Here’s what you need to know

  • The Madera County Board of Supervisors met on Nov. 1, 2022 and approved the estimated county contribution by Sheriff Tyson Pogue for the cleanup of debris from the Fork Fire. Only five affected residents were insured and they were underinsured. The debris poses an environmental threat and residents may not obtain any building permits until the debris is cleared at the standard set by the State of California. The county is expected to contribute $1,330,000.00 for the clean-up of 19 homes. 
  • The supervisors approved a conceptual proposal to the San Joaquin River Conservancy for the provision of law enforcement services to create a search and rescue team. As proposed, the San Joaquin River Conservancy will fund the initial cost of the project, which will include employing one sergeant, two corporals, and purchasing needed equipment.
  • The supervisors also approved increased development impact fees, which will be implemented by July 1, 2023. Fees for single family dwelling units increased from $6,044 to $8,629, multi-family from $4,820 to $6,528, commercial from $1,279 to $2,032 per 1,000 square feet, office from $1,855 to $2,950 per 1,000 square feet, and warehouse from $488 to $774 per 1,000 square feet. 
  • Josh Christopherson, Veteran Service Officer, asked for the supervisors to support veterans through Operation Green Light for Veterans converting municipal lighting to green in honor of veterans from Nov. 7-13, 2022. Residents are encouraged to participate by changing porch lights at their homes and/or businesses. 

Follow-up questions

  • What is the expected completion date for the cleanup of debris from the Fork Fire?
The Madera County Board of Supervisors met on Nov. 1, 2022 and recognized Operation Green Light for Veterans.

Notes

The Scene

The Madera County Board of Supervisors meeting regularly takes place at 9 a.m. on the first three Tuesdays of every month. The date of this week’s meeting was Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. The meetings are located at 200 W. Fourth Street, Madera, California. Alternatively, the meetings are streamed on Webex and can be found on the Madera County Website to view after the live stream. David Rogers (District #2) was not in attendance.

The purpose of the Madera County Board of Supervisors is to provide Directors of 49 subdivided Maintenance Districts and 21 Service Areas throughout Madera County.

Madera County Board of Supervisors Members present:

Others Present:

  • Roman Noriega, Human Resources Director
  • Joel Bugay, Deputy County Administrative Officer-Finance
  • Susan Carter, Human Resources Manager
  • Leroy Gaffney (opening prayer)
  • Rosa Hernandez 
  • Matt, Development Services 
  • Sally Moreno, Major United States Army Reserve
  • Danny Morris, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services
  • John Defrane, Program Manager of Adoptions states
  • Juanita Chapa
  • Josh Christopherson, Veteran Service Officer
  • Robert Labrada, Veteran
  •  Henry Gonzales, Veteran
  • Joel, County Administration Office

Actions/Discussions/Public comment

Additions to the agenda require a two-thirds vote. No additions to the agenda.

Closed Session

There are four items on the agenda that are reserved for closed-session discussions: 

  • Item 9098 will require the B.O.S to meet with labor negotiators including Roman Noriega, Human Resources Director; Joel Bugay, Deputy County Administrative Officer-Finance; and Susan Carter, Human Resources Manager. 
  • Item 9126 will allow the B.O.S to meet with legal counsel regarding existing litigation: County of Madera v. Highway 41 Properties LLC, et al., Madera County Superior Court Case No. MCV083624. 
  • Item 9128 will allow the B.O.S to meet with legal counsel regarding existing litigation: County of Madera, A Political Subdivision of the State of California et al v. McKinsey and Company, Inc., United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Case No. 1:22-at-00845. 
  • Item 9127 is a conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation: Significant Threat of Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Paragraph (2) or (3) of

Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9.

Public Comment:

  • Jared Carter from public works announced that all SB1 projects have been completed and the Ave. 26 project is wrapping up by mid-November.
    • He wanted to share that the department received awards from the Fresno Chapter of the American Society for Civil Engineers. 
    • Hayden Hinkle, a civil engineer, received an award for a job well done as project manager of the Oakhurst Midtown Connector connection project.
    • The Midtown Connector project received an award for being the best bridge project of the year. He states “it is a beautiful bridge.” 
    • Chairman Wheeler mentioned that a community member called the bridge a race track as a joke but worries slightly about speed enforcement.
    • Poythress asks how many miles was the Ave 26 project, how much did it cost, and how was it financed?
      • Carter reported that the Ave. 26 project is a 16-mile project. 
      • The total cost is $23 million. 
      • 10% was funded by measure T and the Federal Land Access Program funded the rest.
  • Rosa Hernandez invited the community out to celebrate Indigenous culture through the festivities for the Day of the Dead which will take place between 4 to 9 p.m. at the Courthouse Park.
  • Matt from Development Services wanted to announce the successful application for ATP Grant. He says the admin helped a lot with completing the application. They will be awarded $2.6 million for sidewalks and lights through the Lavina Project.

Consent Calendar passes 4-0

Approval of meeting minutes for October 18, 2022

9087: Amendment to MCC No. 11920-21. Allocates 24 additional beds at a rate of $1486.00 per bed for a total amount of $606,288.00 for the Madera Rescue Mission Inc. 

9082: Adopts the Conflict of Interest Code for Chawanakee Unified School District. 

9093: Adopts the Conflict of Interest Code for Alview-Dairyland Unified School District. 

9086: Resolution for Special Assessment to authorize special assessment on real property. Madera County Code Chapter 8.01. Administrative Citations and Penalties.

9088: Enter an agreement w Self-Help Enterprises for $200,000.00. Self-Help Enterprises will administer the County’s Community Development Block Grant Program-Coronavirus, Aid Relief, Economic Security Act (CDBG-CV) Award for five years. Authorize the Chief of Development Services or their designee to sign.

9070: Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 22-030 for $200,000.00 from the General Fund – Fund Balance to District Attorney-Prosecution. 4 votes required. 

9099: Approve the signed letter with the county’s choice to receive Secure Rural Schools Funds. Title 1 85%. Title 2 8%. Title 3 7%. Fiscal year 2022.

9083: Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 22-034 for $80,000.00 from the General Fund-Fund Balance to Building Maintenance. Professional and Specialized services. Fiscal year 2022-2023. 4 votes required

9085: Agreement with ConvergeOne, Inc. to design, configure, and implement a Cisco-Defined Access network infrastructure for the new Madera County Justice Center for $54,979.54.

9073: Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 22-033 for $154,213.00 from District Attorney – Fed Vert Pros-Federal-Other to Permanent Salaries, Retirement, Health Insurance, Workers’ Compensation insurance, and Transportation and Travel for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. 4 votes required.

Authorize the Human Resources/Operations Division to amend the Position Allocation Within the District Attorney’s Office to add 1 FTE Senior Deputy District Attorney effective October 1, 2022.

Public Comment: Sally Moreno, Major United States Army Reserve, wanted to note a grant that will allow the county to hire a District Attorney Prosecutor that will focus on DUI crimes. The grant was lost in 2016 and regained in 2022. She is excited to see the enforcement of traffic laws because she wants to keep the residents safe.

9038: Acceptance of Grant Deeds of property from Teresa L Keenan & Anne M. Harris to the County of Madera and authorizing C.D.S to accept and sign.

9040: Enter into an agreement with the California State Department of Veterans Affairs for the Annual County Subvention Program. 

Enter into an agreement with the California State Department of Veterans Affairs for the Annual Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program Annual Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program.

9078: Transfer of Appropriations No. 22-032 in the amount of $11,6000.00 from MD46-Water – Appropriations for Contingency to Land and Rents/Leases Principal for fiscal year 2022-20224. 4 Votes required

Discussion Items

9059: The Social Services Department was presented a proclamation naming November 2022 as “National Adoption Month”. Danny Morris, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the department. John Defrane, Program Manager of Adoptions states he has two adopted children and this is a big day of celebration for him. He congratulated the staff and thanked the board. Also, Vanessa Salf introduced staff members of the staff and interns that make adoptions possible. Juanita Chapa has been working for the adoption department for 30 years and she wanted to thank everyone for the great time spent throughout her career. Approved 4-0.

9092: B.O.S. discussed and considered the approval to issue a conceptual proposal to the San Joaquin River Conservancy for the provision of law enforcement services.

Tyson Pogue and Lt. Weaver spoke to the B.O.S about the measure. Pogue says this measure will allow a search and rescue team to be formed. Citizens will be able to safely enjoy the riverwalk. The San Joaquin River Conservancy will fund the initial cost of this project. The measure will provide routine patrol, search and rescue, and responding to requests for service at little to no cost to the county. There will be funding allocated to employ one sergeant, two corporals, and purchase equipment.

  • Supervisor Frazier says he is on the board for the S.J.R.C and there is a beautiful river that a lot of people have not been able to see due to safety reasons. This measure will allow residents to enjoy the river safely. He believes that it is a huge first step. Approved 4-0.

9113: Fork Fire Urgency Ordinance

  • Waive the reading of an Urgency Ordinance of County of Madera set requirements and procedures for the removal of fire debris from private property from the Fork Fire. 4 Votes required. 
  • Discussion of approval of Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue No. 22-041 for 

$1,330,000.00 from Fork Fire Debris Removal – State-Other and General Fund – Fund Balance to Fork Fire Debris Removal – Professional Specialized Services for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. 4 votes required

  • Sheriff Tyson Pogue, Director of Emergency Services, recounted the events of the Fork Fire:
    • On Sept. 4 this year the fire started. 
    • On Sept. 12, Sheriff Pogue declared it a local emergency and the B.O.S ratified his declaration on Sept. 13.
    • This would allow the department to apply for disaster funding through the state. 
    • The next step in the recovery process is debris removal. It is the responsibility of the county. 
    • Only five residents were insured and they were under insured. 
    • The debris poses a significant environmental threat and poses a threat to the watershed. 
    • 75% of the costs for debris removal will come from the California Disaster Assistance Act, but the county will need to provide the other 25%.
    • A waiver has been submitted to waive a portion of the 25%. 
    • The estimated county contribution is $70,000 per home, 19 homes, totaling $1,330,000.00 in expected county contribution. 
    • They are hopeful for a federal declaration that will reduce Madera County expected contributions to total no more than 6%. 
    • No questions from the B.O.S. 

Public Comment: A resident stated the sheriff answered both of his questions and has done a good job. He appreciates that the sheriff has stated he will be responsible for the project. He wanted to acknowledge that the award amount will be used for all affected parcels. He told the sheriff good job. Approved 4-0.

9046: Discussion to adopt a resolution in support of Operation Green Light for Veterans converting municipal lighting to green in honor of veterans from November 7-13, 2022

Josh Christopherson, Veteran Service Officer, asks for the B.O.S support in supporting veterans through this item. He says veterans suffer many hardships upon returning home and this measure will be a way to show support to a vulnerable community. 30,000 veterans, more than 4x the amount that dies in combat, have passed away from suicide. He says the operation will illuminate the building as green and raise awareness for services and resources provided to veterans. Encourage citizens to do the same with house lights and business lights. B.O.S all expressed appreciation for veterans and thanked Josh for his presentation.

Public Comment: Robert Labrada, Commander, thanks the B.O.S and wanted to announce they have a game night at 5 p.m. that everyone is invited to attend. It will take place at their post. Henry Gonzales, Commander, states he is honored to be here and thanks each and every one of us. Approved 4-0.

Public Hearings

9055: Consider adoption of a Resolution for increased Public Facility Fees.

Joel, County Administration Office, recommends the implementation of 2018 study levels regarding Public Facility Fees. He states that they would like to implement the fee increases by July 1, 2023. Approved 4-0.

  • Due to the cost of construction and materials increasing exponentially it is recommended that the board adopt an increase to the Public Facility Fee to the full justifiable increase within the adopted 2018 Capital Improvement Plan. 
  • The current fees are set as follows:
    • Single Family Dwelling – $6,044 per Dwelling unit 
    • Multi-Family Dwelling – $4,820 per Dwelling Unit 
    • Commercial – $1,279 per 1,000 square feet 
    • Office – $1,855 per 1,000 square feet 
    • Industrial – $607 per 1,000 square feet 
    • Warehouse – $488 per 1,000 square feet 
  • With the implementation of the fully justifiable fees identified in the 2018 adopted Capital Improvement Plan the fees would be set at the following:
    • Single Family Dwelling – $8,629 per Dwelling Unit 
    • Multi-Family Dwelling – $6,528 per Dwelling Unit 
    • Commercial – $2,032 – per 1,000 square feet 
    • Office – $2,950 – per 1,000 square feet 
    • Industrial – $967 – per 1,000 square feet 
    • Warehouse – $774 – per 1,000 square feet

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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