1 00:00:03,110 --> 00:00:29,850 Good morning and welcome to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors meeting for Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024. Madam Clerk, I'd like to call this meeting to order. Let's do our roll call. Good morning, District 1. Is this a lot of those go back? Good morning. District 2, Chairman Luis Anthony Blancate. Good morning. District 3, Michael Kelly. Yes. District 4, Ryan Elliott Kelly. Here. 2 00:00:29,850 --> 00:00:30,270 Thank you, Madam Clerk. 3 00:00:30,270 --> 00:00:31,750 The district five, John Hock. 4 00:00:32,090 --> 00:00:32,230 Here. 5 00:00:33,030 --> 00:00:34,050 Thank you, Madam Clerk. 6 00:00:35,090 --> 00:00:38,910 Do we have any urgency items to be added to today's agenda? 7 00:00:41,290 --> 00:00:41,490 None. 8 00:00:41,850 --> 00:00:42,090 None. 9 00:00:42,350 --> 00:00:42,670 Thank you. 10 00:00:44,430 --> 00:00:48,230 We will then move on to item three, closed session public comment. 11 00:00:48,750 --> 00:00:56,030 This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the board on any subject matter within the closed session calendar. 12 00:00:56,550 --> 00:01:00,470 Is there anybody here present that wants to speak on closed session? 13 00:01:01,450 --> 00:01:03,390 Non-Madam Clerk, do we have anyone online? 14 00:01:03,570 --> 00:01:04,090 No, we don't. 15 00:01:04,190 --> 00:01:04,710 We do not. 16 00:01:05,050 --> 00:01:05,150 Okay. 17 00:01:05,870 --> 00:01:11,610 Then we will go ahead and close the public comment session and 18 00:01:11,610 --> 00:01:13,810 entertain motions to go into close. 19 00:01:14,690 --> 00:01:19,290 We have a motion by supervisor Eskovar, second by supervisor Kelly. 20 00:01:19,970 --> 00:01:20,330 Please vote. 21 00:01:22,250 --> 00:01:22,770 You 22 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:27,240 have to identify which Kelly. 23 00:01:27,780 --> 00:01:28,740 That was Ryan Kelly. 24 00:01:28,820 --> 00:01:29,280 There you go. 25 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:31,140 For the record. 26 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:33,420 It's the Kelly on my right, 27 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:42,100 item passes, 5-0, we'll be back at 10 am. 28 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:43,280 Thank you. 29 00:02:00,170 --> 00:02:05,200 Good morning and welcome to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors meeting for Tuesday, 30 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:07,560 Stay January 23rd. 31 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,760 Madam Clerk, let's go ahead and reestablish a quorum. 32 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:12,180 This is to a roll call book. 33 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:14,340 Yes, good morning. 34 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,080 Supervisor District 1, Hizu Sala-Aluzkova. 35 00:02:17,580 --> 00:02:17,900 Morning. 36 00:02:18,300 --> 00:02:20,740 District 2, Chairman Luis Antonio Flancarte. 37 00:02:21,140 --> 00:02:22,280 Good morning, everybody, here. 38 00:02:22,620 --> 00:02:24,020 District 3, Michael Kelly. 39 00:02:24,380 --> 00:02:24,540 Here. 40 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:26,980 District 4, Ryan Elliott Kelly. 41 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:27,560 Here. 42 00:02:27,900 --> 00:02:29,360 And District 5, John Hock. 43 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:31,440 Should we make it this way in shortly? 44 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:41,440 at this time, I like to ask you to stand and join me along with Pastor Joey Mora for 45 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:48,460 Valley Victory Outreach in an invocation. Supervisor Ryan Kelly, I like to ask that after 46 00:02:48,460 --> 00:02:49,620 that you meet us in a pledge. 47 00:02:55,110 --> 00:02:57,010 Make sure you push the red button at the 48 00:02:57,010 --> 00:03:03,230 base. Perfect. Thank you. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we just come before you hear this 49 00:03:03,230 --> 00:03:08,210 morning, God, we thank you for your presence. We pray that you bless this meeting. God, I pray for 50 00:03:08,210 --> 00:03:12,930 our Board of Supervisors continue to be with them and bless them and unify them. Lord, God, 51 00:03:13,050 --> 00:03:18,270 are all of our Imperial County employees, God, our law enforcement, Lord, and everything that has 52 00:03:18,270 --> 00:03:23,890 to do with this meeting. Everybody in attendance, Lord, may we may we come unified to continue, God, 53 00:03:23,970 --> 00:03:29,350 to prosper our County. And we just give you all the honor and we give you all the glory. In Jesus' name, 54 00:03:29,350 --> 00:03:30,890 Can we pray? A men. 55 00:03:31,030 --> 00:03:31,330 A men. 56 00:03:31,390 --> 00:03:32,090 God bless you all. 57 00:03:38,380 --> 00:03:38,580 Ready? 58 00:03:40,510 --> 00:03:46,010 What's your allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic 59 00:03:46,010 --> 00:03:52,770 for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all? 60 00:03:57,780 --> 00:03:58,560 Thank you, Pastor. 61 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:00,740 Thank you, Supervisor Brian Kelly. 62 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:18,700 We will now go on to the public comment portion of today's meeting. 63 00:04:18,700 --> 00:04:28,240 This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the board on any subject matter within the board's jurisdiction, but not on today's agenda. 64 00:04:28,860 --> 00:04:35,260 Any action taken, as a result of public comments, she'll be limited to direction to staff. 65 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:40,660 When addressing the board, state your name for the record prior to providing your comments, 66 00:04:40,660 --> 00:04:44,940 police address the board as a whole through the chairman. 67 00:04:45,340 --> 00:04:48,060 Individuals will be given three minutes to address the board. 68 00:04:48,620 --> 00:04:52,540 Groups or specific topics will be given a maximum of 15 minutes. 69 00:04:53,180 --> 00:04:56,180 Public comment will be limited to 30 minutes maximum. 70 00:04:56,820 --> 00:05:02,580 If additional time is required, for public comment, this will be heard at the end of the meeting. 71 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,800 Please remember to follow the public comment code of conduct. 72 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:17,660 no profanity or obscenity, yelling or screaming, no slander or deflamatory statements, no personal threats or attacks, no hateful or 73 00:05:17,660 --> 00:05:25,440 demeaning language based on hate of a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or disability. 74 00:05:26,180 --> 00:05:34,500 Respect all people that are present and are watching online, obey the directions of the clerk of the board and the chair of the board. 75 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:41,920 Please remember that if you do start to get out of line, I will ask the clerk to turn off the microphone. 76 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:43,120 Thank you. 77 00:05:43,620 --> 00:05:49,660 So with that, I'd like to turn it over to Madam Clerk, since you have a list of those who have requested to speak. 78 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:51,900 We'll start with those in chambers. 79 00:05:53,020 --> 00:05:56,180 Yes, Mr. Speaker, is he su Solano? 80 00:06:13,860 --> 00:06:17,940 Mr. Solano makes, there you go, perfect, thank you. 81 00:06:17,940 --> 00:06:18,940 Good 82 00:06:21,530 --> 00:06:21,990 morning, Paul. 83 00:06:22,590 --> 00:06:27,050 Good morning, Mr. Chair, Board of Supervisors, Director, and staff. 84 00:06:32,740 --> 00:06:39,200 My subject matter is not on the agenda, but I did notice that on item 23, Comitacevico 85 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:45,180 del Valle, a broadly non-profit, is appealing to the Planet Department Association on a Lithium 86 00:06:45,180 --> 00:06:45,580 Project. 87 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:51,020 Sir, if this is not sir, if this is on that item, you have to wait till that item comes up 88 00:06:51,020 --> 00:06:51,600 on the agenda. 89 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:54,320 That was just a comment, that was just a comment. 90 00:06:55,320 --> 00:07:05,500 My status is still the county of imperial decision to award and approve over $720,000 of public 91 00:07:05,500 --> 00:07:10,680 funding to non-profit, mostly controlled by Luis Olmedo, director of commitesidico. 92 00:07:11,300 --> 00:07:17,220 As part of the minutes I have submitted a one page overview which has several red tags 93 00:07:17,220 --> 00:07:20,280 of which your locations to public funding. 94 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:27,300 In my opinion, in many other parties, this whole proposal process does not pass the 95 00:07:27,300 --> 00:07:27,820 smell test. 96 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:35,100 Since the last meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, I stood in front of you, your board 97 00:07:35,100 --> 00:07:36,440 and requested an audit. 98 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:44,700 As I stated before, you are funding nonprofits that do not engage in community and projects. 99 00:07:44,700 --> 00:07:57,520 They violate zoning safe regulations, environment regulations, and they made a back door room deal on a piece of city real estate without any public notice. 100 00:07:57,940 --> 00:08:02,260 This was a gift the public funds to benefit certain individuals. 101 00:08:03,890 --> 00:08:08,840 And a nonprofit organization that does not engage in community on projects. 102 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:16,140 I call Comitell Olmedón, Urenya, Monsonales, and Imperial Valley Equity in Justice, Non-Profits, 103 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:23,100 Totally Hipprockets, Wake Up Board of Supervisors, they failed, you won't, but we in 104 00:08:23,100 --> 00:08:30,900 Calexico know how they operate, and the question here, we believe that it's a state and the board 105 00:08:30,900 --> 00:08:37,880 of responsibility to monitor these situations, okay, because they're circumventing and abusing 106 00:08:37,880 --> 00:09:02,420 the system of the tax exempt, they are not registered as a 501C4, okay, where it's permitted to a certain point where they can get involved, as long it's not their main priority, okay, they are registered as a 501C3 where it's prohibited to pass out propaganda and get involved in politics, thank you. 107 00:09:02,420 --> 00:09:03,400 Next 108 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:11,640 speaker is Ms. Maritzo Ortado. 109 00:09:30,350 --> 00:09:30,790 Good morning. 110 00:09:31,450 --> 00:09:36,590 My name is Maritzo Ortado, and I am the team leader for the recall in 111 00:09:36,590 --> 00:09:42,630 Calexico, California, where we are recalling former mayor Raul Lureña and 112 00:09:42,630 --> 00:09:44,670 Councilman Huberta Mantanades. 113 00:09:45,410 --> 00:09:50,070 I also share the same feelings with Mr. Solano, who is one of our best volunteers in this recall. 114 00:09:50,530 --> 00:09:55,170 We have been very concerned about many issues in Calexico and has to do with IV equity and 115 00:09:55,170 --> 00:09:59,970 justice, participation in a lot of what we have been needing and moving forward in the 116 00:09:59,970 --> 00:10:06,930 City of Calexico. Besides this body here being concerned with regard to the $170,000 given 117 00:10:06,930 --> 00:10:15,710 to IV equity for so-called social justice or equity outreach, they actually are continuously 118 00:10:15,710 --> 00:10:21,310 in Calexico just this past weekend. Continuing the activity, we saw them only steps away from 119 00:10:21,310 --> 00:10:23,230 the international border on first trade. 120 00:10:23,870 --> 00:10:27,530 So in Collexico we're still concerned with this group but also I wanted to remind you that 121 00:10:27,530 --> 00:10:34,430 this same group penetrated and assisted our council and probably was planned all along 122 00:10:34,430 --> 00:10:36,450 to move around a lot of our ARPA funds. 123 00:10:36,850 --> 00:10:38,630 So we're very concerned about our ARPA funds. 124 00:10:38,670 --> 00:10:43,930 We have station number two in Collexico has yet to be reopened with the respect that our 125 00:10:43,930 --> 00:10:44,910 firemen require. 126 00:10:44,910 --> 00:10:52,170 So the fact that IV equity and justice, and as you know, Alexis Castro, who's now sitting 127 00:10:52,170 --> 00:10:56,650 at the legislature, had a lot of involvement in the background as far as how our monies 128 00:10:56,650 --> 00:10:57,550 was going to be spent. 129 00:10:57,990 --> 00:11:03,150 So we are very concerned about IV equity and justice, those that are revolving around what 130 00:11:03,150 --> 00:11:08,490 their activities are, the fact that they do not ask permission or that we have lost control 131 00:11:08,490 --> 00:11:11,890 about their activities, their protesting primarily. 132 00:11:11,890 --> 00:11:17,870 And what's very concerning, I think, and why Mr. Solano and I come here to the county to let you know what we're experiencing in 133 00:11:17,870 --> 00:11:21,570 Collexico is because Collexico feels that we're being terrorized by this group. 134 00:11:22,230 --> 00:11:29,590 And honestly, we don't feel that any other group or any other campaign, I would say, should be supporting this group. 135 00:11:29,730 --> 00:11:34,330 This group is young, they say they're progressives, but they're actually extremists. 136 00:11:34,830 --> 00:11:35,810 And they're radicals. 137 00:11:35,990 --> 00:11:38,750 And that is exactly what we have been experiencing in Collexico. 138 00:11:38,750 --> 00:11:42,330 and why we're fighting back and why this recall is so successful. 139 00:11:43,010 --> 00:11:47,270 This recall has nothing to do with personal choices. Please understand that. 140 00:11:47,630 --> 00:11:51,730 We don't appreciate when individuals indicate that this recall has a lot to do with his personal choices. 141 00:11:51,730 --> 00:11:54,490 It does not. It has to do with what this county, 142 00:11:54,670 --> 00:11:58,270 these supervisors and this community should be very concerned about, 143 00:11:58,770 --> 00:12:04,710 is radicals on the loose in your community that are actually making changes 144 00:12:04,710 --> 00:12:07,310 because they have power in leadership. 145 00:12:07,930 --> 00:12:13,090 And that power in leadership will be removed on April 16th, 2024. 146 00:12:13,390 --> 00:12:18,170 When thank the Lord, we were able to organize sufficiently against this threat 147 00:12:18,590 --> 00:12:20,370 to our quiet community. 148 00:12:20,950 --> 00:12:23,890 The community of Kilexico, nor the County of Imperial Require, 149 00:12:24,550 --> 00:12:27,150 more than to just get organized to fight this off. 150 00:12:27,510 --> 00:12:30,070 It will make a huge difference for you and your children. 151 00:12:30,070 --> 00:12:36,810 If we eliminate this dangerous element from our community, Ivy Equity and Justice, Raul Udenya and Manzanaris, got to go. 152 00:12:42,070 --> 00:12:43,890 Next speaker, Ms. April Ochoa. 153 00:12:55,260 --> 00:12:59,960 Good morning. I am here on behalf of the night in Chamber of Commerce. 154 00:13:00,900 --> 00:13:06,600 I think everyone received a paper that I brought for you guys to kind of give you an idea why we are here. 155 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:13,740 The Imperial County gave us a grant for $50,000 and the township is grateful for that. 156 00:13:13,940 --> 00:13:17,060 That was for the flood that we had back in September 1st. 157 00:13:17,060 --> 00:13:21,840 The problem with that is that there was an income bracket and that cost a lot of friction within the community. 158 00:13:22,100 --> 00:13:23,920 We are only 452 people. 159 00:13:24,860 --> 00:13:34,460 Over 80 families were affected and for there to be a bracket, that's kind of injustice wide. 160 00:13:34,460 --> 00:13:38,540 because there's people that don't qualify because they go over $100. 161 00:13:39,180 --> 00:13:40,360 It seems a bit unfair. 162 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:44,860 And so we're here today asking that the income bracket be removed. 163 00:13:45,620 --> 00:13:51,800 $50,000 is not really anything when you make that division over these people, 164 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:53,900 all these affected people. 165 00:13:54,620 --> 00:13:58,720 And we are asking as well for additional funding. 166 00:13:59,060 --> 00:14:02,200 I understand that you guys gave us $50,000 through this ARPA grant, 167 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:07,400 And then there's all these things that consist of that, but it is not enough. 168 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,220 We've been neglected, we don't have a city council, we don't have a mayor. 169 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:14,720 You guys are our support, so we're asking for your help. 170 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:20,020 There's people that lost their homes, that have been in their houses for 60 years. 171 00:14:20,460 --> 00:14:24,460 And they're having a live with other family members because they no longer have a home. 172 00:14:25,660 --> 00:14:31,920 If you've been to Nyland, if you see those images that I gave you, I am very sure that 173 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:37,060 if you lived out there, you'd be very unhappy to see how those homes were damaged, how 174 00:14:37,060 --> 00:14:41,640 people lost their cars, how people lost minor things as they're washing and drying, they 175 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:42,940 can't afford it. 176 00:14:44,980 --> 00:14:49,700 There's 15 people here from Nyland that was able to come in groups for transportation because 177 00:14:49,700 --> 00:14:52,800 Because we only have one bus that goes out there two times a day. 178 00:14:53,260 --> 00:14:55,000 That's not even enough transit for them. 179 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:59,040 You know, it's a 50 minute drive from here to there. 180 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:29,640 There's no transportation. There's no help. We are neglected. N Island, you ask people what they think about N Island, and it's always a negative remark. If we are not here asking for help, then no one's going to do it. Oh, question. Yes, sir. You concern is the limitation on income. It's kept at 50,000. That's one concern. Yes. Okay. And at 50,000 or more, you're not eligible. 181 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:30,960 vote to receive the assistance? 182 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:35,840 No, there's an income bracket of based on household. 183 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,240 If there's one to people, it's a specific amount. 184 00:15:38,420 --> 00:15:40,220 If there's three to four, there's a specific amount. 185 00:15:41,020 --> 00:15:44,240 A lot of people don't qualify some due, because obviously 186 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:46,280 we're kind of the lowest income in Imperial County. 187 00:15:47,020 --> 00:15:50,180 But these people that go over $100 don't qualify. 188 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:52,220 And it turns out they're the ones that 189 00:15:52,220 --> 00:15:53,880 had the highest damages in their homes. 190 00:15:55,100 --> 00:15:58,240 And so this flood affected everyone. 191 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:14,540 So that's based on the source of funding, which is the federal government considering the source that was used for this matter, if I may, Chairman. 192 00:16:15,540 --> 00:16:27,120 Ms. April, do know that your concern was brought to my attention, and we are looking internally as to how that can be addressed for the betterment of the community and the items you raised. 193 00:16:28,940 --> 00:16:33,180 My other concern is that $50,000 is still not enough. 194 00:16:33,660 --> 00:16:36,140 I know that the county is not responsible for this. 195 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:41,360 We feel that the IID is responsible and I will be there this afternoon to raise my issues 196 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:42,500 and concerns with them. 197 00:16:43,580 --> 00:16:46,940 But you are our council, you are our mayors. 198 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:50,880 Every other town in this community, their council and mayors fight for them. 199 00:16:51,380 --> 00:16:52,320 Who do we go to? 200 00:16:52,780 --> 00:16:55,060 Ryan Kelly is our supporter and I know he's trying. 201 00:16:55,060 --> 00:17:00,740 but it's one. There's six people here to make a vote on that. We have to 202 00:17:00,740 --> 00:17:06,480 convince you guys are a city council, you guys are a mayor. Who do we go to? Who 203 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:12,060 fights for us? So we need that. We need those additional funds because even then 204 00:17:12,060 --> 00:17:16,700 if you divide those funds, I give you a list. I did a math and that's just 55 205 00:17:16,700 --> 00:17:20,700 people. It took me one week. I had people helping me getting signatures. That's 206 00:17:20,700 --> 00:17:26,200 $1 million, $28,560 damages, and that's only 55 people. 207 00:17:26,340 --> 00:17:27,940 I'm still going to keep collecting signatures. 208 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:33,900 Every claim that the people filed with the IIV was denied. 209 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:36,440 That is unfair. 210 00:17:37,860 --> 00:17:40,340 We don't have the money to hire an attorney. 211 00:17:40,860 --> 00:17:46,320 Can the city council hear the four help us with money to hire an attorney? 212 00:17:46,940 --> 00:17:48,680 Because somebody has to be held responsible. 213 00:17:48,680 --> 00:18:03,300 So, I, we've been sending out letters for help, literally we're crying for help, please help us, please give us additional funds if we can't do it through ARPA, look into your other programs. 214 00:18:04,940 --> 00:18:08,400 Please. Now, my second concern. 215 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:11,480 And Mr. Choi, you should wrap it up for the way beyond your time. 216 00:18:11,500 --> 00:18:19,660 Okay, I apologize for that, and thank you. Public works, I know they've been out there trying to help us, but there's still a lot of silt being removed from homes. 217 00:18:19,660 --> 00:18:24,880 There's piles of dirt outside people's homes. We're not wanting it to be, you know, 218 00:18:25,620 --> 00:18:31,460 What's I can't say the word level? No, we want it removed because you've got to remember the water was up to here 219 00:18:32,180 --> 00:18:35,900 All that sewer all that feces when everywhere 220 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:42,800 We don't want it spread. We want it removed the trees. I mean, there's so many damages out there 221 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:45,740 Public works is still not done 222 00:18:45,740 --> 00:18:51,520 The potholes, the lids for the sewer, they're missing, you don't see that here in 223 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:55,180 Los Angeles, you don't see that in the city imperial, you don't see it, like as 224 00:18:55,180 --> 00:19:00,700 they're bigger communities, there's more fight for them, some here fighting for my 225 00:19:00,700 --> 00:19:03,640 township. Thank you Mr. Chau. Okay. Thank you. 226 00:19:03,900 --> 00:19:04,760 I care to comment. 227 00:19:10,820 --> 00:19:16,220 Mr. Esmerlake, it's okay with Supervisor Kelly if Mr. Chau could 228 00:19:16,220 --> 00:19:21,160 meet with our CEO, voice for concerns with detail, and see what we can do about it. 229 00:19:21,300 --> 00:19:21,660 That'd be great. 230 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:22,420 Excellent. 231 00:19:23,260 --> 00:19:29,980 No, the other question is that this information we have, the amount of loss sustained by each 232 00:19:29,980 --> 00:19:33,240 individual, but there's no description of what that loss really is. 233 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:36,420 Mr. Chair. 234 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:44,420 So I was able, and I know we can't take any action today, but I was able to talk with the CEO 235 00:19:44,420 --> 00:19:50,640 last week in regards to the requests that there is a pathway to be able to remove the income 236 00:19:51,700 --> 00:19:59,320 barrier or the requirements and the requests for the additional funding can be considered at our 237 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:09,060 next meeting. So I understand Mr. Cho and I certainly have heard the concerns in Nylon and we 238 00:20:09,060 --> 00:20:17,420 We will continue to advocate to make sure that your concerns are heard, and I wish you success at your next meeting at IED. 239 00:20:19,690 --> 00:20:21,350 Thank you for having this question. 240 00:20:22,010 --> 00:20:25,930 That will be the last, if you come up to the microphone, so those on-line can hear. 241 00:20:26,650 --> 00:20:27,890 And please keep it brief. 242 00:20:28,190 --> 00:20:28,550 Yes, sir. 243 00:20:29,930 --> 00:20:37,910 Regarding the question of the losses and damages, we do have an application, and every person that applies for this funding has to show proof. 244 00:20:38,690 --> 00:20:40,530 So we are going to make sure that the 245 00:20:40,530 --> 00:20:42,450 prepper trail is that to support that. 246 00:20:43,150 --> 00:20:43,670 Thank you. 247 00:20:44,210 --> 00:20:44,490 Thank you. 248 00:20:44,510 --> 00:20:45,550 Thank you. 249 00:20:45,590 --> 00:20:45,990 Okay. 250 00:20:46,910 --> 00:20:50,750 CEO's office has direction going on to our next speaker. 251 00:20:51,090 --> 00:20:54,450 Or do they know the direction where they can be available for that discussion? 252 00:20:54,970 --> 00:20:59,110 Yes, it was made verbally on the microphone for over to work for their studio. 253 00:20:59,870 --> 00:21:03,750 Supervisor Kayle, I'll make sure that staff right now works with me so true as we can have 254 00:21:03,750 --> 00:21:04,050 that dial. 255 00:21:04,330 --> 00:21:04,610 Okay. 256 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:08,940 Next speaker is Mr. Jacob Rodriguez. 257 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:19,800 All righty. 258 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:20,840 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 259 00:21:21,740 --> 00:21:25,760 And today I want to talk about something that's not on the agenda, but was previously reported 260 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:28,580 in Navi Press, and this is what it relates to. 261 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:33,640 Yesterday, the Attorney General of California visited the Imperial Valley, and I got the chance 262 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:35,060 to meet him at the El Centro Public Library. 263 00:21:35,820 --> 00:21:40,700 And I handed him a letter involving our county and its states, and I'll read it verbatim. 264 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:46,900 Dear Mr. Newman, senior assistant attorney general of the California Department of Justice Civil Rights Enforcement Division. 265 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:53,940 Last month, your section successfully obtained a stipulated judgment which the trial court entered and approved against Kern County regarding 266 00:21:53,940 --> 00:22:00,620 their policies and practices related to free speech rights guaranteed under the California and the First Amendment to the US Constitution. 267 00:22:01,120 --> 00:22:06,980 In that case, Kern County particularly some members of board supervisors were found by the DOJ investigation 268 00:22:06,980 --> 00:22:11,860 to have violated the free speech rights of a coalition of community organizations and a small business 269 00:22:11,860 --> 00:22:17,620 by refusing to enter into contracts with them because they had engaged in constitutionally protected free speech activities. 270 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:23,720 Specifically, participating in a public debate about defunding the police and expressing their support for that. 271 00:22:24,340 --> 00:22:27,340 In Imperial County, we are currently experiencing something uncannily similar. 272 00:22:27,780 --> 00:22:33,380 However, instead of police funding being the current topic of immense public debate, it is now the Israel-Palestine Conflict. 273 00:22:33,380 --> 00:22:51,500 On December 26, 2023, it was reported that the Imperial County then chairman Ryan Kelly directed staff to review grants for Lithium Valley outreach, and he requested that staff reform a review into a certain specific nonprofit, which was previously mentioned in the public comments. 274 00:22:52,860 --> 00:23:02,740 However, this allegation is based upon an employee of the nonprofit participating in a protest on their personal time, which the organization was quick to verify or to confirm. 275 00:23:02,740 --> 00:23:07,940 In a phone interview, then Board Chair Ryan Kelly provided the press with several ostensibly 276 00:23:07,940 --> 00:23:12,540 viewpoint neutral reasons for potentially clawing back phones and performing the review in the 277 00:23:12,540 --> 00:23:16,840 first place. However, there's evidence to suggest that those reasons for pursuing these adverse 278 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:23,360 actions against the nonprofit are merely pretextual in nature and that the Imperial County's selectively 279 00:23:23,360 --> 00:23:29,880 targeted the nonprofit over their protective speech and already quote Imperial County administration 280 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:34,920 and legal counsel are currently engaged in a detailed review of the request to ensure compliance with the policies. 281 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:40,420 And it should be interesting to note that no other nonprofits were subjected to such review. 282 00:23:41,220 --> 00:23:45,860 And I press the attorney general on his commitment to, because shortly after the current county, he said, 283 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:50,420 and he was quoted on the press release, he's committed to ensuring free speech through California and 284 00:23:50,420 --> 00:23:51,000 in current county. 285 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:54,960 And I asked him, will he committed to extending that same level enforcement to Imperial County? 286 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:59,320 And he did, and I forwarded to one of his assistants who will send it to the proper 287 00:23:59,320 --> 00:23:59,720 section. 288 00:24:00,420 --> 00:24:04,100 And I would just ask that the, I think the only appropriate remedy in this case is 289 00:24:04,100 --> 00:24:08,380 to conduct, or to terminate that review, because honestly the investigation was 290 00:24:08,380 --> 00:24:12,420 tainted from the beginning with an unconstitutional, there's a term to describe this in law, 291 00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:13,940 and it's called viewpoint discrimination. 292 00:24:14,300 --> 00:24:16,960 When you're a government agency, you just can't do that type of action. 293 00:24:17,220 --> 00:24:19,280 And I ask the board to strongly terminate it. 294 00:24:19,580 --> 00:24:20,100 Thank you. 295 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:37,560 Mr. Rodriguez, in your comment, I ask for a review and my fiduciary responsibility 296 00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:42,180 for the county of Imperials to make sure that the money that is allocated is being used 297 00:24:42,180 --> 00:24:44,180 in the endeavor that it was agreed upon. 298 00:24:44,180 --> 00:24:50,500 The review is ongoing and noticed to all agencies that were awarded, has been sent. 299 00:24:51,140 --> 00:24:55,260 But it was found that three agencies had not been submitting invoices, 300 00:24:55,640 --> 00:25:02,660 which was required under agreement monthly, and also quarterly reports, which had not been submitted. 301 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:10,400 So there is cause to re-review, you sign an agreement and you're to be held to it. 302 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:21,400 I am not challenging anyone's free speech, but if public funds are being used in an inappropriate manner, I wanted to have that review. 303 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:28,900 Thank you, I appreciate I know more of that, but I still believe that's a pretext, and I look forward to the Attorney General's office seen through that. 304 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:29,480 Thank you. 305 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:35,280 Thank you, Madam Clerk. 306 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:36,860 No more speakers. 307 00:25:37,660 --> 00:25:38,280 Thank you. 308 00:25:39,380 --> 00:25:43,180 Okay, we go on to Board Member Reports and announcements. 309 00:25:43,180 --> 00:25:45,280 We'll start with Supervisor Ryan Kelly. 310 00:25:48,980 --> 00:25:50,040 I have nothing to say. 311 00:25:51,940 --> 00:25:54,720 Thank you, Supervisor Kelly, Supervisor Michael Kelly. 312 00:25:55,460 --> 00:25:56,020 Good morning. 313 00:25:56,200 --> 00:25:57,720 Last week I was in Sacramento, 314 00:25:58,380 --> 00:26:01,280 attending the Royal County Representation of California's 315 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:02,740 installation of new officers, 316 00:26:03,180 --> 00:26:05,700 and also ongoing Board of Directors meeting. 317 00:26:05,700 --> 00:26:15,080 We did get input from Secretary of National Resources, Secretary Covefoot, and he actually 318 00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:20,160 highlighted in Pro County as a model county and I have to go forward in dealing with issues 319 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:25,540 such as the lithium, the tax base for the lithium, and worse going, so we did get a pad 320 00:26:25,540 --> 00:26:26,320 on the back on that. 321 00:26:26,620 --> 00:26:28,720 So, it was a good productive meeting. 322 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:39,720 13th, Thursday evening, I attended the IVEEDC annual dinner and banquet and report, and that's about all I have. 323 00:26:39,900 --> 00:26:40,140 Thank you. 324 00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:44,080 Thank you, Supervisor Kelly, Supervisor Escobar. 325 00:26:44,660 --> 00:26:45,100 Thank you, Chair. 326 00:26:45,540 --> 00:26:55,240 I enjoy the rain and I did see a couple of half-fire fighters are chief and our previous team member here for the county and 327 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:57,960 now, unfortunately, left with the city of Brawley. 328 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,480 But obviously, the rain kind of plays havoc on our streets 329 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:06,040 and on our driving patterns because we never drive 330 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:06,620 in the rain. 331 00:27:06,900 --> 00:27:08,820 So just be careful out there. 332 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:10,560 It's still somewhat slick. 333 00:27:11,820 --> 00:27:15,540 And the rain really drove me into thinking of an issue 334 00:27:15,540 --> 00:27:17,540 that is very near and dear to my heart. 335 00:27:17,540 --> 00:27:18,640 And it is not getting better. 336 00:27:18,700 --> 00:27:19,180 It's getting worse. 337 00:27:19,980 --> 00:27:21,740 And that is traffic congestion. 338 00:27:23,420 --> 00:27:29,460 We have individuals crossing the border on a daily basis and they take one or two hours 339 00:27:29,460 --> 00:27:32,280 to get through to their jobs in Imperial County. 340 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:39,320 And then they have to have a one or two hour border wait to cross the border in Calexico. 341 00:27:40,220 --> 00:27:45,900 So I with assistance of my fellow supervisors established a southern border committee a few 342 00:27:45,900 --> 00:27:46,460 years back. 343 00:27:47,160 --> 00:27:51,600 And I want to re-emphasize the importance of getting back together and working with not 344 00:27:51,600 --> 00:28:01,480 not just local entities, such as our counties, such as cities, such as ICTC, but state agencies as well, 345 00:28:01,700 --> 00:28:08,420 name it highway patrol, name it CalTrans, or federal agencies, might be GSA or CBP, 346 00:28:08,780 --> 00:28:14,700 or international agencies, such as Sedena, SOT, as well as state and local government. 347 00:28:15,140 --> 00:28:17,020 This is not a colexical problem. 348 00:28:17,020 --> 00:28:22,480 This is not a Michik Ali problem. This is a problem that everybody everyone that has a relative 349 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:27,340 A friend that crosses the border on a consistent basis has and it's time to stop 350 00:28:28,020 --> 00:28:32,840 I mean if you unfortunately live on one side of collects it go I have to drive to the other 351 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:36,780 I'm not exaggerating when I say this and there's people in the audience that live in collects it go 352 00:28:36,780 --> 00:28:41,540 You can take you a freaking half an hour to get from one side of the city to the other 353 00:28:41,540 --> 00:28:43,860 We're not talking to all people that are crossing the border 354 00:28:44,980 --> 00:28:46,800 So it's time to put a stop to this. 355 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:48,800 It's time to work as a cohesive unit. 356 00:28:49,340 --> 00:28:51,300 It's not about what he said or what she said. 357 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:58,280 It's not about what is happening at the state or federal level to what's happening here in our local community and what's best for us. 358 00:28:58,940 --> 00:29:09,820 So again, I will be in the next few weeks engaging local state and federal authorities along with international authorities to assist us in trying to really try and not just try. 359 00:29:09,820 --> 00:29:14,820 I think TRI is, we've tried to fix the new river, right Mike? 360 00:29:15,140 --> 00:29:15,920 Yeah, many years. 361 00:29:16,380 --> 00:29:18,900 And we still haven't fixed it, even though we're trying to. 362 00:29:19,060 --> 00:29:21,600 So I think TRI is almost a bad word. 363 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:25,160 I think we really have to make a concerted effort 364 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:27,640 to fix the issue once and for all. 365 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:30,020 And the only way we're going to do it is we work together. 366 00:29:30,700 --> 00:29:32,940 It's not about colexic, it's not about Imperial County, 367 00:29:33,080 --> 00:29:36,020 it's not about CalTrans, it's about everybody coming together 368 00:29:36,020 --> 00:29:37,560 and fixing the problem. 369 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:39,000 Thank you, Chair. 370 00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:42,360 Thank you, Supervisor Escolar, Supervisor Hawk. 371 00:29:43,420 --> 00:29:48,020 Yes, let me just begin that I know that our county has a lot of challenges. 372 00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:54,700 There are a number of things that we need to do and I believe that our supervisors are working on that. 373 00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:58,400 Let me bring your attention to another item that I think is very important. 374 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:28,580 January is sanctity of life month. And as a board, we shared our thoughts about this in private. And we concluded that as we concur, that life is precious, we would hold our thoughts in a personal venue. So I think we need to really appreciate the fact that, you know, as we think of sanctity, we think of life, we think of the fact that we're all unique in many ways. 375 00:30:29,320 --> 00:30:33,900 that we need to appreciate the fact of honoring life. 376 00:30:34,500 --> 00:30:37,680 I'm a father of five and a grandfather of 16, 377 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:41,040 and I can't imagine life without anyone 378 00:30:41,040 --> 00:30:43,220 of my grandchildren or children. 379 00:30:43,660 --> 00:30:46,420 They're so unique and precious in God's sight. 380 00:30:47,160 --> 00:30:49,340 And I think you can imagine when I take them 381 00:30:49,340 --> 00:30:54,140 to in an outperger what the bill is when I get them there. 382 00:30:54,660 --> 00:30:55,820 It gets pretty expensive. 383 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:57,900 And not only that, what they order. 384 00:30:57,900 --> 00:31:06,940 So they're all unique and so I would just wanna say that I'm thankful as I look around this room. 385 00:31:06,940 --> 00:31:14,140 I've met many of you for the first time this year and in the county. 386 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:22,260 And I think of the acquaintances that I've made and I want you to know that you are unique and blessed and appreciated. 387 00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:23,120 Thank you. 388 00:31:24,500 --> 00:31:26,080 Thank you, Supervisor Huck. 389 00:31:27,300 --> 00:31:29,020 I myself have no comments. 390 00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:31,880 We've already reported on the IBEDC event. 391 00:31:33,660 --> 00:31:36,940 Other than that, let's go ahead and move on on our agenda. 392 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:43,780 Item number eight, items to be pulled from the action or discussion or consent budget calendar. 393 00:31:44,420 --> 00:31:47,460 Madam Clerk, do we have any requests for any items? 394 00:31:48,700 --> 00:31:49,620 Yes, we do. 395 00:31:49,620 --> 00:31:51,000 Ms. Mareed Sartham. 396 00:31:53,930 --> 00:31:56,850 She is requesting to pull item 38. 397 00:31:57,030 --> 00:31:57,550 38. 398 00:31:58,150 --> 00:32:09,810 Okay, so item 38 will be pulled from the consent agenda, and it will be in item number 19-20 range somewhere in there when it comes up. 399 00:32:10,410 --> 00:32:12,270 20 and items pulled for discussion. 400 00:32:13,030 --> 00:32:13,490 Thank you. 401 00:32:14,530 --> 00:32:16,450 Any urgency items to be added? 402 00:32:18,980 --> 00:32:19,380 None. 403 00:32:20,340 --> 00:32:28,920 Okay, I'll entertain motions for the approval of the agenda, polling item number 38 out from consent and adding it to the discussion agenda. 404 00:32:29,380 --> 00:32:35,480 We have a motion by Supervisor Michael Kelly, a second by Supervisor Eduardo Escobar, please vote. 405 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:47,880 Item passes 5-0, agenda item number 9, approval of the consent calendar, 406 00:32:50,890 --> 00:32:51,890 as modified. 407 00:32:51,890 --> 00:32:59,790 We have a motion by Supervisor John Hawke, second by Supervisor Ryan Kelly, please vote. 408 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:12,240 Item passes 5-0. 409 00:33:13,660 --> 00:33:18,440 Agenda item number 10, today is the approval of the consent budget calendar. 410 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:25,000 We have a motion by Supervisor Michael Kelly, a second by Supervisor Eduardo Escobar. 411 00:33:25,540 --> 00:33:27,800 There's no further discussion, please vote. 412 00:33:37,160 --> 00:33:38,520 Item passes 5-0. 413 00:33:39,520 --> 00:33:46,100 Item number 11, approval of the official proceedings for our meeting of January 9th, 2024. 414 00:33:47,500 --> 00:33:55,340 Seeming to be no discussion, we have a motion by Mr. John Hawke, a second by the supervisor Kessel-Sis-Kawar, please vote. 415 00:34:03,360 --> 00:34:12,820 Item passes 5-0, we go on to department announcements, we have four departments that I know of, we'll start with Gil. 416 00:34:17,300 --> 00:34:22,660 Good morning board, Gil Robler W.C.L., real brief as the Chairman stated last meeting. 417 00:34:23,760 --> 00:34:29,420 Save Mark the calendar. Thursday, March 21st at the Prestige event center in Heber will 418 00:34:29,420 --> 00:34:33,940 be our annual state of the county address. Invitations are going out and they have gone out. 419 00:34:34,140 --> 00:34:39,780 So I just want to remind the public, remind anyone here to also RSVP to the clerk of the 420 00:34:39,780 --> 00:34:45,120 board, Cynthia Medina. But yes, I just want to remind the people of the state of the county 421 00:34:45,120 --> 00:34:48,860 and the prestigious event center right off my 111 in the community of Heber. 422 00:34:49,380 --> 00:34:50,880 And that concludes my department announcement. 423 00:34:51,640 --> 00:34:54,260 Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you all there. 424 00:34:57,120 --> 00:34:59,400 Lindsay, Dale with our elections department. 425 00:35:04,520 --> 00:35:06,580 Good morning, Lindsay, Dale, registrar voters. 426 00:35:06,920 --> 00:35:09,280 Just a quick update on the March primary election. 427 00:35:09,960 --> 00:35:13,780 Uacava ballots that is our military and overseas ballots went out last week. 428 00:35:14,180 --> 00:35:17,940 On Thursday, the due date was for them to go out on Saturday, but we were able to do that early. 429 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:24,540 We are going to begin our L&A training, which is our logic and accuracy testing on our 430 00:35:24,540 --> 00:35:25,040 vote machines. 431 00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:28,140 So, we are waiting for the package to come in from our vendor. 432 00:35:28,640 --> 00:35:30,300 As soon as that comes in, we will start that. 433 00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:37,000 I'm planning to send out a letter to various organizations, the media, the sport as well, 434 00:35:37,240 --> 00:35:39,680 to join us for a public viewing opportunity. 435 00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:43,720 Probably on Monday, we're waiting to see when that package comes in and then we'll determine 436 00:35:43,720 --> 00:35:44,680 that date and time. 437 00:35:45,320 --> 00:35:46,840 So, keep an eye out for that invitation. 438 00:35:47,380 --> 00:35:50,900 Also, our state voter information guides will be out to voters. 439 00:35:50,900 --> 00:35:55,520 If you haven't already received them yet, they go out in different segments from the state. 440 00:35:56,080 --> 00:36:02,240 So I know I haven't gotten mine yet, but it is expected somewhere between now and about E-40. 441 00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:06,560 We are at E-42 right now, that's 42 days from Election Day. 442 00:36:07,180 --> 00:36:10,320 And then our sample ballots will follow that as well for local issues. 443 00:36:10,860 --> 00:36:11,840 That's all I have for you. 444 00:36:13,160 --> 00:36:13,980 Thank you, Lindsay. 445 00:36:13,980 --> 00:36:14,200 Yeah. 446 00:36:16,540 --> 00:36:17,480 Jolline Desert. 447 00:36:23,370 --> 00:36:24,270 Good morning board. 448 00:36:24,450 --> 00:36:24,870 Thank you. 449 00:36:25,310 --> 00:36:25,910 Chair. 450 00:36:26,490 --> 00:36:31,970 So I'm just advising everyone that we're rolling out the Ag Benefit Scholarship for the 451 00:36:31,970 --> 00:36:32,130 Year. 452 00:36:32,770 --> 00:36:38,350 So if you remember last year, it's offered to students majoring in agriculture and those 453 00:36:38,350 --> 00:36:45,910 attending vocational schools and seeking a career that's related to Ag or in Ag so that 454 00:36:45,910 --> 00:36:48,490 could be welding, irrigation, electrical. 455 00:36:48,490 --> 00:36:52,950 So those will be rolled out, we'll be sending out notices to all of the schools, the colleges. 456 00:36:53,790 --> 00:36:57,690 It'll be on our website and hopefully I'll give it to Gail so he can post it as well. 457 00:36:57,990 --> 00:36:59,390 So that will be open through April 10th. 458 00:36:59,390 --> 00:37:00,190 What is that website? 459 00:37:01,390 --> 00:37:07,550 Oh, it's our ad commissioner website, so I'll get that out there. 460 00:37:07,750 --> 00:37:07,990 Okay. 461 00:37:08,270 --> 00:37:09,230 Thank you. 462 00:37:12,610 --> 00:37:13,010 Chief, 463 00:37:15,350 --> 00:37:17,770 looks like he's got a briefcase full of money for us. 464 00:37:21,900 --> 00:37:22,320 Good morning. 465 00:37:22,320 --> 00:37:25,720 In case you haven't noticed, we received a little rain yesterday. 466 00:37:27,220 --> 00:37:33,280 Rainfall totals, rains from throughout the county, from just over half inch to 1.2 inches 467 00:37:33,640 --> 00:37:34,700 in the winter haven area. 468 00:37:36,680 --> 00:37:38,240 Several roads were shut down. 469 00:37:38,800 --> 00:37:40,940 Thank you to Public Works for being on top of that. 470 00:37:41,100 --> 00:37:43,540 We pushed that out yesterday to all our stakeholders. 471 00:37:45,120 --> 00:37:47,360 No emergency operation centers were opened. 472 00:37:47,520 --> 00:37:49,180 We remained on management watch. 473 00:37:49,180 --> 00:37:54,800 However, we have two cities that are still doing some evaluations, so they may proclaim, 474 00:37:55,100 --> 00:37:56,420 but they're not sure yet. 475 00:37:56,500 --> 00:37:59,220 They're still assessing some issues that they're having. 476 00:38:01,080 --> 00:38:08,500 And with that, mostly what we encountered with our personnel was roadway flooding sporadic 477 00:38:08,500 --> 00:38:11,660 throughout the county as did many of the cities. 478 00:38:12,500 --> 00:38:12,800 Thank you. 479 00:38:13,740 --> 00:38:14,260 Questions? 480 00:38:14,660 --> 00:38:14,760 No? 481 00:38:15,120 --> 00:38:15,440 Thank you. 482 00:38:15,660 --> 00:38:16,140 Thank you, Chief. 483 00:38:16,460 --> 00:38:16,740 Thank you. 484 00:38:18,660 --> 00:38:21,860 All right, we'll go on to agenda item 13, 485 00:38:22,700 --> 00:38:31,340 recognitions of the 2024 MLK Stone of Hope award if members will join me down. 486 00:39:01,320 --> 00:39:02,540 You want to get in here? 487 00:39:02,940 --> 00:39:04,580 I have, do you want to get in here? 488 00:39:05,560 --> 00:39:07,520 Hi, are we standing up here? 489 00:39:07,820 --> 00:39:09,340 Yeah, you don't want me to say yes. 490 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:09,900 All right. 491 00:39:18,480 --> 00:39:24,580 So before we get started in doing these presentations, tell us a little bit about the award, what it means. 492 00:39:25,140 --> 00:39:33,220 Okay. I'm quite sure all you serve the name of Martin Luther King and all. And we've always 493 00:39:33,220 --> 00:39:41,240 in our community celebrated Martin Luther King housing. And now we've made a turn about 494 00:39:41,240 --> 00:39:50,480 in 2014 when they did the memorial in the work that we see. And so now we call it the Martin Luther King 495 00:39:53,080 --> 00:40:00,280 So, as you can see, a lot of people always think black, we say Martin Luther King, but we are 496 00:40:00,280 --> 00:40:07,380 engaged in a multiple cultural work in there and this has been choreographed. 497 00:40:08,240 --> 00:40:14,160 So, those people that you see standing here today, it was not given to them. 498 00:40:14,160 --> 00:40:21,200 So, we did, we did, are they really making a difference, are they my best friend and all 499 00:40:21,200 --> 00:40:21,440 that. 500 00:40:21,940 --> 00:40:26,660 So, that, it's very special to us and it's very meaningful and they aspire to the 501 00:40:26,660 --> 00:40:31,300 principles of Dr. Martin Luther King and what we're here today. 502 00:40:32,620 --> 00:40:33,600 Thank you, Merlead. 503 00:40:33,900 --> 00:40:37,480 So, first off, we're going to recognize Daniel Vega, 504 00:40:40,470 --> 00:40:43,350 Daniel here, okay, we'll make sure you 505 00:40:43,350 --> 00:40:43,930 get set. 506 00:40:43,930 --> 00:40:44,590 That's 507 00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:49,260 your sexy dog keep management 508 00:40:55,960 --> 00:41:01,640 Next up, we have Pastor Gregory Brown and Anthony are able to 509 00:41:12,100 --> 00:41:13,880 group picture just okay, this we pass 510 00:41:17,080 --> 00:41:18,540 Erica are you left? 511 00:41:26,870 --> 00:41:28,790 This is from Mr. Luis Pastral 512 00:41:36,850 --> 00:41:39,750 Boy this one I got a look she was very 513 00:41:40,810 --> 00:41:42,650 Congratulations, Mary Smith-Fee. 514 00:41:49,670 --> 00:41:51,310 Next one goes to Maxine Cannon. 515 00:41:52,750 --> 00:41:57,370 Miss Cannon is up at age, and this weather change, 516 00:41:58,130 --> 00:41:59,350 I'm not sure today. 517 00:42:00,030 --> 00:42:03,130 But for those of you who may not know Maxine Cannon, 518 00:42:03,770 --> 00:42:07,930 that she is the wife of the former Jimmy Cannon. 519 00:42:08,390 --> 00:42:09,490 And so that's it. 520 00:42:10,010 --> 00:42:12,950 So let us know if one of us needs 521 00:42:12,950 --> 00:42:14,710 to go present it personally. 522 00:42:14,710 --> 00:42:18,970 I myself would be happy to do so, and anybody that wants to join. 523 00:42:20,310 --> 00:42:23,950 Next one goes to Marlene Mollie, Swinegan. 524 00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:38,080 Next up, we have my D.I. Saviev, who said, 525 00:42:38,200 --> 00:42:39,260 I know she's over here. 526 00:42:40,420 --> 00:42:40,860 I'm 527 00:42:49,470 --> 00:42:51,350 a certain little one. I know he's here. 528 00:42:52,050 --> 00:42:52,770 It should be awesome. 529 00:42:56,110 --> 00:42:56,990 Thank you. 530 00:42:57,090 --> 00:42:57,370 Thank you. 531 00:42:58,170 --> 00:43:00,530 And last but not least are the ones that are here. 532 00:43:05,290 --> 00:43:05,930 if 533 00:43:09,100 --> 00:43:13,960 any of you would like to say anything before we take out pictures you're 534 00:43:13,960 --> 00:43:24,200 welcome to do so okay buy a bunch you know do your thing squeeze in 535 00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:33,820 and come on, squeeze in, get in, squeeze right in, come on in this way. There you go. Ready, one, two, and all 536 00:43:37,020 --> 00:43:39,400 right. Thank you very much, and once again, we'll be back for you, 537 00:43:43,080 --> 00:43:43,580 please. 538 00:43:49,750 --> 00:43:51,430 All right, 539 00:44:15,940 --> 00:44:17,600 the most difficult ballot of the day. 540 00:44:38,480 --> 00:44:39,100 I lost two. 541 00:44:44,410 --> 00:44:51,190 So as we get going with the items, please know that we have a time certain public hearing at 11 a.m. 542 00:44:51,190 --> 00:44:59,930 And so we may split these items to before and after in order to get as close to that 11 starting time that 543 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,840 Yes, as we can. We will go ahead and go on to our action calendar item number 14. This is a discussion action item regarding an agreement with services with geo reentry services, LLC, chief prince. You will be presenting on this. Good morning. Yes, and with me is our business manager, Catherine, Paula, techie. Also in the audience, Mr. Chairman and honorable members of the board, Carlos Contreras, who is the site manager for geo reentry services. 544 00:45:29,840 --> 00:45:38,560 and we're here today to ask for your approval for a three-year contract and renewal of our day reporting centers, 545 00:45:39,120 --> 00:45:45,500 the Havier Modification Program, which has very proficiently been managed by the GO group for the last ten years. 546 00:45:46,220 --> 00:45:50,400 This is a three-year contract, approximate cost of $740,000 per year. 547 00:45:50,540 --> 00:45:52,760 There are no general fund monies involved. 548 00:45:53,160 --> 00:45:57,600 The funding source is AB 109 through state re-alignment funds. 549 00:45:58,300 --> 00:45:59,840 I'll make a motion for approval. 550 00:45:59,980 --> 00:46:03,160 I think it's a dynamic program and keep up to good work, you all. 551 00:46:06,870 --> 00:46:09,670 Any comments, questions from members of this body? 552 00:46:10,910 --> 00:46:16,890 We have a motion, made by supervisor Michael Kelly, a second by John Hock. 553 00:46:17,850 --> 00:46:21,330 There's no additional discussion or public comment on this item. 554 00:46:22,210 --> 00:46:23,690 We will go ahead and take a vote. 555 00:46:29,930 --> 00:46:31,410 Item passes, 5-0. 556 00:46:31,870 --> 00:46:32,290 Thank you, Chief. 557 00:46:32,610 --> 00:46:33,270 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 558 00:46:33,470 --> 00:46:35,250 I want to thank the Board for your continued support. 559 00:46:35,250 --> 00:46:37,930 Board for giving offenders a second chance from the community, thank you. 560 00:46:41,410 --> 00:46:45,150 Item number 15 is a discussion action item. 561 00:46:45,590 --> 00:46:57,790 This is a resolution of the Board of Supervisors, related to hiring of one senior deputy public defender at step F, as required by our public defender, Mr. 562 00:46:58,010 --> 00:47:01,430 Solodio, this will be presented by this office. 563 00:47:02,630 --> 00:47:02,970 Good morning. 564 00:47:02,970 --> 00:47:07,760 Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. 565 00:47:08,520 --> 00:47:12,660 My name is Daniel Rosenberg, I'm the Assistant Public Defender here in Imperial County. 566 00:47:13,160 --> 00:47:17,460 The Public Defender's office represents indigent, dependent clients. 567 00:47:17,960 --> 00:47:23,340 We also represent mental health clients, children within the juvenile delinquency system. 568 00:47:23,720 --> 00:47:27,620 But also we represent the foster youth of Imperial County. 569 00:47:27,620 --> 00:47:36,940 meaning that we represent the children that have been removed from their homes because of abuse and because of horrific neglect. 570 00:47:39,620 --> 00:47:43,980 We have a core, a team of attorneys at our office. 571 00:47:44,520 --> 00:47:52,660 We have support staff, we have investigators, and they are truly an excellent group of employees. 572 00:47:54,060 --> 00:48:03,380 In the year 2023, our office was successful in over 70% of their trials. 573 00:48:04,400 --> 00:48:05,960 Those are unprecedented numbers. 574 00:48:08,930 --> 00:48:13,150 We are constantly battling retention and recruitment. 575 00:48:14,330 --> 00:48:17,970 But we have been able to hire two new attorneys in October. 576 00:48:18,770 --> 00:48:21,630 We've been able to hire a third attorney this month. 577 00:48:21,630 --> 00:48:26,930 He should start next week or a week after that, and we have a fourth attorney ready and 578 00:48:26,930 --> 00:48:31,330 available should the board pass this agenda item. 579 00:48:32,550 --> 00:48:36,110 This applicant is no stranger to Imperial County. 580 00:48:36,430 --> 00:48:37,950 He has practiced here in the past. 581 00:48:38,870 --> 00:48:43,990 I've heard one of the local judges refer to him as one of the best trial attorneys he has 582 00:48:43,990 --> 00:48:45,710 seen in his entire career. 583 00:48:46,510 --> 00:48:49,010 We have been recruiting this applicant for months. 584 00:48:49,950 --> 00:48:55,670 He is currently employed in San Diego County, and he is willing to come back. 585 00:48:56,350 --> 00:49:03,170 He is going to be taking a pay decrease, we're asking the board to minimize that as much as possible. 586 00:49:03,930 --> 00:49:06,310 There will be no cost to the general funds. 587 00:49:06,490 --> 00:49:11,650 This will be completely within the 2023 and 2024 fiscal budget. 588 00:49:12,710 --> 00:49:13,430 Thank you. 589 00:49:14,290 --> 00:49:17,150 Thank you, do we have any questions from members of this body? 590 00:49:17,150 --> 00:49:20,430 Yep. Any public comment on this item of 591 00:49:22,990 --> 00:49:29,290 the none? I'll bring it back. I do have a question. What's the current? What's the staffing number that you are 592 00:49:30,870 --> 00:49:36,170 budgeted for and where are you at right now? I believe we have and I'm not positive about the total number 593 00:49:36,170 --> 00:49:40,890 We're allowed to get up to I believe 17 attorneys. We currently have 594 00:49:41,710 --> 00:49:49,030 six attorneys that are hired. We have a seventh one that is about to begin. We have the eighth attorney ready to go over here 595 00:49:49,030 --> 00:49:55,390 There we also have what are called two post-bar applicants who are from out of county, who are going to be coming here. 596 00:49:55,610 --> 00:50:02,410 They have taken the bar, I believe, at the beginning of next month, and they are ready to start if and when they do pass the bar at that time. 597 00:50:02,870 --> 00:50:05,510 Next one, I'm glad to see progress has been made on really hot. 598 00:50:05,510 --> 00:50:07,510 We really have been thinking outside of the box. 599 00:50:07,510 --> 00:50:12,730 We've been recruiting heavily in other counties, and thank God we've had a lot of success as of late. 600 00:50:12,730 --> 00:50:15,930 All right, thank you, Mr. Rosenberg. 601 00:50:16,290 --> 00:50:23,350 With that, I have a motion with Supervisor Johnis, I'm sorry, John Huck, a second by Supervisor Michael Kelly. 602 00:50:23,910 --> 00:50:24,670 Please vote. 603 00:50:34,300 --> 00:50:35,740 Item passes, 5-0. 604 00:50:36,540 --> 00:50:37,140 Thank you very much. 605 00:50:37,260 --> 00:50:37,320 Thank you very much, sir. 606 00:50:41,300 --> 00:50:43,600 Moving on to agenda item number 16. 607 00:50:43,600 --> 00:50:48,360 This is a discussion of our meeting calendar for 2024. 608 00:50:49,000 --> 00:50:51,540 Should be for discussion. 609 00:50:51,540 --> 00:50:55,820 this body. I had copies put in the agenda for your consideration. 610 00:50:58,100 --> 00:50:59,640 This is the time of the year 611 00:50:59,640 --> 00:51:04,780 when we look at some of the different conferences that we will be attending, 612 00:51:06,280 --> 00:51:11,740 different meetings that we will be attending, and try to kind of give a heads-up 613 00:51:11,740 --> 00:51:14,920 of some of the days that we may be dark or may be. 614 00:51:16,180 --> 00:51:19,940 It's all subject to adjustment down the road depending on circumstances. 615 00:51:19,940 --> 00:51:29,040 It always is, it always is, obviously there's things that happen that make us reactive to either cancellation or adding something. 616 00:51:29,680 --> 00:51:31,360 And so that is always on the table. 617 00:51:32,160 --> 00:51:44,460 One item we had discussed, there was a possibility of going to DC March 4th through the 8th, that has changed to the week of May 13th through the 17th. 618 00:51:44,460 --> 00:51:52,420 And so I would ask that we look at whatever changes we recommend today. 619 00:51:52,560 --> 00:51:57,920 We look at ratifying them next week, just to make sure that any post-reflection has looked at. 620 00:51:58,620 --> 00:52:02,080 Is there anything else that you would consider putting on here? 621 00:52:02,900 --> 00:52:03,920 The living document. 622 00:52:04,300 --> 00:52:05,900 The living document, okay? 623 00:52:06,780 --> 00:52:07,560 Supervisor Hall? 624 00:52:11,720 --> 00:52:19,560 May is going to be a tough month for me, but regardless, Mr. Fuyato, any comments? 625 00:52:20,560 --> 00:52:22,540 Every month's a tough month for me. 626 00:52:23,320 --> 00:52:27,940 One thing that I do want to point out, Chairman, is that we've also included the proposed 627 00:52:27,940 --> 00:52:31,820 budget dates on the top right corner of the calendar. 628 00:52:32,320 --> 00:52:36,440 That way we show what the schedule is looking like on that end. 629 00:52:42,740 --> 00:52:52,340 Okay, because this is a living document, this is subject to come back to for update as the year goes by. 630 00:52:52,800 --> 00:53:01,820 So we have a motion by supervisor Ryan Kelly, a second by supervisor Mike Kelly, please vote and 631 00:53:09,630 --> 00:53:13,250 pass this committee 632 00:53:18,460 --> 00:53:19,360 appointments. 633 00:53:19,360 --> 00:53:22,540 This item number 17 would be committee appointments. 634 00:53:24,180 --> 00:53:29,120 This is an opportunity when we get to look at about the doesn't-plus committees and 635 00:53:29,120 --> 00:53:33,520 boards that we serve on, and try to make any changes as needed. 636 00:53:35,520 --> 00:53:40,180 As my last year in service, I'd be happy to give up all 10, 12 that I have to. 637 00:53:40,260 --> 00:53:44,260 Anybody that will even look this way, but I don't think it's going to happen. 638 00:53:44,260 --> 00:53:47,900 Well, yeah, well, those are committees, right? 639 00:53:49,460 --> 00:53:51,240 Any, any proposed changes? 640 00:53:56,420 --> 00:53:59,060 Yeah, as I discussed with you personally, 641 00:53:59,060 --> 00:54:02,300 I think that another face, a newer face, 642 00:54:02,460 --> 00:54:05,240 Mr. Hawke is serving on the two on two 643 00:54:05,240 --> 00:54:06,800 with imperial irrigation district. 644 00:54:07,440 --> 00:54:11,580 And so I would, after a while on that, 645 00:54:11,740 --> 00:54:15,600 I would like to step away and allow someone else to participate. 646 00:54:15,600 --> 00:54:20,980 I've had the experience of the two on two meeting and I'd like to offer that experience to someone else. 647 00:54:21,080 --> 00:54:24,800 It's very interesting and very hopefully productive, hopefully. 648 00:54:27,210 --> 00:54:30,970 Okay, any other requests for any other changes? 649 00:54:35,740 --> 00:54:42,000 All right, so since this is a rather extensive list, what I like to do is an opportunity to have 650 00:54:42,560 --> 00:54:48,140 a supervisor or escobar in myself discuss the two on two, whether it be him or me or 651 00:54:48,140 --> 00:54:57,160 We have a supervisor hot just pay extra attention at every meeting and do it to channel. They would go work. I would rather have someone with me. 652 00:54:57,660 --> 00:55:14,080 Yeah, I don't want to go in there alone. Yeah, so I like to bring this one back for the next meeting and just to make sure that we have additional information on that next item agenda item number 18 is the rules for this body. 653 00:55:15,220 --> 00:55:24,480 There is a document in your agendas that discusses all the rules that we try to work 654 00:55:24,480 --> 00:55:27,920 by and adhere to so that we can cohesively work. 655 00:55:28,520 --> 00:55:32,800 I did not receive much or if any input from the group. 656 00:55:33,700 --> 00:55:41,380 Once again, I'd like to invite all of you or any of you to submit any changes that you 657 00:55:41,380 --> 00:55:48,520 would like to change or make to the clerk of the board's office or the CEO's office or both, 658 00:55:48,780 --> 00:55:52,220 so that we may bring back this next week and take a look at it. 659 00:55:53,640 --> 00:55:59,740 There are some items that I found on it that just as times have changed, 660 00:56:00,160 --> 00:56:03,340 this still heavily addresses in person meetings. 661 00:56:04,100 --> 00:56:10,080 There are now issues for public comment online that we did not have before. 662 00:56:10,080 --> 00:56:19,920 So updates such as that, it does address an issue where right now it requires one board member to put something on the agenda. 663 00:56:19,920 --> 00:56:24,820 I think that I would feel more comfortable seeing or proposing that we go to two. 664 00:56:25,460 --> 00:56:34,800 There's a couple of other items, so I will make sure that a notated, suggested changes goes out. 665 00:56:35,020 --> 00:56:37,500 Please let us know of any changes that you would like. 666 00:56:37,500 --> 00:56:45,160 I know at one time Supervisor Hawke had looked at the possibility of a start-time change, 667 00:56:45,560 --> 00:56:49,940 but this is the opportunity for all of us to have that conversation. 668 00:56:50,680 --> 00:56:54,000 And so we'll bring this item back as well next week. 669 00:56:54,400 --> 00:56:56,380 So that'll be next week to vote on. 670 00:56:56,620 --> 00:56:58,020 Next week to vote on, right? 671 00:56:59,640 --> 00:57:05,680 I like your idea of two requests in items on the board instead of an independent individual. 672 00:57:05,680 --> 00:57:08,380 So Cynthia, we're dark next week, correct? 673 00:57:09,400 --> 00:57:11,780 That is correct, our next meeting will be February. 674 00:57:11,880 --> 00:57:12,120 Thank you. 675 00:57:12,580 --> 00:57:14,240 Okay, thank you for catching that. 676 00:57:14,400 --> 00:57:16,120 I would have been real long in this room next to you. 677 00:57:16,120 --> 00:57:17,080 Thank you so much. 678 00:57:17,080 --> 00:57:17,600 I'm glad you're still. 679 00:57:17,600 --> 00:57:17,620 Thank you. 680 00:57:19,460 --> 00:57:22,700 Also in your agendas or not in your agendas and your emails, 681 00:57:22,960 --> 00:57:25,960 you probably have committee assignments. 682 00:57:25,960 --> 00:57:27,280 If you have not gotten them, 683 00:57:27,360 --> 00:57:31,040 these are people within our district that we have assigned 684 00:57:31,040 --> 00:57:34,400 to various districts throughout the years. 685 00:57:35,000 --> 00:57:48,120 There has been a redistricting that happened a couple years ago, and I don't think that we have reconsidered some of the members that we have appointed that may have changed where now district-wise they belong. 686 00:57:48,800 --> 00:57:52,880 So, why are some of the names highlighted in red and some not? 687 00:57:54,220 --> 00:57:59,680 I do not know, in my documents specifically, they are all in red, not mine. 688 00:58:00,000 --> 00:58:05,820 It might have been just a typo of not highlighting in red. 689 00:58:05,960 --> 00:58:07,640 We just included all the names in red. 690 00:58:08,100 --> 00:58:08,180 Okay. 691 00:58:09,800 --> 00:58:18,960 Some of them have also had terms that have expired, at least on mine, and they have gone on a month to month service basis, if you will. 692 00:58:18,960 --> 00:58:30,840 So, I'd like to invite you all to revisit this list and maybe this is an opportunity to talk to some of those committee members and see if they wish to continue to serve. 693 00:58:31,280 --> 00:58:37,020 So, if we have another name or an alternate, we'll get with the truck of the board's office and have them update our list. 694 00:58:37,020 --> 00:58:43,140 That would be the case, also, for example, in the case of redistricting that may put 695 00:58:43,140 --> 00:58:48,560 somebody say in my district no longer eligible, but who you had now eligible in my 696 00:58:48,560 --> 00:58:54,400 district, then that would be more of a correction of what district are covering. 697 00:58:55,060 --> 00:58:58,140 And but it would be a good opportunity for us to clean it up going forward. 698 00:58:58,340 --> 00:59:03,500 You know, so some of the people that have appointed in different committees, are they 699 00:59:04,360 --> 00:59:12,980 I mean, it's also one that I pointed back in 20-something, and along with their selective then, that's good, thank you. 700 00:59:14,100 --> 00:59:14,740 Thank you. 701 00:59:15,540 --> 00:59:18,300 All right, so we'll bring that back as well in two weeks. 702 00:59:19,240 --> 00:59:28,260 So with that, we will go ahead and take a couple minutes, you get ahead, you can go ahead and get ready for, no, I take that back. 703 00:59:28,980 --> 00:59:31,720 There is an item that was pulled for discussion. 704 00:59:31,940 --> 00:59:36,140 However, we're coming up, I did not want to go forward without recognizing it. 705 00:59:36,480 --> 00:59:41,220 We do have a public hearing coming up that it's time certain, so we'll go ahead and get ready for that. 706 00:59:41,900 --> 00:59:47,200 Mr. Minnick and your team, if you can start getting ready for this. 707 00:59:49,510 --> 00:59:50,350 Here we are. 708 00:59:50,350 --> 00:59:51,190 Can we 709 00:59:58,520 --> 00:59:58,700 do this? 710 00:59:59,240 --> 00:59:59,520 Yep. 711 01:00:24,480 --> 01:00:52,360 Okay, we will now get started on agenda item number 22. This is a public hearing to consider public input regarding the following actions as recommended by the Planning Commission for the Green Valley Logistics Center period. Mr. Minick, I'll go ahead and let you address item eight to the office. They are being presented. Thank you. Jim Minick for a kind of planning director. Good morning, Boarding Supervisors. 712 01:00:52,980 --> 01:00:57,680 Before you as a project called Green Valley Logistics Center, it's been submitted by Tomcat 713 01:00:57,680 --> 01:01:06,500 Development LLC and the request is to develop an area of the Mesquite Lake specific plan. 714 01:01:06,600 --> 01:01:10,420 As you recall, Mesquite Lake was approved as a specific plan back in the early 2000s. 715 01:01:10,920 --> 01:01:20,380 This is a property that's located on the west side of the railroad east of 86 and what's 716 01:01:20,380 --> 01:01:26,780 development of a intermodal, actually it's like three tracks, three spurs that come out 717 01:01:26,780 --> 01:01:27,280 together. 718 01:01:27,540 --> 01:01:30,700 As opposed to an oval, you've seen the oval intermodals we have in Calipacy, a little 719 01:01:30,700 --> 01:01:35,440 bit different, same setup, essentially that's the major project that also would include 720 01:01:35,440 --> 01:01:39,460 some warehousing in the future and a fuel depot and so forth. 721 01:01:41,300 --> 01:01:44,480 One of the things that's of note is this is a geographical area. 722 01:01:44,720 --> 01:01:49,420 What's been front of you is a zone change and a general plan amendment to amend the specific 723 01:01:49,420 --> 01:01:51,160 plan to allow this project to happen. 724 01:01:52,900 --> 01:01:54,660 This is how it looks right now. 725 01:01:54,880 --> 01:01:58,060 The left of your screen is the existing zoning. 726 01:01:58,740 --> 01:02:01,880 The heavy industrial is the dark color. 727 01:02:02,620 --> 01:02:06,940 Medium industrial is the light color and the turquoise or greenish, 728 01:02:06,940 --> 01:02:11,140 whatever you want to call it, is a government special public. 729 01:02:11,400 --> 01:02:14,040 It's a portion of the existing cemetery. 730 01:02:14,720 --> 01:02:16,520 To your right is the proposed change. 731 01:02:16,520 --> 01:02:23,640 It's converting most of it back to a heavy industrial to allow for the intermodal and shrinking down the government's special public. 732 01:02:24,720 --> 01:02:37,960 As part of the project we're doing a we're proposing a 23 unit track map along with a height variance to allow for taller structures and of course a water assessment that was approved. 733 01:02:38,640 --> 01:02:39,640 The project was 734 01:02:39,640 --> 01:02:45,100 This is an environmental assessed and also went to the Pioneer Commission with a recommendation 735 01:02:45,100 --> 01:02:49,600 to approve on December 13th to your off to your thing. 736 01:02:49,880 --> 01:02:53,340 We're going to have the environmental consultant come up and speak on the project's environmental 737 01:02:53,340 --> 01:02:53,620 review. 738 01:03:15,440 --> 01:03:16,400 Good morning board. 739 01:03:16,860 --> 01:03:29,940 This presentation is on the MND in initial study as previously stated applicant is Tom 740 01:03:29,940 --> 01:03:30,380 Sorry about that. 741 01:03:31,340 --> 01:03:31,740 There we go. 742 01:03:32,360 --> 01:03:34,840 As previously shown, here's the project location, 743 01:03:37,540 --> 01:03:39,700 a reiteration of the project description, 744 01:03:45,710 --> 01:03:48,090 and not to reiterate or belabor the point, 745 01:03:48,190 --> 01:03:49,430 but here's more of the project description. 746 01:03:51,030 --> 01:03:54,450 Here is the site plan with the 23 lots. 747 01:03:59,470 --> 01:04:01,510 And getting into the environmental analysis, 748 01:04:01,770 --> 01:04:05,070 the initial study covered the gamut of appendix G 749 01:04:05,070 --> 01:04:06,170 of the secret guidelines. 750 01:04:07,750 --> 01:04:09,270 Here are all the resource areas 751 01:04:09,270 --> 01:04:12,210 that were analyzed within the initial study. 752 01:04:13,710 --> 01:04:18,910 Additional technical studies to support the findings of the initial studying MND include 753 01:04:18,910 --> 01:04:25,610 a noise technical report, a GHG emissions technical report, an energy analysis, a biological 754 01:04:25,610 --> 01:04:32,110 technical report, an air quality analysis, a water supply assessment, and a VMT and transportation 755 01:04:32,110 --> 01:04:33,210 impact analysis. 756 01:04:33,210 --> 01:04:34,470 Resource 757 01:04:36,680 --> 01:04:41,000 areas result in no impact or less insignificant where aesthetics, recreation, 758 01:04:41,460 --> 01:04:46,760 utilities and service systems, agriculture and forestry resources, greenhouse gas emissions, 759 01:04:47,120 --> 01:04:52,420 land use and planning, population and housing, wildfire, energy and mineral resources. 760 01:04:55,440 --> 01:04:59,900 Resource areas resulting in less than significant with mitigation incorporated, meaning these resource 761 01:04:59,900 --> 01:05:04,560 areas required mitigation to reduce the impacts to less than significant include air quality, 762 01:05:04,560 --> 01:05:11,480 Biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, 763 01:05:11,920 --> 01:05:16,560 hydrology and water quality, public services, transportation, tribal and cultural resources, 764 01:05:16,940 --> 01:05:22,840 tribal cultural resources and cultural resources, and utility and service systems. 765 01:05:23,060 --> 01:05:27,700 It's important to note here that many of these mitigation measures were required as part 766 01:05:27,700 --> 01:05:32,360 of the Mesquite Lake specific plan, FEIR, at the time it was adopted. 767 01:05:32,360 --> 01:05:37,360 The next number of slides go over the mitigation strategies included to reduce the impacts 768 01:05:37,360 --> 01:05:38,320 to less than significant. 769 01:05:40,440 --> 01:05:46,980 Going down the list, again, the items that are numerical are from the MISKEET Lake specific 770 01:05:46,980 --> 01:05:51,340 plan and therefore our mitigation required under the purview of that. 771 01:05:52,020 --> 01:05:59,000 The mitigation measures starting with MM are conditions put on this project. 772 01:06:00,160 --> 01:06:06,560 So, in addition to what was required under the Mesquite Lake specific plan, as part of 773 01:06:06,560 --> 01:06:11,380 the project and under mitigation measure air quality one, they will also be required 774 01:06:11,380 --> 01:06:12,780 to prepare a haul route plan. 775 01:06:16,740 --> 01:06:22,640 Biological resources, there are many, we tried to group them so that it's a bit more clear, 776 01:06:23,340 --> 01:06:29,100 but generally speaking, providing flagging and fencing that will be removed upon completion 777 01:06:29,100 --> 01:06:35,040 of construction, providing an environmental education program for all personnel training, 778 01:06:35,440 --> 01:06:38,700 in other words, a week training, otherwise known as a week training rather, a number 779 01:06:38,700 --> 01:06:45,260 of mitigation measures specific to burrowing owls, and other sensitive species, 780 01:06:49,890 --> 01:06:50,390 cultural 781 01:06:50,390 --> 01:06:55,330 resource mitigation strategies include monitoring during construction, 782 01:06:58,450 --> 01:07:00,150 and further surveying 783 01:07:00,150 --> 01:07:01,470 in less previously serviced. 784 01:07:04,560 --> 01:07:07,800 Geology and soils, these are all requirements that came out 785 01:07:07,800 --> 01:07:09,460 of the Mesquite Lake specific plan. 786 01:07:16,280 --> 01:07:18,020 And hazards and hazardous materials, 787 01:07:29,250 --> 01:07:30,090 hydrologene 788 01:07:30,090 --> 01:07:30,850 and water quality. 789 01:07:39,330 --> 01:07:41,910 And if I move on from any of these to quickly please, let me know and 790 01:07:41,910 --> 01:07:45,870 I can go back. Public services and 791 01:07:51,920 --> 01:07:52,540 transportation, 792 01:08:01,020 --> 01:08:05,680 more transportation, mitigation, tribal. 793 01:08:15,520 --> 01:08:16,080 And 794 01:08:16,080 --> 01:08:23,720 In accordance with AB 52, tribal consultation was conducted, notices were sent out on the 795 01:08:23,720 --> 01:08:30,780 dates and responses were requested by the date identified there, and the Kishan tribe 796 01:08:30,780 --> 01:08:35,060 and Fort Euma Reservation were the only tribes to respond, noting that they have no comments 797 01:08:35,060 --> 01:08:35,680 on the project. 798 01:08:42,140 --> 01:08:44,780 Sorry, utility and service system mitigation and 799 01:08:49,480 --> 01:08:50,020 wildfire. 800 01:08:54,050 --> 01:08:58,790 In conclusion, the initial study failed to identify any potentially significant impacts that 801 01:08:58,790 --> 01:09:03,550 that could not be mitigated to a level less insignificant and all impacts will be reduced 802 01:09:03,550 --> 01:09:11,270 to level significant with mitigation, resource areas there, and reiteration of the EEC 803 01:09:11,270 --> 01:09:13,330 hearing conclusion 804 01:09:19,670 --> 01:09:27,030 of that, and the public review period was from August 22, 20th, to public 805 01:09:27,030 --> 01:09:29,510 comment letters were received, identified there, 806 01:09:32,810 --> 01:09:34,250 and that concludes my presentation. 807 01:09:34,450 --> 01:09:34,910 Any questions? 808 01:09:34,910 --> 01:09:35,210 questions. 809 01:09:38,940 --> 01:09:39,540 Yes, sir. 810 01:09:44,710 --> 01:09:45,030 Thank you. 811 01:09:51,100 --> 01:09:54,240 The applicant's consultants online as well and the applicants in the audience. 812 01:09:54,780 --> 01:09:59,980 So I believe the applicant consultant can speak. 813 01:10:03,990 --> 01:10:05,010 Mr. Desard, good morning. 814 01:10:07,150 --> 01:10:07,790 Good morning, Board. 815 01:10:08,110 --> 01:10:09,110 Here to answer any questions. 816 01:10:12,700 --> 01:10:13,460 Any questions? 817 01:10:14,060 --> 01:10:14,660 Still not? 818 01:10:15,140 --> 01:10:15,720 Yeah, where's he? 819 01:10:15,820 --> 01:10:17,100 How can we not stand in right here? 820 01:10:18,740 --> 01:10:20,180 I've got a baby on the way. 821 01:10:20,600 --> 01:10:21,300 Supervisor Kelly. 822 01:10:21,520 --> 01:10:22,620 So you're not a hospital lady. 823 01:10:22,800 --> 01:10:24,380 Very close to my wife right now. 824 01:10:24,760 --> 01:10:25,380 It's a very good man. 825 01:10:25,380 --> 01:10:25,860 Good man. 826 01:10:26,140 --> 01:10:26,620 Congratulations. 827 01:10:28,100 --> 01:10:29,140 Thank you all very much. 828 01:10:29,440 --> 01:10:32,620 So with that, we'll go ahead and open the public hearing portion of this. 829 01:10:33,260 --> 01:10:37,720 I don't see any speakers who request that to speak ahead of time. 830 01:10:37,900 --> 01:10:39,680 So you guys have a question. 831 01:10:40,120 --> 01:10:44,040 If they've talked, you haven't talked about the water issue yet, the water. 832 01:10:44,820 --> 01:10:47,700 There was a water assessment and it was approved by ID. 833 01:10:47,900 --> 01:10:48,160 Okay. 834 01:10:48,220 --> 01:10:48,980 It's part of your packet. 835 01:10:49,400 --> 01:10:54,280 So, and the, right, so the, the need for water is very minimal. 836 01:10:54,280 --> 01:10:55,140 Is that correct? 837 01:10:55,500 --> 01:10:55,760 Yes, sir. 838 01:10:55,980 --> 01:10:57,600 Probably 190 acres. 839 01:10:58,680 --> 01:10:59,720 180 acres. 840 01:10:59,780 --> 01:11:00,700 180 acres. 841 01:11:02,240 --> 01:11:04,820 So that's not an issue and everything is not to my understanding. 842 01:11:05,660 --> 01:11:06,180 Okay. 843 01:11:06,620 --> 01:11:06,860 Okay. 844 01:11:07,040 --> 01:11:11,640 There then appearing to be no public comment on this item. 845 01:11:11,640 --> 01:11:13,400 I'll go ahead and close the public hearing. 846 01:11:14,180 --> 01:11:16,380 And we will entertain motions. 847 01:11:17,520 --> 01:11:20,220 County Council, are these one lump sum? 848 01:11:20,380 --> 01:11:21,580 Or do they have to be individual? 849 01:11:21,840 --> 01:11:22,120 That's right. 850 01:11:22,120 --> 01:11:24,820 But we're recommending separate motions at this time, Chair. 851 01:11:26,960 --> 01:11:37,760 So at this time, I'll entertain motions for item 228 to adopt the resolution for the approval of the Water Supply Assessment. 852 01:11:38,540 --> 01:11:43,600 We have a motion by Supervisor Michael Kelly, a second by Supervisor John Huck, please vote. 853 01:11:53,540 --> 01:11:59,180 Item passes, 5-0, item number 22b is to adopt the resolution for 854 01:11:59,180 --> 01:12:06,040 for the approval of the mitigated negative declaration with a mitigated monitoring and reporting program. 855 01:12:06,660 --> 01:12:10,520 We have a motion by Supervisor Hock, a second by Supervisor Escobar. 856 01:12:11,000 --> 01:12:11,700 Please vote. 857 01:12:18,500 --> 01:12:19,860 Item passes, 5-0. 858 01:12:20,500 --> 01:12:26,640 Going on to agenda item 22-C, adopt a resolution for the approval of the specific plan amendment. 859 01:12:27,100 --> 01:12:34,820 Number 21-001, motion by Supervisor Michael Kelly, second by Supervisor Hock. 860 01:12:34,820 --> 01:12:35,860 please vote, 861 01:12:40,920 --> 01:12:47,280 item passes 5-0, 22D is adopt ordinance for the approval of the zone 862 01:12:47,280 --> 01:12:54,100 change number 21-0005. We have a motion by supervisor Hock, second by 863 01:12:54,100 --> 01:12:56,540 supervisor Escobar, please vote, 864 01:13:03,460 --> 01:13:08,100 item passes 5-0, 22E adopt resolution for the 865 01:13:08,100 --> 01:13:15,120 approval of track map number 0-0993 with the conditions, motion by 866 01:13:15,120 --> 01:13:19,020 by Supervisor Michael Kelly, second by Supervisor Escobar, please vote. 867 01:13:24,980 --> 01:13:34,420 Item passes, last item 22F adopt the resolution for the approval of variance number 23-007. 868 01:13:35,080 --> 01:13:41,240 We have a motion by Supervisor Ryan Kelly, a second by Supervisor Casualz Escobar, please vote. 869 01:13:48,340 --> 01:13:49,700 Item passes 5-0. 870 01:13:50,080 --> 01:13:50,740 Thank you. 871 01:13:51,460 --> 01:13:52,240 Thank you, Mr. Manic. 872 01:13:53,200 --> 01:13:57,960 I did want to highlight the one of the conditions on this development and 873 01:13:57,960 --> 01:14:03,660 Mr. Minick can you elaborate his memory gardens and some improvements for 874 01:14:03,660 --> 01:14:06,720 the cemetery that is going to be fun. 875 01:14:07,320 --> 01:14:12,660 Yes, the applicant also owns the cemetery and he's already been doing a lot of work 876 01:14:12,660 --> 01:14:16,140 with the providing water to it fixing all of that stuff. 877 01:14:16,140 --> 01:14:17,900 And I believe there's awesome memorial being proposed. 878 01:14:23,120 --> 01:14:29,380 I spoke with him and he said they are going to be good neighbors to the cemetery, correct? 879 01:14:29,480 --> 01:14:32,900 You want to be a bad neighbor to the cemetery? 880 01:14:33,360 --> 01:14:34,580 You don't want to be a resident? 881 01:14:36,700 --> 01:14:38,760 I think John Loyola. 882 01:14:40,360 --> 01:14:42,860 John Loyola, 2354 Millen Road. 883 01:14:44,500 --> 01:14:47,640 My board probably has a spot out there for me already, but... 884 01:14:48,720 --> 01:14:53,560 Yes, we are working to green memory gardens up. 885 01:14:53,760 --> 01:14:57,880 There's been a faithful volunteer that's been going and watering all the trees. 886 01:14:58,500 --> 01:14:59,940 We're looking in to put it in there. 887 01:15:05,480 --> 01:15:14,020 We're actually adding a few acres to put in veterans Memorial Park because there are veterans 888 01:15:14,020 --> 01:15:18,800 out there buried. And you have water actually, it's already out the site, right? Yes. Yes. 889 01:15:20,160 --> 01:15:27,240 And there's power out there, too. Okay, well, if possible, I'd like to get updates on 890 01:15:27,240 --> 01:15:30,540 and how that's going, because you and I talked out there 891 01:15:30,540 --> 01:15:34,880 several times, and it's a desperate need of improvement. 892 01:15:35,380 --> 01:15:39,280 Yes, so yeah, and I just thank you to everybody 893 01:15:39,280 --> 01:15:40,800 in the county and helping us. 894 01:15:41,240 --> 01:15:43,260 We were able to get the water out there quickly 895 01:15:43,720 --> 01:15:47,520 and the power now, we're gonna continue making it look better 896 01:15:48,200 --> 01:15:50,620 and make it so that for everybody that's out there 897 01:15:51,180 --> 01:15:51,760 and their families. 898 01:15:51,760 --> 01:15:52,620 I hope you do that. 899 01:15:56,230 --> 01:15:56,590 Thank you, sir. 900 01:15:59,160 --> 01:16:00,720 Okay, that concludes that item. 901 01:16:00,720 --> 01:16:03,640 And then we will now go to agenda item number 23. 902 01:16:03,940 --> 01:16:18,280 This is to conduct a public hearing to consider public input regarding appeal number 230004 of the December 13, 2023 planning commission's decision of approval for 903 01:16:18,280 --> 01:16:28,620 Health's Kitchen, Power Company 1, LLC, and Health's Kitchen, Lithium Company 1, LLC, has submitted by Control Thermal Resources Inc. 904 01:16:30,140 --> 01:16:35,960 Just for those that are planning on speaking during comments, there are forms in the back 905 01:16:35,960 --> 01:16:44,800 that you must turn in, there is a limit per total public comment so if you have not 906 01:16:44,800 --> 01:16:50,640 added a form you can do so and we will try to accommodate as many of you as possible. 907 01:16:51,240 --> 01:16:52,240 With that Mr. Mennick. 908 01:16:52,240 --> 01:16:53,240 Okay, 909 01:16:55,740 --> 01:17:03,500 Jimic, throw kind of plan director, so before you as a project, it is an appeal of an approved project by the Planning Commission on December 13th. 910 01:17:03,700 --> 01:17:06,340 Project is a geothermal plant. 911 01:17:06,800 --> 01:17:10,060 It is being proposed by control thermal resources. 912 01:17:10,640 --> 01:17:12,540 Dalsen goes to the Lithium extraction facility. 913 01:17:14,740 --> 01:17:20,320 If you located on either side of Alcott Road, West of day on the West side of Davis Road. 914 01:17:20,320 --> 01:17:21,240 So 915 01:17:23,520 --> 01:17:29,480 before you is noted earlier is a water assessment, an environmental document, mitigation monitoring program, 916 01:17:29,640 --> 01:17:35,840 conditional use permits for both the geothermal plant as well as lithium extraction and variance for height. 917 01:17:38,140 --> 01:17:51,620 The lithium extraction proposes to extract 20,000 metric tons and the geothermal plant in accordance with the California Energy Commission allowances is proposed to be a 49.9 megawatt net to the grid, which is under our purview. 918 01:17:53,040 --> 01:18:09,060 What we're going to do next is we're going to have Thomas Strand from Chambers Group come up and talk about the environmental and then after him we'll have Mike Bracken on the county's economist to talk about his presentation. 919 01:18:09,060 --> 01:18:09,980 Good 920 01:18:24,120 --> 01:18:28,580 morning board, Thomas Strayon with Chambers Group, the county's environmental consultant 921 01:18:28,580 --> 01:18:29,380 on this project. 922 01:18:29,920 --> 01:18:35,720 So we will be talking about the environmental process, the finally IR, and the mitigation 923 01:18:35,720 --> 01:18:40,240 included within the MMRP that's required through CEQA. 924 01:18:43,440 --> 01:18:51,280 Project description here, health kitchen is proposing health kitchen, power co-1, and also health 925 01:18:51,280 --> 01:19:01,300 kitchen Lithium-Co1 development of 49.9 megawatts of geothermal power and 926 01:19:03,930 --> 01:19:05,330 it 927 01:19:08,530 --> 01:19:11,650 evolves the development of mineral extraction and processing facilities 928 01:19:11,650 --> 01:19:16,170 capable of producing lithium hydroxide silica and polymetallic products and 929 01:19:16,170 --> 01:19:22,610 possibly boron compounds for commercial sale. The power and lithium produce 930 01:19:22,610 --> 01:19:41,490 Production facilities are located in an area that is zoned SG-1, SG-2, and M-2-G-P-E, S-1-G-S-2-G-N-M-2-G-P-E allows for geothermal exploration with an approved conditional use permit. 931 01:19:42,030 --> 01:19:45,650 The project site is within the Imperial County's agricultural land use designation. 932 01:19:46,490 --> 01:19:52,410 The project would require zoning variances for the structures above 35 feet including two 933 01:19:52,410 --> 01:19:58,410 lime silos, up to 60 feet tall, the evaporator structure, up to 80 feet tall on the cooling 934 01:19:58,410 --> 01:20:03,610 towers up to 50 feet tall, the crystallizers, which will be 80 to 110 feet tall in the electrical 935 01:20:03,610 --> 01:20:06,670 power line and transmission structures, up to 120 feet. 936 01:20:19,720 --> 01:20:23,380 Madam Clerk, can you give a hand with the next slide? 937 01:20:23,380 --> 01:20:24,620 It's not advancing. 938 01:20:39,350 --> 01:20:43,790 So continuing with the project location, the development area of the project would be 939 01:20:43,790 --> 01:20:49,510 approximately 68 acres, the majority that proposed HKP1 and HKL1 facilities are located 940 01:20:49,510 --> 01:20:56,750 immediately west of Dave's road, and the Gentine line for, Gentine line for HKL's kitchen 941 01:20:56,750 --> 01:20:57,450 power one. 942 01:20:58,050 --> 01:20:59,830 We'll run from an off-singer road. 943 01:21:07,310 --> 01:21:10,890 Here again is the project location, it's previously shown. 944 01:21:13,420 --> 01:21:22,620 Here are the facilities, both HPK1 and Lithium-Co1, as delineated on the map. 945 01:21:25,760 --> 01:21:31,160 Project activities, this is a reiteration of project description, 946 01:21:35,040 --> 01:21:36,280 environmental analysis, 947 01:21:36,800 --> 01:21:41,660 an initial study was prepared for the proposed project, and here are the resource areas 948 01:21:41,660 --> 01:21:43,940 that we analyzed within the initial study. 949 01:21:48,520 --> 01:21:51,040 Here is a list of the additional technical studies 950 01:21:51,040 --> 01:21:58,620 prepared including air quality reports, cultural reports, a number of different biological resource 951 01:21:58,620 --> 01:22:06,360 reports, geotechnical hydrology, visual simulations, water supply assessment, water quality, 952 01:22:07,420 --> 01:22:09,480 traffic, hazards, and noise. 953 01:22:14,200 --> 01:22:18,580 Here are the resource areas that were analyzed in the initial study that 954 01:22:18,580 --> 01:22:22,460 that were determined to result in no impact or less insignificant and 955 01:22:30,780 --> 01:22:31,540 here are the resource 956 01:22:31,540 --> 01:22:37,060 areas that required mitigation to reduce the impacts to less insignificant and 957 01:22:44,420 --> 01:22:44,900 here is 958 01:22:44,900 --> 01:22:50,900 a list of air quality mitigation strategies that are included within the MMRP. 959 01:22:58,200 --> 01:22:58,500 Please let 960 01:22:58,500 --> 01:23:00,980 me know if anybody would like to go back and 961 01:23:09,400 --> 01:23:11,840 for biological resources and 962 01:23:36,610 --> 01:23:37,650 cultural resources 963 01:23:37,650 --> 01:23:37,970 is 964 01:23:44,400 --> 01:23:46,200 geology and soils, 965 01:23:49,980 --> 01:23:53,900 which also includes paleontological resources, as you'll see there, 966 01:24:01,640 --> 01:24:03,220 hazards and hazardous materials, 967 01:24:10,730 --> 01:24:12,650 hydrologene water quality and 968 01:24:21,930 --> 01:24:23,210 utility and service systems. 969 01:24:29,550 --> 01:24:37,350 And a recap of public review, EIR was circulated from August 30th to October 23rd. 970 01:24:37,590 --> 01:24:43,290 Comments were accepted on the EIR, the draft EIR up to November 30th. 971 01:24:43,290 --> 01:24:50,390 12 comment letters were received, the commenters are listed here and 972 01:24:52,920 --> 01:24:53,140 here, 973 01:25:00,050 --> 01:25:01,590 and that concludes the presentation. 974 01:25:01,810 --> 01:25:04,330 Any questions, comments at this time? 975 01:25:05,010 --> 01:25:06,530 Questions from this body? 976 01:25:07,170 --> 01:25:07,490 Not yet. 977 01:25:07,970 --> 01:25:08,770 Thank you, sir. 978 01:25:08,950 --> 01:25:09,170 Thank you. 979 01:25:09,570 --> 01:25:10,050 One 980 01:25:24,670 --> 01:25:25,230 second here. 981 01:25:33,630 --> 01:25:36,670 Morning Honorable Chair, members of the Port of Supervisors. 982 01:25:36,830 --> 01:25:41,050 My name is Mike Bracken and before we begin, because this is part of your administrative record, 983 01:25:41,590 --> 01:25:43,210 it's important that I go for my qualifications. 984 01:25:43,210 --> 01:25:44,650 So, indulge me. 985 01:25:46,250 --> 01:25:49,050 I serve as the Managing Partner of Development Management Group 986 01:25:49,050 --> 01:25:49,770 and Cooperated. 987 01:25:49,950 --> 01:25:51,530 We're founded in 2003. 988 01:25:52,070 --> 01:25:53,650 I also serve as the Chief Economist. 989 01:25:53,770 --> 01:25:57,690 By education, I have a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. 990 01:25:57,810 --> 01:25:59,350 The master's in public policy. 991 01:25:59,550 --> 01:26:01,890 The bachelor's is in economics and finance. 992 01:26:02,690 --> 01:26:05,450 I've testified before Congress on both empowerment zones 993 01:26:05,450 --> 01:26:06,530 and workforce development. 994 01:26:06,990 --> 01:26:09,230 I assisted in drafting the payroll protection. 995 01:26:09,450 --> 01:26:11,730 Otherwise, known as the PPP during the pandemic, 996 01:26:11,730 --> 01:26:20,470 Those were a few sleepless nights, serve as an expert witness in both state and federal courts have testified before the California State Legislature as many of you have. 997 01:26:21,090 --> 01:26:33,590 I also have obviously, have testified before numerous county and local governments, also serve as an expert economist for the Southern California Association of Governments and have completed literally hundreds of fiscal and economic impact analysis. 998 01:26:33,590 --> 01:26:42,970 Again, I serve as an independent economist contracted by the county to do a fiscal and economic impact analysis of the project that's before you today. 999 01:26:45,490 --> 01:26:49,910 So let me make sure this scrolled correctly, one second. 1000 01:26:50,590 --> 01:26:51,550 Let's go back one. 1001 01:26:51,810 --> 01:27:02,050 Okay. In April of 2023, we produced this economic impact analysis along with the fiscal impact analysis and the job impact analysis on the two projects. 1002 01:27:02,050 --> 01:27:06,390 the combined projects of what you call Lithium-Co-1 and Power-Co-1. 1003 01:27:07,110 --> 01:27:13,250 As your environmental consultant told you, it's approximately 640 acres, 49.9 megawatts 1004 01:27:13,250 --> 01:27:18,610 net to grid of energy and 20,000 metric tons annually of lithium extraction. 1005 01:27:18,970 --> 01:27:24,090 The project is designed on the energy side to provide base load power to the residents 1006 01:27:24,090 --> 01:27:25,390 of the state of California. 1007 01:27:25,830 --> 01:27:30,850 This, of course, is part of the ongoing legislation that the state has passed for 1008 01:27:30,850 --> 01:27:36,890 green energy and to get ourselves away from things like coal and oil and other things. 1009 01:27:37,670 --> 01:27:46,610 The project that's before you today by my calculations is a 1.2 plus billion dollar initial investment. 1010 01:27:46,930 --> 01:27:53,610 Let me say that again, 1.2 billion dollar initial investment and as I'm sure the proponent can tell you 1011 01:27:53,610 --> 01:27:58,710 the cost for that project rise just about every day as does the cost of everything else. 1012 01:27:58,710 --> 01:28:05,210 So, we did three analysis for you, and let me just describe them briefly, one's an economic impact analysis. 1013 01:28:05,770 --> 01:28:18,310 So, imagine what the economic impacts are of this project to the entire county, not just the county's municipal corporation, but to the entire county, meaning the taxpayers, the residents, the businesses, the landowners. 1014 01:28:18,770 --> 01:28:26,410 The second is what we call a job or an employment impact analysis, where we're looking at both construction jobs and also the permanent jobs. 1015 01:28:26,410 --> 01:28:33,210 And the third of which is the fiscal impact analysis, meaning how will it impact your budget 1016 01:28:33,210 --> 01:28:35,890 as a county, as a municipal corporation. 1017 01:28:36,370 --> 01:28:42,090 The idea of doing a fiscal impact is to make sure a project does not cost the taxpayers 1018 01:28:42,090 --> 01:28:46,230 more than is being produced in tax revenue. 1019 01:28:47,890 --> 01:28:50,130 So we'll go with one quick slide for each of these. 1020 01:28:50,190 --> 01:28:55,350 On the economic impacts, we look at the construction labor, the operational labor, local construction 1021 01:28:55,350 --> 01:29:00,210 purchases, local operation ongoing purchases and the impacts of the land purchases. 1022 01:29:00,710 --> 01:29:04,930 Over the next 30 years of this project, if it is approved and ultimately billed, it 1023 01:29:04,930 --> 01:29:12,730 will have over a $1.6 billion economic impact to this region, to the Imperial County 1024 01:29:12,730 --> 01:29:15,230 region and Piro Valley as some refer to it. 1025 01:29:17,300 --> 01:29:21,700 The next to the job and employment impacts, and we look at a couple things there, one is 1026 01:29:21,700 --> 01:29:25,600 what is the construction impacts, and two is what is the permanent job creation. 1027 01:29:25,600 --> 01:29:33,500 On the construction side this project will generate 250 full-time equivalent jobs lasting two years. 1028 01:29:33,820 --> 01:29:42,420 That means on average on any given day there will be 250 construction workers on site working to build the project. 1029 01:29:43,140 --> 01:29:46,680 Now, let me hit something, the nail so to speak on something. 1030 01:29:47,200 --> 01:29:53,560 I often hear in these public testimonies and these public hearings about how construction jobs are temporary. 1031 01:29:54,280 --> 01:29:59,940 Yeah, I'm all hands wide. There's nothing left up here, okay? Hair wide. 1032 01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:29,980 It's hopefully the brain's still working. But something that's very important, how many of us know construction workers? Who started out as that temporary job 30 years ago? And over 30 years go from one temporary job, construction job to the next temporary job, construction job, and they've made a career of it. That's indicative of the construction industry. We also look at the operational jobs. This company will be producing approximately 75 full time operational jobs. 1033 01:30:29,980 --> 01:30:34,720 for this facility, they'll be working in and around that facility every day. 1034 01:30:35,100 --> 01:30:40,720 By the way, the average wage of those jobs, not benefits just the wage, in today's dollars, 1035 01:30:40,900 --> 01:30:44,040 2023 dollars, because we did this analysis late last year. 1036 01:30:44,880 --> 01:30:53,140 The 2023 dollars are $87,000 a year, is what the average full-time job will pay at that facility. 1037 01:30:54,680 --> 01:30:58,920 Finally, let's go to the fiscal impacts, which I know is important to the five of you. 1038 01:31:00,740 --> 01:31:07,060 This is a significant project in terms of the economic and the fiscal impacts to you. 1039 01:31:07,440 --> 01:31:15,420 Overall, this project will create almost half a billion dollars of tax revenue to the county. 1040 01:31:16,040 --> 01:31:27,800 Additionally, just in the lithium tax, what we call the SB 125 tax, this will generate $158 million to the state of California. 1041 01:31:27,800 --> 01:31:36,740 from the lithium tax that they have the ability, meaning the state of California, to put into various programs and projects of their choosing. 1042 01:31:39,180 --> 01:31:49,680 The $496 million breaks down about $8.5 million in sales tax, about $12.5 million or $12.75 million in property tax over the 30 years. 1043 01:31:49,860 --> 01:31:56,360 So you can see those are fairly minor and then the bulk of it of course is in the lithium or the extraction tax. 1044 01:31:57,740 --> 01:32:00,940 We also look at the other side, okay, here's how much revenue you have coming in. 1045 01:32:00,960 --> 01:32:03,340 How much is it going to cost you to support this project? 1046 01:32:03,960 --> 01:32:09,520 And our calculations are about $42 million over there's 30 years, so you can see a net 1047 01:32:09,520 --> 01:32:15,900 benefit to the county with this project, with the lithium tax in place, with sales tax and 1048 01:32:15,900 --> 01:32:18,400 with property tax of about $450 million. 1049 01:32:19,080 --> 01:32:23,800 Now there are some recommendations as part of this that were in the full report. 1050 01:32:23,800 --> 01:32:26,720 or these are very similar recommendations we have for all of us. 1051 01:32:27,220 --> 01:32:32,700 One is the county would have assurances through the conditions approval or through some type of an operating agreement. 1052 01:32:33,000 --> 01:32:36,860 That the point of sale for the construction materials is the job site. 1053 01:32:37,660 --> 01:32:43,600 Now in the state of California, if a job site has more than $5 million of construction materials headed to it, 1054 01:32:43,780 --> 01:32:51,340 and certainly this project does, then the point of sale can be designated as the actual job site. 1055 01:32:51,340 --> 01:33:13,940 The second part of this is the county would enter an agreement with the proponent to not challenge the property tax bills, based on the depreciation schedules in our report, which are based on information received from them, also relative to allowing the land to increase in value at the 2% cap, which is under Prop 13, which most of it does. 1056 01:33:13,940 --> 01:33:28,680 And that finally that we call Hell's Kitchen Internally Lithium Co-1 Power of Co-1 would agree with compliance with SB 125, which we need to do with the state law, or a like amount in net proceeds to the county of Imperial. 1057 01:33:29,600 --> 01:33:40,840 So that's the end of our report based on our independent findings and I'll be available at the end of your public hearing or now at your disposal to answer any questions you may have. 1058 01:33:40,840 --> 01:33:50,030 Thank you Mr. Bracken Jim anybody else on your team for sending it this time okay 1059 01:33:51,110 --> 01:34:00,230 So now we will go ahead and hear from the appellant on this item please step forward. Thank you 1060 01:34:11,560 --> 01:34:13,720 Good morning, our little chair and board members 1061 01:34:13,720 --> 01:34:17,900 My name is Jordan Sisson and the land you seek what turning here representing Comit Day 1062 01:34:18,440 --> 01:34:24,260 Who is the palant here? There will be the only one speaking for us? I think maybe three to five minutes should suffice 1063 01:34:24,260 --> 01:34:29,960 But I defer to the Chairman in terms of how much time to be allotted. 1064 01:34:31,040 --> 01:34:34,300 In my limit time, I want to hit just five quick points. 1065 01:34:35,860 --> 01:34:42,020 First, like the board here, Comite is very excited about the Lithium Ministry and the opportunities 1066 01:34:42,610 --> 01:34:43,480 that it can hold. 1067 01:34:44,260 --> 01:34:49,600 It can be part of the solution of the state in the national climate crisis, and can be a great 1068 01:34:49,600 --> 01:34:51,260 engine of economic development. 1069 01:34:51,460 --> 01:34:52,200 We agree. 1070 01:34:53,040 --> 01:35:00,280 However, committee is opposed to this particular leave it approach that CTR has unfortunately 1071 01:35:00,280 --> 01:35:02,680 placed upon the county at this stage. 1072 01:35:03,600 --> 01:35:08,240 These issues have been addressed in numerous common letters that's in the record that has 1073 01:35:08,240 --> 01:35:15,560 been presented in our appeal during the draft EIR, even over the past few weekend days as 1074 01:35:15,560 --> 01:35:17,000 we were digesting the staff report. 1075 01:35:19,960 --> 01:35:25,840 The board is in a unique position here, where the board can kind of serve as a peacemaker. 1076 01:35:26,240 --> 01:35:30,620 They can provide the opportunity in the space for the parties to meet and incorporate a lot 1077 01:35:30,620 --> 01:35:33,800 of these great things that have been promised on the diets. 1078 01:35:34,620 --> 01:35:40,040 A continuance of 30 days is something that this board could ask of CTR and CTR could come 1079 01:35:40,040 --> 01:35:44,060 up right here and agree to it and provide a nice off-ramp for everybody. 1080 01:35:44,580 --> 01:35:46,900 That's my first point and I think it's a very critical point. 1081 01:35:48,220 --> 01:35:52,060 Second, I want to stress that this EIR is deeply flawed. 1082 01:35:52,420 --> 01:35:56,920 As I stated, we submitted multiple common letters including multiple expert comments 1083 01:35:57,400 --> 01:36:02,380 that despite, in contrary to claims otherwise, have not been addressed individually in 1084 01:36:02,380 --> 01:36:05,980 the final EIR or in the response to the appeal, it has not. 1085 01:36:06,560 --> 01:36:09,780 Multiple common letters submitted have not been responded to. 1086 01:36:10,200 --> 01:36:11,400 That is a fact. 1087 01:36:12,480 --> 01:36:14,560 In my little time, I just want to highlight some of the big issues. 1088 01:36:14,560 --> 01:36:20,380 You heard about operation and throughput, there's nothing to really limit lithium extraction 1089 01:36:20,380 --> 01:36:21,660 beyond those limits. 1090 01:36:22,020 --> 01:36:25,240 There are not the conditions of proof or the mitigation measures that protect that. 1091 01:36:26,300 --> 01:36:33,940 Most alarming is that this project refuses to acknowledge that three known projects will 1092 01:36:35,480 --> 01:36:41,720 overallocate the amount of water that IID has set aside for non-ag industrial uses. 1093 01:36:41,720 --> 01:36:49,420 their explanation is that the projects are more than a mile away. We all know that 1094 01:36:49,420 --> 01:36:56,620 that is plainly irrelevant whether or not the project is a mile away when it 1095 01:36:56,620 --> 01:37:01,380 drops in the same bucket of water. The EIR does not address this 1096 01:37:01,380 --> 01:37:09,000 squarely. Also troubling is that you cannot just assume that this is just another 1097 01:37:09,000 --> 01:37:16,720 geothermal operation. It's left in extraction. It is novel. It is recognized as novel. It has been 1098 01:37:16,720 --> 01:37:21,900 untested at the levels that are being proposed. The EI does not acknowledge that. It has not come 1099 01:37:21,900 --> 01:37:27,620 to terms with the fact that there are areas of unknown. And you cannot simply say that it's not 1100 01:37:27,620 --> 01:37:33,260 going to be significant impact because it's speculative. No, there needs to be far stronger safeguards 1101 01:37:33,260 --> 01:37:46,060 and reviews data monitoring to ensure that as this industry evolves and best practices evolve that this project will evolve with it and make sure that the public and the county has those safeguards. 1102 01:37:49,420 --> 01:38:03,680 Moreover, none of these secret issues have been addressed by again the final EIR, the response to the appeal or this last minute mitigation measure just alerted to our office last night or 3pm by email. 1103 01:38:03,680 --> 01:38:08,580 regarding mitigation measure, utility one, regarding water, does not address the fundamental 1104 01:38:08,580 --> 01:38:14,940 flaws in the SQL document. So, we just discussed some of the substantive issues with this project. 1105 01:38:15,420 --> 01:38:23,300 It also is procedurally not gone. It's going to run. My client has given every opportunity to work with CTR 1106 01:38:23,300 --> 01:38:27,100 and ample opportunities to meet with my client and they have refused to. 1107 01:38:27,680 --> 01:38:30,500 I just want to highlight some of those opportunities. 1108 01:38:30,500 --> 01:38:36,000 Was there any meaningful outreach by CTR when we submitted NOP notice of preparation comments? 1109 01:38:37,060 --> 01:38:37,140 No. 1110 01:38:37,940 --> 01:38:45,040 Did we get any meaningful outreach when we submitted detailed draft EIR comments, including multiple 1111 01:38:45,040 --> 01:38:46,060 expert comments? 1112 01:38:46,920 --> 01:38:47,440 No. 1113 01:38:47,800 --> 01:38:48,020 Nothing. 1114 01:38:48,940 --> 01:38:54,760 Did we get a call when they finished their final EIR and they went for the planning commission? 1115 01:38:55,660 --> 01:38:56,540 No outreach. 1116 01:38:57,160 --> 01:39:02,680 There wasn't an outreach during the holiday season when my client was forced over the holiday 1117 01:39:02,680 --> 01:39:04,100 weekend to submit an appeal. 1118 01:39:04,840 --> 01:39:07,380 Did was there any meaningful outreach from six years at that point? 1119 01:39:07,920 --> 01:39:08,220 No. 1120 01:39:08,820 --> 01:39:09,280 Did it not? 1121 01:39:09,800 --> 01:39:15,820 Instead, they insisted on a real perfunctory response and forcing the county's hand here today, 1122 01:39:16,620 --> 01:39:17,560 demanding this hearing. 1123 01:39:19,400 --> 01:39:23,620 Lastly, just in the last 30 days, they've announced that this is not their only project. 1124 01:39:23,620 --> 01:39:30,400 We're not just talking about 20 metric tons of lithium and one geothermal lithium extraction 1125 01:39:30,400 --> 01:39:30,980 product. 1126 01:39:31,160 --> 01:39:35,560 Even as a giant campus where this is just one of seven stages. 1127 01:39:36,740 --> 01:39:37,800 Did they reach out to us? 1128 01:39:38,000 --> 01:39:39,200 Let us know about this. 1129 01:39:39,480 --> 01:39:40,100 This plan? 1130 01:39:40,360 --> 01:39:41,620 Was it alluded to in the EIR? 1131 01:39:42,360 --> 01:39:42,640 No. 1132 01:39:44,040 --> 01:39:50,760 So, respectfully, we've given every ample opportunity to meet with the experts to try to have 1133 01:39:50,760 --> 01:39:52,840 a solution, but they haven't done so. 1134 01:39:52,840 --> 01:39:56,820 They've forced the issue onto this honorable board, which is unfortunate. 1135 01:39:58,820 --> 01:40:06,160 My fourth point is that, again, we are excited about Lithium, extraction economically, as 1136 01:40:06,160 --> 01:40:09,540 well as its usage to meet the state's goals. 1137 01:40:09,700 --> 01:40:14,340 But it is nevertheless an extractive industry in a disadvantaged community. 1138 01:40:15,460 --> 01:40:20,260 The fact of matter is there's mitigation measures, project alternatives, and public benefits 1139 01:40:20,260 --> 01:40:21,260 that are left off the table. 1140 01:40:21,260 --> 01:40:27,180 They could have been codified in the development agreement with real enforceability. 1141 01:40:28,220 --> 01:40:33,740 That's an option that the county had, that's an option that CTR could agree to that process, 1142 01:40:34,100 --> 01:40:34,880 but they have not. 1143 01:40:35,260 --> 01:40:36,040 That is what's at stake. 1144 01:40:36,300 --> 01:40:39,880 It is not, we're not here to kill projects for the sake of killing projects. 1145 01:40:40,620 --> 01:40:42,260 This appeal really matters. 1146 01:40:43,440 --> 01:40:45,480 My fifth point is 1147 01:40:48,930 --> 01:40:51,690 that again, you guys can serve as a peacemaker. 1148 01:40:51,690 --> 01:41:01,950 You heard today some economic promises, something like a billion dollars investment, all this tax revenues or some recommendations about things that could be codified. 1149 01:41:02,850 --> 01:41:07,430 There's a lot of promises I hear, but that's not the same thing as a development agreement. 1150 01:41:08,390 --> 01:41:13,310 That's not the same thing as putting pendant paper and saying, hey, we're going to put our names behind this. 1151 01:41:13,430 --> 01:41:18,510 We're going to make sure it's enforceable and make sure that the county and the public has an opportunity to really enforce those. 1152 01:41:18,510 --> 01:41:25,090 Now, long after the jobs, the construction jobs are constructed, it's the county, and 1153 01:41:25,090 --> 01:41:28,830 the residents, and the EJ communities are going to suffer the potential impacts. 1154 01:41:29,690 --> 01:41:34,030 And I don't think anybody could be honest with this honorable body to say that we know 1155 01:41:34,030 --> 01:41:35,610 absolutely of what's going to happen in the future. 1156 01:41:36,130 --> 01:41:36,570 We don't. 1157 01:41:36,690 --> 01:41:38,390 Not for this novel industry. 1158 01:41:39,090 --> 01:41:43,670 We're not just talking about another cattle farm, we're not talking about just another 1159 01:41:44,110 --> 01:41:47,730 this is a novel industry that we need to provide safeguards. 1160 01:41:49,170 --> 01:41:51,610 We are with the county here in the Sunset. 1161 01:41:51,790 --> 01:41:54,170 We don't want to be here in this take-and-leave approach. 1162 01:41:55,030 --> 01:41:57,530 And you guys can ask CTR to come up and say, hey, 1163 01:41:58,030 --> 01:41:59,490 you know, it seems like you have a lot of promises. 1164 01:42:00,070 --> 01:42:01,750 There's some still outstanding issues. 1165 01:42:02,150 --> 01:42:03,670 Will you agree to a continuance? 1166 01:42:04,510 --> 01:42:05,910 30 days or date to be termed. 1167 01:42:06,290 --> 01:42:08,250 Let's, the experts work these out. 1168 01:42:08,730 --> 01:42:11,050 Let's put pen to paper and make sure that we flush these out 1169 01:42:11,050 --> 01:42:13,190 because it's so important to get it right now. 1170 01:42:14,070 --> 01:42:16,830 Because if they don't, it's forcing the county 1171 01:42:17,250 --> 01:42:18,090 into a position. 1172 01:42:18,470 --> 01:42:20,610 And it's also forcing my client into a position 1173 01:42:20,610 --> 01:42:23,030 where we can no longer work cooperatively. 1174 01:42:23,950 --> 01:42:26,370 CTR has put us in a situation where they have ignored 1175 01:42:26,370 --> 01:42:28,670 every off-ramp that we have offered 1176 01:42:29,470 --> 01:42:33,830 and forcing my client to submit a notice of intent 1177 01:42:33,830 --> 01:42:35,810 to file an action, which we don't want. 1178 01:42:36,190 --> 01:42:37,390 We don't want to do that. 1179 01:42:37,450 --> 01:42:38,790 We want to work with the county 1180 01:42:38,790 --> 01:42:40,570 to make sure this project is done right. 1181 01:42:41,310 --> 01:42:44,750 So with that in closing, I hate being up here. 1182 01:42:45,210 --> 01:42:52,170 I hate being up here, force in a situation where you're forced to take or leave it from 1183 01:42:52,170 --> 01:42:52,750 this developer. 1184 01:42:53,250 --> 01:43:01,770 30 days is not that long to get this right because as you heard, 30 years, it's very difficult 1185 01:43:01,770 --> 01:43:02,590 to unwind this. 1186 01:43:02,590 --> 01:43:14,770 It's I really respectfully request that you ask CTR for the continuance, and we can continue this conversation, 30 days, date to be termined, and so we can work together collectively. 1187 01:43:15,290 --> 01:43:18,390 Thank you so much for your time, and I wish you a very best decision making. 1188 01:43:18,850 --> 01:43:19,150 Thank you. 1189 01:43:19,630 --> 01:43:20,090 Thank you, sir. 1190 01:43:24,820 --> 01:43:27,420 Any comments or questions before I open the public hearing? 1191 01:43:30,200 --> 01:43:35,000 Okay, being none, I will go ahead and open the public hearing portion of this item. 1192 01:43:36,460 --> 01:43:41,380 We have, I'll let the clerk of the board do the traffic management. 1193 01:43:41,560 --> 01:43:41,880 Yes, Jim. 1194 01:43:42,200 --> 01:43:43,280 Did you want the applicant to speak? 1195 01:43:43,840 --> 01:43:44,580 I am sorry. 1196 01:43:45,920 --> 01:43:47,360 I oversaw that. 1197 01:43:47,540 --> 01:43:54,780 Is the applicant here and does a representative of the applicant want to speak before I open the open hearing? 1198 01:43:55,800 --> 01:43:56,760 Almost forgot. 1199 01:43:57,660 --> 01:43:58,340 Good morning. 1200 01:43:58,620 --> 01:43:59,440 My name is Jim Turner. 1201 01:43:59,800 --> 01:44:02,260 I am the president of control thermal resources. 1202 01:44:02,260 --> 01:44:07,840 And I've been associated with this project for probably almost 10 years now. 1203 01:44:08,900 --> 01:44:17,560 Rod Callwell or CEO originally came out here around 2011-ish looking at the geothermal 1204 01:44:17,560 --> 01:44:22,000 resource at the Salt and Sea to see if it was something that he would be interested 1205 01:44:22,000 --> 01:44:24,960 in trying to develop. 1206 01:44:25,820 --> 01:44:30,880 And luckily for us he said yes and an off we went. 1207 01:44:30,880 --> 01:44:41,060 that I met Rod about 2014 and he had a vision that if we could get a hold of that portion 1208 01:44:41,060 --> 01:44:46,920 of the geothermal reservoir which is on the north side of Red Island in the west side 1209 01:44:46,920 --> 01:44:57,400 of Davis Road that we could develop that and at the same time eliminate or severely decrease 1210 01:44:57,400 --> 01:44:59,940 a dust emission that was going to arrive as... 1211 01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:29,980 As a result of the shoreline of the Salt and Sea receding. And just to reply to one remark that I heard already today, if you go back in time, we talked about developing that area, and we had plans that we drew up to try to meet his vision, that would not only put a clean energy campus in place, whether it was our plants or somebody else. 1212 01:45:29,980 --> 01:45:34,720 else's facilities out there, but it would eliminate the dust emissions every place that 1213 01:45:34,720 --> 01:45:36,300 we put our foot down. 1214 01:45:38,000 --> 01:45:39,640 And that's a concept. 1215 01:45:39,920 --> 01:45:41,240 That's a vision that he had. 1216 01:45:41,460 --> 01:45:42,740 It's a concept today. 1217 01:45:43,660 --> 01:45:50,120 And one of the documents that was submitted, I think, in the last few days by the appellate 1218 01:45:50,120 --> 01:45:55,900 has a diagram that must have been pulled right off of our website, and I would encourage 1219 01:45:55,900 --> 01:45:59,080 you to look in the lower right hand corner because it clearly states. 1220 01:45:59,080 --> 01:46:05,260 this is a concept. Right now we've developed stage one which is the project 1221 01:46:05,260 --> 01:46:11,520 that's before you. We think we did an excellent job on the SQL analysis for 1222 01:46:11,520 --> 01:46:17,600 that project with the county's consultant. We stand by it. We do not agree to 1223 01:46:17,600 --> 01:46:24,580 any continuance at all. So I'll stop there and then maybe at the end if you have 1224 01:46:24,580 --> 01:46:28,120 Any questions at all more than happy to respond to those 1225 01:46:29,300 --> 01:46:30,120 Thank you, sir. 1226 01:46:33,100 --> 01:46:36,040 Okay without I will go ahead and now open the 1227 01:46:38,470 --> 01:46:42,890 Public hearing portion we do have some requests to speak 1228 01:46:44,690 --> 01:46:50,490 Cynthia you will help me since you have the list of the in the in the order that they came in yes 1229 01:46:51,090 --> 01:46:54,590 First week here is Dr. Mark Alaska. 1230 01:47:08,950 --> 01:47:09,730 Thank you 1231 01:47:11,650 --> 01:47:18,410 Thank you, Board. My name is Dr. Mark Laska. I'm the founder and the CEO of Greater Ecology. 1232 01:47:18,950 --> 01:47:26,290 We are an environmental and design firm based in San Diego for 22 years now. Excuse me. 1233 01:47:26,830 --> 01:47:32,930 We're consultants to control thermal resources, and I'm here today to express support for 1234 01:47:32,930 --> 01:47:34,510 the Hell's Kitchen Geothermal Project. 1235 01:47:35,130 --> 01:47:38,710 My firm first worked for CTR about six or seven years ago, 1236 01:47:39,450 --> 01:47:44,510 and we've been working intensively with the company 1237 01:47:44,510 --> 01:47:47,630 for three years on many, many aspects 1238 01:47:47,630 --> 01:47:49,750 of the environmental elements of the project. 1239 01:47:50,190 --> 01:47:51,970 Some of them are extremely complicated, 1240 01:47:52,710 --> 01:47:54,970 and I've brought my staff. 1241 01:47:54,970 --> 01:47:57,810 I've got six people here that are deeply embedded 1242 01:47:57,810 --> 01:48:12,150 with the control thermal resources on working to solve as many of the environmental issues associated with not just the project, but with the area we heard about one dust suppression. 1243 01:48:12,890 --> 01:48:26,070 CTR holds itself to the highest environmental standards and has engaged our firm to support their regulatory requirements such as the permitting, the compliance, and the design of the habitat mitigation project 1244 01:48:26,070 --> 01:48:28,050 That is planned for the site. 1245 01:48:28,210 --> 01:48:36,710 It's going to be a very large and fantastic habitat that will create just phenomenal, phenomenal 1246 01:48:36,710 --> 01:48:39,270 environmental resources and dust suppression for the region. 1247 01:48:39,810 --> 01:48:44,990 As you've already heard, the project brings jobs to the Valley and will be a safe domestic 1248 01:48:44,990 --> 01:48:48,570 source of lithium with extremely low greenhouse gas emissions. 1249 01:48:48,570 --> 01:48:56,070 the project seats to protect the habitat and will mitigate any areas with unavoidable impacts. 1250 01:48:56,470 --> 01:49:03,010 On behalf of my firm and my staff, I really want to express my strong support for the HKG project. 1251 01:49:03,410 --> 01:49:04,890 Thank you very much for your consideration. 1252 01:49:07,150 --> 01:49:12,870 Thank you, sir. Cynthia, can you give us the next two that way they can start staging at the separate microphones? 1253 01:49:13,290 --> 01:49:17,690 Yes. Next speaker would be Sean Wilcock and then Sean Ellis. 1254 01:49:17,690 --> 01:49:18,730 Mr. 1255 01:49:23,080 --> 01:49:24,200 Wilcox, Mr. Ellis. 1256 01:49:32,500 --> 01:49:36,760 Good morning, Chairman Wilcox Cartet, members of the board. 1257 01:49:36,900 --> 01:49:39,700 My name is Sean Wilcox, representing IBEDC this morning. 1258 01:49:40,420 --> 01:49:45,300 I've had the pleasure of working alongside the CTR folks for nearly 13 years, I believe it 1259 01:49:45,300 --> 01:49:45,500 is. 1260 01:49:46,240 --> 01:49:52,780 And I have absolute faith in their abilities to pull this project off in a safe and environmentally-friendly 1261 01:49:52,780 --> 01:49:53,120 way. 1262 01:49:53,120 --> 01:50:01,180 You know, we already have CEQA, and we have a very savvy planning department led by 1263 01:50:01,180 --> 01:50:06,540 Jim Minick, and I have full faith in their abilities to make sure that this project remains 1264 01:50:06,540 --> 01:50:08,140 compatible with the community. 1265 01:50:08,940 --> 01:50:14,200 I've also been very involved with CTR and other companies in the industry in bringing them 1266 01:50:14,200 --> 01:50:22,140 forward and working alongside Imperial Valley College and San Diego State to put curriculums 1267 01:50:22,140 --> 01:50:26,840 together for our local students and our local job seekers for the future. 1268 01:50:27,740 --> 01:50:33,240 And so we've been able to put together a number of courses that I'm happy to report. 1269 01:50:34,460 --> 01:50:42,240 There are 58 current plant operator graduates coming out of one of those courses right now. 1270 01:50:43,320 --> 01:50:48,460 And we need jobs, you know, we need this project, we need the jobs, we need a place to place 1271 01:50:48,460 --> 01:50:52,260 those students, and many more students that are coming through the process. 1272 01:50:53,660 --> 01:50:58,600 So I'm here to urge you to deny the appeal and approve the conditional use permit. 1273 01:50:59,240 --> 01:51:03,340 These appeals and these obstructions in different forms are never going to stop. 1274 01:51:03,720 --> 01:51:05,460 So let's not let them start today. 1275 01:51:05,820 --> 01:51:06,180 Thank you. 1276 01:51:06,820 --> 01:51:07,640 Thank you, sir. 1277 01:51:10,320 --> 01:51:11,560 Who's after Mr. Ellis? 1278 01:51:13,620 --> 01:51:14,520 Jason Turner? 1279 01:51:14,980 --> 01:51:18,900 Mr. Turner, if you can start lining up for this microphone over here, appreciate it. 1280 01:51:20,280 --> 01:51:50,260 Good morning supervisors. How you guys doing? My name is Sean Ellis. I'm the political director and organizer for the plumber's and pipe fitters union in Imperial Valley and Imperial County and San Diego County. So I'm just going to get right to the point. I don't need any notes or anything here to talk about this. Okay. I covered Imperial County where I have a few hundred members. I covered San Diego County where I got another few thousand members. The environmentalists in several regions across this state are banning natural gas, ending power plants and destroying our very work that we do on a constant basis. Here's an opportunity to 1281 01:51:50,260 --> 01:52:03,580 to build a new plant that could allow the union workers in which, by the way, CTR has agreements with local workforce higher guaranteeing that the men and women that live in this region will come and work for the union and the responsible contractors to pay them a living wage. 1282 01:52:04,040 --> 01:52:10,660 So that's a really good thing to be proud of in this region where we've struggled with business owners to find a common pathway today we did. 1283 01:52:11,140 --> 01:52:11,780 We're there now. 1284 01:52:11,780 --> 01:52:16,520 Okay, so as you're speaking to environmentalists group one hand they tell you let's ban natural gas 1285 01:52:16,520 --> 01:52:21,420 That's electrify and the other hand you have a geothermal plant with lithium extraction to make the next 1286 01:52:21,420 --> 01:52:24,160 Electric cars of the world and now they're fighting that 1287 01:52:24,800 --> 01:52:30,300 So let's go ahead and move forward. You have labor here and I bet you if I saw my brothers and sisters back there to raise 1288 01:52:30,300 --> 01:52:33,560 Your hand if you're a support of that project by the way raise your hand if you're a support of that project 1289 01:52:34,160 --> 01:52:39,600 We're here in force. That's union normal workers of the community private industry union industry 1290 01:52:39,600 --> 01:52:41,300 We're all here ready to make something to happen. 1291 01:52:41,800 --> 01:52:44,680 Look, San Diego is the most inflated place to live. 1292 01:52:45,280 --> 01:52:45,880 Imperial's next. 1293 01:52:46,460 --> 01:52:47,240 This county's next. 1294 01:52:48,080 --> 01:52:50,740 So once you build this plant, and we build the next generation 1295 01:52:50,740 --> 01:52:52,800 of geothermal lithium extraction plants here, 1296 01:52:53,380 --> 01:52:55,260 you'll have a foundation of middle-class income 1297 01:52:55,880 --> 01:52:58,420 that can literally have your people, your constituents, 1298 01:52:58,600 --> 01:52:59,880 that vote you and put you in power 1299 01:53:00,360 --> 01:53:02,960 to be ready for the next turn in our economy, 1300 01:53:03,220 --> 01:53:04,180 whatever that takes us. 1301 01:53:04,600 --> 01:53:06,000 So once again, let's talk about that. 1302 01:53:06,160 --> 01:53:06,780 Geothermal energy. 1303 01:53:06,780 --> 01:53:26,380 The most powerful green energy source in the world, other than nuclear energy, in which I'm a fan of, but if I can't have that, let's get geothermal energy because we'll create your basal energy and guess what? Imperial will supply us with all the power that California needs instead of the 60% that we import from Utah and Nevada and Arizona, right? 1304 01:53:26,380 --> 01:53:37,500 I thought California's government's job is to make sure that we supply the power and the infrastructure for our people, especially when private industry and labor is together in one stand. 1305 01:53:37,760 --> 01:53:45,980 So like I said, don't let one group ruin it for the masses of this community, for the state of California and for the very example this beautiful county can make. 1306 01:53:45,980 --> 01:53:56,700 So once again, I'm Sean Ellis, political director for the United Association, plumbers, and pipefitters of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Ireland, and we cannot wait to build this plan, work with CTR and all of our brothers and sisters. 1307 01:53:57,040 --> 01:53:59,540 So thank you for the time. God bless you guys on the beautiful day. 1308 01:54:00,720 --> 01:54:01,160 Thank you, sir. 1309 01:54:01,980 --> 01:54:03,480 Cynthia, who should be lining up? 1310 01:54:03,500 --> 01:54:04,200 Chair, quick comment. 1311 01:54:05,420 --> 01:54:06,280 Mr. Chairman, for office. 1312 01:54:06,980 --> 01:54:07,880 No, I'm doing the right, brother. 1313 01:54:10,210 --> 01:54:10,930 Brian Floyd. 1314 01:54:12,710 --> 01:54:15,930 Mr. Floyd, if you want to start lining up at the other microphone, thank you. 1315 01:54:17,130 --> 01:54:23,090 My name is Jason Turner, I'm the CEO and founder of PMC, a general contractor from Hopeville. 1316 01:54:23,970 --> 01:54:27,310 We have been selected as a general contractor for the Hell's Kitchen project. 1317 01:54:28,810 --> 01:54:34,970 We'll be working with the Union, we'll be working with CTR on hiring local people. 1318 01:54:35,550 --> 01:54:39,390 And I think it's a big step on CTR's part to hire a local contractor. 1319 01:54:40,510 --> 01:54:44,030 We've built huts and ranch and other geothermal facilities in the past. 1320 01:54:46,010 --> 01:54:51,770 I didn't bring any notes, I didn't rehearse this, but I just thought that maybe you guys would like to hear from somebody from the Imperial Valley, from Hopeville. 1321 01:54:53,250 --> 01:55:02,190 We've seen a lot of people come and go out there at the salt and sea, and for that matter, we've built a lot of plants down in Heber and also in Hopeville. 1322 01:55:03,330 --> 01:55:08,190 And we've seen people come, developers come in here and try to extract lithium, 1323 01:55:09,010 --> 01:55:11,170 build power plants, and fold up and leave. 1324 01:55:11,190 --> 01:55:16,410 CTR hasn't, I've worked with Rod for almost 10 years, almost 11 years now. 1325 01:55:17,130 --> 01:55:20,570 And I've seen him up and down, and he's battled through it. 1326 01:55:21,990 --> 01:55:26,430 But I will say that I was surprised to hear that there's opposition to this, 1327 01:55:26,510 --> 01:55:30,190 because I need to talk to you in real simple, whole bill, lay terms. 1328 01:55:31,770 --> 01:55:37,250 We've been in business for 26 years, but my dad was a maintenance manager for the power plant. 1329 01:55:37,410 --> 01:55:41,390 So when I was growing up in high school, that was my east of break, was working out the power plants. 1330 01:55:41,990 --> 01:55:44,610 So I've got to see this from the very beginning. 1331 01:55:45,810 --> 01:55:48,030 There is nothing new under the sun here. 1332 01:55:48,330 --> 01:55:49,530 Don't let anybody scare you guys. 1333 01:55:50,630 --> 01:55:54,650 There are 17 plus geothermal facilities in the Pearl Valley, okay? 1334 01:55:55,510 --> 01:55:58,330 It's for 41 years we've had geothermal here. 1335 01:55:58,330 --> 01:56:02,610 Same pots and pans, the only thing different that they're doing with the extraction 1336 01:56:03,130 --> 01:56:06,110 is adding a filter on the water before it goes back down. 1337 01:56:06,210 --> 01:56:11,110 That's it, that's it, and if anybody wants to question me, I was there when we built 1338 01:56:11,110 --> 01:56:15,790 the zinc plant, and the zinc plant was further than the lithium, it's a couple of steps 1339 01:56:15,790 --> 01:56:17,810 for, you know, on this side of it, for lithium. 1340 01:56:18,190 --> 01:56:22,930 So anybody opposing this is uneducated or just too lazy to research it. 1341 01:56:23,730 --> 01:56:27,290 Please approve this project, there's no reason we're ready to get the work, thank you. 1342 01:56:27,910 --> 01:56:28,510 Thanks, sir. 1343 01:56:32,040 --> 01:56:34,000 Who's next after Mr. Floyd? 1344 01:56:34,520 --> 01:56:37,300 Jorge Vira Montez and Christopher Allen. 1345 01:56:38,340 --> 01:56:42,700 Mr. Vira Montez, Mr. Allen, if you want to start lighting up at the microphones, we'd appreciate 1346 01:56:42,700 --> 01:56:42,900 it. 1347 01:56:42,980 --> 01:56:43,240 Thank you. 1348 01:56:44,180 --> 01:56:45,140 Good morning, everyone. 1349 01:56:45,400 --> 01:56:45,760 Good morning. 1350 01:56:45,920 --> 01:56:51,040 First of all, I'd like to do what somebody people rarely do for you guys in office is to say 1351 01:56:51,040 --> 01:56:54,920 thank you for the hard work and dedication that you all put in to making our community 1352 01:56:54,920 --> 01:56:55,540 better place. 1353 01:56:56,780 --> 01:57:00,760 I've lived in Brawley on my life and I'm here in support of the Control 1354 01:57:00,760 --> 01:57:05,860 Thermal Resources Project. I want to tell you that I'm the business development 1355 01:57:05,860 --> 01:57:10,660 director for EFR Environmental. We are working out there on the site already 1356 01:57:12,120 --> 01:57:18,400 helping with their hazard and space removals. They are hiring local people and it's 1357 01:57:18,400 --> 01:57:21,760 already been said before I don't want to repeat everything but we do need the 1358 01:57:21,760 --> 01:57:26,120 power, the base load, it's not just about the lithium, but that's a huge advantage. 1359 01:57:27,000 --> 01:57:30,180 But we do need the power because we're going to plug in our electric cars and 1360 01:57:30,600 --> 01:57:34,140 then we're going to get a notice in the afternoon in August and say, don't plug in an electric 1361 01:57:34,140 --> 01:57:35,400 car, so you can't go to work tomorrow. 1362 01:57:37,640 --> 01:57:43,720 So, layman's terms, you know, the green energy people say we need solar panels, but we can't 1363 01:57:43,720 --> 01:57:46,860 put them in a desert because there's a bush in our way or there's an insect in our way. 1364 01:57:46,860 --> 01:57:48,740 But here's something that's sustainable. 1365 01:57:49,420 --> 01:57:54,580 This is something that is going to be a long-term benefit for Imperial County. 1366 01:57:54,740 --> 01:57:57,220 It's not just like you're going to build something and it's going to fade away. 1367 01:57:57,700 --> 01:58:01,000 So this is going to provide long-term jobs, it's going to provide local jobs. 1368 01:58:01,460 --> 01:58:05,900 It's going to have scientists involved, engineers involved, you're going to have pipe fitters involved. 1369 01:58:06,440 --> 01:58:16,560 You name it, we're going to have to have more people down here as far as in our oversight. 1370 01:58:17,160 --> 01:58:19,740 And so scientists want to come in and work for 1371 01:58:20,500 --> 01:58:22,600 Peril County environmental health and things like that. 1372 01:58:22,600 --> 01:58:24,240 Just going to provide jobs everywhere. 1373 01:58:25,560 --> 01:58:26,940 And as you guys know, 1374 01:58:28,420 --> 01:58:30,680 forever, when you're growing up in Peril Valley, 1375 01:58:30,820 --> 01:58:32,900 you look forward and say, what's my opportunities here? 1376 01:58:33,720 --> 01:58:36,020 You know, I started irrigating and driving the tractor. 1377 01:58:36,680 --> 01:58:38,220 You know, and then what else are you going to do? 1378 01:58:38,520 --> 01:58:39,640 Well, you can get as a law enforcement. 1379 01:58:40,200 --> 01:58:41,980 You can work for the prison where the prison came, 1380 01:58:42,100 --> 01:58:45,080 but there has, the jobs have been very few. 1381 01:58:45,080 --> 01:58:49,600 Of course, we have other digital thermal plants already that provide some good jobs. 1382 01:58:49,800 --> 01:58:53,980 But here's an opportunity to get this thing going and let's just move it forward. 1383 01:58:54,980 --> 01:58:59,860 That's not that these people, everybody says I want something, I want my roads fixed, 1384 01:59:00,060 --> 01:59:01,380 but I just don't want to fix that way. 1385 01:59:02,020 --> 01:59:04,260 I want you to bring in a business, I want you to bring an industry. 1386 01:59:04,380 --> 01:59:06,840 I just don't want you to bring in that way, I want to have control over it. 1387 01:59:07,060 --> 01:59:10,400 So, let's get this ball rolling, let's approve this project. 1388 01:59:10,980 --> 01:59:14,240 And let's just keep making Imperial County a great place to live. 1389 01:59:14,240 --> 01:59:17,580 Thank you very much for your service, our community, we appreciate it. 1390 01:59:17,880 --> 01:59:18,620 Thank you, Mr. Floyd. 1391 01:59:21,050 --> 01:59:24,650 Mr. Rita Montes, and lining up should be Mr. Allen. 1392 01:59:25,910 --> 01:59:28,070 Chair, board members, good afternoon. 1393 01:59:28,610 --> 01:59:31,970 My name is Jorge Rita Montes, I'm the business representative for 1394 01:59:31,970 --> 01:59:36,250 the Western State Regional Council of Carpenters, local 619 of San Diego. 1395 01:59:36,750 --> 01:59:41,790 We want to put on record at the Carpenters, you need to put 100% in support of this project. 1396 01:59:42,290 --> 01:59:47,030 We want to come out here and let you guys know that like somebody has said before me all our union brothers are out there 1397 01:59:47,030 --> 01:59:51,450 And it's going to be a great project. So let's get this passed. Thank you. Thank you, sir 1398 01:59:52,870 --> 01:59:54,330 Mr. Allen and Mr. 1399 01:59:55,230 --> 01:59:59,650 Should be laying out who's and your shorts and your shorts, please start getting ready 1400 02:00:00,400 --> 02:00:30,220 Christopher Allen, special representative for the Western states regional council carpenters. I want to bring you guys my family story. My family immigrated up here from the wrong of Mexico, settled in Brawley and El Centro, and many of them moved to different places in the United States, whether it be San Diego, Fresno, Texas, Arizona. And the number one reason why they moved out is because there wasn't economic opportunities for them to stay. They always say, oh, yeah, if you worked with IID or the prison system, you're good to go. 1401 02:00:30,220 --> 02:00:32,200 So, but if not, you're going to be struggling. 1402 02:00:33,580 --> 02:00:36,680 CTR and PMC of Middick Mim in to the local workforce here. 1403 02:00:37,600 --> 02:00:43,000 It's your opportunity today to pass this project that way you can empower people and 1404 02:00:43,000 --> 02:00:44,380 change lives in Imperial Valley. 1405 02:00:44,660 --> 02:00:45,420 Thank you. 1406 02:00:46,080 --> 02:00:46,560 Thanks, sir. 1407 02:00:49,360 --> 02:00:51,080 Next, Jose Saldaña. 1408 02:00:52,040 --> 02:00:52,560 Go ahead, sir. 1409 02:00:52,900 --> 02:00:55,640 Brother Chairman and board members, my name's Andrew Schwartz. 1410 02:00:55,740 --> 02:01:00,000 I'm a business representative with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 12. 1411 02:01:00,000 --> 02:01:07,240 I'm also with the Inland Empire Labor Council as a vice president and vice president of the Imperial County Building Trades. 1412 02:01:08,000 --> 02:01:16,200 Local 12 operating engineers and all these associations that I'm involved with are in support of the Hell's Kitchen Project completely. 1413 02:01:17,000 --> 02:01:26,580 I am a 38 year construction worker myself, worked in Imperial County quite a bit on Highway 86, Highway 111. 1414 02:01:26,580 --> 02:01:29,100 and my grandfather, great-grandfather, 1415 02:01:29,160 --> 02:01:30,860 I'm fourth-generation operating engineer. 1416 02:01:31,760 --> 02:01:33,700 And we enjoyed working down here. 1417 02:01:33,900 --> 02:01:35,520 We hope that it keeps on going 1418 02:01:35,520 --> 02:01:38,520 and we hope that these projects keep moving us forward. 1419 02:01:38,700 --> 02:01:40,560 And we thank you all for all the hard work 1420 02:01:40,560 --> 02:01:41,900 you've done over the last few years 1421 02:01:41,900 --> 02:01:44,100 to get this project moving forward. 1422 02:01:44,340 --> 02:01:44,660 Thank you. 1423 02:01:45,160 --> 02:01:45,600 Thanks, sir. 1424 02:01:48,440 --> 02:01:49,160 Steve, Frank? 1425 02:01:53,670 --> 02:01:55,190 Hi, my name is Willis Aldania. 1426 02:01:55,490 --> 02:01:57,350 I represent the Summit Mason Local 500. 1427 02:01:57,350 --> 02:02:05,290 I'm here in support of this health kitchen project and yeah, I mean we have a lot of members 1428 02:02:05,290 --> 02:02:10,590 down here like like a lot of the crats have down here and we want to keep those members busy 1429 02:02:10,590 --> 02:02:16,310 down here without them having to travel all the way down to Coachella keeping them down 1430 02:02:16,310 --> 02:02:21,730 here keep all that money down here and get reinvested within the community so I'm just going 1431 02:02:21,730 --> 02:02:23,730 I think you'd be sure to, I'm in favor of this agreement. 1432 02:02:24,430 --> 02:02:25,150 Thank you, Mr. Secretary. 1433 02:02:28,840 --> 02:02:29,640 Frank Salala. 1434 02:02:34,160 --> 02:02:35,160 Good afternoon, gentlemen. 1435 02:02:35,440 --> 02:02:36,320 My name is Steve Bond. 1436 02:02:36,420 --> 02:02:38,220 I'm with the Plaster's Union of Southern California. 1437 02:02:38,940 --> 02:02:41,380 We're in support of this project. 1438 02:02:42,000 --> 02:02:44,180 It'll bring lots of work to the community. 1439 02:02:44,480 --> 02:02:46,860 We can bring a new apprentices to work on this facility. 1440 02:02:47,580 --> 02:02:49,240 We appreciate it. 1441 02:02:49,240 --> 02:02:50,140 I guess, oh, thank you. 1442 02:02:50,640 --> 02:02:51,060 Thank you, sir. 1443 02:02:53,820 --> 02:02:54,600 Daniel Moshe. 1444 02:02:59,540 --> 02:03:00,200 Good morning. 1445 02:03:00,620 --> 02:03:02,180 I have about 15 pages to read, 1446 02:03:02,180 --> 02:03:03,060 but I'll keep down the two. 1447 02:03:05,480 --> 02:03:06,780 And I'll make you short. 1448 02:03:07,080 --> 02:03:08,620 Good morning, my name is Frank Zvola. 1449 02:03:09,140 --> 02:03:15,040 I am here on behalf of the State Building Construction Trades Council of California to speak 1450 02:03:15,040 --> 02:03:17,840 in support of the Hell's Kitchen Project. 1451 02:03:19,060 --> 02:03:25,980 The State Building Construction Trades Council of California represents over 45,000 working 1452 02:03:25,980 --> 02:03:30,020 women and men from affiliates of 14 combined. 1453 02:03:30,020 --> 02:03:35,980 Construction trades include roughly 65,000 apprentices trained in California. 1454 02:03:36,300 --> 02:03:38,740 Next generation of skilled union trades. 1455 02:03:39,900 --> 02:03:43,620 Before I came to work for the state billing trades in 2013, 1456 02:03:44,320 --> 02:03:47,000 I worked in the field for 10 years as a labor. 1457 02:03:47,940 --> 02:03:54,680 Then I came aboard with the labor's local 300 as a field representative and a executive board member. 1458 02:03:55,140 --> 02:03:57,820 In those years, I worked there over 20 years. 1459 02:03:57,820 --> 02:04:02,560 During my career as a union labor, I earned good middle class wages, 1460 02:04:03,260 --> 02:04:11,780 allowed me to support my family, receive health benefits, and never had to worry about the ability to retire thanks to my union pension. 1461 02:04:12,520 --> 02:04:24,640 The House Kitchen Project will afford hundreds of construction workers, these same opportunities and benefits that thanks to a project labor agreement between control thermal resources. 1462 02:04:24,640 --> 02:04:30,540 the state building trades and our local affiliates council, the Imperial County Building 1463 02:04:30,540 --> 02:04:38,480 trades council. This PLA guarantees that the project will build to the highest standard 1464 02:04:38,900 --> 02:04:44,520 by skilled women and men who receive fair wages and benefits, emphasizing on local hire. 1465 02:04:45,380 --> 02:04:51,980 The House Kitchen project has the potential to bring about transformative changes in Imperial 1466 02:04:51,980 --> 02:04:56,920 the regional valley, the region that has long grapple with high unemployment levels. 1467 02:04:57,460 --> 02:05:03,060 The creation of nearly 500 new construction jobs, plus hundreds of additional direct 1468 02:05:03,440 --> 02:05:12,160 project jobs and thousands of indirect jobs in this project to better the lives of thousands 1469 02:05:12,160 --> 02:05:13,840 Californians and their families. 1470 02:05:14,180 --> 02:05:19,820 Not just the present but the generations to come in immense. 1471 02:05:19,820 --> 02:05:31,900 This project is not, if this project is not allowed to move forward as planned, it would be a blame mistake opportunity. 1472 02:05:32,380 --> 02:05:39,640 Beyond the clear economic benefit, the Hell's Kitchen project will move California closer to meeting our ambitious goals, 1473 02:05:40,480 --> 02:05:43,420 climate goals, and allow the United States to listen. 1474 02:05:44,150 --> 02:05:47,380 It's dependence on second page. 1475 02:05:47,380 --> 02:05:54,840 The other countries from Lithium and other key materials needed for carbonization efforts. 1476 02:05:55,100 --> 02:06:00,240 California has some of the world's strictest environmental labor standards. 1477 02:06:01,620 --> 02:06:09,400 We can do this, work safely, and listen in this of ways possible to the environment. 1478 02:06:09,840 --> 02:06:13,540 Benefits of House Kitchen Project for Imperial Valley and 1479 02:06:13,540 --> 02:06:21,720 And beyond should speak for themself, the state building traits and affiliates union asks that you please allow this project to proceed as planned. 1480 02:06:22,060 --> 02:06:24,680 Thank you for your time and consideration in closing. 1481 02:06:25,780 --> 02:06:29,080 I heard a lot of scares, a lot of tactics. 1482 02:06:29,820 --> 02:06:33,620 Please, the people need this and they really do. 1483 02:06:33,700 --> 02:06:38,240 They want to stand for themself in Piro County is well, well overdue. 1484 02:06:38,520 --> 02:06:39,580 Thank you very much for your time. 1485 02:06:40,240 --> 02:06:40,620 Thank you, sir. 1486 02:06:42,310 --> 02:06:44,750 Daniel Wisma would be next. 1487 02:06:45,990 --> 02:06:47,230 Cleaning board. 1488 02:06:48,070 --> 02:06:54,850 Dating machine, IBW local 5.69, and also Imperial County 1489 02:06:54,850 --> 02:06:56,490 Building Trade Secretary Trisha. 1490 02:06:57,350 --> 02:07:04,930 One of the things that we're bringing to this is I wasn't 1491 02:07:04,930 --> 02:07:05,910 born an electrician. 1492 02:07:07,030 --> 02:07:10,130 I had to go through a trade and learn a trade for me to become 1493 02:07:10,130 --> 02:07:10,870 an electrician. 1494 02:07:11,590 --> 02:07:33,650 and these jobs are going to create a lot of opportunities for our people here in Imperial County, for them to have the chance to become electricians, become carpenters, become fitters, become plumbers, become insulators, I mean there's, I represent 20 different crafts and I negotiate on behalf of them. 1495 02:07:36,070 --> 02:07:39,150 opportunities that are going to bring your people to the middle class. 1496 02:07:39,610 --> 02:07:42,590 We're not talking about jobs that you get out of that one. 1497 02:07:42,810 --> 02:07:47,730 And then you got to go to the next one because that first one doesn't pay enough for you to be able to live here. 1498 02:07:48,770 --> 02:07:53,030 And after you get out of your second job, you got to go across the border because that's the only place you can afford to live. 1499 02:07:54,030 --> 02:07:57,390 You know, this is our middle class jobs that we are going to create. 1500 02:07:58,110 --> 02:07:59,470 And this is all for our people. 1501 02:07:59,470 --> 02:08:02,090 So we stand on support of this project. 1502 02:08:02,290 --> 02:08:03,090 Thank you very much. 1503 02:08:03,410 --> 02:08:04,210 Thank you, sir. 1504 02:08:05,070 --> 02:08:05,810 Hector, Miss. 1505 02:08:11,730 --> 02:08:12,830 All right, good afternoon. 1506 02:08:13,050 --> 02:08:19,010 My name is Dan Wisma, iron workers, local 229, representing San Diego and Imperial County. 1507 02:08:19,910 --> 02:08:27,730 We have many members that live here locally and within Imperial, and they drive back and forth to San Diego just to try and help their family survive. 1508 02:08:28,650 --> 02:08:32,990 I know we've been talking about jobs this whole time, but it's not just about jobs, it's about a career. 1509 02:08:33,990 --> 02:08:38,870 A job is something that somebody else is going to look for after they're done with their 1510 02:08:38,870 --> 02:08:42,750 current one or when they're ready and negotiating for their next wage. 1511 02:08:43,350 --> 02:08:47,810 With these careers that this project is going to be providing here in the valley, it's 1512 02:08:47,810 --> 02:08:49,930 going to give people the opportunity to a great future. 1513 02:08:50,510 --> 02:08:52,370 Not only for them but their family too. 1514 02:08:53,690 --> 02:08:59,730 Like the economics already spoke about, you're talking 30 plus years of good jobs here in 1515 02:08:59,730 --> 02:09:02,770 in the Valley for the workers and their families. 1516 02:09:03,350 --> 02:09:03,990 Thank you. 1517 02:09:10,880 --> 02:09:13,040 Good afternoon, my name is Hector Messa. 1518 02:09:13,720 --> 02:09:14,600 I'm a resident of Bali. 1519 02:09:14,840 --> 02:09:18,340 I'm a business agent, I'm a business agent, 1520 02:09:18,480 --> 02:09:21,200 journeyman and electrician for the International Brotherhood 1521 02:09:21,200 --> 02:09:23,660 of the Electrical Workers, IBEW569. 1522 02:09:24,300 --> 02:09:26,020 And I'm a apprentice graduate of our local, 1523 02:09:27,080 --> 02:09:29,580 of our local electrical training institute 1524 02:09:29,580 --> 02:09:31,380 here in Imperial, the city of Imperial. 1525 02:09:32,360 --> 02:09:34,920 I am here in support of the Hell's Kitchen Project, 1526 02:09:34,920 --> 02:09:38,980 The Imperial Valley Building Straits has a full PLA with CTR. 1527 02:09:39,120 --> 02:09:42,520 This means more opportunities for local residents to join the middle class, 1528 02:09:43,080 --> 02:09:49,220 to through state-approved apprenticeships. Currently, at IBW 565, 1529 02:09:49,700 --> 02:09:55,300 we locally have over 70 apprentices working around the Imperial County. 1530 02:09:56,400 --> 02:10:03,000 Once I can now biking, Paloma, there's a bunch of little projects in there. 1531 02:10:03,000 --> 02:10:10,320 we have over 70 apprentices and we're planning on opening more apprentices' 1532 02:10:10,640 --> 02:10:15,420 box thanks to this project and all of them are local residents and thanks to 1533 02:10:15,420 --> 02:10:20,260 the PLLA which also has a main Instagram and clause with CTR not only are 1534 02:10:20,260 --> 02:10:24,700 the locals going to build it but locals are also going to work on the projects 1535 02:10:24,700 --> 02:10:29,200 for years to come with regular maintenance inspections and repairs so we 1536 02:10:29,200 --> 02:10:30,620 We have Project Labor Agreement on that. 1537 02:10:31,380 --> 02:10:34,120 I hope that the other developers take notes. 1538 02:10:34,740 --> 02:10:36,500 I'm here in support of Hell's Kitchen. 1539 02:10:36,940 --> 02:10:37,540 Thank you. 1540 02:10:38,620 --> 02:10:39,400 Thank you, sir. 1541 02:10:41,200 --> 02:10:44,240 We have Ipolito Magania and Fernanda Vega. 1542 02:10:56,950 --> 02:10:59,730 Thank you very much and good morning, everyone. 1543 02:11:00,690 --> 02:11:03,910 And thank you to the Board of Supervisors and Imperial County for this opportunity. 1544 02:11:05,450 --> 02:11:11,510 I was born and raised in Imperial Valley and called my Valley for 60 years my home, and 1545 02:11:11,510 --> 02:11:11,850 it's back. 1546 02:11:12,290 --> 02:11:14,670 I'm here today, and I feel like I'm back home. 1547 02:11:16,070 --> 02:11:23,010 I remember years ago working with Cliff Cogville, Orlando Foot, Phil Hill, Dick Proudfoot, 1548 02:11:23,350 --> 02:11:31,870 Orby Hanks, and after a few years in banking, we decided we were going to find ways to 1549 02:11:31,870 --> 02:11:39,700 diversify our economy here in the Imperial Valley and we broke our brains for 20 1550 02:11:39,700 --> 02:11:45,020 years trying to figure out what to do. How do we diversify jobs, build jobs, build 1551 02:11:45,020 --> 02:11:52,530 opportunities. Little did we know that the way the biggest boom in 1552 02:11:52,530 --> 02:11:56,750 California is happening right now and it's under the sea at the South and 1553 02:11:56,750 --> 02:11:57,610 Sea, at the floor. 1554 02:12:00,040 --> 02:12:04,840 We had no idea that that would ever happen. Neil nor my banking 1555 02:12:04,840 --> 02:12:11,100 business 35 years. I never had a client that said, I'm going to invest close to a billion 1556 02:12:11,100 --> 02:12:13,980 dollars on a vision. 1557 02:12:16,190 --> 02:12:21,190 And it's happening here at the floor at the South Sea. You have companies 1558 02:12:21,190 --> 02:12:28,530 from all over the world. They say that as the ocean rises, ships rise with it. The biggest 1559 02:12:28,530 --> 02:12:33,790 ship that we have that's going to rise is in New York County. And it's people. We talk about 1560 02:12:33,790 --> 02:12:39,370 education. You cannot have economic development without education. We could have a world 1561 02:12:39,370 --> 02:12:48,690 university here someday. We could have, you know, we had a gold rush a hundred years ago 1562 02:12:48,690 --> 02:12:56,850 here in California. People came and they stayed. Now we're 35 million people. We have the 1563 02:12:56,850 --> 02:13:02,470 gold here. We have to support CTR in what they're doing. 1564 02:13:06,730 --> 02:13:09,110 And it's not only going to help 1565 02:13:09,110 --> 02:13:17,710 the Imperial Valley. It's going to support the entire state of California. What do you 1566 02:13:17,710 --> 02:13:23,590 think a new scientist is going to come? We've talked about the hundred and 250 jobs or 300 jobs. 1567 02:13:23,590 --> 02:13:29,790 That is nothing. The future is going to be here. Where are new engineering companies 1568 02:13:29,790 --> 02:13:36,030 going to send their students here? Scientists, because what we don't know is what we don't 1569 02:13:36,030 --> 02:13:42,010 know about what's coming up out of Ocean floor. And all the products thereof, there's more 1570 02:13:42,010 --> 02:13:43,190 than we could ever think of. 1571 02:13:45,830 --> 02:13:49,730 We have to give them an opportunity. Who in the right mind would 1572 02:13:49,730 --> 02:13:57,290 come in and invest the hundreds of millions of dollars on a concept that we are just at 1573 02:13:57,290 --> 02:13:58,330 the very, very tip. 1574 02:14:00,390 --> 02:14:06,650 We have to allow them to continue to move on because this is going 1575 02:14:06,650 --> 02:14:13,010 to be the biggest boom in California and it's going to put already has put the Imperial 1576 02:14:13,010 --> 02:14:19,870 Valley in the world market place for lithium production. And there are, there's so many things 1577 02:14:19,870 --> 02:14:22,270 things that are going to happen here that we don't know yet. 1578 02:14:22,810 --> 02:14:32,190 And you have the responsibility and the opportunity to help build this county for 1579 02:14:32,190 --> 02:14:33,610 the next 100 years. 1580 02:14:34,050 --> 02:14:36,230 Sir, your time is so much. 1581 02:14:36,670 --> 02:14:37,070 Thank you so much. 1582 02:14:37,130 --> 02:14:38,290 And let's let them grow. 1583 02:14:39,380 --> 02:14:40,070 Thank you so much. 1584 02:14:40,210 --> 02:14:40,470 Thank you. 1585 02:14:41,810 --> 02:14:43,550 Hello, good afternoon supervisors. 1586 02:14:44,410 --> 02:14:48,630 My name is Fernanda Vega, a community organizer with the Imperial Valley Equity and Justice Coalition. 1587 02:14:48,630 --> 02:14:52,750 I'm here to read our organization's statement on control thermal resources and environmental 1588 02:14:52,750 --> 02:14:57,170 impact report for its health kitchen drill, thermal and lithium development project. 1589 02:14:57,770 --> 02:14:59,910 As this board knows, our coalition was 1590 02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:28,940 We've been born out of this pandemic because of the public health disparities that we saw during that time. For years now, we have been active stakeholders in the conversations about Lithium. Today, IV equity has engaged with and provided education to hundreds of residents and stakeholders. Most who have not attended any other Lithium meeting hosted by the county, consultants or the industry. We engaged with residents in the cities of Calipatria, Westmoreland, Bombay Beach, Hopeville, Ocotillo, Imperial, Central and Calexico. 1591 02:15:28,940 --> 02:15:33,380 In this period, we hosted over 20 engagement opportunities where residents were able 1592 02:15:33,380 --> 02:15:37,860 to share their input and questions regarding the Lithium development. 1593 02:15:38,440 --> 02:15:42,700 At every community meeting, residents and stakeholders expressed environmental concerns, 1594 02:15:43,180 --> 02:15:47,660 so much have not been appropriately addressed by the current EIR by CTR. 1595 02:15:48,520 --> 02:15:52,720 We want to uplift significant environmental concerns that have been raised by residents. 1596 02:15:53,280 --> 02:15:58,000 Given the significant resident concerns and our review of the EIR, we believe that the concerns 1597 02:15:58,000 --> 02:16:03,320 Students about habitat, environment, and natural resources haven't been adequately addressed in the final EIR draft. 1598 02:16:03,920 --> 02:16:10,920 First, the final EIR states across multiple sections that there are no sensitive receptors within two miles of the project sites. 1599 02:16:11,340 --> 02:16:15,900 However, it's important to note that experts have noted inconsistencies in the draft language. 1600 02:16:16,400 --> 02:16:20,340 We want to highlight that the project is located only 3.6 miles from N Island. 1601 02:16:20,800 --> 02:16:24,040 That means that residents like the children that attend Grace Smith School, 1602 02:16:24,040 --> 02:16:29,340 So, great smith elementary would only be short 3.6 miles away from heavy construction 1603 02:16:29,740 --> 02:16:33,560 and increased pollution that would take place even with all the mitigation plans. 1604 02:16:34,060 --> 02:16:39,360 Nyland is already a polluted area with elevated asthma rates and PM 10 and 2.5. 1605 02:16:40,080 --> 02:16:44,940 The final EIR indicates that it's not significant, but we want to emphasize that when you combine 1606 02:16:44,940 --> 02:16:49,340 existing, elevating pollution levels to the increased pollution from this project, the 1607 02:16:49,340 --> 02:16:50,440 impact is significant. 1608 02:16:50,440 --> 02:16:55,260 it. For these reasons, air quality concerns must be better monitored, with better plans 1609 02:16:55,260 --> 02:16:59,540 for mitigation in place. The water quality parameters of the water used for air quality 1610 02:16:59,540 --> 02:17:03,860 mitigations are crucial. Thus, control through the application of potentially contaminated 1611 02:17:03,860 --> 02:17:08,920 water can directly impact soil and natural habitats by introducing contaminants from the water 1612 02:17:08,920 --> 02:17:13,540 to the environment. Further, the project description does not adequately describe the boundaries 1613 02:17:13,540 --> 02:17:18,240 of the project. Specifically as a California State Lands Commission has already pointed out, 1614 02:17:18,240 --> 02:17:24,400 the project lacks information about the location and direction of the proposed slant wells outside the project area. 1615 02:17:24,880 --> 02:17:30,200 More questions about undisclosed directional drilling plans and state land use remain unresolved. 1616 02:17:30,660 --> 02:17:35,400 It is important that these issues be erased for the record. We request that a continuance, 1617 02:17:35,560 --> 02:17:43,640 we request that a continuance, so that there is additional time for CTR to strengthen the EIR and ensure that the health of Imperial Valley families is protected. 1618 02:17:44,320 --> 02:17:44,660 Thank you. 1619 02:17:46,200 --> 02:17:49,220 Carmen Lucas and Mariza Ortal. 1620 02:18:13,080 --> 02:18:17,040 Good morning and I apologize for being so slow as you can 1621 02:18:17,040 --> 02:18:24,380 see I'm an antique. First of all I would ask and you all hear me. Okay I've had problems 1622 02:18:24,380 --> 02:18:30,760 hearing everybody else. My name is Carmen Lucas. I'm a Kwame Indian from Laguna mountains. 1623 02:18:34,140 --> 02:18:34,860 I'm 1624 02:18:34,860 --> 02:18:38,980 here on behalf of the history of the California Indians. 1625 02:18:39,960 --> 02:18:44,720 Number one, I think it's terribly important after hearing so many people say they were 1626 02:18:44,720 --> 02:18:50,820 born and raised here and have been here all their life at the American Indians in California. 1627 02:18:52,020 --> 02:18:52,900 Superseed that. 1628 02:18:54,500 --> 02:19:06,300 Ancient Lake, which is what you now call the salt and sea, has been impacted through 1629 02:19:06,300 --> 02:19:14,660 this God-awful desire of our current times, money, money, money. 1630 02:19:14,780 --> 02:19:17,380 Where I understand that's important. 1631 02:19:17,380 --> 02:19:21,780 It's a culture today that cannot live without the paper dollar. 1632 02:19:22,740 --> 02:19:29,680 I come from a culture who understood the environment, who knew how to live without money, could 1633 02:19:29,680 --> 02:19:35,700 walk in this desert and survive even in a 120 degree weather. 1634 02:19:36,460 --> 02:19:45,240 I'm concerned about this project, I have been involved on the agency level, the process 1635 02:19:45,240 --> 02:19:54,340 testimony for a lot of years. I visited Hell's Kitchen. Conveniently my presence 1636 02:19:54,340 --> 02:20:00,540 there was left out of the EIR. I'm very concerned about that because I 1637 02:20:00,540 --> 02:20:09,880 understand our old people told us that Mother Earth is alive. When I went out 1638 02:20:09,880 --> 02:20:15,700 there with Hell's Kitchen, and they took us to the Mud Pots. I witnessed the heartbeat 1639 02:20:16,560 --> 02:20:28,040 of Mother Earth. There was a document in 1914 where my grandmother related to a white 1640 02:20:28,040 --> 02:20:36,620 woman standing on the edge of Laguna Mountains in the far distance across the desert sands. 1641 02:20:36,620 --> 02:20:46,840 You can see the flicker of the light in 1871, the geologist and the engineer's documented 1642 02:20:47,580 --> 02:20:53,520 that the Native Americans in this area as well as the old white people, settlers talked 1643 02:20:53,520 --> 02:20:56,960 about the flame of the earth and the steam coming up. 1644 02:20:58,000 --> 02:21:04,200 Our people, our medicine people, understand that to be the heartbeat, the fire within of 1645 02:21:04,200 --> 02:21:04,900 Mother Earth. 1646 02:21:05,840 --> 02:21:11,340 So, I give you that little bit of history because, as you might imagine, as an American 1647 02:21:11,340 --> 02:21:18,160 Indian in my blood is in this earth, the bones of my ancestors is in this earth. 1648 02:21:18,640 --> 02:21:26,420 I am concerned about what is happening to the environment, to the heartbeat of Mother 1649 02:21:26,420 --> 02:21:27,540 Worth, if you would. 1650 02:21:28,380 --> 02:21:32,980 So, it isn't just Hell's Kitchen and all these labor union guys. 1651 02:21:32,980 --> 02:21:36,480 It really is a few many of the facts. 1652 02:21:37,460 --> 02:21:39,920 What are the unintended consequences? 1653 02:21:41,020 --> 02:21:44,440 As an American Indian, I have a right to consult with you. 1654 02:21:44,960 --> 02:21:48,480 I have written you a letter asking that I consult with you. 1655 02:21:49,140 --> 02:21:50,800 I've yet to consult with you. 1656 02:21:51,220 --> 02:21:51,960 Why is that? 1657 02:21:52,740 --> 02:21:54,580 Is that because I'm an American Indian? 1658 02:21:55,480 --> 02:21:59,820 I'm smelling something that doesn't smell good and it's not the salt and sea. 1659 02:22:00,600 --> 02:22:03,360 So I'm asking you, please pause. 1660 02:22:04,440 --> 02:22:08,400 Please have the courtesy to respond to the American Indian's request. 1661 02:22:09,240 --> 02:22:12,240 This is far more than just money and jobs. 1662 02:22:12,760 --> 02:22:16,320 This truly is the sacredness of Southern California. 1663 02:22:17,160 --> 02:22:23,700 I know that Washington looks at us, just like they did with the windmills at Akitea wind, 1664 02:22:24,300 --> 02:22:29,720 just like they have with the solar powers looking at this desert thinking it's a waste 1665 02:22:29,720 --> 02:22:37,840 land. It is not a wasteland, but we are making it a wasteland. Nothing lasts forever and 1666 02:22:37,840 --> 02:22:44,860 things do change. But I'd ask you to pause, think of your conscience. And I'm asking 1667 02:22:44,860 --> 02:22:52,060 you to bring all my comments to the record. And I'm asking you once more, please consult 1668 02:22:52,060 --> 02:22:55,100 with me. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. 1669 02:23:04,990 --> 02:23:05,790 Mariturtado? 1670 02:23:06,530 --> 02:23:06,970 Sorry. 1671 02:23:07,710 --> 02:23:08,470 Breaking your equipment. 1672 02:23:09,190 --> 02:23:10,610 Mariturtado, collectible California. 1673 02:23:10,890 --> 02:23:17,010 I am the team leader for the collectible recall of Raúl Urenia, our former mayor, and 1674 02:23:17,010 --> 02:23:17,830 Hugh Berkman-Sanárez. 1675 02:23:18,550 --> 02:23:23,450 I didn't think I would stand up here by state around for a little bit because it is interesting. 1676 02:23:23,810 --> 02:23:29,690 I am going to say I am in favor of this project because it does bring great jobs. 1677 02:23:29,830 --> 02:23:34,790 I can see that all of the individuals that are here are here to support this industry 1678 02:23:34,790 --> 02:23:37,330 that is just so exciting for all of us in a collection. 1679 02:23:37,530 --> 02:23:40,950 We see this happening, but we have also other issues out there. 1680 02:23:41,270 --> 02:23:44,430 But one thing that I did want to make sure is to make sure to comment 1681 02:23:44,430 --> 02:23:47,970 that the appellant, the person appealing this project, 1682 02:23:48,110 --> 02:23:51,310 go meet the CVCO of Brawley, is here today behind us. 1683 02:23:51,750 --> 02:23:55,290 And I could see that he has brought his IV equity and justice group, 1684 02:23:55,630 --> 02:24:02,430 again, to work at the political, what they feel are in political positions here. 1685 02:24:02,430 --> 02:24:11,410 I feel that IV equity and justice together with Comita Civico are highly hypocritical by appealing this project. 1686 02:24:11,690 --> 02:24:17,410 It's important that you all know that Comita Civico did a project in the City of Collective Go and stole our park. 1687 02:24:18,010 --> 02:24:24,210 And I was, we were here last week to tell the tribe where IV equity is also supporting that tribe about sacred land. 1688 02:24:24,210 --> 02:24:25,090 Well, they took our park. 1689 02:24:25,250 --> 02:24:29,070 We don't have very many parks in the City of Collective. We probably have only two that are actually operational. 1690 02:24:29,070 --> 02:24:33,450 and Comitesh Savical came and did a deal with our mayor at that time who's being recalled 1691 02:24:33,450 --> 02:24:39,590 at this time, and our city manager, Spananzacolio, where we didn't know what went down. 1692 02:24:40,110 --> 02:24:45,190 We had a park that was in operation, and now we have EV chargers, so I was really confused 1693 02:24:45,190 --> 02:24:45,610 too. 1694 02:24:45,890 --> 02:24:50,530 Isn't Comitesh Savical the recipient of Imperial County's huge granting amount, which 1695 02:24:50,530 --> 02:24:55,430 was like nine million, and now they're suing the actual industry and the companies that 1696 02:24:55,430 --> 02:24:57,250 want to come and actually make it happen? 1697 02:24:57,250 --> 02:25:02,290 It's really confusing to understand what Gomitaz Civico is doing to our community with regard to Lithium. 1698 02:25:02,650 --> 02:25:03,570 It bothers me a lot. 1699 02:25:04,470 --> 02:25:10,790 It's disturbing to see that there's high hypocrisy with regard to Gomitaz Civico's activities 1700 02:25:11,470 --> 02:25:16,990 and how they can be hypocritical to a very, very poor community like collects ago 1701 02:25:16,990 --> 02:25:20,290 and take a park, not pay for it, they got it for free. 1702 02:25:20,510 --> 02:25:22,010 We all came here and told you that. 1703 02:25:22,310 --> 02:25:25,470 That there was no sequel, there was no review, there was no planning commission. 1704 02:25:25,470 --> 02:25:27,570 Comethasevico came straight to 1705 02:25:27,570 --> 02:25:30,170 collectible, shook our mayor's hand, 1706 02:25:30,510 --> 02:25:32,530 and walked away with a huge chunk 1707 02:25:32,530 --> 02:25:33,750 of rockwood plaza. 1708 02:25:34,430 --> 02:25:36,450 The citizens of collectible got nothing 1709 02:25:36,450 --> 02:25:36,950 in return. 1710 02:25:37,510 --> 02:25:38,330 Absolutely nothing. 1711 02:25:38,670 --> 02:25:40,670 Shame on Comethasevico. 1712 02:25:41,190 --> 02:25:42,430 Shame on Ivy Equity. 1713 02:25:43,150 --> 02:25:44,710 Shame on all those individuals 1714 02:25:44,710 --> 02:25:47,510 who are hypocrites in our community. 1715 02:25:48,030 --> 02:25:49,190 They are carpet baggers. 1716 02:25:49,890 --> 02:25:51,850 Nine million from Imperial County, 1717 02:25:52,250 --> 02:25:53,870 Hustle Luis Romero of Comethasevico 1718 02:25:53,870 --> 02:25:57,010 when here you are being a hypocrite, expecting all this, 1719 02:25:57,370 --> 02:25:59,750 you need to pick a team, Komitesi, we go. 1720 02:26:06,060 --> 02:26:07,200 Choose, Robertson. 1721 02:26:13,610 --> 02:26:16,170 Comin' Dr. Moteve, my name is Manfred Scott. 1722 02:26:17,190 --> 02:26:18,310 I'm from Zon Tribe. 1723 02:26:19,910 --> 02:26:23,570 And we always talk about a meaningful consultation 1724 02:26:23,570 --> 02:26:24,810 between tribes. 1725 02:26:25,750 --> 02:26:30,630 And the Zon Tribe feels that AB 52 consultation 1726 02:26:30,960 --> 02:26:33,650 has not been or has been inadequate. 1727 02:26:33,650 --> 02:26:39,570 it and that significant travel cultural resource concerns have gone unaddressed. 1728 02:26:42,400 --> 02:26:55,600 It affects all the areas within the southeast area of the cultural resources in that area 1729 02:26:55,600 --> 02:27:04,340 of the health kitchen and it affects everything and it affects us when cultural resources get 1730 02:27:04,340 --> 02:27:10,460 destroyed when you get destroyed it's irreplaceable and seems like there 1731 02:27:10,460 --> 02:27:15,340 hasn't really been a consultation with the tribe rather government to 1732 02:27:15,340 --> 02:27:20,940 government and so also it seems like the draft EIR there was some changes that 1733 02:27:20,940 --> 02:27:26,340 were made and if they were are made is that a violation to the sequel and so we 1734 02:27:26,340 --> 02:27:32,140 need more consultation with the tribes and with our tribe and that hasn't been 1735 02:27:32,140 --> 02:27:37,900 met, and when is it going to be met, or is it not? Those are the questions we have, 1736 02:27:38,160 --> 02:27:44,740 and when we always talk about meaningful consultation, we look at government to government agencies 1737 02:27:44,740 --> 02:27:51,200 to agencies to make sure assurance that our cultural areas are protected. 1738 02:27:53,240 --> 02:27:54,220 Thank you. 1739 02:28:07,500 --> 02:28:14,520 I'm going to take a little bit different approach for you guys and by the way, I'm the owner 1740 02:28:14,520 --> 02:28:15,960 of Radco Incorporated Co-owner. 1741 02:28:17,120 --> 02:28:21,460 We employ several dozen people here in the valley locally 19 years. 1742 02:28:22,220 --> 02:28:25,140 So my approach is can the Radco guys wave your hands? 1743 02:28:26,640 --> 02:28:31,340 So these are faces that you can look at that are going to be positively impacted including 1744 02:28:31,340 --> 02:28:36,800 their families on this project. This is just some of them from my company. So I just wanted to 1745 02:28:36,800 --> 02:28:42,420 make sure that you guys actually saw faces and really understand the historical significance of 1746 02:28:42,420 --> 02:28:48,100 this project. You know, the Imperial County has a really good opportunity that just landed in your 1747 02:28:48,100 --> 02:28:55,020 laps. You know, literally, this is a really good opportunity and I would sure hate to see it go to 1748 02:28:55,020 --> 02:29:03,020 ways. You know, I understand impacts, I understand there's some negative comments that are being made, 1749 02:29:03,160 --> 02:29:09,720 but the positives, I mean, this, let's face it, in Pearl County, is it always on the news for good 1750 02:29:09,720 --> 02:29:16,400 things? This is a great thing. You know, how many bridges, where's John at? How many bridges can 500 1751 02:29:16,400 --> 02:29:23,420 million dollars fix? You know, I wasn't involved in the numbers, so that's just coming from this, 1752 02:29:23,420 --> 02:29:29,200 this number earlier but I don't even know if those numbers include all of the payroll taxes and 1753 02:29:29,200 --> 02:29:33,000 things like that from all the employees on that project throughout the time and how much of 1754 02:29:33,000 --> 02:29:37,080 a how much of an impact is going to have on the entire county. I mean there's going to be new houses 1755 02:29:37,080 --> 02:29:45,280 built. There's going to be potholes fixed bridges fixed. I mean this is huge and I would sure hate to 1756 02:29:45,280 --> 02:29:52,540 see the county turn something down this significant when there's other states that are doing it right 1757 02:29:52,540 --> 02:29:57,140 right now, too. What's stopping this company from picking up and leaving other than the 1758 02:29:57,140 --> 02:29:59,940 huge investment at this point? But there are other communities... 1759 02:30:01,760 --> 02:30:09,820 So, I encourage a 5.0 vote. I know I'd appreciate it. I know my guys would appreciate it. So, it's it. Thank you. 1760 02:30:15,830 --> 02:30:21,170 Good afternoon, my name is Hugo Castañeda. I'm a union red for the Volomakers Local 92. 1761 02:30:23,330 --> 02:30:32,450 My local union has been around for 132 years. Because of projects like this, we've been dying. According to people for 1762 02:30:32,450 --> 02:30:34,090 for a hundred to two years already, right? 1763 02:30:35,030 --> 02:30:43,030 And projects like this, it was kept us alive and brought a lot of work to our people here in every county. 1764 02:30:43,730 --> 02:30:54,010 We cover all of Southern California, Southern Nevada with major projects like this, and it's going to uplift the people in every county, in every area. 1765 02:30:54,390 --> 02:30:56,050 So we just share in support. 1766 02:30:56,990 --> 02:30:57,490 Thank you, sir. 1767 02:30:57,490 --> 02:30:58,450 Luis 1768 02:31:01,590 --> 02:31:08,160 Pinedo and Sean Melanovic. 1769 02:31:17,080 --> 02:31:18,080 Good afternoon, everyone. 1770 02:31:18,200 --> 02:31:19,000 My name is Luis Pinedo. 1771 02:31:19,020 --> 02:31:21,260 I represent the brick layers and tall layers and 1772 02:31:21,260 --> 02:31:23,300 allied crafts for Southern California Local 4. 1773 02:31:24,120 --> 02:31:29,500 And a project of this magnitude not only brings work for 1774 02:31:29,500 --> 02:31:34,660 the workers, but it also has them spend that money again back in the communities and 1775 02:31:34,660 --> 02:31:37,860 helps uplift the communities, helps the families. 1776 02:31:37,860 --> 02:31:43,720 It helps workers that not only get paid a wage, but they also get benefits for themselves and their families. 1777 02:31:45,280 --> 02:31:50,400 So it helps the economy at the end of the day, and it's very important for 1778 02:31:50,400 --> 02:31:54,760 all the people that are here locally, that live here, that need that money to come back to them. 1779 02:31:55,280 --> 02:32:00,920 Not only the workers, but when they go out and shop, when they take their families out, when they spend that money locally. 1780 02:32:01,620 --> 02:32:01,920 Thank you. 1781 02:32:01,920 --> 02:32:02,820 Good 1782 02:32:12,640 --> 02:32:17,480 afternoon, my name is Sean Milanovic, and I am a member of the Aguacaliente Band of 1783 02:32:17,480 --> 02:32:20,720 Kuiya Indians at the west end of the valley. 1784 02:32:21,960 --> 02:32:30,920 I am in opposition to this project, and for all the lithium projects, lithium valley around 1785 02:32:30,920 --> 02:32:35,420 the salt and sea at the east end of the Coachella Valley, that just sounds crazy to me. 1786 02:32:35,420 --> 02:32:42,060 Our families, our tribal people hold this area as sacred. 1787 02:32:42,540 --> 02:32:49,740 The sea itself as anti-Carmen had said, it is alive, it is breathing when we see those 1788 02:32:49,740 --> 02:32:57,340 mud pots belching out that sacred earth belching out those gases in that water. 1789 02:32:58,470 --> 02:32:59,360 That's the medicine. 1790 02:33:00,060 --> 02:33:04,340 We still go to the sea, we harvest that medicine, we sing to it. 1791 02:33:04,340 --> 02:33:11,820 We offer gifts to the sea, to the land, or around it, all around the saw and see the sea itself is 1792 02:33:11,820 --> 02:33:12,720 vibrantly 1793 02:33:13,460 --> 02:33:17,500 Shaking and lettuce letting us know that it's there and read. It's 1794 02:33:18,420 --> 02:33:22,200 As we see it. It's our responsibility to take care of 1795 02:33:23,240 --> 02:33:25,200 this of this beautiful landscape 1796 02:33:26,320 --> 02:33:26,960 in 1797 02:33:26,960 --> 02:33:27,940 1852 1798 02:33:30,070 --> 02:33:34,610 The United States government signed 18 treaties in California 1799 02:33:34,610 --> 02:33:34,710 India. 1800 02:33:35,490 --> 02:33:39,150 The agro-coliante band of Kuwait Indians was one of those tribes. 1801 02:33:39,630 --> 02:33:47,410 Not all tribes were allowed to, were even invited to come and sign those treaties. 1802 02:33:48,010 --> 02:33:50,730 But one of our members signed that treaty. 1803 02:33:51,490 --> 02:33:59,090 And by signing that treaty, we have an obligation to be respectful and mindful to the United 1804 02:33:59,090 --> 02:33:59,530 States. 1805 02:33:59,530 --> 02:34:09,250 And in the same, the United States, including the state of California, Imperial County has an obligation to listen to the tribes. 1806 02:34:09,910 --> 02:34:14,770 Not all tribes have been a part of SB 52. 1807 02:34:15,210 --> 02:34:19,770 There's a lot of tribes that have not been a part of it, and what has been done has been very little. 1808 02:34:21,090 --> 02:34:28,690 What about Section 106 for the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Protection Act? 1809 02:34:28,690 --> 02:34:38,290 But there is no commitment to reach out to the tribes to do due diligence. 1810 02:34:38,310 --> 02:34:48,350 We are being neglected, again, and I implore you to reach out to the tribes, to reach out to me, 1811 02:34:48,750 --> 02:34:51,310 specifically right where Hell's Kitchen is going to go. 1812 02:34:51,830 --> 02:34:53,590 That's an extremely sacred site. 1813 02:34:53,590 --> 02:35:02,670 That's where our people go specifically for medicine, for training, and for healing right there. 1814 02:35:02,850 --> 02:35:05,830 And if you want to know more about it, I can talk to you in a closed session. 1815 02:35:06,410 --> 02:35:12,090 But this area is precious to my heart to our families. 1816 02:35:12,090 --> 02:35:18,030 We have thousands of people that want to help and protect the sea. 1817 02:35:18,250 --> 02:35:21,310 We go there regularly. 1818 02:35:21,310 --> 02:35:25,530 early. And so I ask that you reach out to the tribes and talk to us. 1819 02:35:25,910 --> 02:35:28,290 Reach out and talk to me. My name is Sean Milanovic. 1820 02:35:28,750 --> 02:35:31,790 And I am a member of the Aguacaliente Band of Kuiya Indians. 1821 02:35:32,410 --> 02:35:32,830 Thank you. 1822 02:35:34,130 --> 02:35:34,890 Thank you, sir. 1823 02:35:36,150 --> 02:35:39,290 Chairman, the next three speakers will be Biazov. 1824 02:35:39,470 --> 02:35:43,670 Okay. And then that will conclude our public hearing. 1825 02:35:44,950 --> 02:35:47,490 First speaker is Mariana Avafrolyk. 1826 02:35:49,150 --> 02:35:54,050 Good afternoon, Honourable Chairman Flankarfi and Imperial Colonies Supervisors. 1827 02:35:55,130 --> 02:35:56,950 My name is Maria Navifrolek. 1828 02:35:57,210 --> 02:36:02,970 I'm a City Council Member for the City of Kalipagda, and I'm a resident of the City of Kalipatra, 1829 02:36:03,590 --> 02:36:06,230 and formally from the town side of 90. 1830 02:36:07,550 --> 02:36:13,870 The City of Kalipatra will be the most impacted municipality due to its close proximity to the 1831 02:36:13,870 --> 02:36:15,050 Lithium Valley area. 1832 02:36:15,050 --> 02:36:20,190 The City of Calipatres located at the northeastern end of the Imperial Valley 1833 02:36:20,190 --> 02:36:24,690 contiguous to the salt and sea known as the geothermal resource area. 1834 02:36:25,190 --> 02:36:30,570 It is 40 miles north of the U.S. Mexico border and 96 miles east of San Diego 1835 02:36:30,570 --> 02:36:34,310 and 142 miles south east of Los Angeles. 1836 02:36:35,150 --> 02:36:39,230 The City of Calipatres population is 6,515 1837 02:36:40,090 --> 02:36:47,270 as of April 1st of 2020, which includes a prison population of approximately 3,000 in 1838 02:36:47,270 --> 02:36:53,290 Calipatria State Prison as per census of 2020. Currently the city's population is at a 1839 02:36:53,290 --> 02:37:06,190 decline of a minus 4.46% annually and has decreased by a minus 15.56% since 2010. The city of Calipatria 1840 02:37:06,190 --> 02:37:12,990 And Imperial County has among the lowest, excuse me, the highest poverty rates in the nation. 1841 02:37:13,810 --> 02:37:24,350 Persons in poverty in 2016 through 2020 for the city of Calipata was at 35.4% compared to Imperial County at 18.1%. 1842 02:37:24,350 --> 02:37:28,150 And the state of California at 12.58%. 1843 02:37:28,150 --> 02:37:35,230 The city's median household income in 2020 was at $37,196. 1844 02:37:35,230 --> 02:37:44,630 dollars compared to the counties 46,220 and state 80,080,440. 1845 02:37:45,950 --> 02:37:50,590 We are well aware of economic challenges as a disadvantaged community. 1846 02:37:51,350 --> 02:37:57,190 The City of Calipatra has taken a proactive and strategic approach to apply our community's 1847 02:37:57,190 --> 02:38:04,650 unique economic role and assets to help facilitate the momentum of the development of the Lithium 1848 02:38:04,650 --> 02:38:11,330 Valley Project. The city has been actively involved in the Blue Ribbon Valley Commission meetings 1849 02:38:11,860 --> 02:38:18,430 and programmatic EIR, community outreach and environmental workshops, meetings, forums and 1850 02:38:18,430 --> 02:38:23,830 have conducted site visits related to the lithium valley projects to better assess how we can 1851 02:38:23,830 --> 02:38:31,290 better support these projects. Control thermal resources, health kitchen, power company and health 1852 02:38:31,290 --> 02:38:36,830 kitsch and lithium are among other lithium developers such as energy source minerals and 1853 02:38:36,830 --> 02:38:41,890 birch are half the way energy renewables that will be part of the imperial county's 1854 02:38:41,890 --> 02:38:42,590 lithium valley. 1855 02:38:44,270 --> 02:38:49,870 I am speaking this afternoon on my own behalf as an individual and not for the entire 1856 02:38:49,870 --> 02:38:55,950 council in support of this project because it is it is good for our economic development 1857 02:38:55,950 --> 02:39:02,090 and will bring much needed jobs for many of our residents that are currently unemployed. 1858 02:39:02,630 --> 02:39:08,250 I welcome the economic and global environmental benefits the Lithium Valley industry will bring 1859 02:39:08,250 --> 02:39:14,650 to our municipality, county, and state, and to the nation's energy security. 1860 02:39:15,790 --> 02:39:23,850 The Lithium Valley community benefits funding from the SB 1-2-5 excise tax will provide 30 percent 1861 02:39:23,850 --> 02:39:29,170 direct investments towards the most disadvantaged communities and households 1862 02:39:29,170 --> 02:39:33,710 within the red line communities of Calibata and Nile and other Northern 1863 02:39:33,710 --> 02:39:39,270 communities. 20% of the excise funding will go directly to the restoration of 1864 02:39:39,270 --> 02:39:44,350 the Sultan's Sea. The whole Imperial County will benefit from the community 1865 02:39:44,350 --> 02:39:49,950 benefits for much needed funding for infrastructure projects, bridges and roads 1866 02:39:49,950 --> 02:39:51,190 and economic development. 1867 02:39:51,990 --> 02:39:54,410 These lithium projects will provide opportunities 1868 02:39:54,410 --> 02:39:57,350 for business, public agencies, nonprofits, 1869 02:39:57,570 --> 02:40:01,730 and other institutions to participate in and benefit 1870 02:40:01,730 --> 02:40:04,050 from statewide and national efforts 1871 02:40:04,050 --> 02:40:06,810 to promote green, clean energy. 1872 02:40:07,090 --> 02:40:08,870 As well, let's say you can start working it up. 1873 02:40:08,890 --> 02:40:09,110 And we need benefits. 1874 02:40:09,510 --> 02:40:11,110 We'll provide the infrastructure funding 1875 02:40:11,110 --> 02:40:14,650 for state highway 11 and improvements for streets 1876 02:40:14,650 --> 02:40:17,430 and the acquisition of the water system in Cali Patra. 1877 02:40:17,830 --> 02:40:19,310 My time is up, almost not. 1878 02:40:19,310 --> 02:40:21,450 It's quite a finish. 1879 02:40:22,770 --> 02:40:27,210 It will also provide educational funding to assist our local Califitry School District 1880 02:40:27,210 --> 02:40:31,950 and Parivoli College and the San Diego State University and Imperial County campus. 1881 02:40:32,630 --> 02:40:38,010 These community benefits will maximize economic and environmental and public health benefits 1882 02:40:38,010 --> 02:40:43,990 for Califatara and the United Communities, particularly in the Salt and Sea receding charlains and complement 1883 02:40:43,990 --> 02:40:48,730 And then efforts and increased funding to improve air quality to the impacted communities. 1884 02:40:49,450 --> 02:40:57,230 These lithium projects will foster job creation by promoting local impacted communities within the lithium valley and geothermal basin area. 1885 02:40:57,950 --> 02:41:03,070 I strongly urge you to do everything you can to help the Imperial County make these projects a reality. 1886 02:41:03,630 --> 02:41:09,210 I ask today for the County Board of Supervisors to approve the CTR's health, 1887 02:41:09,210 --> 02:41:11,970 health, kitchen, power, company, and health, kitchen, 1888 02:41:12,110 --> 02:41:16,870 lithium, conditional use permit, as submitted by the Control Thermo Resources. 1889 02:41:17,590 --> 02:41:19,430 Thank you very much for your time and have a good day. 1890 02:41:19,750 --> 02:41:20,370 Thank you, Ms. Wolves. 1891 02:41:20,730 --> 02:41:21,410 Thank you. 1892 02:41:23,350 --> 02:41:25,870 Next speaker, Mr. Gerard and Mark. 1893 02:41:28,940 --> 02:41:29,960 Hello, good afternoon. 1894 02:41:30,380 --> 02:41:31,580 My name is Gerard Neymark. 1895 02:41:31,840 --> 02:41:34,840 I'm the California Organizer with Earthworks. 1896 02:41:35,180 --> 02:41:40,480 We're a nonprofit organization that protects communities in the environment from 1897 02:41:40,480 --> 02:41:46,640 the adverse impacts of mineral and energy development while promoting sustainable solutions. 1898 02:41:47,080 --> 02:41:51,480 And for the past two years, I've been working with community organizations in Imperial 1899 02:41:51,480 --> 02:41:56,040 County to better understand the impacts of proposed lithium extraction projects. 1900 02:41:56,540 --> 02:42:02,240 I'm commenting today to urge the board to grant the 30-day continuance that Komite Civico 1901 02:42:02,240 --> 02:42:04,960 has requested or to grant the appeal. 1902 02:42:04,960 --> 02:42:10,880 So, with Komite, I've reviewed and submitted comments at every stage of the process. 1903 02:42:11,180 --> 02:42:18,660 I remain concerned that the applicant has failed to disclose and analyze significant environmental impacts as required by CEQA, 1904 02:42:18,880 --> 02:42:24,180 and that our comments have not received a full response, and that the final EIR remains inadequate. 1905 02:42:25,160 --> 02:42:31,560 In particular, I'm concerned about the lack of cumulative impacts analysis with regards to water supply for 1906 02:42:31,560 --> 02:42:42,240 The Water Supply Assessment considers in isolation the project's 6,500 acre feet per year demand, 1907 02:42:42,920 --> 02:42:47,480 ignoring the additional demand from the nearby proposed geothermal power plants. 1908 02:42:47,620 --> 02:42:55,120 They would bring consumption for non-agricultural use well above the remainder under the interim water supply policy. 1909 02:42:55,120 --> 02:43:00,480 Then, if you also account for what's being planned for Lithium Valley more broadly, now 1910 02:43:00,480 --> 02:43:05,800 estimated at 100,000 acre feet per year in the initial study for the specific plan, 1911 02:43:06,280 --> 02:43:11,760 for the major shortfall with no explanation of where this water will come from and what 1912 02:43:11,760 --> 02:43:17,600 the impacts will be, the EIR needs to be revised to analyze this reality of limited water supply 1913 02:43:17,600 --> 02:43:23,460 in the region, especially with federal scientists just now projecting that Lake Mead will once 1914 02:43:23,460 --> 02:43:28,160 Again, reach historic lows by the end of 2025, every drop matters. 1915 02:43:28,900 --> 02:43:32,920 I'm also concerned about the lack of clarity and analysis regarding hazards, 1916 02:43:33,320 --> 02:43:36,760 such as potential for brine spills and classification of hazardous waste. 1917 02:43:37,260 --> 02:43:41,180 The applicant continues to state that waste produced by descaling, 1918 02:43:41,920 --> 02:43:44,440 exceeding California standards will be extremely rare. 1919 02:43:44,720 --> 02:43:47,300 But they don't explain how they arrived at that finding. 1920 02:43:47,740 --> 02:43:51,800 Understanding their methodology is crucial information to keep the community and 1921 02:43:51,800 --> 02:43:53,760 and the environment safe from the hazards 1922 02:43:53,760 --> 02:43:55,480 from a novel operation. 1923 02:43:57,650 --> 02:44:02,150 Finally, I'd like to clarify that some of the comments 1924 02:44:02,150 --> 02:44:04,350 made today about base load energy 1925 02:44:04,350 --> 02:44:07,510 don't account for the fact that 35 to 40 megawatts 1926 02:44:07,510 --> 02:44:10,990 will be used to power the lithium extraction plant itself. 1927 02:44:11,670 --> 02:44:13,650 Geothermal and base load power are great, 1928 02:44:14,110 --> 02:44:17,210 but this majority of this energy produced will go 1929 02:44:17,210 --> 02:44:18,510 towards lithium extraction 1930 02:44:18,510 --> 02:44:20,290 and that needs to be considered carefully. 1931 02:44:21,250 --> 02:44:23,370 Earthworks is not against lithium extraction. 1932 02:44:24,010 --> 02:44:28,550 On the contrary, we believe Imperial County has an historic opportunity to work towards 1933 02:44:28,550 --> 02:44:34,210 adjust energy transition by pursuing responsible projects with the highest environmental standards. 1934 02:44:34,890 --> 02:44:39,790 Unfortunately, the Hell's Kitchen project, as it currently stands, does not set a good example. 1935 02:44:40,310 --> 02:44:43,850 And so I'd ask the board to grant the continuance where they appeal. 1936 02:44:44,270 --> 02:44:45,730 Thank you for your consideration. 1937 02:44:45,730 --> 02:44:47,090 Thank you, sir. 1938 02:44:48,010 --> 02:44:49,330 Our last speaker for the day. 1939 02:44:49,690 --> 02:44:49,790 Yes. 1940 02:44:50,050 --> 02:44:50,590 Last speaker. 1941 02:44:50,830 --> 02:44:52,190 Dr. Ali Sharba. 1942 02:44:55,740 --> 02:44:56,420 Good afternoon. 1943 02:44:57,960 --> 02:44:59,000 Good afternoon. 1944 02:45:00,000 --> 02:45:28,580 Welcome to providers. My, my name is Dr. Ali Sharbat, I'm a professor of civil engineering at Cal Poly Pomona. My area of work, what I do is environmental engineering and water resources management. I've been involved in development of this draft environmental impact report. And we've been providing 1945 02:45:29,960 --> 02:45:44,800 review comments since it was other side, we responded in October of 23, but 1946 02:45:44,800 --> 02:45:50,880 unfortunately I see we have not seen proper response or action items from 1947 02:45:50,880 --> 02:45:58,040 the applicants. So I would like to urge the Board of Supervisors to grant a 1948 02:45:58,040 --> 02:46:05,060 appeal for the unrequired revision of the environmental impact report. 1949 02:46:05,720 --> 02:46:14,520 I have a few points to make while I think this environmental impact report is not proper. 1950 02:46:15,320 --> 02:46:23,740 First of all, this project does not properly consider the availability of water. 1951 02:46:23,740 --> 02:46:28,360 It doesn't respond to water supply concerns. 1952 02:46:29,000 --> 02:46:34,700 As all of us, we know the Colorado River basin experience 1953 02:46:34,700 --> 02:46:38,960 in significant water stress, particularly in the lower basin, 1954 02:46:39,560 --> 02:46:42,920 and Lake Mead is a good representative of the situation 1955 02:46:42,920 --> 02:46:43,860 that is happening. 1956 02:46:45,660 --> 02:46:49,520 During the past two decades, the level is going down. 1957 02:46:49,520 --> 02:47:02,080 vendor is no water, how we are going to allocate 6,500 acre feet of water for a single project. 1958 02:47:03,060 --> 02:47:12,620 I feel that there will be challenges, there is not available water for projects for simply 1959 02:47:12,620 --> 02:47:18,820 municipalities are being concerned in other states and this is something that we need to be 1960 02:47:18,820 --> 02:47:26,660 thinking of. The second point is the need for hydrogeology study. The ERI 1961 02:47:26,660 --> 02:47:34,040 basically says since the other existing geothermal plants are returning back 1962 02:47:34,040 --> 02:47:40,360 to the layers underground, this project is going to do the same thing. This is 1963 02:47:40,360 --> 02:47:45,420 totally irrelevant. Comparing this project with the existing project is totally 1964 02:47:45,420 --> 02:47:51,380 irrelevant because there are changes, there are undisclosed changes to the matrix of water. 1965 02:47:52,440 --> 02:47:57,480 And this water is going to be changed and it's going to be injected underground and it is going to 1966 02:47:57,480 --> 02:48:05,000 have significant effects on the quality of ground, the resource, which is underground. 1967 02:48:07,200 --> 02:48:13,340 And I'm from Cal Poly Pomona. The picture you see behind me is the campus Cal Poly Pomona 1968 02:48:13,340 --> 02:48:18,840 five decades ago, some private companies came and did some projects in the region and 1969 02:48:18,840 --> 02:48:23,640 unfortunately the ground water underneath Cal Poly Pomona is contaminated forever. 1970 02:48:24,020 --> 02:48:28,660 Next generations will not have the opportunity to use the ground water. 1971 02:48:28,980 --> 02:48:30,360 Doctor, we can wrap it up, please. 1972 02:48:31,620 --> 02:48:34,580 Thank you, absolutely. And what I want to 1973 02:48:37,600 --> 02:48:43,120 And the way I want to wrap it up is that I'm totally in support of the economic developments 1974 02:48:43,120 --> 02:48:50,740 of this type of projects which we'll bring to the region and people should not be concerned 1975 02:48:50,740 --> 02:48:55,640 if the company moves to other states because other states do not have lithium resources to 1976 02:48:55,640 --> 02:48:56,020 offer. 1977 02:48:56,360 --> 02:49:02,520 What we are saying is this type of project need to be done properly and I would urge the support 1978 02:49:02,520 --> 02:49:08,920 I would also provide this to Grant Appeal for the revision of the year right and thank you for the opportunity. 1979 02:49:09,360 --> 02:49:09,820 Thank you, Dr. 1980 02:49:12,460 --> 02:49:12,960 Kaye. 1981 02:49:13,000 --> 02:49:17,400 That brings to close the public hearing portion of this item. 1982 02:49:18,020 --> 02:49:23,900 Bring it back to this body for questions, comments, motions, chair, comment. 1983 02:49:25,260 --> 02:49:26,100 Mr. Eskobart, go ahead. 1984 02:49:26,640 --> 02:49:27,100 Thank you, Chair. 1985 02:49:29,040 --> 02:49:32,340 I'll be sort of quick as I am hungry and thirsty. 1986 02:49:34,560 --> 02:49:36,420 And no, I just did that, but thank you. 1987 02:49:38,960 --> 02:49:43,500 Some of you know, because I think I've said the story before, my dad went through some 1988 02:49:43,500 --> 02:49:52,060 hard times with all these pace of devaluations and came back to Imperial County to seek employment. 1989 02:49:53,500 --> 02:49:58,780 And he went from being an accountant in Mexico to being what Ruth, where were you back in 1990 02:49:58,780 --> 02:49:59,120 the day? 1991 02:49:59,120 --> 02:50:02,440 a teamster with a lexical housing authority. 1992 02:50:02,900 --> 02:50:05,200 And the job he got was as a utility worker. 1993 02:50:06,260 --> 02:50:08,500 And it basically meant that he had to cut grass. 1994 02:50:10,180 --> 02:50:13,560 And I'm not comparing it to farm labor workers 1995 02:50:13,560 --> 02:50:16,320 because I think that might even be a harder job. 1996 02:50:16,560 --> 02:50:20,980 But cutting grass at 120 degrees from seven to four 1997 02:50:20,980 --> 02:50:22,320 is not an easy task. 1998 02:50:23,280 --> 02:50:24,940 Six to seven months out of here. 1999 02:50:26,780 --> 02:50:32,900 Circle back to, I was lucky enough to be unlucky enough, depending on how you see the glass 2000 02:50:32,900 --> 02:50:38,440 have four, half empty, where I was able to go to college, get a degree, get an MBA, come 2001 02:50:38,440 --> 02:50:39,660 back to a local bank. 2002 02:50:40,480 --> 02:50:49,380 That local bank in Tadeh employed over 250 people with an average wage rate of roughly 2003 02:50:49,380 --> 02:50:50,280 $50,000. 2004 02:50:51,600 --> 02:50:57,300 My dad made $5 an hour, minute wage, I'm sure some of you are going to remember it was $4.25, this is 1987. 2005 02:50:59,340 --> 02:51:05,200 Ten years later, I was able to get employed by a bank where the average wage rate was roughly $50,000. 2006 02:51:05,700 --> 02:51:07,580 Plus benefits, retirement, et cetera. 2007 02:51:10,200 --> 02:51:12,800 You know how many jobs are left in Peril County from that bank? 2008 02:51:13,220 --> 02:51:14,720 From $250, plus? 2009 02:51:16,400 --> 02:51:16,800 Two. 2010 02:51:18,000 --> 02:51:18,400 Two. 2011 02:51:18,400 --> 02:51:29,680 So, when opportunity comes our way that will, exponentially, increase opportunities, not 2012 02:51:29,680 --> 02:51:38,200 for me, not for them, for our kids and for our grandkids, is very hard to turn a cold 2013 02:51:38,200 --> 02:51:38,640 shoulder. 2014 02:51:39,820 --> 02:51:45,380 It's very hard to turn a cold shoulder because this is the future of Imperial County. 2015 02:51:45,380 --> 02:51:50,920 Imperial County will no longer be a government and form driven economy. 2016 02:51:51,400 --> 02:51:57,060 It will be an industrial forming and government driven economy, which is a three-headed 2017 02:51:57,060 --> 02:52:03,060 monster, which is a lot easier to digest and provides exponential opportunities for 2018 02:52:03,060 --> 02:52:04,380 our kids and our grandkids. 2019 02:52:05,940 --> 02:52:12,380 And for those of you out there that think, I don't care about health, come at me guns blazing. 2020 02:52:12,380 --> 02:52:16,380 I've got three girls and they battle canters three times. 2021 02:52:17,320 --> 02:52:22,420 Hodgkin's lymphoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and AML, acute my loaded leukemia. 2022 02:52:22,840 --> 02:52:26,180 So if you think, I don't care about the health and 2023 02:52:26,180 --> 02:52:31,760 well-being, air quality, water quality, in our county, you're fucking wrong. 2024 02:52:31,980 --> 02:52:35,040 I apologize for the F-bond, but I'm very passionate about this. 2025 02:52:35,480 --> 02:52:35,720 Good week. 2026 02:52:36,780 --> 02:52:37,240 Thank you. 2027 02:52:37,660 --> 02:52:38,320 Thank you, Mr. 2028 02:52:43,060 --> 02:52:44,600 Hocker, then Mr. Kelly. 2029 02:52:46,160 --> 02:52:48,040 Yes, thank you for an opportunity. 2030 02:52:49,120 --> 02:52:56,740 I find that Mr. Sisson, the attorney for a committee, when I look at their objections, 2031 02:52:56,740 --> 02:52:59,960 I feel that they are shallow objections. 2032 02:53:00,920 --> 02:53:06,700 First of all, comments like a deeply flawed mitigation measure. 2033 02:53:07,300 --> 02:53:07,860 What does that mean? 2034 02:53:08,120 --> 02:53:08,800 Deeply flawed. 2035 02:53:08,800 --> 02:53:16,160 So I look at that. I look at the overuse and allocation of water. One of their issues 2036 02:53:16,160 --> 02:53:24,600 was that it's a mile away. My goodness, IID can deliver water to San Diego. That's a 2037 02:53:24,600 --> 02:53:31,580 little farther than a mile away. They talk also about 6,500 acre feet of water. That's 2038 02:53:31,580 --> 02:53:37,300 mitigation, I'm in the farming business and that is made up. 2039 02:53:37,460 --> 02:53:43,740 Their water can be made up right here in our valley, and they're by conservation 2040 02:53:43,740 --> 02:53:45,020 measures, okay. 2041 02:53:45,080 --> 02:53:47,580 So all kinds of ways, I don't see that that's an issue. 2042 02:53:48,920 --> 02:53:53,200 Another comment was novel areas of unknown safeguards. 2043 02:53:53,820 --> 02:53:54,480 What does that mean? 2044 02:53:56,060 --> 02:53:58,920 Okay, unknown safeguards, okay. 2045 02:53:58,920 --> 02:54:07,120 and on and on in public benefits. But so committee has said we object, object to 2046 02:54:07,920 --> 02:54:14,680 objections to fails and fails to use an accurate and stable project description. 2047 02:54:15,700 --> 02:54:24,420 Okay, what does that mean? Listen folks, these are, these are very vague, very broad 2048 02:54:25,700 --> 02:54:32,080 measures that they're using against Hill's kitchen. When I read in the report, I read a 2049 02:54:32,080 --> 02:54:38,540 little bit more about, there's concerns about a brine pond. Okay, that might be a legitimate. 2050 02:54:39,560 --> 02:54:46,300 But how? Okay, if you're doing it right because of the lining. Number two, re-injection process. 2051 02:54:46,920 --> 02:54:54,160 And I'm just not sure that committee understands what a re-injection process is. Listen, they've 2052 02:54:54,160 --> 02:54:59,460 been re-injecting ever since pawns have been out there ever since the geothermal industry 2053 02:54:59,460 --> 02:55:01,580 has gone has been operating. 2054 02:55:02,000 --> 02:55:03,780 And Mr. Turner could tell you that in a heartbeat. 2055 02:55:04,560 --> 02:55:04,760 Okay? 2056 02:55:05,240 --> 02:55:09,780 Listen, what happens when you don't re-inject is what you have in Mexico where they did 2057 02:55:09,780 --> 02:55:12,660 not re-inject the fields below Mexicali? 2058 02:55:12,880 --> 02:55:13,740 They sunk. 2059 02:55:14,600 --> 02:55:15,980 It's terrible out there. 2060 02:55:16,240 --> 02:55:22,800 It's just a big sump and then it's full of water and it's got all kinds of stuff. 2061 02:55:22,800 --> 02:55:26,900 of chemicals and whatever, you know, very unsafe. 2062 02:55:27,560 --> 02:55:30,560 So re-injection is proven and it's important. 2063 02:55:31,480 --> 02:55:33,500 Then they talk about directional drilling 2064 02:55:34,600 --> 02:55:36,260 and dewatering activities. 2065 02:55:37,220 --> 02:55:38,100 Oh, what does that mean? 2066 02:55:39,000 --> 02:55:42,820 Okay, you know, I'm not an expert, don't plan to be. 2067 02:55:42,960 --> 02:55:46,780 But, you know, Mr. Sisson as an attorney, 2068 02:55:47,100 --> 02:55:50,920 I would be concerned about criticizing someone 2069 02:55:50,920 --> 02:55:58,220 that's been in the business like control thermal resources or any of the other companies 2070 02:55:58,220 --> 02:55:58,880 that are out there. 2071 02:56:01,000 --> 02:56:06,840 So here's the thing that I would say when a planning commission approves this project, 2072 02:56:07,550 --> 02:56:08,060 that's huge. 2073 02:56:08,500 --> 02:56:12,040 They have looked at every aspect of what is happening. 2074 02:56:12,600 --> 02:56:19,240 When the planning and development department approves this project, that means a lot, okay? 2075 02:56:19,240 --> 02:56:27,460 They've approved two CUPs, they've approved two variances, they've approved the environmental 2076 02:56:27,800 --> 02:56:30,200 impact report which is huge. 2077 02:56:31,140 --> 02:56:35,540 The mitigation monitoring and reporting program has been approved. 2078 02:56:37,440 --> 02:56:45,720 The water supply assessment has been approved and the CEQA, California Environmental Quality 2079 02:56:45,720 --> 02:56:47,040 Act has been approved. 2080 02:56:48,540 --> 02:56:56,220 So, with respect to all the speakers, I think everybody for coming and with great respect, 2081 02:56:57,160 --> 02:57:07,100 we honor Mrs. Carmen Lucas and Mr. Milanovic and what they've said about their native, their 2082 02:57:08,900 --> 02:57:13,540 views on the native Indians and all of that, we appreciate that and we know that there 2083 02:57:13,540 --> 02:57:20,360 There are concerns there, but an EIR, and let me conclude with this, an EIR is presumed 2084 02:57:20,360 --> 02:57:27,100 adequate and the plaintiff in a sequel action as the burden of proving otherwise. 2085 02:57:28,400 --> 02:57:33,440 So folks, there are things probably that are unknown, but I think they have exhausted 2086 02:57:33,440 --> 02:57:37,160 everything that this county has asked them to do. 2087 02:57:38,020 --> 02:57:40,980 They've been in this process for I don't know how many years, ten years. 2088 02:57:40,980 --> 02:57:48,160 And so, when you look at this, it is an unbelievable hurdle that they've overcome. 2089 02:57:49,340 --> 02:58:00,500 Not to mention the jobs, the productivity, the resources, the mothers in this valley that say bring my kids home, give them a good job. 2090 02:58:01,400 --> 02:58:10,860 And I've walked an area in Brawley probably a year ago and I heard that over and over again we need good jobs. 2091 02:58:10,860 --> 02:58:16,080 to bring our kids home, to bring them home they leave, they grow up in the valley and they take off. 2092 02:58:17,440 --> 02:58:21,060 And it's one of the things that helps build families. 2093 02:58:21,520 --> 02:58:27,540 When you can bring your kids home to a good job, then that's where families thrive and prosper. 2094 02:58:29,520 --> 02:58:36,820 So I am willing to make a motion to approve Hills Kitchen as submitted by CTR. 2095 02:58:37,600 --> 02:58:40,560 So I don't know if that's appropriate at this time? 2096 02:58:40,740 --> 02:58:42,960 You can go ahead and when it comes time too. 2097 02:58:43,260 --> 02:58:43,540 Okay. 2098 02:58:43,740 --> 02:58:46,620 If you have no further comments, we'll go to the supervisor, Michael Kelly. 2099 02:58:46,880 --> 02:58:47,140 Thank you. 2100 02:58:48,280 --> 02:58:49,280 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 2101 02:58:50,140 --> 02:58:52,240 You know, I live in the valley my entire year. 2102 02:58:52,580 --> 02:58:58,840 I'm not going to talk about myself with things I've done or seen or gone through to have 2103 02:58:58,840 --> 02:58:59,420 this life. 2104 02:59:00,080 --> 02:59:05,920 But I heard a lot of information today and one that keeps sticking out in my mind is disadvantaged 2105 02:59:05,920 --> 02:59:11,120 advantage communities. Well, I submit to you the entire county 2106 02:59:11,120 --> 02:59:16,700 of Imperial has been disadvantaged for many, many, many, many years. We now have an 2107 02:59:16,700 --> 02:59:20,900 opportunity to change the direction of the course that Imperial County can go 2108 02:59:20,900 --> 02:59:27,640 and benefit generations to come. And I submit to you, Board, would be totally and 2109 02:59:27,640 --> 02:59:33,460 absolutely irresponsible for us not to go forward with this project. And that's 2110 02:59:33,460 --> 02:59:35,320 how I stand, and that's my support. 2111 02:59:35,760 --> 02:59:37,520 And it's nice and brief. 2112 02:59:37,680 --> 02:59:37,920 Thank you. 2113 02:59:38,420 --> 02:59:39,140 Thank you. 2114 02:59:39,260 --> 02:59:39,980 Supervisor Kelly. 2115 02:59:40,240 --> 02:59:41,160 Supervisor Ryan Kelly? 2116 02:59:42,880 --> 02:59:43,800 Thank you, Chair. 2117 02:59:44,780 --> 02:59:52,920 I want to acknowledge everybody that came to spend a morning and afternoon with us. 2118 02:59:53,140 --> 02:59:53,440 Thank you. 2119 02:59:55,320 --> 02:59:57,980 Everyone's voice is heard. 2120 02:59:57,980 --> 02:59:59,940 But uh... 2121 03:00:00,850 --> 03:00:28,790 I do want to share some of the conditions of where we are today, is that this board has been building an environment to see this activity. Not just Hell's Kitchen, but the entire lithium valley prospectus for the future of our youth and for us. To be able to have opportunities here in Imperial County beyond, as Mr. Eskora mentioned, government service and ag. 2122 03:00:30,610 --> 03:00:50,130 And I've been living that this past 10 years, trying to get recognition of geothermal in federal and state hallways, and it finally happened in 2021, where the PUC recognized it and added it to the Integrated Resource Plan. 2123 03:00:50,130 --> 03:01:04,150 And I didn't hear any of these complaints, though, in 2013 or in 2021 when another applicant was coming before this board. 2124 03:01:05,990 --> 03:01:20,110 So I support Imperial County jobs, I support Imperial County's future, and I believe that the applicant and the county have performed their due diligence in giving us an opportunity. 2125 03:01:20,110 --> 03:01:24,090 That's the document that we should feel comfortable with and move forward. 2126 03:01:24,470 --> 03:01:30,070 I have reviewed, and I support a motion that's being proposed. 2127 03:01:31,310 --> 03:01:32,890 Thank you, Supervisor Kelly. 2128 03:01:34,930 --> 03:01:41,330 I think all of us can get behind all five of us can get behind the feeling shared today. 2129 03:01:41,750 --> 03:01:47,750 I would like to thank everybody who has spoken on either side of this issue. 2130 03:01:48,630 --> 03:01:50,690 And I respect your points of view. 2131 03:01:52,750 --> 03:02:00,930 I think that today we have heard some good, solid information, but I also can see where 2132 03:02:00,930 --> 03:02:04,250 there is red herring that saying, look at something else. 2133 03:02:05,330 --> 03:02:09,510 You know, the sequel process clearly spells out what has to be done. 2134 03:02:10,610 --> 03:02:30,190 And my fear is that if we either do a continuation on this or turn it down is that after that another organization will say, well, I wasn't consulted with, so let's go ahead and kick it forward another month or 60 days. 2135 03:02:31,550 --> 03:02:38,910 improperly placing themselves in the future, in sequel processes, which that is not part of the sequel process. 2136 03:02:39,910 --> 03:02:50,730 I think that this is a great opportunity for our county economics and also for us to get a message that we are growing Lithium Valley. 2137 03:02:50,970 --> 03:02:52,750 We are here to do business. 2138 03:02:52,750 --> 03:03:03,330 If you do your proper reports and environmental assessments in SEQUA, we will welcome you with open arms. 2139 03:03:03,550 --> 03:03:14,150 So with that, Madam Clerk, if you make motions available, what I like to do is once the motions are made, 2140 03:03:14,330 --> 03:03:17,330 I would like to go ahead and do a roll call vote on this item. 2141 03:03:17,330 --> 03:03:22,310 And if I, and if you can go ahead and clarify your motion. 2142 03:03:23,270 --> 03:03:30,250 Okay, my motion is to approve the Hills Kitchen project as submitted by CTR. 2143 03:03:30,670 --> 03:03:32,070 And that would be denying the appeal. 2144 03:03:32,370 --> 03:03:33,250 Denying the appeal. 2145 03:03:33,530 --> 03:03:33,910 Is that? 2146 03:03:34,190 --> 03:03:34,910 Yeah, wanted it. 2147 03:03:34,910 --> 03:03:40,570 And, and Chairman, I would, I would recommend once again to go one at a time as listed on the agenda. 2148 03:03:40,570 --> 03:03:53,670 Okay, and so where's the agenda if you want to make them okay I make a motion that we 2149 03:03:53,670 --> 03:04:02,150 support approval of denial of appeal number 23 that's 0 0 0 4 2150 03:04:06,920 --> 03:04:11,160 prior to a second do you 2151 03:04:11,160 --> 03:04:19,340 You have to clarify anything as far as how the reading, how it's being read and presented, just to make sure that would be a question for the clerk as well as our county council. 2152 03:04:20,840 --> 03:04:33,900 So this motion would be for, and it's in the backup here as number one, and then it has two A, B and C. As it's listed on the agenda, it's considered approval or denial of appeal. 2153 03:04:33,900 --> 03:04:45,180 So this motion here is to deny the appeal and then to re-emphasize everything we would go down the list for all that conditional use permits and so on. 2154 03:04:45,200 --> 03:04:56,500 And typically the clerk reads the portion of the item as well as the alphanumeric bullet point. 2155 03:04:56,800 --> 03:04:58,980 So I just want to be clear so there won't be any issues down the road. 2156 03:04:59,100 --> 03:05:00,520 I can go ahead and do that. 2157 03:05:00,520 --> 03:05:11,720 Okay. Thank you. Sure. Yes, sir. As Mr. S. Gorgeous mentioned, so a first action would be the denial as listed on the item agenda. 2158 03:05:11,880 --> 03:05:13,100 Very correct. Okay. 2159 03:05:13,960 --> 03:05:19,740 Mr. Jimmy, you want to know how that is, that would be sending a clear message. Yes. 2160 03:05:20,200 --> 03:05:27,580 Just for clarification, 23a would be considered denial of appeal, number 23-004. 2161 03:05:31,440 --> 03:05:37,700 We have a motion by Mr. Hawke, a second by Mr. Michael Kelly on this one. 2162 03:05:42,620 --> 03:05:43,320 District one. 2163 03:05:43,640 --> 03:05:43,780 Yes. 2164 03:05:44,120 --> 03:05:44,740 District two. 2165 03:05:45,000 --> 03:05:45,220 Yes. 2166 03:05:45,520 --> 03:05:46,100 District three. 2167 03:05:47,440 --> 03:05:47,940 Yes. 2168 03:05:48,300 --> 03:05:48,880 District four. 2169 03:05:49,860 --> 03:05:50,500 Yes. 2170 03:05:50,900 --> 03:05:51,500 District five. 2171 03:05:51,720 --> 03:05:51,860 Yes. 2172 03:05:57,860 --> 03:05:58,500 23B. 2173 03:05:58,740 --> 03:06:01,860 Be consider approval of water supply agreement. 2174 03:06:01,860 --> 03:06:15,460 So, we have a motion by Supervisor Michael Kelly, a second by Supervisor John Huck, call for the vote. 2175 03:06:16,340 --> 03:06:17,080 District one. 2176 03:06:17,700 --> 03:06:17,900 Yes. 2177 03:06:18,320 --> 03:06:18,940 District two. 2178 03:06:19,420 --> 03:06:19,720 Yes. 2179 03:06:20,140 --> 03:06:20,740 District three. 2180 03:06:20,900 --> 03:06:21,100 Yes. 2181 03:06:21,540 --> 03:06:22,240 District four. 2182 03:06:22,920 --> 03:06:23,280 Yes. 2183 03:06:23,720 --> 03:06:24,280 District five. 2184 03:06:24,460 --> 03:06:24,680 Yes. 2185 03:06:24,680 --> 03:06:24,860 Yes. 2186 03:06:30,590 --> 03:06:45,610 23C, consider approval of final EIR and findings of X for SCH, number 2022, 0307, 040. 2187 03:06:48,620 --> 03:06:56,720 And that would be motion by Supervisor Hissley-Sosco, second by Supervisor Ryan Kelly. 2188 03:06:56,720 --> 03:07:01,600 Just to clarify, for the record, clerk, consider it to denial. 2189 03:07:02,540 --> 03:07:04,200 I think you said approval. 2190 03:07:04,420 --> 03:07:04,800 I'm sorry. 2191 03:07:08,260 --> 03:07:09,440 Approval of denial. 2192 03:07:10,120 --> 03:07:10,700 No. 2193 03:07:10,940 --> 03:07:11,580 The final year? 2194 03:07:12,240 --> 03:07:13,080 Approval of denial. 2195 03:07:13,080 --> 03:07:13,780 The final year? 2196 03:07:14,200 --> 03:07:14,600 The final year? 2197 03:07:15,000 --> 03:07:15,320 Approval of appeal. 2198 03:07:15,960 --> 03:07:16,260 Okay. 2199 03:07:16,520 --> 03:07:18,840 The wording here is denial of appeal, right? 2200 03:07:19,380 --> 03:07:23,800 Yes, and now we're on, did you say, consider a approval of final year? 2201 03:07:27,360 --> 03:07:30,320 Okay, let's go ahead and get the wording to your end list. 2202 03:07:31,000 --> 03:07:36,720 So far, we're 2203 03:07:43,470 --> 03:07:43,470 going through each letter and we're approving the different. 2204 03:07:53,350 --> 03:07:55,310 Is it approval of the ERA? 2205 03:07:56,170 --> 03:08:00,030 It is approval and denial of the appeal of the appeal, okay. 2206 03:08:00,890 --> 03:08:02,410 We are denying the appeal. 2207 03:08:02,570 --> 03:08:05,010 So in 23A, we denied the appeal. 2208 03:08:05,010 --> 03:08:09,570 So we're going through each letter and we're approving the different. 2209 03:08:10,070 --> 03:08:10,570 Correct. 2210 03:08:14,140 --> 03:08:18,260 23C, Approval Final EIR, SCH 2022. 2211 03:08:21,060 --> 03:08:23,080 030704, including findings of facts. 2212 03:08:23,300 --> 03:08:24,680 We are approving the EIR. 2213 03:08:27,920 --> 03:08:28,680 I see that. 2214 03:08:29,460 --> 03:08:34,560 Okay, so we have a motion by supervisor Escobar, a second by supervisor Ryan Kelly. 2215 03:08:35,640 --> 03:08:36,400 Let's call for the vote. 2216 03:08:39,040 --> 03:08:39,720 District one. 2217 03:08:40,040 --> 03:08:40,220 Yes. 2218 03:08:40,220 --> 03:08:41,080 Yes. District 2. 2219 03:08:41,240 --> 03:08:41,460 Yes. 2220 03:08:41,820 --> 03:08:42,460 District 3. 2221 03:08:42,660 --> 03:08:42,920 Yes. 2222 03:08:43,280 --> 03:08:43,880 District 4. 2223 03:08:44,160 --> 03:08:44,400 Yes. 2224 03:08:44,820 --> 03:08:45,360 District 5. 2225 03:08:45,560 --> 03:08:45,800 Yes. 2226 03:08:53,810 --> 03:08:54,410 23D. 2227 03:08:55,750 --> 03:08:58,790 Approval of mitigation monitoring and reporting program. 2228 03:08:59,970 --> 03:09:00,570 Correct. 2229 03:09:00,770 --> 03:09:07,810 We have a motion by supervisor Michael Kelly, a second by supervisor John Huck, please vote. 2230 03:09:09,370 --> 03:09:10,270 District 1. 2231 03:09:10,550 --> 03:09:10,730 Yes. 2232 03:09:11,050 --> 03:09:11,630 District 2. 2233 03:09:11,810 --> 03:09:12,070 Yes. 2234 03:09:12,490 --> 03:09:13,090 District 3. 2235 03:09:13,230 --> 03:09:13,410 Yes. 2236 03:09:13,410 --> 03:09:13,510 Yes. 2237 03:09:13,670 --> 03:09:14,370 District 4. 2238 03:09:14,610 --> 03:09:14,910 Yes. 2239 03:09:15,190 --> 03:09:15,790 District 5. 2240 03:09:15,930 --> 03:09:16,170 Yes. 2241 03:09:23,550 --> 03:09:24,210 23e. 2242 03:09:25,970 --> 03:09:32,590 Approval of conditional use permit number 21-020, Power Code 1 LLC. 2243 03:09:34,540 --> 03:09:41,450 We have a motion by supervisor John Hock, a second by supervisor Eskobar, please call for 2244 03:09:41,450 --> 03:09:41,690 the vote. 2245 03:09:43,030 --> 03:09:43,770 District 1. 2246 03:09:43,930 --> 03:09:44,150 Yes. 2247 03:09:44,830 --> 03:09:45,550 District 2. 2248 03:09:45,790 --> 03:09:46,090 Yes. 2249 03:09:46,770 --> 03:09:46,930 Yes. 2250 03:09:47,470 --> 03:09:48,150 District 3. 2251 03:09:48,370 --> 03:09:48,590 Yes. 2252 03:09:48,590 --> 03:09:49,190 Yes, please. 2253 03:09:49,610 --> 03:09:49,910 District 5. 2254 03:09:51,030 --> 03:09:52,090 District 5. 2255 03:09:52,150 --> 03:09:52,370 Yes. 2256 03:10:00,970 --> 03:10:01,610 23F. 2257 03:10:01,970 --> 03:10:03,830 Approval conditional use permit. 2258 03:10:04,510 --> 03:10:06,530 Number 21-021. 2259 03:10:06,870 --> 03:10:07,690 Lithium-Co-1. 2260 03:10:07,870 --> 03:10:08,290 LLC. 2261 03:10:09,750 --> 03:10:11,950 A motion by Supervisor Michael Kelly. 2262 03:10:12,150 --> 03:10:13,510 A second by Supervisor Hiss. 2263 03:10:13,570 --> 03:10:14,210 Will this go out? 2264 03:10:14,450 --> 03:10:15,130 Please call for the vote. 2265 03:10:16,290 --> 03:10:17,150 District 1. 2266 03:10:17,630 --> 03:10:17,850 Yes. 2267 03:10:18,230 --> 03:10:18,870 District 2. 2268 03:10:19,050 --> 03:10:19,250 Yes. 2269 03:10:19,710 --> 03:10:20,350 District 3. 2270 03:10:20,550 --> 03:10:20,710 Yes. 2271 03:10:21,150 --> 03:10:21,810 District 4. 2272 03:10:22,190 --> 03:10:22,450 Yes. 2273 03:10:22,450 --> 03:10:22,610 Yes. 2274 03:10:22,730 --> 03:10:23,510 District 5. 2275 03:10:23,710 --> 03:10:23,970 Yes. 2276 03:10:30,400 --> 03:10:31,000 23G. 2277 03:10:31,840 --> 03:10:37,900 Approval of variance and number 21-004, Power Co. 1, LLC. 2278 03:10:40,960 --> 03:10:45,840 We have a motion by Supervisor John Hawke, second by Supervisor Michael Kelly. 2279 03:10:46,660 --> 03:10:47,440 Please call for the vote. 2280 03:10:50,260 --> 03:10:50,920 District 1. 2281 03:10:51,720 --> 03:10:51,920 Yes. 2282 03:10:52,340 --> 03:10:52,900 District 2. 2283 03:10:53,100 --> 03:10:53,380 Yes. 2284 03:10:53,800 --> 03:10:54,420 District 3. 2285 03:10:54,640 --> 03:10:54,820 Yes. 2286 03:10:55,240 --> 03:10:55,820 District 4. 2287 03:10:56,220 --> 03:10:56,420 Yes. 2288 03:10:56,800 --> 03:10:57,320 District 5. 2289 03:10:57,520 --> 03:10:57,720 Yes. 2290 03:10:57,720 --> 03:10:57,800 Yes. 2291 03:11:04,700 --> 03:11:13,160 And 23H approval, approval of variance number 21-005, Lithium Coal 1, LLC. 2292 03:11:14,740 --> 03:11:19,880 Last but not least on this item, we have a motion by Supervisor John Hawke, a second 2293 03:11:19,880 --> 03:11:22,480 by Supervisor Eskobar, please call for the vote. 2294 03:11:24,160 --> 03:11:25,000 District one? 2295 03:11:25,520 --> 03:11:25,700 Yes. 2296 03:11:26,220 --> 03:11:26,860 District two? 2297 03:11:27,040 --> 03:11:27,260 Yes. 2298 03:11:27,660 --> 03:11:28,280 District three? 2299 03:11:28,500 --> 03:11:28,700 Yes. 2300 03:11:29,120 --> 03:11:29,740 District four? 2301 03:11:30,640 --> 03:11:31,200 Yes. 2302 03:11:31,600 --> 03:11:32,200 District five. 2303 03:11:32,200 --> 03:11:32,540 Yes. 2304 03:11:35,870 --> 03:11:41,790 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Therefore, the appeal 2305 03:11:45,240 --> 03:11:52,500 is the client and the project is approved looking for the right one. 2306 03:12:00,650 --> 03:12:10,850 38. Correct. And with that, we will go ahead to item spool from the discussion calendar. Item number 38 is up next. 2307 03:12:28,770 --> 03:12:32,970 Goal in this side of silence is gold but sometimes now we've got to go 2308 03:12:49,040 --> 03:12:49,080 in. 2309 03:12:53,560 --> 03:12:55,720 I didn't drink through sodas. 2310 03:13:00,500 --> 03:13:10,040 Okay, we are coming back from break Barrow County Board of Supervisors meeting January 23rd, 2024. 2311 03:13:11,060 --> 03:13:15,720 We are going on to agenda item number 38 register of voters. 2312 03:13:15,720 --> 03:13:36,760 This is the approved conducting special election for the city of Calexico, authorizing the register of voters to Canvas and approved budget resolution, sorry, city of Calexico, correct. 2313 03:13:36,760 --> 03:13:36,880 All right. 2314 03:13:39,020 --> 03:13:39,700 Lizzie? 2315 03:13:39,880 --> 03:13:40,240 Sure. 2316 03:13:40,600 --> 03:13:49,700 So before you today is a request to allow us to conduct the callxico recall schedule for April 16th, we have received the resolution. 2317 03:13:50,140 --> 03:13:59,740 This will be the approval for us to conduct the election and the canvas afterwards with an estimated budget of 128,346 that we've estimated. 2318 03:13:59,740 --> 03:14:16,660 Of course we don't know exactly the exact figure, but that is our estimation based on previous elections at approximately $6 per voter multiplied by the number of voters that a city of classical currently has in the packet is a bar for your approval as well. 2319 03:14:17,480 --> 03:14:23,940 Well, Lindsey just so that I understand this neighborhood of $6 per voter. 2320 03:14:24,300 --> 03:14:29,540 That is per voter that we reach out to and not necessarily per voters that show up, is that correct? 2321 03:14:29,720 --> 03:14:31,480 Correct, that's for each registered voter. 2322 03:14:31,800 --> 03:14:31,860 Correct. 2323 03:14:31,960 --> 03:14:35,220 So that's the voters that we send ballots to, not that return them. 2324 03:14:35,720 --> 03:14:35,820 Okay. 2325 03:14:36,500 --> 03:14:38,560 Any questions before I open public comment? 2326 03:14:38,780 --> 03:14:39,080 Yes, sir. 2327 03:14:40,340 --> 03:14:46,860 What exactly do you do when you can the city, the voters, what do you do? 2328 03:14:47,140 --> 03:14:49,140 No, Canvas is when we count the ballots, basically. 2329 03:14:49,740 --> 03:14:51,040 So that's the counting of the ballots. 2330 03:14:51,320 --> 03:14:56,560 And then after the election we balance the precincts and the ballots that came in. 2331 03:14:56,800 --> 03:14:57,900 There's a whole process there. 2332 03:14:58,340 --> 03:14:59,820 So we're not actually talking to voters. 2333 03:15:00,000 --> 03:15:12,120 So it's Canvas is canvassing the ballots. Okay. We will now open the public comment portion of the item. We have one request to speak from Chambers. I'm Ms. Medi-Sof-Thatham. 2334 03:15:18,580 --> 03:15:35,640 Thank you very much for the opportunity. And thank you for reminding me to stay on topic. I know that it's very difficult when we come here for a recall to discuss that everything that's been going on in the pure county with regard in Calexico to our recall. I know that it's very easy and to be very charged. 2335 03:15:35,640 --> 03:15:40,480 to emotionally charged here, however, it is very important that we ask that we come here 2336 03:15:40,480 --> 03:15:48,620 so that it can be clarified why the City of Calexico ended up with $128,000 as the 2337 03:15:48,620 --> 03:15:54,620 cost and why do I come here to ask that is because as you said, you want me to stay on topic 2338 03:15:54,620 --> 03:16:02,380 but it is really hard as a community of Calexico to see that our media does not participate 2339 03:16:02,380 --> 03:16:08,120 to educate our community and just last week the collectible chronicle had an editorial 2340 03:16:08,120 --> 03:16:12,860 or forgot what it was, by an attorney or a very nice gentleman, Aguña. 2341 03:16:13,440 --> 03:16:17,640 And Mr. Aguña had no information whatsoever as far as how this all happened. 2342 03:16:18,160 --> 03:16:26,520 And Mr. Aguña accuses the citizens of collectible to be at fault for this for why it ended up increasing in price. 2343 03:16:27,120 --> 03:16:31,140 So I think that if we can clarify not only to the Mr. Aguña's that are out there, 2344 03:16:31,140 --> 03:16:36,380 find gentlemen that just are not informed on how this happened for the recall, help us 2345 03:16:36,380 --> 03:16:37,380 the citizens to understand. 2346 03:16:37,980 --> 03:16:42,900 And so that that way, the truth be known as to why the citizens worked so hard. 2347 03:16:43,260 --> 03:16:44,260 Thank you, Imperial County. 2348 03:16:44,480 --> 03:16:49,220 Thank you to the Department of Register of Voters who also assisted the citizens of 2349 03:16:49,220 --> 03:16:52,820 Calexico in this recall to complete their tasks on time. 2350 03:16:53,460 --> 03:16:55,240 We completed our task on time. 2351 03:16:55,240 --> 03:16:59,520 As asked, we submitted over 5,000 signatures for each candidate. 2352 03:16:59,520 --> 03:17:05,380 there are two. Mr. Rauulu Urenga and Mr. Gilberto Monsanadas, we did what was expected 2353 03:17:05,380 --> 03:17:11,420 of us. We worked really hard. And for anyone out there with apparent responsibilities 2354 03:17:11,420 --> 03:17:18,500 in the communities such as lawyers to be writing on our local paper that the fact that the 2355 03:17:18,500 --> 03:17:25,800 citizens failed to act appropriately in this type of a process. This type of a process is not popular. 2356 03:17:25,800 --> 03:17:30,400 You know that there hasn't been any successful recalls in a really long time in Imperial County. 2357 03:17:31,060 --> 03:17:32,720 So why are we being treated this way? 2358 03:17:33,280 --> 03:17:36,740 Why is it that we are being locked out of being respected? 2359 03:17:37,260 --> 03:17:40,060 Because as far as the work that we did was highly respectable, 2360 03:17:40,600 --> 03:17:44,160 we had a group of really awesome people come together to communicate, 2361 03:17:45,140 --> 03:17:47,860 to get to know each other, to understand the issues, 2362 03:17:48,360 --> 03:17:50,640 the very serious issues that we have in this area ago, 2363 03:17:50,840 --> 03:17:55,000 that we feel that this administration that we have at this time needs to be recalled. 2364 03:17:55,000 --> 03:18:00,800 As you can see today, you had an arm, I guess, of that group that came here, Ivy Equity 2365 03:18:00,800 --> 03:18:01,260 and Justice. 2366 03:18:01,640 --> 03:18:02,360 They have been troubled. 2367 03:18:02,780 --> 03:18:02,960 Why? 2368 03:18:03,120 --> 03:18:05,580 Because our mayor belongs to that organization. 2369 03:18:06,180 --> 03:18:09,940 And you also have other individuals that belong to that organization that you have come 2370 03:18:09,940 --> 03:18:12,360 across here as well, which is Alexis Castro. 2371 03:18:12,960 --> 03:18:17,920 And Alexis Castro was an employee of Gomita Sivico, the person that came here today to appeal 2372 03:18:17,920 --> 03:18:18,220 to you. 2373 03:18:18,640 --> 03:18:24,200 So, I asked that you please clarify why this cost happened, why they was elevated, and that 2374 03:18:24,200 --> 03:18:26,520 But it was not the fault of the community of Calexico. 2375 03:18:26,960 --> 03:18:29,460 Rather, it was the fault of one single person. 2376 03:18:29,760 --> 03:18:33,100 Gloria Romo, our now mayor of the City of Calexico, unfortunately. 2377 03:18:35,970 --> 03:18:36,670 Thank you, Mr. Fellow. 2378 03:18:38,170 --> 03:18:40,750 Any additional speakers, seeming to be none. 2379 03:18:41,610 --> 03:18:42,910 Bring it back to this body. 2380 03:18:48,080 --> 03:18:48,560 Any, 2381 03:18:52,850 --> 03:18:54,730 do we have any questions, Lindsay? 2382 03:18:55,050 --> 03:18:57,930 Is there anything you'd like to just briefly clarify? 2383 03:18:59,990 --> 03:19:02,030 No, I have nothing else to add. 2384 03:19:02,750 --> 03:19:03,310 Nothing else to add. 2385 03:19:03,310 --> 03:19:07,510 Okay, so the City of Collective will be billed for the election. 2386 03:19:07,650 --> 03:19:09,050 Correct, correct. 2387 03:19:09,370 --> 03:19:15,990 This is how we run elections, the districts that the election is for, pays for the election. 2388 03:19:16,430 --> 03:19:20,070 And they have been made aware of that, they've known that from the very beginning. 2389 03:19:23,750 --> 03:19:26,210 We know seemingly additional questions. 2390 03:19:26,230 --> 03:19:30,410 We have a motion by Supervisor Michael Kelly, a second by Supervisor John Huck. 2391 03:19:30,710 --> 03:19:31,450 Please vote. 2392 03:19:38,510 --> 03:19:40,410 I had him pass this, including the bar. 2393 03:19:40,730 --> 03:19:41,070 Thank you. 2394 03:19:41,070 --> 03:19:48,610 Mr. Chair, I forgot to bring something up earlier, but I'd like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to this full board. 2395 03:19:49,110 --> 03:19:53,950 The invitation is from New Creations that are having an appreciation luncheon for 2396 03:19:53,950 --> 03:19:58,530 the Imperial County District Attorney's Office and probation, they have it every year. 2397 03:19:58,830 --> 03:20:06,150 This year will be February the 21st at noon, at 590 West Orange Avenue, El Centro. 2398 03:20:06,150 --> 03:20:11,590 I think I've gone to it every year, and it's a very successful thing that they do in 2399 03:20:11,590 --> 03:20:15,690 appreciation for the hard work of the district attorney's office in probation. 2400 03:20:15,950 --> 03:20:19,770 So if you would put that on your calendar, if you forget it, give me a call, let you 2401 03:20:19,770 --> 03:20:19,990 know. 2402 03:20:20,250 --> 03:20:22,970 And I mean, Cynthia will have it down. 2403 03:20:23,490 --> 03:20:31,110 So that is February 21st at noon, at 590 West Orange Avenue, El Centro, and it's a good 2404 03:20:31,110 --> 03:20:31,570 luncheon. 2405 03:20:31,730 --> 03:20:32,890 And it's a good speaker. 2406 03:20:33,110 --> 03:20:34,250 You guys will really enjoy it. 2407 03:20:34,710 --> 03:20:35,150 Excellent. 2408 03:20:35,150 --> 03:20:44,610 thank you for the invitation. Appreciate it. Okay, continuing on with our agenda. We will now reconvene into close session. Thank you. 2409 03:20:44,770 --> 03:20:44,890 Thank you. 2410 03:20:46,670 --> 03:20:54,730 Mr. Chairman, would you like to go through a discussion, Helena, just to let you lay something on the counter. 2411 03:20:59,670 --> 03:21:02,150 So that they don't have to come back to report. 2412 03:21:02,150 --> 03:21:12,230 Yeah, I'm learning I'm learning okay discussion 2413 03:21:14,130 --> 03:21:15,530 Any reports 2414 03:21:16,690 --> 03:21:19,470 And no legislation see your office 2415 03:21:20,510 --> 03:21:26,870 Nothing to edit this time chairman county council. Nothing chairman. Thank you any departments or agencies 2416 03:21:29,130 --> 03:21:33,710 Okay, being none we will allow we can be to close session 2417 03:21:33,710 --> 03:21:34,350 Thank 2418 03:22:04,590 --> 03:22:06,030 you, Cynthia. 2419 03:22:06,530 --> 03:22:11,670 The Board met in closed session regarding a conference with real property negotiator under 2420 03:22:11,670 --> 03:22:19,910 government code 54956.8 concerning the property at 440 West Main Street, Calipatria, APN 2421 03:22:19,910 --> 03:22:29,530 023-070-007, Negotiate Party City of Calipatria, direction was given no portable action taken. 2422 03:22:29,530 --> 03:22:56,230 The board met and closed session regarding a conference of legal counsel, existing litigation under government code 54956.91, the case of Otero versus County of Imperial, Imperial Superior Court case number ECU003036, direction was given no Portable Action Taken, the board met and closed regarding a conference of legal counsel under anticipated litigation, significant exposure to litigation. 2423 03:22:56,230 --> 03:23:00,350 The investigation, two matters under government code 54956.92. 2424 03:23:00,990 --> 03:23:02,990 Direction was given no portable action taken. 2425 03:23:03,510 --> 03:23:09,910 The board met in closed session regarding a comfort with labor negotiator under government code 54957.6. 2426 03:23:10,090 --> 03:23:12,250 Direction was given no portable action taken. 2427 03:23:12,530 --> 03:23:13,490 This includes my report. 2428 03:23:14,210 --> 03:23:15,370 Thank you, Mr. Haven. 2429 03:23:15,710 --> 03:23:18,230 It is 2.06 p.m., meeting adjourned.