Here’s what you need to know:

  • The supervisors also moved forward $14.3 million in Active Transportation Program applications for sidewalk projects in Del Rey, Tranquillity, Calwa, Cantua and El Porvenir. 
  • The board accepted the Fresno County Foster Care Standards and Oversight Committee report for activities from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Tess Martinez expressed concerns about youth aging out of the system at 17 and protecting them against sex trafficking, crime, and drugs. 
  • Lamont Holliman said that consolidation of working classification would be detrimental for eligibility workers in Fresno County and result in job vacancies. 

Follow-up questions:

  • How effective will the 9-8-8 hotline be at preventing suicide incidence in Fresno County?
  • What policies does the Fresno County Foster Care Standards and Oversight Committee recommend to safeguard youth from sex trafficking, crime, and drugs?
  • When will the County of Fresno support eligibility workers? 
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors met on September 6, 2022 and heard concerns about protecting foster care youth from sex trafficking, crime and gangs.

The Scene 

The County of Fresno government is defined and authorized under the California Constitution, law, and the charter of the County of Fresno. It provides countywide services, including elections, voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. In addition, the county serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas.   

The board of supervisors convenes on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m., except for holidays and other planned recesses. The meetings are located at Fresno County Hall of Records, 2281 Tulare Street, Room 301, Fresno, CA 93721.

Fresno County Board of Supervisors present:

  • Chairman Brian Pacheco, 1st District 
  • Vice Chairman Sal Quintero, 3rd District 
  • Supervisor Steve Brandau, 2nd District 
  • Supervisor Buddy Mendes, 4th District 
  • Supervisor Nathan Magsig, 5th District 

Others Present:

  • Administrative Officer Paul Nerland 
  • County Counsel Daniel C. Cederborg
  • Clerk of the Board Bernice E. Seidel
  • Kevin Foster from ACTS Foundation 
  • Behavioral Department Division Manager Ahmad Bahrami 
  • Behavioral Department Division Manager Joseph Rangel
  • Director of Behavioral Health Director Susan Holt
  • CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties Executive Director Wilma Hashimoto
  • Tess Martinez
  • Lamont Holliman
  • Rachel 

Discussions/Actions

During public comments, Lamont Holliman said that consolidation of working classification would be detrimental for eligibility workers in Fresno County and result in job vacancies. 

Rachel, an In-Home Support Services worker in Fresno, asked the supervisors for a decent pay of $20 an hour. 

  1. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution in support of the Fresno Sheriff’s Sergeants Association capital project to design and build the Fresno Sheriff Memorial at the site of the new Metro Substation 3

Sergeant Preston Little hopes the memorial will be realized through a public capital campaign. 

  1. The board (5-0) proclaimed September 2022 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Regarding suicide prevention, Behavioral Department Division Manager Ahmad Bahrami said that the 9-8-8 hotline number is active. 

  1. The board (5-0) proclaimed September 2022 as National Recovery Month in Fresno County.

Behavioral Department Division Manager Joseph Rangel announced the “SoberStock” local event on September 24. 

Administrative Office

  1. The board accepted the Fresno County Foster Care Standards and Oversight Committee (FCSOC) report for activities from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.

FCSOC recommends that the Board: 

  • Continue to prioritize support for youth under the care of the County’s Child Welfare Services (CWS) to achieve the best positive outcomes and prepare them for successful adulthood. Positive outcomes for children and youth provide significant dividends as more effective citizens are added to our communities. 
  • Continue the increased support in 2022-23 by supporting the systemic changes identified in the DSS Critical Areas document. 
  • Support the expansion of mental health services and mentorship to support the unique needs and mitigate the trauma experienced by the children and youth in foster care and those who have crossed over to the juvenile justice system. 
  • Support the expansion of services and support for youth preparing for adulthood, including high school graduation, housing, budget assistance, life skills training, and a linkage to a responsive and supportive adult/mentor. 
  • Improve the academic outcomes for students in foster care by supporting the practice of making a school move only when a child or youth has completed the school year or determines it is in the child/youth’s best interest to move schools

Tess Martinez from Homeless OutCare asked whether the county could stop aging youth out of foster care after 17 years old. 

She urged outreach teams in the foster care system to protect kids against sex trafficking, crime, and drugs. 

Public Works and Planning 

  1. The board received a presentation on the Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional 6th Cycle Housing Element Update.

The board will discuss the update at a future meeting date. 

The board approved and adopted the following items in the consent agenda.

Board of Supervisors

  1. The board (5-0) approved the minutes of the meeting for August 23, 2022

Auditor Controller-Treasurer/Tax Collector

  1. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution establishing tax rates and levying taxes on the secured roll for the countywide rate of 1 percent, voter-approved indebtedness, ad valorem taxes for revenue districts, and unitary taxes in Fresno County for the FY 2022-23.

County Clerk/Registrar of Voters

  1. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution approving election consolidation requests filed by the entities included on November 8, 2022, Statewide General Election.

Administrative Office

  1. The board (5-0) found that it is in the county’s best interest to waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances for soliciting services to promote and market the resources and economy of Fresno County.
  1. The board (5-0) approved a retroactive sole source agreement with The Economic Development Corporation Serving Fresno County to promote and market the resources and economy of Fresno County, effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023 ($188,000)
  1. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution for the continuation of the local emergency status relating to the extremely high levels of tree mortality and hazardous conditions created by the drought and requested that the Governor continues to provide resources and support to mitigate the risk of falling trees and increased fire hazards. 
  1. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution to continue the local emergency status of the severe drought and requested that the governor provide resources and support to mitigate and recover from the drought. 
  1. The board (5-0) approved Panoche Drainage District, Panoche Water District, and Mercy Springs Water District’s requests to move from odd to even-numbered year elections.

The board (5-0) set a date for the Panoche Drainage District and Panoche Water District’s elections to occur on the same day as the November 2022 Statewide General Election and Mercy Springs Water District’s election to occur on the same day as the November 2024 Statewide General Election. 

  1. The board (5-0) approved the subrecipient agreement for American Rescue Plan Act Funds with Del Rey Community Service District for $418,000 to fund the design, surveying and engineering, environmental review, and construction of a groundwater recharge project in the unincorporated community of Del Rey. 

The board (5-0) approved a subrecipient agreement for American Rescue Plan Act State Local Fiscal Recovery Funds with the ACTS Foundation for $500,000 to fund increased service capacity in its food and supplies distribution programs: Grocery Giveaway, CityServe, and the Senior Citizens Grocery Delivery for calendar years 2023 and 2024. 

Behavioral Health

  1. The board (5-0) retroactively approved the Biennial 2022-2024 Application / Agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) funds for dual diagnosis mental health services in licensed residential board and care facilities, effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024 ($10 million);

Human Resources

  1. The board (5-0) approved an agreement with George Hills Company for general liability third party claims administration effective September 6, 2022, not to exceed four years, which includes a two-year base contract, and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $700,000

Internal Services

  1. The board (5-0) approved Amendment No. 2 to Energy Services Agreement-Solar with ForeFront Power BTM Solar, LLC to extend the term by 90 days from March 24, 2045, to June 22, 2045, with no change to the compensation maximum; and, 

The board (5-0) approved Amendment No. 1 to Energy Services Agreement-Energy Storage with ForeFront Power BTM Solar, LLC., to update provisions of the agreement to reflect the final overall size of the system, effective upon execution, with no change to the term of February 4, 2020, through June 22, 2045, or compensation maximum of $814,600 

Probation

  1. The board (5-0) approved an amendment to an agreement with the Board and State Community Corrections for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to extend the term of the existing agreement by six months, from December 31, 2022, to June 30, 2023, with no change to the compensation maximum ($3,136,875)
  1. The board (5-0) approved the chief probation officer’s previous submittal of a grant application to the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), for the Probation Specialized Units Program ($100,000) to provide funding for specialized supervision of high-risk domestic violence offenders and support to their victims through the Specialized Supervision Program; 

The board (5-0) approved an agreement with the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Probation Specialized Units Program with Cal OES, from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023 ($100,000); 

Public Health

  1. The board (5-0) accepted the termination letter from the City of Selma for fire dispatch services, revenue Agreement 20-264, retroactively effective August 1, 2022

approve voluntary without cause termination of Agreement 20-265 with K.W.P.H, dba American Ambulance, for fire dispatch service for Selma Fire Department, retroactively effective August 1, 2022.

  1. The board (5-0) approved the Future of Public Health Award Agreement with the California Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, with the allocated funds to be available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2024 ($6,126,172)

Public Works and Planning

  1. The board (5-0) approved Amendment I to Agreement No. 20-083 with Stearns Conrad, & Schmidt, Consulting Engineers, Inc., dba SCS Engineers, for consultant services related to solid waste planning and implementation of solid waste management programs compliant with both State regulations and the Fresno County Ordinance Code, increasing the maximum compensation amount by $190,000 to a total of $480,000
  1. The board (5-0) adopted a Resolution approving Measure C Extension Local Transportation Program Funds Claim for FY 2022-23 and confirmed county’s intent to complete reporting requirements for a prior year no later than November 15, 2022; 

The board (5-0) approved six Measure C Extension Local Transportation Pass Through Revenues Certification and Claims for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 and certified that funds will not substitute property tax funds, which were previously used for local transportation purposes ($9,619,126)

  1. The board (5-0) approved the request by the City of Clovis to acquire right-of-way, including eminent domain condemnation actions, from parcels adjacent to existing county right-of-way in an identified unincorporated area of the county as needed in conjunction with the city’s development of utilities and street improvements adjacent to E. Shepherd Avenue east of N. Sunnyside Avenue. 

Under the full extent of Section 1810 of the Streets and Highways Code, the City of Clovis can acquire the right-of-way from these parcels by purchase or eminent domain.

  1. The board (5-0) retroactively authorized the Department of Public Works and Planning’s submittal of four 2023 Active Transportation Program Cycle 6 Applications to the California Department of Transportation; Del Rey Sidewalk Project, Tranquillity Sidewalk Project, Calwa Sidewalk Project, and Cantua Creek & El Porvenir (Three Rocks) Sidewalk Project; 

The board (5-0) adopted a Resolution required by the Fresno Council of Governments regarding the County’s approval of and commitment to the projects relating to Fresno County’s application to the Active Transportation Program ($14,382,000)

  1. The board (5-0) approved the amendment to the  Escrow Agreement, amending the April 2, 2020 Escrow Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Table Mountain Rancheria.

The agreement provides a mechanism to release a $1 million security (along with any interest) held in escrow by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 

Also, it is required under Security Agreement No. 09-615. between county and Table Mountain Rancheria, for the now-completed undergrounding of utilities along Millerton Road between Sky Harbour Road and Winchell Cove Road.

Following approval of Recommended Action No. 1, the Board (5-0) authorized each of the County officers specified in Exhibit B-3 to the recommended Amendment to Escrow Agreement to provide notice under Section 1.6 of the April 2, 2022, Escrow Agreement, as amended by recommended Amendment to Escrow Agreement, to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Table Mountain Rancheria authorizing Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to release the above-described $1 million security; 

The board (5-0) approved the attached Reconveyance of the Deed of Trust, reconveying to Table Mountain Rancheria County’s deed of trust (Document No. 98114187) recorded on August 14, 1998, as to four parcels along Millerton Road between Sky Harbour Road and Winchell Cove Road.

  1. The board (5-0) received a changed order status report on the West Annex Jail construction project, located at 2208 Merced Street, Fresno, CA 93721, regarding approval by the chairman of Change Order # 25.

The changed order status report provides a net increase in the contract of  $102,945, leaving a remaining balance of $363,342 from the original contingency amount of $4,087,800, which is 5 percent of the original construction contract of $81,756,000.

The board (5-0) approved an increase of $4,087,800 original contingency amount by $1.1 million for a revised contingency amount of $5,187,800 to address anticipated remaining change orders. 

The closed session consists of:

  • Conference with Legal Counsel – Initiation of Litigation; Government Code, Section 54956.9(d)(4) (2 Cases)
  • Conference with Legal Counsel – Significant Exposure to Litigation; Government Code, section 54956.9(d)(2) (2 Cases)
  • Conference with Labor Negotiator (Government Code, section 54957.6): Agency Negotiator: Hollis Magill; Employee Organization: All Bargaining Units and Management and Unrepresented Employees – Hours, Wages and Terms and Conditions of Employment 
  • Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – Government Code, section 54956.9(d)(1) – CMG Construction Management Group, Inc., a California Corporation vs. City of Fresno, a municipality; County of Fresno, a municipality; and DOES 1 through 50, inclusive, Fresno Superior Court Case No.: 22CECG00271

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall Council Chambers 2600 Fresno Street.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

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