Here’s what you need to know
- On October 11, 2022, the Madera County Board of Supervisors approved forming a Capital Improvement Executive Steering Committee and establishing a Deferred Maintenance-Capital Project Fund for a $2.5 million funding allocation from the state. The steering committee will prioritize the county’s deferred building maintenance and capital project improvement needs. Possible projects include, upgrading the electrical system for fire station #1, replacing the roof and mechanical system for the county animal shelter and repair of the Oakhurst Library parking lot.
- Environmental Health Deputy Director Dexter Marr stated that he received an advisory notice from the Central Regional Water Quality Control Board of excessive algae bloom and toxins over Eastman Lake and Hensley Lake. He advised the public to be “cautious.”
- Senior Planner Jamie Bax from Community and Economic Development stated that the county has $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project income funds for infrastructure. Public Works Director Jared Carter said the projects funded must be in income-qualifying census tracts.
Follow-up questions
- What actions will the Capital Improvement Executive Steering Committee take to address maintenance issues on county facilities?
- When will the excessive algae bloom and toxins over Eastman and Hensley Lakes resolve?
- How will the board allocate the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project income funds?
The Scene
According to its website, the Madera County 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 on the first three Tuesdays of each month and occasionally on Mondays in the board chambers of the County Government Center in Madera. On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, the meeting was at 9 a.m.
Madera County Board of Supervisors Members present:
- Brett Frazier (District #1)
- David Rogers (District #2)
- Leticia Gonzalez (District #4)
- Tom Wheeler (District #5)
- Robert Poythress (District #3)
Others Present:
- Chief Clerk Karen Scrivner
- Assistant Assessor Brian Glover
- Environmental Health Deputy Director Dexter Marr
- Public Works Director Jared Carter
- Administrative Analyst Anna Mojica
- Ramon Huerta from General Services
- Community and Economic Development Deputy Director Jamie Bax
- Senior Planner Annette Kephart
- Self-Help Enterprises Project Director Susan Long
- Self-Help Enterprises Administrative Analyst Christy Hodson
- Public Health Program Manager Natalie Stein
Discussions/Actions
Assistant Assessor Brian Glover announced the California Assessors Association would receive a grant from the state for creating databases that will benefit counties.
Environmental Health Deputy Director Dexter Marr stated that he received an advisory notice from the Central Regional Water Quality Control Board of excessive algae bloom and toxins over Eastman Lake and Hensley Lake. He advised the public to be “cautious.”
On the Fork Fire, he mentioned that Phase I, the household hazardous waste collection for 23 parcels, was completed last week. Phase II will deal with ash and debris removal.
Public Works Director Jared Carter said they have started working on Avenue 9 to install rumble strips. The closures will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the next three days. The improvements are funded by road, Measure T, and maintenance funds.
The board (5-0) unanimously approved items A to X in the consent agenda:
A. The board approved the regular meeting minutes for October 4, 2022.
B. 8877: The board agreed with Iris Telehealth Medical Group to provide telepsychiatry and outpatient medication support services via video consultation for Madera County clients for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
C. 8891: The board agreed with Herbert A. Cruz, MD, for psychiatric services in an outpatient clinic for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
D. 8904: The board agreed with WestCare California, Inc. to not exceed $696,000.00 for after-hours crisis psychiatric response services for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
E. 8999: The board agreed with WestCare California, Inc., for $282,218.00 to provide mobile crisis services to mental health or substance abuse individuals for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
F. 9002: The board agreed with San Jose Behavioral Health for psychiatric inpatient care for Madera County Behavioral Health Services adult and youth clients for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
G. 3740: The board reaffirmed Resolution No. 2015-101, declaring a local emergency due to the tree mortality disaster in the county and throughout the State.
H. 6072: The board reaffirmed Resolution No. 2020-032, ratifying and extending the declaration of a local health emergency (Covid-19).
I. 9036: The board appointed Supervisor Leticia Gonzalez as Primary and Supervisor Robert Poythress as alternate to the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 Association Year beginning November 14, 2022.
J. 9022: The board authorized the submission of a grant application and, if funded, acceptance of the award for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grant.
K. 7925: The board reaffirmed Resolution No. 2021-130, recognizing and determining meeting risks under the Covid-19 proclaimed state of emergency under Assembly Bill 361 related to statutory Brown Act exemptions.
L. 9001: The board approved entering into a grant agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety (Grant Agreement No. EM23008) for acceptance of an award under the Emergency Medical Services Grant for the fiscal year 2022-2023
M. 9007: Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant.
1. The board adopted a resolution approving the grant agreement with CalFire for an award under the volunteer fire assistance program.
2. The board entered into a grant agreement with CalFire (7GF22318) for an award and provide matching funds under the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant program for the fiscal year 2022-2023
N. 6644: The board reaffirmed Resolution 2020-123, declaring a Local Health Emergency (Creek Fire) by the county health officer.
O. 8966: The board agreed with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to access the CalCONNECT System managed by CDPH for a three-year term.
P. 8967: The board entered an agreement with Madera Children & Families Commission – First 5 to extend the term and a fixed fee for the use of space located at 405 Trinity Avenue, Chowchilla, for continued use by the Public Health Department for the operation of the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program.
Q. 8986: The board ratified the declaration of a local health emergency due to the Fork Fire by the County Health Officer.
R. 9010: The board agreed with the California Department of Health Care Services (State Agreement No. 21-10224) to participate in the rate year 2021 Voluntary Rate Range Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) program for local Medi-Cal managed care providers Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan (BCCPP) dba Anthem Blue Cross and CalViva Health for January 2021 through June 2024.
S. 8998: The board approved the Transfer of Appropriations No. 22-020 for a $2,250.00 transfer from Madera County Transit – Buildings & Improvements to Land for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
T. 3639: The board reaffirmed Resolution No. 2015-087, proclaiming a Local Emergency created by the severe drought conditions in the county and throughout the state.
U. 6908: The board reaffirmed Resolution No. 2020-123, ratifying and extending the declaration of a Local Emergency for the Creek Fire.
V. 7047: The board reaffirmed Resolution No. 2021-015, ratifying and extending the declaration of a Local Emergency due to winter storm events.
W. 7629: The board reaffirmed Resolution No. 2021-101, ratifying and extending the declaration of a Local Emergency and Local Health Emergency caused by the River Fire.
X. 9009: The board reaffirmed Resolution No. 2022-137 of the Board of Supervisors of Madera County, ratifying and extending the Declaration of a Local Emergency (Fork Fire).
The board discussed the following:
6.b. 9019: The board (5-0) approved and supported the Capital Improvement Executive Steering Committee & Deferred Maintenance-Capital Project Fund.
Administrative Analyst Anna Mojica and Ramon Huerta from General Services presented info on the item.
In March 2022: General Services staff began assessing county facilities to provide a comprehensive list of deferred maintenance needs.
In May 2022, the board signed a letter of support for Assemblyman Bigelow’s request for a one-time funding allocation for Madera County to assist with unfunded capital improvement projects totaling over $35 million.
In September 2022, county Administration received notification of a one-time $2.5 million funding allocation from the state.
Since Fire Station #1 equipment has outgrown the electrical system, the electrical system has to be replaced at $650,000.
The Madera County Animal Shelter also needs a replacement of its roof and an upgrade of its mechanical system, infrastructure, sewer, and domestic water line.
The parking lot in the back of Oakhurst Library has to be repaired. Also, The Government Center has to be maintained and upgraded to avoid further costs.
Challenges in the Capital Improvement Program include:
- Limited funding and resources
- Addressing facility needs in a reactive rather than proactive manner
- Managing the interrelationship between reinvesting in the rehabilitation of an existing facility vs. constructing a new one
- Lack of a revolving fund to allocate necessary costs related to deferred
- The need for cash flow loans for projects that are funded on a reimbursement basis
Proposals include forming the Capital Improvement Executive Steering Committee and establishing a deferred maintenance-capital project fund for the $2.5 million allocation.
The steering committee will assess and prioritize the county’s deferred building maintenance and capital project improvement needs.
Departments will submit their annual capital project requests as part of the annual budgetary process for the committee’s review, evaluation, and ranking.
The committee will rank submissions with the county deferred building maintenance schedule.
Committee will be facilitated by General Services and will provide a list of recommendations to your board for review and approval.
The Deferred Maintenance Capital Project Fund can be utilized as the cash flow agent for grant reimbursements or cash flow loans used for capital projects to alleviate the impact on the general fund.
The fund cart is also utilized if your board allocates an annual deferred maintenance amount.
6.c. 9004: Presentation and update of Public Health performance and quality improvement.
Public Health Director Sara Bosse announced an update on the department’s strategic plan.
The plan has 146 objectives, 24 goals, and six strategic priorities:
- community health improvement
- data-driven action and quality improvement
- department efficiency
- funding stability
- adequate, qualified, and motivated workforce
- Madera County Department of Public Health brand
Out of 146 objectives within the strategic plan:
- 76 percent of objectives are fully complete
- 17 percent of objectives are still in-progress
- 5 percent of objectives were not started
- 2 percent of objectives were “abandoned” (meaning efforts stopped because they were either no longer relevant and no longer feasible)
Over 90 percent of objectives were accomplished in three strategic priority areas:
- Strategic Priority 2: data-driven action and quality improvement
- Strategic Priority 3: department efficiency
- Strategic Priority 6: branding
Public Health Program Manager Natalie Stein noted the partnership with Madera Community Hospital, the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC), and other agencies to provide breastfeeding and home visitation services.
6.d. 8990: Discussion and consideration of Amendment to Classification Plan.
1. The board (5-0) amended the Classification Plan to add the class of Senior Epidemiologist.
2. The board (5-0) set the salary for the classification of senior epidemiologist at Range 330 (MB2 0120) $6,914.24 – $8,404.30 per month ($82,970.91 – $100,851.65 annually).
3. The board (5-0) designated the classification of senior epidemiologist as overtime exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
4. The board (5-0) directed the Department of Human Resources to amend the Position Allocation Resolution to flexibly staff two FTE Epidemiologist positions up to the classification of Senior Epidemiologist for the staffing allocation of the Public Health Department.
6.e. 9016: The board sets salaries for the peace officer and related classifications – department heads and unclassified employees.
1. The board (5-0) adopted the chief probation officer, animal services director, seasonal boat patrol deputy, and the sheriff’s cadet I/II job descriptions.
2. The board (5-0) set the salary range for peace officer and related classifications for the impacted department head classifications, as the Civil Service Commission recommended, effective October 1, 2022.
3. The board (5-0) set the salary range for peace officer and related classifications for the impacted unclassified classifications, effective October 1, 2022.
6.f. 9018: Peace officer and related classification salary study implementation.
1. The board (5-0) adopted the Step Placement process for department heads impacted by the salary study, effective October 1, 2022.
2. The board (5-0) approved the Step Placement identified for the employee filling the supervising code enforcement officer classification, effective September 1, 2022.
Public hearings are as follows:
7.a. 9024: State Community Development Block Grant and 2022 Notice of Funding Availability. (presented by Community and Economic Development Deputy Director Jamie Bax, Senior Planner Annette Kephart, Susan Long, and Christy Hodson from Self-Help Enterprises)
1. The board discussed possible applications for funding under the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and solicited citizen input on possible activities to be included in the applications.
2. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution approving an application for funding and the execution of a Grant Agreement and any amendments from the 2022-2023 funding year of the State CDBG Program.
Program income funds from CDBG are money lent out for housing rehabilitation and small business grants and paid back to the County when a property is sold or a bank sells a property.
Community and Economic Development Deputy Director Jamie Bax stated that the county has $300,000 in project income funds for infrastructure. She suggested sidewalk services at Census Tract 1.04 Block Group 2 in Oakhurst, which expands a school road.
Public Works Director Jared Carter said the funds must meet income-qualifying census tracts.
Under pending legislation:
| The Board (5-0) approved a letter of support for Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program |
In a closed session, the board discussed the following:
2.a. 9057: Request for a closed session: Government Code Section 54957.6
Conference with labor negotiators
Agency designated representatives: Joel Bugay, Deputy County Administrative Officer-Finance, Roman Noriega, Human Resources Director, and Susan Carter, Human Resources Manager Employee organization: all units.
Unrepresented employees: all classifications (excluding elected officials)
The meeting lasted until 1:00 p.m. The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 9 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.