Documenter: Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
-
The Board has expressed concerns over PG&E’s proposed 22% residential rate increase.
-
The board has expressed opposition to SB 619 since the unfunded mandates of the SB 1383 regulations increased costs of implementing the mandatory organics collection for all residents.
-
The Board unanimously agreed to fund up to $1.6 million to develop affordable housing in Eastern Madera County.
The Scene
According to its website, The Madera Board of Supervisors is the legislative and executive governing body of the Madera County government. Each of the five supervisorial districts of the County elects one supervisor.
Within limits prescribed by State law, the Board enacts ordinances and rules, determines County policy, supervises the activities of County departments, adopts an annual budget, and fixes salaries.
The Board meets regularly the first three Tuesdays of each month and occasionally on Mondays in the Board Chambers of the County Government Center in Madera. The meeting was on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 4:00 pm.
Madera County Board of Supervisors Members present:
-
Brett Frazier (District #1)
-
David Rogers (District #2)
-
Robert Poythress (District #3)
-
Letizia Gonzalez (District #4)
-
Tom Wheeler (District #5)
Others Present:
-
Behavioral Health Services Department Program Assistant Diana Eck
-
Administrative Assistant at Community & Economic Development Department Maria Rocha
-
Administrative Analyst at County Administration DepaThe Planning Commission approved the tentative Department Jessica Leon
-
Executive Assistant at County Administration Department Yvette Gomez
-
Administrative Assistant at Public Works Department Alexandria Rodriguez
-
Program Assistant at Water and Natural Resources Department Kim Witten
-
Deputy Clerk at Public Health Department Angela Grandov
-
Chief of Developmental Services Matthew Treber
Discussions/Actions
In the consent agenda, the Board unanimously approved items the following:
A. Regular Meeting Minutes for September 7, 2021.
B. 7743: A no-cost Agreement with Walden University for students to acquire field experience for Fiscal Years 2021-2026.
Program Assistant Diana Eck stated that the agreement would provide students with Walden University opportunities to obtain the clinical experience required to complete their academic programs.
Under this agreement, county staff will provide the required supervision for students who are completing the clinical experience component of their degree program.
Participation in internship programs provides Behavioral Health Services with the opportunity to recruit new professionals in the mental health field for future employment with Madera County.
C. 7722 Final Map of Riverstone, Tract 296, and related Improvement Agreement.
-
Authorized the Chief Clerk of the Board to sign and record Final Map of Riverstone, Tract 296
-
Improvement Agreement with Wilson Premier Homes, Inc.
According to Administrative Assistant Maria Rocha, the final subdivision map would divWilson Premier Homes, Inc, own Wilson Premier Homes, Inc, own the property.
The property is located on the south side of Avenue 12 at its intersection with Riverstone Blvd SW, Riverstone.
The tentative map was submitted in September 2020 and circulated to internal departments and external agencies for comments. The Planning Commission approved the tentative map on April 13, 2021.
The Subdivision Committee processed and accepted the map under Title 7 of the California Government Code and Title 17 of the Madera County Code.
D. 7740: Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 21- 008 for $2,464.00 derived from Coronavirus Relief Fund – Fund Balance to Operating Transfers Out for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022
On July 6, 2021, the Board approved the Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue (RUR) 20-142. This RUR appropriated the interest earned on the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters of the fiscal year 2020-21.
The Planning Commission approved the tentative maps this time.
The 4th quarter interest earned was unknown and could not be reserved. On August 2, 2021, the Auditor-Controller’s Office allocated the interest for this period.
Administrative Analyst Jessica Leon stated that a transfer that meets the criteria of the CRF fund requirements would follow.
E. 7763: Agreement with Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council (YSRCDC) in an amount not to exceed $325,000.00 for a Title III Firewise Communities coordination services for a three-year term.
With the expiration of Purchase Agent Agreement No. 2020-15, YSRCDC has submitted a proposal for a 3-year contract.
Executive Assistant Yvette Gomez said the agreement would expand Firewise services in Madera County and fuel reduction implementation projects within Firewise Sites.
F. 7733: Amendment to MCC No. 11255A19 with HDR Engineering, Inc. for Solid Waste Management Consulting Services to revise the scope and compensation and extend the contract term to June 30, 2023.
G. 7737: Park and Ride Lot Project in Oakhurst.
-
The Kleinfelder Group, Inc. has an agreement for $12,291.00 for construction, testing, and inspection services for the Park and Ride Lot project located on Civic Circle Drive in Oakhurst.
-
Authorized the Auditor-Controller to issue payments for contingencies up to 10% of the contract award amount per established County policy.
H. 7613: Revised Resolution accepting work and authorizing the filing of Notice of Completion for Madera County Public Works Contract No. 19-02-PW (MCC No. 11502-19 with Dawson Mauldin LLC) 12” sewer main replacement in Oakhurst, Madera County, and approving revised contract compensation payable to the contractor.
I. 7691: Amendment to MCC No. 10835-C-2017 with VRPA Technologies, Inc. for $13,880.01 for professional services to update the County of Madera Road Impact Fee program.
J. 7719: Amendment to MCC No. 11455A-21 with KSN, Inc. extending the term to September 18, 2022, to prepare a Regional Flood Response Plan for the Madera County Flood Control and Water Conservation Agency.
The Madera County Regional Flood Emergency Response Project (Project) is an important initiative to address the State priorities of improving as follows:
-
Local flood emergency plans and incorporating them into multi-hazard emergency response plans and local hazard mitigation plans
-
Regional and interagency emergency coordination on the Upper San Joaquin River and its key tributaries, sloughs, creeks, and rivers (including the Chowchilla and Fresno Rivers)
Program Assistant Kim Witten clarified that the contract amendment extends the term of the contract by six months to complete the grant reporting.
During the public session, the board discussed the following items:
6.b. 7750: The Board unanimously agreed with the grant funding of up to $1,643,522.00 over a five (5) year period for predevelopment, development, acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of multifamily, residential live-work, or rental housing that is affordable to extremely low-, very low-, low-, or moderate-income households focused on Eastern Madera County.
Administrative Assistant Maria Rocha pointed out that the staff has been working with Self-Help Enterprises to develop more affordable housing opportunities in Eastern Madera County, specifically Oakhurst.
With the potential for Self-Help Enterprises to acquire properties within this area, they have asked the County to participate in potentially awarding grant funding for new affordable housing development.
6.c. 7766: Discussion and direction to staff on whether to pursue Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging Congregate Nutrition Sites Agreement or continue the Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAPMC) Home Delivered Meals program
On July 13, 2020, Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging (FMAAA) informed the County they did not anticipate issuing a contract for senior congregate meals for the fiscal year 2020-21 due to the pandemic.
As a result, the County allocated $150,000 from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for a senior meal program.
On August 4, 2020, the Board approved the senior meals program with CAPMC for 2020-21.
On September 7, 2021, the Board approved the senior meals program for 2021-22, utilizing ARPA funds. This program delivers meals to designated senior homes weekly. Currently, 80 seniors from all areas of the County are receiving these services.
On August 6, 2021, the Board informed about the anticipated reopening of the congregate nutrition sites through FMAAA.
The reopening of the congregate nutrition sites would happen in stages based on the readiness of Madera County. Madera County holds four congregate nutrition sites: Coarsegold, North Fork, Oakhurst, and Rancho Hills, which are currently closed.
FMAAA will require a completed and executed contract and other required documents before an on-site inspection. All sites will require inspection before reopening.
Administrative Analyst Jessica Leon stated that seniors had not experienced a disruption in service during this time. Staff will continue to work with the designated partner organizations to ensure seniors in need have meals available.
6.d. 7765: Update on COVID-19 and current vaccination administration status for Madera County residents.
According to Deputy Clerk Angela Grandov, Madera’s case rate stands at 36.3 per 100,000. She stated a “plateau” despite an impacted hospital system.
Madera Community Hospital and other hospitals are “100 percent” full. She noted a “window of opportunity” for early treatment of high-risk COVID patents using monoclonal antibody treatment.
The Madera Public Health Department shared information on how people can access prescreening and where to go to set an appointment.
Testing remains high. Schools have done modified quarantine while placing students exposed to COVID in the classrooms.
The department has changed testing locations from the Fairgrounds to the Frank Bergon Senior Center. Vaccination rates are slowly increasing.
On boosters, Grandov said that there has been “no answer” from the federal government. However, the department is preparing to administer COVID and flu vaccinations.
6.e. 7751: Resolution under Government Code Section 61013 initiating the Eastern Madera County Community Service District.
The Maintenance District 22A (MD22A) Sewer Advisory Committee has provided a recommendation to approve the attached resolution, which would initiate the process to convert MD22A to a Community Service District.
As outlined in the resolution, the proposed district would provide fuel reduction services within the proposed district boundaries.
Chief of Developmental Services Matthew Treber reported that the resolution would appropriate $6,996.00 from fund 05910/721400 for charges associated with the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) application process.
During the public hearing, the Board discussed the following items:
7.a. 7749: Consider the request of Jones Snyder & Associates to approve a General Plan and Area Plan Amendment under section 65358 of the Government code for two parcels amending from Agricultural Exclusive (AE) designation to Rural, Estate, Residential (RER) designation for a Certificate of Compliance issuance.
Administrative Assistant Maria Rocha said that the two featured parcels were initially split by deed, violating the Subdivision Map Act.
The certificate of compliance and General Plan Amendment will validate the parcel(s) use and development and establish compliance with the Subdivision Map Act and Title 17 of the Madera.
On pending legislation, the Board discussed the following items:
8.a. 7775: Letter of removal of support for Senate Bill 619 as introduced by Senator Laird.
The board has expressed opposition to SB 619 since the unfunded mandates of the SB 1383 regulations increased costs of implementing the mandatory organics collection for all residents.
8.b. 7777: Pacific Gas & Electric Rate Increase.
-
Discussion and consideration to authorizing a letter opposing Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) proposed June 2021 General Rate Case filing to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
-
Discussion and consideration to adopt a Resolution in opposition to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Company’s June 2021 General Rate Case (GRC) filing to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requesting substantial rate increases.
PG&E, as the State’s largest Investor-Owned Utility (IOU), is required to submit all requests for rate increases to the CPUC, which includes extensive public outreach and participation in the communities served and customers impacted by its rates and services.
PG&E’s rate filing to the CPUC includes proposed residential rate increases as high as 18% in 2023 and a cumulative increase of over 22% by 2026.
The board is concerned over PG&E’s proposed 22% residential rate increase request and would like to request the Commission and PG&E to consider the following:
-
Freeze current rates until equitable rate reforms and spending control measures to implement offset rate increases.
-
Internal utility cost-cutting and budget analysis, including deep reductions in spending and expenses within the existing organization
-
Rate Reform, including the following:
-
A fair and equitable spread of charges across the entire service territory
-
Regional rate-setting models to better reflect those receiving service
-
The Planning Commission approved the tentative mapRemove charges from the volumetric kWh that are not directly related to the cost to procure and deliver electricity. Charges include, but are not limited to, Wildfire Fund Charges, electric Public Purpose Program, and Nuclear Decommissioning.
During the closed session, the Board discussed the following item:
2.A. 7764: Government Code Section 54957.6
Conference with Labor Negotiators
Agency designated representatives: Elba Gomez, Director of Human Resources and Susan Carter, Human Resources Manager
Employee Organization: All Units
The meeting lasted until 5:30 pm. The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at 9:00 am.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@thefresnoland.com with “Correction Request” in the subject line.