM FOR TODAY, SO I'LL TRY TO GET THROUGH IT QUICKLY.
TODAY I'M ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THE RETAIL SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF RECREATIONAL NITROUS OXIDE IN UNINCORPORATED SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
THIS ORDINANCE IS ABOUT PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
UM, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I'M A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER, UM, WITH 30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE.
I'VE HELPED COUNTLESS CLIENTS AND PATIENTS ACCESS SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT, UH, FROM THE ER, FROM MATERNITY UNITS AND CLINICS.
I'VE ADDITIONALLY SERVED FOR YEARS ON OUR REGIONAL TRI-COUNTY COLLABORATIVE CALLED CENTRAL COAST OVERDOSE PREVENTION, WHICH INCLUDES, UM, PROFESSIONALS FROM SAN BENITO AND MONTEREY COUNTY.
IN THE SPRING, AFTER SHORTLY AFTER TAKING MY SEAT, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TOO, I'M NOT SURE IF EVERYBODY GOT IT OR NOT, UM, FROM A PERSON IN EARLY RECOVERY WHO SAID HEY, I'M IN EARLY RECOVERY, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT NITROUS OXIDE IS READILY AVAILABLE AT GAS STATIONS, IN HEAD SHOPS, IN TOBACCO SHOPS.
ESSENTIALLY, IT'S EVERYWHERE AND IT'S LOW-COST.
AND I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD HELP DO SOMETHING ABOUT BANNING IT.
AND I THOUGHT, OKAY, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.
IT HAS A LEGITIMATE INDUSTRIAL, MEDICAL, AND CULINARY USE.
UM, BUT DUE TO THE LOW COST AND AVAILABILITY OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS RAPIDLY BECOME A DRUG OF, OF MISUSE AND ABUSE.
DOCUMENTED HEALTH RISKS OF RECREATIONAL USE INCLUDE VITAMIN B12 INACTIVATION.
AND THAT MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL, BUT THAT IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IT CAUSES VERY SERIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT, UH, NEUROPATHOLOGY, SPINAL CORD INJURY, BRAIN DAMAGE, UM, DOSE-DEPENDENT PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, IMPAIRED COORDINATION, COGNITION, AND BALANCE.
AND THEN, IN, UH, JUST PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH CAN CAUSE PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS, UM, AND PARALYSIS, AND IT'S JUST, IT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU.
OFTEN UNDERESTIMATED BY USERS, HARMS CAN BE LASTING WITHOUT EARLY INTERVENTION.
CURRENT CALIFORNIA LAW POSSESSION OR BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF NITROUS OXIDE FOR INTOXICATION IS A MISDEMEANOR.
THE PENAL CODE SAYS IT'S UNLAWFUL TO FURNISH, UH, NITROUS OXIDE DEVICES TO MINORS, WITH EXPLICIT EXEMPTIONS.
AND THE CHALLENGE RETAIL SALES TO ADULTS ARE NOT CATEGORICALLY BANNED, PROVING INTENT TO INHALE IS DIFFICULT AT THE POINT OF SALE.
WHY THIS MATTERS IN OUR COUNTY.
UM, THIS MATTERS, UH, BECAUSE THIS IS BOTH A PUBLIC HEALTH AND A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.
NITROUS MISUSE CAUSES WHAT I'VE ALREADY SAID, NERVE DAMAGE, ANEMIA, IMPAIRED COGNITION, AND, IN SEVERE CASES, DEATH.
CHRONIC USE CAN LEAD TO PARALYSIS, LONG-TERM BRAIN DAMAGE.
AND ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY SIDE, WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE RISK OF MASS DISTRIBUTION AND IMPAIRED DRIVING IN OUR COUNTY.
SO YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THIS STORY.
THIS JUST HAPPENED IN MAY OF 2025 THAT THE UCSC POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A TIP REPORTING THE PRESENCE OF SEVERAL TANKS IN A WOODED AREA.
UPON ARRIVAL, THE OFFICERS LOCATED AND SEIZED 40 LARGE NITROUS OXIDE TANKS, WHICH APPEARED TO BE RECENTLY STAGED AND UNUSED.
IF DISTRIBUTED AS INDIVIDUAL HITS IN A PARTY SETTING, THE ESTIMATED STREET VALUE OF THE TANKS EXCEEDED $40,000.
UM, SO, THAT, THAT WAS SOMETHING.
WE ALSO SAW A CHP RESPOND TO A CRASH WHERE A DRIVER WAS FOUND UNDER THE INFLUENCE WITH NITROUS CANISTERS INSIDE THE CAR.
ACCORDING TO THE CDC, NITROUS INHALATION CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND EVEN DEATH, ESPECIALLY BEHIND THE WHEEL.
SO THAT WAS MAY 30TH, SO WE'RE JUST SEEING MORE AND MORE OF IT.
THIS WAS JUST LAST MONTH WHEN CHP PULLED OVER AND ARRESTED SOMEBODY WITH NITROUS TANKS IN HIS FRONT SEAT.
UM, HE WAS DRIVING ERRATICALLY, AND AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE SOCIAL MEDIA POST, IT WAS BECAUSE, UM, CAUTIOUS DRIVERS CALLED, UH, 911 AND SAID HEY, THIS GUY'S DRIVING ERRATICALLY.
AND JUST YESTERDAY, THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AND I WE TRIED TO BLUR OUT THE FACE.
UM, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THIS GUY'S HAND, HE HAS A YELLOW BALLOON.
AND WHEN THE PERSON ACTUALLY SAW HIM, IT WAS BIG, THIS IS ON HIGHWAY 17 BY THE WAY, IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC.
THE BALLOON WAS BIG, AND HE WAS SUCKING IN WHAT WE THINK IS NITROUS, BUT WHO KNOWS.
[05:45:03]
UM, IT'S JUST IT'S SORT OF A RAPID RAMPANT, UM, PROBLEM.THIS IS COURTESY OF OUR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF'S, UM, THE CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE PROHIBITS POSSESSION OR USE FOR INTOXICATION, BUT IT DOES NOT RESTRICT RETAIL SALES UNLESS INTENT TO MISUSE CAN BE PROVEN.
THIS GAP LEAVES ENFORCEMENT POWERLESS WHERE RETAIL SHOPS OPENLY SELL NITROUS.
THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF WHAT'S ON SHELVES LOCALLY, FROM HANDHELD, UH, WHIPPETS TO SCUBA-SIZE TANKS, SORRY, SCUBA TANK SIZE CONTAINERS.
IT'S ALSO FLAVORED AND UNFLAVORED AND SOLD, UM, WITH THESE THINGS CALLED CRACKERS FOR INHALATION.
SO IT'S MARKETED NOT JUST TO ADULTS, IT'S REALLY TARGETING YOUTH, ESPECIALLY WITH THE FLAVORS AND THE COLORS.
WE HAD ANOTHER SLIDE THAT WE DIDN'T PUT IN HERE.
WE ACTUALLY TOOK IT OUT FOR TIME SAKE, BUT IT SHOWED, UM, A LOT OF VERY BRIGHTLY COLORED DIFFERENT SIZES AND, UM, WITH DIFFERENT NAMES AND DIFFERENT FLAVORS ON THERE.
SO THIS PHOTO IS FROM THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEARCH WARRANT.
UM, THESE AREN'T HIDDEN IN A BACK ROOM.
THESE ARE ON FULL DISPLAY, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A SECOND THAT, AND I SHOULD SAY THESE WERE SEIZED UP IN FELTON.
SO, DURING THE SUMMER RECENTLY OF 2025, SO I HAD ALREADY BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS, AND I WAS TALKING TO, UM, LIEUTENANT NICK BALDRIDGE ABOUT THIS.
AND IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT HE ALSO, UM, KNEW ABOUT SOME OF THESE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, AND SO WE, ANYWAY, WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT, AND THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE PICTURES HERE TODAY.
DURING THE SUMMER OF 2025, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS CONTACTED ON THEIR TIP LINE ABOUT NITROUS BEING SOLD AT A STORE IN FELTON.
THE TOBACCO COMPLIANCE OFFICER INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THAT'S, WE HAVE A TOBACCO COMPLIANCE OFFICER WHO GOES OUT TO THESE LOCATIONS AND MAKES SURE PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY NOT SELLING TOBACCO TO MINORS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
UM, WHAT SHE FOUND THERE IN THAT GAS STATION IS THAT THERE WASN'T ANY TOBACCO AT ALL BEING SOLD IN THAT STORE.
THE ONLY THING THAT WAS BEING SOLD WAS NITROUS OXIDE, AND IT WAS SHELVES AND SHELVES AND SHELVES.
UM, LATER, A COMPLIANCE OFFICER WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE, LIKE A DECOY WENT IN AND WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE NITROUS WITHOUT ANY ID.
AND THAT'S A VIOLATION OF PENAL CODE SECTION 381E.
THE RETAILER ALSO DID NOT KEEP RECORDS OF NITROUS PURCHASES, UM, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED, WHEN YOU SELL SOME NITROUS OFF THE SHELF, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO KEEP SOMEBODY'S NAME AND ADDRESS, AND THEY HADN'T KEPT ANY OF THAT.
THIS INFORMATION ON THE SLIDE WAS PULLED FROM THE PURCHASE RECORDS OF THE STORE.
SO THEY WERE ABLE TO SUPPLY PURCHASE RECORDS AFTER A SEARCH WARRANT WAS ISSUED.
UM, THE RETAILER SOLD OVER 900 UNITS IN 4 MONTHS.
THAT'S ENOUGH FOR 235,000 DOSES.
AT THAT PACE, MORE THAN 700,000 DOSES WOULD BE SOLD ANNUALLY FROM JUST 1 STORE.
IT IS INDUSTRIAL-LEVEL DISTRIBUTION FOR RECREATIONAL ABUSE.
THIS IS, THIS IS A FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON THE FLOOR JUST FOR SCALE AND NEXT TO THEM ARE BIG CANISTERS OF NITROUS OXIDE.
OUR LOCAL YEA TEAM, THAT'S THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN ACTION FOR HELP, ALSO VISITED NUMEROUS STORES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND FOUND NITROUS READILY AVAILABLE.
THEIR GOAL WAS TO CONDUCT PRELIMINARY NITROUS OXIDE ASSESSMENTS OF RETAIL LANDSCAPES AND FOUND NITROUS FOR SALE THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY, EXCEPT FOR DISTRICT 3, SINCE THEIR RETAIL OUTLETS ARE ALL WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
I'M NOT SURE THEY WENT TO THIS, THE SANTA CRUZ CITY.
OTHER COUNTIES LIKE ORANGE COUNTY, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, AND SAN MATEO COUNTY HAVE ALREADY BANNED RETAIL SALES.
AT LEAST 10 CITIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA ARE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.
UM, WE SHOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL HARM ESCALATES FURTHER HERE.
MY COLLEAGUES IN THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ, WATSONVILLE, AND CAPITOLA, AND ON THE MONTEREY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ARE EAGER TO MATCH OUR ORDINANCE, CREATING A REGIONAL APPROACH TO INCREASE SAFETY FOR YOUTH AND THE PUBLIC.
SO THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE INCLUDES PROHIBITION: UNLAWFUL TO SELL, OFFER, DISTRIBUTE, TO PROVIDE NITROUS OXIDE OR DEVICES TO DISPENSE, ADMINISTER FOR RECREATIONAL USE OR INHALATION.
EXEMPTIONS: SO FOOD PROPELLANTS, IF YOU'RE A CHEF AND YOU NEED TO USE NITROUS TO PROPEL WHIPPED CREAM IN A RESTAURANT, THAT'S STILL LEGAL.
IF YOU'RE, UM, IF, IF YOU'RE IN MEDICINE OR IN A DENTAL OFFICE, IT IS STILL, UH, LEGAL TO HAVE NITROUS OXIDE THERE.
AND IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, SOMETIMES IT'S USED AS A PROVE- UM, PROPELLANT UM, FOR TIRES, IT'S STILL LEGAL.
[05:50:04]
UM, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS BAN THE RECREATIONAL SALE TO PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.UM, THE PENALTIES AND REMEDIES, AS YOU CAN SEE: MISDEMEANOR, UP TO 6 MONTHS IN JAIL OR $1,000 FINE.
ANTICIPATED COMMUNITY BENEFITS INCLUDE REDUCED YOUTH ACCESS FEWER HEALTH HARMS, CLEANER NEIGHBORHOODS, SAFER ROADS BY DISCOURAGING IN-VEHICLE INHALATION AND IMPAIRED DRIVING CONSISTENCY ACROSS JURISDICTIONS, AND CLARITY FOR RETAILERS.
UH, IN CONCLUSION, NITROUS OXIDE MAY APPEAR HARMLESS ON THE STORE SHELF, BUT IN REALITY, IS BEING ABUSED ON A LARGE SCALE, PUTTING YOUTH DRIVERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AT RISK.
BY CLOSING THE LOOPHOLE IN STATE LAW, WE PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, UM, HELP SUPPORT PEOPLE IN RECOVERY HELP SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND PREVENT AVOIDABLE TRAGEDIES.
I URGE YOU TO ADOPT THIS ORDINANCE WITH ME TODAY IN CONCEPT AND MOVE IT FORWARD FOR FINAL APPROVAL ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.
AND I ALSO WANNA THANK, UM, OUR CHP, UM, PARTNERS OFFICER ISRAEL MURILLO, UM, DR. LISA HERNANDEZ, TARA LEONARD NANCY WILLARD, LARA JUNG, SOPHIA STERLAZZI, AND THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHO, UM, LOOKED OVER THE FIRST FEW ITERATIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE.
ALSO, TO SHERIFF CLARK, WHO LOOKED IT OVER AND APPROVED IT AND THANKS US FOR OUR WORK.
AND I HAVE, UM, LIEUTENANT NICK BALDRIGE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE, WHO IS ACTUALLY ON VACATION AND CAME IN ON HIS DAY OFF AND GOT ALL DRESSED UP TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
HE'S WORKED WITH ME, UM, LOCKSTEP ON THIS.
UM, AND ALSO, UH, AMBER WILLIAMS, WHO'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF JANUS OF SANTA CRUZ, IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
AND SO, UM, AND CORINNE, YOU'RE HERE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH AS A MANAGER.
SO COULD YOU 3 COME UP MAYBE TO THE PODIUM? UM, IF ANYBODY HERE HAS ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO ASK, UM, WE HAVE 3 EXPERTS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO CAN HELP ME WITH, UH, KIND OF ROUND OUT THE REPORT.
- REALLY QUICK, UH, SUPERVISOR DESERPA, YOU MENTIONED TIRE SHOPS, DENTISTS, BUT DID YOU MENTION BAKERIES AND PASTRY SHOPS? - YES, CULINARY USE IS LEGAL. YEAH.
- I GUESS, UH, WE CAN DO PUBLIC COMMENT.
- JUST, YOU KNOW, JANUS OF SANTA CRUZ, ESPECIALLY DURING NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH HERE IN SEPTEMBER ABSOLUTELY SUPPORTS A BAN.
WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE COME INTO WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT.
UM, WE'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE KNOW IS I DID REACH OUT TO OUR PEER SUPPORT, PEER MENTORS WHO HAVE LIKE WORD ON THE STREET.
AND, UM, BASICALLY, THEY'RE WHIPPETS, THEY'RE CALLED, UM, AND THEY DO THIS THING CALLED THEY INHALE IT.
IT CREATES WHAT THEY CALL A FISHTAIL WHERE THEY ALMOST BLACKOUT, GOING TO LIKE A MINIATURE SEIZURE.
AND THEN IT ONLY CREATES A HIGH FOR MINUTES, AND THEY'RE REUSING IT.
SO THE SALE AND USE IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE'RE SEEING, I'VE HEARD OF 2 YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAVE GONE TO TREATMENT FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M TALKING UNDER-18 YOUTH, UM, GONE TO TREATMENT.
AND IT'S JUST EXTREMELY CHALLENGING TO TREAT.
SO THE MORE WE CAN, UM, BAN IT AND GET IT OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY SO WE CAN ACTUALLY TREAT THE OTHER ISSUES WE'RE ALREADY, YOU KNOW, DEALING WITH IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES THE BETTER.
SO, IN FULL SUPPORT, NO, NO BETTER TIME THAN, UH, RECOVERY MONTH FOR THIS TO HIT THE FLOOR.
UM, AND IF YOU NEED ANY INFORMATION MEDICALLY, WE CAN PROVIDE THAT TOO FROM OUR CMO AND OUR TEAM INTERNALLY.
SO THANK YOU, SUPERVISORS AND CHAIR.
- GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M CORINNE HIGHLAND.
I'M A SENIOR HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER WITH SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.
AND I OVERSEE OUR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BRANCH, WHICH INCLUDES SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PREVENTION.
AND POLICIES LIKE THIS ARE JUST EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
WE WANT TO PREVENT YOUTH FOR, FOR USING THIS TYPE OF THING.
AND AS WE'RE SEEING, AS SUPERVISOR DE SERPA MENTIONED, THESE ARE AT LIKE HEAD SHOTS, SHOPS, TOBACCO SHOPS.
THIS IS, AND FLAVORED; THIS IS CLEARLY BEING MARKETED TO YOUTH.
AND SO THIS SORT OF POLICY IS JUST THE PREVENTIVE STRATEGY, PREVENTION STRATEGY WE'RE LOOKING FOR. SO...
- GOOD AFTERNOON, UM, NICK BALDRIGE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
UM, THANK YOU TO SUPERVISOR DESERPA FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
UM, EVEN TO GO BACK AND BRING A HISTORY INTO THIS, 30 YEARS AGO, THE FDA, UH, APPROVED THE NON-ADDICTIVE OXYCONTIN.
AND WE NOW SEE WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT ARE.
AND THAT WAS BUILT ON THE BACKBONE OF MARKETING AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF, UM, ADDICTION.
UM, AND WE NOW ARE FEELING THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE PHOTOS THAT WE SAW OF THIS NITROUS THAT IS MARKETED TOWARDS ABUSE.
THAT IS NOT MARKETED FOR YOUR WHIPPED CREAM.
AND SO THERE ARE SOME REGULATIONS WITH THE STATE THAT ALLOW US TO ENFORCE THE PIECES, UM, OF USE, UM, AND ABUSE ON THAT.
[05:55:02]
BUT THE RETAIL SALES IS REALLY WHERE THAT LOOPHOLE LIES.UM, IT'S VERY LIMITED IN WHAT IT ALLOWS US TO ENFORCE.
AND THIS WILL JUST ALLOW US TO HELP KEEP THAT OFF THE STREET HELP KEEP, UM, OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, AND TAKE THAT ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO KEEP IT OUT OF OUR RETAIL, UM, SHOPS IN THIS COUNTY, UM, TO TRY AND LIMIT THAT ACCESS FOR OUR YOUTH.
UM, THIS IS, WITH MANY, WITH MANY THINGS, UM, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE, UM, TO MAKE THAT STANCE IN THIS COUNTY.
HOPEFULLY, MAYBE THAT GOES FURTHER IN IT, AND IT GETS BANNED AT A HIGHER LEVEL.
UM, BUT AT LEAST HERE, IT CAN HELP PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND, AND LOOK AT WHAT OTHER AVENUES WE MAY HAVE.
UM, I'M HOPING THAT KRATOM IS NOT FAR BEHIND IT BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT IN THE RETAIL SALES, AND THESE WHOLESALERS AND THESE MANUFACTURERS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ABUSE.
WITH THAT, UH, ANYBODY ONLINE? - YES, CHAIR, WE HAVE A CALLER.
TIM, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE.
UH, WONDERFUL PRESENTATION! VERY INFORMATIVE.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS CONCEPT EVEN EXISTED.
SO I THINK WHAT YOU FOLKS ARE DOING IS, IS FABULOUS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
- WE HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS, CHAIR.
- WITH THAT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR RECOMMENDATION.
AND I JUST WANNA THANK SUPERVISOR DESERPA FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
UM, I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN, BASED ON THESE PICTURES, A GROWING, UM, AND YOU KNOW, SEEING THIS ELSEWHERE, LIKE, A GROWING TREND IN THE MARKETING OF NITROUS.
UM, YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE WHIPPETS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME, AND THEY WEREN'T REALLY A PROBLEM, BUT NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE BIGGER AND BIGGER TANKS WITH LIKE YOU KNOW, GRAFFITI-STYLE WRITING ON THERE THAT'S REALLY TARGETING YOUTH AND, UM, HEARING MORE AND MORE ABOUT HOW YOUTH ARE USING THIS AND JUST THE CHALLENGES AND, AND CONCERNS, WELL THE CONCERNS AROUND THAT.
UM, I ACTUALLY WAS, UM, ONE OF THE PEOPLE I SERVED WITH ON THE COASTAL COMMISSION WAS THE, THE SUPERVISOR WHO BROUGHT THIS FORWARD IN HUMBLE.
AND SO, I SEE THAT IT'S KIND OF MOVING ITS WAY ACROSS THE STATE.
I DO THINK, UM, AS THIS MOVES FORWARD, I MEAN, I THINK THERE'S, THERE'S SOME CONCERN AROUND, YOU KNOW, WITHIN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, CUZ THAT WAS MY BIG QUESTION, IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, I'VE, I'VE GONE TO PLENTY OF RESTAURANTS AROUND HERE AND THEY MAKE THEIR OWN WHIPPED CREAM.
AND SO THEY HAVE WHIPPETS THAT THEY'RE USING AND JUST REALLY TRYING TO ENSURE THAT FOR THE RESTAURANTS THAT USE THIS, THAT THEY'RE STILL ABLE TO; IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO TOBACCO SHOPS TO BUY THEIR WHIPPETS FOR, FOR THEIR, YOU KNOW UM, LIKE CULINARY, UM, YEAH, TO PREPARE THEIR FOODS.
UM, SO IT DOES MAKE SENSE IN THAT CONTEXT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW TAKING THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
I ALSO KNOW THAT FOR, UM, LIKE AIRBRUSHING, I KNOW THAT'S NOT AS POPULAR AS IT USED TO BE IN THE '90S, BUT SOME OF THEIR PROPELLANTS AS WELL USE NITROUS OXIDE.
SO I JUST ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, IF PEOPLE STILL ARE USING IT FOR THE PURPOSES OF ART, THAT THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN HERE AS WELL, SO THAT WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, UM, TAKING THOSE TYPES OF PRODUCTS OFF THE SHELVES.
BUT YEAH, OVERALL, UM, SUPPORT THE DIRECTION THAT THIS IS HEADING IN, AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN JUST TRACK IT OVER TIME.
AND I, AND I THINK IT WOULD ALSO BE, I MEAN, I GUESS THIS IS A QUESTION FOR, UM, MR. BALDRIGE.
SO, IS THERE ANY DATA CURRENTLY OUT THERE THAT'S BEEN TRACKING THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO COLLECT THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT HOW MUCH THE PROLIFERATION AND SALE OF THIS HAS CHANGED OVER TIME? CUZ I'M JUST HOPING THAT THROUGH THIS ACTION TODAY, YOU KNOW, IF, IF IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM, WE CAN SEE HOW THAT PROBLEM HAS CHANGED, UM, WITH THIS, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ORDINANCE - UH, NOT WITH THE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT YES, WE DO HAVE DATA IN 2 CASES THAT HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
EVERYTHING FROM, UM, THE MISUSE AND THE INHALING OF IT, ALL THE WAY TO THEFTS AND ROBBERIES ASSOCIATED ASSOCIATED TO THE, UM, USER STEALING IT.
UM, SO AS, OR WE EVEN HAD CASES RECENTLY THAT UTILIZED UM, STOLEN CREDIT CARDS, UM, TO GO STRAIGHT TO A HEAD SHOP TO BUY NITROUS.
SO, UM, WE DO HAVE SOME OF THAT DETAILS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PULL FROM OUR REPORT SYSTEM.
- GOOD. I THINK IT WOULD JUST BE GOOD AT SOME POINT WHETHER IT'S MID-YEAR BUDGET OR, YOU KNOW, WELL, PROBABLY MID-YEAR BUDGET, BUT IF WE HAVE THAT DATA, JUST BEING ABLE TO PULL THAT DATA TOGETHER AND HAVE IT COME FORWARD SO THAT, YOU KNOW, A YEAR OR 2 YEARS WE CAN SEE HOW IT'S CHANGING, BECAUSE IF IT'S NOT CHANGING, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THAT'S GONNA SHOW IS A NEED FOR FURTHER ACTION AT THE STATE LEVEL.
BECAUSE I THINK ANOTHER CONCERN THAT MAY ARISE IS, OKAY, YOU CAN'T GET IT AT A HEAD SHOP, BUT YOU CAN MAYBE BUY IT ONLINE, RIGHT? AND SO, REALLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CUTTING OFF
[06:00:05]
KIND OF ALL ANGLES IN TERMS OF HOW THIS IS COMING INTO THE COMMUNITY.SO, I JUST WANNA PUT THAT OUT THERE AS A RECOMMENDATION FOR US TO CONSIDER.
- THANK YOU. UM, AND THEN I GUESS THE ONE, THIS IS KIND OF SOMEWHAT OF A SILLY CHANGE, BUT LOOKING THROUGH DEVICES, I KNOW I SAW A BALLOON IN THERE, BUT THEN I'M JUST WONDERING LIKE, SO IF, IF IT'S ILLEGAL TO SELL BALLOONS? I MEAN, I, I GUESS THAT'S NOT THE INTENTION OF THIS, BUT IS THAT, I MEAN, COULD THAT ACTUALLY BE AN INTERPRETATION OF THIS ORDINANCE? IT'S CONSIDERED A DEVICE, AND THERE'S SPECIFIC EXCEPTIONS TO WHEN THESE DEVICES CAN BE SOLD, BUT BALLOONS ARE NOW INCLUDED AS A DEVICE.
AND IT'S SAYING IT CAN ONLY BE SOLD UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
DOES THAT MEAN THAT THIS WOULD THEN PROHIBIT THE SALE OF BALLOONS? - DO WE HAVE A BALLOON PROHIBITION IN OUR COUNTY TO BEGIN WITH? - NO, BUT THAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS.
- ALSO HAS A MYLAR ONE, BUT NOT...
- YEAH, CUZ THE POWER UNIFIED, WE OUTLAWED HAVING ANY BALLOONS.
WELL, NOT JUST MYLARS, ALL BALLOONS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED ON CAMPUSES BECAUSE OF THE LITTER FACTOR, RIGHT? IT'S BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
- I MEAN, I-I'M HAPPY TO TAKE BALLOONS OFF OF THERE IF WE NEED TO.
- SURE, AND THEN I THINK IF WE CAN, IF WE WANNA HAVE A BALLOON ORDINANCE, I THINK- - YEAH, MAYBE BRING THAT ONE BACK NEXT TIME. -YEAH, YEAH.
- IF I CAN, IF I CAN ANSWER JUST SPECIFIC TO THAT.
SO IN THIS RECENT SEARCH WARRANT THAT WE SERVED THESE WEREN'T PACKAGES OF BALLOONS BEING SOLD ACROSS THE COUNTER THESE WERE INDIVIDUAL; THIS WAS A BAG OF BALLOONS THAT WAS THERE WHEN YOU BOUGHT YOUR NITROUS, YOU GOT A BALLOON TO GO WITH IT.
UM, SO IT'S TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES VERSUS JUST THE, THE LOOKING AT IT OBJECTIVELY TOO, IF THERE'S A BUNCH OF BALLOONS BEING SOLD HANGING ON THE, ON A, ON A ROW OF ITEMS, THAT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
YOU GET A BALLOON WITH YOUR NITROUS, WITH YOUR NITROUS.
- YEAH, WELL, I'M, I MEAN, I'M HAPPY TO, AGAIN, WE CAN EVALUATE AND SEE HOW IT GOES.
AND AS A FIRST, YOU KNOW, OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD, I THINK.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT IT CUZ I WAS JUST A LITTLE CONCERNED WITH PEOPLE WHO MAY WANNA HAVE PARTIES AND HAVE BALLOONS, BUT ALSO IF IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S BALLOON ORDINANCES, UM, YOU KNOW, TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF BALLOONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSES HAPPY TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AS WELL.
SO I'M HAPPY TO MOVE WITH THE RECOMMENDED ACTION.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY MORE...
- SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ? - THANK YOU.
- DO WE HAVE A MOTION? ARE YOU GONNA SECOND IT? - I WILL, OH, IS THIS A MOTION? - YES. - DID YOU JUST STATE A MOTION? - I WAS JUST, THERE WAS A FLOW IN THE CONVERSATION.
- SURE, I'LL, I'LL SECOND THE MOTION.
UM, AND I'LL ALSO ASK, UH, ANOTHER QUESTION TO LIEUTENANT BALDRIGE, UM, WHICH, YOU KNOW, IT, IT STATES THAT, UM, LET'S SEE, THE PENALTIES YOU SHALL BE DEEMED GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND PUNISHED BY FINE NOT MORE THAN $1,000 OR IMPRISONMENT FOR A PERIOD NOT MORE THAN 6 MONTHS.
CAN YOU JUST CLARIFY HOW THAT IS APPLIED? LIKE, IF SOMEBODY IS SELLING 50 UNITS VERSUS 50,000 UNITS, IT'S A MISDEMEANOR EITHER WAY? - UNFORTUNATELY, THAT, THAT IS THE WAY THAT THE, THE 381 OF THE PENAL CODE IS DESIGNED IS, IS TWO OF THEM VERSUS 5,000 OF THEM ARE GONNA BE THE SAME MISDEMEANOR.
- AND THEN WITH THE $1,000 PENALTY, I MEAN, DO YOU THINK THAT'S ENOUGH? IF, IF A LOCAL GAS STATION CAN MAKE $40,000 SELLING IT, BUT IT'S A $1,000 PENALTY, DO WE THINK THIS WILL DISCOURAGE THEM? - I THINK THAT EACH OFFENSE, SO SEPARATE DAYS, EACH OFFENSE WOULD THEN COME WITH IT, UM, THAT FINE.
IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE, UM, US TAKING, UM, PRODUCT AND, AND AND SEIZING THAT AS A, AS A VIOLATION OF THAT, OF THAT CRIME.
SO, UM, THERE ARE MULTIPLE IMPACTS.
UM, I THINK THAT THIS IS JUST MORE OF A WAY TO GAIN THE COMPLIANCE.
UM, AND, AND IT MAY BE ONE OF THOSE WHERE SOME OF OUR LOCAL VENDORS DON'T HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THIS IS ACTUALLY BEING USED FOR, OR THEY'RE JUST NOT WANTING TO HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THIS IS BEING USED FOR, UM, BUT IT GIVES CLEAR GUIDELINES TO WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT SELL.
AND THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR DESERPA, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND DOING ALL OF THE HEAVY LIFTING.
UM, THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR YOUR HELP, AND I'LL BE, UM, SUPPORTING THIS MOTION.
- THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS AND A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ, IF WE CAN TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE.
- HANG ON, I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION, SORRY.
SO I GUESS, UM, SECOND READING? SURE.
OR TO COUNTY COUNCIL, ACTUALLY.
SO WE'LL HAVE A SECOND READING THE NEXT MEETING, AND THEN IT'S 90 DAYS? - 30 DAYS, IT GOES INTO EFFECT THE 31ST DAY AFTER THE SECOND READING.
- OKAY, SO THEN I JUST, I GUESS THE NEXT QUESTION IS, AND MAYBE THIS IS FOR JIM BALDRIGE.
UM, WHAT WILL BE THE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT, UH, PROCESS TO NOTIFY RETAILERS? JUST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I KIND OF FEEL LIKE IF PEOPLE HAVE THESE PRODUCTS, UM, WE SHOULD LET THEM KNOW
[06:05:02]
WHEN THIS IS GONNA TAKE EFFECT.I MEAN, NOT REALLY, SO THEY, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE YOU DON'T WANT THEM UNLOADING IT IN THE COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER, YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW SO THAT, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY, IF, IF THEY DON'T KNOW, UM, THAT THIS HAS GONE INTO EFFECT, SOMEBODY SHOWS UP AT THEIR SHOP AND THEN THEY'RE LIKE, "I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS WAS ILLEGAL NOW," AND NOW THEY'RE GETTING, YOU KNOW, HAVING FINES IMPOSED.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S WORTH US HAVING SOME KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WARNING WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS OR IN A PLAN FOR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT, BUT I'M JUST WONDERING IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO.
- YEAH, IT'S, IT'S ONE OF THOSE WHERE, UM, WE DO HAVE OUR TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE OFFICER.
UM, MOST OF THESE, UH, RETAILERS THAT ARE SELLING NITROUS ARE ALSO SELLING ONE OF THOSE PRODUCTS.
UM, SO WE DO REGULAR ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION WITH THOSE, UM, RETAILERS.
UM, AND SO WE WOULD JUST PRIORITIZE, UM, THE RETAILERS THAT HAVE THE NITROUS, WHICH WE HAVE MOST OF THEM DOCUMENTED, THAT WE WOULD MAKE THAT EDUCATION PIECE AHEAD OF THE ACTUAL ENFORCEMENT.
UM, AND EVEN TO THE POINT OF DOING AN EDUCATION PIECE OF, YOU KNOW, IF WE GET OUTSIDE OF THAT 30 DAYS, DOING THE EDUCATION PIECE, IF IT'S OUR FIRST TIME BEING THERE TO EDUCATE THEM AND HAVE THEM, UH, REMOVE THE ITEMS BEFORE WE TAKE THAT ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
- OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
SO BEFORE I ADJOURN THIS MEETING, I JUST WANT TO MAKE A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT.
UH, THE MOSQUITO VECTOR CONTROL ASSESSMENT HAS, HAS BEEN, HAS ISSUED, UH, BALLOTS THAT ARE ARRIVING IN YOUR MAILBOX.
UH, PLEASE, EVERYBODY, DO THEIR CIVIC DUTY.
UH, AND WITH THAT, I'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING.
AND OUR NEXT MEETING, UH, IS GONNA BE AT 9 A.M.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, AT WATSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 275 MAIN STREET.
[END]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.