Here’s what you need to know
- At its October 4, 2022 meeting, the King County Board of Supervisors approved the agreement with The Source LGBT+ Center for LGBT+ training and support group services from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024. Supervisor Pedersen voted no. The LGBTQ support group meets in Hanford on the second and fourth Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- Agricultural Commissioner Jimmy Hook stated that the gross value of crops and products in 2021 within Kings County increased 7.1 percent, totaling $2.3 billion. The top commodities are milk, almond, pistachios, tomatoes, walnuts, poultry, silage corn, and alfalfa hay.Â
- Executive Director for the Kings County Commission on Aging Bobbie Wartson urged the supervisors to fund senior sites and the frozen meals program with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Supervisor Pederson suggested she reach out to Administrative Officer Edward Hill.
Follow-up questions
- When will the county fund senior sites and the frozen meals program?
- What will be the future trend of agriculture in the county?
- What outreach can the LGBT+ population in the county expect?
The Scene
According to its website, Kings County is a “general law” county, which means the state constitution and state general law determine the county’s governmental structure.
The board of supervisors is the governing body for Kings County and many county special districts. Each of the board’s five members is elected non-partisan to a four-year term.
The board sets policies and depends on the county administrator, county officials, and department heads to fulfill its wishes.
The board of supervisors has administrative, legislative, and quasi-judicial duties and responsibilities prescribed by the California State Constitution and Statutes.
On Tuesday, October. 4, 2022, the meeting was held at 9 a.m. in the board chambers, located at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard Administration Building No. 1, Hanford, California.
Kings County County Board of Supervisors Members present:
- Joe Neves, District 1 (Lemoore & Stratford)
- Richard Valle, District 2 (Avenal, Corcoran, Home Garden & Kettleman City)
- Doug Verboon, District 3 (North Hanford, Island District & North Lemoore)
- Craig Pedersen, District 4 (Armona & Hanford)
- Richard Fagundes, District 5 (Hanford & Burris Park)
Others Present:
- Administrative Officer Edward Hill
- Administrative Analyst Matthew Boyett
- Administrative Officer Analyst Domingo Cruz
- Executive Director for the Kings County Commission on Aging Bobbie Wartson
- Behavioral Health Deputy Director UnChong Parry
- Behavioral Health Deputy Director Katie Arnst
- Chief Engineer Mitchel Cabrera
- County Road Superintendent Duane Cooper
- Billing and Maintenance Jim Henderson
- Agricultural Commissioner Jimmy Hook
- Human Service Director Wendy Osikafo
- Deputy Clerk Diane Badasci
- Community Development Director Chuck Kinney
- Sean Cash
- Jay Wood
- Clarissa Ravelo
- Jeff Martin
- Laura Magana
- Christine Olvera
- Cynthia Baruch
- Lynnda Martin
- Kelly Luna
- Atonya Moore
- Angela Castellanos
- Travis Day
- Alex Hernandez
- Tyler Pepe
- Garrett K. Jones
- Monica Connor
- John Criscom
Discussions/Actions
Executive Director for the Kings County Commission on Aging Bobbie Wartson urged the supervisors to fund senior sites and the frozen meals program with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Supervisor Pederson suggested she reach out to Administrative Officer Edward Hill.
The board (5-0) unanimously approved the minutes from the regular meeting for September 27, 2022.
The board (5-0) unanimously approved items in the consent calendar:
A. Behavioral Health Department (presented by Behavioral Health Deputy Directors UnChong Parry)
- The board (4-1) approved the agreement with The Source LGBT+ Center for LGBT+ training and support group services retroactively, effective from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024. Supervisor Pedersen voted no.
The agreement amounts to $20,000 for the fiscal year 2022- 2023 and $20,000 for the fiscal year 2023-2024.
The Source will provide support groups facilitated by contractors and peer-level support groups for members and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender plus (LGBT+) community.
The groups are offered to interested individuals at no cost to the participants. All group meetings are intended to offer support and resources to attendees. All groups are peer-driven, with staff from The Source serving as facilitators.
The Source will also provide cultural humility training to assist mental health system staff and community members in understanding the local LGBTQ+ community.
Under this agreement, KCBH MHSA Division oversees program services to comply with federal, state, and county contract guidelines.
Program oversight is also designed to meet countywide needs and state mandates under the Mental Health Services Act.
The contractor will utilize the county’s demographic and evaluation forms for each training and support group. Demographic and evaluation forms will be submitted upon completion of each training session to ensure the county can fulfill its reporting requirements.
The LGBTQ support group meets in Hanford on the second and fourth Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Supervisor Pederson said that funds for the program should be returned to mental health services. He mentioned that the program’s language, which includes “advancing,” should be reworded.
Supervisor Valle expressed support for the funding of the support group.
B.Human Services Agency:
- The board authorized the purchase of five midsize sport utility vehicles from Keller Motors.
- The board authorized the purchase of 10 hybrid sedans from Freeway Toyota.
The total for all 15 vehicles requested is $489,844, including taxes and fees.
HSA coordinated with the Purchasing Division and Public Works on removing and replacing 21 vehicles from its fleet due to County Vehicle Policy 13.5, which removes older vehicles from the available fleet and replaces them with more economical and safer vehicles.
The 21 vehicles include ten vehicles that were originally due for replacement in 2021-2022 and 11 due for replacement in 2022-2023.
The zero-emission state requirement (California Executive Order N-79-20) requires new light-duty vehicles purchased in California after 2035 to be zero-emission. The 15 vehicles purchased are planned for phase-out before that requirement goes into effect.
C. Public Health Department:
- The board approved the rollover from the fiscal year 2021-2022 of four grant balances under budget unit 411300 Health – Communicable Disease Clinic and two grant balances under the 419600 Health Department Grant Program.
As Kings County budget preparations begin in early February, estimated grant budgets are added for all multi year grants previously approved by the Board of Supervisors.
In prior years, Public Health would provide updated budgets to County Administration during the callout process for grant balances not budgeted in the new year before final budget hearings.
Kings County Department of Public Health is requesting to add remaining grant balances for six multi year grants under budget units 411300 and 419600.
The increased revenue and expense budgets will allow the Kings County budgets to reflect the correct balances for each grant.
Four multi-year grants are under budget unit 411300 Health – Communicable Disease Clinic.
1. Safe Schools for All would increase revenue account 89000 revenue transfer by $70,508 and increase expense account 92137 safe schools expense by $70,508Â
2. Workforce Development would increase revenue account 85125 state aid intergovernmental by $20,637 and expense account 93108 workforce development expense by $20,637
3. Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) would enhance would increase revenue account by $745,983 and increases both the expense account by $226,000 and the expense account by $519,983Â
4. Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) expansion would increase the revenue account by $939,244 and increase the expense account by $939,244
There are two multi-year grants under budget unit 419600 Health Department Grant Program.
1. California Equitable Response Initiative (CERI) would increase revenue account 85200 state aid by $148,211 and increase expense account 92063 special departmental by $148,211Â
2. Local Indigent Care Needs (LICN) would increase revenue account 89000 Revenue Transfer In by $42,787 and decrease revenue account 85002 state aid health realignment by $42,787.Â
D. Sheriff’s Office:
- The board authorized the Sheriff’s Office to purchase an auto ride-on floor scrubber from Global Industrial.
Currently, the jail floors are cleaned by inmate workers with a typical floor mop and cleaning solution.
With the purchase of the scrubber, inmates could clean and sanitize the floor daily with little effort and minimal to no safety issues.
With the small width of the scrubber, the unit would be able to navigate throughout the medical/mental health units without issue.
It would minimize the duration of time, thus alleviating staff staffing hours in having to stand by with inmate workers.
The floor scrubber will assist in improving sanitization within the facility, which will help mitigate Covid exposure by having the areas cleaned more frequently and efficiently than current procedures.
This device will also minimize contact with contaminated surfaces to which inmates and staff are exposed through mopping.
Regular agenda items are as follows:
A. Behavioral Health Department (presented by Behavioral Health Deputy Directors UnChong Parry and Katie Arnst)
- The board (5-0) approved the agreement with Jackie Jones Siegenthaler for Family Support Group Services from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
Through the renewal of this agreement, Jackie Jones Siegenthaler will continue to facilitate the Family Support Group held every first and third Tuesday of the month at Kings County Behavioral Health.
These group services are for anyone with a family member or loved one living with a mental illness. The groups are peer-driven and are for adults.
She also facilitates discussion topics for families and others coping with mental health issues ranging from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and co-occurring disorders.
The strengthening of support systems and coping skills are also explored with group participants.
- The board (5-0) approved the agreement with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. for Behavioral Health mobile crisis and non-crisis services for developing a mobile crisis unit from September 15, 2021, through February 14, 2023.
Kings County received a notice of award for this grant funding of $186,338 on October 11, 2021.
Kings County Behavioral Health was awarded a planning grant that supports the development of mobilized crisis services in Kings County.
This is a pass-through funding agreement from the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) which is sub-contracting with the Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) to administer the grant.
This grant award will use the funding to conduct a community needs assessment of crisis services and develop an action plan to enhance crisis services, including implementing mobile crisis services in Kings County.
The planning process will engage community partners and stakeholders for their input and insight.
B. Public Works Department (presented by Chief Engineer Michel Cabrera, County Road Superintendent Duane Cooper, and Billing and Maintenance Superintendent Jim Henderson
1. The board (5-0) approved the plans and specifications for the Burris Park and Hickey Park Site Improvements Project.
QK, Inc. has prepared the plans, specifications, and estimates to provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant travel paths to existing playgrounds in both parks.
The project will consist of modifying and constructing ADA-compliant concrete sidewalks, ramps, and parking stalls at both parks.
2. Award bids and authorize the purchase of road vehicles or equipment
- The board (5-0) awarded the bid to E.M. Tharp, Inc., DBA Golden State Peterbilt, for the purchase of a Peterbilt three-axle truck with a dump bed
- The board (5-0) awarded the bid to Keller Motors for purchasing a Ford F550 regular cab with a Scelzi bed installed.
E.M. Tharp’s Peterbilt is $192,647, and Keller Ford’s F550 is $124,165 for a total cost of $316,812.
The board allocated funds for road vehicles or equipment in the fiscal year 2022-2023.
The Purchasing Department bid for a new truck cab and chassis GVWR 17,500 or greater with Scelzi bed installed (Bid #2023-14) and received two bids from E.M. Tharp, Inc. and Keller Motors, with the latter being the lowest bid.
Staff requests the board award the bid to Keller Motors. Additionally, Bid #2023-17 came in with two submittals from Western Truck Exchange and E.M. Tharp, Inc.
The lowest bid was Western Truck Exchange which submitted an International HV607 6×4, and E.M. Tharp, Inc., DBA Golden State Peterbilt, submitted a Peterbilt 548 for approximately $2,800 more at $192,647.
Staff requests the board award the latter, E.M. Tharp Inc., DBA Golden State Peterbilt due to numerous mechanical and electrical issues we have with our International Water Truck recently purchased.
Some issues include low voltage, check engine light, replacement of the oil pump, front oil seal, and high-pressure fuel pump.
Some of this work was diagnosed by a local mechanic. However, it was delivered to Gibbs International to complete the work as it is under warranty.
The international truck had its wiring harness replaced by the county Fleet.
3. The board (5-0) approved an agreement with TRANE U.S. Inc. to provide Trane R’newal services program for the county’s two chillers.
The project amount will be $195,794 from the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget.
The Government Center’s two chillers were installed in 2009. These chillers supply cooling to the entire Government Center.
They have exceeded their operating thresholds and are due for the Trane R’newal program.
Trane recommends any compressor with an operating threshold above 85 percent be considered for the Renewal program.
Compressors with an operating threshold above 100 percent are immediately scheduled for the Renewal program.
Kings County’s chillers thresholds are Chiller 1 (134 percent) and Chiller 2 (171 percent).
The Renewal program is a major inspection and maintenance program that brings the chiller compressor back to like-new condition.
This job has been competitively bid through Omnia COOP contract number: Omnia 15-JLP-023.
C. Administration (presented by Administrative Officer Edward Hill and Administrative Analyst Matthew Boyett)
- The board waived the second reading of the ordinance to adopt organic waste recycling and edible food recovery requirements under Senate Bill 1383.
The cost to implement SB 1383 in the first year is estimated to be $298,000, which includes 2.0 full-time equivalents (FTE), office renovations, and needed equipment and supplies for staff.
These operations will be under the Environmental Health Division.
On September 20, 2022, the board was presented with the initial draft ordinance for introduction and consideration to waive the first reading.
Upon deliberation, the following substantial edits will ensure that the ordinance was a better fit for the county’s current infrastructure via the permitted haulers and Kings Waste and Recycling Authority (KWRA)
- Delete the definition of Compostable Plastic(s)
- Delete the Annual Financial Report requirement
- Extend the time when delinquent payment is due from a notified customer from 30 to 60-days.
Once an account is delinquent for three months, the County will notify the customer of the delinquent account. Once notified, the customer will have 60-days to pay the delinquency before a potential lien is placed on the property.
Other edits are currently under review for legality that would solidify a more traditional understanding of what can be recycled in the blue recycle bin versus what goes into the green compostable bin.
Such an approach to the ordinance will hopefully reduce customer confusion and help reduce contamination in both recycle and compost loads for Kings Waste and Recycling Authority (KWRA) – which would impact their diversion rates.
- The board (5-0) confirmed the appointment of James Salyer as interim economic and workforce development director from September 28, 2022, and set the compensation.
The position is recommended monthly for $10,000 from the Job Training Office budget.
The economic and workforce development director position was vacated on September 28, 2022.
It is requested to appoint James Salyer as interim economic and workforce development director effective September 28, 2022.
James Salyer was hired in 1998 as the economic development manager for the Job Training Office and Economic Development Corporation and has held the role since.
Staff session consists of
A. Agricultural Department (presented by Agricultural Commissioner Jimmy Hook)
1. The board received a presentation on the 2021 Annual Crop Report outlining the status of agriculture in Kings County.
Agricultural Commissioner Jimmy Hook stated that the gross value of crops and products in 2021 within Kings County increased by 7.1 percent, totaling $2.3 billion.
The top commodities are milk, almond, pistachios, tomatoes, walnuts, poultry, silage corn, and alfalfa hay.
The closed session includes
- Personnel matter: [Government Code Section 54957] Department head evaluation: Chief Probation Officer
- Significant exposure to litigation: (1 Case) [Govt. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)(e)(1)]
The meeting lasted until 1 p.m. The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.