Interagency Governance Review Committee for Violence Prevention - Regular Meeting

Ready over there? I'd to, call the meeting of board here for legislative committee. Do we have any, additions or corrections?

There are no additions or corrections to the agenda.

Thank you. And, let's go for

a public comment period. This is for items that are not on

today's agenda. Do have anybody in the room that would like to address anything there or online?

No hands raised.

No hands raised? Okay. So close public comment and move to item one, which is the the minutes. Go to the minutes. Yeah. Go to the minutes too. I think we can approve those by consensus, and then we we move on to move on to the comment. The public comment would be good. Thank you for that's right. Any public comment on the on the committee minutes? I don't see any. No housewings. So I'll say we'll pet crew those by consensus. And go to our reports from the legislative offices from, state and federal. We'll see if there's anybody here from, offices of Senator Padilla or Shia.

No hands raised there.

K.

I actually don't see anyone on the line from any of the legislative offices. Yes. Oh, except Jordan just joined us.

Oh, okay. I just want I'll I'll go down and just make sure there isn't anybody on there we don't know. But, you know, for congressman, Panetta

or Lofgren. Lofgren is present. How are you, supervisors?

Very well. Thank you.

Very good. Is this roll call, or would you prefer my update now?

It's your update.

Perfect. Well, I did run through sort of the agenda, before jumping on, and I did wanna confirm that both the San Lucas, clean drinking water and the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, Both of those, CPF requests are have moved to committee, so that's a great spot to be in. And we note that, the county has support positions on the three bills that the congresswoman is attached to, or is sponsoring. Otherwise, happy to take any, comments or advice that I can give back to my team. I do wanna announce that our DC point of contact, Chad Powell, has unfortunately left the office.

So anyone who is looking to get in contact with their office for any reason can either get in touch with me, our leadership team in the district, or I can connect them to mister Powell's replacement, mister Emilio Contreras. Otherwise, lovely to be back. I know it's been a while since we've had one of these.

Thank you for the update, Jordan. I don't have any questions, doctor Weiser. None none from supervisor Laido. So thank you very much.

Of course.

We'll move on into senator Laird's office, if there's anybody present.

Hello. Oh, now you can see me. Hi, everyone. I am Isabelle Mesa. I am here on behalf of state senator John Laird just with a really quick update. The legislator the legislative session is in its final stretch. The last day is Friday, September 12. This means that it is the last day for both houses to pass bills. I would like to mention that all of senator senator layers bills are making their way through, the final stretch, as well as s b two eighty three, the energy storage system. This bill is currently on its way back to the senate floor for third reading.

Obviously, many of you are aware of the efforts that are going on for redistricting. The state, like, later announced and passed new legislation to call the special election happening on November 4. This will be on the ballot as prop 50. And then lastly, consent that continues to be engaged in the community, he recently presented a resolution to the Marine Mammal Center in honoring of their new grand opening of the new facility in Castroville and also in celebration of fifty years of of work that they've done. And that's it.

Very good. Thank you, Isabelle. I don't have any questions. No.

So we'll move on to speaker Rivas.

Thanks, supervisor Church. Not much of an update today, similar, to my colleague and Isabelle from senator Laird's office. As you all know, session is ending this week. By all means, if there are any, issues or concerns, that need to be flagged to us regarding legislation on the floor this week or other conversations, you all certainly know how to get ahold of us. Otherwise, we we look forward to this this busy conclusion of a busy session, and speaker certainly looks forward to being back in the district as things start to conclude up in Sacramento. So that's it for our end.

K. Thank you very much, Dalton.

And assembly member Addis?

Hello, supervisors. Can you hear me?

Yes. We can.

Maldi Sardis with assembly member Addis' office. Again, I'll repeat what, my counterparts in office and Laird's office already mentioned. September 12 is the last day for each house to pass bills, and that's when, the legislature adjourns and before they go on recess. Some legislation that I wanted to highlight, are four bills. One of them is a b seven six one.

It's it's related to MST. It allows MST to seek voter approval for a retail transaction to strengthen local transit services. A b five sixty, related to special education caseloads, reduces reduces caseload ratios for resource specialists, ensuring more individualized support for students. A b twelve eighty eight, retain and train act, which supports training and retention for public health professionals, helping ensure community health needs are met. They are all these bills are all pending senate approval.

There's actually eight of them that are all on our website waiting for the senate before coming back to the assembly. Just lastly, I wanted to highlight a letter that went out on from the Central Coast Legislative Caucus, which the member co chairs. It is related to proposition for climate resilience funds. It urges leaderships it urges leaders to release prop four, funds with equitable allocations for the Central Coast, including Monarch County, just making sure that Monarch County is able to be is eligible for some of those funds just given the, higher cost of living. And that's it for my update.

As Dominic from office mentioned that we are taking a lot of, you know, support and opposition comments from constituents right now, and I welcome everyone to right into our office.

Very good. Thank you for the update. Any public comment on these reports from the offices? No. So it's okay? Very good. Again, thanks. Thank you, everybody, for their updates. And we'll move on to next item, which is the vendor report. Is Maria or Caitlin available?

How are you, sir? Good to good to be back. Apologize for my absence last month with the schedule change, but I I have full faith that Caitlin was able to provide you with all the information you needed. So diving right into our September update, this is a little bit of a lighter update coming out of the prolonged August recess, but we are expecting that things are going to heat up very, very quickly. This week, both the house and senate sides are taking or taking on the National Defense Authorization Act, which is what funds the military.

The house is meeting today in rules committee to address more than 1,000 amendments that were filed. The senate is also expecting to act on the NDAA, this week, and it it should be, hopefully, one that actually does get done this month. And and I think that this is considered a must pass piece of legislation. So we'll see how that goes. I am, however, interested to follow and see how some of the recent commentary about potentially renaming the Department of Defense may or may not play into some of these politics.

So we'll we'll continue to keep an eye on that more for what it tells us about bigger picture politics than anything else. But as noted, congress is back. So in addition to the NDAA, of course, the other piece of must pass legislation this month is some effort to fund the federal government. It is anticipated that there will be some element of appropriations that come through in the form of a CR, that is stop gap funding and continuing resolution. The hoped for approach is that there's going to be some of the appropriations bills that are able to be enacted.

And folks are calling it acromnibus. That's a combination of a CR and Omnibus moniker, if you will. And so what that is is they'll have some of the appropriations bills go through that way, and the rest would have a continuing resolution. We'll we'll see if that comes to be. There is some concern about a potential shutdown.

I don't know that that is a large concern just yet. It is only September 8, though. So, of course, as always, anything relating to a potential federal government shutdown is something that the VALORD team will be looking at very closely and providing updates as, become necessary, hopefully not. And we'll continue to, you know, keep you informed on those developments, in a much different, flavor of topics. The other piece that we are expecting, to be a focus this month has to do with the Epstein vials.

We do expect that to continue. The first set of documents has been received by the House Oversight Committee in response to subpoena. There have been, I think, some interesting pieces that have come out about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislain Maxwell. I expect that we will continue to have regular cadence develop in terms of how those documents are received. And, of course, it is expected that, some of those documents will be made public.

It's unclear if all of them will be made public, of course, with certain protections for the victims, which has been promised. But that's that one's a little bit of a roller coaster. And and, you know, hopefully, we'll have zero to no impact on the county whatsoever. And then, of course, we're also keeping an eye loosely. I know this is more in the Nassimon wheelhouse, but as the California government is looking at revised congressional maps.

And to the extent that we're following that, it's more for the implications on the twenty twenty six midterm elections. So depending on the redistricting that takes place in California and other states around the country, there is, you know, potentially, some impact there on whether districts tend to be more Republican or Democrat and how that might impact the overall composition of the house in the twenty twenty six election, you know, potential you know, the margins being what they are. You know, the house could flip, the senate could flip, you know, what what have you. So we'll we'll continue to monitor that. Although I know the Nossimon team is taking a much more nuanced approach for the the internal politics within the state of California.

So I'll take a pause here and defer to Caitlin to address the executive order updates.

Yes. Thank you, Maria. Just a couple of highlights here for the executive orders, which may impact California. First, there is an executive order signed August 5, which established the White House task force for the twenty twenty eight Summer Olympics will which will, of course, take place in Los Angeles. This task force is to ensure maximum security, secure borders, and world class transportation.

The other majority of the executive orders were focused on BC last month, and some of those declared, a crime emergency, an executive order to restore law and order, took measures to end cashless bail and enforce the law, and then also deployment of the National Guard. There's early suggestion that some of these executive orders could be expanded to other jurisdictions across The United States, maybe even some California jurisdictions, in which case we will notify the county. Thank you.

Thank you. So the the next agenda item has to do with appropriations, which I've I've discussed in general regarding to, funding the government, in light of the very quickly approaching September 30 deadline. The other piece of that is keeping an eye, of course, on the earmark application request submitted by the County Of Monterey. As we heard from Ms. Lofgren's staff earlier, we're so happy and thrilled with her support for the CPF requests for the San Lucas drinking water project as well as the Selena soccer project and those being referred to committee.

As we discussed last month, San Lucas has been, released at approximately $1,100,000 and Salina Soccer Complex at $500,000. Just noting those figures because the chart in your packets is the, requested amount, and and that you'll see next month it is updated to reflect the amount that was put forward to committee. So I wanted to make sure I address those figures now. We are also continuing to monitor on the third item, which we are also, continuing to observe as it moves forward, which is the Nacimiento And San Antonio Dams And Reservoir Safety Project that was submitted by senator Padilla on the senate side. So we will and, of course and, of course, we we appreciate his advocacy as well.

As it currently stands, we are expecting that those projects will continue. And I do highlight that because one of the, disappointments of f y twenty twenty five with the full year, CR that was ultimately enacted is that all CPF, funding did, kind of halt in its tracks and was unable to advance. So, hopefully, we will not have a repeat of that for f y twenty six, and these three projects will continue to move forward and ultimately be funded. Next agenda item is on federal advocacy, and that relates to, FEMA reimbursements reimbursements for the 2023 winter storms. In August, we did receive an update from rep Panetta's office that FEMA has authorized the county of Monterey to receive two grant awards.

The first grant award is I mean, I I'm not even sure how I could read this number out, but it is for 1.2 is what I wanna say. $1,200,000 in federal funding. And then the second is for $2,900,000 for federal funding, relating to the 2023 winter storms. We're very pleased with those outcomes. Of course, that is a drop in the bucket compared to the outlays, that the county has put forward in recent years and is pending FEMA reimbursements.

But, of course, we're happy for, you know, when when FEMA does see fit to go ahead and just reward those funds, and, hopefully, they'll be released in short order. Next up is legislation, and there is one item under legislation I'd like to bring to the committee's attention, and that is h r forty six sixty nine, the fixing emergency management for Americans, continuing on our little bit of a theme here with FEMA. This bipartisan FEMA act seeks to overhaul FEMA by providing reforms to streamline disaster recovery, increase transparency efficiency, and to make federal assistance more accessible. This is similar to another FEMA bill the county has already supported. This one was introduced in the house by Sam Graves and Rick Larson, and we did receive a note, from miss Lofgren's office specifically requesting the county's input as she is currently considering her position on this legislation and would appreciate a better understanding of where the county stands on it.

There is not yet an identical companion in the senate side, and we do recommend support for this legislation. And that concludes my presentation with the federal bill and issues track attached. Happy to answer any questions on that as well.

And so do have a request here from thank you for for that. First, we go out and see if there's any public comment on this report.

I don't see any public comments, but Annette has her hand raised.

Oh, Annette. Yeah. Go right ahead.

Thank you, supervisors. I just wanted to point out that this letter that is being recommended that we sent to congresswoman Lofprin on the FEMA bill, the reason that well, the the letter that we have in the packet doesn't really outline specifically why Monterey County supports the bill or, like, what the situation is in terms of FEMA reimbursements, but we wanted to get this letter on the agenda so that we could respond to her office quickly. I am working with Kelsey Scanlon to provide, like, a one to two page just briefing for rep Lofgren and actually our other federal members of the delegation to let them know more specifically where the county's reimbursements lie and where we're still running into roadblocks with FEMA.

Thank you.

Shabai, do have any questions on this? No. I I I would go with the recommendation of our staff on the supporting the the FEMA, related bill. But on the FEMA reimbursement, does who was that? Maria?

Yes, sir.

Yeah. We so just over $44,000,000 was approved. Out of how much? How much did we did we the county claimed that we were entitled to reimbursement and so just just to compare out of the the just over 4,000,000, much were we claiming, though, in in reimbursement requests?

Is Kelsey Scanlon on?

Yeah. I don't I don't see Kelsey on. This was part of the what we were asking Kelsey to kind of give us a breakdown. Exactly. We weren't sure those reimbursement dollar amounts, we weren't sure which of the claims they applied to, like, specifically.

Right.

And so we wanted to get a better breakdown on what that is. And she so Kelsey is working on that for us with, with Laura Emmons.

Okay. And and and not only important, I think, for, me and and supervisor Church, but also for the legislative and federal legislative team to be able to know, you know, if before we get a small fraction or whether is this half or is it you know, it it lets us know what what's going on with these reimbursements, at this time under this administration. So so we can get it later. That'd be great.

Yeah. It'd be great to to hear that because I know there's still millions and millions that are being owed, and I'm I think we all have some apprehensions about what percentage we're gonna be getting back. There's all kinds of rumors you hear about of of just how how adequate these reimbursements are gonna be. And we're really really concerned about that, especially as we're heading into another winter season. And our strategic funds are are down a bit, and we don't have a whole lot of pots to draw money on at this point.

But I I will, you know, very much in support of this this letter too here. It would be really great to get some of that some of the information that we're seeking there. So I I think we got support here from the committee to go ahead with that.

Thank you.

Right. With that, we closed the federal report. Move on to the state report and what see, is oh, so Ashley on here. Yes. Ashley and. Okay? We'll turn it over to you.

Thank you. Good afternoon. Many of our legislative offices already announced that it is the last week of session. As you know, Friday will be the final day of the first year of the two year session. There are still hundreds of bills to be taken up on the floor this week.

As you know, also, we've talked about the seventy two hour rule. So all bills have to be imprint seventy two hours before the legislature can take any action. That means that Wednesday morning, we will know, if any additional proposals will be considered by the legislature in the final few days of session. We do know that there are obviously many different outstanding issues that the legislature could decide to take up. We have heard some rumblings of things like proposition four, of course, to still be determined Hearing that maybe even there will be language in print this evening with review being available tomorrow.

We obviously have been working on other issues this year. The greenhouse gas reduction fund cap and trade, of course, as you know, lots of items that could be taken up still in the final week. So it should be an interesting week. We will definitely keep the county informed of any last minute negotiations or discussions that happen within the legislature. Although, we have been out advocating all year for things like proposition four, of course, so nothing really new there.

But as you know, the final and active budget did not include those allocations. When session ends, he the governor has thirty days to take action on bills, so that will give him up until October 12 to take action on any bills that were passed on that final day of session. And the new two year, the second year of the two year legislative cycle starts on January 5. That will be a quick turnaround to get the January budget proposal out by the governor, of course, by January 10. So we'll start off the year really, really quickly.

The state budget, as you know, was already passed. But as I mentioned, there are still some outstanding items that may need to be taken up by the legislature, whether that be in the current legislative year or in a special session that could potentially be called by the governor. Issues that are outstanding that we've been hearing of and discussing in addition to proposition four and cap and trade or things like the Delta Conveyance Project and many others. So, additionally, just the response to the federal government's HR one. So we'll be monitoring how the legislature and governor decide to move forward with that or if they just decide to hold off on some of these items until the next budget year.

We have reported on legislation here. Just wanted to note, and we've sent this information over to the county that we did, of course, pass the appropriations deadline. This chart outlines the positions that we have on pieces of legislation and what the action was in the appropriations committee. So at the time this report was written, this was the status of the bills that we have positions on whether they passed out of appropriations, whether they passed with amendments, or whether they were held, or will be a two year bill. As a reminder, because we're in the first year of the two year session, bills can be held over and be reconsidered next year, and we anticipate a lot of a lot of these bills to to do that.

The only action item we have today in our report is on proposition 50. The action that we are requesting the legislative committee consider would be then moved forward to the full board of supervisors. We would like you to consider taking a position on proposition 50. As you know, proposition 50 is the authorization for the changes to the congressional districts in California, which would allow the voters to vote on such changes in November. And so with that, I would like to hand it to the legislative committee for any debate or discussion or any recommendation that you would like to make.

If you do make a recommendation, it would go to the full board of supervisors for discussion on September 16.

Thank you. Let's see if we have any public comment at this point on items including this item.

No hands raised on sale.

Raised. Bringing back to here. I mean, I'm happy to pass this forward to the board. I put her in a long standing position as I don't don't think bodies should be making recommendations to voters unless they put something direct on the ballot themselves. But so I'm we didn't find it abstain from this,

but I'll be supportive of it going to the full board for discussion. Yeah. I I'm in very strong support of the measure. I I requested our staff to put this on the agenda to weigh in as early as possible as the election is only, you know, a couple months away. There's so much on the line.

I I I agree, though, with the concerns with that. Obviously, the voters in California approved the independent, redistricting commission with the citizen panel. That was followed that's been followed, ever since it was enacted through the ballot process, but the the governor and the legislature are taking to the voters to ask for a temporary change in in what was approved back in 2011 or so I mean, 2021 or so. And and it was contingent on whether Texas would approve their redrawn maps, and that was and those were approved and signed by the governor. So they made those changes in an attempt you know, it was an attempt to, obviously, meddle with the twenty twenty six elections.

But as we saw, legislation had already been passed, whether it's medical, and many other programs, whether it's enforcement enforcement against our immigrant communities, among many other issues. So much is on the line for California and so much on the line for the people of Monterey County and our immigrant neighbors that this is merits the full board of supervisors getting behind it, hopefully, with many other counties and hopefully winning approval of the voters in November. But this position is simply taking a support position leading to go to the voters and the voters to decide this coming November election special election.

You know, I'm personally in in favor of this, but as I say, I would say, my position is is philosophically, how we wanna, you know,

pretend it's forward. We'll go forward with the recommendation by me. I'm saying by you. Yeah. And then and

then decides. The board votes. Did you wanna just do it that way? Yes. I don't think we'll I don't think we'll get a recommendation from the committee given this one, but we do have

a little split. Yeah. So,

that's sort of the position there, and, we, you know, again, we're both fully in support here of the of the going to the full board for discussion.

Okay. Wonderful. We will move this forward to the full board for consideration with no recommendation from the legislative committee meeting, and Nassimon will be present at that board meeting if there are any questions from the supervisors that we can help answer.

Thank you, Ashley.

Sure. Next, I just wanted to report on special election funding and very typical to our state government. Things are moving very fast, and this this whole section is already out of date. But good news is that the Department of Finance on September 5 did request that over 250,000,000 be allocated in this current fiscal year for the purposes of the special election with $3,500,000 going to Monterey County. So the county will be receiving those funds for the special election moving forward.

Finally, I have some governor actions and executive orders as we always report since our last legislative committee meeting. We have our state bill track attached. We do plan on sending an updated chart with all of our positions this coming Saturday, to reflect the actions taken on Friday late into the So please be on the lookout for that this weekend. And I that concludes the state report. I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Yeah. Just a question on the on the special election funding. And, you know, I I see here that if, you know, if the county doesn't spend 3.2, we get to keep the money, which is great. That's kinda shocking in some ways. They're from the state that they let you keep money and spent on something that they're allocating. But if the cost do exceed 3.2, do we have any means to go back and and get reimbursed for that?

Not at this point. And I I will just note, supervisor Church, my report when it was written, we had had thought the county would be receiving around 3,200,000.0. That was just what we had heard. The actual Department of Finance letter allocates the county $3,500,000. I just wanna

be clear.

Sorry. Yeah. You said that I missed that. Sorry.

Yeah. That's okay. It's the report is is written about a week prior to us actually meeting, so sometimes it can be

a little out of date.

Thank you very much. I don't have any other questions to you, Sue? Any

just pausing here. I'll ask for any other public comment on this.

No hands raised. Okay.

Thank you.

Please go ahead. Do you have anything else? That

concludes my state report.

K. Thank you very much.

We'll look at the grant report then and turn it back over to you.

Great. I wanna talk about our grant report, but then I also wanna highlight updates on our grant track as well today. So with the San Lucas drinking water project, we are working with the state water board on the funding and the alternative four, which was the best path forward, and the state water board selection in terms of what project is best for the community of San Lucas. We are additionally evaluating proposition four grant funds since we did receive language within proposition four that would allow projects like San Lucas, not just specific to San Lucas, but projects in similar situations to San Lucas that are disadvantaged communities to be able to access these clean drinking water funds within proposition four. All of proposition four funding for drinking water projects is going to be going through the state water board's intended use plan.

So we have been monitoring the intended use plan drafts. We've been monitoring what the legislature is going to be doing in terms of allocating the first round of the $600,000,000 that's eligible for clean drinking water projects like San Lucas, and we'll be ready to start advocating to be included in the IEP, the intended use plan at the state water board should the legislature actually allocate funds in this first fiscal year. Additionally, on proposition four, we met with members of the senate and the assembly, including speaker Rivas' office and others to advocate that funding is allocated in this first year. We do know that we have lots of potential projects, not only clean drinking water projects, but parks projects, climate change projects that would benefit from these funds. So we have been meeting with those folks and advocating for those dollars to come out.

Additionally, we have been participating in any and all proposition for related grant funding workshops in preparation to receive those funds. That includes the wildfire funding. And there was an all California Natural Resources Agency department meeting as well that we attended to listen and learn about how proposition four funding will roll out so that we are ready to to access those funds. On our grant report, I wanted to just note a couple of changes on the tracking document. We do have an update that the second project, the Palo Colorado Road storm damage repair project that we applied for under the nationally significant federal lands and tribal projects is still pending.

We understand even though we submitted this application quite some time ago, that notifications could be as late as February or March next year given the financial flux that the federal government has been in. So we continue to monitor those funds. Additionally, I wanted to note that the Cal OES FEMA hazard mitigation grant application for the Carmel River Basin that we submitted is still expected to be awarded in 2025. We have been making progress, but it has been slow progress. The amount of funds has been adjusted up to over $27,000,000 now, so that is an update as well.

And finally, on the David on the Davis Road bridge replacement and road widening project, we did submit an application for over $24,000,000 to raise discretionary grant program for a second time in round two. And while we did receive, fairly good feedback, we were not selected for the second round of funding for that project. So that is an update on your grant tracking document. And with that, that concludes my grant report, but I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Any further comment on the grant report? Yes. Please go ahead.

Yeah. Ashley, under prop four, under the flood risk reduction, has there been any discussions or conversations somebody's brought up in regards to shovel ready in order to get funding?

Yeah. That's a good question. So what I've heard in my discussions about proposition four is that if they're allocating funds in the first fiscal year, they are gonna be looking for applications grant applications that are more shovel ready. That's pretty typical with any rollout of grant funds. There's gonna be multiple years of funding available for proposition four. And so they will likely prioritize projects that are more ready to go and shovel ready in the first fiscal year.

Thank you. Any other public comment?

No. No

answer there. Do have any,

comments on this? Yeah. Ashley, just I know we've talked about this extensively over the years on San Lucas, but recently, there were developments with the state water board and supervisor Lopez's office, regarding kind of settling on alternative four, which is, from my understanding, is more of a filtration system instead of the pipeline to centralize water in King City. And then if is that correct?

The the so alternative for supervisor is it is treatment, but it's it's an additional well also.

Yeah. And and will will it address all the water issues? Because previous wells are are experienced in Monterey County. Previous wells with the filtration system or treatment system, you know, dealt with nitrates, but not necessarily all the other water quality issues, the discoloration, the foul smell, the the the not not having clear water was discolored, manganese, and other minerals. Will this treatment be able to address comprehensively all those issues?

That is the goal within the scope of work of the alternative four is to be able to address all water contaminants in the community with this, project.

And if we could just keep an eye on that that aspect because that's what's being promised. I hope that's the case. This was one of those issues that was very frustrating, even upsetting to me because this was one of the egregious examples where after many years of different funding cycles towards helping disadvantaged communities, this was an example where our state agencies, in particular, the state water board, in my opinion, were the barriers because they felt it was too expensive for disadvantaged communities. It was too expensive per household to connect them with the pipeline to King City where they could have clear and clean drinking water that that wouldn't just mess up their appliances or their dishwashers or because of the high levels of minerals that it had in it. So so for me, this was, like, one of those the worst examples of the state promising the human right to water, but yet making excuses that somehow it was too much money to give to this poor disadvantaged community.

So that's why I wanna make sure that the promises that they're making with this alternative to a pipeline that it indeed, addresses all the issues once and for all. I I just wanted to put that on record because that has been our concern from the very beginning. And and if this is being promised, I wanna make sure that that in the end, that is what is being delivered to the residents and businesses of San Lucas.

Yes. I will absolutely monitor the progress of that and and have been. And and, really, our advocacy efforts around proposition four were exactly that. That the state board had identified a responsible party for the nitrate issues, but what about all of the other drinking water contaminants? And so with the language that we had submitted for consideration within proposition four and was finally included, we are able to utilize state funds for above and beyond the responsible parties contribution and requirement and responsibility to the nitrate issue to be able to create a holistic project and receive state funding assistance for the additional drinking water contaminants.

And so, yes, we will be sure that we're monitoring and ensuring that the state is committed to, as they've stated in their scope of works, working with the technical assistance programs Mhmm. That all drinking water contaminants are addressed moving forward with this, alternative.

And last question, Ashley, on this. You know, alternative four, will the San Lucas Water Board continue to be the administrators of that system, or are they looking at other alternatives such as Cal Water, being able to put this within its scope of services in South Monterey County?

I think that is still to be determined.

Okay. Got it.

Alright. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ashley, for the grant report. That, brings us close to our adjournment, but we're not quite there yet. I have a couple announcements I wanna make because today is a rather little sad day in in a way, but we're we're gonna be losing Annette DiAdomo. She's gonna be retiring. Not a not a sad day for well, sort of a bittersweet day, I'm sure. You're looking for your your future and and and, you know, and what's, you know, leaving the the the county family here. But you've done such an amazing job over the years, and I hear that from everybody. You're you're you're knowledgeable. You're committed.

And,

you know, just just a just a real rock. It's not just a plausible legislative committee in the county, government, but for the the people in the county too for all that you've done. And I I like I'll see if supervisor Lehi wants to see a few things. I'm gonna let you say a

few things. I know she's gonna introduce, our the person who will be trying to step into her shoes. But, Annette, I know this is your last, meeting, legislative county legislative meeting. So I know we said our goodbyes at our at our meeting in in August, but I wanted to do it right here in front of this committee where you have worked so hard for us and in front of all the legislative staff that joined us as well just to first of all, thank you for your many years of service. Long before I was on here for you know, I've been here for the last nine years, but and all my seventeen years in elected office, you're among the top people in my list that have been total professionals.

Your job is hard because you have to deal with five supervisors. Five will come with different points of view on many issues, but you've always been able to work with each of them, very respectfully and professionally and respecting their opinions and and, even if they differ. And then you have to deal with, you know, over a dozen different departments and as well and a wide range of issues. But but you work very effectively with our lobbyists in Sacramento, our lobbyists in Washington, and you've made this seem, so smooth and and it's it and so collaborative. And over the last nine years, at least with me, I think we built up, the most robust, legislative program out of our all our surrounding counties.

When you look at Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, there's much to be proud of that we're able to use this committee and your work and our lobbyist to be a voice for over 435,000 residents on so many issues where, otherwise, they wouldn't have as an effective voice on budget items and legislation that directly impacts their lives or our small businesses. So I just wanted to say thank you for that because I know some I've worked with you very closely where sometimes we're under very short timelines, and you would get a letter out and you would send it to us. And it was I had to make no suggestion because it was just perfect. You wrote it exactly the way it should be written, addressing all the issues that really matter to us as a board of supervisors. And, also, we've been staying in tune with CSAC and how Monterey County fits in the picture with other fifth 58 other 57 other counties and working with the staff of of CSEC as well.

So, I think from all of us, you're gonna be missed for sure. And but I just wanted to to just acknowledge the level of professionalism and effectiveness that you have provided to the people of Monterey County in all your years here in Monterey County. So you've left this program in in good hands and ready to pass off to somebody new. And, and I hope that when you when you leave here, that we could continue this good work that you've been doing for us with, our new advocate, coming in, in in your place. So thank you, Annette, for all your many years of great public service for for the county monitor.

Annette, if I can I give you a few minutes or whatever you like to to say? Well,

supervisor, thank you so much. Like, when you did the presentation at the board, I was truly kind of overwhelmed by all the comments that I received, and it has been a joy and a pleasure to do this work for the county and to work for this committee. And I would be totally remiss if I didn't thank Ashley, Kasia, Maria, and Caitlin because it's a team job. I'm I'm not the one to take all the credit. I think I probably disorganize everybody the best.

But, it really has been a pleasure, and you've made it hard to leave, but I'm still going. So thank you. Thank you so much. And I'm sure you'll be, introducing Nicole, and I'm sure she's gonna do a fantastic job. So thank you.

Thank you, Annette. Thank you very much.

Yeah. And, Annette, just before we we introduce Nicole, Annette, one last thing I forgot to mention, for everybody here on the Zoom and in the room, also, many with your leadership and with the whole team and the board of super, we we made a lot of requests that were the first of its kind, over the last especially over the last five years. You know? There was a lot of issues that came up, and some of that had to deal with the most vulnerable residents, our workers, farm workers, immigrants. You're always very compassionate and always concerned about them too.

So just from a personal level, I was I always appreciated how you also, shared in that concern and compassion for our residents that were really struggling and putting themselves on the line during the pandemic and during other many other emergencies, potter roll, fires as well. And then some of those ideas actually changed state law. So I wanted to also just acknowledge that the aspect of the work that we're able to use some of the examples that our county to actually make a difference throughout the state of California.

So, Nick, Annette, you leave with big shoes, giant shoes to fill, but we are real fortunate in that. I think we have somebody who can fill those shoes and do an extraordinary job on that, and and that is, gonna be Nicole Hollinsworth. I I know Nicole a little bit, but the best the best recommendation I would have for the for Nicole would come from her work that she had with senator Bill Monning for many years. I've known Bill for about forty years. I don't know anybody in politics with a higher ethical standards than Bill who is more dedicated, who is more committed to doing the right thing.

And I think, Nicole, you you worked with him for about ten years or so, something along that line. And you you come from well, I don't know how you can be be trained, let's just say, in in politics better than to to spend that kind of time with Bill. And I know you're gonna, you know it's just I know you're gonna do a great job. I know you're you have the the background in it to do the right things, and, we're really looking forward to seeing you come in here. And, I'll, you know, give, supervisor Lego a chance to say a few words and and let you let you speak, Nicole.

Well, welcome, Nicole. We look forward I think supervisor Church and I look forward to working very closely with you as well as we did with with Annette. And I'm our our legislative advocates in Sacramento, Washington as well. As as supervisor Church said, I've met I also met you through my days, working with Bill Mine. He was one of my, seatmates on the assembly floor.

Actually, my first seatmate on the assembly floor when I first came in in twenty ten, twenty eleven. And I I could say honestly say that ever ever since our my me and my team, not just me, but, obviously, you had to work with other staff. We always felt that you were always also very professional and worked very well and collaborative with our offices. So that reputation, proceeds today. And, and so I just wanted to say thank you for willing to step up.

There was, other good competition, so this this, you, earning this position really speaks for itself. So I wanna welcome you, and I just wanna encourage, hopefully, to, join in that vision that that Annette D'Adamo had to have the best legislative office for a county on the Central Coast, I think, as as she was able to deliver. And, hopefully, you will, continue that. If not, take it, you went to a higher place if that's possible. So with that, thank you, mister Jack. Alright. Nicole?

Well, thank you. Thank you so much for the opportunity to to be part of the county family. I'm so excited. Yes. I I I will just note for folks on this call who don't know me. I know a lot of people because I was Bill Monning's right hand person for ten years. We're still pretty close. And then, also, I was the re most recently director of governmental and external relations for Cal State Monterey Bay. So I'm also hoping to to help leverage some of my already existing relationships in the community with this with the county. And I know Annette leaves very big shoes to fill, but she's been helping me along the way.

And luckily, we have some crossover, so I think it's gonna help us make sure that we could just keep going and go into a busy planning fall and just pick up where we left. Just I'm just gonna pick up the football and keep running, Annette. But thank you very much. Looking forward to seeing I'm sorry I'm not there in person. I actually have COVID today, but what a great first day. Right? But I hope to see you in person soon.

Get better too.

Thank you. It's going around.

Yeah. It is. For sure.

Yeah. I understand. I had it a couple months ago and still kinda have a couple things lingering onto it. So it's just kind of a it's it's a it's a nasty little strain. That's for sure. Anyway, thank you, Nicole. With that, we're good except for the German. And, thank you for everything on that. Good luck and enjoy the days ahead. And, Nicole, looking forward to working with you on the years ahead. Yeah. And I think for many people, today was their announcement because they hadn't heard the news yet. Yeah. Yes.

There it is. It's official. Nicole Hollywood steps in soon. And and, Annette, when is your last day at the county?

My last day is Friday.

Oh, wow.

Wow.

Five more days.

Oh, alright. Okay. Well, very good. And we'll, when are we meeting again? We'll be meeting again October 13. So, we'll adjourn until then. Thank you, everybody.

Thank you. Bye. Thank you.

Bye, Christina. Bye.