Documenter: Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
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Madera resident DJ Becker asked whether there had been an independent forensic audit in the accounting department.
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Public Health Director Sara Bosse added that if residents have symptoms, they should stay home, wait for symptoms to resolve, and follow isolation guidelines.
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After Director of Social Services Deborah Martinez clarified that the additional positions are needed to provide clerical support, the Board unanimously approved item 6. c.
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. On Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, the meeting was at 9:00 am.
Madera County Board of Supervisors Members present:
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Brett Frazier (District #1)
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David Rogers (District #2)
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Robert Poythress (District #3)
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Letizia Gonzalez (District #4)
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Tom Wheeler (District #5)
Others Present:
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Deputy County Administrative Officer for Finance Joel Bugay
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Connie Moreno-Peraza
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DJ Becker
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Public Health Director Sara Bosse
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Russ Shaw
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Public Health Officer Simon Paul
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Project Manager Marissa Rodriguez
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Chris Rodriguez from Madera Sheriff’s Department
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Director of Social Services Deborah Martinez
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Revenue Service Manager Sharon Sampaulesi
Discussions/Actions
Madera resident DJ Becker asked whether the elected auditor Todd Miller resides in California, given allegations that he moved to Washington State.
She stated that former and current Madera County employees discovered significant payroll reporting inaccuracies.
Afterward, she asked whether there was a data breach involving Madera County financial records in the last 5 years.
Lastly, she asked whether there had been an independent forensic audit in the accounting department.
The board unanimously approved items A to U.
A. On The Road – Regular Meeting Minutes for January 4, 2022.
B. 8113: Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority for participation in the Peer Support Specialist Certification program for 2021-2022
C. 3740: Resolution No. 2015-101 declaring a local emergency due to the tree mortality disaster in the County and throughout the State.
D. 8114: Resolution authorizing the preparation and submittal of the grant application to the State for CalHome program funds
E. 6072: Resolution No. 2020-032 ratifying and extending the Declaration of a Local Emergency and Local Health Emergency (COVID-19).
F. 8146: Resolution approving the filing of an application under the rural recreation and tourism grant program for use in the North Fork Community Trail System.
G. 8109: 2021-2022 Local Implementation Plan as the County of Madera’s Public Safety Realignment Plan required by Penal Code Section 1230.1.
H. 7925: Resolution No. 2021-130 recognizing and determining meeting risks under the Covid-19 proclaimed the State of Emergency under Assembly Bill 361 related to statutory Brown Act exemptions.
I. 8085: 2022 Holiday Schedule for Madera County Employees.
J. 8121: Re-appointment of Trustees to the Madera Cemetery District.
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Re-appoint David Nemth to the Madera Cemetery District Board of Trustees for a 4-year term ending at noon on Monday, January 5, 2026.
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Re-appoint Maurice Cappelluti to the Madera Cemetery District Board of Trustees for a 4-year term ending at noon on Monday, January 5, 2026.
K. 6644: Resolution 2020-123 declaring a Local Health Emergency (Creek Fire) by the County Health Officer.
L. 8103: Mobile Trailer.
1. Consideration of approval of Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 21- 058, for $10,000.00, derived from Health Administration – Fed-Other to Equipment/Furniture>$5000.00 for 2021-2022.
2. Consideration of approval to authorize the Auditor-Controller to issue payments of contingencies up to 10 percent per established County Policy.
M. 8115: Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Madera to pay Integrated Regional Water Management grant funding of $779,653.00 as described in the attached grant funding agreement.
N. 3639: Resolution No. 2015-087 proclaiming a local emergency created by the severe drought conditions in the County and throughout the State.
O. 6908: Resolution No. 2020-123 ratifying and extending the declaration of a local emergency for the Creek Fire.
P. 7047: Resolution No. 2021-015 ratifying and extending the declaration of a local emergency (winter storm events).
Q. 7629: Resolution No. 2021-101 ratifying and extending the declaration of a local emergency and local health emergency caused by the River Fire.
R. 8101: Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 21- 039, for $282,326.77 derived from Sheriff Emergency Operations – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Reimbursement to Sheriff Emergency Operations – Equipment for 2021-2022.
S. 8102: Emergency Management Performance Grant.
1. Resolution authorizing the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and County Administration Officer to execute all necessary agreements for obtaining financial assistance through the Department of Homeland Security and the California Office of Emergency Services for 2021-2024.
2. Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 21- 071 for $218,125.00 derived from the Sheriff- Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Emergency to Sheriff -EMPG Fixed Assets and Services and Supplies, for 2021-2022.
T. 8100: Resolution authorizing the Director of the Department of Social Services, or designee, to execute Standard Agreement No. 75340240 with the California Health and Human Services Agency, Office of Systems Integration (OSI) for a County employee to provide County Subject Matter Expertise Work related to the Child Welfare Services – California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) Project for a total aggregate amount not to exceed $480,873.54 for three years through December 31, 2023.
U. 8104: Transfer of Appropriations No. 21-057 for $220,000.00 transfer from Social
Services Administration – MCTE Buildings & Improvement and Office Supplies to Building and Improvements for 2021-2022.
The Board discussed the following items:
6.a. 8099: Update on COVID-19 and current vaccination administration status for Madera County residents.
Public Health Officer Simon Paul reported a rise in cases, full emergency rooms, and widespread staffing shortages.
He talked about monoclonal antibody treatment, but only one is effective for the Omicron variant. They are preparing 10 to 30 doses per week of the treatment.
They have shortened quarantine to 5 days, given staffing shortages.
Given testing constraints, Public Health Director Sara Bosse announced that residents might not expect that they can get a test.
If residents have symptoms, they should stay home, wait for symptoms to resolve, and follow isolation guidelines, she added.
The Department has deployed rapid home tests through community-based organizations. They extended the masking orders to Feb. 15 due to the surge.
6.b. 8033: Discussion and consideration to adopt a resolution identifying the funding source and approving the County Cash Match for the Madera County Jail SB 1022 Expansion Project.
Project Manager Marissa Rodriguez and Chris Rodriguez from Madera Sheriff’s Department gave the Jail Behavioral Health SB 1022 project status.
In Nov. 2018, The County applied for SB 1022 jail construction funding and received a conditional award of up to $19 million for its jail construction project.
On May 22, 2018, your Board approved a Resolution outlining the funds the County will commit for the 5 percent match requirement under SB 1022 legislation.
The Community Corrections Partnership Committee provided the cash match of $1,312,265.00 with Community Corrections AB 109 funds.
On August 14, 2018, the County requested a change in scope to the original SB 1022 proposal submitted to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) on August 8, 2013
On September 6, 2018, the BCC Board approved the County’s project scope change to construct a nêw 20 particular use bed housing unit above AB 900 Phase 1 housing unit.
On July 7, 2020, the Board approved a contract with Dewberry Architects to provide design services for the project.
On February 11, 2020, Dewberry completed a scope alignment study to analyze the best options to build the project within budget.
Dewberry provided three options for consideration.
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Poured in Place Concrete vertical expansion housing unit, plus renovations and site equipment upgrades estimated at $20,345,901 (estimated at $14,546,242 in 2018) – original approved scope option
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Steel structure vertical expansion housing unit, plus renovations and site equipment upgrades estimated at $18,278,050 – VE scope option
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An on-Gradenew housing unit, plus renovation and site improvements estimated at $12,316,265 – on-grade scope change option.
In addition to the new 20-bed housing unit, the scope also includes:
• Renovations to the decommissioned kitchen to turn it into educational classroom space.
• Renovations to existing intake, including two safety cells, a new law enforcement lobby, holding cells, and renovation to booking.
• Site infrastructure to accommodate expansion and other site utility improvements.
Staff concluded the best option was to go with the on-grade housing unit to stay within budget.
The staff proceeded to work with Dewberry on the design for an on-grade option.
The state requires approval of all scope changes. The process is very long as there are several requirements and agency approvals.
The BCC board approved the on-grade scope change option on April 8, 2021.
Analysis performed between the original and this on-grade option reflected a savings of $3,493,031 before the current escalation and inflationary market trends representing a 17% savings.
Savings realized have been lost due to the extreme cost increases and supply-chain disruptions affecting construction and the market trend inflation:
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20% increase in materials since March of 2021 (26,3% material increase from 6/2020 to 6/2021 per American General Contractors of America (AGC) report)
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They announced an additional material price increase.
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Fuel price increase causing transportation/delivery of materials and the road equipment and trucking feés increase.
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They expect delays due to supply-chain issues such as extended and uncertain delivery times for construction items.
The updated cost estimate dated August 19, 2021, reflects a total construction cost of $24,148,518 due to escalation and inflationary market trend conditions.
• $24,148,518 – $1,312,265 – $251,876 = $3,584,377 total additional cash match contribution
After the State Public Works Board (SPWB) requested a Board resolution ensuring funding sources before approving the scope change and preliminary drawings, the Board unanimously approved item 6. b.
6.c. 7982: Social Services Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue and Staffing.
1. Discussion and consideration of approval of Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 21-056 for $3,140,755.00 derived from Housing Disabled Advocacy Program, Home Safe Program, Medi-Cal, APS Expansion, Family Urgent Response System, Family First Transaction Act Grant – Welfare Admin to Social Services Administration – Permanent Salaries, Retirement, CO Group Insurance, Office Supplies, Special Department Expense and Utilities for 2021-2022.
2. Discussion and consideration of approval of recommendation for creation and funding of thirty-nine (39) positions through increased State and Federal funds, abolition of thirteen (13) positions, and authorize the Civil Service Commission to take necessary classification action
Fund new positions:
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One (1) Accounting Tech II
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Two (2) Administrative Analyst I/II
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One (1) Deputy Counsel I/II or III
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Two (2) Employment and Training Worker III
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Thirteen (13) Office Assistant I or II
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Three (3) Office Assistant III
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Three (3) Office Assistant Supervisor l or II
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One (1) Personnel Assistant
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Three (3) Program Assistant I or II
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One (1) Program Manager Secretary
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Six (6) Social Worker I, II, III, or IV
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Two (2) Social Worker Supervisor I or II
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One (1) Senior Program Assistant.
Delete the following allocated positions:
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Three (3) Account Clerk I/II
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Nine (9) Eligibility Worker I or II or Employment and Training Worker I or II
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One (1) Legal Assistant I, II, or III.
After Director of Social Services Deborah Martinez clarified that the additional positions are needed to provide clerical support, the Board unanimously approved item 6. c.
6.d. 8081: Discussion and consideration to adopt a Resolution approving a proposed moratorium on the assessment and pursuit of collecting specific adult criminal justice fees under AB 177, effective January 1, 2022.
The Board approved item 6. d.
The closed session centered on the following:
2.a. 8098: Request for Closed Session:
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.
2.b. 8141: Request for Closed Session:
Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
Name of Case: Stanley Harris vs. Madera County (Madera County Superior Court Case Number MCV086378)
2.c. 8142: Request for Closed Session:
Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
Name of Case: Elizabeth Cardoza; Clay Daulton; David Gill; Landon Gill; Michele Lasgoity; Monica Lasgoity; Rosemary Lasgoity; Jeff Lefors; Mark Peters; Sally Roberts; Candace Khanna; Rakesh Khanna; Taisto Smith; SWD Investments, Inc.; SWD Investments – Fulton Ranch, Inc. vs. The Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Madera County Superior Court Case Number MCV06218)
2.d. 8143: Request for Closed Session:
Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
Name of Case: Madera Irrigation District and Madera Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency vs. Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Madera County Board of Supervisors, and County of Madera (Madera County Superior Court Case Number MCV086277)
During the closed session, the board discussed the following items:
The meeting lasted until 11:15 pm. The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, at 9:00 am.
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