Here’s what you need to know
- The Kings County Board of Supervisors met on October 10, 2022 and approved the agreement with the Superior Court of California, County of Kings, for the Collaborative Justice Treatment Court services from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. The services are specifically designed for Kings County defendants and offenders with a primary diagnosis of substance use, mental health, or co-occurring disorders.
- The board agreed with the Mojave Water Agency (MWA) to purchase Article 56 carryover water for the Kettleman City Community Services District. The agreement to purchase the 235 AF outlined that MWA would make 310 acres of Article 56 carryover water available.
- The board (5-0) approved a takeover agreement with Cornerstone Community Alcohol and Other Drug Recovery Systems, Inc., transferring financial and work completion responsibility for the remaining work needed to obtain occupancy permits by March 31, 2023 for the Triangle Courtyard HomeKey Project. The housing project initially received a grant award in November 2020 and Kings County awarded a contract to Green Galaxy Builders Incorporated to complete 24 two bedroom, one bathroom units by June 30, 2021. Due to delays with GGB, Cornerstone has now taken over responsibility.
- The board received an overview and update on how the Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds will be used. Currently, HSA can access $717,853 through the PLHA resolution and application process, including funding from 2019, 2020, and 2021. HSA is recommending that the PLHA funds be used for the conversion of the Stardust Hotel into a 22-unit permanent apartment complex for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk, as part of the HomeKey Project started in December 2020.
Follow-up questions
- How will residents benefit from the purchase of carryover water?
- When will the Triangle Courtyard HomeKey Project be ready for residents to move in?
- How many will participant in the Collaborative Justice Treatment Court?
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
- Assistant Administrative Officer Kyria Martinez
- Waste Management Kettleman Hills Facility (KHF) Senior District Manager Bob Henry
- Chief Engineer Mitchel Cabrera
- Sheriff David Robinson
- Behavioral Health Director Lisa Lewis
- Behavioral Health Deputy Director UnChong Parry
- Behavioral Health Deputy Director Katie Arnst
- Human Services Director Wendy Osikafo
- Human Services Deputy Director Esam Abed
- Deputy Clerk Diane Badasci
- Assistant Finance Director Rob Knudson
- Sean Cash
- Jay Wood
- John Basmajian
- Sarah Harp
- Gaby Rodriguez
- Serena Nicar
- Allison Tristao
- Clarissa Ravelo
- Christine Olvera
- Cynthia Baruch
- Alex Hernandez
- Melissa Scheffel
- NRRencher
Discussions/Actions
The board (5-0) unanimously approved the minutes from the regular meeting for October 4, 2022.
The board (4-1) unanimously approved items in the consent calendar. Supervisor Valle abstained.
A. County Counsel Department:
The board appointed Erik Hansen as director for Division 3 and Beau Howard as director for Division 4 of the Tulare Lake Drainage District.
B. Community Development Agency:
The board declared that the conditions of the certificate of tentative partial cancellation conditions had been satisfied;
b. The board approved the certificate of partial cancellation of land conservation “Williamson Act” Contract No. 1679.
On June 13, 2022, property owners Jonathan Wisler, Sandra F. Schlueter, and William Michael Winterburn petitioned to cancel a forty-acre portion of farmland from the Land Conservation “Williamson Act” program.
The land is on the south side of Utica Avenue, approximately 2.8 miles east of Interstate 5, Kettleman City, CA.
This cancellation is in conjunction with Conditional Use Permit No. 22-01 for Utica Avenue Solar, a utility-scale three-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar facility with battery storage.
C. Department of Finance:
The board approved the third amendment to Agreement No. 15-037 for additional audit services, which include drafting and compiling the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
D. Public Health Department:
The board authorized the agreement to detail a federal employee.
The Public Health Associate Program is a competitive, two-year, paid training program with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Public Health Associate Program associates are assigned to state, tribal, local, and territorial public health agencies and nongovernmental organizations and work alongside other professionals across various public health settings.
E. Administration:
The board appointed Ethan Munoz to the Kings County Behavioral Health Advisory Board.
Regular agenda items are as follows:
A. Administration and Waste Management (presented by Administrative Officer Edward Hill and Waste Management Kettleman Hills Facility (KHF) Senior District Manager Bob Henry)
The board (5-0) accepted the report from Chemical Waste Management.
Senior District Manager Bob Henry reported the following activities:
On August 12 and September 21, Kings County Environmental Health Services at KHF held a monthly unannounced inspection of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill B17, hazardous waste landfill B18, and MWS landfill B19. No areas of concern were observed.
On September 9, Kings County Environmental Health Services at KHF inspected KHF’s underground fuel storage tanks.
On October 14, KHF will submit a revised ambient air monitoring and waste analysis plan to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
On October 27, DTSC will conduct a facility overview and tour in KHF while preparing for the CARB permit renewal.
B. Behavioral Health Department (presented by Behavioral Health Deputy Directors UnChong Parry and Katie Arnst)
1. The board (5-0) approved the agreement with the Superior Court of California, County of Kings, for the Collaborative Justice Treatment Court services retroactively, effective from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
The Collaborative Justice Treatment Courts (CJTC) Program is specifically designed for Kings County defendants and offenders with a primary diagnosis of substance use, mental health, or co-occurring disorders.
CJTC uses a drug-court model with an integrated trauma-informed approach that provides participants access to a continuum of substance use and mental health treatment as an alternative to incarceration.
Kings County currently has four CJTC courts: Behavioral Health, Drug, Co-Occurring, and Veterans Court.
Each court sector previously mentioned works collaboratively with providers in the community and provides services to Kings County defendants and offenders that qualify for the program.
CJTC strives to reduce recidivism of individuals who experience mental illness and substance use disorders through a cost-effective continuum of care.
This agreement delineates the Superior Court’s roles and responsibilities related to the implementation of CJTC.
Superior Court’s role includes establishing the program participants, providing staff for the specialized court, facilitating weekly pre-treatment meetings before scheduled courtroom hearings, participating in planning and collaboration with Behavioral Health related to CJTC, and providing data for program outcome evaluation.
According to the MHSA Annual Update for the fiscal year 2020-2021, the number of participants served through the program was seventeen.
The MHSA Annual Update for 2021-2022 is currently being completed. Under this Agreement, the KCBH Adult System of Care Division, through a collaborative model, provides oversight of program services to comply with Federal, State, and County contract guidelines.
Participating entities in the collaborative model include the judiciary, prosecution, defense, probation, law enforcement, mental health, and treatment providers.
Program oversight is also designed to meet countywide needs and State mandates under the Mental Health Services Act.
This agreement is retroactive due to the increased volume of contracts Behavioral Health is managing, administrative delays in processing, and staffing shortages within the Contracts unit.
In response to Supervisor Verboon, Behavioral Health Deputy Director Katie Arnst mentioned that their department hopes to get 40 participants in the system per year.
2. The board (5-0) approved the agreement with Champions Recovery Alternative Programs, Inc. for substance use disorder treatment, residential treatment, and prevention services, effective from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023.
The agreement amount for the fiscal year 2022-2023 is $1,445,500
3. The board (5-0) approved the agreement with Mircea Truta to provide psychiatry services for children and youth from October 11, 2022, to June 30, 2024.
4. The board (5-0) approved the agreement with the Kings County Commission on Aging for Senior Access for Engagement (SAFE) Program services retroactively, effective from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024.
The agreement amount for the SAFE Program is $253,750 for the fiscal year 2022-2023 and $253,750 for the fiscal year 2023- 2024.
The SAFE Program provides senior access for engagement to adults and older adults.
SAFE reaches out to unserved or underserved populations to identify early symptoms of mental illness and provide appropriate services to prevent the development or progression of mental illness.
SAFE serves isolated older adults ages 60 and older at risk of or beginning to experience mental health problems such as depression related to aging and isolation.
The renewal of this program with the KCCOA will ensure that the population continues to be served in Kings County. SAFE also provides a support group for primary caregivers of older adults with mental illness.
According to the MHSA Annual Update for the fiscal year 2020-2021, the number of participants served through the program was 1,568. The MHSA Annual Update for 2021-2022 is currently being completed.
C. Public Works Department (presented by Chief Engineer Mitchell Cabrera)
The board (5-0) approved Amendment I to the construction agreement with KC Partners Corp and B&T Service Station contractors for the Motor Pool Fuel System Upgrades project.
D. Sheriff’s Office (presented by Sheriff David Robinson)
The board (5-0) authorized the Sheriff’s Office to rehire Melina Padgett as a retired annuitant, to work as an extra-help emergency dispatcher.
E. Administration (presented by Administrative Officer Edward Hill, Assistant Administrative Officer Kyria Martinez, and Administrative Analyst Matthew Boyett)
1. The board (5-0) authorized the agreement with the Mojave Water Agency to purchase Article 56 carryover water for the Kettleman City Community Services District.
In January 2022, the Board approved the purchase of 235-acre feet (AF) of Article 56 carryover water from the Mojave Water Agency (MWA) for the Kettleman City Community Services District (KCCSD) to provide sufficient water supplies for yearly operation.
The agreement to purchase the 235 AF outlined that MWA would make available a total of 310 AF of Article 56 carryover water if the County needed it.
310 AF is the yearly operating allocation of water for KCCSD.
At the time of the initial purchase in January 2022, KCCSD only needed to secure 235 AF, given that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) provided the district with Human Health and Safety water in the amount of 46 AF in addition to the 5% State Water Project (SWP) allocation of 45 AF.
With the continued drought causing a negative outlook on the 2023 water year and SWP allocations unknown at this time, the county is looking to secure the remaining 75 AF from MWA to help ensure that KCCSD has as much water as available to operate efficiently in 2023.
MWA is honoring the initial price outlined in the January 2022 agreement, which is $1,400 per AF.
The purchase of 75 AF will cost $105,000. On July 12, 2022, the Board authorized $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address drought relief in the county’s community service districts.
As such, the $105,000 cost to purchase this water will come from the $1,000,000 ARPA allocation.
2. a. The board (5-0) appointed Supervisor Verboon as the primary director of the California State Association of Counties Board of Directors;
b. The board (5-0) appointed Supervisor Valle as an alternate director to the California State Association of Counties Board of Directors.
Under provisions of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Constitution, members of the Board of Directors and alternates are elected by their respective boards of supervisors to one-year terms of office commencing with the first day of the CSAC annual conference.
The 2022 conference will begin on November 14, 2022. Any member of the Board of Supervisors is eligible for the directorship.
3. The board (5-0) approved the amended cancellation schedule for the Board of Supervisors meetings for 2022, including November 22, 2022.
Each year, the county issues a holiday schedule identifying the dates it will be closed for business.
The board has, over the last several years, canceled Board meetings on the following days:
- Tuesdays that follow Monday holidays
- first Tuesday in May for the Employee Recognition barbecue
- the meetings that coincide with the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference; the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Annual Meeting;
- during the week between Christmas and New Year.
F. Public Health Department (presented by Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn)
Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn announced that in the past two weeks, Covid cases have steadily decreased to 194. BA-5 remains the dominant variant.
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kings County remains in the low “green” in transmission. Bivalent boosters are available.
G. Human Services Agency (presented by Human Services Director Wendy Osikafo)
- The board (5-0) approved an agreement with Cornerstone Community Alcohol and Other Drug Recovery Systems, Incorporated, transferring financial and work completion responsibility for the remaining work needed to obtain occupancy permits for the Triangle Courtyard Home key Project.
On November 13, 2020, HSA, in partnership with Cornerstone, received a grant award from HCD under the Project HomeKey program to fund the development of affordable housing on land owned by Cornerstone for the Kings Triangle Courtyard Project.
This project would increase the housing inventory for Kings County and provide 24 homes for eligible participants. Units were to consist of two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a kitchen, with the full installation of 12 units in move-in ready condition by March 30, 2021, and the balance of 12 units in move-in ready condition by June 30, 2021.
Kings County selected Green Galaxy Builders Incorporated (GGB) as the successful bidder and entered into an agreement for complete design-build services on December 15, 2020, for a not-to-exceed price of $4,838,251.
GGB significantly delayed the completion of the project, GGB refused to submit a performance bond, and GGB now indicates that it will not complete the work due to cost increases.
Despite several concessions that HSA was willing to make (which included, but were not limited to, time extensions, reduction of units from 24 to 20, and increasing the contract amount), ultimately, GGB refused to sign a change order or complete its contractual obligations.
Initially, Cornerstone was willing to fund an increase in the contract price with GGB. However, given GGB’s significant delays and refusal to agree to change the order, Cornerstone is no longer willing to contribute funding.
Cornerstone is, however, willing to fund and complete the remainder of the project if the current agreement with GGB is terminated.
From project inception, it was intended that Cornerstone would be the owner of the units developed through the HomeKey project and would provide site management and landlord services, including managing rent collection, site maintenance, etc.
HSA will remain involved to ensure project completion and provide updates and reports to HCD.
Once the project is complete, HSA will continue to partner with Cornerstone to provide referrals and coordinate supportive services for residents in need of services.
HSA is seeking Board approval of the Takeover Agreement with Cornerstone, which will shift the construction and financial responsibility to Cornerstone to complete the remaining work needed to obtain occupancy permits for the Triangle Courtyard Home key Project by March 31, 2023.
The study session consists of the following:
A. Public Works Department (presented by Public Works Director Dominic Tyburski)
The board received information on renewing a lease for up to twelve months with CalVans for the property located at 1340 North Drive, Hanford, CA.
In June of 2022, a fair market rent study of the county owned property currently occupied by CalVans was prepared for Purchasing by Simon & Hower, Inc.
The study revealed a fair market rent range of $1.10 per square foot (PSF) (Low) and $1.30 per PSF (High). CalVans is requesting an average of the two rates for the final amendment at $1.20 PSF for a total of $8,959 per month for the existing 7,466 square feet facility.
The timing is advantageous to CalVans and the county as the former will relocate its headquarters to Sacramento, and the latter needs the facility for county use.
Under the proposed amended agreement with CalVans, the building shall be vacated no later than September 30, 2023, with the tenant being allowed early termination with written 30 days’ notice.
A daily penalty will likely be included in the amendment as an incentive for CalVans to adhere to the September 2023 date of the vacation.
B. Human Services Agency (Human Services Director Wendy Osikafo and Deputy Director Esam Abed)
- The board received an overview and update on how the Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds will be used and provided direction if necessary.
In 2017, Governor Brown signed a multiple-bill housing package that established a $75 recording fee on real estate documents to help generate funds under the PLHA Program and increase affordable homes in California.
PLHA funding is specifically designed to help cities and counties:
- increase the supply of housing for households at or below 60 percent of area median income (AMI), Increase assistance to affordable owner-occupied workforce housing
- assist persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- facilitate housing affordability, particularly for lower and moderate-income households
- promote projects and programs to meet the local government’s unmet share of regional housing needs allocation
- ensure geographic equity in the distribution of the funds HSA has a fixed allocation of $980,995, accessible over a five-years.
Currently, HSA can access $717,853 through the PLHA resolution and application process, including funding from 2019, 2020, and 2021.
HSA is recommending that the PLHA funds be utilized to close the funding gap to allow for the completion of the conversion of the Stardust Hotel to the Sunrise Apartments as part of the HomeKey Project started in December 2020 to increase affordable housing stock in Kings County.
The HomeKey Project is a partnership with the Kings Tulare Homeless Alliance (KTHA) to convert the Stardust motel into a 22-unit, permanent housing/studio apartment for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Phase I of the conversion has been completed.
Phase II of the conversion will begin once sufficient funds are obtained. It is estimated that approximately $3.7 to $4.2 million is needed to complete the project.
KTHA and HSA have secured most of the needed revenue, but approximately a $700,000 gap remains.
Phase II includes a full remodel of the remaining 16 units, electrical and sprinkler upgrades for all units, installing kitchens in all units, converting the on-site manager’s unit, and expanding the parking lot to comply with city and county guidelines.
This project will increase the availability of affordable and sustainable housing in Kings County and will connect residents with supportive services that will enhance self-reliance.
Once the conversion project is complete, any remaining grant balance would be utilized as a two-year operational subsidy or to increase the availability of additional low-income permanent housing units in Kings County.
The closed session includes
- Significant exposure to litigation:[Govt. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)(e)(1)]
- Waggle v. County of Kings, et al. 21C-0282 [Govt. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)]
The meeting lasted until 1 p.m. The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, October 18, 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.
