Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

All here, and it's 10 a.m. Madam Clerk, roll call, please.

Okay, good morning and welcome to the September 8th, 2026 meeting in the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. We'll begin today with the invocation and a flag salute. The invocation will be led by District 2, my district. After the invocation, please remain standing for the flag salute. And with us today is Keaton Baker, the Youth Ministry Leader at Cross City Church in Northeast Fresno. Keaton, welcome to the Board of Supervisors and thank you for providing the invocation today.

Thank you. Okay, we'll move on to approve the agenda. Okay. Is there a motion and a second to approve the agenda? So moved. Second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Passes unanimously.

Yes. Okay. Consent. These matters are routine in nature and usually approved by a single vote. Any other board members want to approve an item for discussion? Nope. Okay. Would any members of the public like an item removed from consent for discussion? Seeing none, I'll bring it back.

All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Passes unanimously.

Okay. For item 21, we just wanted to take a moment, honor all the recipients of the Marjory Mason Center's 2026 Top Professional Women Award. However, I want to highlight that our Director of Behavioral Health is one of the award recipients and take a moment to recognize her. If she would come on up, Susan Holt. And the floor is yours, Susan.

Yeah, thank you, Director Holt. I have the privilege of serving with you on the first five Commission and she's one of the most professional, just compassionate leaders that we have. And I just wanted to tell you that publicly. Oftentimes when we're in that role, and you're expected to make decisions quickly and oftentimes data driven. I see that you've never lost your compassion and you always see things from the human perspective. And I think we need more of that. And so I just wanted to thank you publicly. So well-earned and we'll definitely be there for the ceremony.

And Susan, I also want to recognize all the great things you do. As somebody who's been in the clinical psychology field for many decades and looked at the work you do, it's literally blown me away. You provide mental health services throughout Fresno County. And what you have to do, the job you have, the responsibilities you have are immense. And you meet them all the time. And you do a phenomenal job. And I've been very, very impressed by what you do. So I think it's a well-deserved honor.

Any comments from the public? Seeing none, why don't you come on up and we would love to take a photo with you. Oh, we need a motion. Before you do, let's get a motion to pass this. Let's approve this. Is there a motion? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Passes unanimously. Now you can come on up. Sorry.

Congratulations. Thank you. I didn't have your weight. I'm sorry.

Yeah, and we have some folks here representing the memorial. Would you come on up? We want to recognize all of the great work that's going on with the memorial. And please take the floor.

Thank you, Sheriff. Future Supervisor Mims?

Thank you. Any words? No, okay. Any comments from the board? Yes.

It's been about 4 years, I think, since Preston, you and the sergeants association had this idea and every time I get to hear a presentation or attend. Now, the, the memorial itself, I am amazed at what this has become because the original vision, I think, limited this to trying to raise about a 1Million dollars, but. There's many millions that have been raised, and it's not just a memorial. It's an educational complex, and it's something to provide relief to families. So I would say, looking at this, thank you for your vision and for the vision that the Sergeants Association has had with this

any other comments just yeah thank you for that presentation and uh i remember when i'm gonna call you sheriff emeritus uh mims gave me a tour of the of the project when they still were turning dirt and to see that go from that to now and to my colleagues for for supporting phase one um would love to be able to support phase two uh myself and so we'll we can chat later about that but that was probably one of the most just beautiful poetic uh memorials that i've ever seen from from the way that the sun hits it to to when you walk in and in the image you get and i think it's a reminder um as our

Yeah, and I just want to add the memorial's amazing. And I encourage people to go out, visit it. It reflects the sacrifice of our law enforcement heroes. And it's one of the most beautiful memorials I've ever seen. I mean, I don't know what else to say. It's incredible. And I really encourage schools to go out there, take your kids, teach them about law enforcement and what sacrifice really means. And they will learn a great deal. So phenomenal job. Anyone else? Any comments from the public? I'll bring it back. Is there a motion and a second?

Passage unanimously. Please come on up. We'll take a picture.

Yes, we do want to recognize the presidents of the different nursing organizations of the Central Valley. Reza Valerio, would you come on up and say a few words? Reza? Come on up. Please, come on up, say a few words.

Thank you. And we appreciate all that you do and wanted to recognize you. Is there any comments from the board? Any comments from the public? Okay. Would you mind come up? Oh, is there a motion to approve? All those in favor, say aye. Mr. Ginn-Adams, would you come on up and all of you, come on up.

And I'm recusing myself as well for the same reason, Levine Act.

Any comments from the Board? Any comments from the public? Okay, I'll bring it back. Is there a motion and a second? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Passes unanimously. Thank you. Okay, we'll grab our colleagues again.

Thank you. Um, this is an item sponsored by, um, all the people mentioned, um, as we witnessed, uh, an attack that took place on an assistant district attorney. Uh, we want to make sure that, um. all of our staff particularly those who are in critical positions where they have been threatened and in this instance attack are able to protect themselves with that i would like to ask district attorney smit camp and sheriffs in order to come on up and say a few words and defer to them at this point Welcome DA Smittcamp.

Yeah, I want to thank Supervisor Bredefeld as well as the sheriff and the DA as well as Paul Nerland, our CAO, all coming together quickly after just a horrific incident. And I think if there's one message we need to be communicating loud and clear is here in Fresno County, we will not tolerate crime and we support those who abide by the law. And we're very supportive of individuals carrying concealed weapons permits. and exercising their Second Amendment rights. But I really appreciate you, Sheriff, and our District Attorney. You work very closely with each other, which is great. Not all coun

Two. Thank you, Chair. This is just a question for our district attorney, Smith Camp. With the ordinance, you're comfortable that this will be enough? And I know you can't 100% prove the safety of folks all the time. But are you comfortable with just having this? Or is there anything else that you need in order to make sure that our folks are safe?

I appreciate that honesty, Mr. Attorney. And I think the other piece to this is in speaking with our sheriff and speaking with the prosecutor's union president, the conversation also needs to happen with the state, correct, with regards to how weapons will be stored for those that opt to do that. How has the conversation been with the state so far? Are they receptive? Are they open? Have we started that yet or not yet?

Thank you for that Sheriff and I appreciate that because I think when this incident happened the feedback I got from some of our residents was if they're doing this to law enforcement or you know law representative What would they do to just regular folks that are wanting to have a sandwich here or coffee or anything? So I appreciate the extra eyes and ears that will be on the Plaza Park. Thank you.

T. Thank you for that. CAO, before we had this ordinance, there was already something in the books that we had passed, and you have the discretion on doing that. I know the conversation was under the umbrella of CCW, but are employees also allowed to have other options for those that don't opt, for example, pepper spray or tasers or anything of that sort?

And that's available for other employees as well too? Correct. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. Any other comments? I first of all want to say thank you, DA Smetkamp, to you and to all your district attorneys for what you do. You work hard to make our community safe, and you work with some very nasty people who commit crimes all the time, violent crimes, and I'm sure have threatened the prosecutors and So I appreciate the work you do. I appreciate, of course, what the Sheriff's Department does. We live in a society in California where they've weakened all the criminal laws. The legislature has done that. We have two members who I believe are going to the legislature up there and I

All those in favor say aye. Aye. Passes unanimously. Thank you.

Any other comments from the board? Comments from the public? Okay, seeing none, entertain a motion and a second.

Thank you. Any comments, questions from the board? Supervisor Magid?

I know back in 2017 when I first got on the board, I was trying to wrap my arms around just how many different properties the county has. And at that time, they came back and presented literally hundreds of properties throughout the county, including small vacant parcels. So I know that our previous board was working to try to offload some of those properties, which we've been successful with some of that. looking at existing buildings the uh the dell web i know there's been an article in the paper the dell web is kind of an iconic building so i think it's the tallest building in fresno county

Yeah, thank you, Chair. And thank you, Ed and your team for coming up with this very comprehensive plan. That's a big dollar amount that we have to work with. And I know it'll take a number of years to have that conversation. I've never been a fan of that bell web building. I've never forgotten that they gave me my first work rejection letter post-college graduate. So if we're going to blow it up, I'd love to... Push the button on there. But I know this is going to take a number of years. The one thing I do want to flag, and I think, Arcia, we spoke a little bit about that when we attended the

Okay, I would like to also say it was an excellent report, very comprehensive, greatly appreciate it. Is there no way that the Delwa building can be sold to someone and they could be responsible for refurbishment and there's nobody out there that would meet their needs?

Okay. Did you also review the coroner's needs, their office needs? Because they've said that their building doesn't work for them and they need more space. Did you review that as well?

Okay, I appreciate it again. I appreciate all of them. Yeah, go ahead.

I'm gonna go out to the public. Any comments from the public? Okay, seeing none, I'll bring it back. Is there a motion and a second?

Passes unanimously. Thank you very much, gentlemen.

Any other comments? Any comments from the public? Seeing none, I'll bring it back. Is there a motion and a second? So moved. Second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Passes unanimously.

Any comments, questions from the board? No. Any comments from the public? Nope, okay, this is just to receive a presentation, so no motions. Madam Clerk, next item, please. Thank you.

Had a couple comments. So about 12 days ago, the county of Fresno had a meeting with residents of Waterworks District 40, which took place at Pine Ridge School. And the meeting was one where residents clearly were frustrated, and I think rightfully so. Since that meeting, I've had an opportunity to meet with Bakeman Water. They're a private water company. They manage systems in Madera, other counties, and even here in Fresno County. I think they might be involved a little bit throughout areas that touch the city of Fresno. And I've asked them to take a look at Water Works District 40 and to, i

Any other comments? Yeah, I have some comments. You know, 9-11 is upon us. 25 years ago, on that morning, on a clear, beautiful day in New York City, people were doing what they normally did, go to work, preparing their kids to go to school, getting ready for work. But horrifically, by the end of the day, 2,996 people would be dead and more than 6,000 injured. On that day, we lost 344 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, 55 military personnel killed at the Pentagon, more than 90 countries lost citizens in the attack. And as we know, first, the iconic World Trade Center North and South To

Okay. Any? No? No. I have a couple of board appointments. Appoint Chuck Susana Moreno to the provider position for the In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee. The position was previously held by Darla Nunez-Gonzalez. And I also want to appoint Molly Fagundes-Johnston to the Child Care and Development LPC. The position was previously held by Gloria De La Cruz-Polito. Any comments from the public? Okay, is there a motion and second?

We appointed Chuck Susanna Moreno to the provider position.

All those in favor say aye. Aye. Passes unanimously.

Okay, any comments from the public on any matter not on this agenda or any comments from the public on closed sessions item 12 through 18.2? Please, the floor is yours.

Okay, thank you. Anyone else? I don't see anyone else. I will close the public portion.

All those in favor say aye. Aye. Passes unanimously. The board is, the meeting is now adjourned.